This is His Requirement

 Micah 6:8


Seek justice- Love Mercy- Walk Humbly with your God. This is His requirement.

This is not a pick one. This is a pick 3. It is better than any lottery you can ever play because it changes your heart and attitude that you approach people that cross your path each and every day.
When we do as God requires it blesses us and others in our lives.

Seek Justice-  You can see pretty plainly that justice, true justice does not always happen. And God wants us to SEEK or ACT with Justice in mind. Not our interpretation of it but His. Protecting the innocent. Having good morals. Ethics. To make right. Live right.

Love Mercy- A Loyal Love. God showed us mercy while we were still sinners. And Mercy is one of the foundations to God's character. He expects us to show love to other. Jesus DID say. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength AND Love your Neighbor as yourself. We are to be compassionate  and forgiving of others. It is unexpected, unmerited, unearned.

Walk Humbly- Humility is a matter of the heart. It requires a passive and active obedience to God. It is the opposite of proud. A person that is humble holds themselves at lower regards. Not being better than others. 


I heard this once and it makes total sense. The response of a godly heart is outward (do justice), inward (love mercy) and upward (walk humbly).


Which one do you do the most? And which one do you need to work on?

When do we stop talking about this and start doing? I challenge you. I challenge myself. Let's allow Jesus to Radically Transform us in such a way that we don't even have to think about this we just do it with out a thought. It is a part of us.
That same power that Raised Jesus from the grave LIVES IN US. 

Wrap your head around that thought. :)





He loves us

Promises ..Promises

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Psalm 91.  God makes his promises clear and all because of what? 

BECAUSE HE LOVES ME

He promises:

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

What the Lord says He will do:

I will rescue him... I will deliver you, and give you a way to escape

I will protect him...I will set you on a high place, a rock

I will answer him... I will answer you, respond to you, speak to you

I will be with him in trouble... I will be with you during afflictions, I am there in your distress

I will deliver him... I will rescue, I will show you the way into safety

And honor him...I will make you rich, strong, privileged

With long life will I satisfy him...I will give you abundance in the journey

And show him my salvation...I will redeem you! I HAVE REDEEMED YOU!! 

I love your guts.

I will confess. This one stung a bit for me.

In my 28 years since being ambushed by Jesus the Nazarene I can say that hypocrisy is pretty rampant all over.  And unfortunately the church is not even close to being safe from this.  I have found the church has a pretty big lack of authenticity among it's people. Everyone looks put together. Everyone says the right things.  Their masks are firmly placed. Hair perfectly. Perfect Clothes. Seemingly Perfect Lives.  And they are So not perfect. And in that. The outside world KNOWS we are hypocrites. How many people have turned from the church, from Jesus because of this? I am afraid to know this answer. And it does not have to be this way. It starts with you! 

We can start by looking in.  

Are you a whitewashed tomb or a Temple of the Living God? 

Are you the same at the grocery store, driving in traffic and sitting at church? 

Do you do what you say and say what you do? IF your best buddy walked in the room AND Jesus would you be the same or how about your pastor,neighbor, homeless person on the street?? 

It is a deep soul accounting question.

 AM I who I say that I am? Are my actions the same as my words? What areas are NOT this way? Do I keep certain things off facebook or instagram or twitter or any of the other social media venues because someone at church MIGHT see it? Do I keep secrets from my friends? Family? Accountability? Am I transparent? 

When we hold up a facade of our life we rob others from learning what authenticity is. And, in turn, leave people with the feeling that they have to do the same or that the Christian club is too difficult to attain. That their struggles are strange. And also rob ourselves from authentic living and true community.

"Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important." (Galatians 6:2-3)

We have to remember that we are saved by grace. We live daily in HIS Grace. 

“By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Transparency is not always easy. It keeps you accountable to your actions and to others. It causes you to think before you act or speak. BUT it also creates in you a FREE spirit, clean soul and immeasurable joy.  Besides the fact that: 

 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." (Hebrews 4:13)

It is an everyday review of our inner selves checking our guts out seeing if they are clean, and usable for His Glory.  We have to admit to our selves and others we are not perfect. Pray and lift one another up. Trust Jesus and those we are authentic with.  Act in obedience to God's word. And give thanks for those that God put into our lives to "DO LIFE" together with. 

Don't be a box of rot and bones. BE a Temple for the LIVING GOD and allow Him to live in you. He will give you freedom you have never known and community that you have longed for.  

Look at those around you and Love their guts. Love them from the inside; what makes them who they are. The good and the ugly parts. We are imperfect people which is why we all need a perfect Savior.  Speak in love and help heal one another. Grow. 

I love your guts. And so does He. 

Blessings.

Watch your mouth

When she speaks, her words are wise,
    and she gives instructions with kindness. Proverbs 31:26


A woman's tongue. 

Can build or destroy. A woman has the power of life in her hands. Not just in bearing children but the words she speaks to her loved ones.She should be temperate and trustworthy in ALL things. A helper. If you tell her something it goes NO WHERE ELSE. She keeps it between you, her and God. Does not use it to sin against her family with gossip with her friends. She keeps her cool most of the time. Because let face it we are not perfect and have bad days. She is joyful and happy. Slow to anger. 
Building and Edifying. Encourages her loved ones with word that lift and cause them to strive to be who God called them to be and never for selfish ambition. She speaks the truth but is careful to not break the spirit. 
Praying and seeking for her family.  Her relationship with God is rich. She prays for them daily if not multiple times a day.  She seeks wisdom and discernment. Blessings and Favor. She brings her family to the throne of Our Lord and continue to knock on our behalf.  If this does not describe you ladies. Trying making a conscience effort to start. And ask Jesus to help you. To bring to mind what you should do differently. To give you the words to speak. The wisdom to know how to handle the situation.

I HAVE seen women that are not this way. They are manipulative, controlling, nag constantly, use verbal games to get what they want out of their families. This is NOT the way God what God intended. And they make excuses as to why their behavior is acceptable. It is NOT acceptable. It is tearing down what should be built up.  There are MANY verses in the Bible that talk this topic here are a few:


Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened ox with hatred. Proverbs 15:17

Better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife. Proverbs 21:9

Better to live in a wilderness
than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. Proverbs 21:19

For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. Corinthians 12:20

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands a foolish one tears hers down.

 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 

but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 

 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 

 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 

 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 

 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 

 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.  1 Timothy 2: 9- 15

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 

 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 

 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2: 3-5

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 

 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 1 Peter 3:1-2

oops.... I used that submit verse. 

Submission is NOT a bad word if you understand it.
We are valuable. We hold the power in our hands to make the lives of our families wonderful. Or needing to spend their adult life in counseling.  We, as women, have a job. YES. The man is held to a higher standard. And you don't need to remind him of such. I heard these wise words from my mentor. 

You do what you are supposed to do. And if he is not you pray more. How? On your knees. And let the mighty arm of God swoop down and touch that man. If you are standing and in the way. Guess who is gonna get hit wih His Arm?  Because you are not doing what you are supposed to. Mind your business. Pray for him. Don't forget you are on the same team. Common Goal. Common ground. He is not your enemy. And who says you are right? Love him. Pray for him. Talk to him not at him. Respect him. You reap what you sow.

Wisest words I had ever heard.  She was doing it. An older Christian woman teaching younger Christian women. Showing and leading as we are supposed to. 

I encourage you Sisters. Mind what you say. How you say it. Ask your self to THINK.

T.H.I.N.K.  

IS IT:


True
Helpful
Inspiring
Necessary
Kind.

taken right out of Ephesians 4:29

We can change the world. It starts with you.

Blessing.

A Righteous Man

Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.

 But not the wicked!
    They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
    Sinners will have no place among the godly.
 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
(Psalms 1)

(of course "Man" or "He" can be replaced by Woman or She)

A Blessed Man

A Follower of Jesus Man

A Integrous Man

A Redeemed Man

Has been feeding off the True Vine and has discernment to see the difference between Godly and ungodly counsel. He is happy, fulfilled and content following the ways of His Shepherd. What makes you happy is important to you. The knowledge has been given to him through prayer and the word. He joyfully walks the road less traveled with his Savior. He thinks on the word , ponders it, dwells on it.  

"As meditation is spiritual practice, so contemplation is spiritual encounter. In meditation, we practice our spirit. In contemplation, we encounter God, awakening within or without, in an unfolding revelation". He is firmly planted by the flowing spring, the Living Water. His roots are deep that makes him strong and stable. His righteousness produces healthy fruit. He is prosperous, he allows God to work all things together for his good. The Lord lead, guides and directs his path. 

A blood donor saved my life.

Matthew 26:28 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses us from all sin."

Revelation 1:5: "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and washed us from our sins in His own blood."

The Jewish people had been sacrificing animals on the altar for 1000's of years. They had different sacrifice for different things that were happening in their lives.

Burnt Offerings:  The most common of sacrifices. Also called "OLAH". Was made with cattle, sheep, goats and even birds. All depending on what the offer could afford. 

Peace Offerings: This had nothing to do with sin. So part was offered on the altar and the other part was consumed by the Offerer and Family to receive 'the Peace'. They also made a vow to one another at this time. 

Sin Offering: This was an act of atonement, purging a sin that was committed. This offering could NOT be eaten. It was completely given to God. And it was called "Chatat".  Only the priest was allowed to touch this offering. 

Guilt Offering: This offering was done to atone for sins of stealing things from the alter. Or breaching or breaking trust with fellow man.  ASHAM. very close to our word SHAME. Would cause the sinner to bring their offering and in turn publicly admitting their sin before the community. 

Food and Drink Offerings: This represented the fruit of the man's labor. It was a 'first fruit' offering of what ever was produced in the field. There was no sin involved in this offering. In common terms this could be similar to a tithe. Giving back to God a portion of what He blessed you with. 

And then God. Sent Jesus. The ultimate sacrifice to free us from bondage and death. He sacrificed himself to reconcile us to God.

Through out the book of Hebrews there are key points that made Jesus the perfect sacrifice. His Deity. His acceptance. His superiority to Moses and Aaron's priesthood. His priestly order of Melchizedek. His eternal priesthood. His sinlessness. His presence at God's right hand, His transcending his sacrifice to heaven NOT just the 'altar' or Holy of Holies. His willingness.  (Hebrews: 1:8-9 2:10 5: 1-9 3:1-6 4:9 9: 11-10:4)

This was not a temporary fix this was an eternal one. Going from Adam until His second coming. Jesus Paid it all. He donated His Blood for our salvation, our redemption.We are emancipated from sin and death. 

Why Blood. WHY!?! Blood is a symbol of life. It IS life. It keeps us alive. It is messy, respected, feared and not taken lightly. If someone is bleeding we stop and look and help. It shows the severity of our sin. And what it costs to be cleansed. We need to know and understand the depraved of it. And cost of it so we will turn from our sinful nature and become like Jesus. 

There is power in His Blood. Power in HIS name. And it is freely given to those who freely accept. 

He paid it all

No Fear

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

God is our protector. Our guard.  And He promises us help in our time of need. He is ever present. Ever ready.  The right hand is a position of honor. Just as Jesus sits at the right hand of God. God grasping our right hand, like a groom taking his bride's right hand to the altar, is held at highest regard. And as He leads you with His right hand. He looks you in the eye, pierces your soul. And says. Do not be afraid. I will help you. I am there for you. 
I AM going to lead you. 
I AM going to protect you. 
I AM greater than the problem.
I AM your God. You are My Child. 
We must have faith in what we can not see. And when we live in fear we are even more clouded. Perfect Love cast out all fear. Fear isn't of God. The evil one wants nothing more than to cloud us in fear. It is a liar. It wants us to focus on the problem and not the solution. So that we become ineffective in our life and the lives of others. There is grace and mercy Child of the Most High. Psalms 46:1 says that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. 
TRUST in the Lord. Lean not on your own understanding. 
Today. Take a moment to grip the right hand of God and walk with Him with out fear. It takes a conscience decision to focus on Him and not the fear. 
Be Blessed. And a blessing to others. 



Fear is a liar. Don't miss this one. Click for worship song.

Food For Your Soul

Let Go

Exodus 14:14

The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. (ESV)

The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. (NLT)

There is one thing for certain. The Lord has made us some pretty
 significant promises. Exodus 14:14 is a powerful verse about
what God will do when we trust him. He will fight for us.
It is in response to us being silent, calm, still, at peace. 
Which can be difficult to do, especially when 
we are in something that requires God to fight for us.
 When we focus on God and allow Him to work 
in might ways in our life it keep us out of the way. It allow 
HIS plan to come into play. Does this mean you lay in bed and do nothing? 
NOPE!
As it says in Micah 6- Do what is right,  Love Mercy and Walk humbly with 
Your God. It is was the Lord requires of us.  
 The KING of the universe fights for you and me. And fights for us in way that we can not even
wrap our head around. 

If God is for you. Who can possibly be against you? 
Take a step back from the situation and allow
 God to work. He WILL keep you in perfect peace if you will focus on Him.
 His goodness. Righteous. Grace. Mercy
. While you are waiting.... think of 1 attribute of God and repeat it. 
Remind yourself of how big HE is. 
And how He has worked in your life. Trust the Lord. He has got your back. 

Worship Song here...

Food For Thought