WOW~! It's a NEW YEAR again... HAPPY 2022!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR... again... feels like I just wrote it... (and looking at this blog I did)

I originally tried to focus more on my writing and it being one of the cre8tive outlets that I would use more in 2021... and again, that wasn't done as well as I had hoped. Thankfully, I have other outlets and did use my writing in other ways (I did set up an Instagram with @mitzshewrote after one of my favourite TV shows growing up Murder She Wrote, where Jessica Fletcher (aka Angela Lansbury) was a mystery writer.) 

However, this year of not writing here on the blog was not seen as a failure. I did also grow in other areas, and of course, we all know that even though 2020 was an interesting year, 2021 was also interesting and had its own ups and downs. As we grow older, we see that time seems to fly by quicker. The old saying was always "Time flies when you're having fun", but clearly I don't have to tell you that 2021 was not all fun and games (and I love games)! But seriously, this year seemed to fly by. 

As 2020 came to a close, and 2021 began, we were still bogged down by the Cov!d pandemic and the effects of it, whether it hit your home, close to home, or at least someone you knew. Whether or not you believe in the complete pandemic, there obviously has been a lot of things attached to it that have changed the world we live in. (Not going to get into it - move on!)

As 2022 begins, I am in a more contemplative state of mind and have had a lot of days of relaxation and time to myself (which is yes unusual)... but it reminds me that God is the ONLY one who brought us through. Although things around us have changed greatly, He has NOT changed. He isn't surprised by what is happening. Whether you believe in Him or not, He is there, and He is the One who sits on the High Throne. As believers, we can boldly go before that throne due to His love and grace. This year is a year to help bring in the Prodigals and the Lost souls to the Kingdom... time is moving quickly and time, as we know it here on earth, is quickly coming to an end.

NOW is the time... TODAY is the day of salvation... January 1st, 2022... is the PERFECT day for you to begin your FIRST STEPS (or steps again) with the FATHER, His Son JESUS, and our comforter and guide HOLY SPIRIT!! In the story of the PRODIGAL SON, which I just re-read in one of my devotions, it says, "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." (Luke 15:20) You have to do your part and take the first step towards the Father, whether it's a first step or a u-turn back, and then God in His great love and compassion will run to you! IF THIS IS YOU... then take the time to "come to {your} senses" (Luke 15:17) and come (back) to the Father in repentance. We are ALL sinners, and we all have felt those feelings of unworthiness. But the Father calls us back as a SON, not just a servant!

Now, maybe you are like me, still a sinner who is saved by grace, but you haven't truly run from the Father, you've stuck close like the older brother. (He still sinned in his own ways, but the Father forgave him). Where was the older son while all this was happening?? In verse 25 it says, "Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working...". The older son was working and doing his part. Taking care of the fields was his responsibility. The verse continues, "When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on." Then he hears the news of his brother returning home, and goes into a form of self-pity. Instead of being happy that his brother has returned (and can now take some of the responsibility for the work), he wallows in his own self-pity. Self-pity leads to our own fall, which can lead to anger, depression and despair. The Scriptures say that "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in." (Luke 15:28) BUT GOD...  His father came out and begged him... and again wallowing and his anger turned to depression, and he complains to the father about all that he has done for him, and that he never even got a young goat for a feast with his friends. The father then reminds him that ALL he had was always the sons all along. The Scripture says "His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." (Luke 15:31) So, the older son could have had a young goat for a feast with his friends... he could have had anything that belonged to the father; to the family (other than the wealth inheritance that was given to the younger son earlier in the chapter).

Now normally, this parable is spoken of or taught, in regards to the Prodigal Son, or in regards to the Father welcoming the son home and it is compared to the Father welcoming those who have strayed from the faith... the Prodigal Son has been compared allegorically to those who once loved the Father and were 'Christ-followers' who have now walked away from their beliefs. The Father obviously is God the Father. He has so much love and compassion for all to come to know Him and be in a relationship with Him, as a 'son'. The older son should be happy for a lost soul to come back to the Father. But this time around (& I'm sure I've thought about it before, but it hit me this time), I'm stuck on the fact of the older son and those words found in the 31st verse above, "Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." The older son was faithful to the father, therefore like a believer who has been faithful to the Father, doing the work and staying by Him. In the parable, the older son at that moment was mad about a young goat for a feast, but really, the father said 'EVERYTHING that I have is yours'... so it got me thinking, what else does the FATHER have for us that we have not 'asked for' or just taken hold of... because everything that He has is ours.

I always hear of different preachers or teachers speaking of "open heavens", and the verse that has come up a lot in recent teachings is "we have not, because we ask not" (James 4:2)

So let 2022 be a year of new chapters, clean slates, salvations/lost being found, prodigals returning, and believers asking and receiving more and more from the Father... 

BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Happy 2022 Blessings to you and yours!

 

SOCIAL DISTANCING... a time to come SPIRITUALLY CLOSER to GOD!

*Please Note: All links open in another window, so you can click & look and not lose this blogpost*

SOCIAL DISTANCING... such strange words in a difficult and different time... since the last time I wrote in February... who knew that all this would happen between then and today...

My last blogpost was 'Are you ALL IN or are you IN AT ALL??' With SOCIAL DISTANCING, we may not be doing the 'norm', or we may feel that we aren't in it at all...  but for many of our essential workers, they are giving their all... thank you to ALL essential workers, but especially our healthcare workers.  The rest of us who are quarantined at home, only to go out for the essential and we have been given the gift of TIME! How are YOU using this TIME?? 

Some of us yes, still have to work from home, or do our schoolwork... but think of your EXTRA time... How are YOU using your extra time? 

Are you...

* Spending time with family (in your home, on the phone, or on social media); 

* Staying connected with extended family, church family and friends on social media (or e-mail, snail mail or porch drops, etc...) 

* Staying busy focusing on some hobbies (crafts, reading, puzzles, video games, cooking/baking, etc);

* Relaxing and watching TV or NETFLIX or MOVIES (either alone or with family)

* Doing nothing much... trying to keep from going crazy, and being depressed.

* Staying busy and catching up on chores & sanitizing your home (laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc.);

* Cleaning, organizing, purging your home;

* And more... 

SOCIAL DISTANCING requires us to spend time away from those who do not live in our household. We need to stay at least 2-6 feet away from others if we go out of our home. BUT, social distancing doesn't include GOD. NOW is the TIME to get CLOSER to God. ONE STEP in any direction takes us into the arms of GOD. Even IF you are NOT a believer... He is HERE with YOU! You just need to TAKE a U-TURN and come to Him. He hasn't moved away... it's only us who move away. NOW is the TIME to take time out for GOD.  Social Distancing brings Spiritual Awakening...

We may have to stay apart from each other, but NOW is the time to grow CLOSER with God! However you want to do that... however you want to START... DO IT! It could be as simple as listening to WORSHIP music... listening to ONLINE services (yes there are MANY out there on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram - my church Faith Tabernacle London's YouTube channel is found here and our FACEBOOK is here)... BUT the most important is spending TIME in HIS WORD (The BIBLE) and PRAYING to Him. PRAYER is the way you can communicate with GOD, and THE BIBLE is His way of communicating with you along with PRAYER. His WORD is what will stand true in these difficult times! There are THANKFULLY online Bibles if you don't have a physical hard copy at your home. (BibleGateway.com online or the YouVersion APP are my fav's)

GET CLOSE TO GOD! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you! 

"Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty, is divided between God and the world." James 4:8 NLT 

"For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God." Hebrews 7:19 

"You are only as close to God as you want to be."

So on this GOOD FRIDAY, celebrate the GOOD... that Jesus came to DIE FOR YOU AND YOUR SINS... God had a PLAN to RESCUE and SAVE us.  Jesus only had to die ONCE for ALL! Continuing in Hebrews 7 v24-28 "But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honour in heaven.[f] Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever." 

MAKE SURE YOU AREN'T SOCIAL DISTANCING FROM JESUS, OUR HIGH PRIEST!

Remember, inviting JESUS in is as easy as ABCD...

A - ADMIT you are a sinner (we all are - only JESUS was perfect! See Romans 3:23)

B - BELIEVE that JESUS died for YOU (His death paid for our sin! See Romans 6:23)

C - CONFESS that SIN and REPENT (and CONFESS that you want JESUS to be the LORD of your LIFE and YOU will be SAVED. See Romans 10:9&10)

D - DECLARE you are a CHILD OF GOD (See John 1:12)

Now, as I have said before, being a CHILD OF GOD doesn't make your life perfect, nor does it take away all your STORMS, but now you KNOW for sure that GOD is WITH you in your STORMS and can SAVE and PROTECT you!

Be blessed in this TIME! Be Blessed to Be a Blessing!

Are You Giving your All... or Are You Giving at All?

This is a great topic to start off with, seeing as my last post was March 2018. I could give excuses and reasons why I have not been on here, and there have been many times where I started to come on to post, and I didn't... Am I giving my all, or am I giving at all? On this blog, clearly not... in life, I would hope I am giving a lot, but yes again, clearly not all... which isn't enough. God has challenged me to share and encourage others in the truth of His Word, so I will be more frequent in these postings (I hope)!

I have also been challenged these past couple weeks listening to sermons and messages that God was speaking to me and through me. I am a teacher through and through... but this also means I am a learner too! As of March 2018, I have enrolled in a Bible College and I am working towards an Associates Degree, and then a Bachelor of Theology. I have started putting the #lifelonglearner on posts I have made. I enjoy the Word and learning more about the truths found within it. I have been a "Christian" or Christ-follower for 4 decades... that is so crazy (in a good way) to me! But each time I read, or hear, or teach a Bible truth or account, God reveals Himself to me in a whole new way! I know for NEW BELIEVERS hearing the truth of God and the miracles found in His Word and the reality of salvation and Holy Spirit, etc is exciting, scary and motivating all in one. The fire and zeal of a New Believer are unbelievable and seemingly unquenchable. We as believers (especially those 20+. 30+, 40+ or even 50+ years) can become complacent or comfortable. We have gifts inside of us that are still unopened, or maybe the wrapping was taken off, but they are still unused. Some we may have opened at one time, and maybe even tested them out, or used them once or twice, but we have gifts inside of us that haven't been used to their fullest capacity. 

This week we were challenged by a Pastor who is the Youth Director of the PAOC (now I was a part of the PAOC for many years, and I came to experience the real God and Holy Spirit in a PAOC church and PAOC ministry events). Pastor Wayne Giroux spoke to the PAOC (& other denomination) Jr Youth, Sr Youth, Pastors, Leaders and Parents (& friends) at a Youth Rally. He spoke on "WHAT IF", and used the Bible account of the "Feeding of the 5000+". Now as I said above, I have been in the church and heard Bible accounts, and even taught Bible accounts many many times. Each time is somewhat similar but differs according to the speaker, the theme, the lesson, the audience/congregation/group being spoken to. The Feeding of the 5000 is an account of one of the miracles of Jesus, where Jesus doesn't just call down the answer from Heaven, but He uses His disciples. He has them do the "dirty work" and search and seek out what is needed, and then He blesses it, and God does the miracle through them and their obedience and their faith. When hearing the story for the first time, you could be like 'ya right, I am so sure that only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish could feed that many people. Ya sure, like everyone got a teeny piece of bread and fish'... but the Bible says "They all ate as much as they wanted..." (Mark 6:42 NLT) and another translation says "So they all ate and were filled." (NKJV). (and there were 12 baskets of leftovers for each of the disciples). So most people think this was a miracle about food. In Sunday School or Junior church, you get crackers and goldfish... or something along those lines and the teacher tells the story (as I have done so many times) and shares the truth of the miracle of being broken and given out. In some translations, it just says the disciples brought back 5 loaves and 2 fish. In other translations, it says that a little boy gave his lunch. So then you sometimes teach or hear about being prepared. That boy's Mama was a part of the miracle that day as well, as she sent her boy with lunch to help him through the day, and he gave his lunch and was blessed by the miracle as well through his obedience. BUT... in all my years of reading, hearing or teaching this Bible account, I have never heard the revelation of 'what about the others'. Pastor Wayne shared with us the reality that others were there WITH food... but they didn't give it to the disciples when they went around asking for it. After the miracle was performed (for lack of a better word), how many people looked into their satchels and saw the loaf or the fish or whatever food they had hiding in there and realized what just happened. How many of them thought, "What if"... "What if I gave all I had?" 

God is asking the same from us. What are we holding back from God? We all have unopened or unused gifts...  Pastor Wayne challenged the youth (and us as Leaders), WHAT IF... we stopped holding back from God? WHAT IF... we stopped worrying about what could go wrong and focused on what God could do right? Inside you may be the answer to cancer, or something not as huge, but if you keep it inside instead of giving it to the world, what good is it? What good is God's Word of truth if you don't open it or read it?

I am reminded of a song from my youth, "What if I Give All" by Ray Boltz... (don't mind the 1980 style video, read and listen to the lyrics). The video is about giving monetary items... but it is the same meaning. The account of the feeding of the 5000 is in the song too.  (This song opens in a new window, so you can listen and then return to read the rest.) 

While I was searching YOUTUBE for that song, I found another song that I have never heard before from Casting Crowns called "What If I Give Everything"... WOW! The words are amazing... may you be blessed as you listen to these 2 songs! Maybe you can sing along with the lyrics of this second song... "Why am I still standing here. Why am I still holding back from You? I hear You call me out into deeper waters, but I settle on the shallow end. Why am I still standing here?"

I am even singing these words with you, as I have unopened/unused/gently used talents and gifts inside as well (but I am ENDEAVOURING to use more this year). I am hopefully not in the shallow end, but definitely not as deep as I could go. Remove the fear, remove the doubt, stop listening to the lies of the enemy, stop listening to the dead giants around you, listen to the voice of the Father, and step into the deeper waters with Him. Just like the promise He made to Joshua, He makes the same one to YOU (to us)... "No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you." (Joshua 1:5 NLT)

Are YOU Giving Your ALL... or are YOU even giving AT ALL? Look in your pockets or your 'satchel'... what is there that you can GIVE? Make sure you are giving something... but most importantly make sure you have a relationship with this God that I am talking about. Make sure you experience Him for yourself. WHERE ARE YOU STANDING? You cannot get saved from just my salvation story. YOU have to know Him, feel Him, see Him, hear Him & experience Him for yourself. Are YOU swimming with me in SOMEWHAT DEEP water? Are YOU drowning? Are YOU standing in the shallow end... or are you just standing on the sand... or have you even made it to the "beach"? Take this time to STAND with God, wherever you are in your walk! He will help you go deeper. He will challenge you and take you to new heights and depths in Him. So as God also told Joshua, BE OF GOOD COURAGE! 

#BeBlessed2BeABlessing

How are we "in Ephesians"?

This question was a challenge put forth by the speaker (& leader of the women's group) at a Ladies Prayer Breakfast that I attended this past Saturday. (Not at my own church, but a similar denomination). Sitting in a room of what seemed to be maybe 25 ladies who were believers, including one being a 'Pastor' I was in awe of the revelation of God as the words were spoken. I may have been one of the youngest there, but I was also in awe of the lack of knowledge and wisdom in the 'church' people. She had a dream, and in it the speaker (another woman) was saying "We are in Ephesians" (seeming like the speaker's topic had them reading in the book of Ephesians), but because she kept emphatically saying it, then our speaker woke and knew she had to study Ephesians. The speaker meant "We are in Ephesians" meaning the world right now and the Christians of today are actually supposed to be like the ones in Ephesians. Right away in my mind came "well you better have your armour on in this battle of today". 

The message went on from there, and it was nice that a few of the ladies in the crowd spoke up to give thoughts of their own. We discussed that Chapter 1 revolved around redemption and wisdom. We need to take our authority that Christ has given to us, and we need to walk in it. What kind of shocked me is that it was a 'new revelation' given to the "Pastor" in the room. She seemed amazed that she had the power and authority and that she was seated in Heavenly places. I was amazed that she was just getting this revelation. I saw it as more of a reminder. Something that I knew, but that we all need to be reminded of sometimes as we don't always walk in the wisdom. It reminded me that there are people (and believers) that don't know this truth. Others even commented on this and that it was a 'new' thing that they were shown, or some were just learning it that morning as she said it. It saddened my heart a little to think that these people were just learning this truth. But then the verse came into mind, 'how will they know unless we tell them?' and it reminded me to pray for all people young and older to come to the knowledge and salvation of Jesus. Most of my teaching is focused on children and youth, but I have a love for teaching and training all people. 

Another woman in the crowd shared that she had a revelation that although evil or sickness/disease, demonic possession, etc may come our way, we are ALWAYS God's property. Our bodies are the temples of Holy Spirit. The enemy has NO PLACE in us. This was a super cool revelation and reminder that Holy Spirit now owns us. We are God's! The enemy may try to get a foothold, or even find his way in, but there should be no place for him to lie as we are God's. Get him out of you. Take the authority you have in Jesus to remove him or sickness. We are seated in Heavenly places... everything is under Jesus' feet and under our feet. God has shown me a revelation reminder of this many times in that the devil only has the power that we give Him. Jesus is still the ruler of this world. The devil does NOT have the power. The devil/enemy may have power over certain people/areas but he is NOT the ruler. Jesus is Lord of this world (whether you choose to believe it or not). (Ephesians 6:12)

We went off on a few tangents, and talked about President Trump, and Mr. Pence, Prime Minister Trudeau and Mrs. Wynne. Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the evil and unseen powers of the dark world and evil spirits. We have to keep these leaders in our prayers. Whether we agree with them, or like them is not the case. They are our Leaders and they need Godly wisdom and understanding to do their job well. We need to stop bashing them and allow God to get a hold of their hearts and spirits and to lead them in the way they should go to lead our countries wisely. May God bless USA and CANADA and our leadership. There have been many positive prophesies given by true men and women of God and we need to stand on these words.

The one lady at the table in front of us, clearly had an 'evangelistic' heart or call on her heart, as she was broken for the darkness in the world. She wanted to get out on the streets and 'do'. Our talk had led us to speaking about being 'ambassadors' for Christ, and she said we need to be out there doing and speaking. She wanted to 'be the light' in the darkness.

Funny thing was the speaker never got to finish her message, and said she would continue another time, and that she would seek more into the challenge of 'how are we IN Ephesians'... but the ladies were in deed answering the question as they spoke. Holy Spirit revealed these tidbits to help each lady in the their own walk where they were. It wasn't NEW information, but it was revealed in new ways for them to understand. The Bible is living and each time it is read, new revelations and old revelations come to pass. We should be reminded of our place in God's heart, our place in the world, and our place in the body of Christ.

This challenge brought out also studying the word 'Ambassador', and I will delve deeper into that as well. But for now, this is a study on "How are we 'in Ephesians'?"  I have listened to a few studies on Ephesians, and it is indeed an amazing book full of so many truths. We need to know and walk in these truths.

~ Let's Begin ~ Chapter One of Ephesians starts out telling us that it is a letter from Paul (clearly to the Ephesians). He is an apostle for Christ. He is reminding the 'faithful followers' (v. 1 NLT) that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing because we belong to Christ and are united with Him. Even before the world was made, before He spoke it to be, God loved us and chose us. (v. 4) How amazing is that? God decided in advance to adopt us and bring us all into His family. This gave Him great pleasure (v. 5) God sent His Son for us to forgive us because of His grace and kindness, so we should praise Him. (v. 6-8) God's promise is not just for Jews but for Gentiles as well. When we hear the Good News and believe, He will give us Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that we will get the inheritance that He has promised us. We can now praise and glorify Him. (v. 9-14) Therefore we know that ALL people have the opportunity to be saved. Jews and Gentiles alike. If we are in God's family and have Holy Spirit, we will receive many blessings and an inheritance to God's Kingdom.

Starting in v. 15 of Chapter 1, Paul prays for Spiritual Wisdom. The women in the Ladies Prayer Breakfast (and all of us) need to continue to pray for spiritual wisdom. We need to pray for each other, and pray that we will continue to grow in the knowledge of God. We have to pray though that it will not just be head knowledge but heart knowledge as well. We need to be filled so that we can understand the confident hope He has given to those He has called. (v. 18)
Paul also prayed (and we must pray) that we will understand the greatness of God's power, and that this power that raised Christ from the dead also LIVES INSIDE OF US. That 'victory over death' power lives inside of me! WOW! Seriously, if you are a believer say that sentence right now, say it as many times as you need, until you truly believe it! In Chapter 1, verse 21, it states that He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else -- not only in this world, but also in the world to come. God put ALL things under the authority of Christ, for our benefit. (v. 22) The church is the body of Christ, and we are only made complete through Him. He fills all things everywhere with Himself. (v. 23) This spiritual wisdom and fullness can only come from God. Our hope can only remain in God. We need to stop seeking to 'fill the voids' with worldly things. That is where the world has gone wrong. I am so sick of hearing "seeker sensitive", and of complacency. We get comfortable where we are at, because we do not seek the 'fullness' of Christ. We need to pray for each other, for those who lack wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We are blinded to who we really are in Christ, which of course is what the devil/enemy wants. We need to step out of that darkness into the Light of Jesus!

We are no longer 'dead' because of our sins, but we are made 'alive' through Christ. The headline in my NLT Bible for Chapter 2 is that we are "MADE ALIVE WITH CHRIST". We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We were all sinners, and were dying in our sin. The devil/enemy was the commander of us in our sin. Sin cannot live in God's presence. It is the devil/enemy who is at work in the hearts of the evil of this world, those who refuse to obey God or even declare there is a God. (Chapter 2, v.2) We all used to live that way (in sin). God is so rich in grace and mercy that He loved us so much that God came and gave His Son Jesus as a ransom to pay for our sin. So now we can have life through Him (and Him alone). He raised us from the dead, and we are seated along with Christ in the Heavenly realms with Him because we are united with Christ. (We can never leave JESUS out of the equation, we need Him to get to God). (v.4-6) It is not by anything I can say or do that I am saved. It is only by the grace of God. It is a gift from God. Salvation can not be given by man, or by anything that man can do, lest he will boast. (v. 8-9) God created each of us as masterpieces created to do good works that He had planned out. Remember, this is for all Jews and Gentiles. We can now be united in Christ, and have peace with Him. God brings true hope & peace. (v 11-14) His act of love on the cross brought an end to 'law', but it also made peace between Jews and Gentiles (which there still should be today). All of us can come to the Father, through Holy Spirit and Jesus. (v. 15-18)

We are God's temples. He can live inside of us. We no longer have to go to the "holy of Holies" (where only priests could see God), but we have God in us. Our lives are built on the rock, and the cornerstone is Jesus (v. 19-22). God's Spirit lives in us, and we are now God's property. (As was stated by one of the women in her testimony/story she shared). See it's all connected through Christ.

This takes us to chapter three, where 'GOD'S MYSTERIOUS PLAN is REVEALED'. WOW! It does say in the Bible that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) but we can have revelation through God's word and prayer into His plans. WOW! Isn't that amazing? God wants to reveal Himself to us, so that we in our feeble human minds can understand His ways. Paul was sent to tell the Gentiles that all of this is for them too. Not just for 'God's people' (the Jews). You and I belong in that category, we are the 'Gentiles'. Because of this, we all can receive these blessings and inheritances that we have been talking about. This isn't just an old story, this is truth being revealed for even us in 2017. Verse 10 of chapter 3 says (NLT), "God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." Verse 11 continues, "This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord." As I said above, we no longer have to wait for the priests to go into the Holy of Holies, we can now BOLDLY and confidently go right into God's throne-room or His presence. (v. 12) Even though Paul is writing this letter to them from prison (where he was captured because of his faith), he doesn't want the Ephesians (nor us) to lose heart. There will be suffering for the Kingdom. But suffering lasts only a night, joy will come in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) 

Starting in verse 14 of chapter 3, Paul PRAYS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH in the believers. (Yes he is writing it to the Ephesians, but this is for ALL believers, including you and me.) He prays for us to be empowered with inner strength (As we know that all our power and strength comes from God - Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.) through God's Spirit. He prayed that Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. He prayed that our roots will grow down DEEP into God's love to make us strong. (v. 14-18) Paul also prayed that we would experience the full love of God. We would know and understand how deep, how wide, how high, how long, etc is the love of Christ. (That in itself is unfathomable). We can be made complete through the love, life and power of God. (v. 19) He reminds us that God is able to work all things, even more than we can think or imagine. All glory goes to God. (v. 20-21)

I am so thankful that God reveals His plan and His great love to us. It is all unfathomable, but He shares bits and pieces that we can put together, and know that God is even greater than we are thinking or imagining. What seems big to us, is indeed like a grain of sand to God (and He even knows how many grains are on the shores). WOW! God is so good, and we need to remember to give all glory to Him. It is nothing that we do in our own strength, but it is the strength of God living inside of us. We can grow deeper in God and in His knowledge, grace, wisdom and now love! 

This is an amazing journey we are taking through Ephesians, and even more is being revealed to me as I read and write. I thank God for His wisdom, knowledge and most importantly understanding. If we just had wisdom and knowledge, it would be great, but we wouldn't know what to do with it. Therefore, we need understanding. A greater understanding of what He says, what we read in the Word, or hear from our Pastors and teachers.

As was stated above, Paul an apostle of Christ, was writing this letter from prison. He continued to serve the Lord to the point of being arrested for his faith. Being in prison would give him a lot of time to pray and contemplate the wisdom, grace and love of God. He was an encourager as well and wanted to let all believers know that God is real, and that He is still in control even though Paul sits in a prison cell. He wanted the people to know how to act and behave as Christians (or Christ followers). In the beginning of Chapter 4, he is reminding them (and us) of the way to live. We need to be humble and gentle, patient and loving. We need to be united with the Spirit, and bound together in peace. There is only one God, one Spirit, one body, one Father, one faith, one who is living over all, in all and through all. (v. 1-6) He descended to earth to be like us, but He ascended again and gave us all the special gift of His Holy Spirit. He also gave us gifts, which are special offices that one can hold (not everyone will hold an 'office', but we all receive these gifts). As a body, we have been given Apostles (like Paul), Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. These will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith & knowledge of God's Son that we will mature in the Lord measuring up to His complete standard. ( v. 7-13). We will no longer be like waves tossed and blown about. We will no longer be like immature children believing everything that we hear. We will NOT be tricked or deceived by people who try to make lies sound like the truth. (Very evident in today's world). We will however speak the truth in love, growing more each day to be like Christ. He is the head of the church, and He makes us all fit perfectly together in a body. Each part is specific to it's own job, and we are able to grow healthy in love if we all do our part. (v.14-16)

Because we are new creations, and under God's control, and full of His grace, goodness, peace and love, we should walk in the Light because He indeed is the Light. This world around us is getting darker by the minute, but it is also getting brighter. God's love is shining bright in this dark world. We need to shine that light (as was stated by the other woman, who clearly had an evangelistic call on her life). The world has closed their minds and hearts to God and His Truth, but unfortunately they are listening to the lies out there and believing them as truth. Even more unfortunate is that some are seeking 'God' in churches with false prophets and believing that as the truth as well, which makes their hearts and minds even more closed to the Truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The world is getting darker, and seeking pleasures that are not of God. Gifts that were given by the enemy are more enticing unfortunately than the gifts of God. (v 17-19) This is NOT what we learned of Christ. Thankfully I have grown up in the grace and knowledge of God. As a young child I heard the stories of God's faithfulness and truth, and then experienced Him for myself, and still continue to believe in this. We come to a NEW LIFE in Him, and can throw off our old self and our old sinful nature (that the world seems to thrive on). Now when I say 'the world' I clearly don't mean all of it, I mean those who are seeking after worldly pleasures instead of Godly pleasures. God has given us a new way of living, thinking and acting. (v 20-22) God sent His Spirit as a gift, and He can renew our thoughts and attitudes. We can put on our new nature... not like a worldly mask, but like a new being created to be like God. (v. 23 and 24) So, we as TRUE believers need to stop falling for lies, but we also need to stop telling lies and we need to tell the truth. We are all part of the same body, and one lie makes us all 'sick'. We also do not walk in anger but in love. Do not let anger overtake you, as that will give that foothold to the enemy. (v. 25-27) If you are in sin right now, it's ok. You CAN get out. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead use your hands for good works, and giving, instead of taking. (v 28). Don't use the abusive, negative, foul language of the world. Let your words be sweet and helpful, encouraging and full of love. Instead, encourage others around you, and let the words of your mouth be helpful and edifying to the body. (v 29). Most of all, do NOT bring sorrow to Holy Spirit. He has identified you as His own, and if you talk or act like the world, no one will know you belong to God. We need to get rid of all the evil spirits that are around us, but alot of them are rooted in anger and bitterness. We need to get rid of those things that are NOT of God, and walk with Him in love and be tenderhearted, forgiving each other as Christ forgave us. (v. 30-32)

Yes, all that are great words written so long ago... and it is much easier to read and say than to do. But bit by bit, God will help you if you make the effort to change. We also have to remember that 'sinners' are entering into our churches and lives, and God isn't going to change it all at once in one big boom. There still may be the odd 'foul language' that pops out, but instead of condemning we need to be there to encourage them in their walk and encourage them, maybe giving them new words to use instead of those that so quickly flow off of their tongue. They may still wear those 'questionable' t-shirts but we must remember not to condemn, but to open our arms in love and remember that "God has to change a heart before He changes their shirt" (Casting Crowns song, 'What This World Needs'). We need to remember where we came from. Yes, not all of us had that dark testimony background, but those of us who were raised in the church need to be that love that they are looking for. Christ forgives us, so we must forgive others.

As new believers, and as old believers, we need to always walk in the Light. Sometimes are lights may get dulled by the darkness in the world, but if we keep our oil full (Holy Spirit inside), we will shine brightly. Ephesians chapter five starts out with Paul reminding us to live in the light. To do so we must imitate Christ. We need to live a life of love, just like Jesus did. He descended to the earth so He could be like us, and experience life as a human. He also loved us enough to offer Himself as a sacrifice for us, knowing all that we can experience as a human, but in His Godly nature of no sin, and love He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us. Christ became one of us, but did not get involved in the worldliness around Him. He was in this world, but not of it. Therefore, if we are living as Christ, we should have no sexual immorality, greed, obscenities (in our talk, in what we watch, in what we do, etc), and we should not involve ourselves in rude or coarse jokes. Instead we should be thankful and full of love. We should be full of moral goodness, and purity. We should be happy with what we have and not greedy for more. Those kinds of immoral, impure, coarse, greedy people will not inherit the Kingdom (v. 1-5) 

We can see all of these immoral behaviours daily if we look around the world. We can be dragged in and enticed to maybe not 'doing' the behaviours, but in believing that it is ok. We hear 'love is love', and you are 'homophobic' if you don't believe it, or things like if we don't believe in the multi pronouns for gender (that there are more than just boys and girls/men and women), we will be arrested/fined, etc... and that a 'baby' isn't a 'baby' when it's in the womb, although God knew us in our mother's womb... and that prayer is not right in schools, but of course prayers to Mecca are definitely ok... and the Bible isn't real, and that it can be considered 'hate literature'... etc and etc. This isn't tolerance... it's believing something to be true that really isn't. Just because something is made into a law, doesn't make it right or true. If it doesn't match the Bible's standards, then it isn't Truth. We are NOT to be fooled by this excuse for sin. We are not to be fooled by this so called 'tolerance'. We are to LOVE and ACCEPT these people who live this way, or believe these things, but we are not to believe in their actions and what they choose to do that is wrong. I have a few people whom I love and respect, have associations with, and they are in the LGYBT community. I do not HATE them. I love them and continue to respect them as people, but I do not love their behaviour or lifestyle. Do I walk around telling them this? NO... because I have a respect for them as a person. I continue to pray for them and that God will reveal Himself to them in a real way. God is the only one who can judge, and God is the only one who can show them the Truth. We just need to walk in love and be the example of Christ in their lives. Christ sat and ate with tax collectors, prostitutes and sinners. Did he have close personal relations with them and be a part of their sin? NO. He reached out to them in love. He forgave them of their sin and loved them. Then the close personal relationships could form, and they could be a part of His family. Yes, I know sin is sin. When I steal a dollar from Grandma's wallet without asking, it is sin. When a woman looks on another woman with lust, it is sin. When a rape victim chooses to end the life of a baby conceived inside of her, it is sin. Yes the rape is sin too (on the man's part). No sin is greater than the other. But when we choose to live in our sin, that is a different story. When prayer is made to be an evil thing of hate, that is sin too. Prayer gets us to the heart of God. It brings us closer to God's presence. This is why the enemy wants prayer out... wants hate in... everyone is being offended by something now a days, and it's sickening that it can just be written in as a hate crime if you speak against the stupidity. Being a Christian isn't just a name to me. A Christian is someone who follows Christ. Going to a Catholic or United church on Christmas and Easter doesn't make one a Christian. Because your Mom is Catholic and you were raised Catholic (but no longer attend church) doesn't make you a Christian. You can go to whatever church you desire, but if you don't have a personal REAL relationship with God, His Son Jesus and Holy Spirit you are just fooling yourselves. (See Chapter 5 v. 6-14)

We need to be careful how we live. We need to walk in God's wisdom, not the world's foolishness. We need to make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (v. 15 and 16) Even back in Paul's time the world was in evil days. There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Do not act recklessly as the world does, and don't get drunk on wine (or other alcohol or drug). Remain wise in your thinking (not ruled by alcohol or other drug) because they will ruin your life. Instead be full of Holy Spirit. He will guard your mind and guide you into all Truth. (v. 17-18) Be joyful and full of worship to the Lord. Sing songs and hymns to yourself. Give thanks to God for everything in Jesus' name. (v.19-20)

We also need to be wise in who we associate with: as I said above, I have friends and acquaintances in all walks of life. But our close relationships are what are important. Who you surround yourself with in close proximity is what will make or break you. We need to have Spirit-Guided Relationships. In Chapter 5, verse 21- 33 it talks of the special relationship between man and wife. This is of course an area attacked by the world. The 'family' is no longer a 'family'. A man is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. We are the bride of Christ. A woman is to love her husband and respect him in the same way he is to love and respect her. They are united as one, and need to work together in that way. The woman still loves her family, but now her interests are to her relationship with her husband. Starting in chapter 6, Paul also warns about the relationship between parent and child. Children are to obey their parents in the Lord, for this is right. They will live a long life on the earth. We need to give honour where honour is due. We may have bad relations with our parents... some don't even have a Dad at home. Some have had rough relations due to alcohol, drugs or other addiction... some may have had a Mom who had many lovers, and now there is a step-dad or boyfriend in the picture... whatever it may be, again 'family' has been attacked by the world. The picture of the 'American family' with Mom, Dad, a boy and a girl is not the same in 2017. Now it's Mom and Mom and children, or Dad and Dad and children, or Mom and Step-Dad, or Dad and Step-Mom, or maybe no Mom and Dad, and the children live with Grandma or Grandpa. Some live with just Mom. Some live with just Dad. Whatever it is, it is an attack on the 'family' system. Obedience, respect and honour are a thing of the past in some homes. Fathers are provoking their children in anger. Mothers and Fathers are no longer able to discipline their child, but to give them "time out". The children no longer care about "grounding" because they can just call CAS and make up a story about neglect or wrongful abuse. Parents and children today are different. But thankfully we have some parents (and some not even Christian yet) who still teach and train their children good morals and manners, etc. Unfortunately verse 5 to 9 was written about Slaves and their masters. Looking at Canada today you would think slavery was a thing of the past. Something that only happens in the deep south of the USA. But we have a thing called human trafficking, and people are enslaved and sold on the market. That is NOT acceptable. Paul was not accepting of slaves and their masters, but was reminding us all to have servant hearts. Working for the Lord and not for man. Whatever we put our hands to, we should do with enthusiasm. Paul entrusted the slaves and their masters with this, "Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don't threaten them; remember you both have the same Master in Heaven, and He has no favourites." (Ephesians 6:9 NLT)

Now we come to the good part... even with all that is wrong with the world, God can make it right and we can be protected.  Paul charges us, "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." (Eph. 6:10) He then tells us to 'Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against the strategies of the devil. For we are NOT fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (v. 11 & 12)

Then we are charged with the words to PUT ON EVERY PIECE OF GOD'S ARMOUR. Why? So we will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. When? Now... and daily. Stand your ground, putting on:

BELT of TRUTH
BREASTPLATE/CHESTPLATE/BODY ARMOUR of RIGHTEOUSNESS
SHOES FITTED WITH The GOSPEL OF PEACE to be fully prepared.
SHIELD OF FAITH to stop the fiery arrows of the devil
HELMET OF SALVATION
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is the Word of God
PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Once we have all that, we must STAY ALERT and be persistent in our prayers.

Paul then asks for prayer for himself (but we can pray it for ourselves) for BOLDNESS and the RIGHT words to explain God's plan. Although he was in chains, he is still preaching as an Ambassador for God. He closed his greetings to the Ephesians reminding them that Tychicus would be with them to give them a full report and to encourage them to be about God's work. He closes with peace and love, faithfulness and grace. 

I have always loved learning about the armour of God and our spiritual warfare, but I also love teaching it too. I have to remember to spiritually put each piece on when I start my day (& to 'readjust' pieces if necessary throughout the day). I sometimes think I know it's there, because God gives it to us, but just as we put our clothes on, we can put on our armour.

Our spiritual armour and God are the only things that can help us in this war against the world. The world will get darker and worse as we know the Bible tells us so. But it also tells us that we will have the victory if we do not lose heart or give up. Christ has given us the victory and we will overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony.

Sometimes as Christians who were raised in the church we think our 'personal testimony' isn't that exciting. We don't have that "I was saved from the pit" story... but our story is still good. It's one of God's faithfulness through the years. His love and never ending grace and mercy, that He saved even me.

So... How are we 'in Ephesians'... quite simple. The world of then, is still the world of now. We need to be encouraged and uplifted and reminded that we have the victory in all of this. Here's a re-cap of the themes...

SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
SPIRITUAL WISDOM
MADE ALIVE WITH CHRIST
ONENESS AND PEACE WITH CHRIST
WE ARE A TEMPLE FOR THE LORD
GOD'S MYSTERIOUS PLAN REVEALED
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
UNITY IN THE BODY
LIVING AS CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT
LIVING IN THE LIGHT
LIVING BY THE SPIRIT'S POWER
SPIRIT-GUIDED RELATIONSHIPS:
        WIVES AND HUSBANDS; CHILDREN AND PARENTS; SLAVES AND MASTERS
THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD
BE ENCOURAGED AND FULL OF GRACE

I don't know about you, but I am sure fired up as a Christian. Knowing all these things and being reminded of them certainly encourages me as a believer. It makes me want everyone in my family and friends (and acquaintances and enemies) to be a part of God's family. I don't want to see anyone left behind. I don't want to be with God on that day, and see all the things I could have done or said, and to see the people who are on the 'lost' path because I never said or did anything... That is one reason I share these blogs on my Facebook. YOU have the choice to click and read, or to delete or ignore. I am doing my part in sharing the Word and the Good News and the Truth. Whether you choose to beieve it or not isn't up to me. I can spread the seeds, and maybe later down the road someone else will water them, and you will come to the saving grace of Jesus before your deathbed. Maybe these words you read watered a seed that was sitting dormant inside of you... maybe someone else shared Jesus with you, but you were one of those people with the hardened heart or mind. I pray that God opens your heart and mind, and that he opens that hard seed and it begins to germinate... maybe you have the seed and it has started to grow, but you have let weeds, rocks or birds get in there, maybe you just need to be weeded and harvested... maybe you are one of the ones right on the edge of believing, and you just needed to hear that 'one more thing' that might make you believe. That one more thing that shows you that 'God is in fact real'! I pray right now for you as well, that God will help you in this journey you are starting out on. He will help you change your heart, before your mouth or your t-shirt. What this world needs isn't church, or another great motivational book... it needs a Saviour, and it needs those to step up and lead others to Him. When we lift Him up, He will draw all men unto Him.

May you be blessed and encouraged as you read these words, and maybe God is giving you your own revelation right now. Please feel free to leave comments and let me know where you are in your walk with God and I will pray for you by name. IF you have comments where you don't agree with me, or comments of concern or question, feel free to leave those as well. I will answer to the best of my ability (or I will find the answer for you), and I will bless you as well. Thank you for your time! BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!!

Christmas Break - "God 'REST' ye Merry Gentlemen"!

Holy Spirit revealed this short devotional message, as I was on Christmas break from work. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, God is still there. God is not the God of chaos but of peace. When we need to stop and 'rest', God is there. He is the "I am" for whatever we need. At the Christmas season, people get burdened down and weary very quickly and don't know what to do. Some get overwhelmed with emotion and it can lead to meltdowns or breakdowns if they let it get too far, and sometimes even worse. The cost of items at Christmas time for presents, dinners, family outings, travel expenses, accommodation costs, food costs, etc and the family dynamics/relationships can lead to even more times of chaos and unrest. At times like these when we let stress get its foot in our 'door', we can call on the name of the Lord and He will save us. I am so thankful that our God is there at the mention of His name.

Sometimes, however, I find that when I rest, I am more tired. When I have a nap in the middle of the afternoon for example, I am then awake later in the night, and have trouble falling asleep, so I end up going to sleep later than desired. But, we must remember that 'rest' is good for our bodies physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. Even God rested. (Day 7 of creation) It says in the Bible that God gives His beloved rest (Psalm 127:2), and that God never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). So we can leave all our problems in His hands, and He's got everything in control.

As Christmas 'vacation' is coming to a close, and a New Year is close at hand... (less than 24 hours and we will be in 2017 - Lord willing of course) take this time to make a commitment to God, to grow in relationship with Him. End the old year, and start the New Year with a BANG. "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT) Ask God to forgive you of your sin, and take a step in the right direction. I pray that you will make this important decision to let Him be Lord of your life. Then you can lay all your worries at the feet of Jesus and 'rest in Him'. It's NOT religion its a relationship.

In Exodus 33:14 it says, "The Lord replied, 'I will personally go with you, _______________ and I will give you rest --- everything will be fine for you." The space actually contains the name of Moses in the NLT version, so I took his name out so that you can declare this verse and put your own name in! It's just another promise from the Bible that you can claim and declare in your own life.

"Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!' Psalm 55:6 NLT

Be blessed to be a blessing,

PEACE Amidst a Storm Like No Other

Peace amidst a storm like no other!
"PEACE" -that passes all understanding -not as the world gives Definition: 5. Inner contentment; serenity: peace of mind. at peace 1. In a state of tranquillity; serene: She is at peace with herself and her friends. 2. Free from strife: Everyone wants to live in a world at peace.

As I sit and ponder the past week... where we were just ONE week ago. Relaxing in the comfort of our home, planning a fun night out... and now ONE week later it feels as if an eternity has passed. Somehow it felt like time just stood still... One week ago today we lost one of our best friends and one of the most sweetest, kindest, faithful, gentle & loving women we know... my Mom-in-love was ushered into the arms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! As we travel on a 'family' road trip in dedication to Dad & Mom's 45th Anniversary today, I sit and reflect on the PEACE of God. Amidst the sorrow and busyness of this past week we had a strong sense of God's presence like never before. Now don't get me wrong... I've been in plenty (& I mean a lot) of services, camp meetings, youth conferences and youth group activities (& more) where the Presence of God was so real and fresh and manifested. But this was different... it was a sweet and gentle presence (just like Mom had). I spoke to many in the visitation line and indeed somehow (through Holy Spirit's power) spoke it at her Celebration of Life that you write the words and quote the Scripture at times like this for others. In times of sympathy and condolence you say or write "may you feel the love and prayers of family and friends" & "May the peace that passes understanding be yours"... and I shared how true that actually is. Those aren't just fleeting words to be spoken or taken lightly. They are TRUTH (just like the rest of the Word). Now again, dont get me wrong. We experienced sorrow and sadness as well as the rest of our friends and family, and we had our moments of "Why God?" and "No God give her back, bring her back home!", but then you come to the realization she is 'home', and she is desperately wanting to come back to us too, but she is now in the Presence of her Majesty... something she has read about, learned about, sang about and even taught about... and we can't take her away from that moment. It brings me back to a conversation that our cousin Richard and I had just a few months ago with Mom about the movie 'Heaven is For Real' and other comments regarding Heaven and God... Mom was adamant (& darn well should be) that the Word was true. We could not deny the truth that the little boy spoke. We would only know when we got there. We talked about being ready for that day. We shared different people's views and listened to messages from a couple different 'evangelists' and from little Colton himself. Mom had read the book, and they saw the movie too. I hadn't read the book or saw the movie, so I could only give my opinion from what I had read and heard from others and Facebook and the Internet in general. The fact that there were so called 'Christians' and Evangelists complaining and trying to misprove little Colton's story really bothered Mom (& me too). We also talked about even the elect being deceived in the last days. We talked about that we needed to not be caught in that. We shared different ideas and concepts, but it came down to the fact that NO ONE could disprove or prove what happened in 'Heaven is For Real', but to little Colton it was as real as what was in front of him right now. We said we wouldn't really know until we got there...which wouldn't be for a while... if only we knew how long a "while" was back then. As I reflect on that moment in time, that she even shared her opinion so 'gently' yet 'firmly' as well. It brings me back to the words of a Scripture and one of my favourite hymns, "I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day". One thing that was repeated again and again at Mom's 'Celebration of Life' was that she did know He that she believed in. My cousin even said that he believed that Aunt Rose was probably the most ready person he knew. At the celebration of life service it was also repeated "Are YOU ready?". We can have that PEACE because we know whom we believe in. It's not just a story, He wasn't just a man. It's not religion, but a RELATIONSHIP. A relationship that Mom had even as a young girl, and one that she passed on to her children (& even those under her influence). What a legacy of love! So as I sit and reflect on the peace and love of God, there are those (& as I've said we said it to for a moment) "Why does God let bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people? Well... I don't have all the answers to that, and I can share some of what I've been taught... but the first thing I remember (from what I've been taught, in my home, my church, at school, especially in ECE, and now at my job and as I teach in children's ministey: There are NO bad people, only good people who choose to do bad things. In most cases we can answer God gives man-kind a choice, and our consequences and 'bad things' come because of our choices... and with that answer we can be happy. But in this case there were no 'bad choices', there wasn't a choice that could be made... it is just something that happened out of our wishes and dreams, yet it was all part of God's perfect plan. HIS WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We can question God all we want, but in the end we have to just REST in the fact that He is in control and He knows what He is doing. If we can trust in Him and have Faith on the good times, then we have to in the bad times as well. As I said above to start, we have the peace that passes all understanding. By definition, "understanding" means, 1. the ability to learn, judge, make decisions, etc; intelligence or sense 2. personal opinion or interpretation of a subject: my understanding of your predicament. 7. sympathetic, tolerant, or wise towards people 8. possessing judgment and intelligence Our human intelligence, interpretation and ability to judge doesn't allow us to 'understand' the full nature of God, but that's where 'FAITH' comes in... it doesn't matter if we understand physically or mentally. But, sometimes right away, or usually with time, God allows us to understand spiritually. And in that understanding comes all the Fruit of the Spirit, as Holy Spirit kicks in as our guide. Peace is one of those, along with Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-control. Those fruit/characteristics/traits were all a part of Mom's personality inside and out! As her children, and they that lead the next generation, we hope to continue her legacy of love, and be even half of the beautiful person she was inside and outside! And as her 'child', she wouldn't let me end without making sure that I asked YOU... are YOU ready? You may not have the 'time' to accept Him at the last minute... at the '11th hour'. I have a shirt that says "Many who plan to seek God at the 11th hour die at 10:30." Some people think it's 'morbid', but it is truth. And as they say, sometimes truth hurts. And it usually hurts more when you are 'convicted' by Holy Spirit. So... are YOU ready? Will you be one of those that I will see again one day in Heaven? We will never die... do YOU have that relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son and Holy Spirit, our comforter and guide?? Take a moment right now and in the silence of your own heart make sure. Whether you accepted Jesus when you were 4 (like me) or if you have never accepted him (Or in between), make this moment count. A simple prayer is all it takes, no big fancy words needed. Just share your heart. ♡ Thank you for reading... we have made it to our 'destination' for now... and we are thankful Mom made it to her 'FINAL' destination as well. She will be in the "cloud of witnesses" welcoming you in... "THANK YOU MOM FOR GIVING TO THE LORD! I AM SO GLAD YOU GAVE!" ♡ Love you Mom! ♡