Don't Be Deceived

For a long time I blamed others for my problems and my pain.  A part of forgiving others is undertanding that Satan is the source of our problems and our pain.  He works through others to cause us pain and if we're not careful he can deceive us and cause us to hurt others through our words and actions.  He can also deceive us and cause us to make bad choices that can cause problems for ourselves. For so many years of my life I made bad choices because I felt I had no other choice.  The truth is I always had another choice. John 10:10 refers to Satan as the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  He will try to  deceive us in anyway he can in order to steal our joy and destroy our lives.

In order to prevent ourselves from being deceived we must have knowledge of the truth, God's truth.  We gain that knowledge by spending time in His presence through prayer and His Word.  As Christians we should never stop learning and growing as children of God.  Spend time with Him today and everyday.  God Bless!

Our Heavenly Father Is Our Source

The other day I made a post titled “Troubled Times” in which I discussed Matthew 24:1-14 where Jesus explained to the disciples what the last days would look like.  I discussed wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famine and the rising costs of food and fuel.  That post was not meant to frighten anyone, only to encourage all of us to evaluate our relationship with the Lord in order to ensure that we are in good standing with Him and being obedient to Him in order to be ready when He comes.

I don’t believe in coincidences.  I honestly believe with all my heart that everything that happens to us serves a purpose.  This morning Pastor Chase preached on the unrest in the Middle East and the rising costs of food and fuel. Coincidence?  Once again, I don’t believe in coincidences. After church I knew I had to get home and make this post to not leave anyone in fear, but to assure you that our God is in control.  We are His children.  He knows our needs and He is our source for all things.

In Exodus 16:4 the Lord told Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you”.  In Matthew 6:31-33 Jesus tells us, “So do no worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. 

Pastor Chase called all who are in need of a job down to the alter.  I went for myself and for Steve as well because we want so much for him to be able to come home to be with his family.  Steve’s name was placed on the monitor.  A stateside job for him will be prayed for and his name will remain there until our Lord answers that prayer.  I’m believing and trusting Him for that because He is our source for all things.  Seek Him and trust Him to be your source for whatever your need is today.

The Most Intimate Relationship

Our relationship with the Lord is the most intimate relationship we will ever have.  No one will ever love you more than He does.  He came to this earth knowing the price He would have to pay for us and loved us enough to pay that price.  He knows our deepest desires, thoughts, feelings and fears.  He loves us regardless of our biggest mistakes and failures. 

He knows we are infants and children who are seeking to learn and grow in order to become the person we were created and placed on this earth to become, while realizing that purpose for which He created us and what He has assigned each of us to accomplish for His kingdom.  Becoming a Christian does not mean we are to wake up suddenly converted into perfect beings, who are not allowed to ever make another mistake or experience another failure.  Becoming a Christian means being reborn a second birth as a child of God.  It means being an infant in our faith and learning, growing and maturing in His Word, His will and His ways.  It means not being perfect but seeking to grow and be Christ like, as much as we are each capable of being.

So many times over the years I’ve heard “You can’t do that and be a Christian”.  Making a mistake does not mean I am not a Christian.  Making a mistake as a Christian simply means that I am a child of God with the key word being ‘child’.  I am a child that is learning and growing and being at a different level of growth and achievement in my relationship with the Lord does not make me any less a Christian than anyone else. I don’t know of anyone who would expect an infant to master the skills of a toddler, or expect a toddler to master the skills of an adolescent.  Nor does our Heavenly Father expect us to suddenly become mastered Christians overnight.  Growing as a child of God is no different from growing as children.  Our Father doesn’t have these unrealistic expectations of us.  We don’t have these unrealistic expectations of our children nor does He have them for us.

I think as Christians we all too often compare ourselves to others and begin the process of self-condemnation all over again because we have not yet reached the level of growth as other Christians may have obtained.  That’s one thing that prevented me from writing my book for seven years.  I wasn’t as ‘matured’ as this person or that person and all those around me would condemn me and put me down.  I also think it is one reason that people don’t claim to be Christians because they compare themselves to others and feel they don’t measure up.  Don’t compare yourself to anyone.  Your relationship with the Lord is yours and yours alone.  It is the most intimate relationship you will ever have.  I hope you understand that.  Read His Word, learn and grow in Him.  Spend time in prayer with Him by simply talking to Him.  If there is something that you feel He expects of you that you’re not capable of doing, ask Him for His help.  Seek Him.

He is patient, He is forgiving and He is kind.  He loves you and wants only the best for you.  He died on the cross for you and paid the ultimate price for you.  He has promised to deliver you from the fire.  He has assured us that His plans for us are to prosper us and not cause us harm.  All He wants is for us to accept Him, seek Him, grow in Him, love Him and be obedient to Him.  It is my desire that if you know Him you will desire more of Him and seek Him.  If you do not know Him it is my desire that you will come to know Him.  My relationship with Him is the most intimate relationship I will ever have.  I pray your relationship with Him will be your most intimate relationship as well.