What would Jesus say to you?

Okay, Thanksgiving is past. The food has barely digested in our stomachs and surely we still have a few of those extra calories to burn off, but already our minds turn to Christmas. Now don’t groan. The Christmas displays have been up since before Halloween. Some of you have already started your Christmas shopping; some of you are already done. Every year it happens. Every year, from Thanksgiving to New Years we get busier, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. We run to the mall, coordinate our gift lists, balance our check books, shop on-line with packages arriving almost daily, we eat out more, sleep less, eat more, exercise less, spend more, get less. We bake cookies, eat cookies, join friends at parties and browse along the food table. We write Christmas cards, run to the post office to mail them. We wrap packages and run to UPS to ship them. We visit family we may have not seen since last Christmas. We decorate the house, trim the tree. We bake the turkey, ham or hotdogs whatever your family tradition is. We sit with family and friends and talk, laugh and watch football. (I’m exhausted already!)

ALL THESE THINGS ARE WONDERFUL. Truly they are.

BUT…..

Be still, and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10

Have we forgotten?

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

What would Jesus say to you this Holiday season if He dropped in for a visit?
“And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

Will you be a Martha or a Mary this Christmas season?

Diane

Thanksgiving

The giving of thanks. All over the United States today, people are gathering with family and friends, or perhaps spending it alone, in honor of the holiday we call Thanksgiving. Sadly enough, few of them know to whom they are giving thanks or even care for that matter.
Doesn’t the very concept of giving thanks require that there is a recipient of that thanks. We are thankful for…but we are also thankful to… Doesn’t receiving blessing imply the blessings have been given?
Let us be bold today, willing to say, “I thank God and my Lord Jesus Christ for the blessings He has bestowed upon me this year, this month, this day, this moment.”

Be encouraged and let your heart smile with these words:

Psalm 100
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Happy Thanks – giving,
Diane

Octopi

Do you live by the law or by grace? I don’t want the spiritual answer, or the one you think I want to hear, I want you to be honest with yourself and with God.

For the first 15 years of my Christian walk, I would never have considered myself legalistic. In my mind, legalists were people that wore long skirts, no makeup, and no jewelry, didn’t drink, smoke, dance or play cards. I could spot them a mile away, or so I thought.

What I didn’t realize was that legalism can be so much more subtle than that. Legalism is attempting to gain justification (salvation), approval, or acceptance from God by what we do. When in truth none of these things can be gained by anything we do. “…knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Galatians 2:16
Now is contrast to that, it is grace that saves us. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“…for you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14

As we endeavor to pursue the experience of grace in our daily lives, it seems that we are like Octopi with 8 tentacles (arms really, not technically known as tentacles). Some of our arms have a firm grasp on grace and in those areas we are walking in freedom but at the same time, some of our other arms have just as firm a grip on the law and in those areas we are walking in bondage.

Our spirit is already perfectly righteous, because it is the Spirit of Christ in us but our flesh is in the process of being sanctified by God unto Himself. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” Galatians 2:20; “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

God is in the process of conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 In this process, God empowers us to grip progressively more and more grace and less and less law.

Diane

Forgiveness
Our ministry here is to the women of the men who come through the doors of the Addiction Recovery program. Over and over again we hear the cries of women who have been greatly sinned against. The men in their lives have lied to, dumped, walked, cheated on; hit, punched, kicked, abused and misused them any way they chose to…often, but not always, under the influence of some mind and mood altering substance.

Sometimes they repent and ask for forgiveness, sometimes not.
Even as a woman pursues relationship with God, she may have some natural and hearty resistance. And there she is in our offices seeking help, answers, and some assurance that if she forgives him, “everything will be all right”.
Of course, this is an impossible task. The only possible assurance we can begin to suggest is found through abandoned life in Christ. With our whole hearts, we seek to convey this truth: God alone is sufficient to bring the extreme healing that her heart requires. Sometimes on bended knee we draw near as the bitter tears pour and their chests heave from months and years of suppressed pain and anguish. We extend the promise of peace and hope – hope we know is found in Christ alone.

While some are able to forgive, and their relationships are reconciled, for a varity of reasons restoration does not take place. Others forgive, and because they believe God has not released them from the marriage, out of obedience, they make the choice to stay. In spite of the deeply entrenched pain that stains their broken hearts, they offer themselves as God desires and move forward toward healing and complete restoration….and they all live happily ever after.

Well, not exactly…
I have no idea who this Victory Call is for today or of the challenge you may be facing as you seek to live in “visible victory”, before the face of God with an aching heart that seems unable to move past profound injury to your soul.

Let me encourage you with this promise: The Lord your God has begun a good work in you and He is faithful, oh so faithful, to complete it. Hold fast to your faith, having confidence in the fact that what was true in the beginning is true today and will be true at the end of days; the Day of Christ. This promise has nothing to do with you or the one that has hurt you but everything to do with God. He is the Faithful One!! In you He is creating something that the enemy of your soul can never steal, kill or destroy.
Hold fast to your faith, child of God, and know that the Lord your God is ever present, all the time….and HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!!

Stephanie

Granted

What thoughts come to your mind when you think of the word granted? For me it conjures up pleasant thoughts. Something good or pleasant will be “given” to me. Part of the definition of grant[ed] is: “to permit as a right, privilege or favor.”1 I like that…a privilege or a favor…now that sounds pretty good. It makes me think “wow, I can’t wait to see what I have coming!”
I was reading Philippians 1 when I saw something, really saw something for the first time and it stopped me dead in my tracks…

Philippians 1:29, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.” (Emphasis mine) And then later on in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
Paul indicates that it is a “privilege” or a “favor” that we should suffer for Christ. That seems to go against what I would think would be favor. But yet it is. Up until this time, we in America, don’t really suffer for Christ. There are countries that suffer greatly because they are Christians – in China, Sudan, Iraq, Iran (just to name a few). It is amazing to me to hear testimonies of believers who have suffered greatly because they bear the name of our Lord and Savior. Yet it is in those persecuted countries that we see more and more coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The world thinks America is a privileged country. My parents thought so and in 1952 they emigrated here. Yet, what is privilege? Who is truly privileged? According to Paul, to suffer for Christ is the greatest privilege.
There may come a day when Christians in America will be “privileged” like Christians all over the globe are. May we, like Paul, rejoice in all things, even suffering.

MaryAnn

By Grace Alone
For the past year or so much has occurred in my life which has led to a deeper more secure understanding of grace. This understanding is ever so slowly and steadily freeing me to experience, in the present tense, abundant life. In addition, there’s new sensitivity to hear the voice of God.
Most, if not all, of life these past many months has taught me that I have no control. I have no ability to save any other person on the planet. Zero, Zip, nada! It simply ain’t up to me.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” ~~ Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) “Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”~~Ephesians 2:7-10

Okay, since grace is a gift from God, and saving is His idea and all His work, what on God’s green earth makes me think that I have the power to change another person; to make them be something they are determined not to be? What makes me think it is my job to make another person accept grace?

After rebuking the 11 disciples for unbelief and hardheartedness, Jesus told them to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (NKJV Bibligateway.com)

I don’t think I’ve ever read anything in the Bible where I was commanded to save anyone. By grace alone, through Christ alone, a soul is convicted and trusts God.

Do you remember your conversion story? Wasn’t it grace alone that drew you to trust and believe God for salvation?

I share all of this to encourage any one who may be feeling discouraged or troubled because someone they love deeply continues to resist God. Maybe you believe there is something you need to do to make it happen. Perhaps you’ve gone so far as to think, “If I can just make them do the right things, then they’ll change and want to be saved.”

Dear one, be encouraged by the Word of God. The work is not yours to do, it is God’s and God’s alone.

Stephanie

What’s in your back pack? Part 2
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
What comforting words Jesus gives us. Here we are walking around with all our “stuff” weighing us down and Jesus is such a gentleman, He offers to take our heavy burden in exchange for His…and He calls His burden “light.” Here’s the catch…we have to let go of the death grip that we have on our baggage! He will NOT rip it out of our hand, nor will He take it from us…we must give it to Him w-i-l-l-i-n-g-l-y!
Jesus offers to carry our stuff…His arms are open wide…still we cry “mine, mine, mine!” He says His “yoke is easy and [His] burden light. To Jesus this is a fair exchange. Our backs were never meant to carry all the “stuff” that we shove into those invisible back packs. It’s a wonder that some of us can even get out of bed in the morning! But Jesus transfers the load of His burden to us while He takes ours onto Him. This doesn’t mean our burdens magically disappear however; they no longer weigh us down. We are free to stand up straight and breathe. This is truly trusting God for everything that has been weighing us down and even crippling us in some cases. Now without the heavy burden we have His strength and we can see our burdens through the eyes of our Savior. And from that vantage point all our burdens look entirely different. We see the truth and see our true priorities.
Jesus also promises to give us rest. But we can’t rest until we give it all to Him and hold nothing back. Rest…isn’t that what we all want? Read these comforting words from Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
You can’t soar like an eagle if you’re holding onto that back pack. Are you ready to give it to Jesus? His arms are waiting…then you have a flight to catch.
Mary Ann

What’s in your backpack?
Have you every gone on a women’s weekend retreat and noticed the luggage women bring? It’s very interesting and even funny to watch. The bags range from many pieces to just one small case….and of course a purse. Some women bring four pieces of luggage and clothing on hangers…all for one weekend! But one thing is for certain…every one arrives with baggage.
The new thing today is backpacks. Department stores have some back packs that are made to be “purses.” Kids use back packs for their school books. Some people carry their lap top computers in them. There are even people who use them for what they were originally designed for…hiking! Well… I would like to write about a different kind of backpack, the one that each of us carries on our backs. Ones we don’t see with our eyes…and are called our “burdens.”
What do you have in your backpack? The proverbial to do list? Books to read, Bible studies, ministry work, expectations, worries, past mistakes, present hurts, present trials? How much “stuff” – good or bad – do you shove in your pack back? Funny…when it’s full we don’t “un-burden” ourselves; we get a bigger bag or just add another.
Why are we so unwilling to part with our bags and our “stuff?” We think “well it may be overwhelming…but it’s mine…If I don’t do this stuff no one else will.” Others may see us hunched over or dragging but still we say, “Oh I’m fine…I can handle it.”
There are serious consequences to our physical, mental, and spiritual well being if we hang on to all this “stuff.” It can’t help but affect our relationships with our families, our jobs, our ministries. It isn’t supposed to be this way. There is an answer and we find it in Matthew 11:28-30.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
There it is from the words of our Savior Jesus…He does a bag exchange! Jesus offers us a solution to our back and neck pain, to our tired bodies and it isn’t a tube of Ben Gay! He offers himself. But is it just as easy as that?
Stay tuned for Part 2
Mary Ann

So who are you?

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Are you born-again? Have you been saved?

Then….
This is who you are (I have written them in first person for emphasis):

I am a child of God.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

I am accepted.
Ephesians 1:6 He made us accepted in the Beloved.

I am loved.
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

I am forgiven.
Colossians 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

I am free.
John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Romans 6:22 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.

I am righteous.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

I have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

I am an heir.
Galatians 4:7
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ

I am the bride Christ.
Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.

That, my sister is who you are. Believe it and live it.

Diane

A Case of Mistaken Identity

As I was preparing for the Higher Ground ministry, I was reading the workbook we are using this fall when I came across this statement, “Someone has said that man is a spirit who has a soul and lives in a body. The spirit is the core of your identity. Whatever you are in the spirit is who you are.” (1)

It occurred to me how we tend to get confused.

Please understand there are two schools of thought regarding the make-up of man. And I don’t want to be dogmatic about one or the other, but I will tell you that I’ve known people that are very passionate about both views.

The Dichotomous view is that man is comprised of two parts – the material (body) and the immaterial, soul/spirit (being one and the same).

The second is the Trichotomous view that man is comprised of three parts-body, soul and spirit. The body is material, soul and spirit are two separate immaterial components. The soul is mind, will and emotions, and spirit is the part that is regenerated, it is the eternal part of who we are.

Regardless of which view we take, our propensity is to define who we are and who others are based on what we see and experience through the mind, will and emotions. That is where we tend to get our identity from. If that is true, we will loose our identity when we die. I’m not saying we will be mindless, will-less and emotion-less robots!! Not at all! But our mind, will and emotions will be perfected (body too!!). Amen, Hallelujah!!

Now stop and think about this a moment. If our body and soul (mind, will and emotions) is who we are, we will live out life in a way that matches that identity (which by the way are all effected by the fall – study the doctrine of Total Depravity). If however, we are who we are in the spirit, that is, our identity is in our spirit, then we are who God says we are. We will live out life in a way that matches that identity. Not perfectly, but beautifully.

At the moment of salvation, conversion, regeneration, the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ took up residence in us. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16; “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;” Ephesians 3:17 We have the indwelling spirit in us, as much as we will ever get, have or need. The spirit in us is already perfect because it is not our spirit cleaned-up, straightened out, rebuilt but rather it is the very spirit of God. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” Galatians 2:20 It is His Spirit in us that defines who we are. It is our spirit that gives us our identity. Whether you are a dichotomist or a trichotomist you agree we are spirit. Our spirit is who we are. At the very core of our being we are spirit.

Oh, my fingers want to fly as I type. My heart wants to pour out into this Victory Call His truth, a truth that will set your heart soaring as well.

Who are you, really?

Diane