Jesus still says today, "Peace be Still!"

Even in the storms (both current and coming), I'm so thankful that our Lord still is in control of all. And He does not leave us to walk through the storms alone… He walks with us. And He still says today, "Peace be still." 

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded. As the disciples grasp their oars to make a last effort, Jesus rises. He stands in the midst of His disciples, while the tempest rages, the waves break over them, and the lightning illuminates His countenance. He lifts His hand, so often employed in deeds of mercy, and says to the angry sea, “Peace, be still.” The storm ceases. The billows sink to rest. The clouds roll away, and the stars shine forth. The boat rests upon a quiet sea. Then turning to His disciples, Jesus asks sorrowfully, “Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?” Mark 4:40, R.V.

"A hush fell upon the disciples. Even Peter did not attempt to express the awe that filled his heart. The boats that had set out to accompany Jesus had been in the same peril with that of the disciples. Terror and despair had seized their occupants; but the command of Jesus brought quiet to the scene of tumult. The fury of the storm had driven the boats into close proximity, and all on board beheld the miracle. In the calm that followed, fear was forgotten. The people whispered among themselves, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

"When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the “Master of earth and sea and sky” that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, “I can of Mine own self do nothing.” John 5:30. He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith—faith in God’s love and care—that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God."

"As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so we are to rest in the care of our Saviour. If the disciples had trusted in Him, they would have been kept in peace. Their fear in the time of danger revealed their unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot Jesus; and it was only when, in despair of self-dependence, they turned to Him that He could give them help."

"How often the disciples’ experience is ours! When the tempests of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves sweep over us, we battle with the storm alone, forgetting that there is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Saviour in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best."

The passages above came from the devotional reading of Desire of Ages, p. 335-336

Review

• Bible Though: Our peace is in Christ. In the world, we will not have peace, but only in Him.
• Blessing: Praising the Lord, that He is the calmer of the storm. Sometimes He calms the storm, and sometimes He only calms the child to live through the storm.
• Battles: To walk with Him and cling to Him continually!

The End of Time is drawing near…Get in the ARK!

The following passages aren't really that "bright and cheery" but just as Noah preached about the coming flood, God has called us to also warn the world of the coming storm and the coming crisis. The following statements, from a number of different books, were written over a hundred years ago. However, they appear very prophetic when you compare them with the circumstances of today, with the scandals currently happening in our government and society, and with the disasters occurring on every side. 

"Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise." Testimonies for the Church Vol. 8, p. 28

"We are standing upon the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecies are fulfilling. Strange, eventful history is being recorded in the books of heaven. Everything in our world is in agitation. There are wars, and rumors of wars. The nations are angry, and the time of the dead has come, that they should be judged. Events are changing to bring about the day of God which hasteth greatly. Only a moment of time, as it were, yet remains. But while already nation is rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, there is not now a general engagement. As yet the four winds are held until the servants of God shall be sealed in their foreheads. Then the powers of earth will marshal their forces for the last great battle." Christian Service, p. 51

"The restraining Spirit of God is even now being withdrawn from the world. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood, disasters by sea and land, follow each other in quick succession. Science seeks to explain all these. The signs thickening around us, telling of the near approach of the Son of God, are attributed to any other than the true cause. Men cannot discern the sentinel angels restraining the four winds that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed; but when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there shall be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones." Christian Service, p. 51-52

"The time is at hand when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal. The Spirit of God is being withdrawn. Disasters by sea and by land follow one another in quick succession. How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man; but in them all, God’s purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger." Prophets and Kings, p. 277

Bible thought:

• Bible Thought: Get in the ARK - get in Christ, while there is still time. Our only security through the storm is being in Christ, covered by His blood!
• Blessing: I'm so thankful that just like God gave Noah and his family the Ark, He has also provided a place of refuge for us!
• Battle: We must wake up to the times we are living in and get in the Ark of safety!

The Coming Storm…

Last night I didn't sleep very well. As lightning and thunder shook the heavens and wind, rain and hail pelted down on my roof, threatening to move my house from its foundation, I thought about the many that had already lost their homes, and sometimes their loved ones in this very same storm. (My heart and prayers go out to them.)

However, today as I look at the pictures of devastation that cover Moore Oklahoma (and their surrounding communities), I'm reminded about another storm that is coming. A much bigger and more scary storm…a storm that is going to tear much of professing Christianity from its foundation.

"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." 1 Thes. 5:3-6

Here's a couple passages I was just reading this morning about the coming storm.

"God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble. We are to be as men waiting for their Lord, not in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with unwavering faith. It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance. While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may not have mercy or justice." Counsels for the Church, p. 335

"Soon God’s people will be tested by fiery trials, and the great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove to be base metal. Instead of being strengthened and confirmed by opposition, threats, and abuse, they will cowardly take the side of the opposers. The promise is, “Them that honor me I will honor.” Shall we be less firmly attached to God’s law because the world at large have attempted to make it void? Already the judgments of God are abroad in the land, as seen in storms, in floods, in tempests, in earthquakes, in perils by land and by sea. The great I AM is speaking to those who make void his law. When God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth, who will then be able to stand? Now is the time for God’s people to show themselves true to principle. When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when his law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few,—this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason. The nation will be on the side of the great rebel leader." Review and Herald,  January 11, 1887

Review: 

• Bible Thought: We know from the Bible that destruction is coming upon the earth, and more so, as Jesus coming draws near. However, we are not in ignorance. We are children of light. Let us watch and be sober, and not miss the warning signs of impending doom!
• Blessing: I praise the Lord that my family in Oklahoma are safe, although they were only miles from some of the tornadoes that hit yesterday. I also praise God that the hail did not destroy our garden last night.
• Battles: Today more storms are expected. Even as I type, thunder and lightning are shaking my desk. I praise God that I'm never alone even in the storms.

Ask ye of the Lord Rain…

One of the promises I keep claiming says: "Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field." Zach. 10:1

Speaking of the Latter Rain which is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we are told:

"The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. From the day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service.

God desires to refresh His people by the gift of the Holy Spirit, baptizing them anew in His love. There is no need for a dearth of the Holy Spirit in the church. After Christ’s ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon the waiting, praying, believing disciples with a fulness and power that reached every heart. In the future the earth is to be lightened with the glory of God. A divine influence is to go forth to the world from those who are sanctified through the truth. The earth is to be encircled with an atmosphere of grace. The Holy Spirit is to work on human hearts, taking the things of God and showing them unto men.

It is true that in the time of the end, when God’s work in the earth is closing, the earnest efforts put forth by consecrated believers under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are to be accompanied by special tokens of divine favor. Under the figure of the early and the latter rain, that falls in Eastern lands at seed-time and harvest, the Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon God’s church. The out-pouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former rain, and glorious was the result. To the end of time, the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true church.

The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the “former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant. What is the promise to those living in these days?—“Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.” “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.”

This passage came from the book Christian Service, p. 250-251

Review:

• Bible Thought: Asking for Rain
• Blessings: God has promised it will come…I believe we are feeling raindrops!
• Battles: The enemy wants us to slumber so we miss this outpouring! We cannot allow him to succeed. 

Heaven's Family Reunion

Do you ever stop and think about what Heaven will be like? When I was young I use to think about it all the time…and I do still even today. Of course, the most exciting thing is that Jesus will be there. But I think the second most exciting thing is that we will be with our families and loved ones. 

Yesterday we had a lot of friends gathering for a "family reunion" as we celebrated my grandma's life. Yes, there were tears, but it was a memorial of HOPE, as we have the resurrection to look forward to. I can't wait until that heavenly family reunion when we will all be together in person.

The Bible tells us:

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thes. 4:16-18

At the close of the program, I played a song "The Family Reunion" that I put together with pictures for my grandma. (If you've ever lost a loved one, or are homesick for heaven, you will really appreciate this song!) But it wasn't just that. In this slide show, I also shared a final message that my grandma recorded for her family….months before she died. I thought some of you, even if you didn't know her, would enjoy seeing this! (It's short!)

Here's the YouTube Link! :-)

Blessings on all as you start a new week!

Review:

• Bible Thought: Looking forward to when Christ shall descend from Heaven with a shout to take all of us home.
• Blessings: That we have this HOPE!
• Battles: That we not let go of Christ, for if we hold on to Him, trusting in His blood, we will be part of this heavenly family reunion very soon!

Is Christ at Home?

Is Christ at HOME in your home and heart? Is He at home in mine? 

My friend Annie shared this quote and thought a little while back, and I thought I'd repost it for today's Morning Sonshine as it's well worth contemplating! :-)

"If you desire Christ for a perpetual guest, give Him ALL the keys of your heart; let not one cabinet be locked up from Him; give Him the range of every room, and the key of every chamber; thus you will constrain Him to remain." - Spurgeon 

Annie continues…"Every dollar in savings, every internet hour, every Saturday evening, every item of clothing, every task before me, every future plan, every hope… It all goes to Thee, the worthy One of my life. He who humbled Himself and was obedient unto death, my death! Shall I hold anything back, however small, for the One who gave everything for me, of worth far greater than I can fathom?"

Review: 

• Bible Thought: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:19,20
• Blessing: That Christ even wants to live in this (my heart) home, is unbelievable! So amazing!
• Battles: To not let in any intruders. I pray everyday, "Lord, please don't allow the enemy a foot-hold in my heart or in my home!"

The Value of One Soul…

It's hard to understand how Christ loves us so much that He would risk all, even for one of us…and how we should risk all to save others. I keep praying, "Lord, give me this kind of love! A love that will put my all on the line to save souls!"

"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." Matt. 18:11-14

"The wealth of earth dwindles into insignificance when compared with the worth of a single soul for whom our Lord and Master died. He who weighted the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance, regards a human soul as of infinite value." Gospel Workers, p. 92

Review:

• Bible Thought: It is not God's will that even ONE should perish!
• Blessing: I'm so thankful He was willing to come for even one, because if there was only one, it probably would have been ME!
• Battles: Praying to have a greater heart of love for the lost…

There's MORE with us!!!

The next few "Morning Sonshine's" are going to be brief! This is the Memorial Weekend for my grandmother, and we have lots going on here, as well as friends coming in from out of town, so I don't have time to blog very much with all the activity. But I hope you are blessed by the brief thoughts I will share. :-)

Was reading in 2 Chronicles 32, and was soooo encouraged about how King Hezekiah encouraged his people when the Assyrians came against. Here's the two verses that really stood out to me:

"Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." 2 Chron. 32:7-8

You may feel like all the multitude of evil has come against you, but remember, if God be for us, who can be against us. Let's keep our eyes on Him, no matter what the enemy says against us!

You want to see how this story ended?? Read 2 Chron. 32:9-23! It is AMAZING!!!!!

Review:

• Bible Thought: There are ALWAYS more with us than with the powers of darkness that come against us!
• Blessing: So thankful for these stories God has given us, to encourage our faith!
• Battles: Let's not be distracted by whatever King Sennacherib "or those in this world" try to say against us. God is in control!

Did you know that God cares about Gravel?

One of my favorite promises is Ephesians 3:20. I've probably already quoted it on this blog a couple times. It says:

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

Rather than sharing what I studied in the Word today, or what I'm thinking on at the moment, I have to share a testimony.

For quite a few months now, I've been writing down each answer to prayer that I receive. I actually challenged God awhile back that I wanted to see Him answer at least one prayer every day. I don't have the courage yet to pray for "one soul a day" like Praying Hyde prayed for, but I do have courage to ask for one answered prayer every day! 

Well, since I put God to this challenge, I've of course been praying quite fervently. And He's been faithfully answering. Every single day He gives me answered prayers, often times more than one. I never realized before how faithful He always takes care of me, and how He's working in my life until I started trying to keep record. It's amazing…

Well, yesterday was extra-ordinary as I have SEVEN answers to prayer, all in one day!!!!! ;-) But there's one in specific I have to share about. To most people this wouldn't seem that exciting or special, but to me, it means the world. 

You see, for a number of months now, I've been trusting God with my needs. One thing that I've been praying for since January is for some gravel to make a parking spot for my car, and for my driveway, so I don't get stuck when it rains. It's not anything urgent…and I could probably survive another few years without getting it, but it's just something I need. God has sent me funds…but to be honest, besides paying essential bills, I just have a hard time using them on myself or on stuff here around the house as I know there are so many people dying without a knowledge of the truth. So…. although I probably could have bought the gravel by now, I just haven't been able to do it. So I've kept praying!

Well, yesterday, Dad came to my office where I was working and he was very urgent. I need your help to drive the truck to the local community church, about 5 miles away. They have a pile of gravel there, and they have used all they need, now they are trying to get rid of it. They just called and asked if we could use any? I was so shocked. I was like, "Daddy! I've been PRAYING for GRAVEL!! In fact, I just prayed for it this morning!!!" Now my dad was shocked. "Really?? You never told me! But I guess you told the right person. You told God." 

So we went to get gravel. We got like 4 truck loads of the stuff, plus 2 trailer loads. It was enough to fill in most of the ruts in our driveway, make me a parking spot, plus put gravel on the wet places around my jogging trail. At the end, our neighbor even brought over one more tractor barrow of the stuff that he still hadn't found a place for. (Talk about personal delivery!) I couldn't believe it! My mom told me, "All the years we've lived here, we've never been given free gravel before! Truly God answers prayer!"

Again, to some, this may seem crazy to get excited about, but I have just been in awe and thanksgiving ever since. God knew I didn't want to spend the money on the stuff, so He just gave it to me, without charge! Isn't He amazing??? 

I could go on and on telling you stories of the way He's answering my prayers. It's unbelievable! We truly serve an amazing God. And I'm so grateful that He cares not just about our big problems, but about little things too, like gravel for our driveway! ;-))))

Review:

• Bible Thought: Trust God with your needs. Nothing is unimportant to Him, and He truly can supply!
• Blessing: God not only cares for my needs, like gravel, but He's my ROCK, and He never lets me down. I'm so blessed to have Him as my Heavenly Father!
• Battles: At the moment, I'm like floating on the top of the world… ;-)

To Receive the gospel…means to let go of something else!

"Which [gospel] also you received and in which you stand…" 1 Cor. 15:1

In 1 Corinthians 15:1, we see that they [the Corinthians] RECEIVED the gospel. This is important and all too often lacking in our own modern day watered down version of gospel living. But what does RECEIVE really mean anyway?

This is how Paul Washer explains it according to the Scriptures. Powerful!

1. When two things are diametrically opposed to one another, to receive one is to reject the other. Since there is no friendship between the gospel and the world, to receive the gospel is to reject the world. To receive the gospel is not merely to pray a prayer and ask Jesus into our hearts. It is to put away the world, and to embrace the fullness of the claims of Christ.

2. A man who receives the gospel trusts exclusively in the person and work of Jesus Christ as the only way of standing before God. The Christian faith is exclusive. To receive Christ is to throw off every other hope but in Christ alone. To genuinely receive the gospel not only involves a disdain and turning away from sin, but also a disdain for and turning from any confidence other than Christ, especially a confidence in self.

3. To receive the gospel is to live in submission to the Lord of our lives. All too often we tell Christians they need to make Christ the Lord of their lives. God does not call men to make Jesus Lord (as if they had that power), but He calls us to live in absolute submission to the Lord that He has made. Therefore, if we desire to receive the benefits of the gospel, we must first decide if we are wiling to turn over all autonomy and self government to the Lord of the gospel. 

4. Finally, to receive the gospel, Christ must become the center of everything in our lives, and therefore He reaches everything! Like a pebble cast upon a lake, the ripple effect of the gospel will eventually reach the full circumference of the believers life and touch every shore upon his soul. A believer does not receive the gospel as an addition to His previous life, but in exchange for it. 

As Paul exhorts, "We should never present Christ to the unbelievers as the cherry on top of an already wonderful life. The unbeliever must see that he has no life, and that all his personal achievements prior to Christ are only monuments to his own vanity." 

My friend Annie recently shared this quote and comment and I thought it very fitting here:

"If you desire Christ for a perpetual guest, give Him ALL the keys of your heart; let not one cabinet be locked up from Him; give Him the range of every room, and the key of every chamber; thus you will constrain Him to remain." - Spurgeon

And Annie continues the thought…"Every dollar in savings, every internet hour, every Saturday evening, every item of clothing, every task before me, every future plan, every hope… It all goes to Thee, the worthy One of my life. He who humbled Himself and was obedient unto death, my death! Shall I hold anything back, however small, for the One who gave everything for me, of worth far greater than I can fathom?"

Review: 

• Bible Thought: Praying that God will help me and help us as a people to RECEIVE HIM and in so doing, to release the Love of the world and self!
• Blessing: I'm so thankful that everything that Christ asks us to relinquish He replaces with something much much better! HIMSELF!! (But wow… I still have soo much to learn about this great gigantic gift and what it means to my life!)
• Battles: My battle is to not be divided in my loyalty… for we are told, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Only Christ can give me a hate for the things I once loved, and a passionate love for the things I once lightly esteemed. The world is still too much in my heart, but I know that He can change this!

My heart was Broken…

I remember the very day when the weight of my sins and the beauty of the Cross impacted me more deeply than it ever had before. When I realized that He did all that for ME!!! When I realized how desperately lost I was without Him. It actually wasn't that long ago. It was September of 2008, and I was in the city of Dhaka in the country of Bangladesh! Suddenly as I looked at a city in ruins filled with broken homes and people, it hit me what my heart and life is like without Christ. At that moment,  I cried and cried…. for the first time I realized the power of the gospel. My heart is just like that country, there's so much self and pride within, it is humanly impossible to make pure and right. Only Christ's blood can wash away my sins. Although I'd been a Christian my whole life, and had been seeking to serve God faithfully, it wasn't until this day that the power of the CROSS really impacted me so dramatically. Finally…what Christ had done for me became REAL!!! I felt it. I understood it. And I was struck down with weeping in gratitude!! I wish I'd realized sooner, instead of waiting so many years after I had given my life to Christ. But sometimes when you've been raised in the church with the treasure before you, you don't even realize what God has done for you.

This week, as I was looking up verses on the gospel, it struck me again! How could God possibly LOVE us soooo much, that His Son would be willing to come and die?? I wept again! 

Have you taken time to consider this recently? Or has the gospel and Christ's sacrifice for you just become another one of those beliefs you tuck away for a rainy day?

There's a song I often sing, but it takes on new significance as I reconsider His sacrifice:

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sound. All other ground is sinking sand."

"The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now?" 

"The infinite love and mercy of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, calls for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of him who came to save his people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God, because they will be more and more mixed with faith and love. They will be intelligent and fervent. There will be more constant confidence in Jesus, and a daily, living experience in his power to save to the utmost all that come unto God by him." Christian Education, 57


Review:

• Bible Thought: Is our Hope built on Jesus Christ or on something else? 
• Blessing: As I am reminded of the incredible God I serve, who loved me so much that He gave His Son, I am in awe once again. 
• Battles: The enemy tries to steal my focus and distract me…even in my Christian walk. I'm praying I won't ever let Him distract me from the study of redemption and from the Cross of Christ.

The Gospel is NOT just Basic - it's the fullness of everything there is to know!!!!

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." 1 Cor 15:1-4

I want to correct an error of statement that I made. (Yep, although in earnest and very sincere, even I am not above making errors! I hope my friends will forgive me.) When I was blogging about the gospel last week, I wrote, "Of course, this may seem rather elementary to some. After all, the GOSPEL is something we've grown up reading and hearing about our entire lives, right?? But all too often, I think that we Christian's can forget the basics, or the basics don't touch us, because we've known them from childhood!"

I think the problem with Christianity in this modern age is precisely this… and I am just as guilty as everyone else! We all too often look at the gospel as merely the first step of our faith. We look at it as just a BASIC! We consider it elementary and then we move on to deeper theology and truths. I have thought that myself or I wouldn't have made the statements that I just did. But the more I am re-studying this precious truth, the more I am aware of my own errors. I have minimized the power of the gospel. I have minimized the truth of the gospel! I have minimized the gift of the gospel! I have minimized the Savior of the Gospel. I honestly am not even sure that I have understand the magnificence of the gospel…and yet I profess to believe and preach the gospel! "Oh woe is me!" 1 Cor. 9:16

I love the Lord with all my heart, and I rely upon His blood and His atoning work to stand in my place. But I still think sometimes I am missing something. I just don't get it. I have to admit that my dulled senses sometimes need some extra pushing and prodding before I awaken to my need. And that came by picking up a book my brother had purchased called The Gospel's Power and Message, by Paul Washer. Here's a statement he shares in his first few chapters that I think is worth repeating:

"The gospel is not merely an introductory message to Christianity - it is the message of Christianity. It is the message of salvation, the means of our progress toward sanctification, and the pristine fountain from which flows every pure and right motivation for the Christian life. For the believer, Jesus is the Manna that comes down from Heaven, the Rock that gushes forth living water in the midst of a desert, and the Vine in which he remains, and from which he receives life and fruitfulness. The believer who has truly partaken of Christ ceases to spend himself for what is not bread and cannot satisfy, but seeks to eat only that bread that comes from Heaven that he may eat and not die" 

Unfortunately, this isn't the way that we often treat the gospel…It's all too often, just the cherry on the cake, when in reality, the gospel is the cake. It's not just something that adds flavor to our Christianity, but it is the basis of Christianity. It's so much more than I've thought or given it credit for! So much more…

Well, I'm not going to try to share the truth and grandeur of this gift in this short blog post… I couldn't even if I wanted to, because I don't understand or comprehend it yet, as I should. But I do see my need! Praise the Lord for that!!! Maybe it's just me… and maybe I'm all alone in this error. But I think we as Christians need to seriously revisit this issue and make it more our focus and our message. What is the Gospel and what does it truly mean! Do we understand this great gift? I'm praying God will make this the focus of my life and study, and that the beauty of this gospel will pervade everything else that I share. 

Review:

• Bible Thought: The Gospel is not just a basic theory…it is to be our life and study! It is the fullness of all we should build upon, the Rock that we anchor to!
• Blessing: I don't understand it as I should, but I'm so thankful God is bringing me back to this important truth again! 
• Battle: I think the devil would be just happy if we had all the religion and Christianity we wanted as long as we don't understand the gospel. Why? Because the Gospel is the power of God to salvation. This is so key! We have to get this!!

A Virtuous Women - Meet My Mom!

Mom and Dad - Married over 40 years!

It's Mother's Day…I have to stop the usual inspirational sharing to share about a second women. (The first I wrote about on yesterday's post!) This women is also a "Morning Sunshine" to many, and she is my Mother… 

My mom is simply amazing!! And everyone that knows her, would back up this statement. Although she has spent years struggling with different health issues, she has a strength and fortified and determination that keeps pushing forward. She is a powerhouse and dynamo that gets things done…including keeping our farm running smoothly, keeping the garden growing fruitfully, doing a full time sewing business and much more. But most of all she loves people. Have I shared about the family of seven that she and dad adopted a couple years ago? (See pictures below!)

Of course, it's obvious, my mom loves the Lord too, with all her heart, and she and dad taught us kids to do the same. Memorizing Scripture was her love and I remember some of the many Scripture songs she taught us and verses that we memorized as young children. 

Mom with all her girls!

My mom is a wealth of wisdom, expertise, love and generosity. While she is still going strong, and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, I still get chocked up thinking about what life could possible be like without her. I can't imagine the pain of losing a parent…although I realize that if Jesus does not come back someday soon, I will have to walk this road. But I and my brothers have been given such a blessing. 

There are many things I could say about my mother, but even these things would not hold a candle to the women that she is. In honor of her and mother's day, I just will share the passage that dad often shares as he speaks of his "lovely wife." (They've been married for over 40 years!) If there was anyone who could possible exemplify this passage, that is my mother! 

Our whole family - with additions!

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considerate a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellent them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth theLord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs 31

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you!

Where is YOUR Treasure?

A week or so ago, I wrote about my grandmother's death. As mother's day approaches, I wanted to share something more about her life! I share this as my "Morning Sonshine" in hopes that it will inspire and encourage you…for my grandmother truly was a Morning Sunshine to so many, as she reflected Christ!

My grandmother was always active, and always reaching out to others. From the time I was very small, I remember her taking me around the community visiting this person or that one. She especially would visit shut-ins and those that lived alone, bringing them songs, sunshine, and cheer. She was always reaching out to the needy and she would give the shirt off her back to help someone, if she needed.  

As I got older, she would take me on adventure picnics, sing songs with me, and tell me stories of days gone by. After all, she was born in 1924, so she'd been around a few years. (Including both World Wars, and the Great Depression!)

There's something else my grandmother was. She was a prolific writer. (Maybe this is where I got my love of writing!) She didn't write stories and things like I do though, but she wrote letters of encouragement, and she sent verses of encouragement out to anyone that she thought needed cheering. (I use to do this, and I need to do it more!) Believe it or not, she mailed her last 10 letters of encouragement to absent church members just two weeks ago - yep, the week before she died, she was still writing letters of encouragement. 

Something else that may be of interest is that in the past several years she has transcribed, copied by hand, the entire Bible books of Ruth, Esther, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Daniel, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Colossians, Ephesians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, James, Jude and Revelation. (I didn't even realize the magnitude of what she had written out until we were going through her stuff this week and sorting things to save or give away!) These Bible books remain in 9 notebooks of 80 pages each, copied neatly on both sides. Her last entry of the week before she died was Matthew 6:20-24 which includes the passage: "For where your treasure is there will your heart be also."

I know where my grandma's Treasure was, because that's where her heart was also! All over her room and desk were pictures of Christ. She loved Christ, she talked of Christ, she shared Christ with others. 

Sometimes when I was young, I thought she talked about Him too much, but now I realize that she understand what the Gospel truly was. (Something I am still trying to learn. I'll blog about this more on Monday!) 

My grandmother was not a saint, she had her struggles and trials, as we all do. But her hope was in Christ and in this Hope and peace, she went to rest. But her memory and her legacy lives on, and I pray it will challenge all of us to seek FIRST the things of Heaven, for where your Treasure is there will YOUR heart be also!

Review:

• Bible Thought: Let's remember first things first…to love God and to love each other! This is how my grandma lived! 
• Blessing: I'm so thankful for the gift of her life…now that it's gone, I continue to mourn the loss…but I am so thankful for the hope of the Resurrection when we will all be reunited again!
• Battles: I love to write too…But I've spent a lot of my earlier years writing about trivial things…I pray that my life and focus can be like my Grandmothers, to love others and to love Christ and bring others to Christ. I know that the enemy's battle is to keep me from this, but with Christ, all things are possible!  

A fresh look at the Cross awakens my Dull Senses

This past week, I was taking a break from my writing one morning, and I started re-studying out the topic of the "Gospel" purely for my own spiritual refreshment and growth. Of course, this may seem rather elementary to some. After all, the GOSPEL is something we've grown up reading and hearing about our entire lives, right?? But all too often, I think that we Christian's can forget the basics, or the basics don't touch us, because we've known them from childhood!

So as I began to read…God impacted my heart in a very special way as I realized again the significance of the Cross! In fact, without the shedding of Christ blood, there would be NO HOPE for me!!! NONE!!! Wow… how easy to minimize His sacrifice or forget this!

"Few give thought to the suffering that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ’s agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God…"

"Every departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every failure of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to Him. When there came upon Israel the calamities that were the sure result of separation from God,—subjugation by their enemies, cruelty, and death,—it is said that “His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.” “In all their affliction He was afflicted: ... and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.” Judges 10:16; Isaiah 63:9 (Above two paragraphs from the book Education, p. 263)

Of course, as I looked up verse after verse, and did a lot of cross referencing, and followed a lot of fun rabbit trails, I couldn't believe how fast the time went by. Before I realized it, I'd been studying the Bible for over 4 hours…and I didn't want to stop! When you take time to really dig and to EAT the Words of Life, they really are so filling! :-)

One of the favorite verses that I looked up came from Romans 1:16,17

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Oh, this is meat in due season from first to last!

"The Jews looked upon a veiled Saviour whom they had never seen unveiled, and many even who claim to be God’s commandment-keeping people are looking upon a veiled Saviour. They have thought so little upon the great plan of redemption, the atoning sacrifice, and the truth that through the shedding of a Saviour’s blood alone the angels could proclaim peace on earth and good will to men. Talk it. Pray it. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Then why not dwell upon the necessity of faith in the blood of Jesus Christ? The things of the Spirit, the preaching of the cross, are “to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 16 Manuscript Releases, p. 232

If you haven't seen this lately, please watch the short GOSPEL YOU link. POWERFUL and most concise presentation I've ever seen! (And, one of my friends actually made this video, so I'm proud of that fact too!) 

Review:

• Bible Thought: The Gospel is the POWER of God unto Salvation! Am I accepting this power, or trying to earn Salvation in my own strength…which is useless? Also, am I still causing Him pain by my careless sins?
• Blessing: So thankful again for Christ's sacrifice and for His righteousness that covers my filthy stinking rags. Also thankful for His Mercy and Amazing Grace!
• Battle: Let me not allow the enemy to dull my senses to this great gift!

Stocking Piling God's promises!

"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger." Zephaniah 2:3

"Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon tocome upon human beings. The end is very near. God’s people should be preparing for what is to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise. The “time of trouble, such as never was,” is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God. “Though Noah, Daniel, and Job” were in the land, “as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” Ezekiel 14:20.

"The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning the law of God. Upon this battle we are now entering—a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah, between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition. We should study the great waymarks that point out the times in which we are living.... We should now pray most earnestly that we may be prepared for the struggles of the great day of God’s preparation. Those who place themselves under God’s control, to be led and guided by Him, will catch the steady tread of the events ordained by Him to take place. Inspired with the Spirit of Him who gave His life for the life of the world, they will no longer stand still in impotency, pointing to what they cannot do. Putting on the armor of heaven, they will go forth to the warfare, willing to do and dare for God, knowing that His omnipotence will supply their need." Maranatha, p. 161

"Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, andthis preparation they should make by diligently studying the word of God, and striving to conform their lives to its precepts.... God calls for a revival and a reformation." Prophets and Kings, 626

Some people look at society and think that stock piling supplies is the answer to being prepared. But God wants us to "stockpile" His promises. THIS IS HOW WE PREPARE!

God wants to have a relationship with us in our hearts. He wants to know us NOW! Not wait until we are desperate and we have no other choice!

So I don't know about you, but I'm asking God to help me prepare… sometimes I'm overwhelmed at how unprepared I am…but I know as I keep seeking Him, He will show me what I need! 

Review:

• Bible Thought: God will hide us in the day of His anger, especially if we've taken time to hide Him in our hearts in the days of peace! :-) Smiles. I guess I've got a pattern going here huh! But this is too important to pass over with just one day!!!!!! I pray many more than just myself are being convicted by the seriousness of our need!!!!
• Blessing: "Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises!" We have been given the treasure house of Heaven!
• Battles: Don't bring on the time of trouble ahead of time, and don't worry about the time of trouble beforehand. Trust that God just gives us strength for one day at a time!

Prepared for Battle!!!!

I touched on this yesterday, but as I was reading, I decided I wanted to share more on this topic for today's Morning Sonshine! :-)

"And there came out against them [referring to Asa's kingdom] Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee." 2 Chron. 14:9-11

In the historical narrative of this event from the book Prophets and Kings, we are told:

From every human viewpoint the vast host from Egypt would sweep everything before it. But in time of peace Asa had not been giving himself to amusement and pleasure; he had been preparing for any emergency. He had an army trained for conflict; he had endeavored to lead his people to make their peace with God. And now, although his forces were fewer in number than the enemy, his faith in the One whom he had made his trust did not weaken.

Having sought the Lord in the days of prosperity, the king could now rely upon Him in the day of adversity. His petitions showed that he was not a stranger to God’s wonderful power. “It is nothing with Thee to help,” he pleaded, “whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee.” Verse 11

The prayer of Asa is one that every Christian believer may fittingly offer. We fight in a warfare, not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. See Ephesians 6:12. In life’s conflict we must meet evil agencies that have arrayed themselves against the right. Our hope is not in man, but in the living God. With full assurance of faith we may expect that He will unite His omnipotence with the efforts of human instrumentalities, for the glory of His name. Clad with the armor of His righteousness, we may gain the victory over every foe.

King Asa’s faith was signally rewarded. “The Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before His host.” 2 Chronicles 14:12, 13

God tells us in His Word, "If God be for us, who can be against us!" Rom 8:31. But again, God isn't going to be fighting for us if we haven't been seeking Him. So let us do this today, without delay!

Review:

• Bible Thought: It's nothing for God to help, whether by many or with them that have no power! 
• Blessing: I constantly feel how weak I am spiritually when confronted by trials and obstacles. I have to constantly go running back to God and telling Him the same thing that Asa did! But He hears! And He works. He just needs us to get out of the way so He can work!
• Battles: I've got some big burdens on my heart (as most of us do!) I feel overwhelmed sometimes and don't know what to do, then I'm reminded, this is God's battle not mine. Let Him do His work. So my job is just to hold on to Him and surrender the battle to Him EACH and EVERY day!!

Don't Put Off building the Walls till tomorrow…

Cardiff Castle, in Wales! Spring of 2012

Tomorrow may be too late!

I guess I can't seem to get away from the whole "Fortification topic"…although this was not planned! But I've been studying King Asa again (and King Jehoshaphat as well) and something that they did I think is so significant for us today. And it goes right along with what I've been sharing the last week or so… (Forgive me if I've shared this already, but it bears repeating!)

Let's read the passage together, and I'll highlight the parts that I really want to emphasize:

"And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valor." 2 Chron. 14:2-8

Of course, this whole passage is simply loaded! But what I think is so significant here is that Asa used the time of peace and prosperity that God gave to seek the Lord, to tear down the altars and the idols, to seek God and to obey Him, and to strengthen his walls and his cities. 

I'm looking at this all from a completely spiritual perspective of course. But how often throughout history has a time of war and trouble come upon people only to find them unprepared. Suddenly, frantically, they rush to prepare themselves, to buy the supplies they need, the extra OIL that they don't have, to gain that relationship with Christ. But if we wait till trouble strikes us, just like the sleeping foolish virgins, it could be too late. We need to prepare now!!!!! We need to be building strong spiritual fortification around our lives now, building strong characters now, overcoming sinful habits and selfish attitudes and lifestyles now, and most IMPORTANTLY learning to trust in Jesus as our Savior now!!! Otherwise, when the storm hits us, we won't be prepared to stand! Like most of the world, and most of the "pretenders in Christianity," we will fall, and we will be overcome. 

But if we are WISE…we will be prepared before the hard times come. We have peace now. (At least in America. We still have a semblance of religious freedom, although we are losing that fast, especially by what I've been hearing lately regarding our military.) But we still have peace, let us use this time of peace to become strong for Christ!

This is my Morning Sonshine for today! :-)

As the Bible says, "Work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work!" John 9:4

Review:

• Bible Thought: I feel an increasing urgency in my heart that we don't have long left to prepare ourselves for the Spiritual attacks that are coming against Christianity. But we've been giving warning, the Bible has told us. So let us prepare!
• Blessing: So thankful again for all that God has given us to prepare. 
• Battle: The battle will come, of course, but no matter what comes, when the hard times hit, and when the enemy strikes, we don't trust in our preparations… just like Asa (read 2 Chron. 14:11) we trust in God.