If we are the BODY...

So I have Romans 12 posted in a couple places in my home as a reminder... and I was reading it again yesterday before bed, and I got to thinking about the body. During different 'seasons' our bodies change. During fall and winter, we are more likely to get sinus issues, colds, flus, etc because of the weather change. So our physical bodies are weakened in our immune systems, and therefore are lacking strength and other things to help us get going. We get tired and fatigued more easily, and rest and hot tea with honey is what we need. (Sometimes antibiotics)

...to be continued.

Spread your wings & fly...

 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

So, because I am playing catch-up on my blogs, I just completed a post here regarding 'Then Sings My Soul Saturdays', a fun blog meme that I joined a while back. I haven't really kept up with it though, so yesterday and today I thought I would. I chose the song, 'COCOON' by Jack Johnson. (You can read the lyrics and hear the song on my other blog site.) So as I was thinking about what to write for the song, a cool devotional came out of it. THANK YOU LORD! So I thought I would share it here too!

This song is really about a tough break-up between a couple, which does seem rather sad. Yet the man (as it is a male-Jack Johnson, that's singing) wants the woman to see him as more of a cocoon than a regret. A cocoon is a place where growth (sometimes undesired) happens, and something great comes out of it in the end. A regret on the other hand is a thing that has happened to you, that you wish didn't happen.


Life is made up of all kinds of choices, and the choice to date is an option facing many people young and old. Not all relationships have fairy-tale endings, whether they be dating or just friendship, accquaintance, co-workers, etc. Every relationship that people are involved in will most likely have some type of conflict come, because we are just that human people. However, we do have the choice also to see our obstacles, problems or conflicts as a time to whine, complain & 'wish it didn't happen' (regret) or a time for growth (cocoon). I have been meditating on this thought, as I have been reminded during Sunday School & Sermon/Teachings at church, as well as living it out in my own life. Paraphrasing a quote from the teachings, and from a status line I have posted on my FB page, 'STOP LOOKING AT YOUR PROBLEMS AS OBSTACLES, LOOK AT THEM AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOD TO DO SOMETHING BIG IN YOUR LIFE!'

A cocoon itself, is something that requires 'patience & waiting'.
Caterpillar - a time of growth
Chrysalis - a time of change
Butterfly or Moth - a time of rebirth & flight

Taking another look at this idea, we found a huge green caterpillar (which we were told was a Cecropia Moth Caterpillar) at our daycare on a Friday in August. So we thought it would be cool to keep him inside our aquarium for the weekend, so that we could show our other teachers & friends (who didn't get to see him). I didn't have my camera with me on Friday, so because my daycare is also in my church, I was going to get a picture of him on Sunday. So on Sunday when I went to see him in the aquarium I couldn't find him anywhere. I opened the lid carefully, and there was already a brown cocoon made and attached to the top of the lid. WOW! God is amazing! Since I couldn't get pictures of the caterpillar (and I didn't think to take on of the cocoon) I found some online to post here.

So, because we had studied some info from the internet, my co-worker decided to take our friend home and keep it in cold storage for the winter, and then we will release him in the spring. I am so excited to see the transformation. The kids were all a part of it, so they are excited as well. (Assuming we don't forget all about him) =)

This is what he/she will look like when he/she emerges and spreads her wings...


He/She will be able to take flight and soar after many months 'trapped' in his/her cocoon.
(I will try to remember to post pictures if we can get any, and link them here.)


Anyway, every thing that may come our way, whether positive or a challenge/conflict is a time where we can grow our character. God is busy at work in us, and as with the caterpillar, it's not a one-day event. It takes time for our real character to emerge, and soar beyond our wildest dreams. God wants you to become the M.E. (Maximum Effectiveness) He has created you to be. He wants you to live a life to the MAX!

So I pray that you will receive these words of instruction and encouragement, and let God 'challenge, grow, change & give you wings'! I know I am excited to see the transformation of the Cecropia Moth, but I am even more encouraged and excited about my own transformation, and you should be too (about yours)!

Be blessed & Be a blessing!

LOST... what's the BIG deal??

Now that LOST has had it's Season Finale, and SURVIVOR is on it's way for another season... I thought I would blog a little on the theme of 'LOST'... I have been wanting to do this blog for a while, yet have never worked on it. Actually I haven't done a lot of blogging as of late. Summer fun, a wedding and work have taken their places on the priority list. I have done some stampin' and craftin' (which I still have to post), yet I haven't had thoughts together to sit down and relax and blog. Yes, I hear you... NO EXCUSES! LOL!


Anyway, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the LOST, and it was encouraged more so when we did Vacation Bible School at our church. The week's Bible lessons revolved around 5 of the Parables of Jesus. The Sower & the Seed, The Lost Sheep, The Good Samaritan, The Friend at Midnight, and The Parable of the Talents. Well, the lessons followed a great pathline... The Word of God gets sowed into our hearts, which may be rocky, weedy or fertile. We are all like lost sheep, when we are separated from the Good Shepherd through sin. The Good Samaritan reminds us that we are all important, and we should help and encourage everyone. Persistance pays off in the end... and we all need to use the gifts and talents that our Heavenly Father gives to us. It will bless and glorify Him in the end, if we use them with the right motives.


The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, The Prodigal Son and the blindness of the Pharisees found in Luke 15:1-32 are the basis of this blog. The WORLD is full of LOST people, and the people of the world have a fascination with being LOST. Take for instance the shows LOST and/or SURVIVOR... These reality-based shows were & still are very popular. Being LOST is NOT a good thing. If you are LOST, you need to be FOUND. Every person who does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ is LOST. All these lessons brought back to my remembrance a message that was spoken at a meeting regarding Evangelism. John Mitchell spoke to us regarding how we see the world. We need to see the world with God's eyes. I have a T-shirt that says 'CROSS-EYED', because it reminds me to look at the world and the people (no matter how rich, poor, annoying, dirty, etc) through God's eyes. Using the CROSS to cleanse them from all unrighteousness. God cannot look on us because of our sin, but when we accept Jesus into our lives and ask Him to change us and transform us, we are no longer LOST.


In John Mitchell's message (because I take great notes, and found them recently)... He says:

God's PICTURE OF THE CHURCH ~ He saw them as BLIND!

God's PICTURE OF THE LOST SHEEP ~ He saw them as LOST!

God's PICTURE OF THE LOST COIN ~ He saw them with VALUE!

God's PICTURE OF THE SONS ~ He saw them with CHOICE!

Therefore, we all were once BLIND and LOST... but we need to remember that we have VALUE, and we also have a CHOICE. God would like us to make the RIGHT choice that leads to eternal life, rather than the one that leads to eternal death. Our eyes can be opened, and we can be FOUND!


But what do the LOST look like? At one or more times in our lives we are LOST or can feel LOST...

1. The LOST COIN -- A person who is LOST and DOESN'T KNOW it.

They NEED -- REVELATION!

2. The LOST SHEEP -- A person who is LOST, KNOWS IT, but DOESN'T KNOW what to do.

They need -- REDEMPTION!

3. The PRODIGAL SON -- A person who is LOST, KNOWS IT & KNOWS what to do.

They need -- RESTORATION!

4. The PATHETIC (Pharisees) -- A person who is FOUND, KNOWS IT,
but DOESN'T KNOW why or what for.

They need -- REBUKE!

It makes you think about people you see... what shape is their heart in (rocky, hard, weedy or fertile), yet also where they are on the 'lost scale'? We are sent by God as messengers and Jesus told His disciples in John 20:21, the same thing He is telling us today, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."


Too many people are worried about searching for the 'immunity idol' in life, and about 'trying to not get kicked of the island' rather than worrying about themselves & their friends who are really 'lost'. Put away all idols, and turn back to God. He will never 'kick you off'. The devil comes to 'steal, kill and destroy', but he will never snatch us from the Father's hand. For it says in the Word, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:27-29) As in the story of the 'sower and the seed', the enemy can 'snatch' away the message, if our hearts are not in the right spot. "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path." (Matthew 13:19)


So I pray, that your desire for LOST increases... the LOST of the world!


Check out this YOUTUBE VIDEO, playing the songs, EVERYTHING (by Chris Tomlin) and LOVE CAME DOWN (by Ben Cantelon) -- the cool line in the last one is, 'I once was lost, but now I'm alive in you'!

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

HOPE Floats... SETTLING Sinks!

(Editor's Note: This is a devotional message that I spoke at our local 'soup kitchen', and I know the message was for them, for other members of our own team, and it is for YOU! So allow the Holy Spirit to speak to YOU and allow Him to move in your life, and continue to build up your HOPE!)

Today we often settle with what we have and we stop striving, whether out of discouragement or just plain laziness. There is a story that is told of a father and his son...

"A father was late getting to his son's baseball game. As he sat down behind the players' bench he asked one of the boys known as a real leader on the team what the score was. 'We're behind 14 to nothing,' he answered with a smile. 'Really!' the Dad replied. 'I am surprised that you don't look very discouraged.' 'Discouraged?' the boy replied with a puzzled look on his face. "Why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet.'"

God doesn't want us to settle with even the 'good', when He desires to give us the 'best'!

Don't give up... press in all the more harder. (Like the baseball team above, [we don't know how the story ends], but if the team went out and didn't try, basically settling with their loss, in the end they probably continued to lose. However if they pressed in hard, and tried to win, then may have just won.) We need to STRIVE for the 'win', and the goal that God desires for us. Don't settle for 2nd best!

For example, say you have a desire for TIMMY's (TIM HORTON'S) Coffee (if you are Canadian), and your thirst calls out for it. If I offer you a simple 'instant coffee', you may 'settle' for it, but you still desire the Timmy's... If however I offer you a McDonald's Coffee (which in some cases people like more than Tim's) you would also 'settle' for it, because you are thirsty and that is what is available... NOW, if you wait until the right time to go for your "TIMs" coffee, and I offer you that, obviously you would choose that decision because Tim's Coffee is what you were desiring to have in your heart all along. But... again you say, well the 'instant' is so quick, so it can fill my thirst momentarily (or temporarily). The McDonald's coffee is still good, and I can afford that right now... but there is such a COST to receive the Timmy's... There is also going to be a COST to striving for the 'best', but the cost is certainly worth it all in the end. Your 'thirst' is satisfied by what your heart/spirit/soul desired in the first place (which should be what God desires for you).

God has BIG plans for your life -- He has created you and designed you to be special -- you are worthy! He desires to see YOU become the M.E. that He created you to be.
M.E. = Maximum Effectiveness (your ultimate potential) -- the 'Best You' = 'Youier You!'

ROMANS 8:19 -- "For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are."

WHO are YOU really?

Are YOU a HOPER or a SETTLER?

Definition of 'SETTLE' -- (according to Webster's Dictionary)
- to become fixed or permanent
- to sink to the bottom of a liquid (as sediment settles)

If we 'SETTLE' we become fixed or permanent (or even hard-hearted), and God cannot change or move us as freely as He wants to. We are not 'willing' to move either. Also we can 'sink' to the bottom, and not do what He desires of us. God wants us to rise above and live the life He has for us.


GENESIS 11:27-32
"This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. Now Sarai was barren; she had no children. Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran."


Terah, Abraham's father 'settled', he did still live a good life, as he died at 205, yet he died in Haran, he never received the full promise from God (the promised land of Canaan). Abraham however did not follow the steps of his father totally... and in Genesis 13 he separated from his nephew Lot, so basically he 'didn't settle for his Lot in life'...
In Genesis 18:1-15, God promises a son and blessings to Abraham and Sarah. Sarah hears that she is to bear a child and she laughs in disbelief. However, in Genesis 21:1-7 Isaac (the promised son) was born to them when Abraham was 100 years old. Sarah now laughed in delight, for God kept and fulfilled His promise to them. They received the 'best' that God was offering them due to their obedience. But... it didn't all happen so easily, Sarah was beginning to 'settle', and she was tired of waiting, she was getting older, she tried to hurry along the process. (She allowed her hand-maiden to bear a child with her husband whom they named Ishmael) This caused even more pain in the end... but instead of settling for the 'good', they strived to receive the 'best'.


God WANTS to fulfill His promises in YOUR lives! Don't 'settle' with what you have - God still wants YOU to be soooo much more!


God IS faithful to keep His promises... IF we are obedient in doing our part, and waiting for His timing, and His desires to be lived out. The Bible says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) Our desires will actually become those that He desires, if we are truly living with Him as our guide and source.


Keep the faith! Increase your faith to believe God for sooooo much more!


What is the definition of HOPE... 'desire and expectation of fulfillment' The Bible tells us in Romans 8:24-25, "We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)"


I pray that YOU will become a HOPER... that you will live each day with the desire and expectation of fulfillment of what GOD wants to do in and through you. Don't 'settle' for the good, strive through, press in and receive the 'best'! May your HOPE FLOAT...

In the words of MOTHER TERESA...

The 3 "R's" of Life...

Hey! HAPPY MAY 1st!! The month to celebrate MOM's, or women everywhere. To celebrate this month of MAY, I have decided to go on a 30 (technically 31 days are in May) Day Makeover with "True Woman.com" -- I just found this wonderful site for Christian women, and have already done previous studies on Proverbs 31, and the Women of the Bible, yet I am very excited to see God reveal something *NEW* to me in our relationship through this 'make-over'. I will be doing my blog devotionals here still, as that is a desire of my heart, and a way to help you renew your own relationship with God, yet I will be following along with Nancy Leigh DeMoss and the other "TRUE WOMEN" who are taking, and have already taken this challenge... I hope that YOU will join me! (click the 'Start the Make-Over' link below)
True Woman Start the Make-Over


My "MAKE-OVER STORY" will be found at my other blog, CRE8TED 2 SHARE.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The 3 "R's" of Life

So, I have finished my 'blog' for DAY 1 of the challenge, and while I was reading the message from Nancy, I got the insight into this devotional. During my own thoughts on my 'make-over', I also was inspired, and more info was revealed to me through God and His Holy Spirit.

Keeping it short, sweet and to the point, the 3 "R's" of Life are usually seen as "Readin', (w)Ritin' and (A)Rithmetic", yet I have come to realize that there are 3 more important ones, and if you have those as a high priority in your life, then those 'other 3' will fall into place for you as well.

1. RELATE (RELATIONSHIP)
2. REPENT (REPENTANCE)
3. RENEW (RENEWAL) & REVIVE (REVIVAL)

and two more important ones that fit into those 3 are 'REAL & REVEAL'.

1. FIRST & FOREMOST, we need to have a RELATIONSHIP with God. Some call Him God; Father; Heavenly Father; Abba; Daddy; The guy upstairs, etc... Whatever you call Him (as long as its in reverance), He wants a personal intimate relationship with YOU. (not just your Grandma, or Great Uncle Al) He desires to know and meet intimately with EACH of His creation. This is NOT religion-based. Christianity by name is seen as a world religion, yet a TRUE Christian or Christ-follower is indeed that... someone who follows Christ. Someone who follows the teachings and has a RELATIONSHIP with God, His Son and His Holy Spirit (They are 3-in-1, yet they are also 3 separate and important entities).

2. We must REPENT to have this RELATIONSHIP.

According to dictionary.com (Random House), repent is a verb which means;

1.to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often fol. by of): He repented after his thoughtless act.

2.to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.

 
We ALL have sinned, (and will continue to sin unfortunately, as our mind is filled with carnal thoughts), and therefore fall short of the glory of God. (see Romans 3:23) Because of our sin, the penalty that we should receive is death. However, through God's GRACE (getting something we don't deserve) & MERCY (not getting something that we do deserve) we can receive and live fully in our salvation and eternal life with God. (see Romans 6:23)
 
3. We must RENEW this RELATIONSHIP daily. We need to spend time with Him and enjoy being in His presence. Just sitting in church for an hour isn't the time needed to RENEW your relationship. Church is a time where the body is to be edified and encouraged by a Shepherd and each other. Now don't get me wrong, you are able to RENEW your relationship at the altar, yet to keep the relationship going strong, time needs to be spent alone with God. Our intimate times alone with God is where we RENEW our love and purpose in relationship with Him.

"Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved." Psalm 80:18-19


...and We need to REVIVE our hearts and our spirits, as we RENEW our RELATIONSHIP. Revival is not a noun as the dictionary states, it is not always something that happens once or maybe twice in our lifetime in a big ol' tent, 'Revival' is an ACTION. Revive is a verb. To be revived, means that you were once dead, and now made alive again.
 
"Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? " - Psalm 85:6


"After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence." Hosea 6:2
 

According to Random House Dictionary (dictionary.com), revival is a noun which means:

1.restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc.

2.restoration to use, acceptance, or currency: the revival of old customs.

3.a new production of an old play.

4.a showing of an old motion picture.

5.an awakening, in a church or community, of interest in and care for matters relating to personal religion.

6.an evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting a religious awakening: to hold a revival.

7.the act of reviving.

8.the state of being revived.

9.Law. the reestablishment of legal force and effect.

A 'restoration to life'; a 'restoration to use'; 'an awakening' -- WOW! I like the picture that 'restoration' brings to mind. When you restore old furniture or cars, etc... you help to bring it back to life once again, so that it is useful. You don't change the purpose of the item, but you change the way it can be used. God created us to be something unique and through sin, we are not living up to His expectations. However, through revival & His holy restoration, we can be made once again into what He wants. (I have been reading "The ME I Want To Be" by John Ortberg, and in his book he talks about this as well.) God wants to restore us, and make us 'new'... but we are still the person that God created us to be. In John Ortberg's book, he states, we become a "youier you".

According to Random House Dictionary (dictionary.com), restore is a verb which means:

1.to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish: to restore order.

2.to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a building, statue, or painting.

3.to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.

4.to put back to a former place, or to a former position, rank, etc.: to restore the king to his throne.

5.to give back; make return or restitution of (anything taken away or lost).

6.to reproduce or reconstruct (an ancient building, extinct animal, etc.) in the original state.

Going back to the definition of 'revival' -- #3 states "a new production of an old play." Holy Spirit revealed to me that when we are in a state of revival, we can and will do more than ever before. The 'old play' or the Biblical & Historical Events (not stories) that are found in God's Word need to be revealed, revived and restored in our lives today. Jesus, Himself stated that we as believers can see greater things. These promises can be found throughout Scripture,

John 1:50 -- "Jesus said, 'You believe[a] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.'"

John 5:20 -- "For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these."

John 14:12 -- "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

To live our life with these 3 "R's", we must also be REAL and allow His Spirit and His Word to REVEAL Himself/Itself in our lives. We cannot wear a mask of falseness, or be phony with those in the world, or with God Himself. Sometimes we think we can fool others, and maybe we actually do, but we can never fool God (although for some reason we think we can). If we live our lives being REAL and authentic people and Christ-followers, then others will have the desire to follow as well. When we allow His Spirit to break us, mold us, and use us to His purposes and His glory, then He will be able to REVEAL new and exciting truths to us. But again, we have to have that REVIVED, RENEWED RELATIONSHIP with the Father.

"For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" Isaiah 57:15
 
Live a life pleasing to the Lord - one from 2 Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING (in someone else's life)!

'ONE LITTLE SLIP' - James 1:14-15

Is there such a thing as 'one little slip'... Let's step back into Genesis, and meet Adam & Eve. When infact did the sin occur? Did the sin occur when the snake got Eve to take a bite, or when Eve got Adam to take a bite? Does it really matter? How many times did they sin after that? The devil told Eve that she wouldn't die, and when she didn't physically die, she gave some to Adam. Adam should have only touched the fruit when he threw it out of Eve's hands. They should have then & there asked for forgiveness and repented. However, because there was no physical manifestation, or consequence at the time, Adam chose the opposite, and chose to eat and live in his sin. Adam and Eve did die, spiritually, because God cannot dwell with SIN. During the time in the garden, Adam and God walked together, and spent close intimate time together. After this 'one little slip', God could no longer inhabit the same area as man.

Temptation is a thing that our 'flesh' loves. The devil knows this, and knows that we will be enticed, and eventually dragged away further from God our Father who loves us, which leads us into eternal death. The Word says, "...but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." James 1:14-15

Today, we have the same problems as Adam and Eve did. SIN entered the world that day, sin is a direct disobedience to God's Word. There are many things in God's Word today that we are not following, yet I am not delving right into all the traditions, and other stuff. Simple things like the 10 commandments, and living a 'good' life. Where in the bible does it say all you have to do is live a good life? My Bible says that "[Jesus] is the way, the truth and the life, and NO ONE comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 NIV

Now, some sins that we take part in are in fact 'little slips', yet others we continue to do over and over without thinking until we realize it's time to repent. God is not so concerned with the 'one little slip' that you may do, and then repent for. Yet, he is very concerned with the ones that are enticing you and dragging you further from Him. His 'glory' or 'manifest presence' cannot dwell with SIN, and even the CHURCH today is full of unrepented sin. This is why we cannot experience God to the fullest.

More to come... gotta go back to work!

Sit back, and enjoy "ONE LITTLE SLIP" by the Barenaked Ladies... made famous in the movie, 'Chicken Little'.


Be blessed, and be a blessing,
~MiTz

2 BLESSED 2 B STRESSED? (or vice versa)

The Lord wants to BLESS our socks off... He wants to give us all that we desire and more. Most of the things are things that we think we need, but really they are actually just wants. We need to stop stressing over things so much, and allow God to fulfill His destiny for us. We need to be able to live with the things He grants us, and desire that which He wants to give us, not just that which we want for ourselves.

When we rest in the arms of the Lord, all pain, hurt, sadness, hate, trouble and more goes away. We just float in the 'stream' with Him. The stream that grants us peace, joy, love, hope and more good things! We are not truly ready to be in the 'river' with Him, but we should be able to enter the stream of life with Him.

I thank the Lord for allowing us to 'find Him' and 'chase Him', but in the end, it is He who actually catches us. He should be all that we desire, and when we desire Him and Him alone, He will give us that which we need, and desire! Thinking to MATTHEW 6:33... "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." When we truly put Him FIRST (in the place He should be), all that which we need will be ours.  Earlier in the 6th chapter of Matthew starting at verse 25, the Word tells us not to worry. Worry causes stress, and stress causes more pain in the end than what we started with. There is a saying, 'That which angers you, controls you', and I certainly have let a lot of anger get into my heart & mind, mainly at work in dealing with disruptive, rude children. I have to remind myself to let the LOVE of JESUS flow from me instead of angry words. I taught the lesson regarding anger and bound up frustration, and what it does to you, in Junior Church and now I am having to live out my lesson, so I thank the Holy Spirit for revealing this to me. We watched LARRY BOY & the ANGRY EYEBROWS (I suggest this movie to those of you who love Veggies, or have children with anger issues.)

I have been enveloped in God's love and presence while listening to a NEW CD by Kim Walker (of JesusCulture) and one of her songs that has inspired me has just these words that SOMEONE needed to hear today. I have been sitting with this message for a bit in my heart, but because there are days when I haven't put God first, and I have allowed stress a spot in my heart and mind, that I haven't been able to share these Words of the Lord. The song is called "I Have Found", and it is written by Justin Byrne and Jon Mohr.

The words are as follows...

I have found a peace, that plows on through the storm
I have found a joy that jumps over sadness
I h ave found a love that lights up every room
I have found, I found You

You are all I want, You are all I need
Everything my heart could hope for
We are longing for, the glory of the Lord
'Cause we know there's so much more

I have found a trust that teaches how to rest
I have found a grace that guides me by the hand
I have found a strength that stands like a mountain
I have found, I found You

Only You, fill my soul (repeat)

(then they have spontaneous worship on the CD, and the words "Let your glory rain down..." repeats. It's just amazing!)

ENJOY and BE BLESSED.

Check out "I HAVE FOUND, KIM WALKER" on You tube. =)


~Mitz

When I speak Your Name...

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

WOW! The name of JESUS... it actually means 'he saves', and we cannot be saved by anyone else. Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins."

[This (Acts 4:12) was one of the first verses that I memorized as a young Christian, and it has become one of my favourite Bible Verses. I have had a frame with the verse in it since I was a little girl. It is now down in my rec room with two others that Mark has had, and are his favourites as well.]

Well, when we speak His name (in reverance & prayer) a lot can happen for us in the physical and in the spiritual. EVERYthing has to bow to the name of Jesus. (Philippians 2:9-11 - "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.") There is no other name among men that has that power. Unfortunately, that's why the name of Jesus is also used not in reverance or prayer. People know that name has power, and when they curse, we do not hear them say "Oh Buddha", or "Oh Joseph Smith". Those religious leaders have all passed on, and unless those folks lived for the name of Jesus, then they are eternally dead, they have NO power today. Jesus however is eternally alive, and has ALL power, and He gives us the same gift. It is indeed a gift that we need to choose to open.

In the Bible, Jesus or God is referred to the "I AM" or "YAHWEH"! The first time this is mentioned is with Moses in Exodus 3, in the Burning Bush encounter. Verse 14 states, "God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "" Yahweh is translated, 'I am who I am'. God is it, basically. According to Mark Littleton, in his book, 'The Bible Bathroom Book' he says, "[God] used the words to claim, 'I am the one who exists above and beyond all others. I am the one who exists on his own: I am not dependent on any other.'" Jesus himself, uses the words "I am..." quite a few times in the New Testament. (Click on the verse to take you to Biblegateway.com to read the verse). Jesus says to you today, 'I am...'

1. John 4:25&26 -- '...the Messiah.'
2. John 6:35 & John 6:51-- '...the Bread of Life.'

3. John 8:12 -- '...the Light of the world.'

4. John 8:56-58 -- '...the I am.'

5. John 10:7 -- '...the Gate or the Door.'

6. John 10:11-15 -- '...the Good Shepherd.'

7. John 11:25-27 -- '...the Resurrection & the Life.'

8. John 13:13 -- '...Teacher & Lord.'

9. John 14:6 -- '...the Way, the Truth & the Life.'

10. John 15:1-13 -- '...the Vine.'

11. Revelation 22:13 -- '...the Alpha & Omega, the First & the Last, the Beginning & the End.'

What promises these verses lead to... Jesus IS... that's all I need to know. Whatever I need, He is.

Psalm 148:13 -- "Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens."

Jesus has given us the same authority that the Father gave to Him, but again we need to choose to utilize it in our daily lives. There is power and authority in the NAME of JESUS.

Luke 20:1-8 -- (Click verse to read the Scriptures from Biblegateway.com) In these verses, Jesus' authority was questioned by chief priests, teachers of the law, & elders. Jesus knew that these men were coming on authority of themselves, not of the temple or God (or else they would have known from which His authority came). He answered them with a question of his own, proving their motives for coming. The Word says, "if...", the men had to stop and think about their response. Either response would get them into trouble of some kind, so they replied, "We don't know where it was from". Jesus knew their thoughts and motives replied in all truth, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things", for He knew that they just weren't going to tell him the answer due to circumstances and consequences. WOW! What a thought is this, the church leaders arguing with Jesus about who He in fact is, and under whose authority He is working. So true is some of the church today...

Having the authority of the Father, has given us the power to act in someone else's name... and it's not just any name as we have mentioned. Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." With God giving us the authority to use the name of Jesus, we also have to give Him the glory in all that we do. Too many times we find ourselves praying for healing for example, and the person on the receiving end thanks us for the healing. We NEED to right then and there thank the Lord for the healing. We can accept thanks for being an obedient vessel which allowed God to work through them, or to be one that God could use, but we cannot nor should ever take credit for the healing. The ability to pray using the 'name of Jesus' is not to be taken lightly. There is a matter of the 'heart' for it to be used properly and with the right authority. The attitude of our heart is the main way that we are going to be used by God. Just because one prays 'In Jesus' Name...' doesn't mean what was prayed is going to come to fulfillment. As has been said by many preacher, teacher or speaker, "in Jesus' name" is not a magic chant or a magic potion to be used in tough times. We need to pray in His will for the fulfillment to come about. There are two main scriptures, one in John 14 and one in 1 John 5 you can read below.

John 14:9-14--"Jesus answered: 'Don't you know me, {insert your name here}, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.' "

1 John 5:13-15--"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."

There are a lot of promises in the Bible stating things that God will do. However, in most cases there is an "If you..." before or after them. Too many of us want to slide on the coat-tails of other Christians or Christians who have gone before us. We have to discover the truth of Jesus, His life, His love & His miracles for ourselves. We need to do our part in the equation for the complete fulfillment of His promises. One thing we know is that God is faithful & true, so we know in our knower that He WILL do. In fact, in most cases, He will do 'exceeding abundantly more'. (Ephesians 3:20 KJV)

For more information you can check out, http://www.learnthebible.org/praying-in-the-name-of-jesus.html or just Google "in Jesus' name" or "power in the name of Jesus".

I close with the song "When I Speak Your Name" by GATEWAY WORSHIP... written by Elizabeth Clark / Klaus Kuehn

I pray that you will begin to use the AUTHORITY given to you to glorify God in all that you think, say and do! But first remember you have to get your heart right, and have the right heart attitude seeking after the Will of the Father, not your own. Be blessed as you walk in the power of His name!

BE ALERT & KEEP YOUR LIGHTS FILLED!

An interesting lesson has transpired from Sunday School. We were discussing Matthew 25: 1-13 (well I think we only did a few of those verses) and we were intriqued by the new revelations from Holy Spirit. The parable of the ten virgins has been researched and made into many sermons and messages worldwide. It is used widely regarding the last days, and the return of Christ.


However, as we were studying it, it became more revealed to me that this is basically part of my own testimony in a sense. The foolish virgins vs. the wise virgins... I became a Christian at a young age of 5, after my Mom and Dad had taken me to church, and I learned about Jesus from them, and from the church. However, I did not become a "wise" Christian until late in my teens. I went to church, did most of the things I was supposed to. According to my Mom, I was the 'closest thing to Mary', and only did a few things that weren't good. I was never the alcoholic or the druggie, nor was I the promiscuous teenager sleeping around. Thankfully, I had good parents (as I've said), and a BIG brother (who unfortunately got involved with all the stuff that I didn't) who still protected me. I also had pretty good friends, who understood my beliefs in God, and that I didn't want to be involved with any of that 'garbage'. I had a great extended family as well, who also believed in God (or tried to). We moved a bit when I was younger, so we left the church that I went to as a young girl. We ended up going to a couple of different churches with my Grandpa and extended family, and were involved in the busyness of 'church life'. Somehow I knew that Church and God would be a part of my life forever. I loved children, and being a child, and learning more about Jesus. I knew the Bible stories, and a lot of Scripture verses that I memorized. We were involved with different mid-week groups, and I enjoyed them all. I loved to learn, and still do. Groups like AWANA, and other mid-week groups for children (sorry I can't think of the other names. I do remember the theme song, 'This is my Father's World' though) were an important part in my childhood. Walking to the church for AWANA with my Mom or Dad, especially in the winter when we watched snowflakes behind the telephone poles was a favourite memory of mine. But with all this, I had all the 'tools' and Jesus, and knowledge like the virgins did... but something was missing.

As I said above, I didn't become a "wise" Christian until my teens. (Not wisdom in the sense of knowing it all, but wise as in the sense of the 'wise vs. foolish virgins'.) When my Grandpa had died, we no longer felt we needed to attend the church we were attending. We felt the Spirit leading us elsewhere. We were invited back to the church of my childhood, and it was there I 'experienced' God. In my youth group I was introduced to the God whom I thought I knew. I experienced His Holy Spirit in ways that I obviously only read about in the Bible. There is a great difference as I have said before, between knowing about God, and knowing God. What a revelation it is to truly 'know' God... or at least be in the process of 'knowing Him'. The 5 foolish virgins, and the 5 wise virgins had the tools and the knowledge of a relationship with the Bridegroom. However, the 5 wise virgins went beyond that and had the Spirit (and an excess of it), and also had the intimate relationship with the Bridegroom so that they were allowed in.

With the parable of the virgins, the 5 'foolish' virgins tried to get oil from the 5 'wise' virgins, yet they didn't want to give any of theirs up, or else they would not have enough. They were sent to a store to 'buy' more oil. We as Christians and Spirit-filled believers need to stop doing just that. We cannot give the 'oil' or the Spirit or annointing from ourselves. We cannot just go to conference after conference to get filled by man. We need to stop following men and the annointing, and we need to seek it from the Supplier Himself. We cannot 'buy' salvation, or more of the Spirit. We need to seek it from the source... and we need to seek it for ourselves. I cannot seek God for you, nor can you seek God for your children, etc. God does not have grand-children. Now don't get me wrong in what I just wrote, You can seek God in prayer and ask God to move in your lives, your friends/family's lives, and those unbelievers around you, but you cannot save them yourself. But WE NEED TO TELL OTHERS what they need. We can't just leave them to suffer in their own fate. Most people who read this parable judge or put shame upon the 'foolish' virgins, however, when you look deeper, we can also say 'tsk tsk tsk' and look down upon the 'wise'. We will look deeper at this, and the Scripture itself below...

In our parable in Matthew 25, Jesus states "1At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (I have left the verse numbers in for reference)

In verse 1, the virgins took their lamps and went out to meet the Bridegroom. (No where does it say he is right there.) These virgins according to history customs used to carry 'wedding torches' (you can Google for yourself) not 'lamps' as is translated in some versions of the Bible. They would lead the way or prepare the way of the Bridegroom's arrival. They would spend a lot of time together preparing, and waiting for the Bridegroom.  Verse 2 says right away that 5 of them were foolish and 5 of them were wise. Right away we know there is a problem, the art of foreshadowing is telling you there will be a problem upcoming. Verse 3 explains the beginning of the problem, the foolish virgins took their lamps, but did not take any oil with them. Verse 4 says that the wise took along oil in jars as well as their lamps. Up to this point the lamps were just being held with remnants of past lightings, they had not needed to be lit yet for their intended purpose of greeting the Bridegroom.

Verse 5 states "The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep." Now using my imagination, and picturing this event, I am assuming that the girls did not light their torches and fall asleep, or else there would have been a bigger problem. They waited with their unlit torches, and after a long time of waiting, they fell asleep. Verse 6 says that they were woken to the shouts that the Bridegroom was coming. Verse 7 says that they (all 10) awoke and began to prepare their lamps. It says in NIV above, "Then ALL the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps." It doesn't say they lit their lamps, but we assume that they will light them after they trim and prepare them. Then in verse 8, the foolish cry out for help, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out." Therefore they are trying to light their lamps or torches with 'old oil remnants', and they burn briefly, but they are going out. (According to history, their 'wedding torches' would be made of rags that would need to be trimmed before being re-lit, and that they need to be re-lit every 15 minutes.) This is reminding us that we need to receive an infilling of the Spirit, and not just once. We need to 'trim off the old' and be refilled and refuelled again and again. We can not be happy with the 'remnants' of the past. We need fresh new oil and new oilskins. "Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." ~Matthew 9:17 NIV Verse 9 continues, "No...there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves." Like I said above, we cannot seek God for others. We cannot hold the Spirit in us for others around us. BUT, we as 'wise' have to stop sending the 'foolish' to seek oil on their own from someone who is none-the-less selling the oil. The oil is the HOLY SPIRIT, and His annointing. We cannot buy, or even sell the Spirit or His annointing. The true Spirit and annointing can only come from one place, the Source of the supply or the Supplier (who is the Bridegroom Himself). Unfortunately we send others to seek elsewhere, and as verse 10 reads, "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Verse 11 continues, "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' Verse 12 continues, "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'" Because the 'wise' sent the 'foolish' away, they missed out on the 'Wedding'! This is what they had waited for, what they had tried to prepare for. But they didn't prepare enough... SHAME on them.... 'tsk tsk' !

However, I said earlier that, "Most people who read this parable judge or put shame upon the 'foolish' virgins, however, when you look deeper, we can also say 'tsk tsk tsk' and look down upon the 'wise'. All ten virgins were sent with a mission, they were to light the way or prepare the way for the Bridegroom to come. Easy enough said than done obviously as we learned when the story continued. I said earlier that "the 5 foolish virgins, and the 5 wise virgins had the tools and the knowledge of a relationship with the Bridegroom." However, the virgins in fact did NOT have the full knowledge of their own lives and their true mission. The 'foolish' didn't bring enough oil, or in our case Spirit or annointing of God. If the torches had to be re-lit every 15 minutes, why didn't all of the virgins bring extra oil? The 'foolish' didn't have the knowledge regarding their torches and the oil. They had the tools, and they knew that they were to prepare the way for the Bridegroom, but they weren't totally prepared to actually complete the mission. They didn't know the TRUTH. The 'wise' however brought extra oil in jars along with their lamps. But, why did the 'wise' not tell the 'foolish' they need more?? These young virgins would have spent a lot of time together before the actual coming of the Bridegroom. Did the 'wise' not see the 'foolish' didn't have any extra oil? Wouldn't the 'wise' have been more wise to share this knowledge with the 'foolish' before it was too late?

So as we see, the 'wise' in the story are actually 'foolish' too... and it reminds us, those who see themselves as 'wise' that we need to share the truth and knowledge of the Bridegroom before He comes, so that it's not too late.

What would have happened in our parable, IF the 'wise' had actually been 'wise'? If in verse 8 when "The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' then in verse 9 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. What if they went on to say, "You have to make your lamps right, repent & seek oil for yourselves from the Bridegroom"? Verse 10, may have then stated, "While they were making their lamps right, and waiting, the 5 'foolish' virgins repented and sought after the Bridegroom's heart, and the bridegroom arrived. The 10 virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut." Then Verse 11 may have continued, "You need to be ready for the return of the Bridegroom, so as verse 13 actually states, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." If this actually transpired, then ALL 10 of the virgins would have went in and feasted with the Bridegroom at the Wedding banquet. This last paragraph is obviously only a 'what if' scenario, but as verse 13 firmly states, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" should be a motivator to help us get out there and tell others they need to have 'their lamps prepared and have extra oil'. YOU need to have made your life right with Jesus, and have the annointing of the Spirit so that you can have that intimate relationship with Him now, and when He returns for His bride.

In this passage, we are like the 'virgins', but we ourselves are not 'virgins'. We have given ourselves over to fleshly desires, and are no longer pure and innocent as a virgin. We need to stop allowing our flesh take over. We need to use more of our 'spirit-man' and change our mindset and allow God to move once again. We need to daily repent to him, and ask Him to once again re-light our fire. He can make us pure once again. BUT, we cannot buy the 'fire of the Lord' elsewhere. That's why it's the 'OF THE LORD' not the 'of men'. Too long we have sought after the 'fire of men'. However, when we seek the fire, we forget what a fire does. We need to stop putting limits on God and His works. If we call down for God to have His manifest presence fall in our midst, we cannot expect God to work on our terms. Too many times in church (or even in our home worship), we cry out to God and then when He wants to fully come to those who are hungry and thirsty, we stop seeking, and we quench the Holy Spirit from moving fully, by moving on to another "tradition" in our order of service.

God is not a God of conferences and guest speakers alone. He wants to move in every church, and every heart of every believer YOUNG and OLD. My spirit-man is grieving now, because I know that I myself am in this category too. I am not where I should be either, so don't think I am just speaking to you. I know that the Spirit reveals things to me to share, but to also live out in my own life. I cannot write these Scriptures and revelations down, and not use them in my own life. I would be a hypocrite, and that is not the example I want to leave those who are watching me.

Too many times you and I settle for the 'ordinary' when God wants to let out the 'extraordinary'. We get jealous, or seek after the "Azuza Street Revival" or the "Brownsville Revival", but don't want to fully commit to His Will and desires. We spend time seeking the annointing only, and not the glory of His manifest presence. As I said, "Too long we have sought after the 'fire of men'. However, when we seek the fire, we forget what a fire does." A fire is designed to burn. The 'fire of the Lord' is designed to burn and consume, and also to refine & purify us into what He has designed us to be. That causes our 'flesh-man' some pain, so we don't allow Him to fully 'burn' us. We cannot truly sing songs like "Fire Fall Down" or "Consuming Fire" if we don't mean what we sing. Our bodies, souls AND spirits were made to worship God. Because of sin, our bodies and souls have other desires. Our lives are broken without Him, and we need Him to fix that which is broken. But we need to do exactly that, come to him 'broken'.

"Cause I know that You're alive. You came to fix my broken life,

and I sing to glorify Your Holy Name, Jesus Christ!"

I pray that all we do from this moment on will be done to glorify the Holy Name of Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Pray to God in YOUR OWN WORDS regarding your lamps [your heart & spirit], the need of His Holy Oil [His Holy Spirit & annointing], and repent of the things in your life that you have done in thought, word and deed, intentionally and unintentionally. Repent also of the things you have done that have quenched His Spirit. You (like me) may not have done too many 'bad' things like alcohol, sex, drugs etc... but you would have most likely done something to quench the Spirit, intentionally or unintentionally, consciously or subconsciously. I am praying these prayers along with you, and know that any words I can write here in a prayer for you to read and pray are less powerful than the ones you can pray from your own heart! If you desire help in your prayer life, check out your local SPIRIT-FILLED church, and get into the Scriptures and SEEK the SOURCE for yourself! He will give you immeasurably more than you ask or imagine. I pray as Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:14-21, "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Be blessed and BE ALERT & KEEP YOUR LIGHTS FILLED!

...and the two shall become one!

"Love is patient, love is kind..." --

"...and the two shall become one..." --

"...but the greatest of these is love."

So, I am in midst of 'wedding plans' for my sister-in-love and her fiance. We have been checking more off of our 'to do list' lately which is good. Yesterday we secured the rental of the tuxes for the 'men'. What fun it is actually planning for a wedding. The 'girls' finally picked out and purchased the fabric for their dresses a couple weeks ago (or last week). I am creating and designing the wedding invites and other "papercraft" items that are needed. We have picked out and purchased the flowers (they are artificial as we can make them way ahead of time, and know they are done, as I am involved in this creation process as well). They (the lovely couple) obviously have the hall rented & the caterer, and the church rented and the plans are underway for the BIG day. WOW! It brings me back to remembrance of my wedding day, and all the plans it took for just ONE day to come off without a hitch... or seemed to come off to others without a hitch. It was funny that I was so organized, and yet forgot one simple thing like 'Boutonnières'. Ha ha! Did we end up without boutonnieres? NO, because I have a great Mom. What fun it must have been for my Mom to go to the floral shop to purchase 5+ little flower decorations for a wedding THAT day. I of course designed and created my floral bouquets, and wanted real roses for the men that day, but forgot totally about them, until I was asked where they were on the morning of my wedding day. Anyway, it's really funny that we put so much work and tiresome stress sometimes on our lives, just for one day... one 'seems to be called a' perfect day, and yet leave some things to the 'last minute' causing more stress.


As we are coming into the 'last days', it gets you thinking more about the 'really' perfect day, when our Prince & King of Kings will come for our 'wedding'. Our earthly preparations and plans for our earthly weddings are nothing compared to the preparations and plans we should be making towards our spiritual heavenly wedding. Too many of us are leaving it to "the last minute". According to "BEST OF LIFE Magazine", (see http://www.emotionofgod.com/saybygifts.html and click on 'Get your FREE issue here') in the article 'Increase the Measure of Your Faith' (pg 12-15), the author compares our planning and preparation for the 'Wedding of the Lamb' with that of an engaged woman. It states on page 14 and continuing on pg 15 that "She believes her fiance's promise of marriage, and begins to make the necessary preparations. She does not wait until the day of her wedding to see if it's true and then start organizing things. It can't be like that, it would be a catastrophe for her wedding day having such a short time to prepare! However, because she has a close relationship with her fiance, she knows his character, his heart, his love for her and how much he values her, she can have the confidence to prepare for her wedding day knowing it will come to pass."


Too many of us have lost the faith, or not even used the faith that we have been given to trust in the promise of the 'return of the King' for our wedding day. Too many people today are in the spot where they feel that God does not exist, or maybe He does exist, but I can wait to receive Him and live life to its best (according to the World's view of 'best') before that 'wedding day' does come. WOW! Looking at the words of the article above, why on earth would you start preparing on that day? This brings us to the parable of the ten virgins. {I have been in the editing version of a devotional regarding this parable, due to Sunday school lessons and the revelations of Holy Spirit - will link to it here, when complete} In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells a story of ten virgins who are preparing to meet the bridegroom. Making a short story even shorter, 5 of the virgins didn't bring enough oil with them to keep their lamps lit. They had to go out to purchase more oil, and return to find the other 5 virgins gone inside, and the door to the wedding banquet was shut and locked. WOW! A major eye-opener, thanks to Holy Spirit! We need to be prepared!

Take time right now to be sure YOU are prepared, and not rushing around the 'day of the wedding' to prepare for something that you might just miss. Did you know that it's been said that 'it takes more faith to believe there's not a God, then to believe that there is a God'. It's also been said that 'If you believe in God, and in the end find out He's not real, then you haven't lost anything. But, if you don't believe in God, and in the end find out He is real, then you have lost everything!' (or something to that extent, I had to paraphrase).

Pray that prayer today, read my "Salvation Prayer" poem, and talk to God in your own words. No words that I could give you could be more powerful than you using your OWN words to describe your feelings to God.

Salvation Prayer Poem...

Everyone knows "God loves you", how many believe it's true?

You want to have 'eternal life', here's what you should do...

ADMIT to God you are a sinner, 'cause all humans are.

REPENT from the sin, and turn away, you gotta' raise the bar.

(Romans 3:23)

The wages of sin, is death for sure, but God has made a way,

He sent his SON so you could live, an ETERNAL life someday.

(Romans 6:23 & John 3:16)

BELIEVE in Him, God and His Son, & Holy Spirit too,

believe that Jesus gave HIS OWN LIFE, all for me & you.

CONFESS your faith in Jesus as your Saviour and your friend

The blessings you will receive & His love will never end.

(Romans 10:9&10)

But one thing you must REMEMBER, the road itself is long

There will be STORMS, & rough spots, but He will make you Strong.

(Philippians 4:13)

So finally one day, hopefully, after you've lived til' old

You can press on and win, your medal made of GOLD!

c M.H. 2010

May God bless you as you begin or continue your preparations! Remember to refill your lamps, and be full of His Spirit!