"Lovest Thou Me?"

I have the opportunity to teach at a Christian school. Each morning, the teachers have a teacher's meeting. Each day our principal reads a passage of scripture. One day last week, the passage was familiar to me, but SUCH a blessing. I want to share it with you. It is John 21:15- 25. But the verse I want to focus on is verse 15b ".... Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs." If you read the passage, Jesus asked Simon a total of three times (which reminded Simon Peter of the three times he denied Jesus) if he loved Him more than 'these'. Each time Simon said yes. Simon was grieved when Jesus asked him these questions because it did remind him of his thrice denial.
Now, I like this passage even though it is hard to read. There are so many things in our life that "come up" that we love. There are people in our lives that we love. Loving/enjoying things and people are not wrong. God wants us to love! However, if we put things above the Lord that is wrong. So, I've been thinking, are there things that I love above the Lord? I mean if Jesus asked me if I love Him what would I say? Well, I would say, "Yes." I do love my Lord. But, do I love him for than 'these'? The word 'these' means different things to different people. Like I said, it could be people, clothes, electronics, etc.
So, here is the question/ thought for today's blog. How is your love life with the Lord? Yes, you may love Him, but do you love Him more than the 'these' in your life?
I'm enclosing words to a song that I love. My mom used to sing this to me when I was a little girl. Every time I read or hear this verse passage, I think of this song.

“Modern times have brought us many comforts, people live in wealth and luxury; but the Master still asks this question, lovest thou Me, lovest thou Me, more than these? Lovest thou Me, more than these, my child, what will your answer be? Very few who will say oh precious Lord I love thee more than all of these, more then wealth, more than fame, more than the world."

So, what is your answer? Just a thought that I've had that is teaching me to 'Learn to Lean on God's Arms."

Promises

On Sunday evening, as I was driving to church I saw a beautiful rainbow. It made me so happy. I mean, honestly, I was smiling and even laughing because I saw a rainbow. It made me immediately think of the promise in the Bible when God put a rainbow in the sky to promise Noah that He would never flood the world again. Every time I see a rainbow I think of that promise God made to Noah and to us.
God gives us many promises in His Word. I once heard the number of promises that are in the Bible, but I have forgotten. But, there are a lot. God gives us these promises to help us and encourage us and, of course, because He loves us. He is truthful and faithful. He keeps His Word all the time.
I've shared in some previous posts about a situation/trial that the Lord has allowed me to be in the past several months. Like I've said previously, I hate this situation! However, I have seen God more through this situation. He has become more real to me. I've drawn closer to Him through this. Drawing closer to the Lord through this situation is the only good thing I can see that has come from this situation in my life. His Word and His promises have become much dearer to me in these times. I want to share with you a few of my favorite promises that God gives to His children (me!).
One verse that I've known for a very long time but has been a blessing to me is: "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3 This verse does not mean that God will answer us the way we want/ask Him to; I've learned that! But, He will show us great things, better things than we can imagine. That is a comfort to me! My God loves me, and even though I don't always understand how He answers me, He has a better plan for me than I imagine. What a blessing!
Another one of my favorite promises is: "... I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5 b That is such a sweet promise! No matter what is going on in life or if you feel alone, God is always there. He will never leave us!! We can make the biggest mistakes in life, but God is still there. How sweet is that!
Another promise that I want to share is "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth." Psalm 145:18 This verse also has a special meaning. The Lord is nigh (close) to His children. Like it says in Hebrews 13:5, God will never leave us. He is close to us. If we call upon Him, He is there. He never is too busy for us. What a comfort! Family and friends are great, but you have to admit, sometimes they are even too busy for us. But, with God, that is not possible! He is never too busy, and He is always close to us. WOW!
Here is on last promise I will share tonight: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5 I love that verse, too. Have you ever felt like you have no idea what to do? I'm sure you have, and so have I. But, God will give us wisdom if we ask Him. I love that! He gives the wisdom we need- just enough, in fact, possibly more than enough-- He gives it to us "liberally."
Well, there are many more promises in God's Word. I just shared a few with you. God gives us much more.
Do you have a favorite promise in God's Word? Do have one that means a lot to you? Please share with us a promise that God has given to you and that you claim.
Remember, God always keeps His Word. What a blessing!!

A Good Reminder for Christians

I didn't write this. I've read it before; however, this week it was forwarded to me again. So, I thought I would share it with you all. It is a good reminder for us Christians--- and a rebuke.

A Christian
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston , Texas . Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.' When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change ..'The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'
'Yes' he replied.'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday..' When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'

Watch your thoughts ; they become words.Watch your words; they become actions.Watch your actions; they become habits.Watch your habits; they become character.Watch your character; it becomes your destiny...

Changes

Change. Change. Change.
The world and life are full of changes. There are good changes, and there are bad changes. A birth of a baby, a beginning of a marriage, a new job/ministry- those are just a few examples of good and happy changes. Death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce and loss of a relationship/friendship are just some examples of bad and sad changes. Of course, people can change, that can either be a good or bad change- depending the change.
Right now, our weather/season is changing. We are saying goodbye to winter and hello to spring-- which I am so happy about. I love waking up in the morning and hearing the birds sing. I love walking outside and not having to wear a big winter coat. So, there is change (I think it is a good one!).
I'm one that is not too comfortable with change. Honestly a lot of changes at once scare me. I mean, I can handle it when it actually arrives. However, the anticipation of change (if change is planned), is what scares me. Of course, sometimes you do not know change is coming. It can be very hard.
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about change. There has been a lot of change in my life in the past year. There have been happy and sad changes. My brother got married this past year-- that is a happy change! I got a sister! I've grown closer to some people regarding our friendships. That has been a good change and a blessing. I've had to deal with a physcial condition, so that has been a bad change, but at the same time, it has been a good change, too (God's diet plan for me!). I've lost a friendship, that is a bad and sad change- one of the biggest ones in my life in this past year. Like I said, I'm not too good with change, even some happy ones. Now, I'm not the most organized person (ask anyone that knows me), but, for some reason, I try to plan my "feelings." I try to prepare myself when changes come. I try to prepare myself/my feelings. A little over five years ago, my father was sick and passed away. When he was sick and close to dying, I tried to "prepare" my feelings. I had to mentally get myself ready for that. I would go through scenarios in my head, and I would decide how I would react when he actually did pass away. I knew that would be a change-- a big, sad change.
Now, changes are hard, both good and bad. Now, I'm not married or have children, but I have friends that are and do. I know when people first get married or when a first child is born, it is a happy but somewhat hard change. There are a lot of adjustments. It is the same thing with bad and hard changes.
Now in my thinking of changes, there is one main thing that doesn't change. There is a constant in my life. God's Word says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8 How comforting is that! When life feels like it is spinning with changes that you may love or may hate, God is the same God as ever. He does not change. The same God who created the world with His voice and calmed the sea just by saying, "Peace be still", is the same God today. He will never change! If He can calm the seas, He can calm our hearts when they feel like they are spinning with changes. We can always count on God. What a blessing! That is another thought that is helping me to learn to lean on God's arms.
How about you? Have you had changes in your life recently? Have you felt like your life is spinning with change-- good or bad? Remember, God is there. He does not change! If you have never accepted the Lord as your personal Savior, the way to get to Heaven hasn't changed either. All you have to do is accept Him. Ask Him to forgive your sin and to come into your heart. If you have any questions about that, please leave me a comment. I would love to show you how you can get saved, so you can be a child of THE FATHER Who doesn't change. He's the only ONE that can give true peace. Remember, He calmed the raging seas-- Mark 4:35- 41, and He can give peace and calm our hearts. What an amazing God!

What Kind of Difference Are We Making?

Earlier this week in my personal devotions, I read one Bible verse that I try to claim. It is Jude 22 "And some having compassion making a difference." Now, I love people. I do! However, I am the type of person, I think, that chooses who I'm going to love. What I mean by that is, shamefully, I love people but not all people--- the right way-- how Christians should. I mean, I care about people, but, truthfully, I'm praying and working-- need to work on-- loving people more. A few weeks ago I was doing a Bible study in the book of I Peter. It talked about how to love. It said we should love: sincerely (not just play act), fervently (intense, limitless), and heartily (with my whole heart). I guess what I meant before about "choosing" the people I love is that I do love people but not always fervently and with my whole heart. I love many people in those ways but not all people. We, Christians, should love all people in those ways.
I've been praying and learning and asking God to help me love as He loves. I've also been asking Him to let me see each person as a soul--- it could be a lost soul.
Now back to what I was saying about Jude 22. I try to claim that verse in my life. We need to love (have compassion), so that we make a difference in lives. We always make differences in people's lives. It just depends on what kind of difference we make. I mean, am I making a good difference in the lives of others? Are people better off knowing me? There has been times, even recently, that I have not made a good difference in the lives of people. There is one in particular that I don't think this person is better off knowing me right now (which breaks my heart!). But, I'm asking God to help me make a good difference in the lives of people.
So, one thing I'm "Learning to Lean on God's Arms" about is to love more. Also for my love to be for all people and to be like the love of God, so that it makes a difference. The difference I want to make is a good difference. Of course, that will be only through God's help.
So, what kind of difference are you making in the lives of people? Are people better off knowing you? I've had these questions on my heart and mind, so I wanted to share and give you something to think about, as well.

Value of Prayer in My Life

During the past ten months of my life, the Lord has allowed a certain situation come into my life. I'm not going to go into details with you about it; it is very personal to me. All I am going to say is that I hate it! It has been a hard situation/trial for me. I've cried a lot about it; that's how painful and real it is to me.
However, the thing I've learned the most about this situation is the value of prayer. I have been blessed to have some very special and wonderful friends. I have shared with a few of my friends about this situation. However, I have learned that one of the best things about being a Christian is that I can talk to God anytime. I am also a first grade teacher. I explain it to my kids that God does not have "closing hours." He is always available for us to talk to. That is a blessing! There have been times that I cannot talk to my friends. But, then I remember what it says in the Bible, "....and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24b That is MY God!
Trials can be, are usually, quite painful. Now, this trial that I have had in my life pales in comparison to some. For that, I am thankful for. However, it has been a hard time for me. One thing I've heard before, and I cannot remember where I heard it from, but I often say is, "What matters to us, matters to God." That saying is and has been such a blessing and encouragement to me. If our God knows and cares about each sparrow that falls to the ground, He cares much more about us.
To be honest, through these ten months or so, I cannot imagine what I would have done if I could not pray. Seriously, there have been times and still are times, that I just need to give this situation to the Lord. He is the only One that can truly change it. He is the only One who I think would actually listen to me in all hours of the night. Another verse that has become so special to me is Psalm 121:4 which says, "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." We have all access to the throne of grace, at all times. Truly, that is so special.
These have just been a few of the things I have learned through this situation. These are just some ways on how I am "Learning to Lean on God's Arms."