Friday, May 31, 2013

Alive with Jesus! from "His Kindness Year Round"



As I was reading the Word a couple of months ago before the Resurrection season, I truly began to ponder the thought of dying to sin and living with Christ in me.

The Son became man, died, was resurrected, and before ascending into heaven, He left us with the gift of the Holy Spirit.  I think we fairly well grasp that concept.

At that time, over two months ago, I was resting and praying.  I closed my eyes and tried to visualize physically dying, upon a cross. 

Although alone, in the quiet, with my eyes closed, and no distractions, I still had difficulty at first truly focusing on what I was trying to do.  After many attempts, I was able to take in what I wanted to achieve.

I envisioned myself, hung to a cross.  I wore an over sized off-white gown, made of some gauze like material.  My head hung down.  I slowly looked to the left, and saw huge, dirty nails breaking through my palm.  Then, I began to see blood drip from my hand.

I slowly turned to my right hand, also nailed to the cross.  That hand also began to drip blood. 

Then I looked down at my body, and my feet, which were nailed to the wood.  The blood began to drip . . . . . I could feel the piercings of something sharp on my head, scratching my scalp and face, and blood began to trickle down my face and gown. I tried to sense the agony of pain our Savior suffered.

I hung my head, and wearily cried out to God for help. 

Immediately, I looked again at my body.  There was no blood.  There were no nails in my hands or feet.  My gown was once again clean.  Because Jesus really did die and take upon Himself the agony and acceptance of sin for us, I am clean.  Because He died for my body and spirit, His spirit is in me.

Romans 6:1-14
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His.  For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.  For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.  In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

Humbly, your sister in Him,

Robin

Friday, May 24, 2013

Connecting with the Almighty from "His Kindness Year Round"




The Lord sat me down to write.  I did so, attentive as to what to put on paper . . . . and . . . . nothing.  I didn’t have any idea what I was to write.  Hmmmmm . . . . . .

I prayed.  Ah, ha . . . . then the ideas fused together.  I had a connection with God as to His words. 

In our busy world, it’s sometimes difficult to connect with others for many reasons (or excuses):  time, responsibilities, opportunity, energy, distance, motivation, and numerous other factors. 

As Jesus' followers, we truly don’t have a reason, an excuse, not to connect with Him. He’s always available, 24/7, residing in you.  It only takes a few minutes at a time to stop and speak to Him.  We don’t necessarily have to read an entire chapter of the Bible at one sitting, because often a single verse speaks volumes at the appropriate time. 

He’s available and prepared for us now.  Are we available?  Sometimes instead of doing, we just need to be – be ready and accepting to Him.  Tame the day-to-day obligations and make sure to spend time with the Almighty.  Accept the blessing of His time!

For some, it may be their lack of hunger that keeps them from connecting to the Father.  Oh, my, He is so worth our desire to talk to Him, study His Word, and personal worship with Him!

Matthew 6:9-16 “In this manner, therefore, pray:  Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin




Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Focusing on Him! (still) from "His Kindness Year Round"

Just recently, a song ‘popped’ into my head.  I’m wasn’t listening to music or reading my Bible or praying . . . . but folding laundry. 

It’s an older song written in the early 1920’s by Helen H. Lemmel.


O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

After a bit of research, I discovered Ms. Lemmel based the song on the writings of Lilias Trotter, a talented artist who was apparently wealthy and influential.  Ms. Trotter also had a passion for missions.  After spending two years in prayer, she realized she was to put away her love for art and heed her calling to the mission field, where she was a missionary for almost 40 years. 

Isn’t it amazing what we can discover when we focus on Him, talk to Him, listen and understand Him, and follow His direction!

I trust you take time today to turn your eyes upon Jesus . . . .

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right Hand of the throne of God.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Hear Me, My child . . . . from "His Kindness Year Round"


Almost a decade ago, while I was taking an early morning walk before work, I heard the Lord speak to me.  It was one of those occasions in which I physically looked around to see if someone was verbally talking to me.

No one was out that morning . . . . all was quiet and still in the neighborhood . . . . and as I often do, I was praying while walking . . . . some wonderful time with the Father!  I don't recall what I was saying during that moment of prayer, but I plainly heard from our Father, "Show Me that you care."  I did look around to see if someone was talking to me or having a conversation with someone else.  No one.  Only me.

The comment I clearly heard stunned me.  My reply was, "God, You know I love You.  I thought I was showing You I care."  Again, I only heard, "Show Me that you care."  Gee, I was speechless!  I was not feeling condemnation, but I felt awful that the One I love the most is asking me to show Him I care.  I thought I showed Jesus and His Body my love and care.

I felt confused, knowing our God is not a Father of confusion (but satan is an enemy of confusion).  It was several months later before I realized what God meant.  When you’re asked by Him to give up something you desire, your obedience shows Him you care.  On the early morning walk, He wasn’t referring to anything that I had or had not previously done to show Him I care, but He was telling me in upcoming months and years to come, to remain obedient and steadfast in showing Him my love and care for Him.

I pray I am consistently obedient in showing our Heavenly Father that I care for and love Him deeply, today and always.  As we show the Almighty we care about Him, let's ensure to show others we care about them also. 

John 14:21 “Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them.  And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them.”

Hebrews 11:8 “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance.  He went without knowing where he was going.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Friday, May 3, 2013

Difficult words to say . . . . from "His Kindness Year Round"

Most of us could admit there are certain words or phrases or topics we may feel uneasy talking about.

A very common word that I have felt difficulty in saying for a large part of my adult life:  good bye.

You may be thinking that sounds a bit odd. 

Growing up, I lived my entire life in one city.  I attended the same city school system (hence, same friends) through graduation, and attended the university in the same city.  I continued to live and work, same city, for a dozen years after college graduation.

Then it happened.  I moved!  I was out of the city I'd known and lived in my entire life. Out of my familiar and unto the unfamiliar.  But it was good, and I was extremely excited!  It was an adventure that I enjoyed and am grateful I experienced.  Before the move, I never thought about telling people whom I saw on a routine basis that I would be saying ‘good bye’.  Not forever, of course, but rather than seeing them regularly, the visits would be sporadic, as my routine would change. 

The last week before moving progressed and the farewells were told, I realized saying good bye was something I wasn't use to doing.  I didn't particularly enjoy it.  One may have thought I was going to the moon for the rest of my life!

After several years of the new routine in a beautiful city, on the move again, much further away, to another beautiful city, another great adventure I was also enthused about!  But 'it' happened all over again -- the farewells -- to those in my 'current home city' and in my 'old home city'.  I began to dislike 'that g-bye' word. 

Then another move, back closer to the first two home cities and another memory filled adventure indeed!  God has blessed me so well.

The most difficult good bye of our lives is to someone during an illness or death.  That last hug or ‘I love you’ or good bye.  The reality is the other farewells in our lives are temporary and nothing to angst about.  But some are permanent on earth, until once again we see their faces among the loved ones in Heaven. 

I don't cringe when I hear the word 'good bye' anymore.  In many instances it's still not my favorite word, but I know that for those who are followers of the Most High, it will always only be a temporary departing.  We'll embrace again one day:  either on earth or in heaven!  I certainly hope you're in that permanent group in heaven so all our good byes are temporary.

Joshua 1:9 “I command You; be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord Your God is with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:13 “I am holding you by your right hand; I, the Lord your God.  And I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid.  I am here to help you.’”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin