Tag: Hope

faith, God, Life, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

This Life is Only Temporary

Hey all, been a while. I have recently broken my right arm so typing has been a challenge. No worries, God is more than able to heal. I will be back to my normal sassy self soon, lol! During this process I have to admit I have taken my health for granted. I never really got that sick so I never really thought about it much.

Then, I fell outside, landed on my right elbow. I broke my radius and 3 breaks in my shoulder in the humerus. Ouch! I’m in a sling and the Doc says with Occupational Therapy and time I will heal, but he said my shoulder will never be the same. Great.

So, here I sit, day after day, waiting for my body to heal. I admit, I really don’t like pain. I don’t know of anyone who does. Bone break pain sucks. It keeps me up at night. Then I turn into Cruella Deville. Yep, I’m cranky! Just ask my husband. And there is not a dang thing I can do about it.

I am taking my meds, doing my approved exercises, and wearing this sling and I have to sit and wait. You know me, I don’t like waiting. I love the drive throughs in places. You don’t even have to get out of your car! Can I have a drive through new shoulder please? Yes, and a side of elbow with that. I know, laugh or cry!

Anyway, this time has given me time to reflect. I would get so caught up in the little things that really didn’t matter anyway. This life is only temporary.  This world is not our real home anyway. We are Citizens of Heaven and children of the King of Kings!

So I set my thoughts on things above and do my best with what I have. It’s not perfect and I would rather be more comfortable, yet I press on to the goal God has set before me. I had to let go of what was, surrender to what is, and have faith in what will be. God is with me and as long as I stick with Him I know I’ll be alright.

I have many sisters in Christ who are helping me. A few of us text each other a Bible Verse every morning. I can’t tell you how this has helped me hold on to my faith during this time of difficulty. Today’s declaration was:

“I am blessed and it’s only a matter of time before things change. What I see now is only temporary. ” 2 Corinthians 4:18

This one got to me. Hallelujah, this too will pass!  This arm thing is only temporary!  Woohoo! I pray you have a blessed day and week, and let’s talk soon!

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God, Hope, poem, Poetry, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Show Me Your Scars

SHOW ME YOUR SCARS

Copyright 2019 Diana Rasmussen

This world we live in is twisted and wrong, It’s not Heaven on Earth, but wicked and wrong

Life is hard, it’s not fair, Injustice is everywhere, Seems liars get ahead, when the Truth just offends

I know a Savior, Christ Jesus is his Name, He came to seek and to save all that are lost

He went to the cross to obliterate sin, He opened the door to Heaven, so we could get in

 

We can come boldly before the throne of Grace, To find hope and mercy in place of our stains

Jesus gives freedom and hope to all who call on His Name, Baptized with His Spirit He promised He’d save

He still bears the wounds on His hands and His feet, Those marks He got from hanging on that Cross

To carry away the sin of the world, and I call out to Him today

 

Show me your scars, it’s your blemishes that show me you’ve loved me

Show me your scars, it’s how I know who you are

When you’ve lived a good life and loved someone deep, it’s gonna leave a mark

Open your hands and your heart, and show me your scars

 

He rose from the grave that held him, He sits on the Throne of God

Giving strength, hope, and wisdom to all who call on Him,

He’s preparing a place for you and for me, He’s coming back to take us out of this place

 

Show me your scars, it’s your blemishes that show me you’ve loved me

Show me your scars, it’s how I know who you are

When you’ve lived a good life and loved someone deep, it’s gonna leave a mark

Open your hands and your heart, and show me your scars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

behavior, Hope, Life, Quotes, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

14 Quotes on Fear and What to Do with It

Fear. We have all felt it. That paralyzing monster who stops us in our tracks. It comes from different places and each of us have different things that we are fearful of. Dread, terror, fright, dread – you know. But what do we do when we feel afraid?

14 Quotes on Fear and What to Do with It

  1. Fear can paralyze us and keep us from believing God and stepping out in faith. The devil loves a fearful Christian! – Billy Graham
  2. You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along. – Eleanor Roosevelt
  3. Everything you want is on the other side of fear. -Jack Canfield
  4. Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter. -Francis Chan
  5. Don’t allow fear to hold you hostage, let your faith rest in God! – Lisa Osteen Comes
  6. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. – Nelson Mandela
  7. If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. – Dale Carnegie
  8. Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. -Yoda
  9. Fear is the thief of opportunity! God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear, but He’s given you power, love and a sound mind. Be bold because He is with you! – Victoria Osteen
  10. The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist. – Steven Pressfield
  11. The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but it is fear. -Gandhi
  12. Fear is a sickness. – Peter Nii Korley
  13. He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
  14. Have no fear, God knows what He is doing. What was meant for evil, He will use to make Himself glorified IN YOU. That means, their evil plans will not work. You’re coming out of this. – Paul A. Adefarasin

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior – Isaiah 43:1-3 NKJV

faith, God, Hope, Quotes, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

17 Quotes on Finding Strength in Hard Times

17 Quotes on Finding Strength in Hard Times

  1. “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
  2. “Spending time with God is the key to our strength and success in all areas of life. Be sure that you never try to work God into your schedule, but always work your schedule around Him.” ― Joyce Meyer
  3. “Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.” ― Sarah Dessen
  4. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” – Psalm 28:7 NIV
  5. “There are women who make things better… simply by showing up. There are women who make things happen. There are women who make their way. There are women who make a difference. And women who make us smile. There are women of wit and wisdom who- through strength and courage- make it through. There are women who change the world everyday… Women like you.” ― Ashley Rice
  6. “All that is gold does not glitter,
    Not all those who wander are lost;
    The old that is strong does not wither,
    Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
    From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
    A light from the shadows shall spring;
    Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
    The crownless again shall be king.”
    ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
  7. “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
    ― Corrie Ten Boom, Clippings from My Notebook
  8. “The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.” ― Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven
  9. “My scars remind me that I did indeed survive my deepest wounds. That in itself is an accomplishment. And they bring to mind something else, too. They remind me that the damage life has inflicted on me has, in many places, left me stronger and more resilient. What hurt me in the past has actually made me better equipped to face the present.” ― Steve Goodier
  10. “We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face…we must do that which we think we cannot.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
  11. “We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen it when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown.” ― John Calvin
  12. “The key is this: Meet today’s problems with today’s strength. Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for today.” ― Max Lucado
  13. “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.’” – Billy Graham
  14. “Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart-so will you be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” – Andrew Murray, Pastor
  15. “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” –Mother Teresa
  16. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10
  17. “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” – Exodus 15:2

faith, God, Life, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Lead Me to the Rock That is Higher Than I

There are days when the world comes crashing down. The days when the Dr. report is not good. The days when fear and anxiety wash over you like a cloud. The days when the fear of the future consumes you. These are the days I pray, “Lord, Lead me to the Rock that is Higher than I.”

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. – Psalm 61:2 NKJV

 

God knows what you are facing. He knows the end from the beginning. He promised never to leave you nor forsake you, even if you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Hold us close Lord.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 NKJV

Lord, hold me and my friends during this trial. Help us to be more aware of your presence and your healing power. Make the wrong things right in Jesus Name.

Lord, we need you.

 

Lord I Need You

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the One that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
Where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
When I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
You’re my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Songwriters: Christy Nockels / Daniel Carson / Jesse Reeves / Kristian Stanfill / Matt Maher
Lord, I Need You lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group
God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Who for the Joy That Was Set Before Him

This is a sermon that my husband, Bob Rasmussen, wrote and shared with us at Janesville Apostolic Ministries a few weeks back. It was an awesome message and I wanted to share it with you.

“Who for the joy that was set before Him” 

(click the title to watch the sermon at Christian World Media)

We worshipped with a lot of songs this morning with the word Joy in them. The Bible tells us to be joyful:

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. – Philippians 4:4

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. – Romans 15:13

The joy of the Lord, having him in our lives something to absolutely be joyful about, amen? During one of our services, a scripture was brought to my mind:

 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  – Hebrews 12:1-2

This morning, I would like to discuss specifically “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross”.  If you read the commentaries on this scripture, there are 2 schools of thought of the meaning – there might be more but in my study it was predominantly 2. And the word that drives that train of thought is the word “for”.
The first interpretation is that “for” means instead. That is, that Jesus, instead of maintaining His preincarnate heavenly state, chose to come down to earth and fulfill the path of securing salvation for mankind, bearing sin and shame on the cross.
The second interpretation is that “for” means “in exchange for” or to “obtain” salvation for those he loved. I think both are correct, but I would like to focus on the second. That basically, you, you, and I are the joy of the Lord – the fulfillment of his accomplished work.

We are the joy of the Lord!

But what does that even mean to us?
He says we are the light!

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light
unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16

He says that we are the salt!

Ye are the salt of the earth – Matthew 5:13

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary:
5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth. Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace.
God sings over us:

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice
over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

Wow – we are the joy of the Lord!

Part of our identity, of who we are, is how we think about ourselves. And no, I am not a
psychologist, some might think I need to see one – But there is a battle in this world. The war has been won, Jesus has defeated death, but the bible tells us there will be battles.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. – Ephesians 6:12

I love that Paul, markedly one of the greatest apostles, includes himself. He doesn’t say you, he says we. That tells me that no matter your position, situation, no matter what, we all will have battles – that we are in this together.
So today, I do have a question, do you feel like you are the joy of the Lord?
Sometimes, I have disqualified myself from being the joy of the Lord. I remember when I first came to Jesus and gave my life and felt the overwhelming cleansing power of his blood. I gave it all to Jesus – (sins on board)It was so, so joyful. After some time though, I would go back to the altar, and I reminded God why I was such a bad person. And I’d go back again, and again. Have you ever done that?
The Word says that when we confess our sin:

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. – Acts 3:19

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. – Isaiah 44:22

I had to learn, and I am still learning that I do not need to remind God about my sin – he has already blotted it out. He’s already forgiven me.

I had to learn to stop trying to disqualify myself from the joy of the Lord.

His grace is more than sufficient for me.

One day as Diana and I were talking about being the joy of the Lord, and I already asked is I could share this, she said – I don’t feel like I am the Joy of the Lord because I still do (insert whatever here) – it wasn’t a sin, it was just something she felt that the Lord had put on her heart to change. That ever happen to you?

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, he lives in us. He is so many things to us – comforter, counselor, healer – but He is also our Shepperd. I think that as we grow with Jesus, He only wants for the best, He wants us to grow with him and there may be things or patterns in our life that He wants to change – that’s maturity. But it should not make you feel disqualified or less than, if anything, it just shows how much more He loves and cares for you.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:1-2

Let’s go back to Paul in Ephesians 6:

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:14-17

This body has been through some things. We have lost loved ones, we have family fighting disease, we have relationships that need healing, and the list goes on. I am faithful for Jesus to help all of us. But in this battle, the enemy will try to steal your Joy of the Lord, he’ll try to challenge your thoughts about your salvation or your worth to him.
I try to see things in the physical that show me what God does in the spirit, As I was preparing this message, I was reminded of my beautiful wonderful grand daughter Devin, or DJ as we call her and how Diana (and my) reactions ( and for our other children, it was the same, this is just he most recent).
We were made aware of her coming, there was expectation!
She was born, there was rejoicing!
There was unadulterated love in cuddling and holding her tiny fingers and toes.
There is joy in who she is and who she is becoming.
And then we just had joy, music courtesy of brother Doug.

It so reminds me of Jesus, who with the Joy that was set before him.
Aware what was coming, the salvation of mankind
Rejoicing we were born again,
Unrelenting love,

And joy in who we are!

Sister Laura spoke a word a few weeks ago and I asked if could share. If you will humor me, close your eyes for a second and focus on these words, let them remind you of the Joy that you are to Him and He is to you:

Run to Him full of joy
So much freedom, so much uninhibited love, both given and received
Hold nothing back, he has got you.
Let him lift you up and swing you around – tossing everything else aside. It’s just you and him,laughing, care free.
As a child, we trust completely that daddy won’t drop me – find that child like, pure, unrestrained comfort in Him again.

As the worship team comes forward, I have asked they do a new song, it is called “To The Table”.
One of my favorite verses is:
He can see the weight you carry
The fears that hold your heart
But through the cross you’ve been forgiven
You’re accepted as you are
And then it goes to the chorus
So bring it all to the table
The altar is open, we have a baptismal if you have not been and want to become part of the kingdom. Pastor Mike and Jeff are here to pray with you, as are anyone else here to stand with you in prayer.
So , won’t you come to the Table?

faith, God, Healing, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

God Will Light Up the Darkness for You

I love candles. I love the light, the smell, the whole ambiance of candles. A candle can light up the whole room with brightness. So can the sunlight. It will flood over the darkness and cast it out. Just like that it is gone. God is like that too.  Jesus has said that He was the light of the world. Where Jesus is, there is light and love.

 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” – John 8:12 NLT

I have to remember this when walking through the valley of trouble. God is with me.  He will light up the darkness and make a way where there is no way.  His presence alone will bring me new opportunities and new life and healing.

Rest my friend, knowing that the Lord of all the Earth will turn your darkness into light – He promised!

Here is what I am meditating on this week, when I face more tests and stuff at the Doctor for an issue that has come to light. I know that Jesus is my Healer and He is faithful to fulfill His promises. May the peace and presence of God flood over you this week and turn your darkness into light!

faith, God, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spiritual warfare, Spirituality

My Life is in Your Hands

Saturday mornings I usually stay in my jammies until at least noon. It’s a great way to de-stress and just be. It’s a good time to clean house and listen to music. My Saturday playlist? The Kirk Franklin Radio station from Pandora. Yep, it was a Black Gospel Saturday morning for me!

Every once in a while you hear that song that melts your heart. This Saturday it was “My Life is in Your Hands” by God’s Property.  I heard it and the tears just came. Guess I needed to let it out.  You know, we try and be strong and make it through on our own.  That doesn’t work out so well usually.  Then God puts a song on your playlist and you lose it. That was me on Saturday morning.

It’s been a long few months. There have been many including myself who are fighting battles. Sometimes when you are in the front line you get hit by one of Satan’s Arrows. It happens. But what do we do about it?

This verse teached me that when  I get hit by one of those arrows from the wicked one, I need to do one thing STAND.

“ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—  and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” – Ephesians 6:14-20 NKJV

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

STAND on the promises that God gave us. He PROMISED to HEAL. He promised to BLESS. He promised to never leave us nor forsake me. He promised to DELIVER us. The LORD wil fight for us!

“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” – Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV

Standing with you my friends. Here’s the song that melted my heart yesterday:

 

My Life is in Your Hands by God’s Property

You don’t have to worry
And don’t you be afraid
Joy comes in the morning
Troubles they don’t last always
For there’s a friend in Jesus
Who will wipe your tears away
And if your heart is broken
Just lift your hands and say
Oh
I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands
With Jesus I can take it
With Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands

So when your tests and trials
They seem to get you down
And all your friends and loved ones
Are nowhere to be found
Remember there’s a friend in Jesus
Who will wipe your tears away
And if you heart is broken
Just lift your hands and say

Oh
I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands
With Jesus I can take it
With Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands

 

 

faith, God, Healing, Hope, Spirituality

Even in the Mess, God is Faithful

I know so many people going through trials. I have been there too. It is not always easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you are sitting in the dark. Sometimes, we lose faith. Sometimes we lose hope that we will make it through the storm. We are human, that is normal. Have you ever been there?

During those times, one thing I learned is that no matter what I was facing, no matter if I had hope or even faith to make it through – God was faithful. Even when I doubted, even when I questioned, even when I did not understand – God was faithful. That is who He is. He does not change.   It is HIS character, not my feelings that determines the outcome.

It kinda blew my mind to think that my doubt, my questioning, my getting angry, or whatever did not phase God. My insecurites did NOT limit his love for me or His Faithfulness. He loved me anyway.

I had to learn to trust WHAT GOD SAID over how I FELT.  Reading the Word gives me hope. Reading the Word opens my mind that God can and WILL change things.

“If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.”  2 Timothy 2:13 NKJV

God is faithful, no matter what. Hold on to His promises. He will do what He said He would do because He is Faithful.

Here are some of the promises I hold on to:

  • God you promised to heal ALL.
  • God you promised NEVER to leave me nor forsake me.
  • God you promised that you would MAKE A WAY where there is no way.
  • God you promised to give me BEAUTY for ashes.
  • God you promised that instead of my shame you would give me a DOUBLE portion.

 

Give God a minute. GOD IS FAITHFUL. Your story isn’t over yet.

“Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it abides.” Psalm 119:90 NKJV

faith, God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

We are the Fire Keepers

Have you ever watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics? I love that part. They bring the torch out and pass the fire from person to person.  According to Wikipaedia:

“The Olympic flame is a symbol used in the Olympic movement. Several months before the Olympic Games, the Olympic flame is lit at Olympia, Greece. This ceremony starts the Olympic torch relay, which formally ends with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The flame then continues to burn in the cauldron for the duration of the Games, until it is extinguished during the Olympic closing ceremony.”

The fire starts and ends the Games. Why do I bring this up? It’s not even a year for the Olympics. I went to a place in Michigan when I visited my sister in law last week that was called FireKeepers.  I saw that name and the waterfall with FIRE and thought of God.

God reveals Himself in the FIRE of our lives!

  • God revealed Himself to Moses in the fire of that burning bush:

“Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.  And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.  Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”

So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

 And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.  So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.  Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.  Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.””  Exodus 13: 1-10

 

  • Later on in Exodus, God came down in fire to talk to Moses again:

 “Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.  And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.  Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.”  Exodus 19:18-20

  • In the New Testament we evens see how we will be baptized with fire:

“John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

  • And then in Acts, the Holy Spirit comes down and into belivers like fire:

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:1-4

God proves it to us over and over – where there is FIRE He speaks and He Delivers!

He put His fire inside of us, His Holy Spirit, to overcome the world.

God’s fire will burn up any sickness, illness, oppression, or any enemy that tries to come at us.

God has made us the Fire Keepers in the world!

faith, God, Hope, Life

When the Battle is Ugly

I know people who love to fight, and others who would rather sit back and watch the fight.

Life is a battleground.

We can choose to participate, or sit back and watch it go by. It’s gonna get ugly sometimes. Let’s be realistic, we’re not in the garden of Eden anymore.

God is with you. Take a breath. Yeah, this chapter may really suck right now, but there is another chapter after this. We are not at the end of your story yet…

“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.” – Ephesians 6:10-12 MSG

Best song for the Battle….