EPHESIANS 4:14-15

bWe are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him...

God does not want us to remain spiritually immature...I have met few women over the years who were not (at least at one point or another), concerned about the fact that they were growing older. I have seen some women obsess over it to ridiculous proportions. Things begin to droop and sag, and wrinkles inevitably appear and they become almost frantic as they fight the aging process, having surgery after surgery and spending whatever amount of money they think might be necessary...But each season in life has so much to offer. Life truly becomes richer the more mature we become. We need to be just as anxious in our Christian walks not to remain like babes and little children, but to wean ourselves from spiritual milk and soft food, and to grow into a mature relationship with Him. We will never grow into the mature Christians we long (or should long) to be by being "Sunday Christians".. It takes diligent study of the Scriptures to become the meat-eaters of God's Word that a mature Christian ought to be. We must also be workers. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman...accurately handling the word of truth." We must roll up our sleeves and do the work ourselves instead of expecting our pastors or teachers to do it all for us. If we do not know the scriptures well for ourselves, it is easy to be lead astray by the false teachers and doctrine which abound today.

MATTHEW 17:20

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say this to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you...

There is nothing in this life too large for God...No problem so complex, no energy so strong or force so overwhelming that it can't be controlled by Almighty God. If we don't truly believe our prayers will be effectual, then they won't be...It's just that simple, and yet that profound. Webster describes the word faith as "unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence, unquestioning belief in God, a religion or a system of religious beliefs, anything believed, complete trust, confidence or reliance." Hebrews 11:1 tells us that "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." A few verses later it tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God...

What does all this mean? To me it means I must live my life in complete dependence and faith in a mighty God who can do anything at all. No matter how large, or even no matter how small. I must move forward in confidence KNOWING that my very life is in His hands and He will care for me. I simply must BELIEVE, ask and then trust. The faith that we must have is a faith that has more to do with what kind of faith it is than with how much faith there is. A small amount of faith - as much as a mustard seed (a very small seed) - can accomplish great things, if that small amount of faith is placed in a great and mighty God.

Looking back over all of my yesterdays, I remember so many times how scripture has gotten me through the storms of life...Every difficult physical, mental, financial, and spiritual time I have experienced, He was always right there to see me through. Sometimes it took me longer than others to remember that fact and look for Him and ask for what I needed. But when I finally did, He was there. The enemy ALWAYS tries to blind us to God's truths. But with faith, we know we are never alone. In Christ, we have everything we need to be victorious in the battles of life....

Ask, and it shall be given to you...

SPIRIT OF LOVELINESS MARK 4:19

The worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful...

I think unfortunately for me, this particular verse is one I have struggled with many times over the course of my life. How many times have I been discontented with for instance my living situation? Thinking to myself, we need a bigger house, better furniture, new carpet, fresh paint, or my latest "need" new dishes?? How many times have I robbed myself of joy and a closer walk with the Lord because I was focused on something I felt was so important? Or, how many times have I struggled and pressed and whined to my husband until I finally found a way to purchase what is was that was so necessary in my mind, only to get it and realize I STILL needed something else? Riches, no matter how minor, can be VERY deceitful...

I have always wanted to be a woman who welcomed people into my home with a welcoming heart where they might be able to feel that they were important and where they could relax and enjoy their time spent there. Where they could experience a spirit of loveliness and see my personality reflected in the decor and find rest for their souls...I've learned the hard way over the years that this isn't accomplished with the "perfect" home with beautiful furniture, the latest decorating trends, and everything forever in it's place, which often times left me too stressed and tired to even enjoy my company. But rather with a mind that was focused on Him, and His Word, and a heart full of love for those who enter...

Wilfred T. Grenfell said:

Real joy comes not from ease or riches
or from the praise of men, but from doing
something worthwhile...

So I will spend more time reading the Word, and relax and enjoy those around me, and reflect on the goodness of life....

1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God...

I love this verse...It was one of the first all of my kids memorized, and has been put to song, so every time I read this verse, or hear it in any way, the song floats through my mind and memory and makes me smile.

The Scriptures are quite clear that God IS love, and so when we don't love we can't know God intimately. There has been many times in my life where I have known someone for just a short while and yet discovered that they were a "kindred spirit".. Why? Because this person radiates the love of God. God's light truly shines through them...How sad it seems to me that there are so many people in this world who do not know of this love from God...how many people who feel truly alone and don't have the support and love of a good spouse or family...how many people whose lives are meaningless, desperate and empty? How grateful I am for the people in my life who love me, and for a God that loves us all with an unconditional and everlasting love.

As a young girl growing up the words "I love you" were not ones I remember hearing almost ever at all. I don't think it was because I wasn't loved, just that it was never actually said. My relationship with my father was a difficult one, and I seldom "felt" much love from him either. So for me, saying those three sweet words have always been somewhat difficult. Looking back now I regret that I didn't say these words more often to all of my children, husband and loved ones over the years. It certainly wasn't because I didn't feel it for them, as my heart overflowed many times with an overwhelming abundance of love. But dwelling on it now, I feel it is important that these words are said OFTEN to all of our loved ones. People who know they are loved have a cheerier outlook on life. There is a sparkle in their eyes, and they can look you in the eye with a face that reflects confidence. This inner peace will radiate in all of their relationships. It is most difficult to not like someone who says that they love you. In fact, it is almost impossible to do so. So for all of those who know me GET READY you will be hearing these words A LOT from me....

MATTHEW 11:28 - 30

Come to Me, all you who are who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light....

In these verses Jesus is telling us to come to Him if we are carrying heavy loads of cares and worries of this world...and He will give us rest...I've heard it taught that in the days of Jesus when men were teaching young oxen to work, they would hook up their yokes to an older, experienced ox, and he would do most of the work and pull and lead the other ox along teaching him the ropes...I think this is the example Jesus is referring to here when He tells us to take His yoke and He will guide and teach us...we are to learn from Him...Jesus describes His nature when He tells us He is gentle and lowly of heart. It is His servants heart that He displays throughout His ministry, which qualifies Him to be the one who bears our burdens...He tells us we will find rest for our souls when we do this. And then He tell us, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light...Jesus gives rest to all who belong and submit to Him...With Him we have not only a Savior, but a burden bearer. He will never give us a load to heavy to carry, for He WILL carry it for us....

In the troubled times we live in today, with the crumbling economy, and crime rampant and world wide chaos a fact of life, many people find themselves overloaded with troubles and worries and unrest...drug abuse is out of control as desperate people search for ways to cope....Belonging to a loving Savior, and an Almighty God Who is capable and willing to carry these troubles for us, is the ONLY answer...and if all of us who belong to Him could only remember and lean on this fact, how much easier it would all be when we find ourselves in overwhelming circumstances...His yoke is easy, and His burden is light....

2 CORINTHIANS 5:9

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him...

There are some opportunities for pleasing God that we will only have while present in these bodies here on earth. When we get to heaven, there will no longer be the need for faith, no more need for endurance through trials, no more need for courage and boldness in telling others about Jesus. But now, while we are present in these bodies, it is our only opportunity in all eternity to please God in these areas.

I wonder sometimes if I am truly pleasing Him with my life in all I not only do, but what I think?? If Jesus is truly our Savior and our Lord, then the deepest desires of our hearts will be to serve and please Him...and that desire will be expressed in a longing for holiness and a pattern of righteous living...It won't be caught up in trying to please everyone else around me. I have certainly learned over the years that it never quite happens anyway...Pleasing God must be our goal...

My heart DOES long to please Him, and to do what is right. How often I fail is not what matters most to Him. How grateful I am for that...He alone knows my heart and my desire...