There is a new bill that Nancy Pelosi is bringing before Congress next week for a vote. I don’t usually post about politics, but I feel you need to know about this today. They call it the “Equality Act” but that is not true. It has nothing to do with Equality.
Do you enjoy your religious freedom? Do you like the ability to say “No, that goes against what I believe so I am not going to do that.” Well, we may lose that right starting on Tuesday. That’s when the House votes.
You see they added this line about how religion does not have the right to say NO.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean that I accept what you did to me
Forgiveness means I let go of taking vengeance against you
Forgiveness means I trust my God to deal with you because He told me, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”
Forgiveness means I don’t have to think about you or what you did to me
Forgiveness means I am free from your prison of pain
Forgiveness means I can move on and go forward
Forgiveness frees me to be who God made me to be, regardless of what you do or don’t do
Forgiveness gives me the freedom to pray for you
Forgiveness let’s me be me
Forgiveness frees my Father in Heaven to forgive me
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. – Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
Here is a picture of what I saw this morning in early morning prayer. A bowl of flour. Ok Lord, what does that mean? I didn’t even know how flour was made so I looked it up. Did you know you can make your own flour? I had no idea. You can take the wheat berries (that’s what they call them), put them in a coffee grinder, and viola – presto, chango – you get your own flour. Who knew? That’s alot of wheat berries ground up in that bowl. And then we mix it up with whatever stuff we want and together we make something. Bread, cake, cookies, whatever.
So, what if each of those wheat berries were a person?
And we are all in the bowl of God’s Creation?
What if God is making something with all of us together in that bowl?
But first we have to get out of the bag and into the bowl.
Then I started reading in Hebrews. I found out that God’s promises need some faith to make them come to pass. God gives us all promises. But the invisible still needs to become visible. And we want to see it happen in our lives right?
God gave the Israelites promises in the Wilderness, but they forgot one ingredient in their bowl – FAITH. Most of them never made it to the Promised Land – because they would not look beyond what they see in the natural – and see the invisible. God’s promises are greater than anything we see or know. And we get to choose to believe the promises and exercise our faith or not. And we get to choose to mix our faith with the faith of those who do believe or not. No lone ranger wheat berries. Our faith needs to be united with those who believe.
For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe). (Hebrews 4:2 AMP)
What if we could combine our faiths – like the wheat berries turned into flour – and see God’s promises activated in our lives and our sisters and brothers lives? How about if we added some Moses Faith, and some Aaron Faith, and some Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob faith to the mix? And how about we add the best one – some Jesus Faith to the mix? Yeah, get me some of that Jesus Faith – He said He was the Author and Finisher of my faith. So whatever we have, we throw it in the bowl, and He finishes it.
Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours. (Hebrews 11:39-40 MSG)
Yep, there is going to be some mixing and crunching going on first. Nobody really likes that part. Refining, shaking, purifying – call it what you will – it still hurts. But it is necessary. I get that. But we can’t be mixed together without it. It’s not always pretty. Sometimes things splatter out of the bowl and all over the counter. And we have to scrape it back down, to keep mixing.
I guess what God showed me this morning is that it is not just my faith. It’s the faith of all of his kids together that activates His Promises – for all His kids. We really are better together! And when my faith is weak, I know I have a brother or sister who will pray for me and reignite the fire in my heart. And guess what – even the Fathers of Faith are in the bowl right next to us! Now that is exciting!
Don’t give up yet my friends. God isn’t finished creating yet. And come on in, the water is fine!
I ran into a girl the other day with scars on her arms. My heart dropped. I know what that feels like to have no hope. To take the pain that you are feeling out on yourself. To sit in the bathroom with the door locked and just sit on the floor rocking back and forth. When we have been through unexplainable trauma that is how we cope. But I am living proof that it doesn’t have to stay that way.
My life changed when I found a support system of friends and God. Yes, God. Reading the Word bring me hope. It opens my mind to the fact that there is a God and He cares about me even when others do not.
Don’t give up my friend. There is hope. There is life, a life more abundant than you ever imagined. A life where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, no more hurt. Have you met my friend Jesus? He is faithful. He is true. He is peaceful. He brings hope and healing and protection under the shadow of his wings. And He is waiting for you to call out His name for help today. He stands at the door and knocks. Will you let Him in?
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. – REVELATION 3:20 nkjv
I See the Scars
Copyright 2016 Diana Rasmussen
I see the scars upon your arms
My heart skipped a beat as I thought of what I could say
To take away the pain that brought you to that place
How I wish I could change the things that you’ve been through
I’m here today to sit and listen if you choose to share
Your worship is sacred and pleasing to God. Whether you are singing in your car to the radio, praising and thanking God, or worshipping with others – your worship ushers people into the presence of God. It’s like He just shows up and does stuff.
We are not saved for ourselves.
God wants His love to spill over onto others you meet everyday.
There’s that mom who is trying to make it on her own after her husband left. There is the elderly woman who feels so alone at night. There is the man who just lost his job and doesn’t know how to tell his family. There is the couple who smile on the outside but are one step away from divorce court. And the young teenage girl who hurts herself to stop the pain. These are people you meet everyday. They are hurting. They don’t know why or how to fix it.
We as Christians carry the Word of the Living God in us. Christ in us – the HOPE of Glory. Yet often we hole ourselves up in our buildings, go to our ‘church’ functions, and don’t reach out to the lost. I did this for years. It’s really easy to hide from the world when you busy yourself with function upon function. I learned the lingo, wore what I ‘should’, and followed the rules – for a bit.
Then the hurt squeezed out.
Have you ever tried to stuff a pillow in a box? No matter how hard you try some of it spills over. You can get it almost all in and then the corner pops out. That’s what it’s like to just ‘go’ and play church. I am speaking to myself first. After a while I took a break. Just like I took a break from my biker days, and my preppie days, and my academic days. I was looking for acceptance and love in all the wrong places. The sad part is, so were all the other people going to church. Only we were afraid to tell each other because we didn’t want other people to know how messed up we really are.
The funny thing is though, God already knows.
He brings all of his kiddos to a place to be healed and loved and sheltered from the world.
Worship is a place where God can show us what real love looks like.
Yes it happens at church, but it also happens every time a believer ushers in His presence. God is with us – Emmanuel. He shows up whenever we praise and worship him. He is with you in the car. He is with you at the job. He is with you in your home. He shows up when we pray. He is there when you go outside for a walk. He shows up when we pray with others – they feel His love and presence. God isn’t confined to a building. He is not confined to a Denomination. Anytime or anyplace we worship Him, His love spills out onto others -just like that pillow!
Source: valeriesjodin.com
Thank Goodness God squeezes out of the box we try to put Him in!
I wish I was more transparent in real life. I can here in blog land, I just type what’s on my heart. I am still learning to share in real life. Feelings are so messy. Some days I am just a blubbering idiot I think. I have a few friends I reach out to, and for that I am grateful. I gave up ‘playing church’. I gave myself permission these days to be me, flaws and all. I gave myself permission to be free from other people’s opinions of who they think I am. Today God gets to tell me that. Our identity is hidden in Christ – I think it’s way safer there than anywhere else.
I have struggles everyday. I beat myself up for all the things ‘good little christian girls’ shouldn’t do. But then, as I learned today, God welcomes me in His house anyway. He meets me where I am and loves me through it all. As I confess my faults to God and to others I trust, He forgives me and grants me grace to get up and keep living.
His Word gives me hope – I have to read it – or die. I have been hospitalized for depression. I have tried multiple times to hurt myself. I have given up more times than I can count. I have given up on people, I have given up on myself, and I have given up on love. But the thing I learned today –
God never gave up on me. And He has not given up on you either.
God is for us and with us. He forgives us and loves us. He doesn’t want us to be ‘perfect’ – let it go. Just be you. He made you and He loves you anyway!
Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ – Deut 20:14 NKJV
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. – John 6:35-37 NKJV
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 NKJV
There are benefits that just come with being part of the Family of God. When we are adopted by Abba Father there are things that He has promised us:
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
– Psalm 103:1-6 KJV
God has promised to forgive us, to heal us.
He crowns us with His Love and Mercy.
He satisfies us with GOOD things.
He renews our Youth!
He is the One who executes righteousness to make all the bad things turn into good.
All things work together for GOOD when God is our Father.
BLESS THE LORD
by Matt Redman
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
You’re rich in love
And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Bless You Lord
And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore
Forevermore
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Jesus I will worship Your Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship your holy name
Have you ever carried a toolbox? And then forgot one of the most important tools at home? Let’s say you are going to fix a computer. And in order to change the hard drive you need a screwdriver to open up the computer box. You go to your toolbag and it’s not there. You have no way to open up the computer and fix the broken hard drive. You have no access to repair what is broken. You have the new hard drive with the new operating system but you have no power to use it. That’s exactly what happens when a Christian doesn’t read their Bible. They have no tools. They have no access. They have no power. And the computer stays broken.
The same thing happens when a Christian does not read their Bible. If we do not read it, we do not have the promises of God in our heart to pull out when we need them. We are missing our most precious tool – the promises of God. If faith is being sure of what we do not see yet – how can we use it if we don’t know what God promises us?
Let’s say a brother or sister gets sick. How do we pray the Word over them if we do not know it?
Let’s say you lose your job. How can we pray in faith if we do not know what God says about restoration and provision?
Let’s say a friend dies. How can you offer the comfort of the Holy Spirit if you have not received it yourself?
Spiritual Immaturity
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is,those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. -Hebrews 5: 12-14
4 Things That Happen When a Christian Doesn’t Read the Bible:
1.They get lead astray.
Without the Word as our Anchor vain philosophies and worldly ways take over. Christians get lazy and led astray. Worship Teams don’t know the Word to release it. Pastors give up on writing their own sermons and just copy them from the internet.
Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in itwith thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. -Colossians 2:4-10
2.They get proud and lifted up.
From: bibleyp.com
Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Without the Word in our hearts, God is not magnified. Our flesh is living on the throne – not Jesus. God wants us to read the Word DAILY so we can come to know Him and learn to respect Him. It’s hard to respect someone you won’t talk to. Our hearts will not be lifted up in pride if we read the Word.
Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel. -Deut 17:18-20
3. They have no power.
There is nothing like a weak, wimpy Christian. They are all talk and no results. There is no weight in their words. There is no power in their prayers. It makes you feel icky because you know it’s just talk. We as a people long for the truth and the genuine. We want to see God magnified in our midst. We want to see the miracles and signs and wonder follow us wherever we go. But without the sword of the spirit – the Word of God, some Christians cannot even hold up their own sword. They insist on having others do the work. It’s sad. It’s criminal. It’s wrong. And I’m sure it is grieving the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not die on the Cross for us to be lazy. Get up!
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. -2 Corinthians 4: 16-18
4. Church becomes an Entertaining Performance.
Our churches are supposed to be hospitals. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. But when they get there what tools are missing from our toolbox? If we do not have the Word out of the Bible and into our hearts how can we release it? Vain words will not work. Empty, hollow promises will not heal. Only the Living Word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can heal. If we don’t know it, we can’t use it. God is not glorified. And nobody gets what they came for.
Sermons may become platforms for people seeking to be admired. There are many Preachers who live for applause and fame. There are many Preachers who live to be the money changers and take steal from the sheep. They walk into the anointing from the prayers of the faithful and do amazing things. But they are simply using the power of God for their own purposes. God asks us to test the Spirits. You can tell them by their fruit. They have empty words, empty promises, no change, and no power. There is no weight to their words. Perhaps even Praise and Worship becomes a performance with tons of instruments, guitar licks, and light shows just like the famous pop bands of our culture. All while the Spirit of God is locked out of the building.
We eat everyday. We drink water everyday. Let us read the Living Word everyday. It is our daily bread, our manna from Heaven. Let’s eat with the Lord, sit at His table, and listen to Him speak His Word over our hearts and lives. Fill us Lord with your Living Water – the Word – so we can help our brothers and sisters come to know you more. Help us all Lord, to read your Word DAILY, in Jesus Name.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” -John 4:21-24
Abram must have been adventurous. Yeah. No fear. God says”Go,” and he drops everything and just goes. No moving truck, no forward of address card, not a clue where God would lead him. I admire his Pioneer Spirit of Adventure. Abram was 75 years old at the time! Can you imagine us trying to move at 75? I think we have a few more things to carry. I for one have a bit more luggage.
Promises to Abram
Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. –Genesis 12: 1-4 NKJV
And 5 chapters later, Abram was gets a new name. He is still following the Lord, learning along the way.
The Sign of the Covenant
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” – Genesis 17:1-8 NKJV
Can I say to those of us who are getting older – God is not finished yet.
Do not give up.
The Lord still has things for you to do.
Your trust in the Lord will lead many back to the Father.
Word from the Lord 1/24/16 given from the gifts of tongues and interpretations to Janesville Apostolic Ministries:
“Children of Israel, You have heard me say ‘Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world,’ but today I want to say that WE are greater than he who that is in the world because you are my church. You are the hands and the feet. You are the ones who are going who are going to take those who are shackled and set them free – through Me. You are the ones that are going to take the Fatherless and bring them home – to Me – because I AM greater than he that is in the world. And that means that you, the Church, are greater than he that is in the world.
Chains and shackles will fall, but they need something. They need you, take charge my children, to step forward and to trust Me; to hold me close as you go out to the world as the light they see – is Me. But I need you to bring the light to the darkness. I can go there but I ask you to go to that dark place – bring my light, bring my love, change a life. Trust me, trust me, I will never leave you or forsake you. I love you so much. I love you so much. I love you so much.”
There is One who has all power. One who is above all things. In him all things were made. I am finding that in times of sorrow or despair I can look to the One who is above it. The One who loves me and paid the price for my soul – Jesus Christ. Jesus is above depression. He is above anxiety, abuse, and all the sorrows of the past. Let Him reign in your hearts today and see your future change right before your eyes.
I admit, I am still learning to trust Him more. Especially when I don’t know all the answers or have control over a situation. Guess I am still human. Every time I go to Him first in prayer I know He hears me and will answer. Now I might not like the answer. I am not the most patient girl on the block. But I do trust that His ways and His thoughts are higher than mine. Daddy God does know what’s best for me. And He has a much bigger picture of my life than I do. So today I choose to believe Him – and let Him rule Above All!
Colossians 1:13-18
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
If there is one thing you bring with you wherever you go that this world needs it is Peace. The Spirit of the Living God lives within you if you have believed on Jesus. And He is Peace – the Prince of Peace. Receive it today. Let His peace reign in your heart when the world is crazy. Let his peace reign in your heart when things are out of control. Receive His Peace in the storm and in the quiet. And carry the Light of the World into the darkness. Bring kindness and humbleness and rest in Jesus today. The World around you will see it. Shine on!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:5-7
I would like to share with you my testimony of the strength of Love. My husband and I have both been married before. Nobody said it would be easy. In fact the odds were against us. We both have kids from previous marriages. And the ‘fun’ with the ex’s – yeah right. Yet in spite of everything God was and still is faithful. He has given us strength to overcome all the trials that were thrown our way these past 8 years. There would have been many times where it would have just been easier to walk away. We have lived through both of our moms passing away – in the same year. We have had 3 cars get smashed or just plain ‘die’. Both of our dads have made it through major surgeries this past year – thank you Jesus! I lost track of how many times we have moved. Then there was the leg break and losing work for the last 3 years. But God is faithful. He held us up when we couldn’t hold on any longer. God provided for all of our needs. Our families helped and we stuck together despite it all. And God never left. He was right there beside us through all of it. Our family is stronger these days, and so is our love.
Perhaps this is your season of testing. Stand strong my friends. God is with you and sticks closer than a brother. He will provide a way when there seems to be no way. He will sing songs of deliverance over you. God will shine light into your darkness and lead you out of the valley of despair. Your story is NOT over yet!
Come on in. Welcome to my family and our home. Come on into our lives and watch and see what God can do! These pics are from our lives in the past 8 years, along with a few from Pinterest. Life is good, and God is great!
Copyright 2015 Diana Rasmussen, Dedicated to Bob
Mixed/Mastered by Ken Wagman, SAJAE studios
VERSE 1
When the money’s gone and the bills come in
When the sky turns black and it’s thundering
When it seems the only answer is to walk away
We’re gonna forgive them anyway
CHORUS
We’re gonna get through this
Hope is born in the middle of the storm
We’re gonna get through this
Dig down deep and take my hand
Only together, we stand
VERSE 2
When the work is long and the pay is slow
When our hair turns gray cause we’re getting old
When the kids move out to find their way
We’re gonna love our life anyway
REPEAT CHORUS
BRIDGE
God is our light in these waves
Hope is our Anchor, we’ll stay
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