It's a Gift From God!

It's hard to look in the mirror and admit our faults.
We have weaknesses that we surrender to, the flesh
that calls out to be satisfied as the Spirit tries to transform us into the likeness of Christ.

This morning, my thoughts were interrupted by a reality that is not true at all. I had a thought to call my mom. But for those who know me, you’re aware that my mom passed away almost 14 years ago.  It felt so real. I wanted to pick up the phone just to hear her voice.

I quickly turned my thoughts into prayer.  My mom was a petite woman but of great strength.  She taught me most of what I know.  She shaped me into the homemaker I am and taught me to be kind and generous.  She demonstrated to me how much can be had out of nothing. She was resourceful.  

It may feel like I'm going down a rabbit hole, but this one thought led me, with tears in my eyes, into a time of Thanksgiving with God Almighty.

We are all like the thief on the cross.

 The thief was a criminal confirmed by the authorities. He hung on a cross next to Jesus and, with no recourse, called on Jesus for eternal life and forgiveness. He wasn't forced to call on Jesus, but as he was drawn to his Creator, his confession sealed his fate.

For most of us, death is not knocking at the threshold of our door.  Yet, in reality, no one knows when God will call us to give an account for the brief moments of life on this earth.

We dismiss the call, thinking we have more time.  Perhaps the reasoning is that we’re not that bad. 

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

This criminal’s eyes were opened to the Messiah, the Son of God, who hung next to him. 

“And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

Jesus came to set the captive free, the one bound to the desires of the flesh. The flesh that calls us to satisfy, gratify, and give in to all that is contrary to the Spirit of God. 

An honest, deep look reveals the intent of our hearts and the things that we may not be so proud of. 

Yet, God loves us!

Sin has left us blind and deaf, but God has come to open our eyes and give us new life. 

Forgiveness leads to eternal life.  It’s a gift from God.

In an unusual course of events, with 24 hours unbeknownst to me or my mom, God was ready to call her to himself.

In God's mercy, he impressed on me the need to share the gospel with my mom one more time. 

That night, she called out to God and surrendered her life to him.

The next morning, she was present with Him! 

So teach us to number our days. (Psalms 90:12-14)

I will indeed see my mom again.  I can't pick up the phone and hear her voice, but when the Father calls me home, I'll see her again.

Rejoice! Blessed is the King, the One who comes in the name of the Lord. (Luke 19:38a)

Emmanuel, God with us! 

Happy Palm Sunday!

Forgiveness leads to eternal life.  It’s a gift from God.

God bless you!~Liz

A Little Change

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

The Bible says that in the council of many there is wisdom. (Proverbs 15:22)

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.

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.

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!

"Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:32)

“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)

God bless you!~Liz

Drink

I have a tender memory when I was a little girl. I remember being on vacation with my parents

heading north to Canada. We stopped at a rest area to stretch out and get some food. I remember my dad hiking a few feet up a nearby mountain and encouraged us all to sit.

He took his pocket knife and poked around in the grass. To my surprise a fountain of water seemed to appear. I was so intrigued. He encouraged us to drink as he himself brought some of this crystal-clear water to his lips. I recollect being skeptical about engaging with this new-found thirst-quenching water. As my dad drank, he prompted me to drink as well. Truly, I don’t recall if I did.

I grew up in the Bronx. Water came from the faucet not the ground!

What I did not understand at that early age was that Water Springs are drinkable. There is a natural filtering process created by God to give us life-sustaining water.

In a simple statement, rain that falls on soil finds its way into permeable rock such as limestone or sandstone and through natural gravity finds its way toward a river or stream.

The stream that was intercepted by my dad’s pocket knife was a natural spring.

There is a process here. Pure water does not reach my lips just because it falls from the sky. It falls on the surface and gets into the mountain side. It must travel through rough patches, be refined by rocks and yet still it needs to go deeper so the refining process can produce life-saving water!

Are you thirsty yet?

Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37b-38)

See, life can be difficult. The troubles of this world seem to hold us hostage. Just when we come up for some air it seems we are back into the thick of difficulties.

The Apostle Paul realized that the troubles of this world were producing something good in him. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. “ (Romans 8:18)

Oh, the trouble is not pleasant, but it does cause us to press in deeper toward the Lord. He himself brings forth a purity that otherwise would not come.

The grace of God is always refining us.

Our desired changes don’t rise to the surface by themselves.

Like a beautiful Spring flower pushing its way through the still frozen ground surface, the process produces a beauty that reminds us life is emerging again.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 6-9)

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)

I’ve come to know that Jesus who offers life-saving water can lead us through the hard places that try to consume us. He walks us through the valley and takes us by the hand into greener pastures. It’s a hard process to come out on the other side.

Jesus intercepts time, and Scriptures says that on Mount Calvary Jesus gave himself for us, a piercing that caused his blood to flow.  A much-needed sacrifice for the purification of our lives. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

The woman at the well was probably skeptical and wondered what this Rabbi was offering. She was broken but desperate enough to ask Jesus for the Living Water he offered. “The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” (John 4:15)

She left his presence rejoicing and transformed.

Are you thirsty?

John Newton put it like this, “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.”

I live in Orange County but you won’t find me at the edge of a mountain searching for water. Today my water comes in a bottle. Nevertheless, its Spring Water for me. Water that carries life with natural minerals.

But, the thirst of my heart is satisfied in Christ, the Living Water!  

Broken and desperate is the condition of the heart before we encounter Jesus.

We need purification.  He'll bring us through sanctification!  

He knows how to lead. 

Join me as we reminisce through this old hymn.

“The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.” (Amazing Grace)

God bless you!~Liz

A Gentle Breeze

"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 3:8 )

As I sit outside this morning and hear the rustling of the leaves, it’s a gentle breeze that’s producing the beautiful song. It brought a smile to my face.

My grandparents lived in Fajardo, PR. Today I was reminiscing over a visit when I was a little girl.

My grandma’s house was surrounded by trees with lots of shade. Her balcony was huge, or at least it was to me. There was a little house in the back that I could enter. I remember a sewing machine and just a quaint room that beckoned invitation.

No matter where I was in her big lot of land, the trees covered everything. I could feed the chickens, catch slugs on the ground, or climb the mango tree and have a treat. At night, I would sit with my grandfather on the porch, taking in the lessons on how to play Dominoes.

It’s amazing how just the rustling of the trees can flood my mind and bring me back to a vivid childhood memory, a beautiful memory!

As the birds are singing this morning and only nature’s song is flooding my ears, the Lord also whispered to me.

He reminded me that my grandma, Felicita, was a Christian. I don’t ever remember going to church with her or even knowing or understanding the walk that she had with God. I do recall that after she died, she gave her bible to my cousin.

As life progressed, in my twenties, I, too, began to serve the Lord. My cousin became ill, and I remember visiting her at the hospital. As life was slipping away from her and the transition was approaching, I recall pulling out a Bible and reading from the book of Psalms to her. I began to encourage her and speak about the Lord and his goodness to her.

Sharing with other relatives, I pointed to my grandma’s Bible in my cousin's hand. She was not awake or able to converse, but I do know that the Word of the Lord has authority, and it's a testament of all God has left for us. I told my relatives, “Read to her from Grandma’s bible.” The hope of eternal life is in the Book.

Did Grandma go to church and pray for her family? I have been born again and know that once you have this treasure, you want everyone to have it! Maybe grandma did speak to me about the Lord, and I don’t remember. After speaking with my dad today, he said she was always praying, reading, and in church. Perhaps as I walked the land and climbed the trees, she had prayed. She wanted her entire family to encounter the Savior. Indeed, I have!

Even now the wind is blowing, and the trees are moving at the Lord’s command. Even now, the Wind of the Spirit is moving and speaking his purpose and direction over me.

Truly, before I was even born, he knew me.

Pray, read, and worship the Lord. Pray over your lineage that has not yet come forth. Cover those who one day will walk the earth, grandchildren, nephews & nieces. Pray for those who are rebelling against the Lord today. Pray for God’s intervention. Pray fervently and never forget that prayer affects today and tomorrow; it crosses over continents, causes change, and affects future lineage.

Thank you Lord for saving Grandma and saving me.

God bless you!~Liz

The Voice

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

Often, we speak of hearing God’s voice. But what does that sound like to someone who has never experienced Him?

Recently, I was at a restaurant. As I was leaving, someone called my name. As I turned her face looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place her. 

She recognized my voice from across the restaurant as I interacted with my friends.  Once I got up, she confirmed that the familiar voice indeed was mine!

The Word of God speaks of who he is and goes into great detail on how far he will go to reach us. 

Creation speaks of Him!

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:7-10)

I was embarrassed that I did not recognize my friend at first. But a few quick moments into the conversation, and I realized this woman had babysat my son for years. My son is a grown, married man now. It’s been years! Her ear was keen. Mine not so much.

Do we miss God sometimes?  Is our memory short-lived? 

Even above the clashing dishes, the loud laughter, and the din of countless conversations, she recognized the sound of my voice.

Can you hear Him calling?

What I’ve discovered is that our voices are unique. Imagine if your mom and dad had the same voice. That would be creepy! What if your favorite singer’s voice sounded like “Doc”, the inventor of the first time machine from “Back to the Future”? Hmmm, no need to download that song.

The unique sound of our voice is like a fingerprint.

It’s that uniqueness that makes me, me. Each of us have been created special and exceptional in God’s sight. The Scriptures note that we are created in His image. (Genesis 1:27)

As a little girl, I loved going to my grandma’s house. Years later, when she moved to Puerto Rico and the years of life were added, her voice was still Grandma’s voice.

Get a cold, and our voice might get raspy for a short time. Spend some time at the roller rink screaming over the noise and music, and our voices might get hoarse. But this unique feature is one of our trademarks. My voice is still mine.

God, who made us, is that way too. The Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) When God speaks through His Word, the heart of God is exposed and is the same from Genesis to Revelation. He loves us in Genesis and through Revelation.

That’s one way we recognize when he speaks. He does not contradict himself.

God, who created life, would not ask us to harm ourselves. God, who sent his Son as a payment for sin, does not want anyone to leave this earth without this gift.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

Have you heard him speak? Has he been calling you? 

His Voice is like no one else. When he speaks, things go into motion: creation, salvation, and the redemptive plan for mankind unleashed.

God speaks through His Word, the Bible. We get to know him better as we remain in it.

“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:32-36)

Lie your back on the countless grains of sand. Look up to his handiwork, the stars that he placed in the sky speak of Him, our Creator. He is everywhere!

I pray that my ears and sight would become keener. Not only to recognize friends from my past but to recognize the God of my present and future!

He's everywhere! Can you hear him?

God bless you!~Liz

A Mystery Laid on the Bed

1 Timothy 3:16

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Recently, I was remembering an incident that occurred in my family when I was about 10 years old.  My grandparents lived in the Bronx in a 7-story project building.  One evening, an accidental discovery in my grandma's bed caused every member of the family to hover over her bed.  No one could figure out this mystery.  It seemed that jewelry placed on my grandma's bed would begin to slowly vanish.  My dad, as he lay down to nap on my grandma's bed, discovered that his gold bracelet was changing, almost evaporating as he watched.

As we looked and inquired, including me, a young girl, items made of gold were being consumed if placed on the bed.  The discovery was so intriguing and yet terrifying; a costly side-show, if you will.  Gold is expensive no matter what era we live in.

After exhausting all possibilities, the police were called to see if they could solve the mystery. It almost seemed like a game; let's see if it will happen again at the cost of someone's precious gold jewelry.

It was a secret, a riddle that no one could solve. We are intelligent people.  What's happening?  After a while, this little girl seemed afraid.  Something's eating everything; a monster, a ghost?

Mysteries that seem to have no answer intrigue us, don't they?

Why would God in heaven send his son to die?  Now that's a mystery!  A mystery, by definition, is something unknown, obscure, a secret, perhaps something or someone unidentified? 

When God sent his son, though some think of it as a mystery, the truth is that God has been speaking to us for a long time.  Go back and read the Bible from the beginning, and there he is, Jesus waiting to be discovered; waiting to be announced to mankind dressed in flesh.

Sometimes mysteries are just truths waiting to be discovered.

My mom worked for a pen factory that laced its product with a chemical element, atomic number 80, symbol Hg.  Well, if you know your science, the mystery's name is Mercury!  Yep, one of its properties is that it dissolves gold.  I can't even imagine all the negative health effects that this scenario may have caused.  Mercy God, mercy!  That night, we began to understand what was happening.  My grandma would come home from work and empty out her pocketbook on the bed covers.  In her bag was a pen that her daughter, my mom, had given her.  As the pen "leaked" mercury, the gold that came near it would be consumed. If you lay on the bed with gold rings or bracelets, you got it - they would be consumed.  What a costly nap!

Go back 2,000 years.  This man that came in the flesh known as Jesus, the son of Mary is the begotten Son of God. No mystery, no hidden agenda.  If you want to know him, he reveals himself to you.  If you call upon his name and cry out for salvation, there he is!  Want your life changed, your sins forgiven; the God that seems unknown and far off reveals himself to you...to me!  In the flesh, born in a manger.

This indeed was a costly and extravagant gift.  Unlike the gold we lost on my grandma's bed, this mystery wrapped in flesh cost us nothing!  It cost him everything, and he gladly came. 

Look again at the bed; the bed covered with hay, actually no bed at all but a trough in a smelly environment.  It's the King of kings making his entrance for all to see; It is God himself in the flesh coming for all to experience the release from the burden of sin.

Have gold, lay it by His bed.  Bring frankincense & myrrh.  This is the KING!  He does not come to take but to give! 

The gifts we bring are out of thanksgiving and gratitude.  He needs nothing except that those created in his image recognize and receive him.

No Mystery, just a revelation that will change your life!

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Fireflies

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Fireflies; it's the adventure of Summer days as a child.  Taking a hold of any empty jar, whether it was a glass baby food jar or an old jelly or mayonnaise jar, we'd empty them and we'd go around the neighborhood catching fireflies.  It's their bright little abdomen lighting up and begging us to capture them; once caught we couldn't wait to show them off;  it's our prize!

Today, are we shining bright; so illuminated that those around us want to "catch" what has been put into these jars of clay? When our lives are touched by the Lord; when our lives are changed and we experience forgiveness and newness of life, we shout it out to all who want to listen.  We experience this transformation like a butterfly bursting out of its cocoon. We are free, liberated and forgiven. Whooo...fly...fly....a freedom that's new and a weight that is gone. As time goes by, sometimes our light or joy becomes diminished.

Fireflies light up as a way to attract, to call out for a mate; a perfect design by God.  We go around catching them because their light is intriguing and interesting.  We marvel at the glow and have even discovered that the darker it gets as night falls, the brighter our little prize in the jar becomes!

I want my life to reflect such a light that those that are looking want to "catch" it.  In a world where hope seems gone, pain seems to be common and despair wants to rob and turn off our light; I want to shine even brighter, don't you?  Life is an experience with trials but with Christ he has enabled us to overcome.   May not always be easy, but yes, overcome! 

While catching these fireflies as a little child, I inevitably would accidentally hurt the firefly.  I got too close and touched it's little belly and my harsh hand would cause its demise.  It's like us, often in the midst of our walk, people say the wrong thing causing us pain; false accusation, jealousy, bitterness, anger all manifesting in actions that hurt one another.

Interestingly, I remember that even when I accidentally, in my curiosity, brought this little creature to its end, it's LIGHT continued to glow.  Even in death, this creature continued to shine.  It reminds me of Stephen.  While his accusers stoned him, he continued to glorify God, letting his light shine until the end. "When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep". (Acts 7:54-60)

There is plenty of darkness in this world we live in.  The smallest flicker shines bright in darkness. Find us faithful Lord and help us to overcome.  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.2 Corinthians 4:7


God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com