Putrid or Perfumed

Luke 10:38-42

What does she think she's doing

Just sitting at Jesus' feet

While I am cooking and stewing

And wishing I had a seat

The list in my head lengthens

Too much to be done!

And silent resentment strengthens:

When will I have fun???

A hissing pot, a nasty smell

My dinner's up in smoke!

Veins in my temples start to swell

And words come up my throat!

"Lord, dost thou not care that my sister

Hath left me to serve alone?

Bid her therefore that she help me."

The Selfish Stench full-blown

* * * * *

John 11:1-12:9

Once I sat at Your feet to listen

Yet hadn't truly heard

But when Your teardrops glistened

My blind heart saw Your Word

My unbelief at my brothers tomb

I admit in humble shame

I silently offer a costly perfume

To honor Your Holy Name

You told of Your Father's Glory

The love You came to share

The sweet Salvation Story

And Cross that you must bear

I cherish this gift You freely gave

My selfish life dethrone

 I testify of your empty grave

Fragrance of Faith full-grown

Isaiah 25:1

O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee. I will praise thy, name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

There is no human way possible to communicate all the Name of God--but what a wonderful opportunity to try!

He is Creator, Alpha and Omega, Author and Finisher of Faith, Shepherd, Bread of Life, Living Water, The God who sees, The God who provides, God with us, The True Vine, The Word, The Way, The Truth, Omniscient, Omnipresent,  and Omnipotent.

 He is LOVE!

He can do anything!

But all through the Bible, God invited people to walk with Him by faith and though some chose this walk (see Heb.11) others didn't (see Ro. 1) Unbelief hinders and distorts our vision of what God teaches.

God Can!

God can meet the need of my heart every day! Even in suffering I can rejoice in the opportunity to trust God.

He is Faithful and True. 

I pray you find Him by faith--for He is "Joy unspeakable and full of glory"!

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

I love that I can trust God and not be afraid. He never lies.He has perfect love--no one on earth has ever been able to touch the empty places in my heart and fill them with joy like Jesus has. Even though I have had many friendships, a wonderful husband, and caring parents, no one could totally understand or fill all my need.

Just a small example:

Ever since I was a child and saw a tree blow over in my Grandmother's front yard, I have been afraid of wind. Last night the wind was howling. It woke me up and I felt the anxiety begin; however, I remembered that Jesus controlled the wind and I also remembered the words: "Peace, be still!" The wind didn't stop, but my heart calmed and I returned to sleep. No one else even knew I was afraid at that moment--even if they had known they could not have calmed my fear because they did not control the wind.

God is my strength--in all areas of my life I must depend on him.

He is my song--not just any song but a song of overcoming! A praise song glorifying Jesus for transforming my heart and continuing to reveal more of His great love and grace.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This verse is the first Bible I remember hearing as a child. Through it I came to know Jesus, His work on the Cross, and the freedom from sin's penalty. I have never been sorry that I trusted Him. When we receive Christ, God freely gives us so many other gifts:

    His peace. John 14:27
    His righteousness Ro. 5:17
    His grace Epe.2:8-9
    His light and guidance Luke 1:79
    His comfort II Cor. 1:4

And there is so much more...
   
If God so freely gives because of His love, what kind of love do I have??? If I am not giving, I am not truly loving.

I Cor. 15:57-58

What is victory or success? Have you ever thought about it? For the longest time, I thought success was doing everything perfectly--which is totally impossible! These verses are my new definition of success. God gives us victory through Jesus Christ over the strength of sin, the law, and the sting of sin, death. This enables us to be "...always abounding in the work of the Lord..." When we fellowship with God in His work it will always be rewarding! Works are not necessary for salvation; however, it is a way to enjoy my relationship with my Heavenly Father. As we labor together, He teaches me about Himself. I am a child--probably more in the way than a very big help--that God allows into His plans and works. His ways are so marvelous and past understanding.

Phil. 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Be careful means to be worried or anxious, to tie yourself in knots. So often my praying is just " worrying" out loud to God. It reminds me of the disciples asking Jesus, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" as they were in a storm on Galilee. What did Jesus say to them? "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?"

Prayer is first WORSHIP. How BIG is God?What is His character? Psalm 89:8-9

Supplication is to ASK. Request from God your desires! Inquire about His specific will for your situation! Search for His leading! Call attention to urgent needs! Talk over things with God as your Father. Most importantly, ask Him to help you know what to ask and how to use the answer when it comes! Matt. 7:7

Thanksgiving is GRATEFULNESS. It is evidence of God's influence on your heart. You count it all joy whatever God is working in your life to make you into the image of Christ--even if it means times of suffering. Your one desire is God's glory. Luke 17:12-19

Lastly, peace is EXPECTANCY. Quietness enters our heart and mind. A life yielded to God knows "...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." One of my favorite names of Jesus is "Prince of Peace". He has come to the center of my life, whispered His "Peace, be still!", and brought a sweetness of friendship with Himself.

 What is the basis for a life of no worries? FAITH!!!! Recognition of my complete inability to control life and a total dependency on God and His Word give true direction, solid strength, and certain hope. Romans 15:4 and 13

Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Once again I chose a verse about the love of God. Notice how absolutely nothing separates me from this love-it is always there waiting for me to receive it.

Why are verses on God's love my favorites? Because there have been times that I didn't believe He could love me. I had forgotten that for love to be shared it must be received.

Let me illustrate:

When I went to Bible College, I met my now husband, Bill. For our first date, we went to Niagara Falls in Canada! It was a Sunday school outing, so we rode the bus for a couple of hours, ate breakfast together, and arrived at the Falls around noon. Bill treated me to lunch, bought me a book, (one of my biggest pastimes!) and took me for a ride on the Maid of the Mist. He watched over me and once, when I stumbled, he kept me from falling. He cared for others on that trip also--I saw a kind generous man. Spending that day together was all it took for me to know he was extra special.


But I had almost said "No".


Think of what I would have missed:

     1.   A spectacular destination
     2.   A special relationship
     3.   A helper
     4.   My children
     5.   Friends and new family

Now think about God's love. What is it that causes us to say "No, God I don't want your kind of love."? Do we realize what we are missing when we do? God's love is always available, but do I reject His offer because I don't like the Way He has chosen? What if I had said "no" to Bill
because I had to ride on a bus?....What will we miss if we say "No" to God?...

John 14:6

Romans 5:8

On Facebook, I had a friend challenge me to share seven of my favorite verses. I thought I might bring that challenge to this blog also.

#1. Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

This verse is special to me because it proves that I do not earn God's love. Because I am a sinner by birth and by nature and God is completely holy, there was a blockade between us. His love gave Jesus to shed his blood to take my sins out of the way. He still lets me choose if I will accept His love. So glad I received this gift by believing His Word.

I am still learning the depth and heighth and breadth of this amazing Love. Now I hope others find how thrilling God's love is.

His Father's Heart

The Father loved them both...
So he waited on the porch hoping they would come...

His older son was always the "Good One"
being respectful, getting his chores done
They shared the same home--but not the same mind
The son, proud and selfish-the Dad, firm and kind

His younger son was always in trouble
To get his own way he was very subtle
He followed the road to sin and high living
Until in the pig slop he found himself slipping

               ***************

"I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son."

Now younger son lives in the Father's care
Humbly forgiven, forsaking sins snare
Serving daily in God's Word and prayer
Loving prodigals the burden they share

               ***************

"Lo, these many years do I serve thee neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment"

But older son waited out in the field
His selfish resentment would never yield
Bitterly complaining aside he turned
His Father's grace and mercy spurned

               ***************

To which son did the Father give the ring, the robe, and the shoes?

To the one who knew his Father's heart!