Sat, May 31st - 9:52PM
CARNAL MINDS HINDER THE GROWTH OF THE SPIRIT 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-4 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. V2..I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are yet able. V3..For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? V4..For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another , I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? kjv The meaning of the above is: In the case of newborn babes, this would be natural and to be expected…But it is embarrassing at this stage in their development. Milk figuratively stands for elementary Christian instruction, and meat refers to advanced doctrine. Carnal means fleshly. The warfare between the flesh and the spirit receives continual emphasis in Paul’s writing. The factions that have destroyed the unity in Corinth indicate that these believers were not walking by the Spirit, but were allowing the flesh to direct their behavior. Carnal: A number of early manuscripts read “men” In such a case, Paul is saying, “are you not mere men? THIS IS SO TRUE TODAY, A LOT OF CHRISTIANS ARE LED BY THE FLESH AND NOT BY THE SPIRIT……ALL NEED TO GROW STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT. With God’s Love, Lois
Comment (4)
|
Fri, May 30th - 10:17PM
 PRESENT YOUR BODIES...... ROMANS 12:1-2 -- I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service. V2..And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. With God’s Love, Lois
Comment (6)
|
Thu, May 29th - 4:22PM
NEED TO TEST OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 2 THESSALONIANS 1:3-4 -- We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith growth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other abounded; v4..So we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: kjv As we know kids are excited by their physical growth. They will stand back to back to see who is taller, and most probably know how they compare in height to their parents. Adult believers may be finished with physical growth but are still maturing spiritually. And checking progress is still an exciting experience. Here are three ways to evaluate growth. We know that our relationship with God is growing when we can see our true nature clearly. As the Spirit gains greater control of our life, we become increasingly aware of our own sinfulness and weakness. We realize we cannot live the Christian life on our own. We know we’re growing when our response to sin is quick--the prick of conviction brings about immediate and genuine repentance. Ignoring our sin is rebellion against God, and disobedience halts spiritual growth. We know intimacy with God is deepening when we guard our devotional time. Private moments spent in prayer and scriptural meditation must be a top priority for maturing believers. By listening to the Lord and talking with Him about our needs, we stay connected to His will and are reminded of His love. Seeing spiritual growth within ourselves should give us joy! Why? Because our spirit is looking more and more like that of our perfect Savior Jesus Christ. And we do not have to stand back to back with people of the world for them to see that we are “children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15). With God’s Love, Lois
Comment (0)
|
Wed, May 28th - 10:40PM
YOUR FREEDOM FROM THE PAST MATTHEW 11:28-30 --- Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Although we physically function in the present, we aren’t restricted to the “now” when it comes to our thoughts. We can live the future, always thinking about what’s coming next, or in the present, constantly processing today’s events . And some regularly live in the past, which can create problems. It is easy to get stuck in days gone by, dwelling on old hurts and feelings of guilt. True, it can sometimes seem almost impossible to let go of past mistakes and errors in judgment. When that’s the case, pangs of remorse wrap around our minds like chains, preventing us from moving forward and anchoring us to feelings of condemnation. In this how Jesus wants you to live? No! God has not trapped you in your past. He came to deliver a life of freedom, and He wants to set you free to embrace a glorious future He has already prepared (Galatians 5:1). So, how can you get there? First, you must face your sin. Don’t lie to yourself. Don’t deny it. Admit your guilt to the Father, He already knows about it, anyway. Second, you must be willing to accept His forgiveness. Otherwise, you will never really surrender your burden. He wants to carry your load, but you have to agree to let Him. Third, you must believe you have a future in Jesus Christ. John 10:10 says He came to bring you an abundant, eternal life. You will never experience that rich life ahead if you continue to drag around your old mistakes. Are you haunted by your past? Lay down the chains of regret, and experience the freedom of complete forgiveness. With God’s Love, Lois
Comment (2)
|
Tue, May 27th - 11:40PM
ON THE SEA OF GALILEE MARK 6:45-56 It was the middle of the night. There were high winds, crashing waves, low visibility, and only a small boat on the Sea of Galilee. For the disciples, the situation had reached crisis proportions, and Jesus was not with them. He was on the mountainside praying, and they were alone. Hidden by the storm, perhaps they thought Jesus had forgotten them. However, He knew exactly where the disciples were and what they were experiencing. Though we can’t see Jesus physically, He is omniscient--He can identify where we are at every moment. No darkness can hide us; no trial can obscure His vision. We are always seen, known, and understood! Leaving that place of prayer, Jesus sought out the disciples. He will do the same for us as well. However, the disciples did not recognize Him because He went to them by walking on the water. Jesus often does not come the way we might expect. Our preconceived ideas of how He works can cause us to wonder where He is and fail to recognize His nearness. Experiencing Jesus’ presence in hard times can teach us precious truths. During an earlier rough sea adventure, the disciples observed both Jesus’ trust in God and His authority over nature. (Matthew 8:23-26) In the latest storm, they watched the Lord walk on water--and they saw one of their own do it too. Through the storms, they learned who Jesus was, what He could do, and what their own potential was. When turmoil hits, let’s ask for spiritual eyes to discern the Lord’s presence. Then, we must listen for His voice and obey. (John 10:27) With God's Love, Lois
Comment (2)
|
Fri, May 16th - 10:16AM
WE NEED TO USE OUR TIME WISELY CORINTHIANS 3:11-13 We know that everyone would agree that time is a most precious commodity. It is essential for developing skills, deepening relationships and gaining experience--and no amount of money, possessions, or prestige can equal its value. Think about this. You can't earn time or give it away. you can't shorten it for painful occasions or extend it for joyous ones. And only God can add to or subtract from your days on earth. (2Kings 20:6; Psalm 139:16). He is in absolute control of time. So lets ask ourself: What are we doing with this priceless commodity? The apostle Paul urges us to recognize and act upon every opportunity God presents (Colossians 4:5). The Lord wants to make the most of our time--to treat it like the valuable gift it is. Too often, believers spend their hours on endeavours which, in an eternal sense, are fruitless. But Jesus set the example for efficient time management. At the beginning and end of His incredibly hectic days, He retreated from the crowds and spent time in prayer with the Father. Christ knew prayer was the greatest timesaver in the world. God knows our schedule before it happens, and through prayer, He'll give wisdom and guidance for each day. Relying on our own efforts results in wasted time. Paul equates these efforts to wood, hay, and straw--compbustible objects that will burn up and amount to nothing (1Corinthians 3:12). Focus on God and ask Him to point out any waste effort in your life. He will help you make your time count. With God's Love, Lois
Comment (2)
|
Thu, May 15th - 1:11PM
HAVE A GREAT AND WONDERFUL DAY. GOD BLESS! WITH GOD'S LOVE, LOIS
Comment (2)
|
Wed, May 14th - 12:36PM
JOSEPH: FORWARD BY FAITH GENESIS 39 Every believer will falter occasionally in his or her faith. When that happens, how can we keep doubts to a minimum? The key is to remain focused upon God so that we can move forward in His will. Consider the Old Testament hero Joseph, who trusted in God through the harrowing events of his early years. Faith sustained him through betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment. Resting on his confidence in the Lord, Joseph didn't allow circumstances environment, or the opinions of others to distract him from acting in His will. Joseph believed that every situation of his life was by God's design. Most people react to trials by complaining that the situation is unfair and undeserved. They are so focused on their circumstances and how unfortunate they are that they miss opportunities to serve God. Joseph chose a different approach. This young man who'd been sold into slavery by his brothers decided to do his work with excellence. His duties in Potiphar's house were probably menial, but he performed them as if he were working for the Lord. Only through this kind of commitment could Joseph have earned the attention and respect of his master. And the Hebrew slave was rewarded with greater responsibility. As Joseph moved through one hardship after another, he stayed focused on God, who had promised to raise him to a position of leadership (Genesis 37:10). He had a practical approach to the downward turn in his fortunes: he kept thinking about God and serving Him instead of dwelling on his trials. With God's Love, Lois
Comment (2)
|
Tue, May 13th - 4:45PM
GOD’S SPECIAL PEOPLE 1 PETER 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Sometimes, even believers have difficulty remembering their purpose in life. In the busyness of our day-to-day lives, it is rather easy to forget how wonderfully and purposely designed we are in the eyes our Creator. Yet, 1 Peter 2:9-10 brings our focus back to God, showing us that He designed us to be: A CHOSEN RACE… You did not have to fight for a place in the house of the Lord. Instead, He chose you. The God of the universe actively sought you out because He wanted an unending relationship with you. You were selected by God Himself! A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD… In Old Testament days a king could not be a priest, and a priest could not be a king. The two offices were separate and distinct. However, in Christ, God has called every believer into a new category. We are now sons and daughters of the King, and we have unfettered, intimate access to almighty God. We are royal priests. A HOLY NATION…. “Holy” simply means “set apart.” In other words we have been marked as God’s children by His Holy Spirit, who is a seal upon our souls that can never be removed. GOD’S OWN POSESSION….. How valuable are you to the heavenly Father? You are worth so much to Him that He purchase your eternal salvation at great cost: the life of His only Son. (1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. Nothing about you takes our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God by surprise. He knows us completely because He made us to be His representative in the world. Our life should reflect our God-given position. With God's Love, Lois
Comment (0)
|
Mon, May 12th - 11:57AM
PRICE OF PRAYERLESSNESS PSALM 55:22 -- Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer ( permit) the righteous to be moved ( shaken). Just imagine walking through a crowded airport. You cannot move without bumping into someone, you’re late for your flight, and the wheels just broke on your over-packed suitcase. With no other option, you are forced to carry the luggage in your arms and slowly maneuver through the congested lobby toward the ticketing area. Almost immediately, a young gentleman offers to carry your bags, but you refuse, saying, “No, thanks. I can do it myself.” Realizing that the ticket counter is two levels up you make your way to the stairs. Someone asks, “Wouldn’t it be easier to take the elevator? It’s right over there.” But you reply, “No, I can do it myself.” As you finally make it to the top of the steps, your arms feel numb from the pressure of your bags. Your legs are starting to buckle from the weight. Your back is aching from supporting the heavy load. Then, you spot a collection of unused baggage carts but ignore them, thinking No, I can do it myself. This is a silly story, isn’t it? Who would prefer to carry such a heavy burden ignoring every opportunity to lay it down? And yet, many believers are doing just that. Our Father has called us to lay our cares at His feet. But when we fail to come to Him in prayer, we are just as foolish as the person staggering through the airport mumbling, “I can do it myself.” Are you trying to carry a burden that is greater than you can bear? Don’t ignore God’s offer to help. The truth is, we really can’t do it ourselves”--and He never wanted us to try. With God’s Love, Lois
Comment (4)
|
Sun, May 11th - 1:19PM
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
A Mother loves right from the start.
She holds her baby close to her heart.
The bond that grows will never falter.
Her love is so strong it will never alter.
A Mother gives never ending Love.
She never feels that she has given enough.
For you she will always do her best.
Constantly working, there's no time to rest.
A Mother is there when things go wrong.
A hug and a kiss to help us along.
Always there when we need her near.
Gently wipes our eyes when we shed a tear.
So on this day shower your Mother with Love.
Gifts and presents are nice but that is not enough.
Give your Mother a day to have some peace of mind.
Be gentle, be good, be helpful, be kind.
I LOVE YOU MOM! GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS SPECIAL DAY......HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.......Lois "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHER'S"
Comment (0)
|
Sat, May 10th - 11:38PM
THE HOLY SPIRIT ROMANS 8:26-30 -- Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. V27...And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. V28...And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. V29...For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. V30...Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Kjv When we are saved(at salvation) (He) the Holy Spirit gives us new life and sets us apart as children of the heavenly Father. While we are from then on God’s family members, who bear His name , our character still reflects old habits, thought patters, and priorities. We are infants who need instruction and guidance in order to become spiritually mature. Our sanctification, which is the process of becoming like God’s son, is another aspect of the Holy Spirit’s mission. He has been entrusted with the responsibility of teaching us the truths of Scripture as well as the ways we can apply biblical principles to our lives. He seeks to weed out ungodliness, to prune us for greater fruitulness, and to encourage wise decision making. Through His efforts and our cooperation, we will please our Father and bear an ever-increasing resemblance to our Lord Jesus Christ. And not only are we called to exemplify Christlike character, we are also summoned to a life of active service in accordance with God’s plan for our life. It is for this purpose that we were made new creations in Christ. (Ephesians 2:10 -- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.) The Spirit’s mission, in fact, has another component: to reveal the work the Father has planned for us and to provide what we need in order to accomplish it. How can you know that God’s Spirit is working in your life? Look for evidences of spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23 -- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, v23.. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law) deeper understanding of Scripture, and effective service for the kingdom. Salvation, sanctification, and service are all under the authority of the Holy Spirit. Are you yielding to HIS control? With God's Love, Lois
Comment (0)
|
Fri, May 9th - 10:18PM
OUR PROFESSION AND PERFORMANCE JAMES 1:22-25 -- But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. V23...For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: v24...For he behold himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. V25...But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed. Kjv Just close your eyes for a minute, and picture your own face. Imagine the slope of your cheek and the color of your eyes, and color of your hair. Note any freckles, dimples or blemishes. Also your nose, big or small, your teeth, crooked or straight, off white or pearly white….. You know exactly what you look like. Why? It is because we all spend time in front of a mirror, studying our faces and getting to know ourselves. We are not born knowing what we look like, and if we didn’t catch our own reflection from time to time we’d honestly have no idea! Now think of this in terms of faith. We are not born with knowledge of the saving truth of Jesus Christ. Since we don’t inherently know the Word of God, we must read, study and carefully analyze Scriptures so the Holy Spirit can impress His message of salvation and direction on our hearts and minds. But how many people read the Bible and then walk away, seemingly unaffected? It is as though they forget the power of the Word as soon as they close the book. These are the people who praise Jesus on Sunday, but live Monday-through-Saturday lives of pretense. These are the ones who, as the apostle James describes, forget what they look like. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!” ( James 1:22 ). The world is dying to know what genuine faith looks like. If you profess to know Jesus as Lord, then you carry a solemn responsibility to show others the true face of faith. Let them see Christ….reflected in you. With God's Love, Lois
Comment (2)
|
Thu, May 8th - 11:03PM
WHY WE NEED SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT PHILLIPPIANS 1:8-11 -- For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. kjv Things are not always what they seem is the mantra of mystery novels, but it's also a wise attitude for successful living. Too many people make decisions according to feelings or judge situations based only on what appears to be real. The Lord has given every believer a discerning spirit, so we can determine what is best. Think about how many decisions a single person must make in a day...choices about family, finances, work etc. In a ideal world, a decision would have a correct choice and an incorrect one, As a result, it would be easy to make. In reality, however, what seems right is not always what's best. Some things that are neither wrong nor sinful are nonetheless outside of God's will. Scripture doesn't contain specific directives regarding every possible life scenario. Instead, it is filled with principles, laid down at times through stories and often through direct teaching. Believers have the capacity to grow in spiritual maturity so that biblical principles coupled with guidance from the Holy Spirit become tools for making godly judgments. The quetion is not whether a certain choice looks good or feels right, but whether or not it is God's will for that point in a person's life. A well-developed spirit of discernment is essential for living in God's will. Without this sensitivity to the Lord's plan, a man or woman will take everything at face value. Many choices that look good and feel right are actually contrary to what God desires for a believer's life. For that reason, we must evaluate situations from a biblical perspective With God's Love, Lois
Comment (4)
|
Wed, May 7th - 10:32PM
JESUS IS OUR PEACE JOHN 14:27 -- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Some people read these words of Jesus and scoff, "Well, that was fine back then, but there is just no way to live free of anxiety today." To those who would raise this objection, let me ask: Is Jesus surprised by your troubles? Do you believe that your difficulties are beyond Jesus' understanding, or that He could not have imagined the stresses in your life? The view that any these are possible would certainly limit Jesus' sovereignty and infinite knowledge. You must remember that Jesus is not in some far..off place called heaven, simply looking down on us and doing His best to understand our lives. Instead, He stepped down from heaven and walked these streets with us. He knows the troubles of this life because He faced them Himself; in fact, He faced more trouble than we could possibly imagine. Hebrews 2:17-18 -- Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the poeple. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. Why, then, do we often fail to heed His call of peace, rest, and comfort? Matthew 11:28-30 -- Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto our souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. It is almost as though anxiety has become a close companion to many people, and the thought of surrendering it brings on even more stress. However, if you want to become the growing, mature, joyous believer the Lord has called you to be, then you must lay down your burdens. Anxiety, quite simply, is the enemy of the peace of God. As long as we hold on to our problems, we cannot pick up the armfuls of peace that Christ so freely offers. With God's Love, Lois
Comment (6)
|
Tue, May 6th - 9:26PM
SERVICE WITH STRENGTH COLOSSIANS 1:10-12 Ministry isn't something we do, but rather, it is something God does through us. So much fatigue and failure could be avoided if believers remembered that He is the source of strength. We serve Him using Spirit-provided resources. "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass, " promises the word. (1 Thessalonians 5:24) This means that the Lord assumes responsibility for enabling His children to carry out whatever work He calls them to do. The Savior exemplifies this principle...He also did His earthly work through divine power. Upon His return from the wilderness, Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, and He came preaching a Gospel of repentance. Here is what He said of himself: "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works" (John 14:10). As co-heirs with Christ, believers are entitled to access that same spiritual strength. What a comfort to know that a divinely ordained ministry is not in our hands alone! Some other person may be able to do the work better or offer wider experience, but God does not look for servants who are gifted. He insteads seeks out those willing to live in His strength. If we have done all we can though the power of the Holoy Spirit, then we never have to wonder if we have done enough. With God's Love, Lois
Comment (6)
|
Mon, May 5th - 11:21PM
GOD OUR FRIEND JOHN 14:21-24 Relationships should be a two-way street. As Christians, however, we sometimes want to do all the talking and let God do all the giving. If we are to be productive believers, we must accept responsibility for our part in the covenant God made with us at salvation. PURSUE INTIMACY WITH GOD. Christianity might seem easire if we could do nothing while the Lord filled our head with spiritual knowledge, but that would be a one-sided friendship. Real relationships are fueled by communication. Through Bible study and prayer, we must take the initiative to find out about God's ways and plans. PROTECT INTIMACY WITH GOD. To protect our intimacy with God, we must be obedient. When we disobey, the connection between us weakens because we are pursuing something other than Him. No person, ideology, or material possession can fulfill our heart's desire like serving the Lord. PASS ON THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT INTIMACY WITH GOD. The greatest gift we can give to the people in our life is a view of our friendship with God. When we talk about Him with our children or tell co-workers how He is working in our life, we are sowing seeds of desire in their hearts. Our family and friends will want the kind of close connection to almighty God that we have. God has created you, saved you, and given you an eternal home. That's the kind of friend any person should desire to please and serve. Give back to the Lord the little that He asks of you: your time, your obedience, and your witness. With God's Love, Lois J.
Comment (8)
|
Back to Blog Main Page
|
|
| About Me |
|
|
Archives
|
| |
Name: Lois J.
