Mid-Week Message - Choosing His Path

"But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his son, cleanses us from all sin."  1 John 1:7 (NLT)

One evening when my daughter was about four years old, I was preparing dinner while waiting for my husband to arrive home from work.  She was at the dining room table coloring in her coloring book with markers.  Or at least, I thought that was what she was doing.  When my husband walked in the door she said to him, "Look, Daddy! I changed colors!"  I spun around to find that my sweet little darling had colored her face, arms and hands orange.  Thankfully, the markers were washable.  After a quick bath, we sat down and had our dinner.  

I find great humor in telling that story.  However, it reminds me that even as adults we can find ourselves taking on the hue of the world.  It is so easy to drift into situations and lifestyles that can change our appearance before others and our Lord.  It is vital that we use godly wisdom as our guide as we make everyday decisions.  

1 Thessalonians 5:22 admonishes us to, "Stay away from every kind of evil."  The more we involve ourselves with words or activities that we know are not pleasing to the Lord, the more used to them we become and we start to think of them as acceptable.  

Not long ago in the history of this nation, men were careful of what they said around women.  It was considered disrespectful to use foul language in the presence of ladies.  Somewhere along the line, that ceased.  Now that language is considered "normal" and is used by men and women and even some of our children.  It is prevalent in movies and is heard more and more in television shows.  We have been desensitized by hearing it so much.  

The same can be said about sexual depictions and innuendo that are also rampant in our media and literature.  We don't even seem to blink our eyes anymore when we hear or see off-color representations of what God created to be holy.  

Christians are to be reflections of our Savior, Jesus.  For this to happen, we need to align ourselves with Him, rather than the world.  I have mentioned only two ways that the world influences our behavior.  However, the list is endless.  The only way to avoid mirroring the evil of the world rather than the holiness of Jesus, is to spend plenty of quality time in the scriptures observing His actions and reactions and then deciding to turn our backs on situations that lead us away from what we know would be unacceptable to Him.  

When I am called home to Heaven, my hope is that whatever memories of me remain point to Him.  The Christian music group named Casting Crowns has a song titled "Only Jesus".  One of the lines in the song says, "I don't care if they remember me, only Jesus."  We were created to bring glory to the Creator.  Out of His great love He sent His only Son to die on the cross to cleanse us from our sins.  It is my desire, and I hope yours as well, to glorify and honor Him by keeping myself clean in a world of muck and mire.  He gave us free wills.  We have the privilege of choosing which path we wish to take.  I choose His.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Filling Our Minds

"Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life--is not from the Father but is from the world."  1 John 2:15-16  (ESV)

During the time of quarantine, I really started thinking about the "stuff" of life.  When all I could do was sit in my home, I had plenty of chances to look around at all the belongings that it is filled with.  I am a very sentimental type of person so there are things that mean a lot to me, such as the cedar chest and a few other items that my father made by hand long before I was born.  I also have a set of three little angels that were given to me by a lady that I loved dearly.  "Billye's Angels", as I refer to them, are in a place in my living room where I can see them all the time.  Because they were a gift from her and she has now gone on to Heaven, they are important to me.  

During this time as well, I had plenty of time to watch television and I began to pay attention to the programs and advertisements that I was viewing regularly.  I realized that most of what is shown are things that, years ago, would never have been deemed appropriate or acceptable.  Sex, alcohol, drugs, violence, and children disrespecting parents are only a few of the topics.  But, by beginning to include these things little by little, programmers slowly got us used to seeing them and now they are rampant.  Game shows appeal to our greed.  "Win money!"  "Win a new car!"  So called "reality programs" pit people against each other and we find ourselves caught up in unlikely scenarios and rooting for one person over another.  

Have you noticed how many movies are being released that center around pure evil?  These films, most with an "R" rating, glorify the enemy with storylines dealing with the occult, witchcraft and spiritual darkness.  There was a time when there would have been a public outcry over this subject matter.  We would have forbidden our children from seeing them, but now, there are even parents who take their children with them when they to go to view.  Then we wonder why these young souls are skeptical of a real place called "Hell".  

This world is not our home.  We were created to love God and to worship Him.  How it must grieve Him to see us spending our time concentrating on how to collect and protect material items that will pass away or filling our minds with ungodly ideas created to drive our desires or to numb our awareness of evil.  What we think is harmless is actually deadly because it removes our focus from the Lord.

There is a song entitled "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"  that says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."  Brothers and sisters, we need to return to Jesus.  Rather than sitting in front of the television all time, we need to have our Bibles open and be sharing the love of the Father with those around us.  These are the things that make an eternal difference and lay up treasures in Heaven.  

I know it is difficult to stay completely away from the trappings this world.  But we have to keep a clear perspective on what we are exposing ourselves to.  If we do not guard our hearts and minds from the enemy, no one else will either.  May you have a safe and joyful week.  God bless! 

Mid-Week Message - Focus on Him

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  Philippians 4:8  (ESV)   

There is war between Ukraine and Russia.

The Queen of England has died and a new King named.

Violence is becoming more rampant as the criminals find that they won't be punished.

Inflation continues to rise and the national deficit continues to increase.  

As companies worry about recessions, some are beginning to lay off employees and halt hiring.  

All this and more.  Such is the state of the world and nation.  We find that it is difficult to concentrate on the good things in life when we are constantly bombarded with news that things seem to be getting worse.  Five minutes of the local news can make your head swim as you work to take in the evil that seems to be prevailing.  Worry filled, sleepless nights occur more often as we wonder how to make ends meet and how to keep our children safe.  

Is peace to be found anywhere at all?  

God, through His Word, has told us that the condition of the world we live in will grow worse as the time of the second coming of Jesus draws nearer.  John 16:33 tells us, "...In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."  

Notice that He doesn't say he WILL overcome the world, but that he HAS overcome the world.  The book of Revelation tells us how the battle between good and evil will end.  This is a war where there is no doubt of the outcome.  Jesus wins!  

We have to keep in mind that where we are now is not where we will be eternally.  If we have repented of our sins and received Jesus into our lives as our Savior and Lord, then we have the promise of eternity with Him, where there is no war, inflation, death, sadness or difficulties of any kind.  

I think that is why today's verse tells us where our focus should be. "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  

Jesus is all these things.  Our focus should remain on Him and our trust be placed in Him because He has already overcome all the troubles we face.  With earthly eyes it is impossible to see how He will get us through it all but He has promised to do so and because He is Truth, we can have faith that He will do as He has said.  

Fear not.  Concentrate on Him and peace will follow.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Evil Prowls, Prayer a Must

"Be unceasing and persistent in prayer;"  1 Thessalonians 5:17  (AMP)

Today (Tuesday) an unspeakable tragedy took place in Uvalde, Texas.  A teenage young man walked into an elementary school, took aim, and opened fire.  As I write this, they are reporting 19 second, third and fourth grade children have lost their lives, as have 2 adults.  This does not count the shooter, who was killed by law enforcement.  

As the parents who have not yet located their students await news, we are all horrified, and hopefully, lifting them up in our prayers.  In the coming days these mothers and fathers will be planning for the burial of their slain young ones after which they will struggle in grief to come to terms with the smiles they will never again see, the goodnight hugs and kisses that will never again take place, the Christmas stockings that will never again be filled and the futures that have been taken away forever.  

I wish I could write that this is a one time occurrence, however, sadly, it is not.  Our children have been targets for years.  Whether in schools, on the streets or in their own homes, hearing of young lives lost due to violence has become a regular report on the daily news.  

And we ask God why He didn't prevent this from happening.   

Because we were given free will, there will always be those that will choose evil.  They will fail to see the value of human life and will think nothing of stealing life from those who treasure it.  Just as He will not take away my choices, neither will He take away theirs.  When we do anything against His will, when we sin in any way, our actions will affect others.  Unfortunately. this was a sin that ended the lives of precious children and has forever changed the lives of countless others.  

Ephesians 6:12 tells us, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  

So, what can we do?  First and foremost, we have to commit to prayer.  This world, its leaders, each and every child and adult, needs to covered by prayer.  The power of going before the Father on our knees is greater than any other power that exists.  Second, we have to be serious about sharing the Gospel.  We must be vocal about the need for Jesus in this world.  Although we may think everyone knows, they don't.  I'm not talking about church-life, I'm talking about a relationship with the risen King of Kings.  

My heart is aching for parents that will not take their children home this evening.  I am beseeching the Comforter to wrap His arms tightly around them and walk with them through all that is coming.  I can't imagine the devastation they are feeling but I know that their Creator knows and cares deeply.  As I lift them up in my time with Him tonight, I lift each of you as well.  

I pray that His goodness, mercy and grace will surround us all.  

Mid-Week Message - Guard Your Minds

 "Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life--is not from the Father but is from the world."  1 John 2:15-16  (ESV)

During the time of quarantine, I really started thinking about the "stuff" of life.  When all I could do was sit in my home, I had plenty of chances to look around at all the belongings that it is filled with.  I am a very sentimental type of person so there are things that mean a lot to me, such as the cedar chest and a few other items that my father made by hand long before I was born.  I also have a set of three little angels that were given to me by a lady that I loved dearly.  "Billye's Angels", as I refer to them, are in a place in my living room where I can see them all the time.  Because they were a gift from her and she has now gone on to Heaven, they are important to me.  

During this time as well, I had plenty of time to watch television and I began to pay attention to the programs and advertisements that I was viewing regularly.  I realized that most of what is shown are things that, years ago, would never have been deemed appropriate or acceptable.  Sex, alcohol, drugs, violence, and children disrespecting parents are only a few of the topics.  But, by beginning to include these things little by little, programmers slowly got us used to seeing them and now they are rampant.  Game shows appeal to our greed.  Win money!  Win a new car!  So called "reality programs" pit people against each other and we find ourselves caught up in unlikely scenarios and rooting for one person over another.  

Have you noticed how many movies are being released that center around pure evil?  These films, most with an "R" rating, glorify the enemy with storylines dealing with the occult, witchcraft and spiritual darkness.  There was a time when there would have been a public outcry over this subject matter.  We would have forbidden our children from seeing them, but now, there are even parents to take their children with them when they to go to view.  Then we wonder why these young souls are skeptical of a real place called "hell".  

This world is not our home.  We were created to love God and to worship Him.  How it must grieve Him to see us spending our time concentrating on how to collect and protect material items that will pass away or filling our minds with ungodly ideas created to drive our desires or to numb our awareness of evil.  What we think is harmless is actually deadly because it removes our focus from the Lord.

There is a song entitled "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"  that says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."  Brothers and sisters, we need to return to Jesus.  Rather than sitting in front of the television all time, we need to have our Bibles open and be sharing the love of the Father with those around us.  These are the things that make an eternal difference and lay up treasures in Heaven.  

I know it is difficult to stay completely away from the trappings this world.  But we have to keep a clear perspective on what we are exposing ourselves to.  If we do not guard our hearts and minds from the enemy, no one else will either.  May you have a safe and joyful week.  God bless!

Mid-Week Message - I Choose His

"But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his son, cleanses us from all sin."  1 John 1:7 (NLT)

One evening when my daughter was about four years old, I was preparing dinner while waiting for my husband to arrive home from work.  She was at the dining room table coloring in her coloring book with markers.  Or at least, I thought that was what she was doing.  When my husband walked in the door she said to him, "Look, Daddy! I changed colors!"  I spun around to find that my sweet little darling had colored her face, arms and hands orange.  Thankfully, the markers were washable.  After a quick bath, we sat down and had our dinner.  

I find great humor in telling that story.  However, it reminds me that even as adults we can find ourselves taking on the hue of the world.  It is so easy to drift into situations and lifestyles that can change our appearance before others and our Lord.  It is vital that we use godly wisdom as our guide as we make everyday decisions.  

1 Thessalonians 5:22 admonishes us to, "Stay away from every kind of evil."  The more we involve ourselves with words or activities that we know are not pleasing to the Lord, the more used to them we become and we start to think of them as acceptable.  

Not long ago in the history of this nation, men were careful of what they said around women.  It was considered disrespectful to use foul language in the presence of ladies.  Somewhere along the line, that ceased.  Now that language is considered "normal" and is used by men and women and even some of our children.  It is prevalent in movies and is heard more and more in television shows.  We have been desensitized by hearing it so much.  

The same can be said about sexual depictions and innuendo that are also rampant in our media and literature.  We don't even seem to blink our eyes anymore when we hear or see off-color representations of what God created to be holy.  

Christians are to be reflections of our Savior, Jesus.  For this to happen, we need to align ourselves with Him, rather than the world.  I have mentioned only two ways that the world influences our behavior.  However, the list is endless.  The only way to avoid mirroring the evil of the world rather than the holiness of Jesus, is to spend plenty of quality time in the scriptures observing His actions and reactions and then deciding to turn our backs on situations that lead us away from what we know would be unacceptable to Him.  

When I am called home to Heaven, my hope is that whatever memories of me remain point to Him.  The Christian music group named Casting Crowns has a song titled "Only Jesus".  One of the lines in the song says, "I don't care if they remember me, only Jesus."  We were created to bring glory to the Creator.  Out of His great love He sent His only Son to die on the cross to cleanse us from our sins.  It is my desire, and I hope yours as well, to glorify and honor Him by keeping myself clean in a world of muck and mire.  He gave us free wills.  We have the privilege of choosing which path we wish to take.  I choose His.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Pray for the Brokenhearted

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

Last week we saw a horrific tragedy take place at a high school in Florida.  A former student returned to the campus with the intention of stealing the lives of innocent victims.  By the time he was finished, seventeen students and teachers were dead and many more injured.  Each of these individuals had plans for their day and for their lives.  When they left their homes that morning they had no idea it would be for the last time.

As a mother myself, my first thoughts were for the mothers of the young people who had senselessly lost their lives.  I cannot imagine losing my child to an accident or an illness but I certainly cannot comprehend having one murdered.  I know there are many people that have lost loved ones violently at the hands of another person.  I have to wonder how they are able to continue to live their lives after such an occurrence.  

I don't want to use my time this week talking about why there is such evil in the world.  It is enough to know that it is here and it will continue to grow worse until Jesus returns.  It will effect everyone's life at one time or another.  The enemy's plan is to ensnare as many as possible and steal all he can from our Lord and he will stop at nothing to do it.  

What I do want to use this post for is to remind every reader to be in prayer for the wounded and all of the families involved.  Days have passed and the story is no longer the headline in the news.  However, for these families, the world has changed forever and they will need support for a long time to come.  As they go through this season of grieving, please lift them up, even though you may not know any of them personally.  Ask the Lord to surround them with His loving arms and by people that love Him and will grieve with them.  He will comfort them.  He is faithful.  May God bless each of us with His protection this coming week.  

Mid-Week Message - God is Love

There was a tragedy in Manchester last night.  A terrorist attack at a concert killed over twenty people and wounded over fifty more. This senseless act of evil has forever altered the lives of people who wanted nothing more than to enjoy an evening out listening to the music of one of their favorite artists.  And it is a reminder to all of us of the ugliness that walks among us. 

Satan's joy comes from destruction.  His goal is to steal us away from our Lord, to plant doubts about the love of God so that we no longer listen to His holy Word or follow the path that leads to Heaven. Evil stems from hearts that are hardened to the sacrifice of Jesus.  As darkness sets in we become pawns of the enemy.  It is very simple, either we share the light of our Father or we are instruments of darkness and we saw a result of that darkness last night.

Does this sound too simplistic?  It shouldn't.  We have one Creator. Scripture is very clear that there is only one Almighty God.  Like I mentioned last week, there are many "gods" that we can worship but there is only One Lord.  One Father.  One that is worthy of praise.  One that is worthy of worship. One that offers salvation. One Way. One Truth.  One Life.  However, He created us with free will which means we are free to choose whether to align our lives with Him or not.  These evil ones who committed this heinous act have chosen not to. 

1 John 4:16 tells us, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."  God is love.  He loves you.  He loves me.  He even loves the perpetrators of this horrible act.  The world needs to see the people of the one true God in action.  We need to be actively loving people.  Actively sharing the gospel.  Actively helping as the Lord gives us the ability to.  We need to abhor evil and speak the truth in boldness.  There is nothing mightier than the Word of God. Nothing greater than His Love.  And nothing more purifying than the blood of Christ.  

Brothers and sisters, stand up and speak up!  Pray for each other. Pray for this world.  And pray, especially, for those who are trapped in the clutches of the enemy that they might turn from their wicked ways and seek God's face.