SHOPPIN' FOR RELIGION?

Today's title is inspired by a local real estate office's reader board.. On one side it speaks of a property with 'Peek-a-Boo' views and the other side speaks of one with a 'mother-in-law' unit included.. The 'peek-a-boo' really made me giggle the first time I read it... Now, where am I going with this train of thought... WELL, I'm just beginning to wonder how many individuals have 'shopping lists' when they begin to search for that elusive 'whatever is missing inside of me..' Often, as one is realizing the need for help from that 'higher power,' (or whatever!) they dread the prospect of walking through the door of 'just any old church,' etc.. They have preconceived fears, prejudices, and other hesitations.. Many probably think they'll have to ''give up" the 'good times and all included in them.' So we, as the Lord's children, have the responsibility to represent the desirability of a personal relationship to the LORD, as the true answer for the emptiness mankind experiences at some point in life. I am wondering which 'features' of my love for the LORD might attract a seeker to Him, were they to be displayed in a 'reader board format.' Peacefulness, joyfulness, and hopefulness are just 3 of the ones I'd hope would be 'advertised.'
I am going to switch 'trains' at this point to simply affirm what most of us know if we are already the LORD's--- We are NOT 'RELIGIOUS,' but are ones who live in a deepening personal relationship to HIM!-THE KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS! Those who are seeking a 'religion' to satisfy them or to provide a sense of 'purpose for living,' will only be perpetually empty inside.. For, it is only the LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF- THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, that can abort the 'shopping for a good religion' trip!!

WHOSE TURN TO TURN?

As I considered the possible uses of this morning's time slot for my 'study/writing/quiet' time, I realized I needed to concentrate on the gist of this message.... One of my family members is my inspiration since they have acquired an affectionate nickname of 'Wrong-way_____.' For, it seems this individual is 'directionally impaired,' especially when it comes to learning their way around this area we live in.... So, each time they realize they are headed the wrong direction, they must decide to 'swallow their pride,' then, turn around!! Well.... That is just about like any/all of us who find ourselves needing to relinquish our 'rights' to any bad habits or indulgences so we may truly turn to our Lord for his strength and direction in our lives.. Recently, I have adopted this phrase... "To turn, is to return.." For me, it means realizing my dependence upon our LORD so I can live the truth of the first song I heard on my Morning Devotions radio show on KCIS AM630 today..The song was, STRENGTH WILL RISE AS WE WAIT UPON THE LORD. Now, 3 or 4 songs later, I've turned up the radio volume to "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH."
I don't know about any of you readers 'out there,' but I am not one who makes New Year's resolutions. I do realize though when I need to intentionally turn from my sinful indulgences so I can glorify my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST daily.. For, when I do, the JOY He fills me with is beyond description! Strength to resist temptations comes from swallowing my pride instead of all that I consider to be so 'desirable.' Blessings to all who read this! Which scripture verses can you think of to support your desires to glorify the Lord??

THINKIN' 'INSIDE THE BOX'

Nowadays, the common phrase is, "THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX"- YET, as I sit in our warm, lovingly Christmas decorated living room, I see all the newly wrapped gifts around our tree. This makes me wonder.. Would anyone EVER NOT open one that has their name on it? If they did refuse to do so, could it possibly be they feared it would be empty, thus they'd be extremely hurt, disappointed, and/or humiliated? IF 'human nature' is as strong as I know it to be, we can rest assured most anyone would 'shelve' those fears so they could get to what is intended for them...
SO, WHAT IS the REASON FOR SO MANY OF US HUMAN BEINGS NOT being willing to open THE ULTIMATE GIFT who is THE REASON for the SEASON? I'm thinking, "What happens if I pray to invite the Lord into my life, and He's NOT REALLY THERE?" may be a primary cause.. Even more than pride, I am convinced that fear of possible disappointment if God is not truly 'there,' and willing become involved with me personally, keeps many from even opening their present of eternal life and the true PEACE, HOPE, AND JOY contained within a relationship to the LORD. Thus, my message to any who read this is simply, GOD IS THERE and HE IS FOR YOU TO KNOW PERSONALLY- PLEASE, DO open your heart and soul to HIM since HE took human form over 2,000 years ago, then sacrificed his life so the wages of your sin are paid, thus reconciling you to HIM forever!
LAY aside the lie of PRIDE which says, "I can do it myself!" Truth is, you can't provide eternal security for yourself or provide the relief found only through the mercy and grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.. HE IS SO WONDROUSLY FAITHFUL-- Let HIM show you just how much!!! HE TREASURES you and DESIRES your fellowship with HIM directly... 'Blessed wishes' to all who read this!

OUR PRESENTS or HIS PRESENCE?

SIMPLY PUT, MY THOUGHTS TODAY ARE ASKING WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT? The title says it all.... MY SOUL YEARNS FOR MORE OF THE LORD'S PRESENCE TO BE RESPONDED TO BY ME... HE'S TRULY, ALWAYS HERE WITH, AND IN, ME.. SOMEHOW, THE gifts under the tree have lost most all of their appeal.... (except for the joy of allowing others the pleasure of giving... Hey! That's like our Lord's joy in giving!!)
Basically though, the gifts I pray for anyone reading this are TRUE PEACE, HOPE, and JOY resulting from receiving the LORD'S mercy, grace, and righteousness-- only possible through THE ULTIMATE GIFT! This, of course, is the arrival of the LORD of ALL in human form, followed by the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE of HIS life so we could receive full and true LIFE!!! JESUS did say, 'I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE!' I trust YOU will all rejoice in the PRESENCE of our LORD this year and forever!!

ETERNAL LIFE BEGINS ON EARTH!

AS I SIT HERE EARLY THIS MORNING, MY SOUL CRIES OUT TO HELP ANY WHO MAY READ THIS REALIZE HOW TRUE LIFE IS MEANT TO BE EXPERIENCED DAILY WHILE WE ARE STILL ON EARTH, AS WELL AS AFTER OUR BODIES EXPIRE... JESUS CAME TO GIVE 'LIFE ABUNDANT,' AND TOLD US HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE! ANYONE WHO CHOOSES TO FOLLOW HIM, YIELDING THEIR WELFARE TO HIS CARE, WILL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE TRUE PEACE, HOPE, JOY, PURPOSE , AND SO MUCH MORE, FOR HE IS FAITHFUL IN HIS MERCY, GRACE, AND FORGIVENESS. HE DESIRES TRUE COMMUNION AND FELLOWSHIP WITH US SO HE LIVES WITHIN THOSE WHO WILL WELCOME HIM INTO THEIR HEARTS (SOULS- minds, emotions, and wills).... HAVE YOU DONE SO? IF NOT, WHY NOT? ETERNAL LIFE (the security of knowing you can/do live in a right relationship to the LORD ALMIGHTY) is for you NOW and FOREVER! JUST PRAY, 'THANK YOU JESUS FOR DYING FOR MY SINS SO I CAN BE RECONCILED TO YOU, MY LORD, AND LEARN TO GROW IN YOUR LOVE and LIFE, FOR AND THROUGH ME! I WELCOME YOU NOW! IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN! BY THE WAY, passages from the Gospel of JOHN, chapters 8 and 10 are referred to in this message... Truths from several other scriptures are also here... If you'd like to, read the Gospel of JOHN, especially the mentioned chapters along with chapter 3! Let the Word of God speak more directly to you!

I WONDERED, 'JUST WHAT IS A MUMMER?'

As I found myself with some time I COULD use to write a new post, I noticed something which distracted me.... Seeing the term, Mummer, I realized I didn't quite know what it meant! I guess since I lived all of my childhood and early adult years in southern California, my affections on New Year's Day go to the Rose Parade.. My husband's birth in Philadelphia left NO attachment to the Mummer's culture whatsoever! Well, for those like me who don't know, Mummers are members of clubs in the Philadelphia area who spend all their year preparing for a lavish parade... They devote themselves to 'eating, drinking, and sleeping' this Mummer culture. It seems many individuals derive their purpose for/satisfaction in life from their identities being based on being a member of a Mummer organization.. (There is much more than 'just the parade' to focus on when one is a member.) Well, none of this surprises me because we all know we need to have a purpose for living...(or, as a co-producer of the movie, AMAZING GRACE said, 'a purpose in life that is worth dying for.') My reaction to a Mummer's passion for their involvement is, "That's nice but, then again, it could be a 'Bummer' to be a Mummer since you can't 'take it with you' when your body expires."
Now, just WHAT can we live, and even die for, that can be taken 'with us' when we no longer exist on Earth? As a Christian author of this blog, I get to introduce you to the promise of purpose through an eternal relationship to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY who desires to call you "Friend." Living in a personal, deepening companionship with my Lord, gives me plenty of purpose as I grow in my desire to please and delight in HIM! (This is all made possible by the shed blood of my LORD JESUS CHRIST who loved me enough to take my sins, and the resulting alienation from my LORD upon himself at Calvary, so I CAN have this individual access to the LORD all the time!) I am reminded of a statement of beliefs of a certain 'flavor' of Christianity, which states, 'THE CHIEF PURPOSE OF MANKIND IS TO GLORIFY AND TO ENJOY THE LORD GOD.' Take note of "Friend" in this message... Can you begin to 'wrap your mind around the fact that the ALMIGHTY ONE wants YOU to know HIM as a FRIEND? - THE ULTIMATE FRIEND, if you ask me! He created us with his hands, then breathed his breath into us.. (We were not just spoken into being as all else was!) The giving of his breath was the establishment of mankind as spiritual beings who are intended for communion and fellowship with HIM! Well, I could go 'on and on,' waxing eloquently as my husband has infected me with the ability to do, but I'll close with this thought.... Can you imagine what your life is meant to be like as one who delights in ENJOYING GOD, and subsequently, GLORIFIES HIM? Some of you 'out there' already KNOW that it's not a matter of simply imagining, but can be reality for us! Dear reader, if you don't enjoy God, call 1-888-NEED HIM so someone can share more with you... Blessings from above are headed your way!

BLESSED or, A BLESSING?

AS this Christmas season is fast approaching, may we remember to do as the stickers on the rear window of my car say... "AMERICA, BLESS GOD.." It is all too easy to be swept away in all the doings and demands (hopes/expectation imposed upon us by ourselves or others), while not taking time to truly BLESS our LORD.. Consider HOW you feel when someone tells you that you are a blessing to them? (refreshed, sort of 'tingly?', or encouraged?) WELL, have you given much thought to how our LORD welcomes our thankfulness, obedience, trust, and 'SO MUCH MORE?' Of course, this coming week holds the set-aside day for us USA citizens to pause and say 'THANK YOU' to HIM officially but, can't we do any better than that? How about daily seeking new ways to 'Bless the LORD, O my soul.' (as my last post spoke of..) The well loved hymn says a lot... "TRUST and OBEY, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey..." I don't know about you, but I am truly HAPPY when I know I am walking in ways which BLESS my LORD. I am light-hearted and, as a result, I trust the HIS light shines brightly through my eyes and countenance.. I'd encourage each of us to 'tune in' to opportunities to BLESS the LORD more often each day... May the LORD bless and keep you as you do..... Until next post, Sheila