Thursday, February 25, 2016

I Own Nothing

I live in a nice house, drive a nice car, and have nice clothes, but I do not own them. I am married to a wonderful Christian man, and I have birthed two precious children, but they are not mine. There are 24 hours in each day for me to live my life, but I tell you my life is not my own. I am able to teach and encourage women, but these skills are not mine. I have so many things, but I own nothing. Why is that you say? Well, because everything I am and everything I have is owned by Adonai - God our Lord and Master.

I've turned over my life to God because quite honestly He owns it all anyway. I've tried to run my life myself and I want you to know I made a mess of things. And, when I was trying to own it all, I not only messed up my life but there was collateral damage. I messed up some things for the lives of those closest to me. I assure you that giving God all you have - your assets, your relationships, your talents and your time is the only way to live!

We can read about Paul's conversion to Christianity in Acts 22.  We see that Paul turned over his very life to God. The amazing part of that for me is that Paul had been a mess! He hated Christians and wanted them gone from the earth, but then he met the resurrected Jesus and gave Him his life. Jesus took the mess and made a miracle. Paul is credited for writing most of the New Testament. From Christian hater to Christian promoter - Paul put his life in God's hands and God used it in a way no one would EVER imagine.

What is it that you need to put in God's hands? What are you trying to manage that you just need to let go of and let God work out the details?  Give God your time and marvel at how God blesses your day.  Give God your precious loved ones and rest knowing God is watching over them. Tell God all that you own - your car, your house and everything in your possession is His - and watch how He uses it for His glory. And, those talents you've been given, give those to Him, too. God will use whatever we put in His hands. Let God blow your hair back with how He can work in your life when you give it ALL to Him.

Lord, thank you that you have given me so very much. Thank you that you love me even when I was messing things up. I love that you have made such amazing things happen in my life. I will forever trust and love you. - In the name of Jesus - Amen.

For a deeper study:

  • Read Acts 22: 1 - 11 to look closely at Paul's conversion.
  • Read and make notes of what God teaches you in Psalm 24:1, Romans 14:9, and 1 Corinthians 6:20.
  • Pray and give God what you need to release to Him.





Thursday, February 18, 2016

Jesus the Creator

In case you thought Jesus first appeared in the manger, let me clear this up for you. Jesus, part of The Trinity I know as God, was there in the beginning of what we know as time, and will be there in what we will know to be the end of time. He is indeed The Alpha and The Omega. He is Elohim, God our Creator.

In Genesis 1:1 it says, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." The Hebrew word used here for God is Elohim. Elohim, when properly translated, is plural in number but singular in meaning. This points to One God with multiple identities. These identities are The Father, The Son (Jesus), and The Holy Spirit.

Still not convinced?  Well, check out these details:

  • In Genesis 1:26 God said, "Let US make human beings in OUR image, to be like US." This very clearly points to a plural form of One God.
  • Isaiah 7:14, written hundreds of years prior to the birth of Jesus, states that a virgin will give birth to a son and He will be called, Immanuel which is translated "God with Us."
  • Matthew 1:23 also repeats that Jesus was to be called, Immanuel.
  • John 1 indicates that in the beginning was The Word and the Word was God and the Word became flesh and lived among us. (Jesus) And this is based on eye witness accounts.
  • In John 14:11 Jesus tells us that His Father is in Him and He is in His Father.
  • Jesus claimed to be God, which was very offensive to the religious leaders at the time. He was speaking truth!
  • Colossians 1: 15 - 17 tells us that Jesus is the visible representation of an invisible God.
Still struggling with getting this? You might always struggle, but that is where FAITH kicks in. Have Faith in Him.  Also, know it states in 1 Corinthians 13 that now we know in part, but when we get to Heaven we will know in full.  The more I study God's Word, it makes more sense to me. But, I know I won't truly understand until I am in Glory.

Jesus is God.  Jesus is Elohim. Elohim is The Creator. God created everything through the power of His Word! That is power when your words can create! There is one exception to this. He spoke most everything in existence, except humans. He crafted us with His hands.  I like to think He got his fingerprints on us. And, He breathed His breath into us. And then He did the truly mind blowing thing.....He gave us words. He used words to make creation, and then He gave humans words.  In Proverbs we learn that our words have the power of life and death. I believe it.  I can use my words to build someone up, or tear them down.

Have you thought about Jesus' awesome power? Have you thought about how amazing His creation is? Sit outside tonight and look up at the stars. He put them in place along with the moon. Watch the sun rise or set this week. This event alone declares God's power and authority. When we look at science and creation it is so easy to see the miracles of the world we live in. God, Elohim, is powerful!

Jesus - I am truly in awe of Your awesome power. You are Elohim, The Creator. Thank You for creating me. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for leaving the perfection in Heaven to come to this broken world to save me. I forever put my trust in You! - Amen.

For a deeper study read Isaiah 40: 21 - 31.  Make notes of what this teaches you about God's power. Ask God to show His might power in your life.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

True Safety

When I was a little girl and I felt scared, I would run to my dad because I knew he would protect me. I even remember times when my brother was picking on me, and I would run and jump in my dad's lap for safety.

Psalm 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong fortress, the godly run to Him and are safe."

This verse makes me think of running to our Heavenly Father and jumping in His lap. We are safe under His care. We can rest without worries when His arms are wrapped around us. He's got our backs.  And, as it says in Romans 10, if God is for us, who can be against us? 

If God is in Heaven and I'm down here in this broken world, how can I climb in my Father's arms? Here's a list of how I snuggle with my Savior:

  • Quiet time reading the Bible with just me and Jesus in the room
  • Singing praise songs (This happens in the shower, in my car, or even while I'm in my office.)
  • Bike riding with Jesus
  • Praying (This happens while cycling, walking, sitting in my office, in the middle of my Bible reading, etc.)
  • Studying His Word with other Believers

How do you crawl up in your Heavenly Father's lap? When is the last time you just crawled up into His lap and sat there for a while and rested?

Why don't you read through Psalm 91 right now and snuggle with your Father?

Psalm 91 (The Message Version)
 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
 “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
    “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
    if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
    I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
    give you a long drink of salvation!”


I'm beginning a study of the names of God. Please join me so you can feel safe and secure all your days. Here's how you can join:

In person in San Antonio, Texas: 

  • Community Bible Church, Mondays 6:30 PM in CBC Central
  • Community Bible Church, Thursdays 9:30 AM in E222


Online through Facebook:

  • Pursuit Online (just search Facebook for this name and join us!)
We are using the workbook written by Carrie Rogers called "He Is". You can find yours online through Amazon.com or in our CBC Bookstore.

Jesus, thank You for loving us. I'm so glad you love us and You are for us. You are our everything. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

They Need to Know!


Romans 10:13-15 says, "For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”"
Here's is what I learn from this little bit of scripture:
1.  Everyone who calls on Jesus will be saved.
2.  Not everyone in our world knows about Jesus.
3.  Christians need to go into the world, and not just stay in church, to tell others about the precious name of Jesus.
4.  The Bible tells us that we are being sent into the world.
5.  I will have pretty feet if I take the Good News to those that need to hear it.
I love studying God's Word with others, but I can't just sit around and not share that outside the walls of the church! I'm going to a homeless shelter today to link arms with other women for two reasons:  1) I want them to know the amazing life you can live when you follow Jesus. And 2) I want pretty feet!
Are your feet pretty? Well maybe you need a spiritual pedicure. Maybe you need to share the love of Jesus with others today.  Here are my suggestions:
1.  Go to a nursing home and love on the people there by telling them what Jesus has done in your life.
2.  Surprise someone at Starbucks and pay for their coffee while telling them you are doing it because God loves them and you want them to know.
3.  Take a casserole to your neighbor and tell them it's just because God loves them and you wanted to bless them. (This works well if you are my neighbor!!)
4.  Tell a single mom you know that you will keep her kids for one hour while she does whatever she wants to do because Jesus loves her and you want her to know it.
5. Go to a homeless shelter and LISTEN to the stories of those you meet. Ask them how you can pray for them. It will be the best hour of your week!
Stop reading this blog. Go out and share Jesus with someone.  Oh, and then come back here next week to rejoin us as we study the names of God. 
Jesus - You are an amazing and mighty God. I'm thankful that you died for our sins. That's incredible.  That was one amazing sacrifice! Help me to sacrifice some of my time each week to share Your love with others. You didn't stay inside the church all the time when You walked on Earth, and neither should I. In Jesus' Name I pray - Amen.