Do you see the Light?

The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.Proverbs 12:15
There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.Proverbs 14:12

God speaks through anything and anyone.

Yesterday as I was going to work a tracker trailer with the word "Shammah" was in front of me. I smiled to myself because I remembered that Jehovah-Shammah means the Lord is there. It was comforting for me.

This morning yet another truck with the words "follow me". There was other language but that's all I read.

Follow me, the Lord is there. Wow!

As my eyes glanced at the toll both lanes, inevitably some are marked with a green light and other clearly have a big red "X".

God speaks through anything or anyone.

As we make decisions, often we battle which way to go; what direction to take; how to decide the matter.

The man who's heart loves the Lord will seek council from God but how often do we still make the wrong decision. Why?

I believe sometimes we are hasty and if we are honest have decided the way to go and somehow justify it saying "this is the way" the Lord wants me to go.

Paul thought he knew the way until the Lord blinded him on the road to Damascus. With blinded eyes a new opportunity was given to him so that he could really see.

Balaam was halted. An angel of the Lord appeared causing his donkey to stop and speak like a man to get Balaam's attention; he had followed the wrong road.

Decisions: a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration. What are we considering? Who's council are we following? Will my way honor God? Are my choices reflective of my worship and pledge to the Lord?

Like a green light at the toll booth, lets be sure we are in the right line because sometimes the light changes quickly and we are forced to switch lanes.

Sometimes waiting is the answer until we are sure.

Wherever the road leads lets make sure we are following God's instruction; we'll find that he is there to meet us! Do you see the Light?

God bless you!~Liz

www.lizrod.com

The Supplier

In the beginning of time the Word of God says that God created vegetation, seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it. (Genesis 1:11)

Today is a new day. It has never existed before.

It’s interesting that the Lord created all these plants with seeds; more fruit to come via the seed, yet the Bible says that the Sun was not yet in place. The nourishment that would be needed supplied by the sun that would allow the plants and trees to bloom and thrive was not yet created. “God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars”. (Genesis 1:16)

God was this an afterthought? Did God make an “oops” and then realize that he quickly needed to make the Sun?

I think I would have done this the other way around. Good thing I am not God.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

We often read the Bible and see this great revelation of God unfold. This is an awesome experience to see God move through time; is as if he already knows the need and meets it.

What we forget is that God has always existed and that it was for his pleasure that he created us; a great love he has demonstrated throughout the ages and continues to do so today.

God is Sovereign, He knows all and nothing he does is a mistake.

God indeed has started something great in us and he will supply all that is needed to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)

We often look at our lives and see all that lacks. I don’t have enough money, my skill set is deficient; my energy is depleted; we say things like “there is no way I can do that” or “that could never be me”.

We are not a mistake; we are created in the image of Almighty God and we have been designed with purpose! (Genesis 1:26) Even more so, God sent his Son to the creature he made in his likeness, who choose to disobey, to ensure and reestablish a right relationship with himself.

The God who created everything is more than able to meet us at our need; like a plant without a sun.

The full plan is within HIM. We just see glimpses but it’s coming.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly”. (Psalm 5:3)

He is able. Fear not. Be still and wait.

JUST WONDERING: The vegetation never wondered where there nourishment would come from. I don’t read about plants uprooting themselves from where God planted them and searching the earth on their own for their supply. They waited and God provided. These are plants, how much more us who are made in his image, to reflect his glory. We are his pride possession.

God Bless You!~Liz

www.lizrod.com

Run the Race

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press onto ward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)


I remember growing up my mom saying to clean up because the New Year was about to begin. As an adult now I understand that was my mom’s way to encourage my sisters and I to clean up our room. I’m not sure it had anything to do with the New Year but she used it to her advantage. Perhaps it was just tradition, passed down from my grandma; “no dejes que el ano viejo te encuentri asi” (translation: Don’t let the old year find you in that state) the state of being unkempt. This was my mom’s approach to make sure the New Year started clean!

So many years later and it still echoes in my heart. What can I do different this year. The whole world is speaking on “new”. New beginnings; new workout, new diet, new, new, new.

Are there old habits that are keeping me distant from the Lord? What have I elevated above the Lord that has become an idol; anything that captivates me and I find myself saying, “Lord I’ll read later”, I’ll sit with you in a bit and then the day escapes me.

Every morning when God wakes us up is an opportunity to thrive, to excel and glorify God in all we do.

Whatever held me last year I must call on the Lord to help me overcome. I must remember that He is my prize and run toward that goal.

A familiar piece of Scripture in Philippians but like my mom I must encourage all who are reading; “quickly do let the new year find you in disarray”. Today is a new start and a new opportunity to paint the landscape in our lives a little different. A breath of fresh air bringing in a fragrance that yields life!

There is a race, there is a goal and there is a prize. The goal is to stay on the road. Did we divert? Quickly, get back on!! There are those that are cheering us toward the finish line. Can you hear the cheer!!! Liz, it’s a day---run the race!!


Happy New Year 2016

God Bless You!~Liz

The Sign Jesus

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has

performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4:2-3 (NIV)


From the beginning of time He has been trying to reach us. He’ll address his enemy, which is also our enemy. The fight will be fierce, for our very soul and existence is in the balance.

Let the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit bring forth a child through a young girl. He will be ridiculed and his identity will be questioned. He’ll grow up like what seems to be a normal child; who would believe that God would humble himself to be like one of us?

His brothers will dismiss him. His mother will reflect. His earthly father will embrace him as his own.

The rulers will challenge him and every demon is hell try to destroy HIM.

He’ll be hunted, despised and never fully recognized for who he is.

Look inside the manger and it’s a little baby. Follow him over the years and you’ll see the wisdom of God all over him.

Hear him speak and your soul will thirst for something to satisfy it.

Join the crowds that hurl insults or secretly go along his path and your own heart will reveal the yearning inside to belong, but to what?

His fragrance remains wherever he’s been.

Bring him before the people, before his family; take him to rulers and kings.

Try and shake him to reveal his character and it becomes more evident who he is.

Look for the SIGN!

The prophet’s foretold of him; at times to their demise.

Angels announced it.

Shepherds believed.

Kings trembled.

A baby in a manger crowned KING from his birth.

Crucified on a cross of disgrace so as to purchase us for himself.

He'll silence the enemy and make a spectacle of the traitor.

"They are mine" you can hear him say.

Follow him to his grave and wait a few days.

Look again!

An empty grave is the SIGN.

No longer there; death could not keep him.

Take a look again and this baby is a man; this man is the Son of God. The Son of God is the chosen Lamb of God. This Lamb is the Sacrifice that has canceled our debt.

Every angel, creature, elder and all creation bows to the KING.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord.

Worthy, Worthy, is my KING.

This baby Jesus is He.

Merry Christmas.

God bless you!~Liz

The River

Acts 16:29-30 (NIV)


The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

When the message comes
and what we hold on is shaken
Every standing foundation removed

The release we experience
the Spirit’s Freedom
An invitation for the New

I stand by the River
WASHED

Never knew what held me
Trembled in fear
consumed by the night

I thought I’d give up
HE
pierced this darkness I’d trust

Death ripped
EXPOSED

What must I do to be saved

I cried out to the Lord
The Author of GRACE

Written by Liz Rodrigues

Confessions of the Dress

Isaiah 61:10

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.

I'm so glad that the Lord has saved me and clothed me in His Righteousness.

The Bible says, "all my righteous acts are like filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6)  I can barely select a dress to wear nevertheless clothe myself in righteousness.

101 Dresses it what my sister called me.  In my shopping adventure for a recent "Gala" event; early on I purchased a dress.  The local store did not have my color so I ordered it on line.  The dress arrived; yes, I finally got the dress.  I'm done. Right?

I'd like to say that was true.  I normally don't wear dresses but felt some pressure to conform to the evening attire requirement; after all this is a Gala and everyone will be at their best! This was a call for ladies in gowns!

This dress "drama" almost consumed me.  It almost became an idol to me. 

Life teaches me lessons and the Holy Spirit speaks to me. 

Toward the end of this dress ordeal; after shopping the whole wide world (www) I ended up returning every dress I purchased.  I purchased a short dress, a long dress; they were black, purple, "A" line, straight line, long sleeves, short sleeves...I mean it was ridiculous!

I'm only confessing this to demonstrate how silly we can be and how something as simple as a dress can consume us to the point of just crazy-dumb!

Along my adventure I discussed this with my husband, my son and especially my sister who had already affirmed that the original dress was perfect.

A few days before the Gala I heard the Spirit of the Lord whisper to  me, "You are attempting for perfection, but you will not attain it".  What??

He reminded me through this crazy adventure that when he died on the cross it was because I was flawed.  Sinned had ravished my life and I was tainted. What?  I only want a dress.

He reminded me that I am always dressed in royalty fashion; wow much better.  He has clothed me in His Righteousness.  His covering keeps me ready for his coming, when the King will arrive to take His Bride home.


YES, that will indeed be an extraordinary celebration.

There is nothing wrong with wanting too look your best, but if it consumes us than we have crossed the line. 

He said I am beautiful from the inside out.  No outside ornament or dress can replace what he has already done.  Glory to God!

So, I embraced my original black dress.

I remembered my original covering from the Lord.

Back  to my senses! 

BTW, the dress was not so bad.  If my husband said it looked good, that's all that mattered!

If my God tells me I am beautiful and made perfect in his sight...that's all that matters! 

I am dressed in His Righteousness!

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com
#lizrod

Identified with Christ

 “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” (Song of Songs 6:3a)


Social Media has a lot to say; a public forum that speaks via friends, strangers and even enemies.

Would you agree? 

This platform that allows the whole world to speak into our lives and often tries to define us is growing like wild fire.

I’m not against Facebook or LinkedIn, after all I am part of their population. 

The question that’s on my mind is; if God had an account on me (which he does), what would it say?  How many “likes” would he post on my account?  I’m not speaking about literal comments we post on Social Media but about our REAL lives!

Do we read the Bible as he encourages us?  Do we habitually forsake gathering with the saints?  Are our hearts rendered to Him in worship, causing us to be broken and in awe of his Majesty or is it just another song? Is forgiveness part of who we are, even when it’s difficult?  Will our children view our lives as a legacy they want to reflect? Is there enough proof in our lives that states that Jesus is Lord?

I’m reminded that all that I am, I owe to the Lord.  Every gift, every skill, all that I’m entrusted with—every possession, everything; even my very breath! Lord let my life bring you glory!

It’s humbling to read what others say in the public square. But the question remains; God what are YOU saying about me? 

He not only “likes” me, he LOVES me! “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.”  (John 3:16) My name is in His Book.  I did not write it; He purchased it for me.“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27) He calls to us, changes us and then allows us to follow him. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19)

Are you in? Linked to the Lord; transformed by His shed blood. “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” (Song of Songs 6:3a)

I’m concerned about what God thinks of me; after all I’m his daughter.

We cry out! Help us Lord in our areas of weakness.  Forgive us for our sins.  Cause our hearts to be surrendered to you.  Thank you for loving us and dying on the cross; being the very ransom to purchase my soul. My feet have decided to follow you every day that you give me breath. Let the name of Jesus be praised!!

 My life: “like” or “unlike”

www.IdentifiedwithChrist.HisDomain

Multiplied by Need to Breathe

God bless you!~Liz