Voice Of Truth

Casting Crowns has an awesome song; “Voice of Truth”. It’s a powerful song, and for those who don’t know the song, I have listed the lyrics at the end of this entry. It gave me the inspiration for this next story.

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Jennifer stared at her husband in confusion, he always had the tendency to mumble when he talks. “What did you just say?” Mark looked her right the eye, “I said I was just let go from my second job.” Jennifer was flabbergasted, they just told him he was the best investment they made. “What happened?”

Mark sat down on the couch, disgusted and tired. “They said that I ran a test wrong. But I did exactly what my supervisor told me to do. I don’t understand why they did that, I thought I was doing good there.”

“Baby, that’s not something we can concentrate on right now. God removed you from this job for a reason. Personally, I am so happy that you no longer work there. I feel safer knowing you are going to be home with me, you were working too much and tired. I was scared all the time for your safety.” Jennifer said with determination.

Mark had been working overnight in a retail store that was two hours away. “I mean, we need this job. What are we going to do now, Jennifer?”

After some thought Jennifer finally responded. “We need to move into my parents house. We can’t afford this rent anymore.”

Mark looked at her with such hurt in his eyes, “We can’t. We just signed the lease, they won’t let us out of our contract.” Jennifer looked at her husband in disbelief, “How do you know that? You don’t know what could happen baby. Maybe you should call and talk to them.”

Mark looked dejected and sad, it hurt her to see her husband like this. “God, give me the right words to say to him.” Jennifer prayed silently. “Baby, this is a good thing that happened.” Jennifer moved closer to her husband, “You were getting so tired and cranky. You were missing out on a lot of things because of this job. Now, you can live at least little more. We can now finally go to church during the week, you know how much we missed that.” Jennifer was trying so hard to make her husband feel better.

“Its these stupid bills we have. I have to find a second job so that we can pay off these bills and start a family,” her husband looked at her with such determination.

“Baby, lets just pray right now. We need to pray and ask God for wisdom and peace,” Jennifer said. Mark looked at her in disbelief, “I can’t pray right now, you need to pray.”

Jennifer’s heart sank, “OK honey.” They prayed together for a few minutes. Fearing for her husbands walk Jennifer said, “God is allowing this to happen in our lives for a reason. We need to just sit and wait on Him. Baby, this just means that God has something a million times better waiting for you. He will bless us if we have faith in Him alone.”

Jennifer got up from the couch. “You can’t let this get you down. If you do that’s letting Satan win. You have to have faith even when things look grim.”

“But what about children? I want us to have kids; I want you to be a mother. But now we have to wait again to try for kids.” Mark looked at her as if to challenge her. But she understood all too well that Mark was losing his faith again. She walked back over to him, and sat right in front of him.

“Baby, who says we can’t try while in my parents house? Who says I’m not pregnant now? If we start trying at my parents house, it will be okay. I won’t have the baby that day. We will have time to pay down the debts and find a home. Baby, look at it this way. Now you finally have time to study and pass for your certification. There ya go! That’s probably why this happened! God wants you to be certified in March!” Jennifer said with great faith.

Mark stood silent. Jennifer got up to call her mother. “Where are you going?” Mark asked. “To call my mom, so she can pray for us about the moving out thing. We would probably need someone to come and take our place in order for us to move out without penalty. So she can pray for us.” Jennifer said walking to the phone.

“Hi Mom.”

“Hey sweetie. Whats up?”

“Mark was just fired from his second job. They gave him some lame reason.”

“Oh no. We’ll definitely keep you guys in prayer.”

“Mom, we are going to need to move in with you guys. We can’t afford this rent without his second job - so please pray for us as we talk to the rental office.”

“Okay, will definitely do that.”

Jennifer talked a little while longer with her mother, while Mark sat patiently waiting for an answer. “Well?” Mark said as soon as she got off the phone. “My mom said that she would talk with my Dad, but that she doesn’t think it would be a problem to move in with them.” Jennifer felt such a peace come over her. “This is what God wanted us to do. Move in with my parents. Accept help.”

Mark looked at her, “I feel like such a failure. Like I’m less of a husband cause I can’t provide for you.” Jennifer sat on the couch next to him, “You are the best husband this woman could ever ask for. Don’t think that. That is just Satan messing with your head.”

Mark put his head in his hands, “This is just too much to handle. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t take this.”

Jennifer hugged her husband and said, “You are not supposed to handle this. You are supposed to give it to God. He is the only one that can handle this. Remember right before we got married how we dedicated our marriage to God? We prayed that our marriage would bring total and ultimate glory to Him. This is how God is going to be glorified. When we are at the bottom of the well and there is no way out but to call AND WAIT on Him. God is going to be glorified through this baby. That is why we must go through this. If we have faith in God, He will definitely bless us.”

“God give us your grace so that we can get through this. Help us Lord.”

Mark hugged her back, “We gotta have that faith.”

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.

Oh, what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I’m in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he’s holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I’ve tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
“Boy, you’ll never win,
you’ll never win.”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”
and the voice of truth says “this is for my glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they’d have had the strength to stand

But the giant’s calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I’ve tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
“Boy you’ll never win,
you’ll never win.”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”
and the voice of truth says “this is for my glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don’t seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says “do not be afraid”
And the voice of truth says “this is for my glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
‘Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are

Inspiration

Ooo just got some inspiration. Hope you enjoy:

The Love Of My King

The love of my king,
will cost me
everything.

Joyfully I give
it away.
Who cares, its not
here to
stay.

I give Him
my heart
and
my life.
So that I may have
eternal life.

So sad you say?
what have you to live for
today?

Sex, money
and beer?

What will that do for you
except bring you
headaches, loneliness and fear

What my King offers is
Love, happiness and acceptance -
for years and years to come.

What more do I have to say
My King is waiting for you
to welcome Him in.

STAND

Standing in Your
Presence
Being with You
We will all be in Awe.
Surrounded by Your
Glory
Will I be able to stand?
To feel Your Love
to be held by You.
To have you call
My name.

My Hero...

To my readers, these two entries were about that day through my eyes. I dedicate this story to my mother who saved someone's life that day. She's my hero.

!!!!!!!!!!! I must warn it gets a little graphic!!!!!!!!!!!


"Where’s Dad?" Jessica asked.

"I don't know," her mother replied. "I tried to call him, but couldn't get through. I waited a little, but decided to walk to the ferry with Mary-Ann." Mary-Ann was her mother's 67yr old co-worker who lived down the street from them. Her mother went upstairs to shower off the dust.

"We gotta keep trying to call Dad," her brother finally broke the silence. He picked up the phone and continued trying.

While they waited for their mother to return, they continued to watch the news stories in disbelief. Jessica kept repeating to herself; "This can't be happening."

Their mother finally came downstairs and sat down with them.

"Ma, what happened?"

Their mother looked at them both with such sadness in her eyes. "I need a minute. Just a minute to stop and regroup."

Jessica watched as her mother put her hands on her face and sobbed so hard her body shook. It scared Jessica how hard her mother cried.

After some time, her mother looked up at them both. "I'm sorry about that. It’s just....the things that I saw..." her mother stopped.

"Mom, tell us what happened." Jessica said foolishly.

"Well, when it all started, we all heard a loud boom. It was so loud and so close we all figured that the Windows Around the World Restaurant had some sort of accident. Our fire & evacuation warden told everyone to get out. I asked her what had happened, all she told me was 'I don't know. All I know is I don't feel safe in here.'

"So I grabbed my bag and walked out the door. I didn't even think to grab my sneakers; I thought we would be back upstairs after a while. I called your father and we told each other just to get home. Thank God we left.

"I walked slowly with Mary-Ann, as she was having difficulty walking due to her breathing problems. We walked down the street to your fathers building and waited." Her mother stopped to wipe her eyes, "I tried calling your father, but only got through once. I left him a message saying I was waiting for him in front of his building. After a few minutes, I looked up at the Towers and saw what looked like clothes falling from the sky. I thought maybe people were getting hot and throwing their clothes out the windows; but as I took a step closer I saw that it was people." Their mother started to cry again, this time her children joined with her. "Oh my God, what must they have been thinking to jump out of a window and take their life...." she trailed off.

After a minute of silence and tears she continued, "I decided to walk to the Staten Island Ferry with Mary-Ann. When we got a couple of blocks away, the second plane hit the other tower. Mary-Ann kept repeating that the building was going to fall on us." Her mother took a breath.

"I kept telling her 'No, they're not going to fall, Mary-Ann. They were built to withstand things like this'. It was the Lord who kept me so calm during that whole time, all I kept thinking was that I did not want her to have a heart attack.

“Mary-Ann was telling me to leave her; she kept saying that she would understand if I ran off without her. But I told her, 'Mary-Ann we are going to get to the Ferry together. There is no way I am going to leave you here alone. Now let’s keep walking.' As soon as I said that there was a loud noise, like an airplane engine right next to us.

"I turned around to see this huge plume of smoke coming straight at us. I told Mary-Ann to cover her face completely with her sweater; I grabbed her arm and we kept walking. I covered my mouth and nose to keep the smoke out. It was so thick I could not see anything in front of me except this pair of black pants. And I followed those pants until we got to Battery Park." she stopped and looked at both her children.

"That was definitely the Lord guiding us, as I could not see a thing. Literally all I saw was a pair of black pants. Once we got to Battery Park, I wanted to thank the person and tell them we were following them, but I could not find anyone wearing those pants. It was as if they disappeared. God was really with us that day." Her mom sat back on the couch, watching her children as if she had never seen them before.

Xavier and Jessica looked at each other in disbelief and in unison said; "I can't believe this is happening."

They all hugged and said a prayer for their father.

At 2:00pm they received an odd phone call.

Xavier answered the phone, "Dad?"

"No, it’s your cousin Tati. Can I talk to your mom?"

Xavier handed the phone to their mother and gave a look of confusion to Jessica. "Who’s Tati?"

"Oh, that’s Dad cousin. I thought she lived in Puerto Rico, how did she get through?" Jessica asked.

As their mom got off the phone, she gave a small smile to them, "That was your dad's cousin Tati. She said that she talked to Dad. He's okay. He's in New Jersey walking home."

"How did he get into New Jersey?" Jessica asked.

"I don't know, but I'm guessing he's going to have an interesting story."

They continued to watch TV and wait for news from their father. Around 5:30pm, Jessica got a call from their father. "Dad, is that you?"

"Hi, tell your mother to meet me at the Bayonne Bridge. They’re not letting any cars over, so I will be walking across. She needs to leave now, I'm about to walk across now." her dad instructed. Jessica relayed all this news to her mother who ran out the door.

An hour later their father was home changed, hugging his children and retelling his story.

"Well, as soon as I got off the phone with your mother I went down stairs with my boss Katherine. I waited several minutes and tried calling mom’s cell phone." They figured out that her mother and father just missed each other by minutes.

He continued, "After a few minutes of no answer, I figured mom started to walk toward the ferry. I decided to take the Ferry to New Jersey with Katherine as she lived in New Jersey and could give me a ride. As we walked toward the ferry, we turned a corner, and heard the towers collapse. I froze as I heard the noise that sounded like an airplane engine right over head; and I said to myself 'How could I leave without her?' Please forgive me for leaving without you," he asked her mother tenderly.

"No, don't worry. It's okay. We were all confused." her mother took his hand in hers.

Her father continued, "Well, I wanted to go back to look for you, but Katherine said it would be impossible, dangerous and that we should keep on going. When we finally got to the Ferry, we met up with 2 other people. A father and daughter from Staten Island. We ended up travelling with them the entire time. We got on the last ferry out of New York. When we got to New Jersey, Katherine's husband was there to pick us up. He drove us as far as Hoboken, there the man, his daughter and I walked to Jersey City where they had parked their car. As we were walking I got a call from Tati, screaming and crying asking me if I was okay. I told her I was and had her call you guys. Did she?" Her dad asked.

"Yeah she did. I was confused, I thought she got the wrong number," Xavier said.

They laughed for the first time that day. Her dad continued, "When we arrived at the Bayonne Bridge we were kept from driving across, as they didn't know if anymore attacks were coming. After waiting a bit, the guard agreed to let us walk across the bridge. And now, I'm finally home. Thank you Lord for protecting us all."

God worked mighty miracles that day.

Jessica's friend from college worked on the 96th floor of one of the towers in one of the investment firms there. Her friend was never late to work; that morning she woke up an hour late. As she arrived in New York, the first Tower was hit.

A co-worker of Jessica told the story of how her father, who never called out of work a day in his life, called out sick that morning.

Jessica's uncle was a Police Officer in New York. He was late to work that morning as well. If he had gone into work on time, he would have been one of the first responders on scene.

A woman was trapped in the collapsed building underneath so much rubble. She was barely alive when she heard someone calling out for survivors. When she responded, a hand came through a small opening. He said his name was Ralph, and that he would hold her hand until they got her out of there. She explained that if that hand wasn't there...she would probably have given up and died. But she fought to stay awake, to meet her rescuer, her new found friend. But when she got out, there was no Ralph there. Actually there was no Ralph in that team who rescued her. They told her, no one was holding her hand at all.

God saved many people that day, and worked many miracles throughout that day.

I wrote this as a reminder for everyone. Please remember to tell those you love, how you feel about them. Don’t go to bed angry, you don’t know the future.

Be kind to those around you. Never forget.

Psa 20:7 Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

My God is Awesome!

God of Wonders


Here I am to Worship


Who Am I?

Humbleness is what I long for...

Phl 2:1-4 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. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Humility...that's a huge buzz word these days. What does it mean to be humble? Literal definition: To be meek, not proud. Its not in our nature to be humble, I definitely know its not in my nature. You have to remember, one of the first things we are taught in school as kids is to be proud of your accomplishments, look after your own and look after yourself..because no one else will.

Pride, which is the antithesis to Humility, has been around for a while. Remember, Lucifer was thrown out of heaven, because of his pride. 1Ti 3:6 (speaking of those in leadership at church) ...not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. (Emphasis mine)

Pro 16:18 Pride [goes] before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride is harmful to your soul. I know and love someone who is very prideful, he thinks he can handle anything that comes his way. Right now, he has no relationship with the Lord. He told someone close that: "he is tired of talking to someone who won't answer back"...he was talking about God.

Now, I know what you would think automatically, that's not a sign of pride. You would be right, its not. Its a sign of giving up, a sign of anger - hate even. But it started out as pride. It started out that he thought he was better at handling everything, better than God.

This young man started out wanting to know God, wanting to have that fire burn within him...but he let pride get in the way.

It was something simple, something that is normally over looked: he was proud of himself, or his accomplishments. So proud.

It didn't take long for the pride to turn to confusion (Why didn't God answer me the way I wanted Him to?); then the confusion to turn to despair (Why isn't God answering me?); and the despair to turn to anger (Fine, I will do it...since God doesn't have time). Then the anger turns into hate (I refuse to talk to someone who won't answer me).

Pride is going to keep you from having a great relationship with God, no it will keep you from having a relationship with God. Period.

There are no in-betweens with sin, you can't have it both ways (be prideful and serve God). As it says in Matthews 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon..."

Pride = loving yourself.

Humility = loving JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself)

Luk 14:11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

God's Holy Temple

Here are some questions to challenge you today and everyday:

1Cr 3:10 -17 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation [with] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on [it] endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which [temple] you are.

These set of verses talks about what you do or have done with your life. Its a challenge and a reminder. Are you living it for the Lord? or are you living it for yourself? OR are you the type of Christian that is living below the radar?

You have the foundation (Jesus Christ), but what have you done after that? Have you been a witness? Or Have you stayed living your life the way you want to?

How have you built upon the foundation of your life which is Jesus Christ? Have you built praise-worthy things or have you built earthly things?

Here's a thought for ya: Will it pass the fire test? After all is said and done, will it matter in Heaven? This is an excellent challenge to all Christians; I know its a great challenge to myself.

vs 16 & 17 say:Do you not know that you are the temple of God and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which [temple] you are.

Many take this verse to mean literally (IE: that you can't get a tattoo)...but it applies to your spiritual life. You cannot let other things "push God off of the throne in your heart" (IE: TV, children, spouse, work). Defiling the temple would be letting something else rule your heart besides God.

More Faithful Friday

Blessed Assurance


His Eye is On The Sparrow


Via Dolorosa (an old one!) Wow I haven't heard this song in a while!


How Great Thou Art


We Shall Behold Him


"I've Just Seen Jesus" By Larnelle Harris And Sandi Patty

Being a Worry wart...

Goodness gracious am I ever the worry wart. I have a bad tendency to worry about a lot of things...not everything mind you - but too much none-the-less. This is a huge battle for me - it's something I have been working on since I was...well, able to drive. Worrying. Doubting. Fear of the Unknown.

There is not one person in this world who can say: "Nope, I don't have that problem. I don't worry about anything. My life is grand!" Seriously people, can't you hear yourself? That's a load of garbage! If you are over the age of 10...you worry - it may not be a lot but you do.

There are SO many things that are out of our control, so many things that can go wrong...how can you not worry? You worry that your dinner is going to be less than par for your in-laws; or that you wont be passing that last final exam so you can graduate; or you worry that you will get the bus late and miss your doctors appointment; or not worrying that you wont be able to pay the rent/mortgage. You see? There is always something out of your control, and therefore there will be always something to worry about.

I say this because...you are not alone. I am right there with ya!...unfortunately we all are in some way shape or form.

Matthew 6:25 - 31 says: "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, [will He] not much more [clothe] you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day [is] its own trouble." (NKJV)

This is a perfect answer to the problem of worry. Its Gods promise, that He will never leave you or forsake you - that He is always there for you. If the birds in the air have something to eat...how much more will you have? If the lilies of the field are adorned so beautifully, how much more beautiful will you be, being a child of God?

Take this time right now to look back at your life. Go through each little detail and you will see God providing for you...even in the smallest ways. Remember that day you were starving and had no money to buy food...and all of a sudden you find a $20 bill in your pocket? I have personally seen God work mighty miracles in my life just like that...God is awesome isn't He?

Wait...what is that you ask me? "I have memorized that verse and still I worry about everything!" Not a problem, again we are all human. But I will respond to that statement by saying:

Phil 4: 6-7 says: 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.

These verses are a help-mate, if you will, to Matthew 6:25-31. It continues to say that you should give God everything...all your requests, all your worries. Pray, seek Him out. Ask God why, go ahead I dare ya - cause He will answer you. Tell Him your scared, tell Him you can't take it anymore. Tell Him everything. What He wants is for your to get to the point of: "I can't take this anymore Lord! What should I do?" Then and only then are you ready to stop.

Phil 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

Get ready to stop.

I went to Word Of Life Bible Institute several years ago, and in one of my classes I was taught by a man name Phil Moser (awesome teacher!). He said to memorize this verse and every time you started to worry (or have problems with your thought life), concentrate on these words! These 8 words are the basis of right thinking. He came up with the awesome idea to put these 8 words on a stop sign and memorize them! Post them up in your room (or wherever) and that way you can memorize easier by seeing them constantly. Here is an example:

During this scary time, I can not imagine anyone who is not worrying. I hope this helps you, as it helps me everyday. God Bless!

The Know-It-Alls in your life...

Have you ever come across a person who claims to know it all? No matter what the subject, they know the answer to it. And don't even think you can challenge them...uh-uh, they will sit/stand there and argue with you. You must realize that they are the smarter ones...that they are better than you! Yea, Right.

I've known a few people like that in my lifetime - all high and mighty. I laugh about it now, but back when I knew them, all I wanted to do was 'smack 'em upside the head' - as my mom would say. The last thing I wanted to do was...be nice to them. The idea of being a servant to them in anyway was perposterous! I would even go to the point of avoiding these types of people. As I have grown in the Lord, I have learned to deal with people like that. The best way really is to 'kill them with kindness'.

Phl 2:5-8: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross. (NKJV)

Such great verses to live by and really concentrate on when you come across the know-it-all. Jesus, the Son of God: "did not consider it robbery to be equal with God" (NKJV) or "did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped" (NIV). The one person who does know-it-all humbled himself by becoming an 'average joe'. He knew the extent of His power but He knew He had to be the servant of all. He took the form, of a bondservant [Definition - one who is a servant to pay off any monetary debt] so that we could live. So that we could gain eternal life.

In this day and age, everything is about self. How will this help me, or how can I benefit from that? Why am I friends with this person, what are they going to do for me? With all these temptations, we need to keep these verses close to our minds and hearts. I know I do.

We will always come across those people you want to 'smack upside the head'; but instead be a servant to all. Kill them with kindness. :o)

Material Possesions

Phl 3:7-8
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Awesome verses that everyone should live by. All earthly things should be considered less important in comparison to the cause of Christ. Look at all the things which make you what you are and compare them to Christ. Do they bring glory to Christ or to you? Do your clothes magnify the Lord or bring bad attention to you? Does your talk glorify God or your "gossip buddies"? Does your music bring praise to His name or change your demeanor?

If it brings glory to anything else other than God, then these verses are not really working in your life. Everything should bring glory to Christ...if it doesn't it should be counted as loss. Knowing Christ is greater than any worldly thing.

God's Glory

With all that Dave and I are going through, we have really been immersing ourselves in the word. Obviously because of this we are really being blessed and I wanted to share with you something that we read.

1Cr 1:18 - 31: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ["I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,] [And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."] [fn] Where [is] the wise? Where [is] the scribe? Where [is] the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks [fn] foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called.] But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, ["He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."] [fn]

These verses are great reminders of Gods Sovereignty! In the previous verses (1:10-17), Paul chides them for the divisions that were occurring. People were starting to divide the church based on who was taught or really brought to salvation, by which teacher (Paul, Apollos, Cephas or Christ). Because of that fact, the following verses are Paul trying to explain to them how foolish man is compared to God.

There was a widespread misunderstanding of the Gospel message during this time. Paul was trying to show them it's not mans wisdom or cleverness that brought them to Christ, but rather it's holding/keeping them "back". You see in verse 23 it says: "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness", the Jews and the Greeks could not (or really cannot) understand because the things of God are spiritually appraised or examined (2:14). Meaning that God is the only one who can grant wisdom. God is the only one who can "save someone".

Also, during this time Greek philosophy was "running rampant". Men were just basically full of themselves, believing they knew everything - even the bible. Which translates to the people were trying to make the bible their own, by using their "earthly wisdom" to put the bible into their own words. Because of this, there was sin growing in the church. People are prideful; they tend to look up to those who are the strongest or wisest. Paul was telling them: The wise men are foolish and those who look to the wisdom of wise men are foolish as well.

Therefore God uses the complete opposite (weak or foolish) to bring all Glory to His name which therefore would break the pride of the prideful. If He did use those who are proud (or strong or whatever) He would not get the glory. Jer 9:23-24 "Thus says the Lord, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving-kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in those things' declares the Lord."

Everything is done to glorify God...EVERYTHING! No matter what you are going through, God is faithful. I know that I needed to desperately hear that. I know I need to hear about God's grace and faithfulness. God is mighty and powerful. I pray that this has blessed you as it has me