Monthly Supporters
Agent of *CHANGE*
I am taking a break from social media, Facebook, twitter and the like...to focus on the most important relationship in my life. My relationship with God.
Place Your Life Before God
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."Romans 12:1-2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now HIDDEN with Christ in God. When Christ, who IS YOUR LIFE, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-3
Amen!!!!! Wow! These verses encourage me so much & remind me to keep my eyes on God. To remember that this world and this culture is not what we are made of, not where we are from, or where we are staying. We are in it, but not of it. Yet I felt myself becoming more and more a part of it. Losing myself, but in all the wrong ways, trying to prove myself which is NOT what God wants. HE is the One who justifies. I have peace & rest & joy in Him alone. And if I am trying to prove myself am I truly living for HIM & HIS glory or my own? ouch! I do not want to become polluted, or lower the bar...God's children were chosen and sent to RAISE the bar, to be the change. "Keep oneself from being polluted by the world."-James 1:27 How can I let God truly change me if I continue business as usual. "If you do what you've always done, you will get what you always got"-Matt Pitt. If I want radical change, then it starts with me.
Giving it all away, losing it all, letting go of my life to find true life. (Mark 8:34-36, Matthew 10:39) It is all for His glory & His plan. A transformation by the renewing of my mind. Do what You will Lord, have Your way in me & with me. When God wants to change a nation, He changes a person. When God wants to change a family. He changes a person. Let me be the agent of change God! The pruning, the letting go may hurt...it does hurt! But YOU are worth it Lord. I consider it pure Joy, I count it ALL as loss, but to KNOW You, to carry the cross! You are worth everything, because You are everything. I surrender & submit to Your will and praise You at all times. I know my God that you replace bronze for gold and you give us silver for our iron. So take my bronze and iron! Take my coins and bring true change. Take my heart. None of it is, or will ever be mine. "My beloved is mine & I am His!"-Song of Solomon 2:16
Psalm 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Place Your Life Before God
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."Romans 12:1-2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now HIDDEN with Christ in God. When Christ, who IS YOUR LIFE, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-3
Amen!!!!! Wow! These verses encourage me so much & remind me to keep my eyes on God. To remember that this world and this culture is not what we are made of, not where we are from, or where we are staying. We are in it, but not of it. Yet I felt myself becoming more and more a part of it. Losing myself, but in all the wrong ways, trying to prove myself which is NOT what God wants. HE is the One who justifies. I have peace & rest & joy in Him alone. And if I am trying to prove myself am I truly living for HIM & HIS glory or my own? ouch! I do not want to become polluted, or lower the bar...God's children were chosen and sent to RAISE the bar, to be the change. "Keep oneself from being polluted by the world."-James 1:27 How can I let God truly change me if I continue business as usual. "If you do what you've always done, you will get what you always got"-Matt Pitt. If I want radical change, then it starts with me.
Giving it all away, losing it all, letting go of my life to find true life. (Mark 8:34-36, Matthew 10:39) It is all for His glory & His plan. A transformation by the renewing of my mind. Do what You will Lord, have Your way in me & with me. When God wants to change a nation, He changes a person. When God wants to change a family. He changes a person. Let me be the agent of change God! The pruning, the letting go may hurt...it does hurt! But YOU are worth it Lord. I consider it pure Joy, I count it ALL as loss, but to KNOW You, to carry the cross! You are worth everything, because You are everything. I surrender & submit to Your will and praise You at all times. I know my God that you replace bronze for gold and you give us silver for our iron. So take my bronze and iron! Take my coins and bring true change. Take my heart. None of it is, or will ever be mine. "My beloved is mine & I am His!"-Song of Solomon 2:16
Psalm 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Get Wisdom at ANY Cost
Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed. Prov. 3:13-18
Proverbs 4
Get Wisdom at Any Cost
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching. Prov.4:1-2
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[c] wisdom.
Though it cost all you have,[d] get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”Prov. 4:6-8
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the[e] paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways. Prov. 4:25-26
those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed. Prov. 3:13-18
Proverbs 4
Get Wisdom at Any Cost
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching. Prov.4:1-2
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[c] wisdom.
Though it cost all you have,[d] get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”Prov. 4:6-8
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the[e] paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways. Prov. 4:25-26
I'm not in the drivers seat...Jesus take the wheel.
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
Matthew 16:23-25
You're Not in the Driver's Seat
21-22Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"
23But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."
24-26Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
27-28"Don't be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You'll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn't pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory."
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
Matthew 16:23-25
You're Not in the Driver's Seat
21-22Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"
23But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."
24-26Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
27-28"Don't be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You'll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn't pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory."
Not perfect JUST forgiven
This pretty much says it all!
Ephesians 3:7-10 this is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message (the Good News). It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the LEAST qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
8-10 And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are WAY over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!
I mean really?!?!?! That God would choose me...He chose us?!? WoW! I am not perfect, I am JUST FORGIVEN. God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Yesterday was a rough day, flat tire and late for work but I kept meditating on Philippians 4...Paul learned how to have joy and peace in any and every circumstance...good, bad or awful. And I sure did not go to prison like he did...so how can I even complain? Then I got home from work and I get these sweet & encouraging words...like a silver box with a bow on it! God sent me a letter from one of my best friends in Alabama, then two emails from two different friends...All words of LOVE & encouragement. I was blown away by how God not only got me through yesterday gracefully but on top of that HE blessed me in ways I never even thought possible. Its amazing how on the hardest days, the days you dont even wanna do...on those days God blows your mind with His Love & Grace...undeserving. It is those kind of days that God is wanting to show you how amazing His love is and how much He LOVES you! As I was working on a project for one of my clients I look up on the wall and see a painting, very simple & beautiful with a verse on the bottom.
"I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut."-Rev. 3:8 So when I got home I run over & grab my bible because I want to read more, I want the context of the verse...here it is...
"You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You obeyed me, you didn't deny me when times were rough."-Rev. 3:7-8
That pretty much sums up yesterday! I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength. Offering up praise & gratitude to Him. He does this kind of stuff all the time, everyday...I would have a novel if I wrote about every way God blesses me & surprises me day to day.
Ephesians 3:7-10 this is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message (the Good News). It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the LEAST qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
8-10 And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are WAY over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!
I mean really?!?!?! That God would choose me...He chose us?!? WoW! I am not perfect, I am JUST FORGIVEN. God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Yesterday was a rough day, flat tire and late for work but I kept meditating on Philippians 4...Paul learned how to have joy and peace in any and every circumstance...good, bad or awful. And I sure did not go to prison like he did...so how can I even complain? Then I got home from work and I get these sweet & encouraging words...like a silver box with a bow on it! God sent me a letter from one of my best friends in Alabama, then two emails from two different friends...All words of LOVE & encouragement. I was blown away by how God not only got me through yesterday gracefully but on top of that HE blessed me in ways I never even thought possible. Its amazing how on the hardest days, the days you dont even wanna do...on those days God blows your mind with His Love & Grace...undeserving. It is those kind of days that God is wanting to show you how amazing His love is and how much He LOVES you! As I was working on a project for one of my clients I look up on the wall and see a painting, very simple & beautiful with a verse on the bottom.
"I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut."-Rev. 3:8 So when I got home I run over & grab my bible because I want to read more, I want the context of the verse...here it is...
"You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You obeyed me, you didn't deny me when times were rough."-Rev. 3:7-8
That pretty much sums up yesterday! I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength. Offering up praise & gratitude to Him. He does this kind of stuff all the time, everyday...I would have a novel if I wrote about every way God blesses me & surprises me day to day.
BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP!!!!
I will be the sweetest offering. I will be the Praise Your heart desires! My heart sings WORTHY!!!! My heart sings WORTHY!!!! I've found none other like YOU!!!!
G-O-D trumps ALL else!
What's better a PHD or the G-O-D? The G-O-D trumps the PHD everytime!!!
The Spirit reveals "the secret wisdom of God"-1Cor.6:7. Not earthly wisdom. He doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the CALLED. You can't analyze or "figure" God out...He is too BIG to be put in a box like that. No little human boxes can contain HIM. The only one that can discern the thoughts of God is HIS Spirit. We have been given the mind of Christ and God gave us HIS Spirit to discern & reveal the Truths & thoughts of God. WoW! He gave us His Spirit as a deposit because He is coming back for us :) Get it? Well its true...we are carriers of His presence...with the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us..until HIS return or our homecoming to Heaven.
Loving God above all else means letting go of "all else."He may give it back He may not but either way you have HIM so you have everything! If you want it all, you must GIVE IT ALL. Give it ALL to HIM. Everything. Your plans, your dreams, you actions, your will, your life...most importantly your HEART. It always comes down to the heart, because God looks at the heart. Where man looks at outward appearance, or looks at degrees, certificates, awards...etc. But God doesn't look at these things...it is always a matter of the heart for Him.
Some nuggets from church:
"Once you know the TRUTH, you know what's FALSE. True or False?"
My Pastor said this on sunday, "I am not God, I am just the mailman." :) He is the carrier, the messenger, the middleman.
God wants to exchange your earthly glasses for Heavenly glasses. To see through HIS eyes, not the worlds eyes or your earthly eyes.
"The enemy wants us stressed. God wants us BLESSED!!!!!"
"You don't have to QUIT. You just have to SUBMIT." Submit to God. Surrender it all to HIM. Let Jesus take the wheel. Don't give up. Don't quit, just submit.
"A heart of forgiveness means no chains. True power & strength & freedom lies in forgiveness"
"worship is an overflow of our experience of God as the Shepherd of our souls."
David was a man after Gods own heart. When he was alone he would pour his heart out in songs that he wrote for God. Beautiful. Inspired.
A heart fully surrendered to God. That does not mean perfect. It means one day at a time opening your heart, being vulnerable & humbling yourself before the Lord for His spirit to search the deep parts of your heart and guide you into ALL truth. Allowing Him to change your heart. To convict you and turn you the other way. There are new levels of surrender each day. New deliverances and new testimonies all the time between you & the Lord...depends on how much you are willing to surrender to HIm. Surrender it all. He is worth it all!!!!
The Spirit reveals "the secret wisdom of God"-1Cor.6:7. Not earthly wisdom. He doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the CALLED. You can't analyze or "figure" God out...He is too BIG to be put in a box like that. No little human boxes can contain HIM. The only one that can discern the thoughts of God is HIS Spirit. We have been given the mind of Christ and God gave us HIS Spirit to discern & reveal the Truths & thoughts of God. WoW! He gave us His Spirit as a deposit because He is coming back for us :) Get it? Well its true...we are carriers of His presence...with the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us..until HIS return or our homecoming to Heaven.
Loving God above all else means letting go of "all else."He may give it back He may not but either way you have HIM so you have everything! If you want it all, you must GIVE IT ALL. Give it ALL to HIM. Everything. Your plans, your dreams, you actions, your will, your life...most importantly your HEART. It always comes down to the heart, because God looks at the heart. Where man looks at outward appearance, or looks at degrees, certificates, awards...etc. But God doesn't look at these things...it is always a matter of the heart for Him.
Some nuggets from church:
"Once you know the TRUTH, you know what's FALSE. True or False?"
My Pastor said this on sunday, "I am not God, I am just the mailman." :) He is the carrier, the messenger, the middleman.
God wants to exchange your earthly glasses for Heavenly glasses. To see through HIS eyes, not the worlds eyes or your earthly eyes.
"The enemy wants us stressed. God wants us BLESSED!!!!!"
"You don't have to QUIT. You just have to SUBMIT." Submit to God. Surrender it all to HIM. Let Jesus take the wheel. Don't give up. Don't quit, just submit.
"A heart of forgiveness means no chains. True power & strength & freedom lies in forgiveness"
"worship is an overflow of our experience of God as the Shepherd of our souls."
David was a man after Gods own heart. When he was alone he would pour his heart out in songs that he wrote for God. Beautiful. Inspired.
A heart fully surrendered to God. That does not mean perfect. It means one day at a time opening your heart, being vulnerable & humbling yourself before the Lord for His spirit to search the deep parts of your heart and guide you into ALL truth. Allowing Him to change your heart. To convict you and turn you the other way. There are new levels of surrender each day. New deliverances and new testimonies all the time between you & the Lord...depends on how much you are willing to surrender to HIm. Surrender it all. He is worth it all!!!!
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