You ARE great . . . .but only on Christ!

To my young people today and anyone struggling . . .

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,  having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.(1 Peter 2:9-12)

 You ARE great . . . .but only on Christ! Young people : believe it and live it out!

Control . . . . WHO has it?

 . . .casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.(2 Corinthians 10:5-6)

We all want to be in control of things all the time, right?   No one likes the feeling of being out of control. I recall a night when I suffered from heat exhaustion and would wake up every few hours with my eyeballs spinning and throwing up. It was not fun and very scary to say the least! The dizziness lasted for days and took time to slowly go away. It felt good to be back in control.

As a believer, the way to get back under God's control and stay there is to take captive the ungodly and poisonous thoughts that race through our heads and refocus upon the things of God. The Holy Spirit can do this! We have His power controlling power within us!

If it is not of God, capture it and throw it down . . . discard it. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep your mind clear. Focus upon Him, not the thoughts that draw us away. Holy Spirit . . . take CONTROL!!!!

Seriously though . . . .

Seriously though . . . . Yes, we have heard all these words as believers, but today I  . . . we as a whole . . . need to cling to them! What about you?

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.(Ephesians 6:12)

Our enemies are not our families, our friends, our coaches, our teachers, our students, fellow co-workers or anyone else we might see daily. Disease cannot cause us to run from God. Not even death can separate us!  (Romans 8:38-39) THE enemy is Satan and his henchmen! It is time we realize that once and for all.

Our weapon is prayer. Fellow believers are our support. Our victory is in Jesus, not this world! (1 Corinthians 16:13) Seriously though!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Hard to be good . . . find good . . . but God remains GOOD!

There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep....(Psalm 4:6-8)

In this world, even among professing believers, many times it is hard to be good . . . find good . . . but God remains GOOD! 

I am struggling with it in fact . . . this week . . . even today! Lord, help me to seek the good, the Godly, the YOU in others and in this world, so at least I may be at peace with You if nothing else. Perhaps I may even be able to bring a little peace to someone else!!!!

  . . .be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.(1 Thessalonians 5:16-22)

Today I choose good . . .I choose GOD!

It is a choice!

I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.(Psalm 16:8)

It is a choice!  One must choose Christ. He is available for the offering. He will not force His way. He will not demand for us for rolls Him. We must choose! However, the choice must be complete and committed. There is no half-in or half -out. It is all-in!

 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.(Acts 2:21)

Once we call upon Jesus to forgive us, with a sincere heart, God the Holy Spirit seals us. He calls us. We answer. He completes the deal! Simple.........

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

What one can do with a child's meal!

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”  He said, “Bring them here to Me.”  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:14-21)

 What one can do with a child's meal! The crowd was seeking Jesus . . . desiring to be fed. The disciples said the obvious: "Send then home to eat. There is not enough food here!" Oh, but for the kid's meal!

Wow . . .

Many times we do not think we have enough to help. . . . not enough money, not enough time, not enough food, not enough talent. But What can God do with what we do have? A kid's meal fed over five thousand people! There was still enough for leftovers!

C'mon . . . give God a chance. Give Him what we've got and let Him work! Five minutes of time alone with God, five dollars from our wallets for a lunch, five days for a mission trip . . .

All in?

Are you ALL IN?

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:44-46)

This parable of Jesus is not that complicated. When someone sees something of value and they can possess it, they grab it! They keep it! They cherish it! In fact, they'll give up everything they own to have it!!!!

I have a few questions for you: When it comes to an eternal relationship with the Creator of this world . . . the Master and Savior of your soul . . . What are you holding back? What is more valuable?

Are You ALL IN?

spiritual discernment.......are we hearing?

“Therefore hear the parable of the sower:  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.  But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23) 

Jesus explained the parable from the previous verses, saying He spoke in parables for those who hear . . . that is those who have spiritual discernment or understanding.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:9)

No everyone gets it! Many come to hear of Christ in an emotional tome in their life. They make rash decisions on a whim or on emotion. It may be the right thing or popular thing to do because others decide to walk the aisle at a chapel or go for prayer at a funeral. Yet There is no follow up . . . no further study . . .  no teaching or discipleship .  . . no growth.

One goes on in life not even remembering how or when they were saved. Sad but true in so many cases! We must pursue the Lord and those we lead to Him. We all must constantly grow in faith. Peter was adamant about it and so I am as well. (2 Peter 1:5-15) Paul encouraged Timothy just he encourages each of us today. (2 Timothy 5:15-26)

Spiritual discernment.......are we hearing?

Do we really want Jesus?

Do we really want Jesus, or simply what He can DO for us? Many, even some I know personally, have gone through the motions of praying, walking the aisle, or even baptism, yet all they really wanted was healing, momentary comfort, or relief from a troubling issue in the life. There is and never was a commitment to follow Christ as Lord and Savior! What a scary thought . . . to publically and verbally say one wants Jesus but not really mean it. What if they really believe Jesus has saved them from eternal salvation? Asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior requires commitment and sacrifice, not simply words a walk!

Do we really want what He offers? Do we really want Jesus?

One must know only confess and repent of sin (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 1:9), but commit to follow Christ. Here from Jesus Himself:

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?  Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.(Luke 14:27-33)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to

enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23--24)

Think about it . . . .

Tatted by Jesus

 . . .rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer . . . (Romans 12:12)

Tattoos are cool for some and very popular in today's culture. Tattoos label a person, many times in a negative light even when wrongly labeled! Yet they tell a story of who, what and why a person a person believes in one thing or another. They have been marked, or tatted!

 Let us hold fast the confession of our  hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

So as CHRISTians, whether we are physically tatted or not,  we should be marked for and by Jesus! How we live, why we do this or that, and what we say and do should label us as

Christ followers . . . without the physical markings!

We should be known for our patience, our consistent prayer life, our unwavering faith, and our commitment to the Body of Christ.

These highlighted words in this commentary should be the words that tatt our lives as believers! Are we tatted by Jesus?

Perfect rhythm

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.  Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”  Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)

Perfect rhythm . . . . All in unison . . . Whether  it's a church choir, elementary school chants, or 50,000 fans cheering on a team, a large group that is unified is powerful and effective!  Imagine a football team clicking on all cylinders, all eleven players moving as one unit. Now envision the entire Body of Christ living out God's Word in one accord . . . What would our world be like in the Church was truly one as Jesus prayed in John 17?

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:20-21)

Paul pleaded with the Philippians and he pleads with Us today who call Christ our Savior and Lord:

 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,  fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Philippians 2:1-

2)

Everyone huddle up . . . . Let's bring it in . . .  "TEAM" on three . . . 1 . . .2 . . .3.
Make no room for the enemy!!!

We are surrounded!

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.(Hebrews 12:1-4)

We are surrounded!  These are not words many would desire to hear, especially when in battle. However, for the believer, these as words of encouragement and strength, because we are surrounded by a HIStory of successful believers who have already overcome! They are our backup and our confidence that we too will overcome the world and all its challenges. In Christ, we have victory!

Not that I have already attained or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

Keep moving forward . . . with confidence! Hear the cheers from above!!!!!

You can represent Christ wel

Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set[j] a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.(Matthew 10:32-30)

I wanted to encourage my young students today. You can represent Christ well.  You can resist the evil one!
 It takes practice. It takes humility. You all must hold each other accountable.

Today.....seek to please God. Make Him your priority....in speech and action!

El Simchath Gili....En-joy His JOY!

 El Simchath Gili....En-joy His JOY! Learning more of Who God is every day!
https://forvo.com/user/nancymillett123

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

As we read in Nehemiah, even in times of struggle, we can praise God. Even though we have not been the best and always obedient to the Lord, we can rejoice in His patience, mercy, and amazing grace. Each day, we can be refilled with His joy, despite our circumstances!

 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:9-10)

As the Jews returned from captivity, they were saddened by their behavior yet God's Word still gave them reason to rejoice. Convicted of sin, we too can repent, rejoice, and be refilled with His joy! Knowing the King of kings as Lord and Savior gives hope in a world of hopelessness. He is my exceeding joy indeed!!!!

What about you?