Because I believe

Recently, while on a mission trip, I encountered an individual who questioned everything about my beliefs.  They continually asked "why?" Why do you believe that.  Nothing would satisfy the "why." Not "because God said it" not "because the Bible says it" Nothing!  I resolved to pray for the individual although I felt defeated and exhausted.

This week as I have delved into Revelations, I read Revelation 14: 9 which says:

A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they too will the drink the wind of God's fury which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.  They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb."

It has been like reading a novel waiting for the climax at the end.  Sometimes endings leave you hanging, sometimes they leave you wanting more, and sometimes, the story just has a definite ending. This story has a definite ending as today I read in Revelation 19:20

But the beast was captured, and with the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf.  With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

What solidifies your belief?  How do you answer the question "What makes you think what the Bible says is real?  My answer? Because I believe!

Want Help?

I realize it has been  almost a year since I've blogged....I've been a little busy.

This morning, my husband took our dog for her daily four mile walk.  When he returned, he was sweating profusely.  His shirt was sopping wet and as we all know, wet clothes are hard to remove.  I was sitting at my computer transcribing dissertation interviews.  As I glanced out of the corner of my eye, my husband struggled to get his wet t-shirt off.  I ignored him and kept typing.  I could hear him struggle as he danced around trying to get it off with one hand.  I did not offer to help for the simple reason that if we need help, there's no harm in asking for it.

Finally I turned from my desk chair and asked "Would you like some help?"  He responded "Yes of course."  He then dropped his arms and allowed me to remove his sweaty shirt.  I returned to my computer but not without a question.

Why is it that we try to conquer things ourselves?  Why do we push our selves until we are exhausted?  Why do we think we can do it without help.  We do the same thing with God. Many times in His word he tells us that He can do it. Ephesians 3:20 says "To him who is able to do immeasurably more that we could ever ask or imagine..." Why don't we ask?

If you are in a struggle and you want help, just ask God.  He stands ready to lead you through your darkest times, your brightest accomplishments, your greatest adversaries. He wants you to want him.

Want help? Ask God!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

Fly Your Flag

I have a flag.  It is a beautiful flag still in the wrapper.  I have had it since Christmas 2016.  I have every intention of flying this flag, but  to this date, I have not.  The other day I pulled it out and looked it saying to myself "I am going to fly that flag!"

Several weeks ago, I heard about a a friend that also has a flag.  He chose to display his flag and attached it to a pole near his window in his home.  That is where my American flag flies.  I figured I would display this flag along side my American flag.  My friend found that his Home Owners Association (HOA) did not like the idea and they sent him a letter asking him to remove it.  That decision was instrumental to me holding mine in its wrapper a little bit longer.

I am also apprehensive about flying my flag because it will immediately label me.  It will identify my household by one solid line.  It could very well make me or my home a target and for safety reasons, I have not flown it by my home.

Today, I came home and contemplated on the sermon our pastor gave.  We will be known by our actions.  We will be known by acts of service-others will only see Christ in us if we step out and fly our flag!

You see, my flag is the law enforcement flag.  It is basically a black tinted American Flag with a single blue line going through it.  I have been apprehensive of flying it because I don't want anyone telling me I can't hang it near my house.  I haven't flown it because it would identify me as a supporter of one of the greatest organzations in the city of Houston.  I haven't flown it because I don't want my house to become a target.

We have to make a choice as to whether or not to fly our flags for Christ.  We might be criticized, we might be ostrichsized, and we might be told to bring it down....but we must still fly our flag for Christ.

Let your flag fly high and identify yourself as a follower of Christ.  Don't hesitate to let others know who you belong to!

I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of salvation through Jesus Christ. Romans 1:16

Wear the Perfume

This morning as I dressed, I needed the final touch...perfume.  I had a Carolina Herrera favorite but forgot to pack it.  I have a sample tube that someone gave me at a department store.  My niece commented on it stating that she loved it.  When I looked at it, I realized it is Channel Chance.  I told a story in a devotion in Guatemala about Channel No. 5 that I had finally purchased with birthday gift cards.  I thought it was too expensive to purchase myself.  It has sat unwrapped on my dresser for two years.  It's just too special!

This morning, as I debated wearing the Channel Chance, I pulled out the small tube and saw how little was left.  What a decision.  I then remembered a lesson that I was taught many years ago.  It came from Jo Beth Young, our pastor's wife.  At my husband's deacon ordination, Mrs. Young gave a charge to the deacon's wives.  The scripture she based it on was 2 Corinthians 2: 15.  For we are to be a fragrance of Christ. What a charge!  I have never forgotten that verse and remember it often when gauging my attitude towards my husband and others.  Not gonna lie, sometimes I stink!

As I go deeper, I realize that Mrs. Young didn't give me that charge.  Jesus through Mrs. Young gave me that charge.  He went one step further in saying  For we are to be the fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, Wow!  How am I doing in spreading the fragrance of Christ to those who are perishing?  Those who are looking to me to see Jesus?

This scripture has been a favorite of mine since the day I heard it at my husband's ordination,  I have never forgotten the impact it made that day and continues to make.  As I contemplated wearing the expensive perfume to simply walk around in the Hill Country, I decided to go for it.  Wear the scent, enjoy the scent and wear it with no regrets.

I hope I never have to contemplate wearing and being the fragrance of God.  I never want to be responsible for someone perishing because I did not represent Christ well.  I want others to know His aroma, know I represent him and most of all, I want to wear His perfume.  That can only take place when I walk with Him in complete unity.

Wear the perfume!

For we are to be the fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; and to the other, an aroma that brings life.  2 Corinthians 2:15-16

Stop Kicking

The other morning I was trying to apply my make-up.  I have a circular magnified mirror attached to my vanity mirror in my bathroom.  As I began to apply it, I noticed that I had to lean my body to the right to access the magnified mirror.  Something on the floor was in my way.  I tried kicking it out of the way but it wouldn't budge.  I continued to apply mascara still leaning to my right because whatever was on the floor was getting in my way.  I would lean to the right then straighten up as my make-up was to my left.  I did this enough times that my side finally hurt doing it.  The way to avoid that was to move what was on the floor.  Instead, I continued to to kick without looking down to see what it was.

When I finally looked down to move it, I discovered what it was that was preventing me from properly using my mirror.  It was my bible.  My bible is no small thing.  It is a large print bible so it's double the size.  You see, in the morning when I wake up-especially when I am teaching, I go to the bathroom floor to do my devotion.  I turn on the light, close the door and proceed with my devotion so I don't wake my husband. I usually sit on the floor with a pillow at my back.  When I have prayed, I simply move my bible and jump in the shower.  This time, I must have moved the bible and it landed in front of the vanity.

When I discovered it was my bible, this thought emerged: "How many times do we kick our bible to the curb without physically kicking it?"  There are excuses like "It's too late, I'm too tired, I'll do it tomorrow, I went to church so I don't have to read the bible today."  I ask this because these are all excuses I have found myself using.

If we would only remember that the Word of God is our greatest weapon against the enemy, I think we would keep it close and learn it.  Don't make that mistake.  Don't go into battle without the weapon that can help defeat the enemy.  He is afraid of the one true God and when we fight him with "it is written" he can not win!

So if you're kicking your bible out of the way, either literally or mentally, consider that it is your weapon in spiritual warfare and stop kicking!

Jesus said to him "Away from me Satan!"For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:10-11

Ferrari

The other day my son called me and asked "Mom, can we pray?" What an awesome feeling that is too hear that from one of your kids.  I had always been the initiator, I was the one who always asked that question. My heart swelled with warmth at the request. First he shared his heart, then we prayed. I prayed first, thanking God for the awesome work  He is doing in our son's life. Then, our son prayed and it was the most sincere, humbling prayer I've ever heard.

We joined in spirit as we prayed.  My heart was full.  Then for one split second, I was distracted as I heard him say "take this old truck and turn it into a Ferrari."  My thought was this: "he does have a truck but it's not old, and really God, he's asking for a a Ferrari?"  The air was sucked out of my lungs at the thought. For that split second  I allowed the enemy to distract me from the prayer. Had I stayed in that distraction, I would have missed him saying how much he loved the Lord and the opportunity of ministry he had been given. I would have missed him saying "Take this  old truck (him) and turn it into a Ferrari (a priceless servant of God)!

When I came to that understanding I was humbled. There comes a time when we have to let go. We have to leave things of the past in the past. If we continue to be that "old truck" just barely making it through without recharging, without re-fueling and without restoring, it (we) will eventually break down.  But when we give our life to God completely, he turns us into something that will be polished, brand new, and priceless. 

I thank God for those of you that took the time to speak into this child's life. I thank those of you who have prayed for this child and have contributed to his growth in loving Christ. Most of all, I thank my Heavenly Father for doing a work that is turning an old truck into a Ferrari.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, and the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17

My Child

With a career in law enforcement,  at 37 years of age I had pretty much resigned to the idea that I would never have a biological child. God saw different.  When I had my son, it was pretty much decided that his name would be Matthew...Child of God. I loved the meaning of the name.  When he was four years old, I came to know what it meant to give your child over to God.  Hannah in the old testament was also granted a child and at two years old, she gave Samuel to God.  I gave my son to God but "got to keep him."

All of his life, I have tried to teach him a Godly way.  We have prayed together, read God's Word together and gone to church together.  Then comes the time when you have to let them go.  While I feared him leaving and being on his own, I knew that God would take care of him.  We as parents can only go so far then it's between them and God. 

This summer, my son decided to attend a Campus Outreach event called Project 2016. He was supported by many friends including a mentor, a teacher, a pastor, and family members.  We visited him this week and were amazed at his growth and commitment to sharing the Word of God.

Today, he called me and we spoke for about 45 minutes.  I could sense the spirit of the Lord as  he shared his passion for a lost soul he works with.  I had never heard such commitment to making a difference.  I had never had a conversation with him where he quoted scripture and spoke of ministering to the lost and leading others to Christ.  In essence, I could tell Christ had touched his heart.

After our discussion, I prayed and then he prayed.  Parents, let me tell you....there is nothing that compares to a child at the foot of the cross praying for lost souls.  Many of my friends have had this all their life, we have not.  We often worshiped at different services, sometimes different days, and even different churches but the truth of it is you need to be an example and you need to trust God.
We are honored at the man of God our boy is becoming and we pray that God will take him and use him to his glory!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:27