Category Archives: Jesus Christ

Dusty Furniture

Christ's rest, Grace, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, , , , , , ,

 

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All furniture gets dusty at some point in time.

Do you dust your furniture and then have to turn around the next day and do it again?  Where does all that dust come from?  I go from one piece of furniture to another and I am amazed at the layers of dust I sometimes find.  How can the table I just dusted 15 minutes ago already have some dust on it and require yet another swipe?  Nah.

There was something I noticed though.  We continue to use the furniture even with the layers of dust.  We do not require that it be perfectly clean and dustless before we use it.  We never say, “Stop, don’t sit that drink on the table, it is too dirty and dusty!”  Nor do we comment, “This furniture is worthless now since it is soiled, let’s just throw it out!”  That would be silly!

And there is never, ever a time I say, “The side table should be completely and totally perfect before I will even think of using it.”  If that were the case, my house would be totally void of any furniture.

So, how is dusty furniture spiritual?

This illustration so reminds me of the redeeming love of God.  His grace and how He saves us.  Nothing more, nothing less. 

We may be soiled and layered with dust.  We may be a bit dirty.  We do not have to get all cleaned up before coming to Christ!  We do not have to be perfect to be used by Christ.  He delights in allowing us to be a part of His work all over the world. And if we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and salvation through Him, God sees us dust-free anyway…through grace!

Ephesians 2:8-9 ~”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

There is nothing you have done, or will do that can make him love you any more of any less.  If you have made a mistake in the past, dust yourself off and get up again.  Don’t let the enemy convince you that you are too far gone to ever be used by God.  Don’t be deceived into believing that you are worthless because of your past, all lies.

One of my favorite teachers/authors is Brennan Manning, who passed away April 2013.( http://www.BrennanManning.com) His books spoke to my heart in volumes.  He put it this way:  “The Good News means we can stop lying to ourselves.  The sweet sound of amazing grace saves us from the necessity of self deception.  It keeps us from denying that though Christ was victorious, the battle with lust, greed, and pride still rages within us.  As a sinner who has been redeemed, I can acknowledge that I am often unloving, irritable, angry and resentful with those closest to me.  When I go to church I can leave my white hat at home and admit I failed.  God not only loves me as I am, but also knows me as I am.  Because of this I don’t need to apply spiritual cosmetics to make myself presentable to Him.  I can accept ownership of my poverty and powerlessness and neediness….Our huffing and puffing to impress God, our scrambling for brownie points, our thrashing about trying to fix ourselves while hiding our pettiness and wallowing is guilt are nauseating to God and a flat denial of the gospel of grace.” (Ragumuffin Gospel)

May we understand the Good News, the gospel of grace.  Christ makes us clean, not what we do, but what He has already done.

And why not check out your furniture right this very minute.  If it is dusty, I bet you use it anyway!! 

Blessings dear ones

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*NIV Bible, brennanmanning.com. THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL, google image*

 

Worldwide Club Membership

Christ's rest, Freedom in Christ, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, , , , , , , ,

 

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What Happened??!

I think that I have thought of a problem that is worldwide.  It crosses every line there is to cross.  Disappointment.  True frustration and sadness. Have you ever been disappointed in someone that you thought you could trust?  Have you had someone treat you in a way that you never thought possible?  Have you done your very best, only to be yelled at by your boss?  How about your spouse raising his voice when he found out you forgot to pay the electric bill? Do you try and try to please everyone only to find out that you can’t; they just complain more!!….(Added bonus here…you aren’t supposed to try and please everyone…can’t happen).

If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions…Welcome.  You are now a member of the “International Disappointment Club”. Of course there is no such club, but don’t you feel there should be?  Membership dues are self explanatory!

Disappointment happens to everyone.  People disappoint each other.  It just goes with being human.  A couple of hours ago I was really disappointed by someone.  I have always went over and above the call of duty for this person, only to be hurt.  I cried.  I could have had an everloving fit and really bought in to the flesh pattern that was being exhibited.  But I chose to be quiet.  I was hurt and a bit ticked off!  Once I admitted to the Father that I felt this way…I waved the white flag…and good stuff came out of my mouth…instead of my flesh!!  Then once I quit talking on the phone…I cried. Don’t misunderstand, I don’t think that there is anything wrong with being honest with the person.  And I have done that…later…after I thought about what I would say in a loving way.

We have to make the choice to not allow the enemy to have a foot hold in our lives.  People are people and sometimes make mistakes.  Sometimes that make the same mistakes over and over. Some people will not change.  They choose NOT to change. That’s not my problem.  I can pray, love…but I cannot allow bitterness, anger and hurt to permeate my very soul.  Those feelings can fester and be like a cancer, eating away my joy!

Wait for it……Yep, I will disappoint people myself!!  Eggads, not me!  I don’t deliberately set out to do so, but I do disappoint people.  As one of my dearest friends says..”No expectations, no disappointments.”  I like that.  

The good news is simple.  We are loved by the ONE who will never disappoint or let you down. You might think He is letting you down, but He always has your best in mind.   

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

He is always there, He will never talk behind your back, yell at you for not paying a bill.  He won’t try to make you feel guilty about anything. Jesus will just love you where you are and offer hope to you when there appears to be no hope!

“And hope, does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Romans 5:5

Now I am wondering if we should change the name of the club?  How about the “International HOPE Club”? Sounds cheesy, but I certainly like the sound of it better than the prior!

Be blessed dear ones~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google search image*

Full Armor-New Fashion Trend?

Christ's rest, Freedom in Christ, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Who I am in Christ, , , , , , , , ,

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I am thinking I could start a new fashion trend!

At my age, wearing a full suit of armor might just do me some good. If I fell, I would not break my hip. If my face was dry from all the cold weather, it would protect my skin. If I did not have my clothes laid out already, at least I would have it laying out- or should I say “standing up”?

Thank goodness I don’t have to put on that suit. I doubt in comes in turquoise blue anyway! The truth of the matter is…I already have the suit on! Everyday! As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, He has equipped me to stand against the enemy and all the world throws my way.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:13-15

We know that the righteousness from the breastplate comes from Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. A breastplate actually protected the soldier’s heart and lungs. We have been made “right” before God through Jesus.

The feet of an ancient soldier had to be protected by the rough, rocky terrain. The gospel of peace fitted on us is a reminder of our protection, the grace through Jesus Christ.

A belt held the armor in place, and provided protection often times for the vital organs. The truth of course, is the Bible. If we know the word, the Truth…we can stand against any lie thrown our way!

So, let me continue a bit more on the lies(fiery darts) shot our way and see how the belt of “truth” protects us against these lies!

I cannot do anything, I am worthless…..God has given me the spirit of power…..”For God did not give me the spirit of timidity, but the spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I don’t know how to live the Christian life…..God has given me His love letter in the word for instruction….”All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I am not worthy of His love….It is not anything I do or have done to receive His love….”But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared he saved us through the washing and rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope in eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7

Now comes your part….Check out Hebrews 4:14-16 to find out how you can approach God.
How about Hebrews 13:5-6 about not having to handle life alone and finally Hebrews 13:8 on the never changing character of God and who He is.

If you haven’t put on your armor, and I am not talking about the turquoise suit, put it on. You might just start a fashion trend!

Blessings dear ones~
IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*Google image*
NIV Bible