Even when we fall

He still picks us back up

No matter how many times we disappoint Him

He still forgives us

It’s amazing how much has been sacrificed for our sake

For the sake of being free

Free to serve Him

To call upon His name

To walk in His way

It’s amazing how much He wants us to do His will

His works

His ways

It’s so amazing to have a God like ours

A God who gave His all for the sake of our sins

A God who is greater than all things

By Karesia J.

Learning to keep life in check and placing all things in proper perspective gives us the ability to laugh instead of pout

But how many times do we find ourselves inflating small matters and mounting them in grand scale along the landscape of life?   It could be anything from an awkward moment, a disappointing comment, or a change of plans that twists us into a wreck.  When we stand too close to the situation, it becomes far too big than reality would remind us it is.

God encourages not to worry- not to allow life’s “play-by-plays” to govern our feelings, thoughts, and decisions.  Learning to keep life in check and placing all things in proper perspective gives us the ability to laugh instead of pout.  I love it when I can giggle at a ridiculous thought that crosses my mind, because I know how unworthy it is to be said aloud.

And isn’t laughter the best medicine, anyways?  It really is.  Have you ever heard the phrase “don’t take yourself too seriously, because no one else will.”   I have to smile at just the thought of that quote.

We would improve and enrich our lives greatly if we could remember not to “stand too close to the wall”, and realize that most situations are not worthy of the pain and pressure we put ourselves through.

Just laugh.

“Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life…” Luke 12:22
“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”  Matthew 6:27

Flexibility: the ability to be able to continue to say yes to the will of God when He calls us to be the instruments to preach the gospel to a lost and dying world.

Jesus declared, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; therefore pay the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.”The great need in this season are disciples who are flexible to be the Lords’ labourers. However, to see the power of flexibility at work in our generation, we must consider the dynamics of durability, availability and adaptability.

I began searching through the Scriptures to find a man who exemplifies the dynamic of durability. Then I found the disciple Philip. The Bible declares after the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and many of the disciples scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria preaching the gospel. Philip was one of those disciples.

Here is a man who was durable; under the midst of total persecution he continued to do the will of God for his life by preaching the gospel. To be durable is to be able to firm and stable; persistent and able to withstand pressure or damage. Philip could have been worn out spiritually because of Sauls’ intense persecution but he continued to endure through the trials and fulfill Gods’ command to make disciples.

Not only was Philip a durable man, he was an available man; a man who had an open line of communication with God. This entails accessibility. There wasn’t any hindrance between him and his relationship with God. God was able to speak to this man clearly.
What about you and I? Do we have that unrestrained communication with God when we seek Him in prayer and the Word? Or are their blocks to your relationship which prohibit that open communication? Maybe it’s disobedience in an area where God has been speaking to you about for many years.

Availability says you are ready for use and open to meet urgent needs. Listen to what Titus 3:14 says: “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” The great need of Philips’ day was for him to witness in Samaria, later on leading the Ethiopian eunuch to the Lord. God saw this as an urgent need. Do you see it as well?

Finally, the dynamic of adaptability.
Philip was scattered from Jerusalem to the unknown region of Samaria. Jerusalem was a known place to him. He could have stayed with the apostles when persecution broke out, but he chose to venture into a foreign land with the gospel. In doing this, the Samaritans respond to the gospel and are gloriously saved.

The once unfamiliar realm of Samaria is now a place where Philip is familiar with. He is there for some time ministering and serving the people. In the midst of revival, the Holy Spirit calls him to the desert place.He is once again called to go into the unknown! And what does he do? He responds in obedience again to God’s direction. In other words, he remains adaptable.

We are called by God to retain this spirit and be able to listen to His voice and respond no matter how unfamiliar it may seem to us. The power of flexibility. Let his attitude be in His disciples in the last day if we desire to see Him move in revival. God has given us His Spirit to declare the good news of Jesus Christ but will we be durable, available and adaptable?

Acts 8:1-8

1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 
4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 
6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 
7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 
8 And there was great joy in that city. 

 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 
27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 
28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 
29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

By Rex L.

Praying for the sick and seeing miracle healings.  Vacuuming the crumbs and gooobies from the backseat of your car.

Most of us desire to live a life of action, of purpose, to reach great heights for Christ.  But the reality of our days can seem rather mundane, and non impacting at best.  We feel a fire within us to rise up and do something worthwhile- yet our mornings and evenings are much the same.  So how does God view our lives in relation to one who preaches afar or ministers to the sick and dying?

Unlike us at times, God does not have tunnel vision.

Unlike us at times, God does not have tunnel vision.  He doesn’t look merely at the works of our hands, but rather at the position of our hearts as we do anything in life.  We may have simple chores and simple tasks that require our attention, but when we fulfill them with an uplifted heart to Christ, and choose to live each moment for Him, He is well pleased.  If we choose to arise each morning full of gratefulness- even for the small things in life- we bring glory to His name.  Each time we decide not to give in to anger or to envy- and we choose the higher ground of His ways, we honour Him.

In reality, even the inglorious is glorious when our hearts are positioned towards righteousness.  All of our “rubbish” can be righteousness, if we conduct everything with a heart of praise, with eyes fixed on our Maker.  The testimony of our lives can be one of great worth, of great inspiration to those who look on, all because of how we have gone about our days, and accomplished all that is laid out before us.

So the next time I stand before a sink full of dirty dishes (which won’t be long from now, no doubt), I choose to position my heart to be thankful that those dishes mean that my family was fed, and that I have the privilege of setting a beautiful stage of praise and service in my home.

When you stand before the mundane, where will the position of your heart be?

By Cheryl C.

When the Americans landed on the shores, they were quickly met with Japanese firepower and mortar, but they pressed on moving inland despite the unimaginable hardship they endured.

Fighting inland proved to be an immense challenge as the Japanese exercised supreme fire discipline, firing only when it would inflict maximum casualties then quickly retreating in their reinforced caves. They were thoroughly entrenched in their battle positions. These were deep military foundations the American soldiers had to decimate if they were to win the victory.

Praise goes on the offensive

How does that apply to you and I as believers in Christ?

Maybe you find yourself in the trial of your faith and you wonder, “Lord, when will this end? How long will this hurt last?” The Bible declares, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)

Look at what happens while they did; ”Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” (Acts 16:26)

There may be entrenched foundations that seem to be so firmly in place that nothing will ever break it. But remember, nothing is impossible with God. Take on that heart attitude and deploy the weapon of praise to Him.

Praise goes on the offensive. When trials come, we don’t have to be victims in them, but when we can praise God, we press through because we know He is good. You see it’s all about looking to God’s character. Even though we may not understand why certain things happen in life, we know that He is good and He desires only the best for His children. We praise Him because He is always faithful and true even in our trials.

So when discouragement comes, praise God. When things don’t seem to be happening as quickly as you would like, praise God. Deploy the weapon of praise today. Go on the offense. Don’t crumble to the firepowers of doubt, fear or unbelief.

By Rex L.

But there’s a small voice of conscience that whispers to refrain.  The battle to speak or not to speak wars inside you until you eventually make your decision.

What was your decision?

There is no sour taste of regret for those who hold their tongue.

Although it feels good to chatter and even air our grievances, the feeling quickly fades and we’re left with guilt and regret.  We question whether we can really be trusted.  Whether we’re the definition of a busybody.

The fruits of someone slow to speak are rich and good.  There is no sour taste of regret for those who hold their tongue.  In fact, one can tangibly feel the approval of Christ when they walk away from the temptation to gossip.  It’s a confidence and strength that Christ gives His people so they may continue in His ways.

When we choose to lower our standards and throw conscience to the wind, we paint ourselves in a terrible light to those we speak to.  Our whispering words and loose lips may carry an interesting conversation, but the listener leaves with the deep impression that we cannot be trusted.  And oh what poor representations of Christ we become!

On the contrary, leaving a conversation with words chosen to uplift, will not just feed  our listeners, it will nourish our very souls as well.

How sweet are the words carefully selected and carried with thoughtfulness.

Keeping our lips sealed is not just honourable, it is our responsibility as Christians.  So let’s live our days being mindful of this call, and live in the freedom of restraint.

Psalm 15: 1,2 & 5  ”Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?  Who may dwell in Your holy hill?  He who walks uprightly… and speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue… He who does these things shall never be moved.”

By Cheryl C.

As time passes, my little shop becomes more cluttered.  The clutter comes from skills I’ve tried to master but have fallen short in- and there they sit.  The clutter comes from talents I’ve used but have put down and allowed to crumble- they lay in heaps, covered in dust.  The clutter may hold beautiful things I’m not even aware of- but I never search too deep, so they remain uncovered.

I mentioned earlier that I don’t have many customers and this true.  In fact, I have just one.  He is a faithful customer, of utmost loyalty.  For every time He’s come by my store and I’ve closed the doors, He’s forgiven me.  For each time I deny Him the chance to hold a jewel, He gently reminds me of it’s value.  Many times He will hold up a piece on display and declare it’s rich beauty, but I have tried to pursued Him to look elsewhere-maybe it’s not what He’s really looking for.

I’m committed to pry open the creeky doors of my heart and allow Christ to use my worth

But my gentle, faithful customer never seems to give up in His hunt to uncover the gifts of gold behind my doors.  He never pays less than the true value.  It’s funny you see, because this customer wants deeply to see these pieces polished and brought to their full potential.  My customer is Christ, and He never ceases to search my heart for the hidden gems of giftings and talents that He Himself has placed.  I simply need to allow Him to show me what’s there.

My pawn shop is unique to me, but not unique in of itself.  You also, own a pawn shop- the one within your heart.  You share the privilege of having this same faithful customer knock at your doors, looking to show you all of your hidden gifting’s- your hidden gems.

Christ has paid for our little shops- the ultimate price of death and resurrection- so we can welcome Him in, allow Him His right of way within us, and have our rusty pieces of talents and gifting’s polished and cleaned by His hands.

When He comes knocking at our doors, will we allow Him entry?  Will we allow Him to use our talents and enhance our lives, so that others can see His love?

It’s a journey, but I’m committed to pry open the creeky doors of my heart and allow Christ to use my worth.  And I hope you’ll commit to the same.

By Cheryl C.

Not so with my servant Moses; 
He is faithful in all My house -Numbers 12:7

Though Moses was regarded as a man of Faith, the most important thing for us to remember is the one who is superior to all faithfulness and that is Jesus! The scripture made reference to Moses in the past tense using “Was” but Jesus “Was and Is” Faithful!

• Faithfulness is delivering and living up to.

• God views faithfulness in relation to the House of God.

• Jesus is the administrator of “The House of God”.

• Jesus is truly superior to all things and all people.

• Love is the more excellent way, but Faithfulness is the superior way

If we had a church of believers who could live in the expectancy of Marriage, we would have a different spirit within the church. We ought to live that way while expecting Christ. In the book of Genesis Faithfulness is not mentioned because when we start off, we have a fire and a hunger that’s evident, but in Revelations, Faithfulness is mentioned 8 times because the closer we get to the end, the more there is a need to remain Faithful.

Because the Children of Israel never entered the rest of Christ, they never entered into the promise Land. Hold the beginning of your conduct steadfast There is a rest that belongs to those who are in Christ. If we are Faithful to God, we find a transcending rest in him that’s built on faithfulness.

Peter sang while in Jail awaiting Death and Paul Slept because there was a rest and a confidence that they had in Christ
Let’s strive together in Faithfulness in he house of the lord!

Hebrews: 3 – 4:1

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 
² who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. 
³ For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 
⁴ (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 
⁵  Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 
⁶ but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
⁷ Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice,
⁸ do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,
⁹ where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.
¹⁰ Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’
¹¹ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”
¹² Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.¹³ But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
¹⁵ As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
¹⁶ For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 
¹⁷ And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 
¹⁸ And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 
¹⁹ So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

By Sofia S.

I was recently listening to a blurb from Marilyn Meberg, whose words were the inspiration for this post.  She spoke about the natural tendency for us all to desire more, which can come in many forms.  We may wish our house was bigger, that we had a larger wardrobe, more free time, a faster car, a more understanding spouse, a friend who has more time for us- the list is endless.  I don’t doubt you can relate in some way.  But what Marilyn shared got me thinking about the profound truth, that within all of our yearnings for “more”, is the longing for more of God.  If we had more of Him, all of our other desires would pale in comparison- and some may even fade away.

More of Christ means more peace to live with things as they are.

More of Christ means more peace to live with things as they are.  We could close the book on our constant search for something bigger and better- because Christ fills that empty desire absolutely and positively perfectly- and leaves nothing wanting.

More of Christ means the pressure we place on ourselves to do and to be and to have more is put to rest, because He replaces it with the assurance that He is all we need.  And maybe even better yet, the pressure we place on those we love is relieved, because we understand that they can never meet our full expectations anyways (and nor do they have to, really).

When we draw close to Christ with all sincerity, He cleans the foggy and smeared lenses we see through, and brings a clean and bright perspective.  It’s absolutely amazing what time with Christ can do to our emotions, our expectations, our desires for more.   It’s not always fun to be reminded that we don’t need any more, but it sure feels great when Christ brings that assurance to our heart and minds.  There is freedom in this.

So the next time we find ourselves wanting more of something, or putting pressure on ourselves or someone else, we should spend time with Christ alone, and wait on His gentle yet powerful assurance that He is all we need.

“…for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15

By Cheryl C.

When wicked words spread throughout the church, whether it be slander or gossip, it spreads like a cancer, slowly eating away at the spirit.

Nevertheless, in spite what hell might do through the war of words, Gods’ word is the sure foundation by which we can build our lives on. That foundation stands with these seals: God knows who are His and everyone who names the name of Jesus must depart from unrighteousness.

^{2 Timothy 2: 14-21}

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 
¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 
¹⁶ But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 
¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 
¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 
¹⁹ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 
²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

By Rex L.