I Will Rise

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)

Seeking Jesus

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Matthew 14:34-36 states, "When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed."

I wonder if those who came to Jesus at Gennesaret realized that Jesus could do so much more for them than heal their physical bodies. Did they know that Jesus could heal them spiritually?

Which makes me consider how many times have I gone to Jesus with my pressing physical needs, but missed out on opportunities to be touched spiritually by Him because I fail to linger in His presence. How often do I do come to Jesus and do all the talking and never give Jesus an opportunity to say anything. I'm afraid this happens more often than I would like to admit.

Regardless if the people knew what Jesus could do for them spiritually, Jesus had compassion for all who came to Him for healing because each of them came to Him out of faith. Jesus always responds to the one who comes to him by faith.

Faith brings us to Jesus seeking His help for our problems -- finances, health, career, relationships -- and faith should keep us near to Jesus so we can be transformed spiritually to be more like Him. 

Jesus, forgive me for coming to You with my requests for You to fulfill and failing to fellowship with you as I should. I'm grateful for the abundant gifts You've bestowed upon me, but I want You to know that I love You, the Giver of all good gifts, more that the gifts themselves. I want to grow closer to You and become more like You. Help me to speak less and listen more when we are sharing our quiet time together so we can have a true conversation like friends should. In Your name, I pray. Amen

The Carnival Life

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The climax of Mardi Gras' excess and debauchery occurred today, and as a result, my local news programming was interrupted in order to provide non-stop coverage of Carnival. 

There was no time this morning for news of world and national events. No, it was a time to escape reality, don costumes and pretend to be someone else, and clamor after beads and baubles. 

But with all the Mardi Gras coverage I began to wonder how many live every day like it’s Mardi Gras by. . .

• living only for today's enjoyment without any regard to the consequences of their actions
• chasing after things and relationships that provide short-term amusement that will leave them feeling empty tomorrow
• pretending to be someone they’re not by hiding behind a mask hoping others don't discover the truth

And maybe I was wondering all this because I have lived my life like it was a Carnival.  A Christian who was living only for the here and now with no regard for eternity because my focus was not on Jesus, but was on me. 

Being reminded of where I've been spiritually, makes me aware of my great need to go deeper in my spiritual walk with Jesus – not just on Sundays and not just for 15 minutes day during my quiet time – but every day, all day. 

With Lent approaching I'm realizing that it's a good time to assess my spiritual life to see where my life's focus has shifted away from Jesus and to make the necessary changes. I know that if I’m not progressively growing spiritually then I’m on a spiritual decline.

What do you have planned for Lent?  Whatever it is I pray that it will draw  you closer to Christ and will prepare your heart for Easter.

Linking with On Your Heart Tuesday, Soli de Grace and Commit2Write.

Choosing Hope (My One Word 2012)

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I began contemplating My One Word for 2012 in late November, but couldn't really find one that seem to fit.  Then I read an article about choosing your One Word by considering what one thing you need the most.  

Well, that made it simple because the word "Hope" immediately came to mind.

Why was hope such an urgent need?  Because I was finding myself entering 2012, a time of a new beginning, stressed out, burned out and honestly, without hope. Sure I had head knowledge that Jesus is my hope, but somewhere in the midst of the discouragements of life and being disappointed by others, I had lost my heart knowledge of my hope in Christ. 

I was struggling to see God's hand in my life. I was overwhelmed because nothing in my life seemed to change. I was procrastinating doing things I knew I should do because I didn't think it would make a difference anyway. I felt stuck and helpless. My lack of hope had neutralized me. It was affecting me physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

I wanted my hope back so I would be free from doubt, fear, discouragement, bitterness, criticism and jealousy.  Not a pretty list, is it?  But the by-products of hopeless are an ugly collection of emotions and attitudes.

I was ready to be free of hopeless. I believed hope was the key to things I desired in my life...a stronger faith and a deeper sense of peace, joy and contentment.

Six weeks into this year my attitude and outlook are completely different all because I chose HOPE! Choosing hope is the catalyst for change. 

I'm excited to see what God does the rest of this year in my life through My One Word.

Linking with Life Unmasked and Spiritual Sunday.

Facing My Writer's Block

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I love to blog since I find it much easier to express myself in writing than verbally.  With public speaking (even in small groups) I struggle to find the right words to say.  When I'm writing that never happens.  The words flow abundantly.


But there's one thing that can cause my writing to sputter and falter.  It's when I begin to compare my work to others.  The mental comparison can happen so quickly before I realize what's happening, and my mind is flooded with thoughts of doubt and discouragement. If left unchecked, the words will become bottled within me to avoid the possible scrutiny of others.


This has happened recently. 


I know it's not fair to me to compare myself to anyone else. Jesus reminds me that I'm incomparable.


I realize that the negative thoughts are the lies of Satan. The enemy is attacking my weakness -- my need to please others, to fit in, to excel at whatever I do.


I also know that if I stop writing that the devil will win the battle.  He will have eliminated one way that I worship the Lord.


So with this knowledge and the strength of the Holy Spirit I will continue to write for as long as the Lord wants. I will share my words with you despite any fears and insecurities that I may have. Because even though my writing helps me in my spiritual walk, I don't believe God wants me to keep them to myself.


Do you share my struggle?  How do you handle the temptation to compare yourself to others?


Linking with On Your Heart Tuesday, Soli de Grace and Commit2Write.

Vessel

But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; 

so the potter formed it into another pot, 

shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:4

Lord, 
Make me into a useful vessel for You. Give me a spirit that will always yield to You. 
Amen

Linking with Then Sings My Soul.

A Prayer For Every Year

Linking with Then Sings My Soul