Joelene's Verse of the Day (VOTD) Devotionals

VOTD news and decisions

2009-07-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

Dear VOTD friends,

After some consideration, I feel the need to take a much-needed break from my daily devotional postings. Not sure what God is wanting from or desiring for me, but I feel like I'm sort-of in a writing desert right now, and I need to step back, regroup, and get some refreshment from God. Perhaps He wants me to try writing a long-term project (a book, perhaps?), or restructure the VOTD to be POTW (passage of the week?), or ? ? ? Only God knows at this point, and I plan on seeking Him for direction and guidance. I covet your prayers in that endeavor. :-)

Thank you to all who have shared with me their support and appreciation for this ministry. I pray it has been a blessing to you. Since I have posted on my blog for about a year-and-a-half, you can always read past posts if you so desire. Otherwise, I encourage you to seek other ways of getting into God's word and communicating with Him on an ever-increasing level.

In service to the Lord,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Genesis 2:3

2009-07-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
~ Genesis 2:3 (NIV)

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(originally published 7/24/07)

I think alot of us struggle with this -- both in understanding and application. Some worship and observe the Sabbath on Saturday, doing no work, as in Old Testament times. Others worship on Sunday, termed "The Lord's Day" by the New Testament church, and the 'no work' rules don't seem to be applied by them. I was brought up with church on Sunday, and my mom worked hard on Sunday in the kitchen for a big mid-day meal. So what is our responsibility in "keeping the Sabbath"? Big question for a tiny brain such as mine.

I found this in Isaiah 58:13-14:

"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Okay, let's just start with this. I, for one, do as I please after church. I might do some laundry, go for a walk, take a nap, or watch some mindless TV. In essence, I seem to consider that my time. I often don't give God my attention until I head back to church for prayer crew. And I wonder why sometimes my head isn't in the game to pray . . .

I wonder what our relationship with God would look like if we laid down on our day of worship the things that please us and the idle words (relatively pointless, of no real consequence) we speak so often. What would it look like if we really gave God our full attention on that day, and not just when we're in the church building, to truly give Him the honor and glory and praise He is so worthy of? Somehow, I can't help but believe we would be changed, more connected, more in tune with our Creator.

Jesus brought a radical understanding of the Sabbath to the world. When the religious leaders condemned Him and His disciples for picking grain when they were hungry and healing the disfigured on the Sabbath, He got down to the heart of the matter . . . just like He always does. Basic needs, such as hunger, can be met -- the heart is not craving excess, just essentials. Doing good for others is always on God's heart -- we should be doing those things, regardless of the day. Jesus said this in Matthew 12:3-8:

Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

Oh Lord, we ask your forgiveness for doing as we please every day of the week and not stopping to rest from our self-absorption. Help us to set aside our day of worship for You. Not just while we're in church but the whole day. We need You more than we know, and You are so worthy to be honored with a portion of our time. You ask us to keep You in the forefront of our minds for one day a week. Help us to do that. You are really looking for people whose heart seeks Your heart. And your heart is pure and loving and merciful. We ask for change so that we can be like You. Amen...

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 2:1-5

2009-07-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

My child, listen to what I say and remember what I command you. Listen carefully to wisdom; set your mind on understanding. Cry out for wisdom, and beg for understanding. Search for it like silver, and hunt for it like hidden treasure. Then you will understand respect for the Lord, and you will find that you know God. ~ Proverbs 2:1-5 (NCV)

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I remember my daughter's first day of Kindergarten. She had wanted to attend a full year prior but was only four and was too young. At five, she was READY! She had her backpack with a notepad and pencils and everything! She wanted to learn so badly. And after the third day of school, she came home and said with frustration, "Mom -- they're still learning their shapes!" Not sure if she thought she was going to learn astrophysics or calculus, but she wanted MORE than 'shapes'! :-)

Have you known someone who was so hungry for something that nothing would stop them? Maybe it was the chance for a better life and they went after an education, maybe it was the love of a sport and a desire to be the best at it. Their hunger drove them to pursue, to acquire, to achieve. And let's face it -- without this hunger, many things in life simply go unpursued, unaqcuired, unachieved.

The same is true for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The same is true for knowing God.

How many of us are floating on the surface of our spiritual life, like a piece of driftwood, aimlessly rolling along, with no direction, no purpose, no drive? Worse than being spiritual driftwood is being content to be spiritual driftwood. Where is our hunger for God? Where is our passion for His presence and influence in us? What makes us content with the mediocre?!?

I think there's a large percentage of believers in Christ that do not hunger for Him, that do not crave His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. They don't seek Him as if He were hidden treasure. They don't pursue Him at all costs, as if nothing else in the world mattered more. So I have to ask myself: Am I like that? Am I spiritual driftwood? I think you have to ask yourself the same. Why? Because God deserves an honest answer out of all of us. He gave everything to have an intense, intimate relationship with humanity, and if we're Christ followers, we should desire that intense intimacy out of our love for Him. If it's not there, something's wrong with our spiritual insides. Something's wrong with our hunger.

This isn't meant as a guilt trip, but rather as simply a call to a deeper life -- a life that hungers after God, that pursues His heart and character and essence. That pursues Him and Him fully.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Philippians 2:13

2009-07-22T05:41:00.000-07:00

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. ~ Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

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Did you ever really read this verse before? Aren't you glad to know that you aren't expected to live your Christian life on your own?

Let's face it -- God's call to believers to walk in His ways is not for wimps. It's tough! I just started a book, entitled, "Jesus Did it Anyway," by Kent Keith, so I don't have much yet to say about it, although a friend from church just finished it, and she said it was very good. The author penned "The Paradoxical Commandments for Christians" back in 1967, while he was attending Harvard:

* People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.

* If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

* If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

* The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

* Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

* The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

* People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

* What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

* People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.

* Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.

The inside book cover says, "We're called to a paradoxical life...Jesus did it anyway. Will you?"

What God asks of us is not to have pious motives and stellar abilities to be a "Super Christian", but simply the will to have Him change our selfish motives and puny abilities into people that love Him and love others. Willingly. Passionately. In grand fashion.

Don't think you have to do this Christian life by yourself. And don't think you can, either, because you can't. It is God who does it in you. All you need to do, and all you can do is show up. He'll do the rest.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 119:30

2009-07-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. ~ Psalm 119:30 (NIV)

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We like to think we're pretty smart, don't we? We pride ourselves on our higher education and civilized ways . . . but we are so often duped and deceived. How can we not see the truth, huh?

For all our supposed savviness, we choose the way of the lie over and over and over again . . .

~ Recreational drugs and alcohol won't hurt me...
~ It's not cheating if I'm just having virtual sex in an on-line chat room...
~ I can text message and drive just fine...

Real life has a piercing way of revealing real truth, doesn't it? If you don't think so, just ask a drug addict or alcoholic. Talk to the promiscuous man or woman picking up the pieces of a dissolved marriage. Interview the distracted text-messaging accident victim who can't feel their legs. Real truth doesn't lie.

So, since we can't help but admit that our discernment compass has a serious case of spiritual EMI (electromagnetic interference), we need to consciously choose God's ways, knowing that His ways are perfect and righteous and lead to life...not the slow and painful (or quick and tragic) death of Satan's lies.

Choosing God's ways is a choice for life and peace and joy. Any other choice in life is a costly ticket to the long running spiritual show, "The Art of Deception". Trust me -- despite being a box office hit, it's not what it's cracked up to be. Everyone who leaves that proverbial theatre leaves the worse for wear! (I know you can say 'amen' to that, because we've all seen that flick innumerable times...)

Choose life, that you might live
the life that He gives
He gives you forever
Choose life, the way that is true
from the one who chose you
your Father in Heaven
. . . Choose life.
~ from Choose Life, by Big Tent Revival

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 126:5

2009-07-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. ~ Psalm 126:5 (NIV)

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(rerun from July 20, 2007 -- I pray you are encouraged as you lean on God for your strength.)

This Psalm talks about the Israelite exiles returning to their land by God's power, and how their sorrow was turned to joy.

When we pour out our sorrow to God and ask for His help, there will be a harvest of joy at some point. Why? Because God is good and He loves His children. At some point, you will be blessed in your spirit with His spiritual riches, and your tears will turn to laughter.

Are you in the midst of really tough times? Does your heart just cry out in despair? Please cry out to God, and not give way to crutches that won't hold you up...overeating, alchohol, unhealthy relationships. These are deceptions and won't bring joy...just more pain.

When you trust in God 100%, truly believing that He is capable of providing for you even when (and especially when) the circumstances feel like an exile to a foreign country, then you will experience the supernatural joy that defies understanding.

It's like bungee jumping...or downhill skiing...or para-sailing. There is exhiliration for those who are willing to take the risk.

God says, "Take the risk with Me -- you will have the ride of your life! I can turn your tears into laughter...will you let Me?"

And don't forget...harvesting takes time. Seeds don't grow overnight. Be faithful to God, knowing that He will produce the harvest in you.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 29:25

2009-07-19T05:51:00.000-07:00

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. ~ Proverbs 29:25 (The Msg)

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(A reprint from July 19, 2008 . . . good reminders from God's word today!)

Wow -- this is pretty telling, isn't it?

How many of us have fallen into the trap of trying to please people over God, of worrying about what others think, instead of what God thinks?

Being a people-pleaser is a weight that's hard to bear. No matter how hard we try, we will never measure up to people's standards and opinions, which are often unrealistic, unbiblical and self-motivated. You will never please all people all the time...or even some of the people some of the time. God says that's a trap, and I'm sure you can attest to that.

Where does our self-worth and significance lie? In man's opinion, or God's? Where does our loyalty lie -- with man, or with God?

God says that He's the One we need to be concerned with, not mere man...

Don't be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands. ~ Matthew 10:28 (The Msg)

Whether it's approval we're after, or an avoidance of uncomfortable pressure, we need to trust and obey God over man. He is the one we're accountable to, above all else. And if we're in His will, we have nothing to fear...the rest is just gravy.

Peter and John had in right...

...they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” ~ Acts 4:19-20 (NLT)

I pray that you can trust God for your significance and your safety, as you walk with Him and talk of Him. Being a follower of Christ is not always popular in public opinion...but it's the safe place to be. Safe and secure with God.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 119:4-5

2009-07-18T08:36:00.000-07:00

You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
~ Psalm 119:4-5 (NIV)

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Some people's idea of a relationship with God is that it's all about love. But that's not really true. It's about correction, too. It's about change. It's about being different than we are . . . and that rubs some people the wrong way.

Many people want God on their terms. They want God to accept them exactly how they are, in the sinful life they're living. But God says, Um, excuse me. Can I just take a moment to remind you that I made the universe, and I made you. I made the rules. You may not like them, but that's because they're holy and you're not. So, I ask you: Who needs to change? Me, or you?

But here's where the love component comes in. God doesn't want us to change -- to conform/transform -- because He's a meanie and an ego-maniac. He wants us to be in line with His ways because He loves us. Because that is where peace is. That is where growth is. That is where community with Him is.

If you had a friend who was stealing from the grocery store, would you simply say, "I accept you as you are. I do not want to change you, because that would be intolerant. That would be judgmental. That would be imposing. Just be who you are. Oh, and when you go to jail for your behavior, I'll come visit you. But I won't counsel you about change, because I'm your friend..."...?

If you had a friend who was bowed over 90 degrees because of untreated scoliosis, would you simply say, "I accept you as you are. I won't see medical treatment to change you, because that would be stepping on your rights to see the world through the eyes of the ground only. You are who you are, and if you're in pain from your debilitating disease, I will hold your hand, but I won't find a surgeon for you, because I'm your friend..."...?

Face it, folks, we have issues. We think wrong thoughts, we do wrong things. Are we audacious enough to think we are okay, and don't need change, for our benefit and the benefit of the world? Who are we kidding here?!? God, as usual, has it right -- we need His help. We need to humble ourselves and accept His Word as good and right and helpful and loving, instead of believing the lie that it's constrictive and mean and not fun. Satan, as usual, has tricked us.

When we humble ourselves before God and seek to obey His Word, there is peace...there is joy...there is blessing. I pray you can know these things. But it's your choice --

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 103:13

2009-07-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. ~ Psalm 103:13 (NLT)

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(Summer re-runs continue....this one originally published on 7/17/08. May you be blessed by the meditation of God's word today.)

Dads have a tough job. They are, I believe, given the strength role in the home, giving children the firm direction they need (sometimes firm on the bottom, when needed :-). Yet, they love their kids so much, and often go soft when little eyes look up for a hug or a piece of candy from the grocery store. Deep down, dads can be real softies.

That is the balanced character of God. He disciplines those He loves (Proverbs 3:12), and yet has abundant mercy and compassion on them, too (Psalm 103:8). People who think that God is an angry God with a celestial bat, waiting to knock people's head off are ignorant of God's character. They just don't know Him. They haven't really read the Bible to see how He gives people chances over and over and over again to turn from their destructive lifestyle. They haven't seen the love He showed on the cross, as He gave up His Son to die for them. They haven't experienced the amazing mystery of His forgiveness in their hearts and minds, for all the wrong they've done. They don't know my Dad like I know Him.

He [Jesus] came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
~ John 1:10-13 (NLT)

If you have laid down your will to God and asked for Jesus to come into your life and be the center, you are a child of God. He's no longer a big, bad bully up in heaven -- He's your Father. And you have the opportunity and the responsibility to give unbelieving people a picture of what your Heavenly Father is really like. All we who are children of God need to shine a light on Him, so that the world can see what He's really like. He's full of compassion and mercy, not giving us what we deserve. He's faithful and patient in our weaknesses. He's gracious and kind in His spiritual gifts. Do you talk about Him with others, so that they hear it from your mouth? When difficult circumstances come your way, are you able to give Him praise to others, because you've experienced His love that never leaves nor forsakes? When the Holy Spirit guides you through this life and you know it's your Father's hand, do you share that with people around you?

Our God is an awesome God. And He is also a loving Father. You know it, but the world is clueless. God wants the world to know of Him, so that they can really know Him. Let us open our mouths and let the world know the loving kindness that He has for all those who will come to Him with an honest, humble heart.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Colossians 2:8

2009-07-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. ~ Colossians 2:8 (NIV)

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Wow, this verse makes me think that Paul was able to see into the future -- to see the 20th and 21st century, where and when we're living, huh?

Spirituality is the new "black" in terms of religiosity. It seems that everyone is spiritual. And if we lived 100 years ago, I think people who claimed spirituality would have been more likely to have been grounded in some form of evangelical Christianity (notwithstanding the cults that arose out of the late 1800's in America.) But today, we are more like the Greeks of old, a society that embraces all spiritual thoughts and ideas, often meshing pieces and parts of various religions and coming up with some strange sort of tossed religious salad! And so many don't seem to even know to ask the question that Pontius Pilate asked Jesus: "What is truth?" They just accept it all as truth.

Well, the truth of the matter is that there is only one truth -- Jesus Christ. He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), the Author and Perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13). And just as Paul asked the Colossians to make sure they weren't allowing false thoughts and ideas come into play but staying true to the Truth, he calls us to the same today.

But I have to ask you this: How do you know if a lie is a lie, if you aren't clear about what the truth is? If you have no clear reference, wouldn't it be easy enough to be swayed away? If a bottle says poison on the label, but you haven't educated yourself to know what the word poison is, wouldn't it be pretty easy to harm yourself with it? People, we need to be in God's Word if we're going to be savvy to the world's false teachings! The devil is very busy making his lies attractive and compelling, making them sound so good and wholesome, that we can be deceived, if we aren't on the solid ground of the Word of God.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. ~ 1 John 4:1-3 (NIV)

A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. ~ Proverbs 17:24 (NIV)

If some of the thoughts and ideas of Jesus, yourself and the world that you've been embracing or pondering go against God's word, you need to trash 'em -- they're lies, plain and simple. And as God's word says, they can hold you captive. But the only captive you want to be is a captive of Christ. His chains of love and truth are worth clinging to, not running from.

Read for yourself what God has to say in the Bible about His Son, Jesus . . . and stick to the truth, the whole truth, and nothin' but the truth, so help you, God!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 37:5-6

2009-07-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

Commit your life to the Lord. Here is what he will do if you trust in him. He will make your godly ways shine like the dawn. He will make your honest life shine like the sun at noon.
~ Psalm 37:5-6 (NIrV)

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(Well, today I have different issues. See, it's about my alarm clock, and it's inability to read my mind and know that I want it to ring at 4:30am, even when I don't push the "set" button. And I thought technology was getting smarter these days...don't believe it. ;-) Here is a re-run from 7/15/08. God bless you richly today!)

You realize that the Christian life is not about us, per se, right? I mean, it's not just for us that we are saved from sin and set on a new path, right?

God didn't open our eyes to the truth of His good news gospel, just so we could be set free and then hang out, "chilaxing", 'til Jesus comes back and takes us to where He is. No, we are called to be a light to the world...

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can't be hidden. Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house. "In the same way, let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven.
~ Matthew 5:14-16 (NIrV)

~ When we commit our way to the Lord, we turn over the keys of our life to Him. We are acknowledging that how we think and act is not up to par, not good or right, but flawed and distorted. We surrender to His thinking and His ways, and allow Him to be the guiding influence in our daily walk.

~ When we trust in the Lord, we are putting our weight fully on Him, believing that He will hold us and not break apart like sandcastles in the incoming tide. We are relying on the fact that He is truth, and nothing and no one is more trustworthy than He.

The Word says that when we do these things, God causes our life to shine -- a light to the world, bright like the sun on a summer day! Living a life that submits to God and rests in His leading is a life of goodness and right living. It stands out like pink in a sea of gray, like the graphic technique that is so popular because of the 'pop' that color gives to a black and white world...

The point God is making is that He is the one who causes us to shine. Like the moon that simply reflects off of the sun, we reflect off the One we gaze at and focus on. And that shines to the world, making an impact that causes people to look to God.

I pray you can commit your way to God today and every day, trusting that He knows what He's doing and has things in control, and know that your life, as a result, will give light to a dark world, to those searching for lasting truth that can only be found in God Himself.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - John 15:10

2009-07-14T05:57:00.000-07:00

If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.
~ John 15:10 (The Msg)

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(Guess this is the summer of re-runs! And I've decided not to feel guilty about it. :-) This VOTD, originally published on 7/14/08, spoke to me afresh today. May God speak afresh to you today, as well.)

How many of you have either been a rebellious teen, or had one? Can I see a show of hands?....hmm...seems to be a rather large consensus in the group here today.... :-)

There's nothing like a disobedient teenager to stir up a hornet's nest in a home, amen? I can say that, 'cuz I was one once. Rules? Well, let's just see if I can wiggle my way around 'em to get what I want. And what do you think that did to my relationship with my parents? Did they stop loving me? No, of course not. But, the intimate connection got whacked. Distance was created because there was something standing between us --

When you allow disobedience toward God in your life, you create a gap in the relationship. He says I can't even talk to you the same when you do this. You've got a bad attitude and you're disrespecting Me. Obviously, you've forgotten who's in charge, and I'm sorry for that, because now, you've distanced yourself from our closeness. Is the sin you want so badly worth all that?

Fellowship, I've heard (though not validated), comes from the idea of "fellows in a ship". Sounds reasonable to me. When you're in a boat together, you work together in harmony to keep it sailing. You're headed in the same direction, and share in the adventure. But if one person decides that they want to go East, instead of West, and decides to try switching sails or rudder, there's gonna be trouble. Suddenly, self has risen above the relationship. Now there is a strain between the two and chaos on the ship. So there the ship sits, floating aimlessly, while they could be going somewhere, together.

Selfish decisions always put oneself above God's ways, which He knows are best for us, and best for the relationship. When we choose to go East when God says to go West, the proverbial ship stops. He doesn't leave us or stop loving us. Please understand that. But the harmony...the intimacy...is gone.

I'm sure you've been a part of a strained relationship sometime in your life. Someone does something against the other, and all of a sudden, the chatty-ness is gone, and in it's place is short, civil conversation. The fellowship has been lost. Forgiveness and relational restoration is needed, and until the fence is mended, the strain remains.

A teenager that's not following the house rules doesn't like spending much time at home, do they? They know they're doing wrong, they know they've created a strain. It's just easier to stay away than face the sad look on their parents' faces. And yet, somehow, their selfish lifestyle is more important than resting in an good relationship with their mom and dad.

So, where are you in your relationship to God? Do your sinful desires in life keep your ship from moving forward with Him? Are you staying away from "home", avoiding your Father in Heaven, because you just can't bear to look in His eyes when you know you're breaking His ways, and breaking His heart? All of us sin, please know that. We all fall short, and go our own way. And the beauty of God is that He understands that, and still offers His loving hand of forgiveness and restoration, if we will lay down our will and be healed of that. Daily, we need to confess our self-led decisions, turning our back on them, and returning to the God who desires our fellowship.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
~ 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

Nothing is worth more than our solid connection with Him. No amount of sinful pleasure or pursuits can compare with remaining in God's love. You have a choice, whether to sail together with God, or let your ship float aimlessly, or worse, let a leak enter your boat and end up bailing water, instead of enjoying your adventure. I pray that we can value a healthy, intimate relationship with God over selfish thoughts and actions that threaten to strain that relationship.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 32:10

2009-07-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. ~ Psalm 32:10 (NIV)

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(Rerunning VOTD from 7/13/08)

...the woes of the wicked...

What, or who, do you think of when you hear the word 'wicked'? Evil fictional characters, like the Wicked Witch of the West, from The Wizard of Oz? Or serial killers, like Jeffrey Dahmer?

But isn't wickedness simply the absence of God? If we don't have God in us, we are ungodly. Wicked. And those without God leave themselves to their own devices...what a lot of woe that brings...

A lot of people think they don't need God, that they're doing just fine without Him. But if they take an honest, reflective look at themselves, they've just got to see the ill effects of sinful living, of living outside of a dependent relationship with God...

~ What good can greed bring? It brings thoughts and actions of getting, getting, getting, to the exclusion of most everything else. We even break the law, potentially putting oneself (and others) in danger, in order to get what we want. It brings distrust of our friends when we do get what we want, because we wonder if they're really our friends, or just trying to steal our stuff. Talk about stress...!

~ We want people to give us attention, and so we break our moral compass and head off into ungodly parts unknown, searching for people to love us, in all the wrong places. That leads to no end of heartache and residual pain, long after "the lovin's gone..."

~ Death is usually a very scary thing for those who choose to ignore or reject God. We strive for health and that eternal fountain of youth, trying desperately to avoid the inevitable thoughts of our mortal decay. Funerals are avoided at all costs, because of the uncomfortable emotions they bring, with all their fear and uncertainty.

Woes? An understatement, really.

The flipside of that is a life with God. A life of submission to the One Who is love revealed, Who desires a relationship with us, on godly terms. Godly terms, because His terms are perfect, and right, and good. And His word says that He wraps His arms of loving-kindness around those who come to Him desiring that kind of relationship. When you are in God's arms, you are embraced with all that He is about...completely.

When you look at the two sides of this coin, doesn't it seem like a no-brainer as to which we would choose? One would think so, but the reality is that so many choose the way of woe over the way of wonderful. Rebellion is a relentless addiction, and many choose this poison over and over again.

Which one are you?

A choice is set before you now
living or dying, blessing or cursing
You know, the time has come around
to turn from your fighting
and rest in his mercy

[chorus]
Choose life, that you might live
the life that He gives
He gives you forever
Choose life, the way that is true
from the one who chose you
your father in Heaven
Choose life

Trust the Lord with all your heart
all of your soul and all of your being
Hold on, listen and obey
surrender your life into His keeping

[chorus]

And the weight you're under
will be lifted away
And the world will wonde
rwhat happened here today
then you'll stand right here and say
Choose life...

~Choose Life, by Big Tent Revival

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Matthew 4:4

2009-07-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
~ Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

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What does Jesus mean here, exactly?

...that life (or the semblance of life with our eating and drinking), as we know it, doesn't even exist without God speaking into existence everything that we see and hear and know?

...that we are dead spiritually and bread just keeps our dead bodies walking, but that life -- real life -- is the spiritual component that only God can provide?

...that food cannot satisfy the deep things of our heart, no matter how much we try, and that God and His sustaining Word is where real satisfaction comes?

I'm thinkin' yeah, yeah, and yeah.

As I thought about this verse today, it just didn't have the simple one-answer connotation to me. And as complex as God is, I try not to limit Him to a single dimension in my mind -- He's too big for that. So what does this verse say to you, today? What is your issue over the physical versus the spiritual?

~ Do you know that God is vital to your daily life -- that without His Word, you flounder, at best?

~ Do you question that there is more than this physical life, that there is a spiritual component to your being? And do you think God could be the key to that facet?

~ Do you place such great weight on food and serve at the altar called "refrigerator", yet have neglected the source of real contentment, that dusty altar called "Bible"?

In Matthew 4:4, Jesus was confronted by the devil and tempted to make bread out of stones when He was hungry. But Jesus didn't take the bait -- He quoted from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 8:3), putting the devil in his place and reminding us of all that this verse implies, that God and His word are what give us real life, of what sustains us in this life, and is of utmost value in this life.

Whatever our struggles and issues are, God is the answer. For those who don't know God, they say that's a cop-out; for those who claim Jesus as their Savior, they say that's completeness. We need to take a lesson from Jesus and reevaluate our thoughts about the physical versus the spiritual, because our lives -- our real lives -- depend on it.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Isaiah 50:4

2009-07-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
~ Isaiah 50:4 (NIV)

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(NOTE: You may start feeling like you're watching TVLand with me these days, with so many re-runs! I'm just going through a real dry writing period these days. Don't know why, but it is what it is. So, I offer you my VOTD from two years ago, 7/11/07. May God bless you today)

******************************************

Boy, did I have a hard time waking up this morning! I reset my alarm for 15 minutes and laid back down, and I fell right back to sleep! Lots of dreams...none of which I can remember, but my mind was sure busy in the dream state.

And mostly, when I wake up, I confess that my heart is not set on the Lord. What I'm after is not a teaching moment from God, but ... coffee! Got to get to the kitchen and get that stuff brewing, amen?!?

Isaiah is a great example of a man who knew his purpose and was serious about it. In Chapter 50, he talks about being on mission, of God giving him "an instructed tongue", of having his ears opened by God, and of being obedient to tell the people God's message. Isaiah didn't shirk his calling, even though it caused him humiliation and harm at the hands of those who rejected God and His message. He took his calling seriously.

So -- are we intent in our purpose, like Isaiah? Do we wake up in the morning, expecting to hear from God and intentionally listening for Him? Or does our mind just begin racing with all that the daily grind holds?

I think we all need help in focusing on the Lord in the morning. Prayer, Bible reading, and listening to music that lifts up the Lord are all good ways of setting your mind in the direction of God. But in this rat race we live in, you'll have to make it a priority or there won't be time. I get up at what most would say is an ungodly hour, but unless I want to shortchange the God things in my morning, it's necessary. And even if you don't do full-on Bible study in the morning (I realize that some aren't morning people like me :-), make sure you talk to Him before the world goes crazy on you. (To be honest, He's better than a cup of coffee...hopefully, I haven't sent Starbucks stock plummeting on Wall Street with that revelation! :-)

Make yourself available to Him, and He will "waken your ears to listen, like one being taught."

Gotta run -- I think my Professor is calling...! :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 12:25

2009-07-10T05:58:00.000-07:00

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
~ Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)

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Anxiety . . . we all have it at times, and to varying degrees. With all that goes on in the world on the large scale and the issues of our own personal circumstances, we can get totally weighed down with worry and concern. I don't even have to ask for an amen on that, now do I? And even when we turn to God for the issues that weigh heavy on our hearts, sometimes there is no instant relief -- the burdens are real and they are heavy...

~ Employment woes that are very tangible -- layoffs, furloughs, wage reductions...

~ Health crises that threaten our earthly existence -- cancer, organ failure, stroke...

~ Relationship turmoil that strikes at the core of our heart -- parent to child, spouse to spouse, co-worker to co-worker...

It's a no-brainer to agree that anxiety weighs us down. But it is amazing how a kind word can cheer us up. A text on our cell-phone from a friend who says, "am thinking of u", or an email with a smiley face. A personal smile and a "hello" from someone passing in the hall. A snail mail encouragement card or letter in the mailbox -- with a postage stamp and everything! (These are officially on the endangered species list and are becoming more rare with each unveiled new form of communication technology.) A little encouragement makes a difference to someone who's under the weight of the world's challenges. It helps them know that they're not alone, that someone cares enough to reach out and try to lift even a little of their burden, to give them hope that things can be different, in time.

If you're under anxiety's weight right now, I hope you can allow those around you to cheer you with a kind word -- let that kindness penetrate the brick wall of woe that you're locked behind. And if you are one who sees a soul under the world's weight, consider how you can lift their burden even a little -- and then do it. Give that smile or hug, send that text or email, sit down and write that card or letter. It is never time ill-spent, and could mean all the difference to that person in need.

We all need encouragement, and we all receive joy in being encouragers. Today you may be on one side, and tomorrow you might be on the other. It's all part of God's human welfare system!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Jeremiah 23:24

2009-07-09T06:42:00.000-07:00

Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.
~ Jeremiah 23:24 (NIV)

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(NOTE: I'm not trying to be lazy -- really, I'm not. But this morning, Jeremiah 23:24 popped up on one of my perusal sites, and I knew I'd written on it before (8/14/08). Reading it again today was a great reminder of God's power and His love. I pray it encourages you today, also.)

Our church has started a rather unique ministry, something we call PraiseFingers (our choir is PraiseSingers, and the bell choir is PraiseRingers . . . so it sorta fits ). It's black light hand miming, and is rather amazing. The first time I saw a video of this, I was stunned -- I just couldn't figure out how it was done! But it's amazing what can be created with music, white gloves and a black light! (check out these links of Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-AUNFmnBEk and this one done recently http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eraqMcixM-Q [some gloves in this video were painted red, which looked great as a live performance, but didn't show up well on the video]

Sitting in front of a black light is pretty cool. Eyes and teeth look scary greenish-white, a french manicure glows like crazy, and every little tiny piece of lint -- that's right, lint -- shows up in the black light! Last Tuesday, I realized that I even had lint on my bare arms. What?!? Lint, on my arms?!? It truly is amazing, because to the naked eye, those specks are invisible. That night, this verse came to mind . . .

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. ~ Luke 8:17 (NIV)

God is like a black light. He sees what seems invisible. If we think we're getting away with something we shouldn't be doing, we need to think again, because God's black like picks it up like invisible lint. Nothing escapes His eyes, because like the Word says, He fills heaven and earth. He is everywhere!

And the same God who sees the dark side of our lives also sees the deep side, the things of our heart that we don't let others see. Maybe it's painful or embarrassing . . . maybe it's shameful or otherwise so uncomfortable that we just lock it away in our hearts and minds. He sees and knows you through and through . . . and He LOVES you. And He will shed light on those areas that need to be revealed for your healing. He loves you too much to let you go through life with hidden "lint" in your soul. The question is: Are you willing to see what He reveals to you, or are you just going to shut your eyes and say, "I'm not listening . . . I'm not listening . . . "?

Sergeant Schultz from the old TV Show, Hogan's Heroes, used to always say, "I see nothing, I know nothing!", when he'd become privy to some shenanigans the prisoners were up to. He simply did not want to know the truth of what was going on around him. He was content to be oblivious. Are we like Schultz?

God loves His children, and He's not content to let us run amok in sin or run around oblivious to what's going on in our hearts and minds. And so He shines His light on our lives through His Word and through the Spirit of Truth. If we are desiring to live godly lives in honor of our Lord, and if we want to be whole on the inside, we need to let God reveal to us the hidden things. We're not fooling Him -- why do we try to fool ourselves?

God is a gracious God, and loves us in spite of all of our failings and weaknesses. Turn to Him and let Him shine His beautiful, loving light on your life, so that through His Spirit, you can be cleansed and changed, moulded into the image of Christ, our Savior. God bless you today as you allow Him to turn on His "black light" . . .

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 115:1

2009-07-08T05:56:00.001-07:00

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. ~ Psalm 115:1 (NIV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think, as human beings, we need the regular reminder to give God the glory, and not take glory on for ourselves. We may be very good at what we do, but who should get the glory for that? Isn't God the One who gives us our knowledge and abilities to do what we do? And if people praise us for our loving heart and giving spirit, can we honestly say that is something we have created within us? God is the source of all things good, and we simply cannot take credit where it isn't due. Well, actually, we can...and we do. But we are foolish and sinful when we steal God's glory and make ourselves out to be some sort of shining example of human worth.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
~ Psalm 100:5 (NIV)

God deserves all glory because of His enduring love and faithfulness toward us. Can you testify to His love and faithfulness toward you? Do you see it? Then give Him the glory today. Let someone know the magnificence of your God -- He is great, and greatly to be praised! And if you don't see God's love and faithfulness evident in your life, I ask you to change your prescription and get a new pair of glasses, because He is always at work in your life, spurred on by His love and faithfulness. Look for it . . . and then give Him the glory that is due His name!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 18:20

2009-07-07T05:44:00.000-07:00

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. ~ Psalm 18:20 (NIV)

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I was talking to a couple of people yesterday who certainly gave a passionate testimony about God's ways, and how His way is the only way. They have both experienced and known the tragedy of walking their own way and openly testify to the blessings of walking God's way. They adamantly say, "His way is the ONLY way!" It is very refreshing to talk to people who are so open to talk about God and their relationship with Him -- I was very blessed!

When you come to God and decide to "be under His roof", He is an amazing refuge. No, things might not be perfect -- you might lose your job, you might get sick, you might lose a loved one. God never said that His children were exempt from trials and tribulations. But there is a peace deep down when you walk with the Truth, amen? I know I've walked away from the truth many times in my life and chosen my own way, and every time it's been the wrong way . . . a dead end . . . "not a through road".

I stand on God's word as absolute truth. I have experienced and known the joy of choosing the truth and walking in it. I pray that you can embrace God's perfect word as truth and walk in His ways, desiring Him as your shelter. There is no better place to be -- I can testify to that. I hope you can, too.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 18:12

2009-07-06T05:45:00.000-07:00

Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
~ Proverbs 18:12 (NIV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(NOTE: For some reason, I'm having a real hard time this morning . . . my brain just isn't engaging, or something. So, I hope sending you my VOTD from one year ago today will still be valuable to you, even if is one you've already read. Thanks for your understanding...)

In the world of recreational sports, there is a rather comical phenomenon that occurs -- it's call "trash-talk". You probably know what I'm talking about...

James: "I sure hope you're ready to get your tail kicked in horseshoes, Joe, 'cuz I'm gonna give you a whoopin' today...!"

Joe: "Yeah, right -- you're gonna get skunked so bad, you'll feel like road-kill. I hope you've been practicin', 'cuz you're gonna need it..."

Jessica: "Don't get too high-and-mighty, boys, 'cuz us girls are gonna beat your behinds bad...!"

And on and on the competitive banter goes! It's all in fun, but often, the wisdom of Solomon comes in to haunt the haughty. This 4th of July, while playing a very fun game, called Slingball, one of my friends said, "I think I'll wait until after I win to talk trash -- it didn't work so well for me the other way around the last game I played, and lost..."

In this life, we want praise...we want to be noticed...we want the accolades. Sometimes we even praise ourselves out loud to others, just in case the gleam from our trophy didn't catch their eye. And God warns us that pride is a trophy-toppler, plain and simple. When we revel and glory in our accomplishments as something we've done, we really set ourselves up for a fall. The bottom line is that all we're able to accomplish is because of God...we couldn't even take our next breath without His doing, let alone scale mountains and conquer our little corner of the world.

Do you think God can simply remove His hand of blessing, in order to help us understand our real weakness in life? You betcha! It's called discipline, and if we're not careful, it can be rather painful.

Thinking more highly of yourself than you ought isn't good for relationships, either. Who wants to hang around a braggart? It gets real old real fast to hear someone talk about how good they did this, or how great they did that. "Don't brag about yourself-- let others praise you." (Proverbs 27:2)

And if people don't praise you and that bugs you, then you've identified a pride problem. The converse of pride is humility -- not the false kind that says, "Oh, stop saying how well I did. Really, I'm not very good. But can you help me carry my 12 gold medals to my room -- they're rather heavy..." True humility recognizes its own real weakness, and God's blessings. It removes ownership of glory and gives it to God, where it needs to be.

Pride is a deep heart issues that require God's intervention. Without Him, we are all prideful people, wanting glory and honor for ourselves. But God's Word reminds us that only God is deserving of honor and glory and praise. Does that mean that we shouldn't accept a compliment for a job well done? No, of course not. Does that mean that we shouldn't clap for those who work hard and accomplish goals? No -- as Proverb 27:2 says, we should commend others for good effort, so they don't feel they have to. Being an encourager, as God tells us to, includes giving people positive feedback on their efforts.

I'm sure you can think of people you know on both sides of this fence -- those that brag about themselves and make sure everyone knows about their accomplishments, and those who quietly go about their business, doing great things but staying out of the limelight. Which people are dearer in your hearts? Which attitude is dearer to God's heart?

God says He opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34), and James and Peter both reference this Scripture in their books (James 4 and 1 Peter 5). This is an issue in the world and in the church, and we need to be mindful of how we view ourselves. It's not just what comes out of our mouths; it's what's in our hearts. And God sees our hearts.

Let us examine soberly how we think about ourselves and our accomplishments. Let us get on our knees in submission to God, who is the Giver of all things. We are not great on our own; only by God's grace are we able to do and be anything. Let us humble ourselves before Him, and give Him the praise and glory He is due -- Amen!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Acts 13:38-39

2009-07-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God—something the law of Moses could never do. ~ Acts 13:38-39 (NLT)

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Over and over in the New Testament is the sound of the Good News! Believe in Jesus and you have forgiveness before God. Believe in Jesus and you have eternal life. Believe in Jesus and you are a new creation. Believe in Jesus and you have love...

Jesus said He was God come to earth, born to die for the sins of mankind, and raised again to life eternal. He said that there no other way for man to have eternal life except through Him. Do you believe Him?

It seems like we can sometimes complicate our faith so much with doctrinal sludge that we lose sight of the simplicity of faith in Jesus. We can get bogged down in the intricacies of how to live out our faith that we forget the basics of the faith itself! Or worse yet, after receiving the Lord into our hearts by faith, we add legalism to our spiritual diet, thinking somehow we must add to God's grace. Sludge, I tell you . . . boggy sludge.

Jesus kept it simple for us...I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6). Let's keep the Good News of Jesus Christ simple --and not be distracted by ideas (whether good or bad) that muddy the waters of the pure Gospel.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Philippians 1:20

2009-07-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ~ Philippians 1:20 (NIV)

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Yesterday, as I drove to the beach, I heard a song on the radio that just had me weeping. It was Mark Schultz' song, entitled, "Letters from War", with well-wishes from loving civilians interspersed in the midst of the song.

Below is a you-tube link of the original song and the lyrics. I hope you will pray for the men and women who, this very day, are in a land far away, being courageous in the face of mortal odds. Only by God's grace can they stand, amen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuvbBwsMTgI

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

She walked to the mailbox
On that bright summer's day
Found a letter from her son
In a war, far away
He spoke of the weather
And good friends that he'd made
Said, " I'd been thinking 'bout dad
And the life that he had -- that's why, I'm here today"
And then in the end, he said, "You are what I'm fighting for"
It was the first of his letters from war

She started writing...
You're good and you're brave
What a father that you'll be someday
Make it home, make it safe
She wrote every night as she prayed

Late in December
A day she'll not forget
Oh, her tears stained the paper
With every word that she read
It said, "I was up on a hill, I was out there alone
When the shots all rang out and bombs were exploding
That's when I saw him, he came back for me
And though he was captured a man set me free
And that man was your son, he asked me to write to you
I told him, I would, Oh, I swore..."
It was the last of the letters from war

And she prayed he was living, kept on believing
And wrote every night just to say...
You are good and you're brave
What a father that you'll be someday
Make it home, make it safe
Still she kept writing each day

Then two years later
Autumn leaves, all around
A car pulled in the driveway
And she fell to the ground
And out stepped a captain
Where her boy used to stand
He said, "Mom, I'm followin' orders
From all of your letters and I've come home again"
He ran in to hold her, dropped all his bags on the floor
Holdin' all of her letters from war

Bring him home...
Bring him home...
Bring him home.
© WORD MUSIC, LLC; LOLA MAX MUSIC

Have a happy 4th of July, and thank God for our independence!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Galatians 6:2

2009-07-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)

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I was talking yesterday to a friend about burden-bearing, and how the body of Christ is meant to function in a way so that our needs are met through corporate ministering to each other. And I encouraged her to open up and share the needs in her life with some new believers she's met, so that they can participate in her life and know the joy of following the Lord by being servants.

And then she said, "But I think pride gets in the way...sometimes, I'm embarrassed to share..."

She's right, and we need to lay aside our pride when it comes to sharing with other believers the things that are going on in our lives. But I wonder . . . is it possible that the church itself has spawned this pitfall of pride? Has the stern criticism of the pious created an environment that tells others they need to look as good as, act as good as, talk as good as "them" in order to be accepted, and that to be any less than "them" is grounds for condemnation and judgment?

How can we bear one another's burdens if those burdens aren't revealed? Yet, how can a person in need reveal those burdens if they feel unworthy of acceptance in the midst of those burdens? It's almost a Catch-22...

My pastor likes to say, "God loves us who we are, where we are, how we are . . . but He loves us too much to leave us as we are." I know Christ's prayer is that His followers would model the unconditional love He has for humanity, so that they can fulfill His law . . . the law of love, bearing one another's burdens and building people up to know God, so that they can love Him and live for Him. That is my prayer, too.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - James 3:2

2009-07-02T06:03:00.001-07:00

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
~ James 3:2 (NIV)

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I'm glad that James is real and honest, rather than pretentious and holier-than-thou. It helps us realize we're all in this same boat in life, struggling to fight the spiritual battles within us.

I don't know what you're struggling with, but you do. And God does, too. Be real with yourself and with God. Don't try to put on false pretenses, like everything's fine and you have your act together. It's when we can look our struggles in the face and admit they are a part of us that we can look God in the face and see His love in spite of them. That is when we can really grasp the amazing grace of God.

I hope you can lay aside whatever pride you may have about the personal struggles you face, and honestly come to God with all that you have. Let God show you the depth of His awesome love for all who turn to Him with an honest heart.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Ecclesiastes 10:18

2009-07-01T05:44:00.000-07:00

If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
~ Ecclesiastes 10:18 (NIV)

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Most of this life is built around maintenance. It seems like everything needs maintenance or it goes into disrepair. I guess that's because we live in a world of decay, stricken with death and dying since the fall of man.

I work in the medical equipment maintenance field, and it's often necessary for devices to be preventively maintained so that you don't have unscheduled repairs. For example, one device may need their o-rings replaced every six months, simply because these parts wear out over a period of time and will cause a failure if they're not replaced. If there is no system in place to maintain it routinely, you run the risk of a failure on a patient.

Today's verse uses our homes as an example of the decaying world we live in, and our need for vigilance in maintaining them. Home Depot and Lowe's stay in business because of the maintenance required in our homes due to decay. (Oh, okay, let's just admit it -- they stay in business because men like to build things....LOL :-) If we aren't vigilant to repair/replace things that wear out or decay, like roofs and fences, we leave ourselves open to damage during the winter months. We simply can't dupe ourselves into thinking that things in our home will last forever without us getting off our duff to do something about it, because they just don't.

We seek many conveniences in this world that make life easier, but can assist us in being lazy. We have a remote control for our TV, a microwave for our meals, automatic sprinklers for our lawns, answering machines/voicemail for our phones -- all allowing us to sit on the couch and veg our lives away. Automation and streamlining our lives can be a very good thing, but we need to be careful that we don't get lulled into laziness in the process. Don't be fooled into thinking that decay is a thing of the past. It still causes havoc all around us, and we need to pro-actively work to repair and rectify those areas we're responsible for -- our bodies, our homes, our environment.

Gee, after today's message, I guess I have no excuse for not cleaning the cobwebs on the outside of my house that the friendly neighborhood spiders have so generously spun, huh? :-)
...."Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work I go...."

(today's message sponsored by The Seven Dwarfs -- :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 143:8

2009-06-30T05:58:00.000-07:00

Let me hear Your loving kindness in the morning; for I trust in You; teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul. ~ Psalm 143:8 (NASB)

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These words from the Psalms come from one who sounds like they are full-face toward God -- they are seeking Him with all their being, wanting to be close to Him and do the things that please Him. That is a beautiful thing to witness.

This past Sunday, I met a woman reaching out for God, for community, for friendship, for love. She loves God and cried out to Him for help. She knew that He was her best and only source of comfort and help, and she has been seeking a church family that could come alongside her and walk the walk with her. What a blessing to meet her, cry and pray with her, and put her in touch with some beautifully loving ladies who immediately took her under their wings and embraced her. Her response was to thank God for answering her prayers and meeting her needs. She's excited about becoming part of a women's Bible study and now having some familiar faces in the worship service. I know God is working mightily in her life, as she has sought Him for her life needs.

Our lives may not be perfect. In fact, who are we kidding? None of our lives are perfect. But running to God, seeking Him for our needs and surrendering to Him our weaknesses, is the best and only thing we can do for real life. Because He is life -- at its fullest...at its purest...at its best.

Reach for God and you reach for life. I pray that is the direction you're running toward today.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 21:2

2009-06-29T05:48:00.000-07:00

All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. ~ Proverbs 21:2 (NIV)

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Are we, as believers in Christ, really interested in becoming more like Him, or are we content to just go along running on our own instincts? Do we really want the mind of Christ, or do we just want to make up our own mind? Hmm...

God says that He can help us if we're interested, because He weighs our hearts against His truth -- if it's not in line, there is some tweaking that needs to be done. But I wonder how much we're listening to Him as we go about our days...

~ Someone does something that you don't like, and you're ready to give them a piece of your mind. Does it occur to you to check with God and see if it's something you ought to do, or do you just run headlong into ranting and raving?

~ You get a bonus check from work and think of all the things you could buy for yourself. Does it occur to you to check with God to see if He'd like you to do something selfless with it, (or at least something frugal like your own personal debt reduction), or do you just run headlong to the mall to spend it?

~ You have the freedom to check personal email while at work and it seems harmless enough. Does it occur to you to check with God to see if you're abusing this privilege and not honoring your employer with an honest day's work, or do you just run headlong into time mis-management and a less-than-stellar work ethic?

(please know that I am speaking to myself here, too -- these aren't just ouches for you, my friends... :-)

When we decide to take our spiritual growth seriously and want a heart after God's own heart, we will be willing to listen to God as He weighs our heart. If the scales aren't tipping in His direction with our thoughts and actions, He will let us know. Question is: Will we listen AND will we make change if necessary?

Obedience is a discipline. But more than that, it is an act of love toward God. And our love for Him is manifest when we actively pursue a godly heart. Be willing to check with God today as you go about your daily life. Be willing to watch and see how the scales of your heart tip -- toward God or toward self -- and pursue godliness, obedience and spiritual growth.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 15:6

2009-06-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble. ~ Proverbs 15:6 (NIV)

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What's in your house -- treasure, or trouble?

It really doesn't matter if you have money, or don't. Because treasure can be found in the poorest of households. And trouble can be found in the richest.

One of my favorite new TV shows is "Royal Pains", where an ER doctor from Brooklyn, who got fired for "allowing" a rich hospital trustee to die while saving a "commoner" who was dying, drives up to the Hamptons with his wily brother for a party, and ends up saving a girl's life. This leads to his new-found career as a "concierge doctor", a paid physician to the rich. It becomes clear in the first episode that wealth is not always a 'walk in the park'. With money comes a whole host of temptations to abuse the body, neglect the family, and seek solace from all the wrong sources. And no matter how many art collections and tennis courts they have, it cannot correct or make up for the train wreck of a self-led life.

That is trouble.

Yet, on the other hand, is a film I watched yesterday, called, "Madea's Family Reunion". At this black family's reunion, set at the homestead of their slave ancestors, Cicely Tyson gives an impassioned speech to the family after their 96-year old matriarch walked the property and saw foolishness in those who had come -- young men gambling and arguing, and young women treating and using their bodies as sexual attractions. She called them to remember their ancestral heart roots which were grounded in God -- love, compassion, forgiveness, tenderness, godliness. And to start acting on those.

That is treasure.

God is the source of treasure in ones heart and in ones home. Wickedness is the source of trouble. When we trust in God and give ourselves to Him, desiring to do His will, we gain treasure. Maybe not the kind that can be seen in display cases or gated communities, but the kind that lasts -- spiritual treasure -- a heart that loves God and loves others, which spawns a myriad of godly treasures down through the generations.

I pray that you can count the true treasures in your life that come from walking with God and living for Him.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Matthew 16:25

2009-06-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. ~ Matthew 16:25 (NIV)

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Quiz time. Jesus talking about:

a. Becoming a real-life martyr for the Christian faith.
b. Giving up all creature comforts here on earth to be a missionary in a 3rd-world country.
c. Releasing all holds on what I want and choosing what He wants for me.
d. All of the above.

If you answered 'D', you're more right than choosing just one of A-C. Now, it doesn't mean that you have to go to Mongolia to serve as a missionary, but you might be asked to. It doesn't mean that you would die there, but you might. But answer C is true for all believers. That spurs all other acts of self-sacrifice for Jesus Christ, whether it leads us to Mongolia, martyrdom, or staying home and leading a life that says that God is in charge of your heart and mind.

Jesus says, You just don't get it. Living your life to please yourself is really a road to nowhere. It looks good and might feel good, but it's earthly -- meaning mortal and won't last forever. And Forever is where you need to be looking, where you need to be heading. And I'm not only the sign-pointer, but your ticket and transportation to get to there. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You've got to get on board with me, not the other way around.

So, the bottom line is: Who are you serving? Self, or the Savior? True life hangs in the balance.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Leviticus 19:18

2009-06-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
~ Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)

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God knows us pretty well, doesn't He? He knows that is our natural response to insult and injury -- seeking revenge and bearing a grudge. We want payback, man! We want them to suffer! We want to give them the death glare every time we see them so they KNOW how much we hate them!

Gee, just writing those last few lines puts a bad taste in my mouth. Do any of us really want to be like that when it is laid out in black and white like that? That kind of heart is just plain ugly. And today's verse could be summed up in the popular phrase, "God don't like ugly..."

And God ends this command with an interesting phrase, "I am the Lord," but it makes total sense. It's the authority line that parents tack on to the end of 'clean your room' or 'don't stick that straw in your brother's nose' -- "...because I'm the parent, and I said so." Authority. I'm in charge here, and I need you to behave and do right. And because I'm in charge, I have the power to help you see the error of your ways with a little thing I call 'discipline'. It hurts me more than it hurts you, but it is necessary because I can't have my child running around hurting other people and themselves.

So how we view people who treat us poorly is high on God's priority list. And since He's God, He can see right through us into our heart (1 Samuel 16:7) -- there's no sense in trying to hide your feelings of hatred and revenge toward others from Him. He knows that is our natural inclination, but He also tells us to get His help in making spiritual change (Romans 12:2).

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ~ 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

The next time someone does something negative toward you, check your heart. Does it get ugly? If so, God says to cut that weed down -- don't water it! Cut it down with God's own glory and goodness. That is love in action -- love for God, love for humanity, love for yourself.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - John 1:1

2009-06-25T05:48:00.000-07:00

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
~ John 1:1 (NIV)

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This is a pretty well-known verse to many believers in Christ. It declares Jesus' deity as God, which is the crux of our faith, because without His sinless sacrifice (sufficiency over sin) and resurrection (sufficiency over death), we are still dead in our sins and our faith is useless (1 Corinthians 15). But I've always honed in on the last part of today's verse about Jesus being God, and sort of bypassed the part about Him being with God. That clearly defines at least two parts of the trinity -- I'd just never really quite noticed that before. (That often happens when we gloss over verses we think we know so well -- it's a good reminder to slow down and allow the Holy Spirit to help us see things in God's Word that we may have previously missed.)

This concept made me think of an egg. Crack open an egg, and you have two parts -- the yolk, and the white. They come in the same package but are distinctly separate; yet, they are both egg. Thinking about Jesus being separate from the Father, yet the same God, is a concept that many have trouble with. And because they can't grasp it in their mind, they decide that it's bogus and not worth believing in. All I can say is, look at the egg. (Now where the Holy Spirit comes into play in the whole egg analogy is where it sort of breaks down...this just goes to show that God is bigger than His creation and we can't always fit Him neatly in our little analogy boxes... lol!)

Although I may have difficulty comprehending the separateness yet togetherness of Jesus and the Father, that does not keep me from believing it's truth. That's because I recognize that I am a finite, limited being -- created by One who is infinite and unlimited. His complexity no one can fully comprehend. But His Holy Spirit has come into my spirit (Ephesians 1:13) and confirmed the truth in me.

I choose to stand on the mystery of the triune God forever. How about you?

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 2 Thessalonians 3:3

2009-06-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

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I used to have pretty bad nightmares as a little kid. Monsters were common, and other really scary circumstances were vivid in my sub-conscious. But my conscious mind was also very aware of the devil -- and he scared me, too. My sister used to have little comic Bible tracts, and I remember some of them being extremely graphic for a little kid, with pictures of hellish demons and flames of eternal fire. Sheesh, talk about scaring the "hell" out of someone...! I did not want to go there, and I was scared of the devil who was going there! (I guess that was the point, but I'm not sure that's the kind of motivation we really want to spark in people to move toward God...)

Certainly, the devil is real, and His tactics are dangerous and ever-present. But if the Lord God is your Father in heaven because you choose Him to be and Jesus is your Savior because you choose Him to be and the Holy Spirit is your internal counselor because you choose Him to be, then you have the eternal spiritual backing to stand confident in the face of the evil one. He may assault you, but he can't defeat you. He may tempt you, but he has no power over you that you don't give him in your life, because greater is the Spirit of God in you than the spirit of the world (1 John 4:4).

The Lord is faithful to strengthen and protect His children from the evil one. Don't be afraid, my friends, when you sense his attacks. Stand firm in the strength of your God, and move forward in doing good and advancing God's kingdom. Although the devil is powerful in the world, he is no match for the God who created him and who reigns victorious over all the earth. I hope you can take great comfort in God's victory over sin and death and the evil one, and grow in spiritual strength as you lean on and learn from Him. God is mighty to save, amen?

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Isaiah 40:31

2009-06-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
~ Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

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Lately, I've been tired alot. I don't know if it's because I'm getting older and needing more sleep, or whether I just need a vacation, or what (probably both!) I sit here in the morning and am already thinking of taking a nap mid-morning at work -- lol! Sleep and rest seem like precious commodities these days, and naps just sound sooo attractive. :-)

So, what about spiritual naps? Do we need those, too?

We certainly can get fatigued in our spirits, that's for sure. Whether it's because we're super busy doing ministry, or doing alot of mental gymnastics because of difficult situations and circumstances going on around us, or feeling a generalized sense of spiritual burnout, we may be in desperate need of a spiritual nap! A time when we stop the whirling of our world . . . when we rest . . . when we wait on the Lord.

Toddlers need naps, but don't know they need them, and will usually fight tooth and nail not to take them (insert my youngest child's name here... :-) But as we get older (and wiser), we recognize the need, and even the joy, of taking naps. We know our body needs rest and rather than fight the downtime, we revel in it. So, too, with spiritual naps. As we grow in our relationship with God and walk the daily walk with Jesus, we come to revel in resting in Him, and getting recharged spiritually.

Please don't think you can tackle the world on your own without resting in God -- He alone can restore and recharge our hearts and minds as we choose to take spiritual naps, knowing He watches over us and acts in love on our behalf, His children whom He loves.

If you're spiritually stressed out and fatigued, you probably need a nap. Give God your worries and concerns, and rest -- you'll be amazed at how different the world appears when you rest and let God do what needs to be done, in you and for you.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - James 3:9-10

2009-06-22T05:29:00.000-07:00

We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people, whom God made like himself. Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers and sisters, this should not happen.
~ James 3:9-10 (NCV)

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The more and more I think about James, I think maybe he was like John Wayne...or Clint Eastwood...or Charles Bronson. He never pulled any punches, shot straight from the hip, and gave it to us with both barrels. And these verses are no exception. He doesn't let us get away with being double-minded about how we use our mouths, without telling it like it is.

You praise God and curse men from the same mouth...

What if you turned on your kitchen faucet one day, and from the cold water side you got fresh water, and from the hot water side you got contaminated water? How could you guarantee the health of you and your family with that threat? One day, you might be safe, but heaven forbid someone hits the hot water by mistake. And what about the dishwasher? It uses hot water. And what about your showers and baths? You use hot water for those, too. You would be running terrible risks for your whole household! So, you would do whatever it took to fix the problem and restore your water system.

So, why do we let contaminated stuff come out of our mouths toward other people? Why do we think it's okay to give God praise and then yell obscenities at our kids or our spouse? Who gave us the right to use our tongue as a weapon of mass destruction? And what does God think of the praise from our mouth when we also wield that weapon on humanity? Do the two counteract each other? Hmm...

Bottom line is that people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and God expects us to honor His most beloved creation. James says that as we honor God, so we should honor people with our words. I would go so far as to say that the proper use of our tongue toward other people is an act of worship to God, because we're laying down on the altar our selfish weapon, and allowing God to turn it into a scepter of love. Useful for dispensing kindness, not slashing hearts. To be wielded for compassion, not malice.

Has God changed your tongue from a weapon of war into a scepter of love? Check yourself today and every day, and give over to Him your tongue, which carries great power to destroy or build up.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Acts 5:40-41

2009-06-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. ~ Acts 5:40-41 (NIV)

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The apostles' response to their treatment isn't what most people would do or expect others to do. I think it would be much more natural to stage a protest, file a lawsuit, write a scathing blog, alert the media...basically, make a big stink about the unlawful and unethical treatment of Christians. Isn't that what you would do, if some of your friends from church were hauled into court and slammed with jail time for preaching on the streets?

And not only did the apostles who had been jailed and flogged not raise a public outcry for the injustice done to them, but they went away rejoicing. Why? Because they "had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." See, back in that day, they had a keen sense of connection with Christ's suffering, having watched it with their own eyes. They had a keen sense of connection with God's love through Him, having touched Him with their own hands. They had given themselves to Jesus 100%, wanting to be like Him in every respect, even to the point of participating in His suffering. They considered it an honor to suffer for Jesus Christ, not an injustice to be rectified!

We can get sidetracked when we deflect the honor of Christian persecution and spend precious time and energy trying to right the wrongs against believers for their faith. The apostles gave God glory for the honor of suffering for Him, and then went right on preaching and teaching. They wasted no time writing petitions, pounding on politicians' doors, or trying to garner support from the people for their restitution. They simply went back to the Father's business.

I think it's interesting that the stories we hear of people fighting for the rights of believers today who are being persecuted for their faith are being waged by those on the outside of the story -- the Western world, the international community, those not experiencing the actual suffering. When you read stories of those who are in the throws of Christian persecution, you hear a very different tune. You hear rejoicing and gladness for being honored to participate in Christ's suffering. And you hear love for their persecutors. Like Christ.

We have a hard time understanding how someone could rejoice when they are cut and bleeding from a flogging, how they could praise God after being thrown in jail because of their religious affiliation. But the apostles and modern day martyrs had come to a blessed understanding of giving their lives for the life of Christ. This is a supernatural mindset, but not unattainable. May we strive to acquire, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that mindset which chooses Christ over all other earthly comforts and concerns, which chooses closeness with Jesus over life itself.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - James 1:22

2009-06-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
~ James 1:22 (NASB)

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(Note: Today, one of my usual perusal websites had James 1:22 as their daily verse. I thought I'd written on this verse previously, and I was right -- on 1/9/09. but when I reread it, it all seemed new to me, and I thought it was pretty good. So here's a reprint of my VOTD from 1/9/09. Thanks!)

"Green" rules for energy are all around us. We hear commercials and whole documentaries about becoming "green". Major political platforms revolve around global warming and the energy crisis, and I believe we do have a responsibility to do what we can to conserve our resources. But it doesn't do us a lick of good to fill our head with facts about conservation if we never do anything about it. I can store up $1-off coupons for fluorescent bulbs all I want, but unless I actually buy them and replace my incandescent bulbs with energy efficient fluorescents, I have done nothing responsible, nothing good. I can know it's the responsible thing to turn off lights when leaving a room, but unless I do it, I continue to be an energy waster . . . bad dog.

So, too, with God's word. We can delude ourselves into thinking that we are spiritual people by reading the Bible. Information does not equate to transformation - - that's the delusion, my friends. God's word isn't just another box to be checked off of your 'to-do' list...

~ Go to the grocery store...."check"
~ Do the laundry..."check"
~ Read my Bible for 15 minutes..."check"
~ Spank the kids and yell at the dog..."check"

I mean, what good does the information do, if it just fills up your head and never gets translated into action? It's just a $1-off coupon sitting in your wallet.

Jesus said it so well...

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." ~ Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

When you read and hear God's word, let the Holy Spirit move you to act on it. Be obedient to God's call for change in your life, because it's for your good and the good of His kingdom. When we allow God to transform us to godly living, we are blessed with peace, and those around us are witness to the power of God to make change in our sin-sick world.

So, don't just cut spiritual coupons -- change the light bulbs in your life!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 33:2-3

2009-06-19T05:39:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
~ Psalm 33:2-3 (NLT)

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As I read these verses this morning, I could almost visualize David standing in the temple courts addressing the ensemble of musicians, pointing to the lyre players, "You, over there -- Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre!" and then pointing to the harpists, "And you -- make music for Him on the 10-stringed harp..." And then David seems to say, "Don't play stale melodies -- make a NEW SONG to the Lord!"

This came as a bit of an epiphany to me this morning. What if God was saying through David, Not the same old stale music you've been playing for eons, please. Can't you come up with something fresh? Is your worship and relationship with me so old, that you have no creativity and inspiration for something new?!? Music should be a reflection of where you are with me now! So, where are you with me now?

All I can say is that these thoughts this morning stomp on a lot of church history, and you don't have to agree with me even a little bit. Don't get me wrong -- I love the old hymns and choruses. But what is David saying when he says 'sing a new song to the Lord'? Oh, sure -- you can spiritualize it and say he's talking about our "heart music", but the reality is that he was speaking to the temple musicians and singers! These were instructions for the worship leaders -- make music for God, play skillfully, and sing a new song to the Lord!

Is it possible that we allow ourselves to stagnate in worship with the ancient tunes? Is it possible that we are squelching our spirits by refusing to sing a new song? I don't speak just to those over 60, or over 40. Every generation needs to sing a new song to the Lord, at each new season! We need to allow our spirits to soar to new worship heights, and not get stuck in the mud of the "same ol', same ol' ". And why I think this is important is because we are creatures of habit. We are rut-runners. And pretty soon, worship can become so routine that it is meaningless to our souls. Songs are memorized, so that no one needs the music, and out come the words and the tune, and we may not even be stirred in our spirits at all, thinking instead about what's for lunch, instead of the God we serve! You know it's true, my friends. You know it's true.

Sing a new song to the Lord today. Allow yourself to listen to some new worship -- freshen your spirit with music that might even catch you off guard, and liven up your adoration of our Lord! Old is good, but new is good too!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - James 4:17

2009-06-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. ~ James 4:17 (NLT)

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Dang. You mean the Christian walk isn't just about the "don'ts"...? There are "do's", too...?

Uh, yeah. There are "do's", too....

Funny, I remember being in a church where an older guy prayed out loud once, rather liturgically, "Lord, forgive us for our sins of omission and commission..." I guess that pretty much covers the entire gamut of what we omit (don't do) and what we commit (do do). But I think sometimes we think we're doing pretty good if we don't swear, don't have hateful thoughts, don't break the law (does speeding have to be included in that?!? :-). But God calls us to a higher standard -- we have the flip side of the 'don'ts' that we're responsible for, too. Dang...

~ You know you should call so-and-so because they need encouragement -- God brought them to your mind and you're thinking of them. But you also know that they are a whiner and will talk your ear off. Should I, or shouldn't I call? Will I, or won't I?

~ You see a person in the grocery store parking lot struggling with their groceries, and your heart (God) says to help them. But time seems short and you have your own shopping to do. Should I, or shouldn't I help? Will I, or won't I?

~ You sit down to watch TV and see your Bible on the coffee table. You feel a prick in your soul because it seems like every day goes by, and you routinely sidestep getting in touch with God. But TV is mindless, and you've had a hard day. Should I, or shouldn't I read? Will I, or won't I?

I think doing what's right is often harder than not doing what's wrong. It takes more discipline, more effort, more commitment to be on the offense rather than just on the defense. Welcome to Team Believer! :-) But, the good news is that God will give us what we need to be on the offense, to be pro-active in doing the "do's".

God never said that being well-rounded in your spiritual walk wasn't gonna be a stretching experience. He says if we're only playing one side of the record by avoiding the "don'ts", we're sinning. Ouch. Rather, we need to play the flip side, too, and do the "do's", as well.

So, today . . . do the do. :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 68:5

2009-06-17T05:49:00.000-07:00

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
~ Psalm 68:5 (NIV)

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So many people have a warped understanding of God's heart. Because they don't know Him, they look at the world around them, with all the wars and hatred and killing, the drug abuse and domestic violence and child neglect, and think God is a mean 'hater', who either doesn't know what He's doing, or simply enjoys watching the ants on earth squirm. Oh, and hell? People think that any God who would send people to hell is just mean and nasty.

First of all, every evil in this world was brought on by the selfish rebellion of humanity, not the heart of God. And second of all, God doesn't send anyone to hell; they choose it when they reject the pure and holy God, who is light and life and goodness.

The Bible continually tries to shed light on the real heart of God. He is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows. He is compassionate on those who can't take care of themselves, who struggle to survive without help from others. I think of the widow in the Old Testament, who was ready to eat her last meal with her son, since there was no more food in the house, and be ready to die. But God saw her need and her pain and sent Elijah, and miraculously provided oil and water to meet their needs (1 Kings 17). Or how about the widow in the New Testament who walked the road with the mourners as she went to bury her only son (Luke 7)? God saw her need and her pain, and Jesus met her on the road and brought her son back to life! He was not so lofty in heaven that He didn't see and act on their behalf. That doesn't sound like a mean God to me...

I pray that you know and understand the true heart of God. He loves people so much, but He hates their sin. The evil that runs wild in the hearts of humanity cuts Him like a knife, because it is the tool of the evil one, who is bent on utterly destroying everything that is good and right -- everything that God is about. God is about people -- He loves them dearly and longs to care for them, to meet their needs. If you don't believe me, read the Bible for yourself. See and hear the heart of God, for it is compassion and love at its best.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Isaiah 61:10

2009-06-16T05:39:00.000-07:00

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
~ Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)

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Oh, if only we were content like this verse says -- to recognize, appreciate and take joy in what God gives those who choose Him . . . salvation and righteousness.

But no. We want health, wealth and prosperity. We want comforts, pleasure and luxury. We want no ills, trials nor temptations. We want, we want, we want. Wow...

God says, You're missing the essence of life itself! You were dead, and I gave you spiritual life. You were wicked, and I cleansed you with My righteousness. And that's not enough for you?!? That should make you ecstatic...but instead, you sidestep these gifts, and dwell on earthly, temporary things. I'm sorry you feel that way, because you're really missing it...

How cheap we make God's grace when we lose the joy of our salvation! How common we make His mercy when we disregard the miracle of our soul's cleansing! These are HUGE . . . yet we look right through them, as if looking through a window. We struggle so much with finding fulfillment in this life, with experiencing joy in our world. Is it possible that we've missed it, because we didn't acknowledge and embrace God's greatest gifts of salvation and righteousness alone, without looking or longing for anything else? I think maybe so.

Back to basics, people. Sometimes we just need to get back to basics. Take time today to reflect on your spiritual rebirth in Jesus Christ and your soul cleansing through His blood. We've gone from death to life, and from filthy to clean! There is great joy in these truths, if we will recognize the enormity of them. Everything else should be extraneous.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Hebrews 2:18

2009-06-15T05:39:00.000-07:00

[Jesus] himself suffered when he was tempted. Now he is able to help others who are being tempted. ~ Hebrews 2:18 (NIrV)

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I think sometimes we forget Jesus' humanity. I think sometimes we think that, although Jesus was tempted on earth, it was a 'walk in the park' for Him. As if He didn't even give temptation a second glance. But God's Word says He suffered when He was tempted. Suffered...

Though He had no sin, He suffered when temptation stared Him in the face. Though He never buckled to the pressure of sin's enticement, He suffered the tug-of-war that we all endure when sin comes a-callin'. He knows what it's like to fight the inner battle between knowing what the right thing to do is, yet feeling the urge to give in to the wrong.

And God's Word also says that, not only do we have someone who can sympathize with us in our spiritual battles, but we have someone who can help us! As He overcame the world (John 16:33), He can help us overcome the world, too. So, how does He do that? How does He help us fight the spiritual battles of temptation?

Well, let me tell you how He doesn't do it. He doesn't help us by us just sitting on our thumbs and not lifting a spiritual finger to help ourselves. I realize that "God helps those who help themselves..." isn't in the Bible, but the reality is that our spiritual walk is a two-way relationship, and we do have personal responsibility for our growth. If you don't water a plant, it dies. And the same is true for your spiritual life. Don't expect God to just minimize or evaporate the temptations in your life, or somehow give you superhuman spiritual strength in your temptations if you aren't participating in your strength processes. Are you staying in communication with God through prayer daily, seeking His counsel and listening to His wisdom? Are you in His Word daily, allowing the Holy Spirit to minister truth to your soul? If not, you're like a person who goes to the gym for a workout and then stands on the treadmill, expecting it to do all the work. (btw, have you ever seen video of someone getting whisked off a treadmill, blown off because they didn't move their legs -- didn't do their part? It's kinda funny, but sobering when you put it in the spiritual perspective...)

With Jesus, we have a sympathetic helper with the temptations we face -- without Him, we're up a creek without a paddle. We're simply foolish not to run to Him for help, and run with Him for growth.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Romans 15:13

2009-06-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13 (NIV)

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Hope, joy and peace. It's alot of what the world is looking for, huh? But they seem to be looking in all the wrong places.

They look to drugs and alcohol. They look to relationships (often the unhealthy kind). They look to mysticism and yoga. They look to themselves. And at the end of the day, when they look back, do they know true hope, joy and peace? I'm thinkin', not so much.

God is the Author and Giver of real hope, real joy and real peace. He's the Authenticator of it all! Grasping for sad and sorry substitutes will leave you feeling sad and sorry. He says, Come to Me. I have what you're looking for. And I am so willing to give to you out of My spiritual riches...

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
~ Jesus, in Luke 11:13 (NIV)

When the Holy Spirit is given by Jesus to those who ask Him for it, it will radically change the source of your hope, joy and peace. No longer are you forced to seek the spiritual in the substandard earthly substitutes of addiction, greed, lust, power, and gluttony. When God comes inside your heart and mind, He provides the genuine article -- real hope, real joy, real peace.

But here's the catch: You can have the Holy Spirit, and not be walking with Him. And if you desire to ride on top of the spiritual wave with God, instead of getting slammed in the spiritual surf, you need to be walking with him. Paul said it like this...

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ~ Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Don't miss the line in Romans 15:13 that is key: ...as you trust in Him. That whole 'trust in God' thing is HUGE, and until we get a firm grasp on the importance of this and how to act on it, we're gonna struggle with resting in God's amazing hope, joy and peace. We have to trust God 100% for our lives. That is part of the surrender that is required when we choose to be Christ's follower. It's not just "give up this, give up that..." It's give in. It's jump in. It's all in.

He's all in for you. And when you decide to be all in for God, you can know the exhilaration of riding on top of the wave with Him! Surf's up, dude . . . are you gonna grab your board, or what? :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 19:1-2

2009-06-12T05:51:00.000-07:00

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
~ Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV)

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Tuesday night, our co-ed softball team played a double header, and our first game was not until 7:30pm. We've had unseasonably cool weather here in Sacramento this June, with many clouds in the sky, and I was awed by the beautiful sunset as we began the game. So much so, that I was distracted standing in the outfield, when I should've been paying attention to the game. I kept saying to my teammates, "Look at the sunset...! Look at the beautiful sunset...!" Others were less impressed. :-( Yeah, I know. I am rather fanatical about clouds...

I can't explain or describe how or why the magnificence of the skies speaks to the spirits of humanity. But I think it does. And God's word says it does. The beauty of a glorious sunset can take a person's breath away, and I think it causes a stirring in people . . . a spiritual stirring, pointing to the Creator of that glorious beauty. When the massive thunderheads billow up more than a mile above a mountain range, and all we can do is stare in wonder at its mammoth size, doesn't it just cause us to be amazed at all that is beyond our doing and control?

We can understand what atmospheric conditions create cloud formations. We can understand how light is refracted and reflected to create color in the skies. But we can't really create that ourselves. All we can do is stand on planet earth and look up in wonder. God is the Creator of the heavens, and we are simply the witnesses to His power and grandeur.

Watch the skies today and see God. Maybe in your region, you'll see poofy summer clouds. Maybe you'll see a rain storm. Maybe you'll see a clear blue sky, with the bright sun shining down. Whatever you see in the heavens, you'll see God -- because only He can create the wonders in the skies.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 1 Timothy 1:15-16

2009-06-11T06:10:00.000-07:00

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.
~ 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NRSV)

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I think sometimes people who don't know Jesus think that they just aren't good enough for God to love them, that they're too bad, or clumsy, or irritable, or whatever. Their perception of God's vision is that He wants perfection and is only interested in those who are...already and always.

Enter Paul -- a man with issues. A lot of issues.

Although we don't know everything about Paul's habits and hangups, we are given a few looks into his life, and what we see is a man who is far from perfect. And one of his first issues is that he strove for perfection. Talk about the 'letter of the law'! This guy was a perfectionist extraordinaire! Funny thing is that this trait probably made him prideful. There . . . did you catch that fall into sinful imperfection? Or how about anger? We do know that he railed against the Christians before his conversion and was extremely passionate about imprisoning and killing the followers of Christ. Wow, now that has all the earmarks of someone God would love, right? Actually, the answer to that question is, "Right!"

Humanity has a pretty widely accepted misunderstanding of God's heart. They think He demands perfection before coming to Him and after coming to Him. They think they have to get their act together and keep it together, or God won't love them. Paul is a beautiful example of the antithesis of that! He was a fanatical killer in the name of God before Jesus got ahold of him. But don't miss the point -- Jesus got ahold of him! Jesus took hold of him. Jesus wanted Paul and accepted Him with all of his flaws and tendencies and habits. And Jesus wants you, too.

If you tend to criticize yourself and think that Jesus couldn't possibly want and accept you because of your past, or even your present, I would ask you to read the Book of Acts and the books that Paul wrote (okay, you're gonna need some time for this, 'cuz he wrote alot of the New Testament :-). He wasn't perfect and was willing to admit it. But he recognized that his life was a portrait of God's mercy and grace, to forgive and use a sinner such as himself.

We're all sinners in need of God's mercy and grace. No matter what your life looks like, He will never turn His back on a repentant heart. And you can't point to anything in your life that can keep God from giving you forgiveness, love and acceptance -- unless you choose not to come to Him.

Don't be misled by misunderstanding God's heart. It is full of love and mercy for all people -- sinners alike. Like Paul. Like Billy Graham. Like me.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Colossians 3:17

2009-06-10T05:50:00.000-07:00

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

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This seems like a tall order.

But does that mean that we just ignore it, because it's hard?

Jesus would never ask us to do or be something for His kingdom that we were incapable of. On our own, yes -- impossible. Our flesh wants to lash out at angry words with even angrier words. Our carnal nature wants to hold grudges, hoard wealth, lust after the opposite sex, and step on the little guy. But the amazing thing about being a Christ follower is that Christ lives in us. And it is He who works in us. Our job is simply to surrender to His leading, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill our being with Himself. Then to do, whether in word or deed, in the name of Jesus (e.g. on His behalf, as an ambassador would speak/mediate on behalf of one country to another) becomes easy.

Or should I say, easier. Because we struggle with the Holy Spirit, don't we? Our flesh likes to rise up and say, "Hey - what about me?!?" We still struggle with wanting our wants and feeding our flesh the carnal things it craves. But when we practice the discipline of living by the Spirit of God on a regular basis, the mind of Christ becomes more and more the standard, the norm. His heart for people becomes our heart for people. His words of love and concern become our words of love and concern. His hands of compassion become our hands of compassion.

Today, you have an opportunity to say and do for God's glory, on behalf of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, you can be an ambassador of the Almighty. I pray you take the challenge today and every day, because it is the calling of the Christ-follower.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Matthew 7:24

2009-06-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
~ Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

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Some time ago, I watched some news footage of a flooding river in the Mid-West during a storm. It was shocking and tragic. One by one, homes that had seemed secure and sturdy began to crumble like little matchstick models from the surging water, literally disintegrating and being swept away. No more.

Jesus says that is a picture our lives when we listen to what He has to say, but don't apply it to our lives. Our foundation becomes a ruse, a charade, a false sense of security. When trouble arises, we will crumble because we've not built our lives on truth and love, but something else. Something weak and unable to hold us steady in the storm.

Just filling your mind with the Bible is not enough, Jesus says. Just hearing His words does not make effective change in our foundational structure. He says we need to act on them. Why? Because we're in need of change. We're in need of foundational revamping. And His words of truth and love open our eyes to the areas in need of rework. If we get busy and make the necessary changes, we can know that we've built our foundation on that which is solid and secure, founded on God's principles, instead of man's. If we hear what He says and walk away shrugging our shoulders, we leave our lives sitting on a shoddy foundation of man's misconceptions, lies and half-truths, which will never hold up under the pressures of trials and temptations.

How is your spiritual foundation? Solid, or shoddy? Do a safety inspection on your life and see if you're doing what Jesus says, rather than just hearing what He says. You are wise to do so, because your life foundation depends on it.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Habakkuk 3:17-18

2009-06-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
~ Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

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Habakkuk paints a pretty bleak picture, doesn't he? The trees don't produce, the crops fail, the animals die. Wow, sounds like complete ruin to me. Almost sounds like where we in American are headed with our tough economic times.

Yet Habakkuk lays out the challenge: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in God my Savior.

It's almost like he throws the gauntlet down at adversity and says, I don't care what you do to me. You can take everything I have -- I am not going to let you take away from my joy in God, my joy of being in relationship with Him. It is worth more than life to me...

Wow, now that's commitment. That's tenacity. That's intimacy with God that supersedes earthly circumstances. Do you think we have something to learn from Habakkuk? I'd say so.

It's also an understanding that our joy doesn't have to be tied to earthly circumstances. We like to think it has to be, but it obviously doesn't, because some have found the key to real joy in spite of the most difficult circumstances. It's as if they've found the 'quick disconnect' button and don't rely on circumstances to dictate their heart condition. Their joy is connected to who God is, His unfailing love, His ever presence, His spiritual comfort, His steadying hand. Not whether they've lost their job or home or car, or suffer illness, or whatever.

Joy is about the vertical relationship.

Which comes down to this: How is your vertical relationship? Are you nurturing it, or letting it wither? When you really get busy and get serious about your vertical relationship, I believe that you'll be able to throw the gauntlet down at the feet of adversity, too, and say, Go ahead. Give it your best shot. You won't steal my joy, no matter what you throw at me. God is my rock, my anchor, my joy.

Our real spiritual joy is tied to the vertical, not the horizontal. I pray you can focus on your vertical relationship with God and come to a full understanding of its blessed separateness from earthly circumstances.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 90:2

2009-06-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
~ Psalm 90:2 (NIV)

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Sometimes on Sunday, before going to church, I like to just blow my mind with God's greatness, to stand amazed at His awesomeness, to be mystified at the wonder of who He is...

He is from everlasting to everlasting. Just blow your mind with that! Before a sundial ever cast a shadow, before a clock every tick-tocked, God was. Before the mountains were revealed and the seas were filled, God was. Before this rock we call earth was even formed, God was. The immortal is so difficult to comprehend, but that's what God is. From everlasting to everlasting. wow...!

I think, as believers in Christ, we sometimes vacillate between being too casual or too austere with God. Sometimes we think of Him as being our buddy, sitting around the table, eating pizza and watching TV. On the other end of the spectrum, we think of Him as the untouchable king who would never allow a commoner to enter His presence, so lofty is He. We have a unique challenge and responsibility to recognize and acknowledge that God is both lofty and lover. He is grandiose and gracious. He is the big and the small, the invisible and the visible, the endless and the present. When you enter into faith in God, you open your mind to the endless wonder of the fullness of the divine.

If you're in awe of God, good. You should be. But don't let that keep you from getting close to Him. Jesus came with skin on, in part so we could know that He is touchable, and desiring to have one-on-one contact and communication with us. The immortal God seeks communion with us, the mortal. That, in and of itself, is a mind-blower!

Give God praise today for all that He is and does -- we can never run out of things about Him that will blow our minds.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 2 Corinthians 7:10

2009-06-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
~ 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)

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People may ask you, What impact does God really have in your life? I mean, what difference does He really make to you?

Perhaps you can point to a time in your life when you made a willfully wrong decision, where you chose to walk down the path away from God. And at some point, God brought you up short and called you to account. As His child, I'm sure you felt sorrowful for your actions, as you looked into your Father's eyes. But here's where the difference is, my friends: When your heavenly Father looks at a willful child who has remorseful tears in their eyes, His look of love makes a WORLD of difference! There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), so all that's left is amazing grace. That beautiful gift draws us to desire cleansing and healing, and God is faithful to give it (1 John 1:9). So the relationship is restored, and we can once again have a heart of righteousness and a spirit of gladness, not sadness.

But just think about those you may know who don't have God in their lives. When they choose rebellion and suffer the consequences, they experience sadness without grace. They reap only condemnation for their willfulness. There is guilt in their spirit for which there is no cure. The Bible says this kind of worldly sadness leads to death. Maybe by lashing out at others in anger. Maybe by lashing out at themselves. Either way, it is destructive sadness that kills the spirit . . . and sometimes kills the body. The devil's playground, my friends.

"Come to me, all of you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls." ~ Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-29 (NIrV)

I hope that you can hear God when you're sorrowful for sinful choices. Don't let your sorrow drag you down into spiritual misery and condemnation. Choose repentance and receive grace and restoration from God, who loves you so much.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Matthew 6:27

2009-06-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" ~ Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

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I had a friend write to me recently, asking for help on how to trust God for the worries of this life, when some in her family are struggling so with life's difficulties. She is new in her walking relationship with God and is struggling with worring and trusting God. Here was my response to her. Perhaps it is what you need to hear today, too. (some things amended to protect privacy...)

Reading God's word helps us understand Him, our sinful selves and His beautiful plan to restore us and the world to what we (as humanity) were before the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Knowing God's heart by reading the Bible helps you understand the Person you have placed your faith in. This will help you build the trust in Him that you seek. When you read in the Old Testament of His faithfulness and love and power, I believe you will more willingly turn over those worries to this One, who has all power and undying love and faithfulness. When we look at who could better handle the job of managing our life and the lives of our loved ones -- us or Him -- it becomes almost laughable. We are sooo weak and twisted sometimes in our thoughts and ideas. We are lame, at best, at managing things -- would you agree? That is why we need to seek Him and His counsel, because we are faulty. But He is faultless -- perfect and holy in all He does. So, we come to Him, so that He can help us rest in His managerial leadership. Thinking of Him as a good manager, like in business, is not a bad analogy at all. He knows His stuff, cares about His staff, and has the plan completely under control. You don't have to worry that He'll steer the company in the wrong direction or fall asleep at the wheel. He is the Good Manager, or like it says in John 10, He is the Good Shepherd, who takes care of His sheep...who even lays His life on the line for His sheep, whom He loves.

Re: worry. Jesus says in Matthew 6:27: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" And it's so true. Here's the thing about control: it's an illusion. We think we are in control of this life, and when circumstances occur that are difficult and stressful, we want to control it. If we can't get our hands on it, we worry about it, because we want to control it. But the reality is that we're not the ones in control. God is. We simply have to come to that realization and accept His sovereignty. We may not understand it, but if we can accept that He is all-powerful and all-knowing and all-loving, then I believe we can come to that point of trust that can help us choose to trust Him instead of choosing to worry.

Faith in God that He exists and believing that Jesus' blood as the perfect sacrifice for our sins brings us into an eternal relationship with God. But that basic faith is different than the daily, hourly trust in God that is developed over time, by exercising it when difficulties arise. So, today, as you think about your family member and their trials, I want you to think about Jesus, the Good Shepherd. I want you to think about His character and abilities as God to manage and guide. Number one concern you should have is whether your family member is trusting God for their life. That is a bigger priority than their circumstances, because our souls are what really matter in this life, bottom line. If they have placed their faith in Jesus, then I urge you to turn your prayers toward their spiritual growth in the midst of the turbulence they're experiencing. When times were rough in my marriage, I sometimes took the righteous path and sought God (which is when I grew spiritually) -- at other times, I got bitter and took the unrighteous path (which is when I fell down spiritually). Turning your prayers toward their spiritual growth in the midst of the process, rather than wanting God to remove the trouble may help you not worry, too.

James 1:2-4 says: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." I'm sure you want this for your family member, that they may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. But gold doesn't get purified without going through the fire. And neither do we. If they are able to go to God in their trials, and be willing to learn from Him the things He needs them to learn, they will come out on the other side of this mess, able to testify about God's faithfulness and love and care for them, because they will see it with their own eyes. And ultimately, they will be able to share what they've learned with others who are going through similar issues that they've faced. 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 says this: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." You can pray for their future, that what they gain through this experience will be used for God's glory later, as they're able to share their story with someone else and point them to God, too.

We all need to grow up in these areas, and we just don't learn well without experiencing life, in which we will fall down and get up, fall down and get up. Sometimes we fall down because someone pushed us; sometimes it's because we were running too fast or not watching where we were going; sometimes it's because we went in places we shouldn't have and it was dangerous. Through all of these circumstances, whether by someone else's doing, or by our own, God can use it to help us grow -- in knowledge and wisdom and grace -- if we let Him do the work He needs to do in us.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 4:23

2009-06-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. ~ Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

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Our hearts have amazing potential. They can love deeply and experience incredible joy. But they can also hate intensely and become ensnared in hostility and bitterness. Yes, our hearts have amazing potential.

I was just telling a friend the other day that I needed to "guard my heart" against building up resentment regarding a negative situation that occurred. I know this is needful, because I have seen that potential realized in my heart through all sorts of sinful outbreaks....bitterness, resentment, malice, hatred. And because I didn't check myself in my past and seek God's intervention in my heart but allowed these self-driven sins to invade my heart, I became a mess. I didn't think I was a mess, but the defenses I had put in place to ward off abusive behavior created a learned response that was very harmful. And it took me getting on my spiritual knees for a WHILE, to give over the hatred to God and allow Him to heal the damage caused when I let my guard down in my heart.

Guard your heart, my friends, for it truly is the wellspring of life. Be willing to look soberly at what you let in, whether it looks good on the surface (but may not be) or looks bad (but you feel justified in holding onto it). God is the great sifter of what should and shouldn't enter our hearts -- we need to be willing to take His advice and warnings. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He can help us make choices that will protect and defend our innermost part -- our heart.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 1 Peter 5:6

2009-06-03T05:57:00.000-07:00

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ~ 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

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One of the hardest things for us to do is to humble ourselves before God. We want to make excuses for ourselves..."it was them who made me do such-and-such." We want to compare ourselves to others..."well, I'm not as bad as that person." We want to bargain with God..."if you just fix this, I'll never do that again." But we need to just stop the excuses, stop the comparing, stop the bargaining. Instead, we really need to humble ourselves before God.

We are fallen. We are needy. We are helpless. Let's humble ourselves and admit all that to God. Let's lay ourselves at His feet and seek the healing and restoration that we need so badly from the One -- the only One -- who can help us. When we let go of all the baggage we're trying to carry into the throne room of God, His Word says He will be faithful to lift us up.

Humility before God = restoration from God.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Ephesians 4:2

2009-06-02T05:47:00.000-07:00

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
~ Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

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The other day as I drove home, I saw a couple of adults walking down the street, hand in hand. As I got closer, I saw that one of them had Downs Syndrome, and perhaps the other person was their Mom. And I began to think about how we "normal" people treat the handicapped. We are kind to them in the grocery store or school or mall -- we want to make sure they feel accepted and loved. We feel as if they need to be shown love more than others, right? I mean, they look different, they act different, they talk different. But we understand there is a reason they are different than us -- something they have no control over. And so we treat them with extra care and attention.

But what about the person who looks different, acts different, talks different who doesn't have a disability or handicap? What about that nerdy guy who wears mismatched clothes and snorts when he laughs up in Accounting? Or that girl in class who doesn't look like she's washed her hair in two weeks and acts so goofy, you can't help but laugh at her out loud? What about them?!? Why do we dole out kindness and love based on our worth-o-meter?

God's worth-o-meter spikes 'red' for EVERY SINGLE PERSON! They might be black, white or purple. They may be nerdy, fashion-challenged or in need of a shower. They maybe handicapped, or they may not be. But God loves all people, and He calls His children to do the same. To make judgment calls as to who deserves kindness and special attention and who doesn't is not our call at all!

All people deserve kindness and special attention. A smile. A "How are you today?" A "Can I help you?" I pray we can open our eyes today and see people the way God sees them -- 100% valuable and deserving of love.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Revelation 21:4

2009-06-01T05:48:00.000-07:00

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. ~ Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

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They say that there are only two things certain in this life: death and taxes. And even some are able to weasel out of taxes, if they don't get caught. But no one can weasel out of death. No one.

And no one is free from the pain of losing a loved one while they walk this earth, either. We all have the common bond of having to attend funerals and suffer the grief of laying someone in the ground, someone we knew and loved. It's a terribly sad thing, and the pain can be excruciating and long-term. For those of you currently undergoing the grief process, I pray God's healing hand on your heart and mind -- let Him in, so that the "missing" is lessened while the memories remain.

Jesus declared in Revelation that a time is coming when this traumatic grief process of death will be no more, this process when we hate getting older because it means our family and friends -- or us -- have to die. For those who choose God in this life, that future Day is coming, and we look forward to a grief-free eternity, where we dwell with God in perfect peace. But for those who don't want to have anything to do with God in this life, the choice is not good. They choose to relegate themselves to an afterlife without God, and if you think the pain of funerals and losing loved ones is excruciating, think about an eternity without the goodness and love and joy and peace that is only available through God. You wanna talk about hell?!? That, my friends, is pain that we can't even imagine.

There's a new movie out, called, "Drag Me to Hell," where a girl is cursed in this life somehow and the spiritual forces are ready to take her. All I can say is that the film trailer paints a VERY SCARY portrait of hell. And I say, "Good!" God wants people to understand it's not a picnic by any stretch of the imagination. God wants people to know there is a spiritual dark side to the course of the universe and eternity is a long time to spend in the absence of everything good, with only evil. A long time...

People want goodness, but they don't want God. But because goodness comes from God, you get the whole package. And although God does send the sunshine and rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45) on this earth, so that people are blessed by His goodness even though they choose to have nothing to do with Him, when the Day of Judgment comes, that season of blessing is over. Sin will be judged and sorting will take place. Though we all sin, those who have chosen God and sought Jesus as the payment for their sin will live with God. Those who have rejected God and refuse Jesus, are left to be separate from Him -- and all goodness -- forever. If it sounds harsh, it is. But choosing to reject God and His love is harsh, too. We can't have our cake and eat it, too.

This might sound like scare tactics, but it's really not. I'm simply speaking the reality as presented in God's word. Death in this life is mandatory due to sin. But death in the next life is not mandatory. You don't have to spend eternity in grief. Where God is, is joy and love. So I beg of you to choose God now, in this life. Not only will you know the joy of eternal living with God in heaven, but you will know the joy of God's dwelling in your heart in this earthly life.

A relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, changes everything. How we live, how we grieve, how we die. Everything.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 2 Chronicles 14:11

2009-05-31T07:07:00.000-07:00

Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you." ~ 2 Chronicles 14:11 (NIV)

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2 Chronicles 14:2 says that King Asa "did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God." -- A far cry from many previous kings, who did what was evil in the eyes of God. He took down the areas of idol worship (Asherah poles, sacred stones, "high places") and called the people of Judah to worship the Lord their God. He was a good king, and God gave peace for the people for 10 years during His reign. And when a vast enemy threatened his people in verse 9, Asa knew where to go for help: "Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty..."

So I ask you who follow the Lord: Do you feel threatened by a force greater than yourself? Do your circumstances feel like a vast army advancing on your territory? Do you feel powerless against the mighty?

If so, do what King Asa did: Call on the Lord! Seek His help in your circumstances and believe He can help you! His ways are not our ways, and He may choose to move in a way we don't understand, but we must trust Him to be our Aide, our Guide. We truly have nothing and no one better to rely on than our Creator God who loves us, who has all power and wisdom and truth.

Don't cower before a vast army that comes out to face you. God is for the underdog, when the underdog is for God.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - John 11:33

2009-05-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
~ John 11:33 (NIV)

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I'm sure you've experienced this: You see someone or even hear someone crying, and it can make you cry, too. Your heart is moved by their emotion, their pain. Do you wonder why that is? Well, it could be because we are made in the image of God, and He is moved by emotion, by the pain of humanity. He cries, too.

You may be going through some really trying, painful times right now, and I want you to know that Jesus cries with you. You are not alone if you have Jesus. He sees and hears all that you're going through. Many things in this life really suck, to be blunt, and His life was no exception. He suffered greatly, from loneliness of missing His Father to the excruciating torture from angry men. He knows what it's like to cry tears of emotion, both for Himself and for others, like His dear friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. You, also, are His dear friend, if you are His follower.

Please confide in your divine Confidante -- Jesus, the lover of your soul. Lean on His loving shoulders and pour out your pain into His loving ears. Let Him do a divine work in your life, so that you can come out on the other side, whole and well, able to praise God for His amazing love and restoration.

Never think that your negative and difficult times are wasted. God uses our life experiences to test our faith -- are we committed to Him for real, or does our faith wither in the face of difficulty? Do we trust Him, or give in to worry and despair?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~ James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Some tests are difficult. Some exams are downright grueling. But we must take the challenge, so that we grow spiritually on to maturity. Little kids cry when they get a sliver; adults might not even notice they have a sliver. We need to take on the challenges and learn from God what it means to endure hardships as discipline/teaching, what it means to give thanks in all things, what it means to know without a shadow of a doubt that God loves us even when life is at its worst. To go from a child to an adult in spiritual matters.

Jesus cries with us, but He also takes us by the hand and helps us keep going. He is not about to let us sit in a heap of tears and refuse to go on. I pray you can take His hand today and start walking with Him, tears and all.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - John 11:3-7

2009-05-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
~ John 11:3-7 (NLT)

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Here's yet another example of God's sovereignty and plan that supersedes our understanding and comprehension. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus because their brother, whom Jesus loved, was sick. And Jesus didn't ask, "How high?" when they said, "Jump." Does that shock you? Does it anger you?

Because you can read the story and see God's plan unfolded in John 11, you are probably content to accept this story and God's sovereign hand in it. But what about your own story? What about when you have called on God to help you, and He has delayed? Does that shock you? Does it anger you?

Part of real spiritual growth is coming to an understanding and acceptance of God's complete sovereignty in your life and the lives of those in the world. We can ask the Lord for anything, but His response -- whatever that is -- is for teaching us many things, as well as fulfilling His purposes. We need to get this through our heads: We are not the center of the universe...! God's world doesn't revolve around us, despite what our self-centeredness would lead us to believe.

Bigger picture, folks. Bigger picture. We need to be willing to see the bigger picture, and be willing to be a part of it, instead of dragging our feet and stomping the ground when our world gets uncomfortable.

Here's the amazing thing: When we allow our spirits to completely submit to God's authority and accept His hand in our lives, there is a peace that can't be explained. We don't have to wrestle with why He didn't heal this or that illness, or why this or that has happened to us. We trust His judgment in all matters, and our spirits can rest, instead of wrestling. We submit to His teaching, as a willing student to his trusted rabbi.

If you are Christ's follower, trust your Rabbi.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 62:8

2009-05-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah. ~ Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

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Learning to trust God is a process. It is a practice. People you know who have great faith in God weren't born with it nor got it through osmosis. They made a decision to trust God for their circumstances, for their lives, over and over. And God was faithful, because He is always faithful to those who put their faith in Him. And so, they become people of great faith through the discipline of trusting God.

We can look at people of great faith and think, Gee, I wish I could be like them. But wishing doesn't make it so -- trusting does. Real faith comes from real trust. And God will never fail -- He will be your refuge if you run to Him and trust Him enough to pour out your whole life, with all your fears and doubts, warts and all. He'll never turn His back on you when you place your trust in Him.

So, where is the worry in your life right now? Whatever that is, I pray you can seriously consider giving that situation or person or prospect to the Lord. Trust Him to give you wise counsel. Trust Him to lead you where you should go. Trust Him to have your back. Trust Him to be in charge. Trust Him.

I guarantee you, there's no better position to put yourself in than to trust God with all that you have, 100%. Not 49% or 76%. 100%. Therein lies peace.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Acts 20:24

2009-05-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. ~ Acts 20:24 (NIV)

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I remember going to a garage sale at a little old Methodist church a few years ago. They had the sale in their sanctuary, as I recall (which is really weird...where did the pews go?....maybe my recollection is failing me...lol!...but I do remember buying some cute coffee mugs from them.) But what struck me was that it seemed like this church was stagnant. The people were old, the building was old, the parking lot was in disrepair, and there was no growth anywhere to be seen. I thought, This church is gonna die pretty soon and implode on itself...

Have you ever seen experts in demolition implode a building? It's amazing. In the middle of a city block, they can demolish a building with little-to-no influence or impact to the surrounding structures and neighborhood. So I ask you: Do we have an 'implode' or 'explode' mentality? I ask this from a personal standpoint, as well as a corporate standpoint. Because if we are personally content to simply minister to each other at church, staying in our 'holy huddle', having no real concern for the outside world, that will trickle down to the corporate mentality, and the congregation is threatened with stagnation and an imploding death. And Paul declares in the book of Acts that that is NOT what Christ's body is about. We're to be about EXPLODING!

Paul wanted to be like this light bulb -- an explosion of transparency, so the world would see the light. Jesus is asking us to run the race, spreading the gospel of light and truth to the world like a magnificent explosion, impacting those around us with the Magnificent One.

Implode, or explode. How will you live?

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - John 3:30

2009-05-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. ~ John 3:30 (NLT)

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I was poking around the internet for a friend of mine yesterday, looking for some music, and I ended up on this popular worship leader's website. One of the tabs on top said, "store", which would hopefully lead me to the album I was looking for. Sure enough, it did. But then I saw another tab I thought was interesting..."clothing". What? So, I clicked on it, and lo and behold, there were t-shirts with this leader's picture on it. I was rather shocked and amazed. Really? Dude, you're not that cute, and 'no', I don't want your mug plastered on the front of my shirt...! That was just a little too self-promoting, in my book.

How often, though, are we being self-promotional in our lives? Are we trying to make a name for ourselves, or a name for God? How easy is it to take the praise of men for ourselves, and not turn a stitch of it toward our Creator? Rather easy, if we're not careful to keep our ego in check, I'd say.

John the Baptist's very life was purposed by God to prepare the way for Jesus. His birth and life was prophesied by the angel Gabriel:

" . . . He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” ~ Luke 1:15-17 (NLT)

And as he grew, he recognized his call -- his need to be 'less', while the Messiah became 'more'. And I believe that John was fulfilled in life as the 'lessor'. I don't think he struggled with where his ministry was going, and why weren't the cameras on him like they used to be, and where were the big crowds that used to gather, and how come I don't get the fan mail like I used to . . . He knew His purpose, and that purpose was to exalt Jesus Christ.

That is our purpose, too. So, are we? Is it our goal to step aside so that people see Jesus, instead of us? Hmm, that might just go against a few grains, huh?

"Greater love has no man than this, than he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, NIV) We say, "We love You, Lord..." with our mouths, but then don't want to lay down our egos and the praise of men before His feet. We want our picture on a t-shirt, so people will look at us and say, Oooh, look! There's so-and-so! Aren't they great? Don't they (insert talent) AWESOMELY? Don't they do an A-MAZ-ING job? We want to be on youtube and have a bazillion hits on our videos -- oooohhh, we're sooo popular...

In the math world, it's called the "less-than" sign. >
In the music world, it's called the "decrescendo".

(decrescendo symbol used from http://www.mymusictheory.com/)

Although these symbols appear to lack power, the mystery of spiritually becoming less of ourselves and more of Christ is the true "greater-than" -- the highest "crescendo"! To have the fullness of Christ because we have chosen to lay ourselves down is the greatest height we could attain to.

So, I ask you: Who's getting the glory in your life these days? Are you crescendo-ing for yourself, or decrescendo-ing for Jesus? Let His name be on the marque of your heart and mind, so that the world will see His name in lights! He deserves all praise and glory, for only He is worthy. Only He is holy. Only He loves with an everlasting love. Only He. Only He...

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - John 9:1-3

2009-05-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been born blind. His followers asked him, "Teacher, whose sin caused this man to be born blind—his own sin or his parents' sin?" Jesus answered, "It is not this man's sin or his parents' sin that made him blind. This man was born blind so that God's power could be shown in him." ~ John 9:1-3 (NCV)

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All of us are born with limitations. For some, it might be a physical issue, such as blindness, cerebral palsy or a heart defect. For others, it may be fears, ADHD or bi-polar disorder. And then there are the issues that crop up as a result of life experiences -- these, too, may be physical (e.g. stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of your life as a result of a car accident) or mental (traumatized by war or domestic violence). A myriad of junk -- the fallout of sin -- is a part of our everyday lives.

But not necessarily are these the result of our sin, or the sin of our parents, like the disciples presumed in John 9. Yes, they are the fallout of the sin of mankind, but God allows us to have weaknesses, so that His power can be revealed! Like Paul declared...

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

~ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10(NIV)

Whatever it is that you have in your life that is considered a handicap or disability or "thorn", God can use for His glory, to show His power. Does that mean that you will be healed? No, as Paul discovered. It may mean that God will show His power through the weakness. Many in life were not healed by their Creator . . . I think of Joni Eareckson Tada, who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident as a teenager. Check out her life since this seemingly tragic, life-altering accident. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joni_Eareckson_Tada

Her life-altering accident became life-altaring worship and glory to God. Joni did not let her trying circumstance squelch God's power; rather, she allowed it to reveal God's power. I think it is very possible that she wouldn't have nor could have EVER reached the people she is reaching for Jesus today with such power had she not had her debilitating accident. Our weaknesses truly are God's strength revealed.

I pray that you can take comfort today in the story of the blind man and people like Joni Eareckson Tada. Whatever your weakness, God can show His power through it. You may wish to be healed, but God may wish for you to thrive through it, in the midst of it, in His power. We are so quick to make up God's mind for Him when it comes to us or our loved ones, but His mind is beyond comprehension -- we must trust Him in the decisions He makes for us, and commit to being His servant all the way -- for better or for worse.

Like I've said before, our lemons are God's lemon-aide. Try opening your eyes to the possibility that your limitations are expressly given to you for the purpose of revealing His power to others! Our weaknesses can be tools to point people to God, if we are willing to allow His glory to shine through the cracks and potholes of our lives, instead of discarding our lives as defective.

God doesn't have a junk pile; He's the Master Recycling Artist! So, be the art that God has created, and let the world see the Master...

Love,

Joelene

Verse of the Day - Hebrews 13:10

2009-05-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:10 (NLT)

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I believe in evolution...of thought, that is.

I remember a time when I thought that Jesus had a beginning, and that beginning was the manger. I'd heard the Christmas story a million times, for heaven's sake! Despite the fact that we read and hear that Jesus is God become a man, it was a little different to actually assimilate that thought. But as I continued to read the Bible (Old and New Testaments), my thoughts evolved to understand more fully the fullness of Christ, the Messiah.

I remember a time when I wondered why Jesus had to rise from the dead. What was the big deal? But as I continued to study the Scriptures, my thoughts evolved to recognize that it wasn't so much that He had to rise from the dead, but that He couldn't help but rise from the dead, because death has no hold on an eternal God. He is as He was from before time began...God. My thoughts evolved and changed to embrace my fuller understanding of a God who doesn't change.

There are many things we may not understand about Jesus. But if we are willing to be taught by the Holy Spirit, He will teach us the fuller and deeper things of God. One of those mysteries is the nature and essence of Jesus. Our thoughts will evolve and change to embrace Him who is unchangeable. We can gradually grasp the concept of an eternal God who was from before time began . . . who conversed and conspired with the Father to salvage and save the loves of His life (humanity) . . . who took on flesh for one reason yet many at the same time . . . who battled the death of his flesh and the death of death itself on the cross . . . who rose from the grave to stand as the only one worthy to open the scrolls -- a lamb that was slain before the eternal throne of God (Revelation 5, one of my favorite chapters of the Bible!) . . . who sends the Holy Spirit to those here on earth who are willing to give up self in exchange for God . . . who loves the unlovely . . . who gives grace to the ungracious.

Mystery after mystery after mystery surround Jesus -- yet it is us who changes, not Him, when we are granted vision to understand these mysteries. I pray you take the time and energy to dig into Jesus -- read God's word, both Old and New Testaments, and evolve your understanding of the Christ who never changes, in a world of constant change.

Christ's constancy can be your comfort when change is chaotic. So evolve your thoughts about Him. Make the change to grasp the Unchangeable.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Ecclesiastes 4:10

2009-05-23T12:43:00.000-07:00

If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NLT)

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One time several years ago, I was alone in my apartment cooking dinner, cutting green onions (ya know...it's always the green onions...!) with my very sharp Cutco chef knife, when...slice! I cut my left index finger tip quite badly. I immediately applied pressure with my thumb and held it there for what seemed like a very long time. I went into the bathroom and removed my thumb. Immediately, blood began to pour out of the cut, and something happened to me that had NEVER happened -- I almost passed out. I instantly went into a cold sweat and quickly sat down on the toilet seat (while reapplying heavy pressure on the wound...!) I could hardly believe what had happened and was NOT feeling well at all. I wondered if I needed to go to the doctor, and would I even be able to drive myself? I was alone, and it was not a good feeling. (Fortunately, I didn't require medical attention for my self-inflicted cutlery wound, but it took a long time to heal and even caused some nerve damage in my fingertip. Yikes!)

Can I get a show of hands of how many of you have been helped up by a friend when you were down? I thought so. Y'all raised your hands, didn't you? :-)

God doesn't want us to live this life alone, and if you think you should, as some weird sort of bravado, you're cutting your own fingertip with your own knife---alone! We need other people, to help bounce ideas off of, to get perspective, to provide strength where we are weak, to listen and cry and love. And God brings people into our lives to meet those needs....to show His love through them.

If you are someone who doesn't open up to others and tend to be a loner, I beg of you to please allow others into your life. You need them, whether you want to admit it or not. And if you are one with many friends, let them know how much you appreciate them in your life and nurture those friendships with godly wisdom.

One of God's greatest gifts is the gift of friends.
Make one. Be one.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Galatians 5:17

2009-05-22T05:47:00.000-07:00

For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ~ Galatians 5:17 (NIV)

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How cognizant are you of the spiritual battle that is being waged in your life? Do you see it played out, or are you clueless?

If you have a pulse, you're in a battle. Whether you are sixteen or sixty, your life is not only the battle field, but the territory to be conquered, the prize to be won. And if you are a believer, the amazingly tragic thing is that you are part of the mix! It's like an auto-immune disease, where the body turns on itself as if it is the enemy -- although we give ourselves over to Jesus, our 'natural man', our 'flesh' still lives. So we often sabotage ourselves in decision-making, either by making the willfully wrong choice, or sit back in complacency and make no choice. Either way, the line in the sand is breached and territory is lost. One step forward, two steps back. Or two steps forward, one step back.

Hopefully, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we gain ground in the war against our flesh. By being willing to recognize our weaknesses and turn over our sinful, selfish desires over to God, He can and does make change. He gives us the desire to want what He wants, and gives us power to resist sinful urges when they crop up. And believe me, they will crop up -- sometimes when you least expect it. Half of the devil's strategy is based on the element of surprise, when believers are asleep at the wheel.

I pray that you can be victorious in the Lord as you fight the battles in, and for, your life. Trust in God's powerful Holy Spirit to fit you with sufficient spiritual armor and a shrewd mind toward the devil's schemes. Know that the Lord your God is with you and will never leave you. And rest in the knowledge that, although you might not always "get it right", "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Nehemiah 8:18

2009-05-21T05:53:00.000-07:00

Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.
~ Nehemiah 8:18 (NIV)

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This story in Nehemiah 8 is an amazing display of God-consciousness. Those who had been exiled from Jerusalem had returned, and gathered together to listen to the Word of God. And they were weeping because they understood what was being said! Weeping, my friends, for the Word of God! How many of us can say that we cry when we hear someone read the Bible, or when we are studying it for ourselves? Does God's word drive deep into our spirit and cause a stir of our soul?

I believe it can, and, dare I say, should.

What if someone got up in your church and said, "Today, for the next hour, I will read from the book of Isaiah." How many would say to themselves, An hour?! Are you kidding me? Where's the music? Where's the sermon? How 'bout a video? C'mon -- an hour? Sorry, but that'll put me to sleep....(yawn)...See what I mean?!?

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

When your spirit latches on to God and His word, watch out, because the Bible is gonna come alive, and you will eat it up! It will cause you to weep and laugh, get on your knees and jump up with joy! Why? Because it is God's word . . . God speaking to you . . . words of absolute truth that cut through the junk of the evil one. It is light and life in a world of darkness and death.

A friend wrote me yesterday a beautiful testimony of what God's Word is becoming to him. He said, "It still amazes me that all the answers I need for a quality life have been in this book. Thank you, Jesus..." Here is someone who recognizes the significance and wonder of God's word, and it's power in His life. Yes, Thank You, Jesus...

I pray that we can revitalize our heart for God's word, and give it the attention and honor it's due. May we listen with our heart and not just our ears -- may it cut to the core of who we are and let it do the work that God knows needs to be done in us for spiritual growth and change.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 46:1

2009-05-20T05:41:00.000-07:00

God is our place of safety. He gives us strength. He is always there to help us in times of trouble. ~ Psalm 46:1 (NIrV)

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I have a number of people in my circle of friends who are struggling with difficult situations in their lives. And there are probably numerous others I know for which I'm not fully aware of their struggles. But my first thought is to pray. Pray to God for help. And I encourage them to seek God for wisdom and comfort and strength and peace. I mean, seriously -- where else can we go?

Although He may not rescue us in the way we wish Him to, God is always there and working on our behalf. He does "work all things together for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) To look at our circumstances that are difficult and which don't seem to change, and accuse God of not working or not caring is to misunderstand Him and His purpose. We must never confuse our circumstance with His character --

God is a refuge and an ever-present help in times of trouble. Please don't let discouragement in your difficult situation let you turn your eyes from His face or your trust from His hand. Let Him teach you the deeper things during your trial and know that when you come out on the other side, you will know with a greater understanding what it means to walk with God.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - James 3:17

2009-05-19T05:32:00.000-07:00

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
~ James 3:17 (NIV)

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People look for advice in a variety of places. There's the ol' advice columns, with Dear Abby and Ann Landers giving their two cents about what people should do for this or that. There are the horoscopes and fortune cookies and psychics. There are friends -- some are trustworthy, and others are sadly not.

When you look for answers as to what to do in a particular situation, you want the best outcome. You want wisdom. And the Word of God says that wisdom comes from heaven...i.e. God. So, when you're scouring the advice columnists and picking peoples' brains for direction, God says, This is how you'll know if the wisdom you're hearing is from Me:

~ It is pure, like My character.
~ It doesn't desire to wage war.
~ It considers the feelings of others.
~ It submits to leadership as I have instituted.
~ It loves and seeks mercy, and supports loving others by doing good to them.
~ It doesn't tell you what you want to hear just to make you happy or to feed your negative emotions.
~ It is sincere, from an honest heart.

I hope that you are listening for God's wisdom, and are discerning when it comes to what people have to say. Does it stand up to God's criteria? And, are you willing to accept wisdom that is pure, even if it goes against your willful flesh?

God's wisdom will always sharpen and strengthen us in our spirit and send us in directions that are healthy and God-honoring. So, what and who are we listening to? May it be the Lord, the God of all wisdom, who loves us enough to tell us what we need to hear, not always what we want to hear.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Deuteronomy 7:9

2009-05-18T05:57:00.000-07:00

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. ~ Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)

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Do you wonder if the God of the Bible is worth trusting in (i.e. trustworthy?) Do you wonder if other gods could be the answer to today's problems and tomorrow's concerns?

The Israelites seemed to think so. Read the Old Testament and see how they went from god to god, looking for something to satisfy, trying to gain their footing in this human rat race, succumbing to evil temptation to sin in their religious worship. And when they turned from the Creator God, dividing their hearts and minds and engaging their spirits with the evil one through gods made of wood and stone, things went from bad to worse in a hot second! They opted out from the God who made them -- who lives forever and who loves forever those who love Him and follow His commands -- to serve and pay homage to the inanimate. Blind stones, deaf wood. Seriously, does that make any sense at all?

Today, we are still given many choices for our worship and our homage. What god do you serve? The god of money? Time? Self? Do these gods satisfy, or do they simply suck the life out of you, and leave you wasted, like dry bones in the desert? Do they love you with an unconditional, eternal love like the Almighty offers? In case you're still thinking, the answer is no. They don't.

Don't be misled by false gods. There is only one true God, and He offers the most magnificent package deal on the planet -- eternal love down to the core of your soul. Cut a deal with Him and you are sealed for life -- eternal life! (John 3:16)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Romans 11:33

2009-05-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ~ Romans 11:33 (NIV)

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How big is your God? How awed are you by Him? Do you stand amazed, shaking your head in wonder, at all that He is and does?

You should.

This past week, as I ate my breakfast at my office desk, I peeled my banana, and thought, Wow, God is so amazing. He makes certain fruits grow in different parts of the world, but not in other parts. Like the banana -- it doesn't grow in California naturally, but is like a weed in tropical venues! He created soooo many different fruits -- I can't even count them all! And they all have their place in the world, to meet our needs. Wow!

God is the source of all things...things tangible, like fruit, and intangible, like wisdom and knowledge. King Solomon, in all his wisdom, was just a drop in the bucket compared to God! Einstein and other great masterminds make us go, "Wow..." -- but God is as superior to these menses as an ant is to King Kong! God gives all these superbrains their wisdom and knowledge -- they are NOTHING without Him! He is the one to be applauded and awarded and awed -- the God of the Universe, Maker of heaven and earth and all that is in them, amen?!?

And then there's the way He does things -- the way He judges men and operates in and among them. These things we just shake our heads at, too. We don't understand when evil men succeed. We don't understand when 5-year olds get leukemia. We don't understand why we are given grace when we are sooo sinful. Face it -- we can never understand or fathom the mind of God. It is too awesome. Too big. Too complex. Too wonderful.

Yet in all His bigness, He asks to be our friend. He desires an intimate love relationship with us, based on faith in His Son, Jesus. Be a friend with God? That's like chatting it up over pizza with Gandhi or Babe Ruth or the Pope (insert iconic hero of your choice). These are people you just don't have lunch with and talk about the weather, your upcoming root canal, and why your Dad didn't treat you right when you were growing up. They're too "up there" on the humanity ladder --

But not the God of the universe. He's "up there", yet He's so "down to earth". Right down to a manger in Bethlehem. Right down to being a carpenter, a friend of fishermen and tax collectors. Right down to dying a criminal's death by way of Roman crucifixion. He was "down to earth" all right. For you, and me. That's the kind of god God is. Like I said, too much to fathom.

I hope and pray today that you will ponder your God. Blow your own mind with the depths of His wisdom and knowledge, and His untraceable judgment and ways. And then bow before Him, giving Him the honor He is due. He is worthy of all the praise we can give Him -- let's not hold back one ounce of amazement and adoration for our God!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - John 5:16-17

2009-05-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” ~ John 5:16-17 (NLT)

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I love going to the American River to walk -- it's so peaceful, so beautiful! And the river runs constantly, ever flowing day or night. I remember the first time I realized that the river flows in the dark, even when I can't see it, even when I'm sawing logs in 'nigh-night' land. I think sometimes we get so self-centered that we think, If we can't see it, it must not be happening...as if we are the center of the universe and only what happens before our eyes is alive and functioning.

Rivers run 24/7, whether we look at them or not. Stars shine, whether we see them or not. Plants grow, whether we observe the growth or not. And God is at work, whether we detect it or not. Jesus said He does what He sees His Father doing, and that is, working all the time. Not just when we are awake, not just when we see something miraculous occur, not just on certain occasions or special days. God is working all the time. Do you believe that? Do you live like you believe that?

If God is working all the time and we are His children who are commissioned and empowered to follow suit, then we should be living in a 24/7 air of expectation! We should expect God's hand in all things, looking for the evidence with anticipation at the things He does when we're asleep, and stand ready with wonder at how He plans to use us when we're awake.

And please don't feel that your life doesn't count for God because you're "asleep and don't see the river running." God's working is sometimes visible, but very often invisible to the naked eye. How He works to touch the hearts and minds of humanity is like the river when we sleep -- unseen, yet always on the move. And we are a part of that unseen process, guaranteed.

So, honor your Father in heaven by living well and living for Him, and know that you are a part of God's 24/7 river, ever flowing for His kingdom.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 47:1-2

2009-05-15T06:02:00.000-07:00

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! ~ Psalm 47:1-2 (NIV)

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I attended a concert at our church Wednesday night to hear a large (60+) girl's chorale from CBU (Cal Baptist Univ). My, my, my, they were good! The vocals were superb, the lyrics were awesome, and I praised God for the worship I saw on their faces and in their body language. I worshiped mightily in my heart that night, tears flowing freely for me the entire evening. During one song, I clapped loudly right in the middle of the song -- not because of their beautiful performance, but because I just had to acknowledge and applaud the truth they were singing about my God! My clapping was my "AMEN!" to their testimony about our Creator.

We should feel free to clap and shout for joy at the awesomeness of our God! He is A-MAZ-ING, amen?!? Just look around you -- see the beauty of nature, the complexity of humanity, the compassion of the cross of Christ. The list goes on and on of how awesome our God is. How can we keep silent? How can we not praise Him with our lips and our hands?

Take a look and listen to the shouts of joy and the clapping that goes on in this auditorium for the Lord of the Universe...! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvCd_ANIKys

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. ~ Psalm 150:6 (NIV)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Ecclesiastes 5:15

2009-05-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
~ Ecclesiasted 5:15 (NLT)

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Grave-robbing has been around about as long as graves have been around. But the practice became really popular when people started thinking they could take their riches with them into the next life. Egyptian tombs were scavenged for treasure, and, boy, did those robbers make bank! It's kind of sad to think that those kings were so deceived -- not a single thing they put in their vault left with them when their spirits departed from their body. Not one single thing. Earthly robbers got it all.

It is a humbling thing to consider how we enter this world. Naked. Without anything. No attachments. And it can be a scary proposition to consider how we leave this world -- naked, without anything, no attachments. But, for those who are secure in the knowledge of their eternal Savior, Jesus Christ, this reality can be extremely liberating! No shame that needs clothing, no needs or wants that require money, no "baggage" that needs carrying. All of the cares and worries and junk that we accumulate in this earthly life is left behind -- gladly! And that which is of God that we have grasped and attained to in this earthly life will remain with us on into eternity with God and the saints...

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)

Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. ~ Matthew 6:20-21 (NLT)

Money is a tool, and you can't take it with you (you never saw a U-Haul trailer on the back of a hearse). Make the best use of what you do have by faith in God, focusing your energies and hope in the stuff that really lasts. Then, let the liberation begin!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 2 Kings 17:33

2009-05-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought. ~ 2 Kings 17:33 (NIV)

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Straddlin' the fence . . . one foot in California, one in Nevada . . . a little bit of this, a little bit of that . . . don't wanna put all the eggs in one basket, ya know...

Hmm. Is this how we live our Christian life? Is this how we worship the Lord?

I think it's interesting, and yet sad, that some believers dabble in what I'll call idol worship. Horoscopes, for example. How can someone who says they worship the God of the universe be swayed to "consult the stars" for knowledge and wisdom? Which God are they listening to with that?

Or what about those who subscribe to the practice of Eastern meditation? Why isn't communicating with the Creator God through prayer enough to cleanse and refresh their soul? The concepts and philosophy/theology behind many meditation and yoga classes are rooted in Eastern religion -- and trust me, they do not worship the one and only true God.

So, somehow, we have been duped into thinking that mixing our gods is okay -- like mixing our cereals, or mixing our investments. But God says, No! You can't have your cake and eat it, too. You can't straddle the spiritual fence with a little Zen Buddhism and and a little Me. Why are you consulting the stars and also reading the Bible? I don't get it. True worship of Me is pure, 100% commitment and reliance on Me -- not some strange mixed bag of spiritual nuts.

The devil is very subtle in how he introduces idolatry. So, be careful and be savvy. Consider your resources and your dependence on them -- be sure you are clinging to God and Him alone, because a watered down worship is tasteless to God and useless to you. But God worship that is pure and unadulterated is pleasing to Him and truly satifies your heart and soul.

Worship -- keep it real and keep it pure for God.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Esther 4:14

2009-05-12T05:51:00.000-07:00

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
~ Esther 4:14 (NIV)

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Ten years ago, after I'd only been at my current church for three months, I considered joining the choir, and observed one of their rehearsals. The church was in the midst of a building program at that time, and the theme song was, "For Such a Time As This"...

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this
~ Chorus of For Such a Time as This, by Wayne Watson

As I joined that choir and sang that song over the next few months many times, the concept of destiny began to sink in. I began to realize that God had placed me where I am for a purpose. It was actually rather epiphanous.

But I would not have been there at that time and place except that some other difficult things had happened in my life to bring me there. I could not and would not have orchestrated that time in my life that way! But, you see, God allows circumstances and uses our own choices (good, bad or otherwise) to conform to His destiny for us, and His ways continue to boggle my mind with their brilliant complexity.

As Joseph would've never been able to save the Israelites from famine if his wicked brothers hadn't sold him into Egyptian slavery...as prophesy wouldn't have been fulfilled for Jesus' birth in Bethlehem if Joseph and Mary hadn't been forced to travel for the census...as you would not know the people you know if your life had taken a different turn than it did, remember that God has a plan. And that plan includes YOU.

You have a destiny and, though it may not unfold the way you would like it (in all comfort and security), God is doing His work through you. Can you open up your mind to the possibility that the road you've traveled, with all it's bumps and curves, is for a purpose, that where you're at is exactly where God wants you? Can you turn the light bulb on in your heart and mind, and see it?

Go ahead, have an epiphany. It'll blow your mind. :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Ephesians 4:3

2009-05-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
~ Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

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Our church has gone through some rather significant changes recently...good changes, but changes nonetheless. And with change comes challenges. Challenges to keep Christ the focus, challenges to remain kind and loving when time and resources get stretched, challenges to "keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Perhaps your church has gone through this, too.

If we're not careful, we can lose that unity.

With three back-to-back services now on a Sunday morning with only 15 minutes in between, there's not a lot of time to transition the stage -- it's unfortunate, but everything revolves around the clock. And if one service runs a few minutes late, that makes things very tight for the next crew to do what they need to do. And it's easy to get in a "zone" and forget to keep the unity of the Spirit. This happened at our church a couple of weeks ago, and it was distressing. Feathers were ruffled, and some grumbling ensued. What I love about the local church body that I'm a part of now is that the issue was recognized and discussed with those that needed to hear. Additionally, those who'd been ruffled were exhorted to be examples of peacekeeping. This past Sunday, when the services transitioned, we kept "the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." There were smiles and conversation, encouragement and hugs. It was a BEAUTIFUL THING!

It's easy to allow grumbling and complaining and bitterness and resentment to enter into our spirits and cause wicked shock waves through a church body. I pray that you can be a torchbearer of peace in your church fellowship, and lovingly help others nip disharmony in the bud. Unity in Christ's body is so glorifying to God, and isn't that our reason for existence? Amen, and amen.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 31:30

2009-05-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the LORD deserves to be praised. ~ Proverbs 31:30 (CEV)

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This verse comes from the passage entitled "The Virtuous Woman", which talks about examples of how she lives. But this verse sort of sums up the essence of the passage.

Women have a lot of pressure put on them to look a certain way. There are wrinkle creams and rejuvenating makeup. Endless weight-loss plans and ads for cute clothes at Macy's. And, heaven forbid -- the Size 0 runway models that sashay to and fro in designer clothes and 6" heels. I think women, in our fallen state, more often than not have a less-than-stellar opinion of ourselves, and the comparison game just makes it worse. We desire to please those around us and work hard to feel good enough.

But God has the secret that doesn't come in a wrinkle cream or a designer dress. The secret is in a godly heart, which is regarded much more highly in God's eyes than looking drop-dead gorgeous. A woman that loves and reveres God has something about her that is appealing, both to God and to humanity -- they exude the image of Christ! It matters so little what they look like on the outside when they have a loving heart for God on the inside.

For all you women out there, I say this: When you look in the mirror, ask yourself, "Do I see acne, wrinkles and fat...? Or do I see Jesus?" It might be a stretch at first to use the mirror that way, but reflect on what God does on the inside of your heart and see the beauty of that magnificent transformation, and learn to let the outward picture be less of an issue.

And for you men, I say this: Do you know godly women in your life? Please let them know how wonderful it is for you to be blessed by their presence in your lives! Let them know the beauty you see in them, as they draw close to God and model their lives after Him. Surely, you see the difference between worldly women and those that follow the Lord -- let them know that is BEAUTIFUL to you, because often, a woman's pursuit of God is difficult and can get overshadowed by the temptation to focus solely on their outward appearance.

"I do not look at the things people look at. Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. But I look at what is in the heart." ~ The Lord to Samuel, in 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIrV)

Despite what all the advertisements and inner comparisons scream, this is the highest calling for a woman. No amount of external beauty treatments or fancy clothes can compare with the true beauty of a godly heart.

True beauty -- women should seek it, and men should praise it.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Romans 6:22

2009-05-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God.
~ Romans 6:22 (NLT)

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There are two components to this verse, and sometimes, I don't think we "get" either one.

Free from the power of sin...

As believers in Jesus Christ, the invisible chains to sin are gone. But do we live like that? Do we recognize and act on the fact that we are no longer bound to and obligated to obey the sinful nature? Often not, I think. The temptations are there, but we have the freedom to say 'no', to push away from the donuts, the porno magazines, the alcohol -- whatever it is that causes us to sin. But do we? I think somehow we don't always have a clear understanding of the radical change that has come over us when we are filled with the Spirit of God. It is spiritual, which means it's intangible and sometimes forgettable, but it's real -- and we need to recognize!

Slaves to God...

Becoming a slave is not usually considered a good thing. But being chained to God and realizing that our lives are not our own any longer really is a good thing for us! But do we live like this? Do we do whatever He asks of us because we're His slaves? Do we say, "How high?" when He asks us to jump, or do we forget our new position, and say, "I'll get back to you on that one..."?

We are free, yet we are chained. It's not a contradiction, but rather a trade. Freedom, then, is a mystery for those who follow Christ. We say that Jesus sets us free when we choose to believe in Him, but we're not really free -- not free to do as we please, that is -- we just have a different master. But the good news is that our new master is a true jewel, a good king, a lover of our souls. Out of love and thankfulness, we should welcome our chains of connectedness to Him, and obey His commands out of the utmost respect, gratitude and love.

We all have chains. Some chains cause pain and guilt and are tied to a wicked master, but some chains bring joy and peace and are tied to the one and only Good Master. Believers in Jesus need to look down and recognize who and what is holding them in this life -- and then live large in that beautiful, divine reality!

The lyrics to "I'm Feelin' Good" should be our anthem, as believers in Jesus! Take a listen...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSK9kkM7GL4

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 1 John 2:28

2009-05-08T05:48:00.000-07:00

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. ~ 1 John 2:28 (NLT)

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Here's a scenario I'm sure you've experienced: You're tooling through the local grocery store of your hometown, when you look up from the bottle of ketchup you were staring at, and down the aisle you see an old school friend, and think to yourself, Oh, my gosh! It's...uh....lemme think...um....Jeremy something-or-other....or is it Justin? Gee, I haven't seen him in AGES! But because you can't even remember his name for sure, which is really embarrassing in your eyes, you put down the ketchup bottle, quickly turn your cart in the other direction, and hope you don't bump into him at the checkout line.

Or worse yet, you lose contact with a good friend. Life being what it is, with all the busyness of it all, the friendship falls by the wayside. And then one day, you see them at the mall or some other random event, and there's a huge awkwardness -- neither really knows what to say, with so much nothingness between you for so long. Small talk ensues, and you part, saying, "We really need to get together soon and catch up!" But the reality is that it probably won't happen, as the connection was lost a long time ago, and it's a lot of work to get it back.

John tells us, Don't let that happen with your relationship with Jesus. Don't risk that dreadful awkwardness when He returns for His people. Keep the ties strong so that you welcome Him with open arms, and He you.

Can you imagine wanting to quickly turn your shopping cart in the other direction if you saw Jesus at the end of the grocery store aisle? Would you want to put on your dark sunglasses and head for the "quick-check" 10-items-or-less counter, so you could get outta there fast?

I pray you can stay connected with Jesus daily, with open, honest communication -- friend to friend -- so that seeing Him won't be a shock, but a joy!

Hey, I wonder if Jesus is on Facebook... :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

2009-05-07T06:16:00.000-07:00

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

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Is it possible that the trials we go through, in part, are a testing ground, to see if we will praise God in the midst of them? The Bible says this is God's will for us who are in Christ Jesus.

When trials come, do we hang our heads in despair, or lift up our heads to the Sovereign God who holds us in His hand?

Although this type of spiritual living is difficult, it is, at the same time, rather simple. Give God the praise, all the time. Thank Him for circumstances, all the time. Be glad He is in charge and not us, all the time. Show God, yourself, and the world, that you are trusting God 100% for your life -- all the time.

They say "practice makes better." When are we going to get off the worry wagon and start practicing faith, start really trusting God, believing in Him as you would believe in anyone you entrust your life to? You get into an airplane and fly away, entrusting your very life to that pilot. You go into surgery and entrust your very life to that surgeon. People, God is the Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen! He is holy, righteous and pure. He is eternal and constant. The time is NOW to walk in faith and trust Him from deep within our souls when times are hard. Practice daily the sacrifice of praise, because that is God's will for us who are in Christ Jesus.

Many of my friends are going through very difficult struggles right now, and I'm sure you know many in your circle of influence that are, too. I pray for their healing and their comfort and their peace. But I also pray for their faith in God, that they can grow spiritually in the very midst of their trials, that they can take the "high road" in their heart and mind and give God the thanks and praise, even when life sucks. 'Cuz it does sometimes. Sometimes, more than just sometimes.

May God give you the strength to praise Him in the storm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i5MzJ9nLjo

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Galatians 2:20

2009-05-06T06:07:00.000-07:00

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ~ Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

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Something has just occurred to me. I just put two and two together -- wow! When Jesus said in John 15:13 that "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend...", is it possible he was speaking of our laying down our lives in sacrifice for Him, our best friend, and not just giving ourselves for our fellow man?

Paul got it. He talked in Galatians about dying to self as Christ died on the cross . . . of giving up everything and being completely enveloped in Christ . . . of being indwelt by Jesus, the Living God. Because Jesus set the example of laying down His life for His friend Paul, Paul lays down his life for his friend Jesus.

So, where are we on the self-sacrifice scale, huh? 40%? 64%? 83%?

Holding on to what self desires seems to be the epitome of "living" in our human eyes -- entertainment, leisure, sexual pleasure, travel, food -- but are we missing out on real living? Are we being duped in our understanding of what it means to really live? Real living comes through real dying . . . dying to selfish wants and pursuits, dying to our own ideas of truth, dying to self-righteousness (which, in reality, is no true righteousness at all). Giving all that up for a life that is embedded and infused with Jesus Christ. We die, yet we live. A divine mystery, indeed!

I have come so they can have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way. ~ Jesus, in John 10:10 (NIrV)

Jesus says this, and then He says to die. As a seed dies before it brings life again in the Spring, so we die to self, so we can live in Christ. Pretty radical concept, huh?

I say, go ahead -- be radical. Be a seed. Die for Christ, and live through Christ. That is real living!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Philippians 3:21

2009-05-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
~ Philippians 3:21 (NLT)

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I have a skin disease called vitiligo, also known as the "Michael Jackson" disease, a progressive condition where skin cells stop producing pigment, and white patches are the result. I've had this disease almost since I can remember, maybe 6 or 7 years old. Most information says it's an auto-immune disease, but so much is still unknown about it's cause and cure.

My mom did seemingly endless research when I was a kid, looking for anything to help me reverse this leoparding of my skin. When she heard that raw liver might help, I was in trouble -- lol! She cut it into teeny-weeny pieces and then froze it, and I sorta half-chewed/half-swallowed it, slathered in catsup. (Wow, that was a repressed memory I just dredged up... :-) To this day, I keep thinking there's a nutritional reason for this, and that I might finally unlock the mystery. Last night, I took some pictures of my hands and feet, very prominent places where spots are taking over. In case the vitamin regimen I'm on now might work, I want to have some proof of improvement!

But as prominent as these leopard spots are, they don't define me. This weak body of mine won't be carried into eternity when Jesus comes -- praise God! Do we see ourselves as forever having the weakness of our mortal bodies -- whether that's painless leopard spots, or debilitating diseases such as cerebral palsy or macular degeneration? They can become so much a part of our thought processes and how we see ourselves that we can become consumed by them . . . but are we missing the forest for the trees? Are we getting bogged down with the weakness of our flesh, so that we lose sight of our walk with God and our calling to serve Him, in spite of our weaknesses? Hmm...

For those of us who choose Jesus Christ as Savior, we're not bound to the weakness of this flesh forever. But in the meantime, while we wait for the return of our Lord and the transformation of our flesh, let's keep our mental and emotional balance by realizing that sin and it's fallout on our human bodies does not define us. Our focus should be on that which lasts throughout eternity -- our love relationship with Jesus Christ, and the spiritual fruit He calls us to produce here on earth.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Titus 3:2

2009-05-04T12:58:00.000-07:00

They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
~ Titus 3:2 (NLT)

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The Lord stepped into a difficult situation on Saturday evening, and helped me and my friends remember the essence of this verse.

We had a ladies event at church last Saturday and the singing group that my friends and I comprise were providing the worship music. We arrived an hour before the event, to do a sound check and warm up. Unfortunately, from the beginning of the sound check, we had problems. Big problems. Couldn't get all four mics to be live at the same time, and even when we did, they were cutting out on us. One song used a CD track, and that was cutting out. We couldn't even get through one song for warmup because of the sound problems. Talk about stressful! And it was easy to fling our frustration on the sound guy, who was doing his very best to figure out the problem. It wasn't his fault, but our stress was no respecter of persons, and it was easy to affix blame on him.

As the clock kept ticking with no solution, I stood up and gathered my friends and told them we needed to get our heads together and not put blame on the sound guy. We needed to work with what we had, and if we had no sound, we simply needed to tell the ladies in the room to sing LOUD :-) And then we went to pray (which ended up being in the bathroom, since one of our gals was still putting on makeup... :-) ....believe it or not, God hears our prayers even when spoken in a bathroom..... :-) We asked God to give us peace about the situation, to forgive us for stressing out to our sound guy, and to help us be good with whatever happened that evening.

(btw, I did call for some troubleshooting backup 15 minutes before the event was to begin, and our youth pastor graciously jammed down to the church to find that there were some cable connections that appeared to be loose...)

When stressful situations occur, it's so easy for us to get hyped up and lay blame on others, sometimes being demanding and less-than-kind. The Holy Spirit spoke to me about this issue that night, and the Lord helped us all seek humble hearts in the face of a difficult situation. And God was soooo faithful! The sound that night went off without a hitch -- it felt like a miracle! But even if it hadn't, God worked on our hearts, so that we could be kind and gracious and go on in spite of whatever challenges we might face. That truly was a miracle, God's intervening in our spirits.

I thank God for how He constantly provides teaching opportunities for us to grow in our spiritual walk...that is, if we're willing to listen to His voice. I challenge you to open your spiritual ears and listen to Him today.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Romans 12:12

2009-05-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ~ Romans 12:12 (NIV)

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This pretty much sums up a big part of how we're to live in Christ, huh?

In one verse, Paul gives us three things to help us be the witnesses for God that He calls us to be, and at the same time, helps us keep our sanity in the midst of this chaotic world....

~ He reminds us to declare a state of joy in our hearts as we remember the hope we have in Christ -- new life through the salvation of our souls, and our eternal home with Him...

~ He reminds us to wait on the Lord in patience when we are afflicted, whether from outside sources or from inside our own mind and body -- not to demand an "out", but seek the lessons God will teach us, if we're willing to listen and learn...

~ Most importantly, he encourages us to cling to God and our commitment to our relationship with Him by being vigilant in prayer -- crying out to Him authentically and honestly, knowing that He is the lover of our souls...

I think I'm going to write this verse out on a post-it note and put it up on the bathroom mirror, so I can remind myself of these words, which are both my calling and my cure. I hope you can take these words from the Lord today, and apply them to your life. These three exhortations from Paul are all part of the road we travel in this life, as we walk with God and for God.

May God bless you in your spiritual travels today!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Ezekiel 11:19

2009-05-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

I will give them a desire to respect me completely, and I will put inside them a new way of thinking. I will take out the stubborn heart of stone from their bodies, and I will give them an obedient heart of flesh.
~ Ezekiel 11:19 (NCV)

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This morning, as I was looking at several websites for a Bible verse to write on, I saw something on Air1's website I hadn't seen before: "What's Your Story?". So I clicked on it.

Tissue time...

I sat at my computer this morning reading story after story of people writing in to share how God has invaded their lives and embraced them, despite really bad choices in life, and how difficult circumstances had caused people to turn from God until He got their attention and brought them to Himself. They were turned from hearts of stone . . . to hearts of flesh.

Like I said, tissue time...

I am so awed and moved when people share honestly what their life is about and how God has entered in and made a difference. That's why I wish we could have more testimony time in church -- we all need to see how God moves in people's hearts, to make sure we don't forget how great our God is, and how amazing is His grace!

And just because you're a church-goer doesn't mean you have a "heart of flesh" for God. I read a number of stories today where people shared how the song, "Motions", really got their attention and led them to recognize they were just going through the motions, that their heart was stone, and asked God for a heart of flesh for Him. I could relate, as that is part of my story. How about you?

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions...
~ from Motions, by Matthew West

God is so faithful to those who come to Him with an honest, open heart. I encourage you to check out some of these stories today (http://www.air1.com/). Read and be amazed by God! Then ask yourself: What is my story? Has He invaded my life, turning my heart of stone into a heart of flesh for Him? Have I given everything to Him, or am I going through the motions?

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - John 3:17

2009-05-01T05:41:00.000-07:00

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. ~ John 3:17 (NLT)

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After I got married and officially became an "adult" (yet still a teen), I'll never forget the first time I was driving along and saw a cop in my rear view mirror. My first instinct was, He's a bad guy...someone to pull me over and give me a ticket or otherwise harass me. That had been my reference in high school toward cops -- they were out to throw the book at you and slam down the gavel! But, it was weird. As I drove along, it suddenly occurred to me that this cop is really a friend of the citizen, to protect people and keep the streets safe. It was an epiphany, really. Suddenly, I had a change of perspective of police -- not to be feared, but be thankful that they're out doing their job, because they're out here for me (my benefit), not out here "for me" (to get me).

Jesus was trying to get people to understand and grasp that same perspective about Him, too. He came not to get people, in the sense of condemning them, but came to get people, in the sense of rescuing them. Just as a cop would say,Yes, I wear a uniform and carry a tazer and a gun, but you don't need to fear me...I'm hear for the good of the people, Jesus is saying the same thing. I'm God, true. I hold all power, true. You are sinful before a holy God and deserve death, true. But I hold out to you salvation from death, not condemnation to death. See the difference? Can you change your perspective and see Me for who I really am?

I pray that you know Jesus for who He really is and for what He really came to do for all of humanity. His compassion overflows for people and runs down the cross as proof. Believe it today and be saved forever! Hallelujah!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 51:10

2009-04-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ~ Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

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When stuff happens in our lives, we can really get messed up inside. We can allow alot of negative, sinful emotions to take root in our hearts when life gets tough -- bitterness, jealousy, malice, envy, hatred even. And what nasty weeds these are! They take root so fast and so deep, it can overtake your heart without you even knowing it (like the raspberry bush monster that invaded that family's back yard last weekend.)

And these sinful weeds can cause us to want to throw in the towel -- with ministry, with friendships, with our relationship with God. We sometimes just want to quit, give up, and say, "Sayonara, baby..." Hanging in there when the going gets tough is hard to do. Steadfastness requires commitment and courage, things we often struggle with. At least I do.

David acknowledged that he had heart issues, and he asked God for help in getting an overhaul -- cleaning out the sin weeds in his heart, and infusing steadfastness again into his spirit. He was not afraid to be honest with God and himself, to ask for God's divine hand in his life, to make changes that would honor people and glorify God.

Oh Lord, forgive me in my weakness, where I have allowed weeds of sin to invade my heart and where I've wanted to give up when times are tough. Please create in me a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit in me. Thank You for loving me in spite of myself -- I have issues, but I'm so glad You just smile and say, "Yeah, I know..." You are what I long to be like. Help me do that today, by Your powerful hand. Amen.

Maybe that's your prayer today, too. I give you permission to publish that on the wall of your heart -- no charge. :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Hebrews 6:18

2009-04-29T05:34:00.000-07:00

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. ~ Hebrews 6:18 (NLT)

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When people flee, they recognize the danger and understand the power of the enemy. Whether it's the flood waters of a tidal surge in the Gulf states, or a wave of coo soldiers sweeping through African villages...the enemy is clear and terrifying. They flee inland from the tidal wave and try to outrun the machete. Where is safety? Where is refuge?

In the spiritual realm, we have an enemy, too -- ultimately, more frightening and real than hurricane forces or genocide-crazed soldiers. He is the evil one, the devil, and people need to be running for their lives, away from his destruction and death. Everywhere you turn, his influence assaults us. We need a place to hide -- a place of sanctuary -- a refuge. But where to run?

How do you get away from an invisible enemy with madness and mayhem on his mind? You run to a greater invisible force than he -- you run to the One with all power, to the Almighty God, to an invisible Friend with love and compassion on His mind. And when we flee to this Refuge, we are safe, because 1) He has power over all things, and 2) He gives His word that He is trustworthy, and He cannot lie.

Do you recognize your enemy? Do you understand the danger? Are you fleeing for your life daily to the only refuge who is able to save you? Not only is God capable of our rescue, but He's committed to keeping us safe from the enemy of our souls.

The spiritual surge waters and insurgent soldiers are knocking on your door -- do you feel safe or scared? God says, Flee to Me, the eternal Refuge and know eternal safety and hope -- today and every day.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 1 Corinthians 12:17-18

2009-04-28T05:44:00.000-07:00

If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:17-18 (NIV)

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Despite what evolutionists may say, I don't think God created any parts of our human body that are useless or good-for-nothing. Even the epiglottis, that thingy that hangs in the back of your throat and only gets noticed if you say 'ahggh' while looking in the mirror! Maybe it's just comic relief for physicians and cartoon artists -- I don't know. But God knows. I believe that everything God makes is purposeful in some way. That's because He is a purposeful God.

So, in the body of Christ -- the church -- some may feel like an epiglottis. Just hangin' around in the back with nothing to do. No real purpose or agenda. They may feel like being an epiglottis is a bummer, and would rather be an eye or a hand. So they strike out to become that eye or hand, maybe failing miserably. Back to the back they go, frustrated that they couldn't be out front and visible, where people recognize and applaud their work. But let me tell you something -- if God makes you an epiglottis, it is for His good pleasure and purpose! Your mission for the church is assigned by Him, not you, and He doesn't make mistakes. So why do we keep trying to reinvent God's wheel?

I think there is true beauty and pleasure when we relax and be who and what God has designed us to be in His church body. Maybe you don't think you have a purpose, but you always chat with the greeters at church -- they're so friendly, and have so many great stories to tell. Did it ever occur to you that maybe your purpose is to encourage those people specifically, because they're always greeting others, but don't feel greeted themselves? Maybe you feel unused, but you always stop by the nursery and smile at the babies. Is it possible that you are the direct minister to those infants, and more importantly, to the workers there, who are knee-deep in crying, diapers and formula? Perhaps encouragement is your gift, your ministry, and you're using it without even knowing it. And I would wager that most people would say that being encouraged by others is one of the key things that keeps them going when discouragement and fatigue set in. Hmm...

God knows what an epiglottis is for. God knows what you are for. Trust the Creator and be all that you are and can be in Christ's body, because you have purpose -- God said so. :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 29:28

2009-04-27T05:57:00.000-07:00

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. ~ Proverbs 29:28 (NIV)

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When people invest money, they're usually looking for the highest yield. They compare interest rates, or the trends on particular stocks, so that they make the most money on their investments. Lots of people spend lots of time making lots of money like this -- whole careers are built on doing this job for other people! They make alot of money by making alot of money for others.

Not too many of these people, though, are investing in The Bank of The Poor (not a member of the FDIC). That's just not "good business", financiers say. Where's the return?, they ask. Doesn't make sense, they conclude. The poor have nothing to offer in return. Their yield is nil. The interest is none.

Ah, but not so. There is interest, but not the kind that has a % behind it. It's the interest -- the personal love interest -- that God has for the poor. And His interest is high. As high (or higher?) as it is for those with money in their pockets. He understands the heartache over ragged clothes and growling stomachs, inadequate healthcare and meager living conditions, a lack of hope and lost dreams. Yes, God has a great interest in the poor, and he tells us that our response to their human condition is an indicator of what's in our hearts. And what's in our hearts is more important to God than our fatty financial portfolios.

Is what's in our hearts more important to us than where we stand financially? Is money more important to us than people? Do the banks we invest in have an exterior of skin, or brick?

I hope we can look at our hearts with honest evaluation when it comes to our money and the needs of others. If you really want to get close to God's heart, get close to the poor and needy. And whatever you don't have in the way of heartcry, just ask God for it, because He's in the business of changing hearts -- He is happy to give people compassion for those who ask for it.

So, ask for it.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Zechariah 7:9-10

2009-04-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.' ~ Zechariah 7:9-10 (NIV)

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Yesterday, two of my friends and I participated in a rebuilding project for a needy family in South Sacramento, as part of Rebuilding Together Sacramento (rebuildingtogethersacramento.org). WOW! What an awesome blessing it was, and I have the paint splatters, raspberry bush scrapes, and sore muscles to prove it! :-) This family was in great need of many projects inside and outside their home, and about 20-25 people descended on their abode, with the help of our contractor in charge. So many people from all walks of life came to pitch in, using their skills and love to bring hope to a family of twelve that is working to make it in this life. I know they were blessed by our efforts -- the matriarch of the home said it did give them hope to get much-needed help in tackling things that had felt so overwhelming for so long. Praise God! I also met a young woman who said she just really felt like she wanted to help people, instead of just sleeping in on a Saturday, and she talked her friend into coming along! I believe that is God moving in her heart, planting seeds of justice and mercy and compassion for others. I'm hoping she'll contact me, so that she and her friend can pal with us for some other upcoming projects!

God is a God of justice, mercy and compassion. And He wants us to be like Him. So, are we? The people of Israel in Zechariah's day actually asked him to go to God to see if they still needed to fast in the fifth month like tradition had dictated. And God said this:

"Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves? ~ Zechariah 7:5-6 (NIV)

Ouch. God isn't interested in religious traditions, if our motives are selfish and/or not for Him. Hmm... Is it possible that some or most of our spiritual activity is like this? Do we pray before meals just because that's what Dad did, and Grandpa did? Do we go to church just because that is what the family has done for the last seventy years? Do we give an offering just because they've been "passing the plate" at church since the dawn of time?

God says, Look at your heart -- that's what I'm interested in. Your outward worship of Me is meaningless if your heart isn't loving toward other people, because I love people. I love you. If you receive the love I have for you, yet you don't love others whom I also love, you are a selfish taker and not truly worshiping Me.

Ouch again.

The good news is that no matter how selfish we are, we can be changed. God is so generous with His Holy Spirit, giving us compassion and love and mercy toward others -- if we are willing to be shaped by Him, and for Him. I testified to that power of God in my life -- to give me true compassion for others that I didn't have before, and to show it in tangible ways -- to my new friends, as I grappled alongside them to tackle the raspberry bush monster yesterday. (BTW, the raspberry bush monster was no match for the three of us -- we were victorious -- Huzzah! And the homeowners were so amazed and happy to have part of their yard redeemed again from the invader!)

Thought to ponder: How can you administer justice, mercy and compassion today? Are there the poor, the sick, or the lonely that you could help in some way today? Ask God to give you His heart for people, and He will do it. And then watch out, because He will change your world, and the world around you, and you'll never want to go back to ritualized worship of your God ever again!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Colossians 1:12

2009-04-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

...joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
~ Colossians 1:12 (NIV)

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Normally, when we qualify for something, it is our doing, our effort. We work hard in school and get a degree or certification, and then we apply for a job, because we've earned the qualifications for that job. Or we train hard for a particular sport, and then try out for a team or participate in a "qualifying" event to see if you've gained a fast enough time or enough skills to advance in your sport. But the qualifying is all about what you do to earn it.

But God's Word says that He qualifies us for His kingdom. He's the one who gives us what we need to be a part of His everlasting place of righteousness and rest. And what is it that He gives us...?

~ His blood for our penalty
~ His grace for our sin
~ His love for our souls

When we choose to accept what Jesus offers us in the way of being Savior and Lord of our lives, He qualifies us for living in His Kingdom. We "get the job" and are "on the team", so to speak. Not because of anything worthy of boasting that we have done; it is His hand that gives us what we need to be qualified.

And so, Paul says our response to that should be to joyfully give thanks to God, because He did for us what we could never do for ourselves, AND it's the best thing that could EVER happen to us! Better than earning a six-figure job in Corporate America! Better than being on a stellar Olympic team! We get the pleasure of being on God's team, of working for the God of the Universe -- right now, and forever.

I hope that today you can take great joy in knowing this, and remember to thank God for qualifying you for the opportunity of a lifetime!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 1 Peter 3:8

2009-04-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. ~ 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

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I grew up in a musical family. My grandma was the church pianist for 35 years; my mom sang in the church choir; my dad and my brother sang and played a variety of stringed instruments (guitar, banjo, etc.); we had a piano at home that my sisters had played, and for which I was plunked down (no pun intended) at the age of seven. There was no getting out of music in my house! And my dad taught me how to sing harmony very early on, too -- I'll never forget, at about age 5, sticking my fingers in my ears to focus on the alto part of "Jesus Loves Me" while dad sang the melody!

Great harmonies in music add a dimension to the melody that can bring tears to our eyes -- but bad harmonies can bring tears of another sort, right? American Idol judge, Randy Jackson, is famous for using the word, "pitchy," when it comes to singing off-tone, and if harmonies are off, it can simply ruin a song. Or if the harmonies aren't blended well, parts stick out and cause a bad mix -- the melody is lost, because there's too much alto, or tenor, or whatever. Tuning and mixing are so important in making a beautiful sound.

So, when we're called by God to live in harmony with each other, we are called to be on pitch and blend. Not everyone is the same; hence, we don't all "sing melody". Our diversity in the family of God is a beautiful thing -- we don't have to live up to what others do for God, because we are unique and have our own blend and flavor of worship and service for Him. But we should be on pitch with God's Spirit for however we serve Him in the body of Christ; don't go "flat" or "sharp" by doing something you're not called to do. And trying to stand out, just to be noticed, will only cause the overall sound of the song of the body of Christ to be out of whack -- we need humility to blend with the other members of Christ's body, so that we offer up to God a sound that fits together in love.

Whether you're musically inclined or not, this is how we make beautiful music to God together with our very lives...

...be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Isaiah 43:2

2009-04-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. ~ Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

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When I was a kid in the summertime, we used to get the season family pass to the large community pool in town. Man, it seems like I spent all summer there! They had not one, but three pools -- the kiddie pool (1.5 - 3'), the lap pool (3.5-6'), and the diving pool (6-12') which even had an underwater viewing area! Those were good times!

But alot of kids were/are afraid of the diving pool. Why? Because it's "deep water". Twelve feet?!? Yikes! Too deep! But, here's the thing -- if you're swimming on top, it doesn't matter if you're in 5 feet of water, or 12, right?

So, my question to you is: If you're swimming along in life with the Lord when things are going fairly well (5 feet lap pool), why do you panic when circumstances put you in the deep water (12 foot diving pool)? Same water, only deeper. And more importantly, same God to swim with. Is it possible that when tough times hit, we choose to sink below the surface in the depths of despair, where the devil can watch you in the underwater viewing area? Maybe God is asking you, Hey, what are you doing down there? I'm up here, on the surface. C'mon on up here, so we can swim through this water, instead of you getting bogged down underneath.

The truth is that God is underwater, too, even if you're down in the deep water. But it's difficult to swim underwater for very long -- you only have so much lung capacity. So, my friend, if you're bogged down in the deep water of life, remember that swimming on the surface, by trusting God fully for all that you're going through, is where the air is, and where peace and joy can be found . . . even in the deep end of life's pool.

So, go ahead -- jump into the deep end. Same water, same God. If you trust Him in five feet, you can trust him in twelve.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Deuteronomy 10:18-19

2009-04-22T05:55:00.000-07:00

He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. ~ Deuteronomy 10:18-19 (NKJV)

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Over and over again in the Old Testament, God calls His people to take care of strangers, widows and the fatherless. Seriously, over and over again! He lets His children know that these people are important to Him, that He cares for them in their circumstance. And if His children oppress these people, He's gonna "get the belt". Our God doesn't play when it comes to mistreating strangers, widows and the fatherless.

So, two things come to mind for me with this passage:

1. When people who don't know God try to say that He is a hard and mean God, I just don't get it. If they were to read from His own mouth what He has to say, of what and who are important to Him, how could they say that? How could they really believe that? He has such love and compassion on the helpless, AND He is committed to defending their cause and avenging their oppressors. If we looked at a human being who did that, we'd give them the Nobel Prize for humanitarianism and the key to ten cities! But a lot of people don't bother looking in the Bible to see what and who God is. They just go by hearsay or flat-out lies from the devil.

2. God puts "strangers" in the category with the widow and the fatherless. Wow. Different translations of the Bible say alien, foreigner, or stranger. The point is that these people don't "belong" -- they don't have a home, or they're not of the same culture, or both. God says, You better learn to love these people, too, because I care for them in their fears and need. This is a really big deal to me! Don't forget that you were a stranger in a foreign land, too. Hmm. Whenever I hear people talk bad about others coming from different countries into the U.S., I want to tell them (and I have), "Where do you think you came from?" There are almost no natural citizens of this soil called the USA, compared to the millions who walk it every day. We're practically all foreigners and strangers -- the "incoming". How DARE we try to turn our noses up at those now coming into our country? God says, Be careful. You're forgetting where you came from . . . You're forgetting the grace that was extended to you when your great-grandpa got off the boat, or your grandfather or father got off the plane. I extend grace -- if you are My child, you need to, also.

Strangers, widows and the fatherless. God loves them and cares for them. And He calls us to be there for them, too. I'm sure you can think of some people you know that fit these categories in your circle of influence. Being in a strange crowd of people that you're not a part of, losing your husband as a provider and source of strength, having no daddy to hug . . . these people need love and compassion. They need to know God is there for them.

Enter Stage Right: God's people.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

2009-04-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)

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How many people read this verse and think, Oh, Paul must be talking about heaven! So, I'll just set my sights on heaven, hoping to get out of this God-forsaken place to the "land of glory"...

I think, in part, he's talking about heaven -- about that time/place when believers in Jesus Christ will be taken out of the world (or from the grave), and we live in the absence of sin and the presence of God forever. Yes, that will be glory like we have never known nor can even comprehend! But, what about the unseen glories here and now that we experience due to our troubles? Are there some intangibles that you've gained with God through your hard times?

I know you have, because God's Word says that's how our spiritual lives work.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~ James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Perseverance and peace are unseen, but so important to a believer. And what about patience, kindness, and wisdom? You can't feel or taste or touch these either, but in our trials and circumstances, we're given the gift of these intangibles that are glorious, because they reflect the glory of God. We are being changed from glory to glory, as the Word says...

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
~ 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

So, when you "set your sights on things eternal, not things temporal" (one of my favorite, oft quoted paraphrases), remember that we should focus not just on our eternal home in heaven with God, but our continual spiritual walk with God here on earth. Strive for and revel in the unseen work and blessings He is weaving in your life. It's all part of that "from glory to glory" living that comes with a relationship with God, the Father, through Jesus Christ, the Son!

I hope you can sense the unseen work that He's doing in and through you on a daily basis. Look for it, and give Him the praise!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Philippians 3:9

2009-04-20T06:02:00.000-07:00

I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. ~ Philippians 3:9 (NLT)

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If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you probably adhere to a certain set of living standards, as set forth in God's word. God does call His children to holy living, "walking in the light", not satisfying "the deeds of the flesh", right? But I have a question for you: How much of your holy living are you ascribing to your own righteousness?

Let me clarify. Say you don't smoke. Never have, never will. Nor have you ever drank alcohol, and never will. And you are rather proud of that righteousness, deep down inside. Your other Christian friends have struggled over the years with these habits, but not you, boy! You have risen on the righteousness ladder a few rungs above them, haven't you? You feel pretty good about yourself, actually. Hmm...

Or say you serve at your church -- ALOT. You work in the church kitchen preparing meals for the homeless. You teach Sunday School. You sing in the choir. You read to the elderly at the convalescent home on Saturdays. Whew -- you are BUSY! And anyone that looked at your schedule would laud you for your efforts for God. "Now, there's a saint, if I ever saw one," they say about you. But Suzy, over there, only comes to church on Sundays, carrying her Bible, as if that gives her any points for righteousness. She's nobody around here. Hmm....

I have news...but it's not good on the righteousness meter. Pride is a sin, and all the pride of our own acts of "righteousness" cancel out any merit we may think we've earned. Because, you see, unless we are perfect in all things, we're not righteous. So our own attitudes have negated our actions. Bummer, huh?

That kind of leaves us in the toilet, because unfortunately, we might be able to do alot of righteous acts, but our sinful heart and mind get in the way all the time. (Jesus said if you hate your brother in your heart, you've murdered him; if you look at a person with lust, you've committed adultery. Wow.) So, what do we do? How do we attain righteousness, if not through good works and piety?

Jesus.

Only.

Always.

Forever.

His gift of salvation includes giving us His righteousness -- we are clothed in it, like getting a beautiful, warm coat around our shivering, naked bodies in the dead of winter. We are destitute in our sin, but Jesus is the fullness of righteousness and He gives it to us, who believe in Him. We can't earn it on our own, no matter how hard we try. We simply have to accept His righteousness as our own, and leave our own efforts by the wayside.

Our call to holy living, then, becomes a love offering to God for the gift of His righteousness to us, rather than payment for it. Sometimes you'll get things right, and sometimes you won't. You'll stand in the face of temptation one day, and fall down the next. But praise God, He doesn't cancel His righteousness because of our unrighteousness -- that is amazing grace, amen?!?

Come to God in all your nakedness, and accept the coat of Christ's righteousness.

Jesus.

Only.

Always.

Forever.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 143:8

2009-04-19T06:12:00.000-07:00

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
~ Psalm 143:8 (NLT)

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How many times do we hear women complain that their husbands don't tell them they love them enough? The old joke goes that one husband told his wife, "I told you on the day we were married that I loved you. If the situation ever changes, I'll let you know." Wow. I have to give him the Oscar for Most Insensitive Performance in a Dramatic Role.

I think we all need to be encouraged in our love relationships. There are so many things that beat us down in the world, and we can wonder if the ones who say they love us really love us. And so we ask, "Do you love me?" more than we probably need to. Our friend or spouse may say, "Of course I love you. Why are you asking? You know I love you." But unfortunately, our human nature can cause us to doubt. Sometimes we need daily assurance. Especially when the world around us is throwing stones or can't even be found under a damp rock.

David had a very intimate relationship with God. But even he told God that he needed that reassurance daily that God loved Him. He wanted to hear it. I don't know if David heard an audible voice from God, but I am sure that God spoke to David's heart. How do I know? Because God speaks to my heart. That is, when I'm listening...

Don't be afraid to tell God what you need in your relationship with Him -- share your fears, doubts and weaknesses. But be sure you're listening and not just talking. :-) And hang on to Him -- trust Him to guide you as David did. Truly, we are like blind children, who must give their trust to their parents to love them, guide them, and not harm them.

Your Father in heaven loves you very much, and He has your hand in His, to lead you along your road of life. You can trust Him, because He is God. But, in case you're doubting or afraid, it's okay to tell Him you need reassurance. He's always willing to tell you He loves you and give you a hug when you need it.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Matthew 20:28

2009-04-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.
~ Matthew 20:28 (The Msg)

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In the film, "Man on Fire," Denzel Washington plays Creasy, an aging, drinking mercenary who takes a job in Mexico, guarding a young girl of a wealthy, mixed-race family. Since corruption runs rampant, and kidnapping is big business there, it seems the only way to protect their child. When she is kidnapped despite his best efforts and believes she's already dead, he deals some horrific blows to those he can pin for the crime. When he later learns that she isn't dead but is still in the hands of her captor, he takes aim at the kidnapper's brother, kidnapping him and offering a deal -- the girl, for the brother returned alive . . . and Creasy himself. Because it got personal, the kidnapper wanted the blood of Creasy for what he'd done -- the girl had become somewhat secondary.

As the final human exchange is made on a lonely bridge in rural Mexico, the little girl and Creasy meet in the middle and hug one last time. She continues on to her waiting mom, and Creasy walks a death walk over the bridge toward the waiting captors. As he drives away with those he knows will torture and kill him, you can see in his eyes that he knows he did the right thing, the only thing -- giving his life for the one he loved. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X6tHmyLvUQ

This film is brutal and violent, but is also filled with love and passion, commitment and sacrifice. This film shows me Jesus. He gave His life as a ransom for the kidnapper of my soul. And when Jesus walked the hill and died the death, I was free. Free, if I choose to accept His sacrifice as my own. Free, if I believe that His blood is enough to pay the ransom.

You see, there are no guns that tie us to the devil and death. There are no real prison bars or chains we can see. It is spiritual, this kidnapping, and the remedy is a spiritual. Faith in God. Faith in God become man. Faith in God become man killed. Faith in God become man killed for you. Faith in God become man killed for you yet risen. Faith in God become man killed for you yet risen FOREVER!

Jesus was a man on fire. For you. For me. His life for ours. I hope you can know and embrace that horrific, yet glorious, truth. He is our ransom . . . He walked the bridge for us. And He lives to embrace all who will embrace Him.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Deuteronomy 8:3

2009-04-17T06:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. ~ Deuteronomy 8:3 (NLT)

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I wonder what the percentage is of people who are trying to lose weight right now. Maybe 85%? 90%? It seems our world revolves around food, huh?

I like to say that the Baptist way is, "Feed them, and they will come," since it seems that potlucks are synonymous with Baptists churches, or so it used to be, and if you want attendance for whatever, provide food -- doughnuts, at least! After all, at least two major food groups are represented by the beloved doughnut -- three, if you count jelly filling as a fruit. :-) We, in general, love potlucks and buffets, where we can load our plates up with so many different yummy foods, stuffing ourselves until we need an escort to roll us out of the building! And we wonder why obesity runs rampant. No need to wonder -- just look at our plate, look at our frig, look at our cupboards.

Where is our focus, huh? Where are our priorities? Sometimes I feel like the people Paul talked about in Philippians...

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. ~ Philippians 3:19 (NIV)

We can't drive two blocks down the street in most towns without seeing a McDonald's, a Burger King, a Taco Bell, and a KFC -- and most of them are at a single intersection! Oh, and every one has a drive-thru, for added glutonous convenience. Food is ever before us, and it can become our object of worship, where we just live for the next meal. Gee, I'm so stuffed from lunch -- boy, was that yummy...now, what's for dinner?!?

As much as I love pizza and Taco Bell, that's how much God says I should love His Word. Just as the mention of chocolate mousse pie makes my mouth water, so should talking about God's work make me want to consume it. But the physical realm has such a hold on me -- it takes discipline to give greater weight to the unseen than that which stares me in the face day after day (and smells and tastes sooooo good, too.)

Tasty food can really take our eyes off of God. You might not believe that, but the Israelites obviously needed that lesson, so they got manna from heaven for 40 years. And, boy, did they complain! Their mouths didn't want the same bread day in and day out. They wanted steak and eggs, pasta with cream sauce, and chocolate decadence cake! Where was the focus? On their spirital walk with God, or their physical contentment?

Where is my focus? Where is your focus?

If you don't think the devil uses food as a spiritual battleground, you need to think again. He'll use anything to take us away from seeking God and His Word, and chocolate and pizza and french fries and ice cream can be wonderful tools in the devil's arcenal. So, how about this: The next time you're focusing on food when you're not really even hungry, consider the battleground and read God's Word for as long as it would take to hunt down and eat those munchies -- five minutes, maybe. Ask God to help His Word satisfy you better than a Snickers, or whatever it is you crave.

Let's focus on whetting our spiritual appetites, rather than our physical taste buds. I wonder what the drive-thru guy would say if you drove up to McDonald's and said, Yeah, I'll have two Psalms, a supersized order of Matthew, and two Proverbs for dessert.... ?

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Romans 13:8

2009-04-16T05:37:00.000-07:00

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. ~ Romans 13:8 (NIV)

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We all hope to be debt-free someday, don't we? Get the house paid off, get finished with all the college loans, no car payment or credit card debt. No one wants to be strapped down with payments when the income levels off, and eventually becomes fixed. That's where we need to be heading with our finances, if we're wise. Racking up debt is a like 5 water hazards and 6 sand traps on a 458-yard par 3 hole of golf! (psst...if you don't play golf, that's okay...just know that would be a HARD hole to play without needing a mulligan....or two....or three! For me, I'd just go sit in the golf cart and take the highest score; I mean, really, is there any need for me to even tee up?!? :-)

But God says there is one debt that, not only do we never get out of, but we shouldn't try -- the debt of love. Perhaps that is a weird concept for you, to owe love to others. How many times have you said to someone or thought to yourself, in a moment of anger, "I don't owe you ANYTHING!" Ah, but you do. Rats! Don't you hate it when God pulls the 'love' card on us?!?

Loving people isn't always easy; in fact, it is often very difficult. Difficult people in a difficult world, dealing with difficult emotions under difficult circumstances. Love them, God says. Be My hands and feet, He says.

And maybe you're the difficult person who is being loved on right now. God may be ministering to you through others during your season of difficultness and/or difficulty. Praise God for the debt of love that others owe! Otherwise, when we're in need of love, we would be bankrupt...with no bailout.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ~Jesus, in Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Love,
Joelene