Keep It In Mind!

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Marie

Do you have Bible verses firmly planted in your mind? What was the last Bible verse you memorized?

I really hope you have an arsenal of memorized Bible verses ready to use every time you need them. There are 31,102 to choose from. Every one of them was breathed by God onto the pages of His Word to be used by us in every situation, circumstance, and aspect of our lives.

Why should we have God’s Word ready in our minds at any moment? David says it very simply in Psalm 119:11 — “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Yes, David sinned (see 2nd Samuel 11 through the end of his life) but if he hadn’t known God’s word, and hidden it in his mind (heart), he wouldn’t have known it was a sin to do some of the things he did. He also knew he had to ask God’s forgiveness.

These simple words, written and prayed by David, and passed on to us show perfect repentance. David penned them when he was made aware of his sin.

Which of the 31,102 verses will you choose to keep in your mind?

Abba, Father, help us know and use Your word in every activity and event in our lives. Show us what You want to have firmly planted in our memories.

Everyone Sins

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Marie

Are you guilty?

Did you notice the word all? Even the person you think is the best Christian who has ever walked on this earth still sins.

Let’s think of it like this: Fault-finder or encourager? Prideful or humble? Lazy or active? Greedy or generous? Angry or peaceful?

It is impossible to live on this earth and not sin. Sin is any word, thought, or behavior that conflicts with God and His Word. In fact, it might be even more. Romans 14:23 says: But anyone who believes that something he wants to do is wrong shouldn’t do it. He sins if he does, for he thinks it is wrong, and so for him it is wrong. Anything that is done apart from what he feels is right is sin.

So, then, what can be done? How do we overcome sin? First, we recognize it, then we ask God to forgive us. We accept His forgiveness and move on in renewed faith.

Change our hearts, oh God! Show us the sin before we follow through with it. Make us more like You!

Not Again

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Marie

What does work when we’ve managed, once again, to jump into the ‘sin-pit’? We can be the most disciplined believer on the face of the earth, we can have had enough life experiences that we should have seen it coming, we can know our Bible so well that good choices are second nature to us, BUT when the perfect personal sin is dangled in front of us and looks like the best apple on the tree…So what is our protection? Knowing His Word so well that we can use it as a guide in all situations (2 Timothy 3:16). Developing a life habit of prayer in all situations (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Understanding that we are totally, completely, covered in His blanket of loving forgiveness (Song of Songs 2:4). Taking refuge in the shadow of His loving and merciful wings (Psalms 17:8). Yes, we will sin. Unfortunately, that’s a guaranteed result of life in this fallen world. Paying attention to the Spirit within can help with that. When we are about to say or do something we shouldn’t, there is more than likely a prodding or consciousness that we should not follow through with it. I believe that this is the Paraclete, the Counselor, the Spirit of Christ, living in us, wanting what is best for us, trying to warn us that what we’re about to do is not in line with what is expected of us as part of the Kingdom. We need to learn to listen to this voice. A dear friend once told me to keep this in mind…When in doubt, don’t. That small command has worked for me…when I let it.

Heavenly Father, speak to me. When I am about to sin, speak to me. When You know I need to hear You, speak to me. Open my ears, mind, and heart to hear the sound of Your voice. Oh, Lord, speak to me.

Make it so!

He Is Head Over Heals In Love With Us

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Marie

I’ve recently been giving a lot of thought to God’s love for us. It must be something He wants me to do because I’ve seen books, reading articles, and listening to other Christians expound on the subject. Why do I (we) think He can’t possibly mean me (us), even though He assures me (us) repeatedly in His Word.

In Genesis 1:27 we are told that we are created in His image. Men and women look like God. Think about it. Don’t we all sometimes want to

look like someone else? Well, how about God. Rather than comparing ourselves to others how about comparing ourselves to the One who loved us so much He gave His Son for us.

In Psalms 139:14 the writer is giving praise because he is aware of God’s love through being ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’. He is in awe of the One who cares more about our well-being than anything else.God protects and sustains us from the time we are born until we have many gray hairs. It’s truly something He wants to do. Don’t we want to protect and sustain those we love? Of course we do. It’s God’s love for us showing through us. (Isaiah 46:4)

Siescape-fetus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Let’s look at the book of Hosea. The cycle is repeated over and over. Hosea marries Gomer, they have a child, she cheats on him and has two more, he continues to forgive her and take her back. So like God’s love for us; we sin, He saves us, we sin, He forgives, and the cycle goes on and on and on…

The Painting entitled “Jesus Blessing the Children” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

John 1:12 says when we receive Him, believe in Him, and trust Him because of His name He makes us His children. Don’t we make the choice from the moment of conception to love our children even when they are sometimes unlovable? God does too.We are God’s chosen and dearly loved. Like all who love others He has expectations for us. We are to show compassion, kindness, and forgiveness (see Colossians 3:12-14 for the list). Over all we are to wear a cloak of love. A Japanese translation says it like this, “Love binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

He wants to love us. Let Him!

Ah, Lord God, my King, my Shelter, my One and Only I do not deserve to be loved by You, yet You do! You see my insides and my ‘out-sides’, You know my strongholds, my sins, my every part, yet You still love me. Oh, Lord, help me to be loving to others, help me to love like You do, with compassion, kindness, and without thought to what it will ‘cost’ me. What a Mighty God You are. Make it so!

Grab On

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Marie

“Is my Master satisfied with me?” Does everything I think, do, and say reflect my El Elyon (Most High God) to the world around me?

How I wish I could say yes. Unfortunately we fall into the ‘sin pit’ to easily. However, by reading and studying His Word (to know Him), praying (keeping open the lines of communication with Him), and worshipping (putting our focus on Him) we are able to focus on Him and not on whatever we let put us in the pit in the first place.

Psalm 60:2 tells us, “Save us and help us with Your right hand, that those You love may be delivered.”David knew God so well that he could depend Him and know without question that God would come to his rescue. We, too, can reach up and grab the hand that is always there to pull us out. Grab on!!!

My El Elyon, Creator of all that is, was, and is to come give us the courage to grab on…not just when we should but because we can. Open our hearts to Your Word, our souls to worship, and our thoughts to constant communication, with You. I lift this request in the Precious Name of Jesus Make it so!