Where are Our Eyes?

As I look at the world, both secular and Christian, I see a lot of turmoil. I have come to expect this from the secular world. Even then, those in that sphere try to hide their thoughts and make those watching believe that all is as it should be.

Right now, I see and hear of things transpiring among Christians that cause me to wonder, "Where are their eyes?" Are they looking at themselves or are the truly looking to Jesus and seeking His guidance.I

I cannot give particulars, nor do I want to.  When we give our hearts over to Jesus, we ask Him to guide us through the issues that come up in our lives. 

On several different occasions, I have heard people say, "COVID really changed how we respond to others, or how we do things." We need to get our eyes off COVID and get our eyes back on Jesus. I am just as guilty of using excuses for not doing what God has intended for me to do in following Him.

I know He will forgive me. I just hope I can forgive myself.

Trusting in Jesus

 

My Christmas Present.

This is a song that ran through my heart and mind after God chose my word for 2024. I have put my thoughts on paper in order to help me understand the message of this song.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Yes, it is very sweet to have Jesus in your corner. We can rely on Him.

Just to take Him at His Word

When we allow Jesus into our lives, we learn to rely on Him and His word.

Just to rest on His promise

We can take what He tells us into our hearts.

Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!

When we know Jesus said something, we know we can believe it and rely on Him and His word.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

As we get to know Jesus, we learn that He has our best interests at heart.

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Each time we patiently wait for Jesus to act on a prayer request, we prove that He does care for us.

Oh, for grace to love Him more!

When we see answers to our prayers, we realize that we can love Him more than we do.

I’m so glad I learned to trust thee,

Yes, I am very thankful that I learned to turn everything over to Him.

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend.

There is no one like Him. He is my Savior, and my Friend.

And I know You are with me,

Whatever I go through, I know Jesus is right beside me.

With me to the end.

He will be with me at the time, He escorts me into God’s presence.

Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him!

When we learn of Him, we see that He is worthy of our trust.

How I’ve proven Him o’er and o’er.

When we witness to someone, we prove that He is real and that He loves them.

Jesus, precious Jesus!

The Lord grows more precious each day.

Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

We need to experience God’s love in order to learn to trust Him.

Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

We learn to trust Jesus by allowing Him to have full reign over our lives.

Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

Yes, we must learn to trust Him more.

------------------

“’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” by Louise M.R. Stead

Set Free From Sin

 

Pinterest

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Romans 6:20-22 (NKJV)

People caught up in sinfulness do not seek righteousness, moreover they do not understand about righteousness.

Paul asks an interesting question. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? As I think on this, Paul is asking the believers What ‘reward’ did you have then that now you do not care about?

He tells them that the outcome of sinful ways is death. He then tells the believers that once we are set free from bondage, we have our reward and also everlasting life.

We must always look to the LORD when we see things that would lead us back into the slavery of sin. When we realize we might be headed into sinful habits, we can ask God’s forgiveness and repent from sinful actions.

Why Pray, How God Answers

 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

Has anyone ever asked, “Why do you Pray?” How would you respond? Here are some reasons Jesus’ children pray.

           *We pray to tell God that we love Him.

* We pray to give thanks for what He has given us. Our homes, our transportation, our families, our health.

*When God heals us or our friends from disease.

*We pray to seek His guidance when we find ourselves facing harsh circumstances, those things we never expected to happen to us.

*We intercede in prayer for our friends or people we hear of who need guidance or comfort in t heir lives.

*When our cities and towns have had horrific crimes committed against their citizens.

God chooses to answer our prayers in His own way and in His own time. Sometimes, our requests may take a few years to be fulfilled. God has His reasons for seeming to withhold that answer. While we think that our way is best, God may have other plans for that request.

We often try to follow a format for our prayers: One that is easy to remember is the ACTS format.

Adoration-We are to tell God we love Him.

Confession-We are to tell God all that we have done that displeases Him.

Thanksgiving-We give God thanks for ALL He has done for us.

Supplications-We make requests for ourselves and those requests of others we have committed to pray                         

for.

What is a Church?

 

publicdomainpictures.net 

Have you ever wondered what the term” Church” really means?

We say we are going to church when we prepare to assemble together with other believers in Christ.

There are some people who refer to the membership of the church as their church family. One church I was in received a new pastor who referred to everyone as Brother or Sister and then spoke the name of the congregant. His reason for this practice was that he believed all children of God were brothers and sisters.

I recently read a statement that told me that the church is actually the people who worship and then live their lives before those they meet.

My question I had to ask myself was: Do I actually live my Christian life before those I see through the week? I could get around that question and say that I don’t see anyone except my husband through the week. But that makes me focus on how I react to and deal with things he says and does.

Am I friendly to those who wait on my at the grocery store? Am I considerate to those in line behind me at the pharmacy? Do I respond in a well-modulated voice at the doctor’s office when I am asked a question? Do I allow my voice to convey how I really feel when I am on the phone with someone who is trying to help me through a problem I seem to have? My answer to most of these questions is “Yes” but there is one area that I n I believe eed to work on.

I recently had to purchase a food item for a church funeral dinner. Just before I left home, I noticed I was almost running out of dish washing liquid. When I went to the grocery store, I found the food item and then went to select my dish soap. As I went through the check-out line, I used my debit card, checked the receipt, and then noticed the food item did not scan, I informed the check-out lady, and she took care of the error. (Special note: I am not in the habit of looking at my receipts.)

Now, this may not seem like a big deal to a lot of people, but it was to me. I was there representing the church and what it stands for. I believe God would have at least called me on this, because I would have actually broken a commandment and not realized it.

God. Lead and Teach Me

 

pintrest.com

Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

On You I wait all the day.

                                                        Psalm 25:5 (NKJV)

Words of David.

David pleads for God’s mercy and deliverance. He asks God to not “remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions:” (verse 7)

David, later in the chapter, asks God for mercy and forgiveness (verses 16-18)

God leads His spiritual children through difficult times. He quiets their hearts and gives them guidance because of His grace for them.

There have been times when I have felt alone as I went through trying circumstances. However, when the issue has become ‘history’, I studied how the event went and I realize that no matter how it turned out that God was there and was in control.

As God teaches us, we have to be receptive of the message and obedient to His direction. When God gives us, His children tasks, We first need to pray and ask for His leading to insure that we do these things for Him and not for our glory.

God, Our Foundation

 

ifci.org

For You are my rock and my fortress;

Therefore, for Your name’s sake,

Lead me and guide me.

Psalm 31:3 (NKJV)

Words of David

David states again that God is his rock and fortress. This is David’s way of stating that God is his foundation and his strong defense.

All of know that when someone builds a house, footing has to be poured and a foundation has to be laid. These are basic to the stability of the structure. For certain careers, training and education has to be sought. Likewise, these basic steps are required to insure those working in those fields are knowledgeable.

David is asking for God to lead him and to guide him through whatever life brings to him.

Each of us believers in Jesus must seek God’s leading and guidance each day. This is a practice I need to learn to do each day. I believe I must do this in order to please Him and to allow me to stay closer to God as my day goes on.

During the COVID lock-down, I developed some bad habits. What I have learned through this past Lenten season is that I really have to do better about my daily schedule. I NEED to be on a schedule in order to get things done. Please pray for me that I am able to get a plan to get some things done that will help me conquer a weight problem and find a way to get some exercise into my routine.

Have You Ever Wondered Why?

 

(I wrote this in March, just after the Nashville school shooting. I chose to place it on my blog after Easter because I believed my message would take away from the messages of Holy Week and Easter.)

We heard of yet another school shooting this week.

Have you ever wondered why?

We hear that there have been 130 shootings across our nation this year alone.

Today, March 29,2023 is the 88^th day of this year. That is more than one a day.

Have you ever wondered why?

I certainly have. What follows is some personal thoughts that came to me just last night.

My first thought was, ‘Some people seem to be doing what they want to do.” We have seen this in young misbehaving children. We read of it when we read of ‘road rage’ incidents.

My next thought was, “People are doing what is right in their own eyes.” I have heard this before. I realized it was from a sermon I heard many years ago. I checked and found that Moses said it once, and Samuel said it two times.

Deuteronomy 12:8 “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes— “

‘Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

During the time of the Judges, when a judge was in charge, the Israelites followed God’s word. However, after each judges passed away, the people of the nation returned to doing what each of them wanted to do. They followed the habits and customs of their heathen neighbors.

My next thought was: “ Is that what we presently see played out in our world today?” Have we not taught our children about the Ten Commandments or the Golden Rule? Have we, as children of God, decided that we know better than He what is the best to do in certain situations?

Whenever, a follower of Jesus used to mess up, someone would say, “And he/she is a Christian?” Usually, the next words we would hear went something like this, “If that is Christianity, I want no part of it.”

It seems to me that what we presently see going on in our world today could be brought on by our own ignoring of God’s rules.

What I now wonder is: “Is it too late for us to repent of our sins and seek God’s forgiveness?”

God In Our Midst

 

https://www.christianbook.com/devotionals

The Lord your God is in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save.

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

The Lord God is in your midst -

A follower of Jesus finds this comforting. Personally, when I am troubled, once I pray, I feel God’s presence come over me. That prayer may be a simple sentence,”God, please help me.”

The Mighty One, will save.

Yes, God, the Might One will save us. He will do this because of His great love for us.

He will rejoice over you with gladness.

To rejoice simply means to be glad. When we praise someone for a deed they have done, we are glad. When our favorite sports team wins, we celebrate and are glad.

When a person asks Jesus into his or heart hearts, we are thankful and we rejoice with them.

He will quiet you with His love

When we ask Jesus to enter into a circumstance in our lives, our attitude changes, our heartbeat may return to normal, we feel at peace. Jesus does quiet our hearts.

He will rejoice over you with singing

Can you picture God, either standing over us or holding us in His arms and rejoicing over us? I get that mental picture. Even when we think we might have not done what we should do; when we make our confession to God, I believe He does just that-He rejoices by singing over each one of us.

Book Review: Faith, Doubt, and God’s Mysterious Timing

 

Bethany House Publishers

30 Biblical Insights About the Way God Works

written by Laurie Polich Short

Ms. Polich Short has written a very special book. She explores faith in a very deep way. She points out that sometimes we need to act in certain circumstances trusting God to take us through to a better place.  We all have times when we wonder what God is doing, why He is putting us through difficult times. In the passages she has chosen, each Biblical character grows in faith because of what the face.

I liked this book because it opened my eyes to certain facts that I had not considered in the outcome of certain Biblical heroes and heroines I have always wondered about.  Why did God allow them to go through that happening or why did God look highly on certain people when we know he or she greatly sinned.

I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with their faith. I believe this would be an excellent resource for a Bible study leader to supplement studies on faith and God’s workings in life.

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. All they asked of me was that I give an unbiased review.

My Word of the Year for 2023 (January Link-up)

 

Lisa Notes WOTY

Each month on the 23rd, I will be posting thoughts about my word for this year.

A. WHERE IS MY WORD?

I have seen my word in my devotional reading.

“
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Even as God, in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4: 32(NKJV) 

Several years ago, I was preparing a Sunday school lesson and was caught up by this verse. Last fall, I realized that I may have done somethings that I needed to be forgiven for.

Where can you put it so you can see it more often?  I am unsure of where I could post this in my home. Maybe in the front of my journal. I will search out a place and let you know.

 

B. WHAT DOES MY WORD LOOK LIKE?

 

What does your word look like to you? I am not an artist, and my phone camera is stubborn.

Imagine with me the following scene:

Jesus standing beside me with his arm around my shoulder and smiling down on me.

That is what my word looks like to me.

 

C. WHY THIS WORD?

 

Why did you choose this word?

I realize that I am a sinner—a sinner saved by grace. This is very important to my spiritual life. I cannot be judgmental about what others do. I am responsible for my own behavior. When I go to stand before Jesus, I want to be able to say that I led the life He wanted me to lead.

Purpose in Season

 

Warner Sallman

To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose on earth.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

God creates our live and gives us many epochs in each life He creates. As a person goes through life, he or she might go through certain stages.

As young adults, we study, we work, date, maybe marry.

As young marrieds, we work, provide for our families and care for our homes.

As parents, we care for, provide for and rear children.

As Empty Nesters, we rediscover favorite pastimes. and even learn new skills.

As Caregivers, we spend time caring for or helping older family members.

As Senior Citizens, we may volunteer for church or civic positions.

Each of these seasons have a purpose. God gives His children duties and tasks to perform. Each ‘season’ has a beginning and an end.

Since two weeks before the COVID lock down, I have had several health issues. It seems like one after another. I sincerely need to pray about finding God’s purpose about how He wants me to spend my days in this season I find myself.

Sometimes, all we can do is seek the LORD’s guidance and follow His leading.

Are any of you going through times like this?

Patience and Gentleness

 

i.pinimg.com

By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

Proverbs 25:15 (NKJV)

Moses listened to the Lord and patiently awaited the day that Pharaoh would finally let the Israelite people depart Egypt and head to the land God had promised them.

Hannah exercised patience and faith as she awaited receiving her first-born son, Samuel. Hannah also practiced gentleness, although it was difficult, as she endured the taunts from Peninnah.

When we have stress-causing circumstances in our lives, we have to practice patience and, yes, gentleness in our daily lives. We may have to spend more time with God, as he gently whispers words of comfort, healing and love into our ears as we face overwhelming circumstances in our lives.

When we hear things from others that upset us, we need to apply the rule that our mothers said, “If you can’t say anything nice, say nothing at all.” This was a rule that a lot of us senior citizens heard from early on in our growing-up years. It is a pity that this rule seemed to fall by the wayside during the last half-century

Can we begin teaching this “rule” to children of these times?

Show Humility to All Men

 

IO.wp.com

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Titus 3:1-2 (NKJV)

Paul’s words to Titus whom he describes as a “true son in our common faith.”

Paul lays groundwork here for believers to follow.

* To submit to rulers and authorities.

* To not speak badly about anyone.

* To live peaceful lives.

* To show humility to all we know.

Paul makes some very strong points, getting to the core of human relationships. He writes these words to a pastor who is young. Titus faces a huge task, that of establishing churches.

As we go through our days, we must follow these words of guidance from Paul. We are tasked to helping enlarge the kingdom of God, however, we must learn to daily practice gentleness.

This is a very difficult thing to do. Recently, I received a phone call from a friend who lives in my neighborhood. She wanted my advise on something. She told me her feelings on an issue and I told her that if she felt uncomfortable doing what she was asked, then maybe she should not do it. She had some good reasons about why she felt the way she did. I could have been more gentle about certain related issues she spoke of. I intend to be more careful in the future.

Do we always find ways to show humility to those around us?

Bear with one Another in Love

 

canyonville christian academy

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3(NKJV)

Words of Paul written to Ephesian believers.

walk worthy of the calling

He encouraged them to live in a way that reflected God to others. He goes into detail as to how that would look. As we read those words, they can also apply to us who live in the 21^st Century.

with all lowliness and gentleness,

As believers in Christ, we must abandon all thought of ourselves as being better than others. We must also respond to each other with tenderness, no matter how others treat us.

bearing with one another in love,

Believers must accept those around us in love and be available for others as we can be. I sometimes find this difficult to do given the mindset of those in the world.

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit

Paul’s purpose in his ministry was to introduce people to Jesus Christ and then to educate them in the ways of Christ. His goal was to unify those converted to the faith.

in the bond of peace.

Paul tells his readers, then and now that all we should do must have peace as its ultimate aim. I have had times when someone in the business world has been almost rude in response to a question I asked. In one instance, the woman could have explained their position better than she did.

Do you find it difficult to bear  certain people in your life?

We Must Forgive

 

Daily Verses,net

 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another even as Christ forgave you, so you must all so do. Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV)

 

The Apostle Paul conveys this message to the believers at Colossae. This is basically the same message he gives the Ephesian believers. However, he goes deeper with the meaning of being kind. He writes that we should “put on” these attributes as we dress ourselves for each day.

 

tender mercies

 

If we should have issues with someone, we must approach that issue carefully and speak with tender words. We don’t always realize how we come across when we just blurt out the issue that is on our hearts.

 

 kindness

 

Even when we have issues with another person, we should approach that person with kind words because we don’t know what they might be going through in their personal lives.

 

 humility

 

We should always remember that each of us is no better or no worse than other people. God made us all. He allows each of us to have experiences and circumstances that allow us to grow. We should learn to practice humility in all our interactions with others.

 

 meekness

 

As people of Christ, we should learn to take the gentle path when dealing with people. We must realize that we are imperfect beings.

 

 longsuffering

 

I love this word. It is an old English word that means “patience”. We must have patience in this world as we deal with others. I walk with a cane. It takes me a while to go from “point A” to “point B”. I appreciate those who cross my path when I am shopping and they either wait as I get past them or help me by holding a door open for me. With all the upheaval going on in our nation, we all could benefit from having some more patience.

 

 bearing with one another

 

Sometimes, we become aware of the need those who are hurting have. We can do this through praying for them and their need. Maybe we can do something more practical. Taking someone to the doctor or to the ER, going to the grocery store for them. Our church has a food pantry that is open twice a month. This is a ministry that has grown over the years.

 

 forgiving one another

 

To get beyond hurts, we have to forgive each other. Someone once asked me to forgive her but then said, “But, I didn’t do anything.” The only way I could forgive her was to ask God to do it for me.

 

Forgiveness from God wipes away the record that He has on us. When we ask forgiveness from another person, we attempt to clear the air between that person and ourselves. 

Peace through Jesus Christ

Pexels

 

 

These things I have spoken to you that in Me you will have peace. In the world you

Will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (NKJV)

 

Jesus gives His disciples further guidance in this passage. He tells them that He has chosen to say these things for them to find peace in Him.

 

He cautions them that they will have tribulation. (And they did.) However, he tells them to “be of good cheer.” He then states. “I have overcome the world.”

 

In our present time, we face many harsh circumstances in our lives. COVID, personal illnesses, loss of family members, etc. When we look at what Jesus went through as He hung on that cross and the reason He consented to doing it. He did it for us to be deemed worthy to enter heaven.

 

What we experience during our time on this earth is nothing in comparison. The Apostle Paul called what we go through while we are on earth “momentary troubles”(2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV). He overcame the world for our sake. We have peace with God because of what Jesus did- He died in our place. As we live for Christ, we should always remember this.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

 

                 

 

biblestudytools.com

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)

 

Have you ever wondered what a peacemaker is? “The word translated peacemakers comes from a verb meaning “to join together.” It pictures two opposing forces that are being reconciled. Peacemakers experience joy and excitement as they help others reconcile with God and with one another. ⁽¹⁾

 

Someone whose role is a peacemaker must have certain qualities that set them apart for that work. Those to whom they minister must see Jesus in them. We have peacemakers in our lives, but we sometimes don’t recognize them. One who truly is a peacemaker keeps confidences and does not hold past issues over the heads of those involved.  They never start conversations in a group with: “Why I remember when she (or he) . . .”

 

Jesus was a peacemaker. Let us all strive to be one as well.

 

(1)   Jeremiah Study Bible © 2013, David Jeremiah, Inc /study note page 1288)