Victory ..... JOY

When you live in victory you will have JOY! Joy is the evidence others see in your life. Many times I have been ask this question: "Why are you so happy"? I always answer the same way: "Why aren't YOU"? This opens great conversation opportunities that often lead to spiritual growth. If you live following Jesus you will live in victory.

S.O.A.P.

2-28-2015      Romans 8:29-31

S.       29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

O.      God will secure his children and bring them glory.

A.      I am secure because of Christ. I must not sin and bring disgrace upon the perfect sacrifice. I must live a holy life.

P.       Father; you have made me holy in Christ Jesus and I ask for wisdom to accomplish all my days as an example of your powerful Grace. Amen.

Waiting

I get in a hurry......way to often. Waiting is not one of my best skills. So; there have been many lessons lately. The traffic in Dallas was extra slow, the contact was very late, my check did not show in my account when I knew it should. Extra lessons, or is it practice?

S.O.A.P.

2-27-2015      Romans 8:26-28

S.       26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

O.      The Holy Spirit is our comforter; He brings us through all of life’s ups and downs.

A.      I will lean on my helper and be patient, even in this storm.

P.       Father; calm my spirit and mind with your touch. I welcome the Holy Spirit to lead me through this day. Amen.

I am Loved!

I am full of joy. I am happy. I am at peace. This is a beautiful day, I will rejoice and be glad. All this because: I am loved!

S.O.A.P.

2-26-2015      Romans 8:22-25

S.       22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

O.      By hope, man is waiting for the blessed redemption of the body.

A.      Trials and tribulation are present in this life for all man-kind. The Christian has a Hope for the future because of the cross. That Hope is called Faith also.

P.       Father; comfort me in my time of trial. Ease my pain and set me free from worry. Amen.

Look out.......snow in Texas!

Snow in the morning and using the air conditioner in the evening, only in Texas. Driving to Fort Worth today was quite exhilarating. Was the car going to slide through the intersection, was the other driver going to stop "before" he hit me? God was with us and I reached a new level of faith, found in all that prayer. Sister is healing well and surgery was a complete success. She was the reason for the drive!

S.O.A.P.

2-25-2015      Romans 8:19-21

S.       18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

O.      There is hope for the child of God.

A.      If I live in hope, I can live without fear, dread and worry.

P.       Father; I praise you in this blessed hope stirring in my heart today. Help me share this hope. Amen.

The return of Christ may be Today

Jesus is coming to remove his faithful, watching, prepared servants. It could be today........are you ready, are you wearing a wedding garment that is without spot or wrinkle? Modern Christianity seems to be failing when it comes to preparing itself to meet Jesus. When every thought or action is centered on self (catering to the flesh) no room for serving God remains. Me, me, me, I, I, I, are traps created by too much interest in the flesh and the flesh decays into sin every time. Jesus may return today.

S,O,A.P.

2-24-2015      Romans 8:16-18

S.       16 the Spirit itself Beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

O.      One becomes a joint-heir with Christ when the Spirit of God enters and sin is overcome. Suffering leads to glory.

A.      I am adopted into God’s family and made an heir by accepting (believing and repenting) the substitutionary work of Jesus on the cross, converting (abandoning all sinful practices), welcoming the Holy Spirit to abide within (filled with the Spirit) and fellowshiping and worshiping God every day on my life’s journey.

    P.     Father; reveal to me the things that hinder our fellowship and help me conquer my flesh by                the power of Grace. Amen.  

Sleet AND Thunder?

Sleet and thunder started a couple hours ago and the ground is already covered. This will be a good day to stay in and enjoy my new CD's. Winter in Texas is always unpredictable but both hail and thunder is odd. A nice fire will be fun today also. Stay in ans stay warm.

S.O.A.P.

2-23-2015      Romans 8:15

S.       15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

O.      The Spirit of adoption brings man into God.

A.      I am made a part of the family of God by adoption and I can call God, “Father”.

P.       Father; Thank you for calling me into the Family. I rejoice in your love and provision. Amen.

Healing Faith Please

Why does life have so much pain? Why do good people suffer? When will it ever end? These thoughts are in my head this morning because of all the suffering I see around me. Sick children running high unexplained temperatures, dear friends with added problems from diabetes, falls, heart malfunction......on and on. The mental stress seems to be as heavy as the physical maladies. I want God to give me a healing type of faith like he gave to the Apostles in the Bible. Pray with me and let's agree together for this gift.


S.O.A.P.

2-22-2015      Romans 8:12-14

S.       12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

O.     How to be a son of God!

A.      I can be totally free from all fleshly bondage by simply inviting the Holy Spirit into my life and then responding to his leadership; less of me, more of God.

     P.            Father in Heaven; fill me so full of your Holy Spirit that no room for my flesh remains. Use me up                  as a servant as I Shepard my flock. Amen. 

Time for Business!

Church business meeting today at four o'clock. We will look back on 2014 and evaluate the results, have some sweet fellowship and rejoice in all that the Lord has done. We may plan some goals for the remainder of this year as well. 2014 was a year of plenty and today we will see more proof of just how good our God is to his children.


S.O.A.P.

2-21-2015      Romans 8:10-11

S.       10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

O.      The body will be brought under subjection (dead to sin) by the power of the Spirit.

A.      First I must believe, then, respond by faith into a sinless lifestyle empowered by the Holy Spirit. I am no longer a slave to the appetites of my flesh but victory only comes by the indwelling of the Spirit.

   P.       Father; please help me to eradicate all un-belief from my heart and mind. Amen. 

A Blind President

Praying for our president has been so difficult lately. He seems to hate Christianity and favor any religion that kills and mistreats us. But, pray for him I will. I know that he will reap ALL the things he is sowing and for that I pity him. I wonder how much differently he would act if it were one of his daughters being raped or tormented as a sex slave by a Isis soldier. Probably just give the soldier a job and social security benefits that american ta payers are paying for? Blind leaders fill the history books. Pray. Pray. Pray.

S.O.A.P.

2-20-2015      Romans 8:5-9

S.       5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

O.      Flesh equals sin while Spirit equals life and peace.

A.      I must stay filled with the spirit and follow after the things of holiness. The Spirit will only dwell in a clean temple.

    P.       Father; expand my trust and faith. Help me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow his               leading that I may please you. Amen. 

A coat of Paint

Today is painting day. A coat of paint in the guest house bathroom will use up my energy, satisfy my exercise needs and move me one step closer to completing this long project. Spring is coming and I need to finish to free-up garden time. 

S.O.A.P.

2-19-2015      Romans 8:3-4

S.       3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

O.      Jesus conquers sin and overcomes sin “in the flesh” by living a Spirit filled life.

A.      The Spirit of God is given to man to overcome sin. If I live by the Spirit I will not sin, I will fulfill the Law and prove its righteousness, I will honor the sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross and “be” a holy person.

   P.       Father; fill me totally with your Spirit. May I decrease and be absorbed by your Spirit until I             am a complete reflection of Jesus. 

Only Man --- Has a Soul!

"He that hath the SON hath LIFE, he that hath NOT the SON hath NOT LIFE! Life is not proof of the existence of a soul. Many places where life is present there is no soul, a tree, a human cell, the earth itself is alive......moving, breathing creating. All these are alive and without a soul. The soul is a portion of God that he shared with man only. In the creation record God "made" all things and called them equally "good". Only when he created Man did God state that the life included a soul. Many people live wicked sinful lives because they never acknowledge their soul, their portion of God within, because they are deceived by the same deceiver that dealt with Eve in the garden. 

S.O.A.P.

2-18-2015      Romans 8:1-2

S.       There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

O.      Legal condemnation is eliminated once Christ’s spirit enters and sin is conquered.

A.      A new spirit enters my soul when I am redeemed. That spirit is Christ Jesus. He sets me free from the “law” of sin and death. I am possessed with the power of Grace and enabled to overcome sin. Wow!

    P.       Father; I stand before you clothed in righteousness by Grace, empowered to conquer sin and            assured of eternity in your presence. I am grateful and humbly commit my all in your service.              Lead me to the souls that I may comfort and aid. Amen. 

Redefining God???

With all the terrible things going on in this world today a person could get pretty scared. I hear about fear on a daily basis. Fear of Isis, fear of our president and his christian hating ways, fear of the health care laws, fear of guns, fear of environmental changes, fear, fear, fear!
The thing that alarms me the most: People redefining God. I see people chasing sin, embracing sin one minute and the next they are talking faith and love of God. Pure and contaminated do not flow from the same source. How do these people live with the imbalance, the contradiction?  Easy......just redefine God. God is removed as the creator, the sovereign judge and perfect and then redefined into some sort of heavenly bell-hop filling orders for any and all who speak his name in a positive manner. 
Awake or perish for when the blind lead, the ditch becomes your home.


S.O.A.P.

2-17-2015      Romans 7:22-25

S.       22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

O.      The battle with sin as fought with the mind (under the law) is always lost.

A.      Paul paints a very dim picture of spiritual life when lived under law. He is building up a contrast to describe how the law was incomplete and needed to be improved. I will remember my past as a reminder of where I came from. I came out from under the law and into the Power of Grace.

P.       Father; I know that my flesh is weak and that without your help I will fail. Fill me with the power of your Grace, the guidance of your Holy Spirit and the joy of holy fellowship. Amen.

I enjoyed another great weekend. Special thanks to to the women's group for a fun fellowship on Friday night. The services yesterday were heavenly and my family's love has my heart overflowing. I am praying that God will teach me into a higher level of faith. I might say; help me to exterminate doubt and unbelief. The Bible is full of examples of the blessings that are given to man, but we must not doubt to receive these blessings. I want doubt to be eliminated.

Three days: Posting problems over the weekend.

S,O,A,P,

2-14-2015      Romans 7:12-13

S.       12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

O.      The true nature of sin is revealed by the law.

A.      The law is my friend and gives me understand about sin.

P.       Father; give me overcoming power and fill me with wisdom. Amen.

2-15-2015      Romans 7:14-17

S.       14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

O.      The law is good and sinful actions are exposed by a good law.

A.      The law is my warning that sin is still resident within me. (Sin as defined by the law)

P.       Father; thank you for the knowledge of sin. I know what to fight and I ask for your help in overcoming all my sin. Amen.

2-16-2015      Romans 7:18-21

S.       18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

O.      Good and evil are present when man is under law only.

A.      There must be more than legalism to make a man right with God. Paul is explaining the impossible task of being “sin free” while living under the law.

     P.       Father; open my understanding by your law and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may                   follow you in Grace.

Open Heart Surgery

We live each moment only a heartbeat away from eternity. Yesterday a wonderful friend from church received open heart surgery. Waiting for the Doctor to come and give us a report made me to think about the possible outcomes and how quickly our lives change and how close we live to death each day. (my friend is fine)  I must keep this thought before me more often and relish the moments and people I love.

S.O.A.P.

2-12-2015      Romans 7:7-9

S.       What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

O.      The law reveals sin to mankind and declares him guilty.

A.      God reveals sin to me to liberate me from its consequences not for grounds to punish me!

P.       Father; I am not blind to sin because of your Grace. Thank you for loving me before I even knew you. Help me share this love with some hurting soul today. Amen.

2-13-2015      Romans 7:10-11

S.       And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

O.      Sin overcomes, under the law, and leads to death.

A.      God holds man accountable to the law once the law is revealed. If I know the right way to live and refuse to do so I am guilty and deserve to be punished. I am my own judge and jury.

     P.       Father; open my eyes to all my sin that I may repent, change direction and walk fully in                    your will. Amen. 

Tax Time

Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's! Today I am starting my tax return ordeal. This task is often unpleasant to me because I prefer to be outdoors working and not shut in my office during day-light hours. I am thankful to have enough income to meet all my needs (and then some) and make this ordeal necessary. So; I will stop whining and get busy.

S.O.A.P.

2-11-2015      Romans 7:5-6

S.       For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

O.      Now, free from the law, man should live (serve) in the spirit and faith.

A.      I am made free from sin by confession and conversion. I will live in the Spirit and overcome sin by the power of Grace living in me.

P.       Father; show me how to live this sinless life and be an example to those around me. May all the glory and honor be given to you! Amen.

Love is our best gift.

Thank you friends for the "little" things you do each day. The smiles, a wink, wave and especially the hugs. These actions make my life a joy. Love really is the best we have to give.

S.O.A.P.

2-10-2015      Romans 7:4

S.       Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

O.      Being dead to the law of sin and death we are free to be married to Christ and live productive, faithful (sinless) and holy as his bride.

A.      There are no chains that link me to sin. I am free of condemnation and at liberty to live in peace, joy and love. I choose Christ as my Saviour and Lord and I am free from the laws of the flesh.

P.       Father; grant me wisdom to live a sinless life. Remind me of my weaknesses that victory may be maintained. I ask for your mercy and grace to fill my mind. Amen.

Pastoring

Did Jesus live, eat, walk, work and involve himself in close personal relationships with his disciples? Looking through the Bible we see Jesus doing exactly these actions. He lived in a real world. He shared his time, energy, faith and love with those around him. Jesus is the perfect example of what a Pastor should be.

S.O.A.P.

2-9-2015         Romans 7:2-3

S.       2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

O.      Teaching about divorce and re-marriage.

A.      A covenant is intended to be for life. God never wants our relationships to be temporary or disposable. Death is the only honorable end to the marriage covenant.

P.       Father; teach us how to forgive, how to love and how to avoid sin. Draw us near to you and let us see through your eyes. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Fake Pastors?

Are pastors serving the church or are they being served? The modern model of a pastor is not biblical.
God does not call us to be C.E.O. God calls us to be servants/shepherds. Awake! Find the path of servant-hood and bring honor back to the calling.

S.O.A.P.

2-8-2015              Romans 7:1

S.       1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

O.      Laws are for the living, not the dead.

A.      All of God’s laws exist for my benefit. God warns me to protect my soul from sin. I will have safety and peace if I obey.

    P.       Father; thank you for revealing your laws to me. I can walk in security because I am aware              of the dangers. You must love me more than I can understand to give such wonderful insight              and protection to me. Amen.