tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51361739139967782442024-03-05T20:31:00.615-05:00Leb BlogChristian based inspirational moments with God. "Leb" Blog, from the Hebrew word meaning inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding. #lizrod #beinspired! #lebblog
Be Inspired! Sharing since 1999
LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comBlogger333125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-57972132600081094152024-01-06T12:56:00.009-05:002024-01-06T13:04:34.756-05:00CHANGE, WELCOME IT!<p> Acts 9:32-34</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13Rkr-h6PHUj8KXmldnzDrs5OBPrOfV4yEwe4Yy9C-xVuBAAyihAC8E9abYpyC6pfVqYy1d6UjH1xHTE4jQjSQ97I9GXqzoeh1GZekaJ77H1ffo9jBPGfbwxeSvlfSE01LEXSYPV8TdYBAn70cEw0nt9_fjJZ-Gv3XtkmeCXWHLBHOdSG6sEGQTzh3EY/s1080/Untitled.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13Rkr-h6PHUj8KXmldnzDrs5OBPrOfV4yEwe4Yy9C-xVuBAAyihAC8E9abYpyC6pfVqYy1d6UjH1xHTE4jQjSQ97I9GXqzoeh1GZekaJ77H1ffo9jBPGfbwxeSvlfSE01LEXSYPV8TdYBAn70cEw0nt9_fjJZ-Gv3XtkmeCXWHLBHOdSG6sEGQTzh3EY/w400-h400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><i><b>As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up.</b></i></p><p>Do you see all that's happening as this man is being healed? </p><p>This is a grown man who at one point could walk. Scripture reads that at <i>this </i>point in his life he was paralyzed. He was bedridden meaning he could not get out of bed on his own. He lived in a bed. He was restricted, confined because of this sickness.</p><p>In these two short verses in the Book of Acts, Peter who is traveling to Lydda stumbles upon this man Aeneas, whose name by the way means "praiseworthy." </p><p>I pay close attention when I see numbers in the Bible. These are details that don't have to be there but they are!</p><p>The number eight in the Bible can represent new beginnings. It can represent a new order if you will. </p><p>Peter comes in contact with Aeneas and tells him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up.</p><p>Do you know what happens to muscles and ligaments when they are not used? The medical term is contracture. The muscles become weak. Muscles can become permanently shortened and joints can become deformed and bent. Ligaments and tendons stiffen over time. There is a loss of skeletal mass. Because of the lack of use, weakness sets in. </p><p>When Peter said, "Jesus Christ heals you, Get up and roll up your mat." the POWER of God went to work. Imagine the body's shock when it encountered the power of the Lord! Every ligament, muscle, bone had to obey its Creator. Everything came to order! Hallelujah!</p><p>This is a new season for Aeneas! After eight years, something new has happened.</p><p>It seems impossible for this to occur. A man bedridden for eight years, legs unable to move, yet at the command of Peter, the Power of the Lord raises this man to his feet. </p><p>Aeneas is not doubting. He's not questioning if Jesus can heal him. He obeys the command, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” </p><p>He is not wobbling! He actually bends down again and picks up his mat. Now, that is praiseworthy!!</p><p>I want to believe the Lord for all the healing he wants to do in my body regardless of the time lapse. Whether its illness or atrophy that has settled in my relationships, mind, finances, or even my relationship with the Lord. Father, command life to return and do a new thing!</p><p>The Lord loves change! He takes dead things and brings them to life. Yes, my very life transformed. <br />I have been born-again! Jesus is still working in my life.</p><p>Lord, those things that have been damaged over time; the relationships that have been impaired, speak over me Lord!</p><p>Here they are Lord. All that I have is at your feet. Command new life. Let my heart bend toward you and bring glory to your name, Jesus. </p><p>Stimulate new life at the beginning of the new year. Let everything counterfeit come into the light of your presence. Strengthen what has been weakened due to compromise or neglect. </p><p>Let any illness of the heart encounter your LOVE. <br /><br />God I am yours! </p><p>Happy New Year!<br />He is still working miracles!</p><p>God bless you!~Liz</p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-12952403799266246782023-09-07T15:34:00.004-04:002023-09-07T15:34:38.000-04:00A Little Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwGSSQgbIc_-KLNYJFbBCoqNPBMMAjdC4yULSfxHYqvsBWTjfM9fImMMA2cTWJbWHel52h-eUuan_ebB43krp8yyXyV4rQE8kvSuFJhsZOx-A8npY5nvPyJS3kiVTK_-BmsMaa0Y1nBKH7ktSwVCOD_vsg1-bS8rVT1EoQjd0fWKmZYfC3uOOmbyNjF4/s1080/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwGSSQgbIc_-KLNYJFbBCoqNPBMMAjdC4yULSfxHYqvsBWTjfM9fImMMA2cTWJbWHel52h-eUuan_ebB43krp8yyXyV4rQE8kvSuFJhsZOx-A8npY5nvPyJS3kiVTK_-BmsMaa0Y1nBKH7ktSwVCOD_vsg1-bS8rVT1EoQjd0fWKmZYfC3uOOmbyNjF4/w400-h400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div>Yesterday I spent the entire day with my dad and my sister. As we get older it's harder to care for ourselves and we need help. Sometimes we welcome it and sometimes we don't. <br /><br />When I was young, living at home with my parents, I remember waking up early in the morning and tiptoeing into my parents room grabbing my dad's pant and checking his pockets for loose change. I would travel to school on the train and it was always important to have money in the event I needed to make a call. Yeah, in those days we used phones that were actually attached to a pole and you had to put real coins in it. <div><br /></div><div>One dollar worth of coins would enable me to get a snack at the local "bodega", make a phone call and maybe still come home with spare change. In those days a dollar would take you a long way.<div><br />This memory came to me yesterday while I was visiting my 82-year-old dad. I parked my car in New Jersey and realized I had to feed the parking meter. In today's world I barely carry any currency that does not come in the form of plastic. So, what did I do? Well, I didn't check my dad's pocket but I did ask him for coins for the meter. As he went to his little jar and poured out $2.00 worth of quarters for me it was like I was a little girl again dependent on my dad.<br /><br />As time changes it's my dad that is dependent on my sister and I now. Getting old has challenges. For the most part my dad is healthy and in his right mind and for that I'm thankful to the Lord. He has taught us many things. He is a man of integrity. He raised a good family and now it's our turn to take care of him. Every decision we make is not always an easy one. <br /><br />The Bible says that in the council of many there is wisdom. (Proverbs 15:22) <br /><br />Suffice it to say it was a good day. A long day but nevertheless successful. We made some decisions and then we changed them again. He is content. <br /><br />If you are reading this today and still have your parents this is my two-cents worth of council to you. Seek the Lord he is available. Sometimes we think we know all the answers, but that job belongs to the Lord. Listen to those that have gone before us. Parents are a gift. If your parents are still alive hold on to them tightly. <br /><br />The roles change. They took care of us and now we take care of them. The challenge is we also are getting older. We may not always have the energy that a caregiver needs. All the Lord requires is that we do our best. Let's honor our parents and we will also honor the Lord! <br /><br /><i><b> "Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:32)<br /><br />“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)</b></i></div></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-50143231332635726572023-08-31T15:11:00.002-04:002023-08-31T15:11:56.099-04:00RoboVac Prayers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheLnFXyc1ok9biZ08YLB-TG2cRI7BwoUOROPBrOhEVhWoICxNPX2epFn90YAK1aMRuGM_VOYWP-S13j_Kjw77rEyic-t4cIa5CseBPfYKK6sfn00vGIsVg_E89afD1fG2lct95bKaxZay-wL3oIVgKCEuU3Ivu4_p_J-QuE_JAUmcLUeGzI4qecIVy9A/s1080/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheLnFXyc1ok9biZ08YLB-TG2cRI7BwoUOROPBrOhEVhWoICxNPX2epFn90YAK1aMRuGM_VOYWP-S13j_Kjw77rEyic-t4cIa5CseBPfYKK6sfn00vGIsVg_E89afD1fG2lct95bKaxZay-wL3oIVgKCEuU3Ivu4_p_J-QuE_JAUmcLUeGzI4qecIVy9A/w400-h400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div>In the book of Matthew there is a story about Jesus speaking
to the people. God wants the heart. There is an intimacy that he wants with me.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I've been serving the Lord since my 20s. I remember when I
encountered him, he made known to me my sin, restored me and called me his own.
I had been walking aimlessly through life. I did not really know it. Truly if
you asked me if I knew the Lord, I would have said yes. I did not know my sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed me how much he loved me and that he
wanted me for himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes we go around life just doing stuff without any
real purpose and more importantly in the absence of joy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last Christmas I received a gift from my husband. It was
something that I chose.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, what did he get me, you ask? Well, he got me a RoboVac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No laughing. He's not trying to get me to
clean. I keep I neat home, but I could always use more help.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, we unpacked this robot. I downloaded the app. I even instructed
Google how to command it to vacuum. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, was it worth it?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The RoboVac does work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s interesting how the Spirit of the Lord speaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll use any circumstance or object lesson
to get to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was having my coffee,
God showed me in a practical way what he meant when he spoke about ”babbling
like pagans” when it comes to prayer. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Uh?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the book of Matthew, the Lord is instructing the people
how to pray, how to help the needy and give to others. He was encouraging us
not to look for applause for doing what we are supposed to do. <br />Pride usually
whispers, “What’s in it for me?”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><b>
He wants authentic, raw prayers. Remember, he wants a relationship with us, not
just religious acts.</b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and
pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in
secret, will reward you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when you
pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard
because of their many words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not be
like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” </i>(Matthew
6:6-8)<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My RoboVac is doing a great job. But it's still missing some
areas that have dirt. When I use the manual vacuum I can get to areas where
this automatic robot is missing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>I'm vacuuming with intention.<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes when I pray, I may be in a rush, so I just spew
out a list of things I want God to do for me. First of all, we just read that
God already knows what I need. Yet, I proceed with my list.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes my prayer life can be just like my RoboVac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I am praying but I'm so robotic I wonder
if I'm even getting God's attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Babbling
is what the Lord calls it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I purposely sit to hear the heartbeat of the Father,
the Bible says he inclines his ear to me. He's listening and he wants me to
hear my heart's desires. The intention must be to hear from God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>God is not a genie, and I should not behave like a robot.</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes I justify my rush, rush prayer to the fact that
life is busy. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wow, Jesus who walked in the flesh, having an assignment
from God to rescue us from this fallen world, took time to pray and to be still
before God, to hear his instructions, to be edified and strengthened in his
quiet time with his Father.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I must do the same.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The RoboVac has a pattern that it follows. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It goes up and down in linear lines to do its
cleaning. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">According to Matthew, the Lord has a map for me to follow as
well. I must remember how to honor him. Yes, I can ask him for anything, he is
my Father! What the Father wants is my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open and bare before him. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Outside of the routine and mundane we find the ever-flowing
Spirit of the Lord that wants to meet with us and guide us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Unplug from the robotics and allow the Holy Spirit to
lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>I must pray with intention.<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s better to be an open book and let the Lord see all the
dirt then to try to impress a God who already knows my weakness and brokenness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lord sweep over me. This is me Lord and you know me well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Talk to the Father he is waiting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">God bless you!~Liz</p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-18836405709972151082023-04-15T23:00:00.004-04:002023-04-15T23:04:35.070-04:00If you play with fire you're bound to get burned.<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFU-yzET5fKhO2fDBK6W5avluFOzR5rQwHmd3ilBZr6X3kVPCgNmPR53SK-Zd5qY2n7Xp57qujiX0hUhkJWztDMRxtXry-Xqxrws4z6Fa6TpHuXJnXZAn_d_7VaQ-8hNhKF0dxUtmHZgg5Cf9wWqtZHeRRGjEjkGBBMRf5qShWzbGOhqTJCgnq55k/s1080/My%20project-1.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFU-yzET5fKhO2fDBK6W5avluFOzR5rQwHmd3ilBZr6X3kVPCgNmPR53SK-Zd5qY2n7Xp57qujiX0hUhkJWztDMRxtXry-Xqxrws4z6Fa6TpHuXJnXZAn_d_7VaQ-8hNhKF0dxUtmHZgg5Cf9wWqtZHeRRGjEjkGBBMRf5qShWzbGOhqTJCgnq55k/w400-h400/My%20project-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>If you play with fire you're bound to get burned.<div><br />I remember hearing that phrase even growing up as a little child. <br /><br />Really? Who would want to play with fire? <br /><br />This idiom is a warning against folly. It's a red flag for dangerous and unsafe acts or behaviors that can lead to pain and injury. <br /><br />This week the news reported the warning that it was Red Flag week. What does that mean? It means that the conditions outside are conducive for spontaneous fires. It won’t take much to start a fire. The humidity levels are low and often winds can promote fires that can engulf acres of land. <br /><br />These fires don't apologize or give warning to anything in its way. It will consume the dilapidated house along with the mansion down the road. <br /><br />Yesterday evening I received photos from a friend. The images depicted the danger of the flames running rapidly through a local neighborhood. <br /><br />As I stared at the photo it was so surreal. I could see the danger, but the image was so captivating. <br /><br />As I spoke with my friend the Lord impressed me, that's exactly what happens when my children are very close to sin. <br /><br />It's a captivating time. Often, we will reason that “we can handle it.” We say things like “I know what I'm doing.” <br /><br />We are convinced we have a grasp on our situations, environments, troubles, marriage, gambling, drinking, drugs, and on and on it goes. <br /><br />Something even less subtle is when we pull back from gathering with the Saints. The Lord has made it clear that we are not to forsake coming together. <br /><br />Sunday, the first day of the week, is an opportunity for us to gather, worship the Lord, giving him thanks for who he is. Praising him for protecting us from darkness that was unbeknownst to us. <br /><br />The fire is neighboring us. Sometimes we see the smoke. The danger is when we are captivated and drawn in. Wake up! Sin visits us all. It tempted Jesus in the desert. Jesus, the Word overcame him with the Truth! <br /><br />We need our safe net! We are not strong enough to fight without the Helper! The safe net is prayer, touching and agreeing with someone before we become attracted and fall. Run! Run! Sin is crouching at the door waiting to see who will open it. (Genesis 4:6-8) <br /><br />Water is what is needed to quench this wild fire. Fire departments will fight this on foot and from the air. The fire must die. Fire lines are created to break and stop the flames from this destructive path. If left alone it will continue to burn and destroy everything. <br /><br />The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit himself is our Counselor and will warn us even before we see the smoke. He will direct us. He will use others to warn us. God will cause a donkey to speak just to save us from the threat. <br /><br /></div><div>God himself that will draw the fire lines so that sin won’t be entertained and cause our fall. <br /><br />We need to resist the pull of sin from every angle. Physically we remove ourselves from the path of temptation. Spiritually we call on the One that is our Helper. He will make a way of escape for us. Follow Him. He knows how to get us out of the fire before we get burned. <br /><br />Look around. If the landscape is changing perhaps, it’s because the flames are coming. God sees it is all. The warning has come. Run!<div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div></div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-61390384183446933692023-02-22T10:08:00.003-05:002023-02-22T10:10:42.348-05:00Good Diet<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf02R3ymD3BsaGqxhIUux_Cq7tVtX6-U1mnhR1NMbz3cV-kNZ5mGKYUAOpFjZr8eD86oiMY_eMYbUxjtTBLzObdJO88RO91WsJQSLLRhEpiNv_SFXywYGJ7QON_9LjeNQQuef8rszaliLwFvz2sAvsBLqacTRuLiJ6_evUD4TmkkcVoaxg8mrU7r1/s1080/My%20project-1%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf02R3ymD3BsaGqxhIUux_Cq7tVtX6-U1mnhR1NMbz3cV-kNZ5mGKYUAOpFjZr8eD86oiMY_eMYbUxjtTBLzObdJO88RO91WsJQSLLRhEpiNv_SFXywYGJ7QON_9LjeNQQuef8rszaliLwFvz2sAvsBLqacTRuLiJ6_evUD4TmkkcVoaxg8mrU7r1/w400-h400/My%20project-1%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>How miraculous! God provides fresh food daily for
his people. He still does that today!
When we open his Word daily, he is speaking life to us. It’s nourishment to us, his people.<p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But what happens when we skip a day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok, let’s say two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life gets busy so now it's three days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not realize that life’s complexities were
going to send us in a direction that was not on our calendar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you eat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will keep us going?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where is the spiritual nutrition he has so
aptly given - that we have neglected to eat?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We thought that yesterday’s bread would be sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are depleted. We are sluggish and our spiritual vitality
is being hindered by the lack of the “Good Diet”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Run!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go back to the
table of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Do you see it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a beautiful spread
of sustenance that will keep us alert and healthy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Come, sit at the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Manna is daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yesterday is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has something
GOOD for us today.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sit, eat and note his presence is with us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He gives us His Word for our lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">God bless you!~Liz</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-84434123068480510952022-11-18T11:48:00.004-05:002022-11-18T11:53:30.005-05:00Get Up!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeQRUO56jlfRr13i2l3CR3cSPRfeFsCEiFqge8LkYzci5qCJHTT-XqPvIDMe3QODoRVHmVVuCY7bzKuHh6UI23v8h-RZLlWazhG8wb3i2ag9sG1x9OuY6bYiVs4tuud9CYMfvkBrFSD5w9hiw837h0dCRLpPczyOE2IMSpnHsM9423gkz15RSKV7J/s1080/My%20project-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeQRUO56jlfRr13i2l3CR3cSPRfeFsCEiFqge8LkYzci5qCJHTT-XqPvIDMe3QODoRVHmVVuCY7bzKuHh6UI23v8h-RZLlWazhG8wb3i2ag9sG1x9OuY6bYiVs4tuud9CYMfvkBrFSD5w9hiw837h0dCRLpPczyOE2IMSpnHsM9423gkz15RSKV7J/s320/My%20project-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Have you called on Jesus? He told the paralytic man who had been sick for 38 years, to get up and to walk.<p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes life’s opposition, whether it's sickness of the
physical body, anxiety, depression or just the unfamiliar walkway we're
traveling, - it seems like it will never change!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are stuck in familiarity when God wants to do something new!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I read this story and I hear the man was sick for 38 years,
the assumption is that this man was sick his whole life. But what if he was
older than 38 years old and maybe at one point he was well and then he got sick? What if he just wanted to return back to wholeness and health? Perhaps a heart of
sorrow was reaching out to the only one who could restore him?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus later encounters him and tells him to stop sinning unless
something worse happens. Not all sickness comes from sinning against the Lord. This is a fallen world. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One thing I do know is that God is merciful and gracious. He
is able to heal, restore, redirect, bring life to the dead and redemption to the
lost.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, GET UP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to the
Master - to the Healer -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the Savior <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– He knows how to RESTORE!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>"When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath." </i>John 5:6-9</p><p class="MsoNormal">God bless you!~Liz</p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-41808141030775744182022-09-19T11:29:00.001-04:002022-09-19T11:29:59.503-04:00The CycleIt's a crisp morning. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidehOx4pZDnCaz0c6lFD7B90b5yWRjs9GenIU3v51VK33Cuu-wTBXghZ7--V3IsFkfoOFR_iGSDIcwoV3PbRXqVbl0GeVwv_4lsCaxU7i_uPCIxsTnDKfQy-J37vXr-ywvx7uKIELjjzDdDPJIkzOq6_Wu3--GBWmuvAjph0Jc6NcEvJ5xKqSRTBCa/s1080/My%20project-1%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidehOx4pZDnCaz0c6lFD7B90b5yWRjs9GenIU3v51VK33Cuu-wTBXghZ7--V3IsFkfoOFR_iGSDIcwoV3PbRXqVbl0GeVwv_4lsCaxU7i_uPCIxsTnDKfQy-J37vXr-ywvx7uKIELjjzDdDPJIkzOq6_Wu3--GBWmuvAjph0Jc6NcEvJ5xKqSRTBCa/w400-h400/My%20project-1%20(3).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There are leaves all over the backyard. <div>My feet crush them as I stroll about my deck making that beautiful brittle crunch announcing that Fall is coming.<br /><br />All I hear are the sounds of God's creation. Birds chirping in the background, squirrels running up and down the tree trying to store some food for the upcoming season. The chipmunks stop when they see me hoping I don't see them as they scurry about the piles of leaves and branches. <br /><br />This is one of my favorite times of year. Once again, the cycle begins. <br /><br />Hopefully you remember when you were young, and you learned to ride a bike and the freedom that you gained. For me that freedom was about half a block in the Bronx but nevertheless in my mind it was a highway. No matter how many times I rode back and forth it was an adventure! I imagined I was on a freeway. In my imagination I would stop to pay the toll. Yes, this was way before E-Z pass! So much fun. The imagination of a child, how exciting. <br /><br />Fast forward a few decades and I’m still going around in circles. The landscape has grown and changed. This is life. There are cycles that we go through. But, can I learn from theses journeys? <br /><br />The Bible speaks about the Israelites and their travels. Our great God chose them, revealed himself to them, explained to them what pleased Him and what would be best for them in this adventure of life. <br /><br />Today he is still intercepting our travels to reveal himself to us. Have you seen Him? Have you recognized his whispers as you travel? Have you marveled at his creation that he made<i> just for us</i>? <br /><br />This morning the Lord reminded me of life cycles. Yes, we have seasons that cause our landscape to change. I'm amazed at how trees are stripped, perhaps even commanded to let go of their leaves. It seems like death. But give it some time and the seasons will change again and you'll see life spring up. <br /><br />A young girl. Riding my bike back and forth noticing new things without a care in the world. I could see friends waving at me. Even the wind visited me causing <i>resistance </i>as I pedaled. Pebbles often appeared that I missed the first time <i>causing a bump on the road </i>encouraging me to hold on just a little tighter.</div><div><br /></div><div>The sun is about to go down and dusk will arrive. I recognize his walk, I recognize his stride. It was my father arriving home. My day’s adventure was about to close. Dinner will be served and soon a new day would begin along with new adventures.</div><div><br />What cycle are you in today? Are you struggling with belief? Has doubt come to visit and its trying to shake you from your foundation? Has discouragement arrived? They may be real, but they're just pebbles on the road. Hold on tight, stay focused. Lift your head and look forward. </div><div><br /></div><div>Do you see him? Do you recognize him? Yes, it's your Father. He wants to sit and have dinner with you. You will share your day and he will once again give us direction. He has the Map for Life. He covers us with his love. He'll encourage you and remind you today is about to end. He gives sweet sleep to his children. <br /><br />A new day will arise and he will go before you. There are cycles in life. Seasons change. <br /><br />God is with us. Lean in. Listen and hear his heartbeat for you! He has sent us a Helper. Yes, he has been there all along. It's a tandem bike and he has chosen to let us ride with Him!<div><br /></div><div>Share the adventure! </div><div><br /></div><div>Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)</div><div><div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div></div></div></div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-63967801741652089422022-08-17T23:11:00.014-04:002022-08-17T23:21:43.144-04:00The Blessing is in the Chicken AisleI usually do my grocery shopping online. But today I actually walked into the supermarket.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwyhaDcrCv_MQQ7_e07Wc9Ky_64YfLgtLSVzXyEMogm4USdFWLYgpSiXuJg2gI45_VgMjKxJ0hr-_vEIm1qeCDs-KoOoFasJ90D8l8Y-TP0fDV9MWLRlVoTfTJvZ21UpCucRg06kch7c0MfsyxYdsVmt01oN24tI4E6_k3bPjqi7z1nfKpbD8mOFG/s1080/My%20project-1.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwyhaDcrCv_MQQ7_e07Wc9Ky_64YfLgtLSVzXyEMogm4USdFWLYgpSiXuJg2gI45_VgMjKxJ0hr-_vEIm1qeCDs-KoOoFasJ90D8l8Y-TP0fDV9MWLRlVoTfTJvZ21UpCucRg06kch7c0MfsyxYdsVmt01oN24tI4E6_k3bPjqi7z1nfKpbD8mOFG/w400-h400/My%20project-1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Have you ever had the Lord whisper something to you in the most peculiar places? Well today it happened to me when I was in the chicken aisle at ShopRite. <br /><br />I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few items and then began to browse. Once again, the sticker price on meat alone shocked me. The prices on chicken legs took me to the Old Testament of the Bible. Yes, right in the chicken aisle. <br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>2 Kings speaks of a famine in Samaria where a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels. Every time I read that scripture, I can envision a donkey's head and it surely does not seem appetizing to me. But in the midst of a famine, it sold for 80 shekels.<br /><i><br /></i><div><i>“There was a great famine in the city; the siege lasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter of a cab of seed pods for five shekels.” (2 Kings 6:25) </i><br /><br />Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying we're in a famine but for some it may feel that way. Times are difficult.</div><div><br />So, what did the Lord minister to me? It was a word of hope and encouragement. <br /><br /><i>Hope a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.<br />Encouragement the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. (Oxford Dictionary) </i><br /><br />I began to think of how many may be struggling even to put one meal on the table for their family. It might be a family member, a friend, a neighbor, maybe even our enemy. <br /><br />I personally don't like to waste food. Yet, sometimes I find myself doing exactly that. Perhaps I made too much of something and after a couple of days it is discarded. <br /><br />I’ve learned when I cook, I immediately wrap whatever is leftover and try to give it to someone. It might be something as simple as my son's favorite meal so I drop it off to him. My heart is encouraged to know that my son enjoyed the meal I made. There was no extra effort involved, it was leftovers. <br /><br />Do you know someone who might be blessed by a meal? We can become chefs in the kitchen where a bag of potatoes and a few pieces of chicken can be transformed into a message of hope and encouragement. Literally the hands and feet of Jesus! <br /><br />It's interesting sometimes we think a person has to be in a financial need for us to share a meal. </div><div>Sharing meals in the Bible was just part of life. <br /><br />We have cocooned ourselves. What are we afraid of? When did we stop living? We are a gregarious people. That's how we share the love of God!</div><div><br /></div><div>I recall being a young girl watching my mom in our Bronx kitchen make coffee. Brewing Bustelo and filling the air with its aroma. The scent would travel to the upper floor of our city building where our neighbor lived. In no time at all, Anna the neighbor would come down for a cup of coffee. Sometimes my mom would send me on a coffee run and I would be the messenger of blessing. The gift doesn’t have to be lavish. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money. The blessing of this exchange is still producing fruit to this day. <br /><br />Yes, in the chicken aisle at ShopRite the Lord told me to write this message. Share it with your friends. Encourage them from their bounty to bless someone today. We don't have to wait for someone to be sick or in need before the blessing begins.<br /><br /><i>Hope a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. Encouragement the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. We can do both today!</i><br /><br />My heart has been encouraged many times. I've had friends drop off meals, soup, fresh corn, pasteles, coffee and on and on it goes. No, I wasn't sick or in need for every delivery. It was just a kind gesture that made my heart glad.<br /><br />At the end of the Bible story, the prophet Elisha appears on the scene. “Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” (2 Kings 7:1) </div><div>The man of God was correct and the famine broke.<br /><br />There is a lot we can do to serve others. Sometimes we just need a reminder even if it's in the chicken aisle at ShopRite. <br /><br />May the Lord use you to bless someone unexpectant. Amazingly the reward will be yours. <br /><br />To God be the Glory. <br /><i><br />“May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>God bless you~Liz</div></div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-76138471164254194522022-07-03T22:02:00.006-04:002022-07-04T08:41:42.537-04:00The Dress<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9o3Vcg7B7gqF5Z0PHJ__OmP5WsjMJ0zBTtyREmrj1qs7LA44346ba93TdSZ6MkGGgjh-bIjcHKbcOaznEtikWnyDt3qc7tgOdkdq15UWy-jFMMdxQk-Gt_iwR7ZePB2Kjabpdhvawt03e825RZzQgIGt1uYFChjylteJZ1XSNoDekvhsb_txX1B4/s1080/My%20project.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9o3Vcg7B7gqF5Z0PHJ__OmP5WsjMJ0zBTtyREmrj1qs7LA44346ba93TdSZ6MkGGgjh-bIjcHKbcOaznEtikWnyDt3qc7tgOdkdq15UWy-jFMMdxQk-Gt_iwR7ZePB2Kjabpdhvawt03e825RZzQgIGt1uYFChjylteJZ1XSNoDekvhsb_txX1B4/w400-h400/My%20project.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In 1982, I was engaged to be married. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I remember as a young lady I relied on the use of bridal
services to help the big day come to pass.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One thing I knew for sure. I wanted to design my own wedding
dress. I sketched it out and patiently took clippings from bridal magazines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember flipping through the pages. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Month after month I would purchase magazines
with the latest trends. After all I wanted to know what the world was wearing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I designed the sleeves, the length of the dress, sketched
out the neck all and of course the material that would bring this garment
together.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After almost 40 years of marriage the story of the dress is
still fresh in my mind.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The seamstress took my sketches and clippings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She designed the dress according to the style
I gave her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>I'm only 19 years old. A young girl unaware that soon I
would encounter One who loved me even more than my husband to be.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The dress was almost complete. <s><o:p></o:p></s></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A few more tweaks, after all this dress would be stamped in
every photo and memory forever.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What a ride!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a thrill!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A few weeks before my wedding day, the bridal store shut its
doors without warning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>In 1989 my life would change. I traveled with my young
son and husband to the state of Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This trip would take a twist that would affect my life forever. I
visited a small church with my cousin who was a born-again believer. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>I found myself at the church altar with the pastor asking
me if I wanted to give my life to the Lord Jesus Christ? Quite frankly I wasn't
sure what that meant. I had been to church before and grew up doing my due
diligence, but give my life to Jesus?<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>It's a marriage. The Bridegroom preparing his bride. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>There was an issue of wardrobe.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>He offered me a new dress. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>For a quick moment I remembered I was already clothed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't need a new dress!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>In those few moments there was an internal conversation
that was happening, a dialogue of love that was being spoken over me.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Is as if he said, “your dress has wrinkles, the stains
that the world has placed on you I'd like to take them away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>What stains?<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>You can be in the world Liz but don't let the world be in
you. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Watch your eye gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All that you see is not all that there is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>There is a lure, a draw, a bait design just for you. The
intention is to keep you from Me. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Open your eyes my daughter. This dress is for you.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the bridal store closed down I was able to get my
unfinished dress back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do I do with a dress that's halfway finished?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t sew. My search began again. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This time I would choose a dress that was already designed.
It was right off the rack, as if it was made just for me.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>That evening in the small church I traded my dirty rags for
beautiful white garment.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my
God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe
of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a
bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>My design was flawed.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes I looked just like the world wanted
me to look. <br />
But the God who loves me wanted me to look different. He would do the change!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>The intimate quiet conversation echoed in my inner being.
<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>As a Christian I know the Lord has called me out of the
world even though I still live here. Jesus himself prayed to the Father not to
take his children out of the world but to keep them from evil. (John 17:14-16)</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>
He still speaks to me today, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what
is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Can you hear him?<br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires
of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from
the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its
desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The dress off the rack looked beautiful. The photos still testify of it today. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was still attached to my worldly dress. I cut it to the
knees. On my wedding day I wore two dresses. The one that was perfectly
designed for me and the one I designed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>What a foreshadow in the two dresses. The dress of the
world that I couldn't let go and the perfect dress that was on the rack all
along.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>The Dressmaker took my filthy rags and exchanged them for
a beautiful robe of Righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Like the young girl that wanted to design her own dress,
sometimes I go back into the world's closet.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>But I hear the Dressmaker singing over me reminding me.
His love speaks to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify
the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit,
and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each
other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Galatians 5:16-17)<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Liz, a young girl with an awe for a dress designed by the
world was intercepted by the Dressmaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
He has clothed me in his Righteousness and continues to love me to this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Actually, this is a forever APPOINTMENT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been SUITED UP!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>What are you wearing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal">God bless you!~Liz</p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-91668522072185726732022-05-20T22:40:00.012-04:002022-05-20T22:44:00.910-04:00Empty Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCyu-4lXOdnFiLnxvirDYED1RzEhHM7jMpRDSa8YSFb2KHJPUNXwXl0Z4q8wxhRE6wus9AUguj_YeoWB5c5ZEvIO7IIS-u0DWlxlr6hgXV5RaobHZ7x4-L787LnnbFvfsLHtcMWDlTuZ7aZ66yKoSkO1SlUy0LKelmPU2voiV7YlXCiEz-QQmauj5/s1080/My%20project.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCyu-4lXOdnFiLnxvirDYED1RzEhHM7jMpRDSa8YSFb2KHJPUNXwXl0Z4q8wxhRE6wus9AUguj_YeoWB5c5ZEvIO7IIS-u0DWlxlr6hgXV5RaobHZ7x4-L787LnnbFvfsLHtcMWDlTuZ7aZ66yKoSkO1SlUy0LKelmPU2voiV7YlXCiEz-QQmauj5/w400-h400/My%20project.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">"Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:40)</p><p class="MsoNormal">I am an organizer. I'd like to prepare in advance, arrive early and be ready. It's the administrator in me. <br /><br />David, a young man, was sent on an errand to bring lunch to his brothers at the front line of a battle. This young man had no fear and it seemed like no concern about delivering food to the frontline. <br /><br />I wonder how I would have prepared. Perhaps I would have packed my own lunch just in case I was delayed. Take plenty of water and have my camo gear on! <br /><br />David is on a mission from the Lord, and he doesn't even know it. His lunch delivery will be intercepted, and David will be used by God to bring victory to Israel and glory to the Lord! <br /><br />Preparation and planning is a great quality to have nevertheless when God is doing something in us and through us we must remember he will accomplish what he started. He will do it with our empty hands and everything at <i>his </i>disposal. <br /><br />David had a lunchbox not a sword. <br /><br />God will accomplish what he wants even if it seems we are unprepared. King Saul tried to help him and offered his armor. But the armor was too big. David rejected the armor. <br /><br />David was a young worshipper and a psalmist. We know he was anointed by God because Saul himself called for him when he was tormented by an evil spirit, and the evil spirit left. <br /><br />He honored God and acknowledged God’s authority as he spoke to the Philistines. “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47) <br /><br />He was a humble shepherd. He verbally recited his resume to King Saul. “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:34b-37a)</p><p class="MsoNormal">So, when thrusted into life’s difficulties, why worry? I don’t have to be concerned whether I have planned all things out. Truly I never can. <br /><br />“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:40) <br /><br />David’s reliance on the Lord is noted here. His pouch, the shepherd's bag, was empty. He really was on a lunch delivery run. Nevertheless, he was ready to be used by the Lord. <br /><br />I guess it was no strange thing for David to go to the brook and grab a few stones and put them in his bag. David picks up 5 stones. But, all he needed was one. <br /><br />Whatever situation we are in or the one we might face tomorrow, we must in humility acknowledge God in all our ways. He makes the way for us. <br /><br />For David the enemy was conquered with a stone from the brook. For us it may look a little different. <br /><br />The battle for us may be won if we keep our tongue in check. <br /><br />The enemy may be overcome as we quietly pray through our pain and tears. God brings the victory. <br /><br />Like David the worshiper, the sacrifice of praise brings breakthrough. Though sorrow may last for the night joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) <br /><br />“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) And sometimes God will use a stone.<br /><br />God will accomplish victory for himself. We must be willing vessels. He will use frogs, locusts, turn the sky dark, part bodies of water, bring down walls as we shout in praise, 'cause the sun to turn back and provide daylight, and on and on. <br /><br />We have nothing to fear. Indeed, my God owns the whole earth. (Psalm 24:1) If he wants to use a stone from the river to bring victory for himself, let his name be praised! <br /><br />Our armor consists of prayer and submission. The victory is his and he provides the weaponry. <br /><i><b><br />Listen, can you hear the river bubbling. Incline your ear as David splashes through the water. No fear. He is listening to the Lord’s instruction. His sandals are wet, his legs are sturdy. He bends down to pick up 5 stones. Perhaps from the distance he can still hear the taunting from the enemy. He is determined. He takes one stone at a time and places them in his shepherd’s empty bag. He walks away from the brook with his garment wet. He is focused. He marches right back to the front line. His confidence was not in the size of the stone or how many stones his bag could hold. His trust was not in his skill. His faith was in the Lord! </b></i><br /><br />“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.” (1 Samuel 17:45-46a)</p><p class="MsoNormal">God bless you!~Liz <br /> </p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-85357427549979132762022-05-12T07:55:00.010-04:002022-05-14T18:04:47.076-04:00Deep calls to Deep“Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? <br />Why don’t you eat? Why are<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYZpQ9y68Z6Y4nJ6G5LVsh-3iLp3thoMPuVmD4G2gqtvNqrFjlrZy6ZGpmtGyHgtoT3ikZGpeB_L3vhdi112VLaWWACkswIBYsx9_FHezx--aeNrHf_ggE0kioJhhX32XaXsZUA4RG7cIQbshtJHkV5uLhdNaFlSLre-PCAVwHjMggPy0prJgweE-/s1080/My%20project%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYZpQ9y68Z6Y4nJ6G5LVsh-3iLp3thoMPuVmD4G2gqtvNqrFjlrZy6ZGpmtGyHgtoT3ikZGpeB_L3vhdi112VLaWWACkswIBYsx9_FHezx--aeNrHf_ggE0kioJhhX32XaXsZUA4RG7cIQbshtJHkV5uLhdNaFlSLre-PCAVwHjMggPy0prJgweE-/w400-h400/My%20project%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8)<br /><br />A woman in distress. Her longing cannot be met with physical things. Food won’t satisfy; her brokenness comes from a place that only God can mend, and it’s for his glory. <br /><br />Elkanah meant well. Her husband tried to bring comfort to his wife. She wanted a child. This was something the Lord had to do to bring glory to himself. <br /><br />Her longing was deep. Indeed, deep calling out to deep. <br /><br />“The deep of man’s need calleth unto the deep of God’s fulness; and the deep of God’s fulness calleth unto the deep of man’s need. Between our emptiness and His all-sufficiency there is a great gulf. . . . Deep calleth unto deep. The deep mercy of God needs our emptiness, into which it might pour itself. . . . Nothing can fully meet the depth of our need but the depth of His Almighty fulness” (SMITH, JAMES AND LEE, ROBERT, HANDFULS ON PURPOSE FOR CHRISTIAN WORKERS AND BIBLE STUDENTS, EERDMANS, 1971, VOL. 8, P. 11.) <br /><br />God’s desires cannot be satisfied with earthly or material stuff. It can’t be satisfied with emotions, a temporary “joy-fix”. Other people can't appease the emptiness that only God can satiate. It must be birth from God for God's purposes and use. Elkanah’s questions missed the vast emptiness that God was trying to satisfy. <br /><br />Are you waiting on God? Then wait. Man cannot fulfill the purpose that God his birthing within us. God does all things well in his perfect timing. Yes we must continue to cry out to him for he put the desire within us and he alone well satisfy it. <br /><br />“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:11) <br /><br />Hannah waited and God delivered. She gave birth to Samuel who became a prophet unto God. Samuel anointed King Saul and King David; two men, one after the flesh and the other after God’s heart. King David in all his frailty, mistakes and sin was used by God mightily. He is in the lineage of Jesus Christ the only begotten son of the Father who brought salvation to all mankind. <br /><br />If you wonder why the struggle is big, that’s because what we do not see is even bigger. <br /><br />Father glorify yourself in us. We wait on You!<div><br /></div><div>God Bless You!~Liz</div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-11448846042716004662022-02-26T14:02:00.001-05:002022-02-26T14:05:21.833-05:00 "When you have money no one is ever really your friend" - Death on the NileQuote from "Death on the Nile."<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSp1SKmEHiJHqKsF_5Bp_CMoiNz8XG1eBz5tJT_L02qDXxJsgPzIsmCXZ9ipVNfGqVrdKH7NcoVegDXW-4UQgIs92fORsye3qJj9rtnAgfYUkcgaOdRfjnlp_rnghq2O5ozcfSiVD3nrA8EHljhL6IKFMGVFZqPzMPPF-CPA3fkgV8ZWTBLyJ_yPJN=s1080" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSp1SKmEHiJHqKsF_5Bp_CMoiNz8XG1eBz5tJT_L02qDXxJsgPzIsmCXZ9ipVNfGqVrdKH7NcoVegDXW-4UQgIs92fORsye3qJj9rtnAgfYUkcgaOdRfjnlp_rnghq2O5ozcfSiVD3nrA8EHljhL6IKFMGVFZqPzMPPF-CPA3fkgV8ZWTBLyJ_yPJN=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div>”When you have money no one is ever really your friend.”<div><br />In today's world money is a god. It has always been a god. <br /><br />If God owns everything, can I be trusted? Will my greedy heart go after all that God owns? Can my love for him be skewed by what I can get from him? <br /><br />“The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1) <br /><br />Many have sought God for what they can get from him. What's in it for me? </div><div><br /></div><div>What if the life-saving gift that he is offering is rejected? What if what we're looking for is achieved as we humble ourselves? <br /><br />Everyone desires peace, love and joy. We want to discover and attain all that life has to offer. Unfortunately, in our search, if left to our own devices, we may obtain what we want and miss what we <i><b>need</b></i>.</div><div> <br />"What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" (Matthew 16:26)</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #001320;"><br /></span></div>“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (1 John 2:16 NLT) <br /><br />God the Father in his great love for us sent his son Jesus to earth that we indeed may live life to its fullest. Jesus came to give us life but the war that was waged continues to operate. It steals, kills and destroys everything around us. (John 10:10) <br /><br />If God owns everything, can I be trusted? Will my greedy heart go after all that God owns? Can my love for him be skewed by what I can get from him? Will I miss the bigger picture? <br /><br />The Lord who formed me, (Psalm 139) and knows me well is interested in lavishing me with his love! Yes, even his resources for life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can I really be called God’s friend?</div><div><br />God has looked upon me. He knows my brokenness and need. He knows that I can easily be tricked into a downward spiral of depravity. <br /><br />So, what does the Creator of Heaven, who owns everything do? He sends his Son Jesus to earth. He takes a world of chaos and turns it right side up. <br /><br />He reminds me of the new life he offered Nicodemus. It’s available for me too! “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:7-8) <br /><br />Will the God who owns everything trust me? Jeremiah reminds us that our hearts are desperately sick. Who can know this heart and fix it? (Jeremiah 17:9) Only the Lord!<br /><br />Hollywood says, ”When you have money no one is ever really your friend.” <br /><br />Yet, God has called me his friend and he owns everything! <br /><br />“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) <br /><br />In humility and need. I surrendered to the Lord for new life and forgiveness of sin. What did I get in return? New life! Eternal life and sins washed away. <br /><br />What does the Creator of the world say about me? </div><div><br /></div><div> As his son walked on earth, this is the message to his followers, to his disciples, to his children. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:13-15) <br /><br />He calls me friend. He reveals the Father’s plan to me. <br /><br />“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (Jeremiah 33:2-3) <br /><br />All who call upon my name shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) <br /><br />It seems no matter where I search in his Book, there is a call for me to come to him. The Owner and Creator of everything wants me! He remembers that I am but dust and bids me to come.<br /><br />He desires to lavish me with his great love! (1 John 3:1) Salvation is the gift for the far off, the broken, the greedy, the swindler, idolater, rebellious, the confused, the cheater and the cheated, the sinner who thinks there is no hope. We are not beyond his reach. He is the Restorer to the broken and crushed in spirit.<br /><br />He has come to give us life and everything we need in this world and beyond. Will you trust him today? <br /><br />The gift is free! “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) <br /><br />God owns everything and wants me and you! Salvation establishes our relationship with the Creator. He calls us friends and loves us!</div><div><br /></div><div>He can't stop thinking about us and died for the re-establishment of our relation with the Father. Noah was given the olive branch, delivered by a bird. We have been given the new life delivered by the Son!<br /><div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~ Liz</div></div></div></div></div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-2246497427398686982022-02-02T23:26:00.011-05:002022-02-02T23:38:17.356-05:00Quick Decisions<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKHMOLO6YveG43glSh8DMP1GXsdw6yk6w3-A8p6USLwq36TyKMsVBriGVHE9y1jLC6DabrTnKHk4XswD7N7bceeNg_5yW9ukTzd1xZkaDDSvsxh0f28P6VBhlCQCrp5sX4zRP9jC5a-XEplYd6F9H6DhWhpUJ6xH4x_UfzS1-zIcEXQ_FDbgbxvw16=s1080" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKHMOLO6YveG43glSh8DMP1GXsdw6yk6w3-A8p6USLwq36TyKMsVBriGVHE9y1jLC6DabrTnKHk4XswD7N7bceeNg_5yW9ukTzd1xZkaDDSvsxh0f28P6VBhlCQCrp5sX4zRP9jC5a-XEplYd6F9H6DhWhpUJ6xH4x_UfzS1-zIcEXQ_FDbgbxvw16=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div> <i>I recently placed an online order. </i><i>This is a very common
activity for me. I'm savvy and know how to look for a good deal.</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>With the cold weather and the wintry mix that we've been
getting I placed an order for some rock salt. I want to be prepared. My eyes caught a good deal on some ice melt so I proceeded to order this bucket that
would carry me through the rest of the winter.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What keeps me and holds me together as I live my life? I am
a believer. What does that mean? I have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. I trust
Jesus. He came to save my life. I believe that he died on the cross and on the
third day rose again. When he left the earth, he sent what he promised, the
Holy Spirit, which guides me daily.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>And she lived happily ever after. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are forces, a spiritual war that believers are caught
in. My life is redeemed and belongs to the Lord. Yet there are entities trying
to diminish my effectiveness. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Everything is not what it seems to be! Read the fine print!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>The warning - stay on the alert! I'm an excellent shopper
yet I got caught off guard in my recent purchase.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>I’m savvy, I was confident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I shop online I often ask the Lord to show
me what I need because often my shopping cart is filled with what I want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is a discipline that I continue to learn daily.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a believer I must remain vigilant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's more than an online shopping experience.
The repercussions are costly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Everything must be filtered through the Word of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My emotions may be easily fooled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heart must be examined by the Lord. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> A constant dialogue with the Holy Spirit must be my daily pursuit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart might try to trick me. My emotions can
be easily fooled. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Everything must be tested. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The apostle Paul spoke to the Corinthians and warned them!
The enemy of our soul is a great deceiver. He lies, he deceives, he tricks, and
if we’re not careful his influence can lead us astray. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many have been led astray by false teachers and doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2 Corinthians 11) This is not a pit that the
people of old fell in. This hole exists and consumes people today. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It's beautifully decorated. The road is wide, lined with
trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you listen carefully, you
might hear the conversation. It is not the birds chirping and praising the Lord
early in the morning. The rustle of the tree leaves speak of danger. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It's the same conversation that Adam and Eve had with the
serpent. A little twist here and a little change of language and mankind was
deceived and fell. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disobedience left a
terrible imprint. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Bible says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is
the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter
through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and
only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God’s Word reminds us, that he who delights in the Lord, “That
person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in
season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 3)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pick up the sword! It is the Word of God. Pray and ask the Spirit
of God to give direction. He can open our eyes to really see and cause our ears
to hear correctly. Pride can come in and begin to tell us that we are secure.
But we must consult with our heavenly Father. Fight to remain!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>My online order status said it would take a little longer
for delivery, so I cancelled the order. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>A few days later I received a package in my mailbox. I
don't have a big mailbox. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The item was
wrapped in plastic. I looked at the package and I was baffled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no recent orders. I began the unwrapping
process. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm still unsure. What could this possibly be? As I removed all the packaging, inside this plastic bag was
an item the size of a handball.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Lo and behold, there was a tiny little mini bucket of
rock salt. Now if you are as confused as I was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- now we can laugh! The item that I ordered (in
my savvy shopping excursion) was not a big bucket of rock salt. The small print
under the item description read that this was a miniature rock salt bucket to
be used as a Christmas tree ornament! It’s January!!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Oh, the lesson isn't finished. This tiny replica cost me
$23. Praise the Lord I got a refund!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“<span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">Be alert and of sober mind.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> Your enemy the devil prowls around</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> like a roaring lion</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> looking for someone to devour.</span>” (1
Peter 5:8)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">It can happen that quickly. Deception, trickery, accusation,
pride, a world wind of confusion, anger, misrepresentation, lying, stealing, a
whisper laced in gossip – be on the alert!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a battle waging! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">I'm not as savvy as I thought I was. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">I'm thankful that as a believer I have a great Counselor to
give me advice and direction. He teaches me about what I need, not what I want.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">Lord, I am your child. Lead me and I will follow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">The Lord does not use fine print. He makes it
very clear to all who will listen. He loves us. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have
come that they may have life,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> and have it to the full.</span>” (John
10:10)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">“For God so loved</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> the world that he gave</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> his one and only Son,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> that whoever believes</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> in him shall not perish but have eternal life.</span>”
(John 3:16)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">The quickest decision we can make that leads to life is to
say yes to Jesus! That's NO DECEPTION - it is life!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">God bless you!~Liz</span></p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-84035324960525498072022-01-11T23:05:00.016-05:002022-01-11T23:17:54.558-05:00The Witness Has A Ripple Effect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Ever wonder who's listening to you? When was the last time the Lord sent you to minister the gospel to</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBjI1hF34mNzeRYYjCBkcoph18Lgm-bTpXA2SgyLi11YKVNEW8fwLsAcSAIc3K7m1pkXW13syJ2nP6DkcOaRFPtMCR1mEu0C1drZIvZ4BIh8_yc8uC3F2o9Hzqumn1OHDYZt2BNJC-g1IhHiqcSZLo_yiZ7AByijLvU_lmHDQ3nRWIgDB3X1kTXvam=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBjI1hF34mNzeRYYjCBkcoph18Lgm-bTpXA2SgyLi11YKVNEW8fwLsAcSAIc3K7m1pkXW13syJ2nP6DkcOaRFPtMCR1mEu0C1drZIvZ4BIh8_yc8uC3F2o9Hzqumn1OHDYZt2BNJC-g1IhHiqcSZLo_yiZ7AByijLvU_lmHDQ3nRWIgDB3X1kTXvam=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /> someone? Did you accomplish the mission? <br /><br />In the book of Acts chapter 8, Phillip is sent to an Ethiopian eunuch with a message. <br /><br />It takes place right after the apostles are scattered shortly after the death of Stephen. Phillip heads to Samaria and there he ministers the gospel. People are delivered from evil spirits and the sick are healed! Then the Holy Spirit instructs him to go to Gaza, another town in Samaria. <br /><br />The story of the eunuch unfolds. We know that the eunuch is reading the book of Isaiah and Phillip begins to share the meaning of this prophetic writing. As they are driving in the chariot the Ethiopian eunuch sees a body of water and asks to be baptized. <br /><br />The part of the story that I want to focus on today is the fact that this Ethiopian man was not alone. He gave orders to stop his chariot so that he may be baptized. (Acts 8:38) <div><br /></div><div>My question. Was there a ripple effect to Phillip's act of faith and obedience? The scriptures do not mention anyone else being baptized or for that matter anyone else engaging in conversation with Phillip. Nevertheless there they were listening to the God changing message of the Gospel. <br /><br />Often when we have to deliver a message the Lord gives us, our view is so narrow. The message transforms lives! Our obedience in delivering the message can cause multiple lives and families to be changed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that others are listening? When we bring the message in the public square - the public is listening. It's no longer just the one person we are speaking with. </div><div><br />The word of God is so powerful, and God’s love is so immense that he wants everyone to be saved. God's desire is a none would perish but that everyone would come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) <br /><br />Sarah’s eavesdropping caused her to laugh when the angel of the Lord spoke to Abraham. At first she did not believe but indeed God’s word came to pass. <br /><br />The witness has a ripple effect! The next time God dispatches us on a mission let’s remember it's more than what we see. We are messengers that God is using to bring the world to himself. What a privilege to be used by him!</div><div><br /></div><div>"He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." (Mark 16:15)</div><div><br /></div><div>May the Spirit of the Lord use you to expand his Kingdom; to bring many from darkness to light! (1 Peter 2:9)</div><div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-58578331145779645992021-09-07T07:52:00.026-04:002021-09-07T07:59:30.415-04:00InhaleHave you ever been standing next to someone and as you inhale you can smell their fragrance? <div>I have a very strong sensitivity to scents.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvXeJrUcfY5Z-etK-5YwyKlSYeymE6qbKFK4IznRUnp0FwWIwblfdS2wXum0kfadz8B2yBjALvuu6aN1VoufbRf5S7PIY2UaZHrlEhgWhX-6Ta9VaamqOQr3ugvF6Z04UFeOrW1kcK38/s1080/My+Post.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvXeJrUcfY5Z-etK-5YwyKlSYeymE6qbKFK4IznRUnp0FwWIwblfdS2wXum0kfadz8B2yBjALvuu6aN1VoufbRf5S7PIY2UaZHrlEhgWhX-6Ta9VaamqOQr3ugvF6Z04UFeOrW1kcK38/w400-h400/My+Post.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I only like specific perfumes. Strong perfumes can quickly cause my head to pound.<br /><br />When I was young, I remember my dad gifting me a perfume during Christmas. I remember it came in a beautiful box along with other makeup products. I felt so grown up. His purchase came straight from Macy's. For me that was a big deal. To this day if I smell that perfume, it'll bring me back to my early teenage years. <br /><br />Later, as I grew older, I made my own choices and purchased the scents I liked. We can choose what we smell like. <br /><br />“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy. “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.’” (Exodus 30:22-33) <br /><br />Exodus reminds us of the Lord’s specific instructions regarding the Tabernacle. There was a recipe involved in the anointing oil. A recipe not to be duplicated for common use. Oil was on the tent, in the ark of the covenant, on the table, and on all the articles. Could you imagine walking by the Tabernacle? The aroma would have been captivating. <br /><br />Often in reading the Old Testament we wonder why all the specifics. It's a Holy God trying to teach us in our brokenness and need for the Divine. <br /><br />As I grew older, I got married. My husband also purchased perfume for me. This scent has remained in my collection for daily use. It reminds me then I am loved. My husband also could recognize my entrance in a room by just inhaling. (As long as someone else does not have my perfume on. That would be awkward!) <br /><br />Unlike perfumes we purchase today, the anointing oil was different. It was sacred. They were consecrated and set apart. The fragrance testified that these men were chosen to serve the Lord. <br /><br />Today there is a new fragrance upon my life. I have surrendered the stench of death for a new aroma, the aroma of Christ. His life poured out for me and on me. <br /><br />Everyone has a scent. We are either like Aaron and his sons who are consecrated for the service of the Lord with a distinguished, handpicked perfume from the Lord. Or we just smell like everyone else blending into the futility of this world.<br /><br />The Tabernacle instructions were specific. Today the Lord Jesus extends an invitation to wear the fragrance of his choosing. A fragrance purchased by his very blood that we would be a distinct people. <br /><br />Salvation and redemptive life, it has a specific presence. Or at least it should! His death was not in vain. It is a gift that we open, receive, and apply. It's not from Macy's! It comes from the very heart of the Father who has loved his creation and wants us to be his. <br /><br />“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16a) <br /><br />Inhale and breathe. What does it smell like to be around you?</div><div>If you don't like what you smell like, go take a dip in the River of Life!<br /><div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div></div></div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-82438793139260601032021-08-30T07:51:00.023-04:002022-06-21T18:49:07.932-04:00It's Loud!I’ve been thinking a lot about life’s hurdles and opposition. Sometimes my mind’s thoughts can <div>be so strong and shadow the <b>TRUTH </b>that I know!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TGkxKZ2kGDDJNkr0o9GIsSD-MnQDR0NnW8SmtyNqqXMtWOMn_PWbyIN4kq7_nnwHw7LziXsgcLyPnlFBKLO3pKGtiIyNNdTenS_Mg_SIIiZlO8xf4BMJs6wKlJerU1eaM9Z_pvRahfk/s1080/My+Post.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TGkxKZ2kGDDJNkr0o9GIsSD-MnQDR0NnW8SmtyNqqXMtWOMn_PWbyIN4kq7_nnwHw7LziXsgcLyPnlFBKLO3pKGtiIyNNdTenS_Mg_SIIiZlO8xf4BMJs6wKlJerU1eaM9Z_pvRahfk/w400-h400/My+Post.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div>I use the word shadow and was very careful. Lies can’t obscure God’s Truth. Oh, for a short time it may not seem clear but as I pursue God there is an unveiling that occurs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Praise the Living God who is constantly reminding me of His Word. He is a lamp unto my feet and my source of life, direction, and victory!<br /><br />Who is my enemy? Sometimes the enemy has a face and that’s all I see. But there is more! “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12) <br /><br />A couple of nights ago I was reading a Psalm in God's Word and though I was struggling I kept saying, “I don't have an enemy chasing me like the psalmist wrote about.” Then the Spirit of God who teaches me all things and speaks to me as I am quiet reminded me the source of the fight, of the stress, all the troubles of this world stem from one source. <br /><br />From the beginning of time the enemy of my soul has brought confusion and especially doubt. Once we begin to entertain what God says we are about to tread on shaky ground. Go back to Genesis and see what happened to Adam and Eve.<br /><br />We have 66 books that God has left us as a resource for this life. Skim through the pages and sometimes it seems like it's not applicable to us. Perhaps we're not listening and allowing God to remove the veil that at times obscures God's truth. <br /><br />So, I began to pray not for the thoughts in my mind but against the enemy of my soul who tries to diminish who I am. His suggestive lies sometimes come across as a possibility truth. After all, I might begin to entertain that indeed I am weak. The problem is not the acknowledgement that I am weak. The issue is if I stay there. But, as I open this resource that God has given me I am reminded that when I am weak he is strong. A mighty wind blows and the enemy of my soul is knocked down. I am reminded that he has no authority over me. Take a deeper look. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring back to your remembrance the Word of God that is locked up within you. It’s a comfort and safeguard to me. It is a threat to Satan!</div><div><br /></div><div>Therefore, the issue is not our troubles. Bring it all to the Lord like a little child with your broken pieces. Drop it on his lap and let him know your need for him. His Gentleness and Love will scoop us up and begin to whisper his Truth over us. I am made in his image. I am loved. He has filled me with his Spirit. I am an overcomer. My purpose is unfolding. He will return for me. I am not alone.<br /><br />“Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” (Psalm 60:11-12) <br /><br />This is not some new revelation. It’s a reminder so we know how to fight. Israel’s problem was a memory issue. They often forget that God chose them out of all the people of the world to be their God. To fight for them and rescue them out of this dark world. <br /><br />So, like a snow globe that has been shaken, today I have once again been reminded that God is Sovereign and He Reigns. The image has become clear as his Spirit blows! This is who I am, “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) <br /><br />There will always be hurdles and opposition. But I don’t run this race alone! <br /><br />Thank you again Holy Spirit for reminding me who I am!</div><div><br /></div><div>The lie speaks loud but God's whisper shuts it down! Feel the breeze of his Spirit!</div><div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div></div></div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-18823340069031572072021-05-22T00:32:00.003-04:002021-05-22T00:32:47.704-04:00What do you see?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX8kxnk94_Zb3443nKsEdB-2CpYOnSjPpTm-bWXRXC5YaP68KF12pF3GZqfQo-Mpep_F8BWD7gnoSmitcAYQO7sPN2SfhUCP0wn-UpGimdUd2NNfHbnS4O0ASfh7hpWmaDr2ZPStcB0c/s1080/My+Post+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX8kxnk94_Zb3443nKsEdB-2CpYOnSjPpTm-bWXRXC5YaP68KF12pF3GZqfQo-Mpep_F8BWD7gnoSmitcAYQO7sPN2SfhUCP0wn-UpGimdUd2NNfHbnS4O0ASfh7hpWmaDr2ZPStcB0c/s320/My+Post+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>Early this week I was visiting my dad who was in the hospital. We had a conversation regarding a painting that was on his wall. While under the influence of medication he insisted that the painting that hung in his room was a dog. My sister and I reassured him that the painting was of a tree.<p></p>Praise the Lord my father is doing remarkably well! We repeated the conversation regarding the painting to see how his mental clarity was doing. He insisted that the painting was of a dog. Concerned I backed up to where he was laying down to view the image from his vantage point. Lo and behold the tree looks exactly like a dog! <br /><br />It's the game that we play when we are kids. We look up to the clouds and we imagine the clouds being something else. We see images in the sky that are not there, but the shapes convince us otherwise. We see rockets, mountains, monsters, cartoons, bugs and people’s faces. Nevertheless, the cumulus clouds are just that – puffy, cotton-like clouds! <br /><br />Our eyes can play a trick on us. <br /><br />Sadly, a more deceptive trick is the condition of our heart. The Bible puts it like this, “The heart is deceitful above all things and it is extremely sick; Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives?” (Jeremiah 17:9) <br /><br />God knows my heart. A self-evaluation of my own heart will note that though I think my heart is good often sin can creep in. <br /><br />I may insist that I am well, but the Lord will stand by my side, look from my vantage point and reassure me of the truth. He calls it how he sees it. Sin is sin. In him there is no lie! <br /><br />The remedy for my heart has been purchased. The Father himself has dealt with the condition of my heart. Separated from him I have now been reconciled through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is clear. In the Book of John 14: 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Deception end there!<br /><br />No matter what the influence, Jesus knows how to speak and reach us. Can you hear him? Get alone with him. Be still in his presence and let him speak to you. Clarity will come. Truth will prevail and freedom will be attained. <br /><br />He causes our sight to be corrected and our hearts to be healed. The blind indeed will see!<div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-12218835906850575222021-03-29T13:15:00.002-04:002021-03-29T13:16:07.602-04:00Who dares to visit us?The enemy knows where you pray. He dares to visit the place of intercession between you and God the<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYiJ4Q39zQ_DxWz9Z81OlKgj0YWLdHEL-8tHWZ80KL3dgXfvYgoPnrdxrLrxKgA8eNUjfPnYmegkmc-rn_95MXMrdqdZ50Ho4Zq6vqnOnpdEnBM9BruEGwqTMPE-dbCkjfg5gJbC9VDw/s1080/My+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYiJ4Q39zQ_DxWz9Z81OlKgj0YWLdHEL-8tHWZ80KL3dgXfvYgoPnrdxrLrxKgA8eNUjfPnYmegkmc-rn_95MXMrdqdZ50Ho4Zq6vqnOnpdEnBM9BruEGwqTMPE-dbCkjfg5gJbC9VDw/w400-h400/My+Post.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Father. He brings false accusations against God’s anointed. <br /><br />A kiss betrays the son of God. Accused by officials, the crowd, governors, and even his close friend betrays him as a rooster testifies. <br /><br />But Jesus knew who he was. Indeed, a King but not of this world! <br /><br />The crowd was always challenged. See the miracles and judge for yourself. “Who do you say that I am?” Peter would testify the Son of God and later deny him. <br /><br />Pilot would ask, “what is truth?” <br /><br />In John 14:8 we read Jesus’ words, “I am the way the truth and the life.” <br /><br />Are you praying? Has the enemy come to taunt you and discourage you? James reminds us that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) <br /><br />Knowing what was ahead of him Jesus did not look backwards. He knew that the wages of sin for us was death and eternal separation from God and he was willing to pay the ransom. The choice is ours. Will we take the gift that has paid for our debt? <br /><br />Prayer is powerful! As we call on the Father, he moves mountains that are blocking the path of the righteous. He hears the call of his children and moves on our behalf even as the enemy whispers that our prayers are not being heard. But glory to God the prayers of the righteous are heard! <br /><br />So, what is speaking lies today? Face the accuser and remind yourself that Christ died for you. It's the obedience of this man Jesus, the begotten son of the Father who has died for sinners. For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son to be crucified to pay for the sin of all mankind. <br /><br />"Who do you say that I am?" I say he is my Savior! I acknowledge that he sent his Holy Spirit to live inside of me. He has restored me to the Father. <br /><br />“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. “(Romans 8:34)<div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-42317778951614495302021-02-17T15:34:00.006-05:002021-02-17T15:42:57.219-05:00The Blood Tells A Story<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrrFApUgNHVTm2eVTil2ZyMiPa8WARISDlPMj8M3O9VAUxz98OA3JZKGSmluWEkKteGvLgZxNCIb3r0eZtamxRU9SdMeXWEie27IDtfxs4t0hTU2TR-wq4fqTNP3MiWAN2rCLq3vf_lE/s400/12.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrrFApUgNHVTm2eVTil2ZyMiPa8WARISDlPMj8M3O9VAUxz98OA3JZKGSmluWEkKteGvLgZxNCIb3r0eZtamxRU9SdMeXWEie27IDtfxs4t0hTU2TR-wq4fqTNP3MiWAN2rCLq3vf_lE/s320/12.jpg" /></a></div><i>"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive </i><i>with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."</i> (Colossians 2:13-15)<div><div><br /></div><div>Sick and tired. Not feeling well? Off to the physician's office we go. What is the first thing the doctor does when an outwardly physical exam won't tell them what's wrong? <br /><br />They proceed to draw blood! The blood tells a story. <br /><br />As a young girl I got very sick. The diagnosis was Rheumatoid Arthritis. I endured countless blood test. They measured inflammation, the effects of the medication, anemia and on and on. I was a sick girl in need of help.<br /><br />The blood tells a story!<br /><br />In Genesis chapter 3, the Lord asks his children, <i>"Who told you that you were naked?"</i> (v11) This was a symptom of their disease. Adam and Eve had come in contact with a sickness that would kill them. God, the Great Physician knew the signs. Their nakedness required a covering. <i>"The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." </i>(v21) Blood was shed.<br /><br />The blood tells a story!<div><br /></div><div>The Fall of Man. Man now crippled with disease. </div><div><br /></div><div>The one made in the image of God is now marred with the blemish of sin. It's internal. You can't always recognize it from the outside. It requires and inner search of the heart. God himself has investigated and said, <i>“The heart is deceitful above all things and it is extremely sick; Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives?"</i> (Jeremiah 17:9) </div><div><br /></div><div>Our blood is tainted. It tells <i>our </i>story. This Sin has made us sick. It's an inner struggle that requires a blood transfusion. We are dead. Dead in sin! It shouts a need to be healed. <i>"For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."</i> (Romans 7:19) <i>"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?" </i>(Romans 7:24)</div><div><br /></div><div>Like a child in need of medical attention. God arrives and finds us kicking and screaming. We don't want the medicine he provides. We rather die! Indeed we shall apart from the cure. </div><div><br /></div><div>This sickness has led to death. It requires a blood transfusion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our blood tells the story of a sick, rebellious child. It causes us to turn from God. We are ashamed, confused, and discouraged. Depression can wrap us like a viper and our pride resists the cure. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>"</i><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"><i>When </i>we <i>were dead in your sins</i></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"> and in the uncircumcision of </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">our </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">flesh, God made </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">us</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">alive</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"><i> with Christ." </i>(Colossians 2:13a)</span></div><div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">It's not 911, it's 3:16. No human effort can bring healing. The paramedics are at a loss for they too exhibit symptoms. God himself will be the cure.</span></div><div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">Anesthesia won't work for they awake the same. I will draw them by my Spirit. <i>"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."</i> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"> (John 6:44)</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Both on the operating table. The sick child and the Begotten Son of God who is the Cure. Sin has reigned in the children because of Adam. But, God will send his Son who comes with an abundance of grace. (Romans 5:17)</div><div><p>The blood tells a story!</p><p>The spoiled children resist. God's Son is dragged, beaten and spit on. Placed on a cross to die. He is willing to go. Arms stretched wide. Let the blood flow! Let it spill on the ground. Let each droplet tell the story of my love. <i>"No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up."</i> (John 10:18a)</p><p>"<span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> I have <i>disarmed the powers and authorities, </i>and </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"><i>made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them</i></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"><i> by the cross</i>." (Colossians 2:15) </span></p><p><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">Every accusing tongue silenced. The Law displaying our guilt. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">Read the hospital record. It speaks of healing and deliverance. It's in the book.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">Surgery is complete and we hear the Son say, "</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><i>“It is finished.”</i> (John 19:30)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><i>"H</i></span></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><i>aving canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. " </i>(Colossians 2:14)</span></p><p><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"><b>His </b>blood tells the story!</span></p><p><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">Praise God from whom a blessing <i>flow</i>!</span></p><p><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">God bless you!~Liz</span></p></div></div></div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-90860055272804597492021-01-03T20:42:00.002-05:002021-01-03T23:14:52.439-05:00Planning On Building Any Towers?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8bQqnhyi0mWyCnjm3QeaJZFDGrb14EquOw-prpPXX05YgwOXRECr6_g8DNe_WdqIBbBsixV2xWNexNh1IfHZajpZ4HJEFqhz0PVS6KqxpMhL_X0b3iL6lcCyotsQTswu8Fi_OP2IDSk/s1080/My+Post+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8bQqnhyi0mWyCnjm3QeaJZFDGrb14EquOw-prpPXX05YgwOXRECr6_g8DNe_WdqIBbBsixV2xWNexNh1IfHZajpZ4HJEFqhz0PVS6KqxpMhL_X0b3iL6lcCyotsQTswu8Fi_OP2IDSk/w320-h320/My+Post+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If you have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, then I trust you are leaning toward Psalm 37:23, “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord”, amen? “ <br /><br />The beginning of a new year is always so invigorating! It's a clean slate; a life canvas waiting to be painted. So, who is the artist? <br /><br />Coming out of the Ark as generations passed, the people forgot what God had delivered them from. Genesis 11 reads that the people gathered, counseled each other, and decided to erect a tower. <br /><br />They counseled each other? <br /><br />Why wasn't God invited to their building project plans? If the architect of the Ark kept the remnant safe as God's wrath was poured out on mankind, could he not erect a tower? <br /><br />Oh, the heart of humans. Sin is so ugly and sometimes we don't see it. <br /><br />Like eyes accustomed to the dark, we don't want to look toward the light. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) <br /><br />God's mercy is massive! <br /><br />As stones were brought forth to begin their project, heads began to shake. Like a bobblehead on the rear window of your car. “Nope, that won’t work.” <br /><br />They didn't want to use material that God created. Scripture says they baked bricks. They wanted their own hands to construct. <br /><br />It's the idol of “I”. <br /><br />As 2021 is unveiled before us what are the plans? <br /><br />Is there something we want to build? Perhaps there are new roads we want to travel, literally some earth exploration. A new job? A new relationship? Invest in your marriage? Parent those little ones and cause their little hearts to bend toward God. Ministry? Reconciliation perhaps?<br /><br />What about the thankless list of chores that we do daily? Can we get rid of them? They can be exhausting. <br /><br />I read a statement today that said do the dishes as if Christ himself was going to eat out of them. Clean the snow covered walk as if his feet were about to walk on it. Wow, I think I just got some energy! <br /><br />Now that's a perspective! <br /><br />The generations that came after Noah, gathered together and excluded God from their plans. <br /><br />Now that's funny! To quote the serial box, “silly rabbit trix are for kids.” <br /><br />The rabbit may have been silly, but he actually wanted what belong to the children. What is the enemy trying to take away that belongs to you? <br /><br />We must include God in our ideas. “Acknowledge him in all our ways.” (Proverbs 3) <br /><br />We must remember the enemy comes to steel, kill, and destroy. (John 10) <br /><br />Therefore, the place where we make plans must have the Board of Directors present. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will give us direction. They are the governing body that oversee our every breath. <br /><br />Let’s not let the enemy pull the wool over our eyes. <br /><br />They wanted to build something designed by their own hands. There is nothing wrong with creativity. Actually, a creative spirit is a gift from God. His character impressed into us. But when the clay wants to jump off the wheel there is something wrong! It’s the clay telling the Potter what to do. <br /><br />Lord as the year begins, you who know the end from the beginning, I surrender to you. Lead, guide and illuminate my path. This daughter bends toward her creator. Build and erect your plans for me according to your good pleasure. Amen. <br /><br />So, what are the plans for 2021?<div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-60283077951494191002020-12-31T13:52:00.010-05:002020-12-31T14:07:08.747-05:00Exasperated?God's response to sin on the earth after much patience and opportunity for repentance was to end life on earth. Everything destroyed except for Noah, his family and some of his animal creation. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3yjs9xa9jnNTvA2UMNNq34C7z7UW8l8rqrHWYJC-i97uijCLdn2vwbc1NUlIgunv7USVF8R50s-PIQ3DxHiYNGZx2IsBAAzP06xFAN0QDiMuAHX_OOOoxB9lyJVGG97D9qsjBnOnq00/s1080/My+Post+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3yjs9xa9jnNTvA2UMNNq34C7z7UW8l8rqrHWYJC-i97uijCLdn2vwbc1NUlIgunv7USVF8R50s-PIQ3DxHiYNGZx2IsBAAzP06xFAN0QDiMuAHX_OOOoxB9lyJVGG97D9qsjBnOnq00/s320/My+Post+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />It’s a difficult thing to imagine. <br /><br />Sin does not happen overnight. A quick action can turn us from light to darkness in a flash of a moment. <br /><br />Imagine God had preserved you. What if God called you righteous and preserved you as everything around you died. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't believe Noah was just resting in the Ark. <br /><br />As the waters are coming down and rising all around him, I wonder what Noah was feeling?<div><br /></div><div>I'm sure the vibrations on the ark walls were frightening. Rain coming down and waters coming up. Debris, trees, animals, Noah’s friends, his neighbors, and enemies all in the midst of the turbulent waters. <br /><br />His eyes would witness this. Lifeless bodies surrounding the Ark. That which was once rooted now floating all around him. <br /><br />The same ears that heard the words Noah build an Ark are now flooded with thunder, lightning and the howling of the wind. The silence of the tongues of men coming to and eerie silence.<br /><br />If his senses were on high alert, did he smell the salt in the water? Was there acidity in the air? Or was it the smell of death that his nostrils inhaled. <br /><br />Even the odor from a floating zoo was probably better than the smell on the outside. The inside reminded him that there was still life; that God had preserved him. <br /><br />Holy fear in the midst of the storm! A sovereign God whose mercy had preserved Noah, his family, and a few creatures. <br /><br />God closes the Ark’s door. <br /><br />Scripture clearly displays that Noah was in no rush to get out of the Ark. <br /><br /> In Genesis chapter 8, we see that God sent the wind and the waters receded. Noah remained inside. <br /><br />The floodgates of the heavens were closed. The rain stopped falling from the sky. At the end of 150 days the waters had gone down. <br /><br />Noah remained inside. <br /><br />I'm listening Lord. <br /><br />On the 7th month the Ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The doors remained closed. Slowly the tops of the mountains became visible. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can you see the HOPE on the horizon?<br /><br />After 40 days Noah opened a window. <br /><br />It's a slow progression with no urgency to go out into a world that had just been judged. <br /><br />He sent out a raven. He sent out a dove and the dove returned. <br /><br />He waited 7 more days and He sent out a dove again and this time the bird came back with a freshly plucked olive branch. <br /><br />Perhaps at this time Noah would be ready to exit the Ark but scripture says he waited 7 more days and sent out the dove again and this time the dove did not return. <br /><br />This timeline that seems forever reflects Noah’s dependency on God Almighty. <br /><br />Noah wasn't rushing into anything. He would not move unless he heard God speak. <br /><br /><i>Too bad we can’t say the same thing universally today about us. Sometimes we cry out to God and we think that God is taking too long. <br /><br />Our two-minute prayer is expected to return a quick result and in our favor nonetheless. Oh yes, God can answer quickly. But the lesson here is to WAIT on God! </i><br /><br />Exasperated in our current situation? It's best to wait until we hear God say, “come out.” <br /><br />Scripture says that Noah then removed the covering from the Ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. <br /><br />What a great time to get out and stretch his legs after all it's been a long stretch, right? <br /><br />Noah waited for God's direction. <br /><br />All these long days that turned into weeks and months. Here is Noah inside the Ark. <br /><br />Countless hours in the presence of God crying out to him and waiting on him to respond. <br /><br />Exasperated? <br /><br />That's the position of the believer! That's the place of the child of God. </div><div><br /></div><div>On our face crying out to Almighty God!<br /><br />When the rain is coming down and the child of God sees no way out, we must remain in prayer submitted to him with a song of praise on our lips. <br /><br />Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.” (Genesis 8:15-17)<br /><br />And there it is! </div><div><br /></div><div>Be still and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10) <br /><br />"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Jeremiah 55:9) <br /><br />The long wait brought forth the answer <i><u>from </u></i>God. <br /><br />Come out of the Ark! Yes, you, your family and the creatures I preserved.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's the answer we wait on. </div><div><br /></div><div>My ears are attentive to the Lord. Speak, Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div></div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-50255545730479296712020-12-16T12:50:00.006-05:002020-12-16T12:53:38.826-05:00King of kings and Lord of lords!<p>The Book of Revelation, how fascinating! I wish I can say that I fully understand it all,
but I do not. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYiN7QZxMYp0RIS2Cc-XHnAKyUk047kgqHd42rXd5WOklA9VyKMEQv3GgRXrJFtRpXBclUj5JgtGTO_Uc19G_piMMGDF0pSj3Pfp3uGAtQRyYCOUfJYZcJUzDcWXlnoZHpvBjSzL203A/s1080/My+Post+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYiN7QZxMYp0RIS2Cc-XHnAKyUk047kgqHd42rXd5WOklA9VyKMEQv3GgRXrJFtRpXBclUj5JgtGTO_Uc19G_piMMGDF0pSj3Pfp3uGAtQRyYCOUfJYZcJUzDcWXlnoZHpvBjSzL203A/s320/My+Post+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>But once again I have been reminded of God’s Love for me! The
book opens up stating <i>“blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what
is written in it, because the time is near.”</i> Praise the Lord!<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the end of the book a description of the Holy City is
given. Read with me.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great
and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven
from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a
very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall
with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were
written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the
east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of
the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve
apostles of the Lamb.”</i> (Revelation 21:10-14)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you see what I see? <i>His story</i> written all over it!
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here we are at the end of the Book and the Lord has us
looking backwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just in case we have
forgotten how we got here; “<i>the twelve tribes of Israel” </i>written on the
gates<i>, “the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” </i>written on the
foundations.<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We cannot read the end of the book without acknowledging the
beginning. God remembers the 12 tribes he remembers the 12 apostles throughout the
New Testament, he remembers me! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know he recalls when I bowed the knee and said yes to him.
He remembers my fragile state, my rebellious disposition before I acknowledged
that I needed him. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was his call for me his daughter that changed my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A blind woman now with sight! Like
the blind man from birth, my mouth and heart exclaim, <i>“One thing I do know.
I was blind but now I see!”</i> (John 9:25b)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God knows my trials and the victories he has brought me through.
We all come to a crossroad. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He calls and
then waits for us to answer. <i>“For God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.” </i>(John 3:16)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our story unfolds. Our lives on the stage of history. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you run to the arms of Jesus? God himself
waiting for us to acknowledge his great love and mercy toward us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What will history say about me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will it say about you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All I have is Jesus! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are
those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These
are the true words of God.”</i> (Revelation 19:9)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He is the baby born in a manger. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He is the man on the cross. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He is the one seated at the right hand of the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like
the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 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.”</i> (Revelation
19:6-8)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Check you pulse!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hear
the heart of the Father toward us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
coming back!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a
white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” “On his robe and on his
thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.” </i>(Revelation
19:11, 16)<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, he is the victorious One coming back for his
bride!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The redeemed of God. The
multitudes in robes of white waiting for his return!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“After this I looked, and there before me was a great
multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and
language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing
white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out
in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to
the Lamb.” </i>(Revelation 7:9-10)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fully understand the book of Revelation. No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do see my Savior coming back for
me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will you acknowledge his love and sacrifice for you?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” </i>(2 Peter 3:9)</p><p class="MsoNormal">My soul will magnify your Name!</p><p class="MsoNormal">God bless you!~Liz</p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-69542614205195338762020-11-06T01:31:00.002-05:002020-11-06T01:34:22.609-05:00It's 12:01AM<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSUoLrwSxUwUzstaTzqwVCb-kO9nx3BjDMvyIgJ5PhqdTBg-m04nQs9RAkVn9Xw1WOgoza9W8H_hUaHf4edcovmeo4nAubCAJe9ZY-jxZilnDl5LyMiPALG3Kwlzj48qc54tjenyUodI/s1080/My+Post+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSUoLrwSxUwUzstaTzqwVCb-kO9nx3BjDMvyIgJ5PhqdTBg-m04nQs9RAkVn9Xw1WOgoza9W8H_hUaHf4edcovmeo4nAubCAJe9ZY-jxZilnDl5LyMiPALG3Kwlzj48qc54tjenyUodI/s320/My+Post+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>Wednesday night Bible study; we reach from today and cross over into Thursday. <p></p><p>You see our study begins at 11:30pm and ends at 12:15am. I wanted to welcome the new day in his Word and reflect upon his goodness. When I see the clock hit the midnight hour the words on my lips are, "great is his faithfulness, his mercies are new every morning." It's my paraphrase to Lamentations 3:22-23.</p><p>Now to bed at 1am. Thursday seemed like an ordinary day. The Lord woke me up at 9am. I ran some errands with my dad and we met at IHOP for some lunch. What I did not know was that shortly after my dad would finish eating his lunch his body would begin to lean to the right. He quickly caught my attention and I called out his name. My dad did not respond. </p><p><b><i>Great is his faithfulness.</i></b></p><p>I jumped out of my seat in the booth we were sitting in. I'm trying to get my dad back into a sitting position but I lack the strength. I yelled, "someone call 911!"</p><p>I called out my dad's name over and over! A good Samaritan comes to my table and lifts my dad up and lays him on the IHOP floor. I continue to call his name and he is faintly saying "I'm o.k." </p><p><b><i>His mercies are new every morning.</i></b></p><p>The good Samaritan remains with me along with the onlookers and those on the phone with 911. </p><p>We waited for what seemed forever.</p><p>My dad is taken to the emergency room.</p><p>Life is an interesting rollercoaster. We don't know what lies before us within today, the 24 hours in it.</p><p>The Lord ministered to me a few weeks ago to study his Word within the hours of 11:30pm-12:15am for this short season. Indeed much joy has come to me knowing that I am awake welcoming the new day and giving thanks to God. Remembering that his great mercies abound!</p><p>As my dad laid on the floor all I could do was call on the Name of the One who extends Mercy to me! Jesus help me! </p><p>I no longer was in a crowd but in a secret place with my Father the Giver of Life! I called on him to keep my dad alive. I was lost in the Spirit as I cried out to him on the IHOP floor.</p><p>Let the crowd hear. Let them witness the power of God. God's presence is everywhere and the cry of his children ever so close.</p><p><b><i>Great is his faithfulness - His mercies are new every morning!</i></b></p><p>I arrived home this Thursday evening tired and thankful.</p><p>We must follow up with more doctors but the Great Physician has given us one more day. A day filled with his mercy.</p><p>The good samaritan never left my side. Thank you Lord for sending him. I never met him before. His name is DeeJay. May the Good Lord bless him abundantly. </p><p>Every morning is an opportunity to thank God before the day even unfolds. His mercies that he lavishes on us are indeed a river of life-giving strength and breath. </p><p>Thank Father for preserving my dad.</p><p><b><i>Great is Your Faithfulness to Me!</i></b></p><p>God bless you!~Liz</p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-21248554386035237712020-09-17T11:52:00.002-04:002020-09-17T11:54:42.110-04:00It's daybreak and a new day is about to begin. Are you ready? It's daybreak and a new day is about to begin. Are you ready?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwOM1wBVJg6p1oiyHUxPasxfk_ZykZYcaogDqr_VrttRf71w12CKYe1K1FXilO3IfvUFQR_jt-G1C8dLQq91onxHCOIAcl1sHroj4bUlRuBnfVCBoq0CA21_KnrtYk1e7UoGu1jKLpUI/s1080/My+Post.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwOM1wBVJg6p1oiyHUxPasxfk_ZykZYcaogDqr_VrttRf71w12CKYe1K1FXilO3IfvUFQR_jt-G1C8dLQq91onxHCOIAcl1sHroj4bUlRuBnfVCBoq0CA21_KnrtYk1e7UoGu1jKLpUI/s320/My+Post.jpg" /></a></div><br />As the day unfolds and new adventures await, we lean on the Everlasting Arm of the Lord. <br /><br />What does he say about us? Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. (Jeremiah 1) This is not just for the prophet but for us! <br /><br />It is a place of trust. A relationship with God who loves me and knows me. <br /><br />In the early morning before I awake, he is already thinking about me. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3). <br /><br />There are roads to discover and mountains to climb and overcome! Great is his faithfulness to me! <br /><br />Scripture says about Jesus, “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there.” (Mark 1) <div><br /></div><div>I will do the same and I will meet with you! <br /><br />Abraham got up early in the morning to follow out the instructions of the Lord. ““Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22) <br /><br />His obedience is noted. For 3 days (3 sunrises if you will) he walked until he came to the place the Lord told him to go. It was an appointment with God. It was a voluntary act of worship, a burnt offering unto the Lord. <br /><br />This time he was called to surrender all, including his own son, the son whom the promise was to come. <br /><br />Obedience is what we see in the heart of Abraham. I wonder what he was thinking as he walked for 3 days. Doubt and disobedience was not in his mind because his actions proved otherwise. <br /><br />The Lord says of Abraham, “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” V12 <br /><br />Would the Lord say that of me? What is daybreak bringing? <br /><br />Because Abraham would not hold anything from God, this is what the Lord does. <br /><br />It is a revelation that was birth from obedience. Its provision that came through a surrendered heart. <br /><br />It's daybreak and a new day is about to begin. Are you ready? <br /><br />“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” V13-14<br /><br />David cried out, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,” (Psalm 63:1a) <br /><br />God satisfies! <br /><br />A singular focus kept Abraham’s eyes on the Lord. <br /><br />It's daybreak and a new day is about to begin. Are you ready? <br /><br />Lord help us to lean on you, trust and believe. <br /><br />Jehovah-Jireh is only one description of who you are. <br /><br />You are Faithful, Good, Everlasting, Generous, Kind, Mighty, Powerful, Strong, My Deliverer and My Savior!<br /><br />“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32) <br /><br />Be encouraged. <br /><br />It's daybreak and a new day is about to begin. Are you ready? Great is his faithfulness to me!</div><div><br /></div><div>God bless you!~Liz</div>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136173913996778244.post-986692165656053422020-08-11T14:18:00.005-04:002020-08-23T22:27:01.632-04:00The Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away<p>Brokenness and pain don't always make appointments.</p><p>When I woke up this morning I did not know that my heart would be crushed. Most of you know I love four beautiful cats. Mercy, Grace, Savannah-Hope and Kya-Joy. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0zsYen-kmghHckovl3jd-8YjJdKsIkc8H5oGw49FA-JaM8eVxTWX23yCTxzA9CnTObD61_n8zYmuADdJvV3_FfLsXa5wEt0I6Ekdp1EHIap1xuuvORFY-QpMXTSELDv6JIujxFkCzk0/s960/grace+4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0zsYen-kmghHckovl3jd-8YjJdKsIkc8H5oGw49FA-JaM8eVxTWX23yCTxzA9CnTObD61_n8zYmuADdJvV3_FfLsXa5wEt0I6Ekdp1EHIap1xuuvORFY-QpMXTSELDv6JIujxFkCzk0/w400-h225/grace+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I thought Grace was being silly and sleeping in the middle of my bedroom hallway. Sadly when I went to get her attention, she was lifeless.</p><p>The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!</p><p>To my knowledge she was not sick. She was eating and drinking normally. She was 9 years young.</p><p>My prayer to the Lord has always been that when he chose to take their breaths away, that they would not suffer. For that I am grateful to the Lord.</p><p>My Lord will mend my heart.</p><p>God bless you!~Liz</p>LebBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331968216625107989noreply@blogger.com