Fearful and Wondering

Genesis 3:23-24 & 4:13-14, & 16

So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had

been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is more than I can bear.  Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." So Cain went out from the LORD’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

As I was reading this passage I had a few a few questions. Who was Cain afraid off? If the Lord has created Adam & Eve and Cain had just killed his brother Abel; who was left?

Often when we sin, we have a tendency to hide and fear can grip us.  We run from God because we know that God sees all; somewhere deep inside, where the law of God is written in the hearts of men, we know we have done wrong (Roman 2:15 & Hebrews 10:16).

When Adam & Eve sinned the separation began; death had entered in just as the Lord said it would (Genesis 2:16-17). The Lord removed them from the Garden. Sin has a way of putting distance between us and God.  Death continues to push until we are far from the Lord.

Now here comes Cain.  Once again, sin was crouching at the door and Cain did not know how to master it

(Genesis 4:7). This time its murder. The Father speaks and Cain is further removed and sent to the land of Nod; a man left to wander, no longer part of the family, he was sent our from the presence of God.

So Cain what are you afraid?  I don't know that I can answer that question for Cain, but I do know that when sin has captured our hearts and we are left to wander and contemplate our condition, there is a loneliness that visits us. There is a fear of what will happen if all is disclosed? Will my family still love me? Will I still belong? Will God ever visit me again; will I be accepted? Often its not easy for us to admit we have wronged someone; that we have said the wrong thing, taken actions that have caused someone pain; ruined someones reputation, lied, cheated, stolen, every action & thought that opposes God.  Pride will bind us; shame wants to keep us, and we are left wandering and moving further

apart from God and those that love us.

As Adam & Eve left the Garden, the Word says that the Lord made them garments of skin (Genesis

2:21). The shedding of blood for the remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22). The Lord did send them out; they may not have fully understood, but they had a map that covered them; it was a coat fashioned for them, a coat designed as blood spilled, a coat that would remind them of what the Lord had done for them. He covered them and then sent them out. Almost like a whisper, a reminder; the coat a shadowed for the things to come. I have covered you, I will cover you; you have done wrong, you have sinned, but I have paid the price for you disobedience.

How far can we drift? We can roam for a long time without peace. We can walk through life afraid.  It we allow it, the fear can keep us from a right relationship with God.  The enemy of our soul would love to keep us distance from the One that can give Life. Christ has come, sent by the Father. Christ has come and clothed himself in flesh.  He went to the cross, shed his blood and paid for our rebellion.  The

message is simple.  The price--the life of the Son of God for our forgiveness; a way back; forgiveness for all who turn to the Lord. Turn around, go in the opposite direction. No more running from God.  Draw near to God.  He wants us to come back home, back to fellowship with the Father. We must get up and go to the Father. He waits for our return. (Luke 15:20)

Can I get a Witness

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Can I get a witness?  Better question, what kind of witness are we?

A married couple coming to the apostles and laying before their feet, their money.  A good gesture, an offering if you will.  This couple has sold their house and are bringing the monies to the apostles' feet for distribution; to help those in need. So why did they die?

Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” Acts 5:8-9

What exactly is the role of a witness?  A witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion provides a testimony; to bear witness; to see, hear, or know by personal presence or perception; to be present at an occurrence as a formal witness, spectator; to testify.  These definitions found on the web gives us an idea why Sapphira dropped dead.  I am highlighting the wife because as I understand this passage; God was extending mercy and grace to Sapphira, but she missed it.

When we testify we have a choice to bring glory to God or perhaps glory to us.  One leads to life the other can bring death. Ever told a lie and had the Spirit of the Lord speak to you no sooner than the words came out of your mouth?  We have a choice; come clean and fix immediately or let the lie sleep in our hearts and give the enemy more ammunition to destroy us.   

I believe that if Sapphira had come clean, she would have encountered the mercy and grace of God.  But she chose to lie; to be a witness that robbed God; she spoke in a  manner that exposed her heart.  Perhaps she thought no one knew the truth.  The Word of God tells us that He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. 1 Corinthians 4:5. She bore witness to a lie and reaped the consequences.

John the Baptist, the forerunner to Christ.  He testified of the One who would come.  His entire life lived as a witness to the Christ.  Then he ends up  in jail; even as doubt arose in his heart and he questioned if indeed Jesus was was the long awaited one.  He found strength and courage to endure as the words came to him;  “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Luke 7:22. We know that John is beheaded later on, but he did not lose his witness!

How amazing!  The encouragement and strength to be the witness came from God himself.  If we are not ashamed, if we just hold on, he breaths life and strengthens us. 

Elijah and the people of Israel "How long will you waver between two opinions" 1 Kings 18:21 Choose!  Either serve your false god Baal or serve the One True God.  Testify and be a witness. Choose!  Elijah found strength from God to stand against the opposition.  Later we see Elijah terrified as he runs from Jezebel.  But once again, Elijah receives encouragement from God; an angel ministered to him.  Jezebel, a witness to evil; "Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel".  1 Kings 21:23  She dies!  Elijah maintains his witness.

We always have a choice. 

 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15

I can go on and on; the witnesses are all over Scripture. The witnesses of the Triumphal Entry, the spectators around the Cross; Saul the zealous witness, the observer even to Stephen death; discovered Christ on the road to Damascus and embraced the mercy & grace of God.  The one who thought could see was actually blind until he encountered the Lord. 

Then there is the Eunuch encountered by Philip (Acts 8).  Ever wondered how many other turned to the Lord?  Truly the Eunuch was not alone. he gave orders to stop the chariot; how many were with him; how many observers.  The message brought by Philip, the message of Salvation was received by the Eunuch; maybe it caused a rippling affect to those that were present.  They heard and saw; observed the Eunuch even get baptized!

I want to be a good witness!  I desire the strength and power of the Almighty that lives within me to lead me and "bear witness" not only to what God has done in me but what I expect him to do in others if they are willing.  I want this life to mean something; something bigger than myself.  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20




God bless you!~Liz www.lizrod.com

Tight Laced Fingers - In His Grip!

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


This morning as I woke up I got on my computer to send out this daily email. But this morning I actually checked out the news; my eyes glanced over the words Typhoon.  It's another disaster that has occurred in this world; lives lost and families separated.

One of the images was what seemed like, a young mother; she is gripping her child with interlaced fingers, guaranteeing that nothing is going to cause her arms to let go.  She has created a secure grip not only to insure herself but to protect the child she is holding as well. She is not standing in the midst of a nice hotel room, she's not even in the center of her home.  Actually her feet are touching dirt; flip flops and pair of shorts and a t-shirt.  A few salvaged items, a blanket and probably whatever they were able to escape with.  Others are in worst shape; laying down in dirt that has been shifted as the water swept through their village.  No home, no possessions.  As I read Romans 8 this morning, it became an image, a visual aid as this verse came to life.  We don't go through Typhoons or earthquakes or any other disasters on a daily basis, but in this fallen world there are many enemies and disaster type events that indeed are trying to separate us from God.

The Bible says we have an advocate, a helper who teaches us all things and points us back to Jesus (John 14:26). Well, in the midst of my disaster, of my crisis, what is Jesus saying? Has your leader or mentor been stripped from you and fear is trying to negotiate your future?  The Bible says, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6.  These folks had alot of wavering going on; their hearts were going to capsize and give up.  The Lord spoke through Moses and made sure that they understood the pre-qualifications if you will to the promise; " and you must do all that I have commanded" ver 5.  My paraphrase, I got you, I will be with you.  My hand is leading and covering you, but you must obey. Neither the present or the future will separate us.
I remember when I first got saved.  I began to have vary strange and demonic like dreams.  I really did not understand all that was happening to me; I do remember fighting in my dreams.  I was not fighting physically, but there was a strong presence of "evil" that I could feel and images that I could see.  I did not understand spiritual warfare; I did not even know what I was supposed to do.  In the midst of my dream that was as real as you and I, I called on the Name of Jesus, that was the only thing I knew to do.  I did not know Scripture well; actually the only Scripture I knew was what I was taught in the Catholic Church "The Our Father" prayer that we find in Matthew 6. I began to pray in my dream until I woke up.  God was teaching me that he was and is my help; that his Name is Mighty, He is my Deliverer!  Neither angels nor demons can separate me from Christ.

How about death? The Bible says, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24 So, when death comes to visit, he sends a procession of agents ahead of it; fear, doubt, pain, confusion; all with the intention to discourage us from believing the promise of God.  I have crossed over, Hallelujah.  The Bible says that death has been swallowed up.  The one who paid the ransom is the one who grips me; he is the one who welcomes me home.  Neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35  See, God holds us in a tight grip.  The seal on the tomb, the death to his physically body could not keep him from rising.  Try if you will and seal the tomb.  Crucify him and kill the flesh. Try and strip him of his identity, but he knows who he is. The purposes of the Father, the plan to call us back to himself will be done.  For it is not his will, but the Father's will that will be accomplished. Done; "It is finished" John 19:30. Death swallowed, our shame covered. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1.

The International Space Center has produced an image that shows the disaster hovering over the region of the Philippines.  The Lord saw the pending disaster as we disobeyed in the garden.  He has made provision; he has sent the Lamb of God, born in a manger, the begotten of the Father, to redeemed us. The Son leaves the presence of the Father; he walks on earth; defiled ground if you will.  He allows himself to be tortured, humiliated, beaten by the hands of sinners.  He overcomes the grave, he goes back to the Father and is interceding for us; he send the Holy Spirit to remind us of all this.  So, what is God saying?  What shall separate us from his love? Nothing, absolutely nothing; he has us in his grip!  Praise the Living God!

God bless you!~Liz

Be Inspired! Visit : www.lizrod.com

In His Grip

Romans 8:38-39 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This morning as I woke up I got on my computer to send out this daily email. But this morning I actually checked out the news; my eyes glanced over the words Typhoon.  It's another disaster that has occurred in this world; lives lost and families separated.

One of the images was what seemed like, a young mother; she is gripping her child with interlaced fingers, guaranteeing that nothing is going to cause her arms to let go.  She has created a secure grip not only to insure herself but to protect the child she is holding as well. She is not standing in the midst of a nice hotel room, she's not even in the center of her home.  Actually her feet are touching dirt; flip flops and pair of shorts and a t-shirt.  A few salvaged items, a blanket and probably whatever they were able to escape with.  Others are in worst shape; laying down in dirt that has been shifted as the water swept through their village.  No home, no possessions.  As I read Romans 8 this morning, it became an image, a visual aid as this verse came to life.  We don't go through Typhoons or earthquakes or any other disasters on a daily basis, but in this fallen world there are many enemies and disaster type events that indeed are trying to separate us from God. 

The Bible says we have an advocate, a helper who teaches us all things and points us back to Jesus (John 14:26). Well, in the midst of my disaster, of my crisis, what is Jesus saying? Has your leader or mentor been stripped from you and fear is trying to negotiate your future?  The Bible says, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6.  These folks had alot of wavering going on; their hearts were going to capsize and give up.  The Lord spoke through Moses and made sure that they understood the pre-qualifications if you will to the promise; " and you must do all that I have commanded" ver 5.  My paraphrase, I got you, I will be with you.  My hand is leading and covering you, but you must obey. Neither the present or the future will separate us.
I remember when I first got saved.  

I began to have vary strange and demonic like dreams.  I really did not understand all that was happening to me; I do remember fighting in my dreams.  I was not fighting physically, but there was a strong presence of "evil" that I could feel and images that I could see.  I did not understand spiritual warfare; I did not even know what I was supposed to do.  In the midst of my dream that was as real as you and I, I called on the Name of Jesus, that was the only thing I knew to do.  I did not know Scripture well; actually the only Scripture I knew was what I was taught in the Catholic Church "The Our Father" prayer that we find in Matthew 6. I began to pray in my dream until I woke up.  God was teaching me that he was and is my help; that his Name is Mighty, He is my Deliverer!  Neither angels nor demons can separate me from Christ.
How about death? The Bible says, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24 So, when death comes to visit, he sends a procession of agents ahead of it; fear, doubt, pain, confusion; all with the intention to discourage us from believing the promise of God.  I have crossed over, Hallelujah.  The Bible says that death has been swallowed up.  The one who paid the ransom is the one who grips me; he is the one who welcomes me home.  Neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35  See, God holds us in a tight grip.  The seal on the tomb, the death to his physically body could not keep him from rising.  Try if you will and seal the tomb.  Crucify him and kill the flesh. Try and strip him of his identity, but he knows who he is. The purposes of the Father, the plan to call us back to himself will be done.  For it is not his will, but the Father's will that will be accomplished. Done; "It is finished" John 19:30. Death swallowed, our shame covered. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1.

The International Space Center has produced an image that shows the disaster hovering over the region of the Philippines.  The Lord saw the pending disaster as we disobeyed in the garden.  He has made provision; he has sent the Lamb of God, born in a manger, the begotten of the Father, to redeemed us. The Son leaves the presence of the Father; he walks on earth; defiled ground if you will.  He allows himself to be tortured, humiliated, beaten by the hands of sinners.  He overcomes the grave, he goes back to the Father and is interceding for us; he send the Holy Spirit to remind us of all this.  So, what is God saying?  What shall separate us from his love? Nothing, absolutely nothing; he has us in his grip!  Praise the Living God!

God bless you!~Liz www.lizrod.com 

Celebrating 30 Years | The Bride & The Bridegroom

Ephesians 5:21-33 

Today my husband and I celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We pre-maturely celebrated it in August during our Alaska trip.  I love celebrations...I try to make them last for a long time :)

Well, 30 years ago I did not know the Lord.  We got saved during our 7th year of marriage; on vacation....but you already knew that :)  Marriage is hard work.  There is submission and death. There is washing and cleansing and I'm not talking about laundry. I thank God for all he has taught us during these last 30 years.  I'm thankful for how he has changed us and continues to do so.  He has been Faithful.
Marriage, an institution created by God requires a commitment to love, honor & respect even when you don't want to; even when there are difficulties.  Marriage is a commitment to seek God in the midst of everything life throws at us, hardship, disagreements, disappointments and every tool that Satan has in his belt to try and make God a liar.  The Bible says that what God has joined together, let no man separate (Matthew 19:6)  

Are you shocked?  You mean you thought our marriage was perfect?  Let me write this gently....there is no perfect marriage.

Perfection: entirely without any flaws, defect or shortcomings.  Wow...try and measure up to that!

Perfection as I know it only has come once. His name is Jesus and he promises to come again. The Scriptures are full of his wooing...his calling to us...calling to his unfaithful "bride".

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;  but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6

Paradise was tainted!  
God who knows all things has been lavishing us with love (1 John 3:1).  He has been calling his bride (you & me) to himself.  We are to submit to the Lord but instead we have eaten of the forbidden fruit.  Submission has evaded us and rebellion has caused us to wrestle with the Bridegroom. Why does he still love us?  He will give himself up for us; he will leave his Father's side and grab hold of the one who avoids and tries to eluded him.  Her shame has griped her even as sin continues to crouch at the door (Genesis 4:7) 

Do what is right.  How can I return?  There is a covering that he offers us, the corner of his garment that can be spread over us but we push it away (Ezekiel 16:8)

The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will live with you.” Hosea 3:1-3

What an illustrations of God's love for us!  He has washed us, he has cleansed us, he has made us holy. It's the Bridegroom doing everything possible for the reckless bride.  He will allow himself to be humiliated, despised and rejected, just for us.  (Isaiah 53)

He is the Bridegroom, the Lover of our Soul, the Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 3:9) who has indeed spread the corner of his garment over us.

Marriage created by God, illustrated even in our relationship with God.  We try to run, but he pursues us.  In our unfaithfulness to him, he remains faithful.  In our anger as we hold our fist high and demand the "whys" of life, he extends forgiveness. When life was his to keep; when a thousand angels could have been dispatched to rescue him; when comfort was traded for pain and his Kingly Crown for thorns; He was thinking of his Bride.  When the garment he offered was rejected and his flesh striped like rags; He chose to keep his covenant.  He is the Bridegroom and he is coming for his Bride!

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
-Revelation 19:7-8

For the challenging marriages, hold on; He is Faithful.
For the newly married, brace yourselves for challenges and anchor to the Truth.
For all of us who serve the Mighty Bridegroom, stay at his feet, he will never leave us or forsake us!

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,  and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body.  “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

God bless you!~Liz www.lizrod.com

Crimson and White

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Colors....they invoke memories for me. Have you ever looked at a color and had a memory come to the forefront of your mind?

Last week as I was driving to work, the beautiful Hudson Valley foliage was before me. It's that time of year where the mountains, full of green trees begin to change color. In only a week's time you can see the transformation begin to take place. What was green a week ago, this week can be orange, red or yellow, maybe even a touch of purple is seen. I was gazing at the beautiful colors as I was driving and immediately a memory, a small piece of time from my childhood flickered in my thoughts. I was about 10 years old; I remember sitting on my living room floor, in the Bronx, the small apartment I grew up in. I began to smile as I was driving; it was good memory. See in my thoughts, I am on the floor with a box of Crayola Crayons, the 64 box collection that included the great silver and gold crayons; I can see some of you shaking your heads, you remember that too. The thoughts continue to unfold; my mom and I are engaged in a  coloring book; the book was Josie & The Pussycats ( a cartoon from the 1970’s). I sat on the floor and as far as I'm concerned it was hours, just my mom & I coloring. The entire page is filled with all the multiple shades of yellow and orange. 

Well, all this to say to this day, whenever I see the colors orange and yellow and all the different  shades of these two colors, I think of that day when I sat on the floor coloring with my mom. It does not matter if I see these colors on the foliage landscape or if the colors are together in a fruit basket, the results are the same...and yes I always smile.

The Bible speaks of two colors that immediately for the believer should invoke memories as well. Its crimson red and white. The Bible says that our sins are like crimson and the covering is white, white as snow.

Could you imagine a bucket filled with red paint. Now take a handful of snow and try to cover the red paint, try to layer enough snow so that the paint is no longer visible. Better yet, take white paint and try and cover it, mix it in.....well you end up with a shade of red. See the trouble I have is that no matter how much of this white snow or white paint I try to use I can't seem to cover it. What I end up is masking the red in a pretty shade of pink...but red none the less.

In my sinful state, in that part of my life prior to knowing the forgiveness of my sins, it did not matter what kind of "covering" I tried to use; sin always seeped through. I could try and be good; you know make up for all the bad things I've done, but there never seems to be enough good. We could try to change, but somehow the road we're on bends and we find ourselves in the place again. The self "way" has many avenues it travels prior to surrendering to the Lord. We get married and there is a name change. But we remain the same. We travel , we move, we change jobs....but one look in the mirror and we see the same person. So, how can I experience this change?

How does it happen? OK, I'm ready Lord to settle this matter. You promise that my sins though they are as scarlet can be white as snow.

It's a decisive turn. It's me traveling down the road and deciding to go in the opposite direction. It's that gentle whisper that speaks and calls to us. And the questions remains, do we answer the call? Do we turn?

When Jesus was arrested and falsely accused, the Scriptures say that the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and mocked him, shouting "Hail, king of the Jews!" Purple, a color representing royalty which indeed he was, but the soldiers missed it. Pilate dismissed him and as the crowds shouted, "crucify him". We see Jesus end up on a brown wooded cross (John 19) Crucified, red blood dripping from his golden flesh, surly with bruises in all kinds and shades of purple and black. Bruises from being in the hands of sinners; sinners he was willing to die for.

It's the crimson red bucket, you and me. He will cover it up; and this time the right substance is used. The red blood that flowed is more than able to cover every sin you and I have ever committed; every evil thing we have ever said; even every sin that may still await us down the road. How? The Bible says it’s the righteous one suffering for the unrighteous (1 Peter 3:18) It reads that God demonstrated his love by dying for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8), yes while we were still beating him, spitting on him and causing him great pain. While his face was on the ground, the cry went forth to his Father in heaven, "My father if possible take this cup from me", but we read that his love for us moved him directly to the cross; "Yet not my will but yours be done". It's the sixth word we here from Christ on the Cross that makes our crimson red sin, white as snow.....It is finished (John 19:30) The tomb is empty...there is no one there (John 20) It’s the begotten of the Father, paying a debt we could not pay.

Yes, colors like scents can invoke memories. Inhale and look deep within.

Do you smell a sweet perfume, a fragrance the Lord has left with when he came to visit and took our crimson red sins, paid and covered it, leaving us to shine and glow, causing us to be white like snow?

I do.

There are a few more colors from that 64 box of Crayola Crayons I like.....Streets of God ( Rev 21:21). The Rider on the White Horse whose rider is called Faithful and True (Rev 19:11) Glory to His Name!

God bless you!~Liz www.lizrod.com

A Little Disclosure

2 Corinthians 5:17-21Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Are you "comfortable" enough to ask for help?

Last week I decided to spruce up my hair. I am 49 years old and some of that grey is showing. I have nothing against grey...but wanted a little "pick me up". So I proceed to the bathroom where I will begin my makeover. Well, most of you know that arthritis has ravaged my hands and I just don't always have the strength needed to do simple tasks. Therefore, I invoked my wonderful husband's assistance to help me get my hair in tip top shape. As the transformation begins, I am putting this hair stuff all over the areas that need "transformation"; a little here, a little there. And then it happened.....my husband speaks up and says, " don't forget your side burns" . I almost past out! Side burns, I'm a girl, "I don't have side burns", do I? I imaged Elvis Presley sideburns...and white ones none the less. Well, we laughed and the 3 second embarrassment session was over. I guess I wasn't that embarrassed....I'm sharing it with you.

Well, just a simple "disclosure" to make a point. All kinds of healthy relationships; relationships we value; people we interact with everyday might just speak truth to us. What happens when your best friend tells you that your dress does not really flatter you? What if they forgot your birthday? Maybe you were hoping for an acknowledgement that never happened.  Relationships are multi faceted and very intricate. They encourage us, like the Word of God says, Iron sharpening Iron As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.Proverbs 27:17.

And, then there are times that relationships cause some pain whether intended or not.  What if your friend hurts you; do you just forget about it and allow bitterness to take root? Did they mean to hurt you, did you misunderstand? Either way....let's settle the matter quickly, after all these relationships are precious. They are gifts from God. Yes, I said GIFTS.

Truth does not always come in a fluffy warm blanket. Sometimes truth just blurts out and says, "don't forget the sideburns".....ouch!

Jesus always spoke truth. Actually, He is Truth. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6. Jesus did not shy away from speaking truth; sometimes it hurt, but when the listener really listens, it always bring life.

Were we "uncomfortable" with who we were as he hung on the tree? Did we realize he was showing us how much he loved us? We at times can't see our our faults or our need for a Savior; no, so instead we throw insults or some type of diversion; something to get the focus away from our error, our deficiency. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads. Matthew 27:39. We don't reach out for help; too embarrassed, too prideful.

A Rescuer has come, a King; someone better than us.   He came to save us, tell us some truth about us; our "state of being", but instead of listening we took offense. But to those that can humble themselves and receive this gift of eternal life; allow the Perfect One, indeed a King, to show and point out our flaws; that kind of heart God can work with.

He took all our flaws, the Bible calls them sin and took them upon himself. He welcomed the cross, bore our sin, paid out dept, all because he love us!

Sometimes it's not easy hearing the truth. But if the one who is speaking is someone you love and trust; well then I guess I better cover up the "sideburns" :)

If Jesus says, he does not like the way I spoke to someone; well then I guess I better work on that apology quickly and mean it!

We must strive to keep our relationships healthy, honest, and bring God honor. If God could humble himself and die to clean up our mess; well if God can do it.....hmmmm...I must be able to also.

This is the week to give thanks (though it's not the only time). So, go out and "touch up" any areas that need "sprucing up" in your life. Reach out to friends, co-workers and neighbors. Let the spirit of reconciliation go to work through you. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Thank God for the "gift" of relationships.

I thank God for you!