Mercies of God

What an honor it is to serve God!  Each day is a new day.   Anne of Greene Gables said something like each day is a clean slate with no mistakes.  Lamentations 3:22, 23 says:  "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness."  There is a sweetness to beginning every day with God.  
I confess that I need the mercy of God.  I do not believe that this is a failure.  I am of the race called humans.  I make mistakes.  God knows and understands how we are made.  After all,  God took the dust of the earth, formed man and breathed into him the breath of life.  (See Genesis 2:7)  Psalm 139 reaffirms that God loves me.  He loved me before I was even in my mother's womb.
What is even more exciting is that God loves you.  He has thoughts about you.  In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells Jeremiah, "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."  God is concerned about you and about your future.  God is not just concerned about your beginning and what you are doing now, He is concerned about your entire life.  He gave you the Bible to learn about His ways.  When we learn about God's ways, we begin to make better decisions.  This affects our tomorrows.
Another great thought is to read a chapter of Proverbs every day.   If you are a brand new Christian, you may want to read just a few verses each day and as God to show you what they mean and how you can incorporate them into your life.   It is great to read the Bible cover to cover, but in the beginning you may want to start with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  
Just as a baby starts with milk, new Christians benefit the most by reading the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs.   After a while, you will want more solid food, so to speak, and then you can move on to other books like Galatians and Ephesians.
The most important thing is to ask the Holy Spirit to help you to understand what you are reading.  You may need someone to help you understand.   If you have questions, please feel free to leave a comment and I will do my best to answer.   
Don't get upset if you don't understand everything.   We likely never will while living down here on Earth.  However, as time goes by you will understand more and more.   Don't get down on yourself if you make mistakes.  God knew you (and I) would make mistakes and He still formed us and cares about us.  His thoughts toward us cannot be me counted.  That is so amazing.

Forgetting:  All the mistakes of yesterday and today, all the mistakes before this moment.
Remember:  I (and you) are created by the Creator of the Universe.  When we ask forgiveness He forgives us.  He takes our sins and never remembers it again.   Forgive youself!

Church: Why I Hate Statistics...and Manipulation

Have you even been listening to a speaker and they start spitting out statistics like a copier produces copies?
It is disconcerting when you are listening to someone you trust and they start talking in statistics.   To me, that makes me suspicious of whatever it is they are trying to convey. Generally speaking, people start with the statistics to make their viewpoint look credible. I am a bit different than most churchgoers, but you probably already knew that.
I took a statistics class many years ago. Most of what I learned I have forgotten. One thing has stayed with me throughout the years. Our class was told that one can take any set of statistics and make them support your supposition. Isn't that very interesting. Statistics can be manipulated, just as they can be used to manipulate people. I understand there are reputable firms that do studies and are careful to use statistics wisely. However, when people are trying to influence others, they tend to utilize the tools they have or think they have.
It seems to me that the very ones who are suppose to protect their congregations are instead using manipulation. Unfortunately this happens a lot in the church.   I think most everyone knows when they are being manipulated.   There are times when we don't realize what is happening until it's too late.  Christians must be discerning without being suspicious.  This is something that we can pray and ask God to give us.  He promises that He will not withhold any good thing from us.
I had a situation recently, when I didn't realize what was happening until after the fact.  This person literally attacked, accusing me of something untrue.   Others that were there told me that they know that what the other person said was not true.  Yet I was troubled inside.  It was some time later I realized that the person foisted off on me her opinion.  She did it in such a way, that I knew I did not do what I was accused of, yet I had this huge need to bring clarity to all around me.   This is one way that people can manipulate you. 
Another happened one day when I got drawn into another persons drama.  As a result, I lost time that I couldn't afford to lose.
My suggestion is to ask God for protection and discernment.   And do not believe every statistic you hear.

Church: Part 2

If you haven't read part 1 of this series, I encourage you to do so.
I want to make a few things clear.  I realize and understand that by writing this blog, I will likely encounter persecution and may even lose friends.   However, as the Apostle Paul stated, "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12.    I hear someone gasping.  When you said the 'sinners prayer' to accept Jesus, did you understand that you would suffer persecution?  Perhaps that is not what you thought you signed up for.   Maybe you were told that accepting Jesus as your Saviour you would have a "happy ever after ending".   Maybe you thought God would give you a Rolls Royce and a condo in the Florida Keys?
Let's take a look at some of the disciples of Jesus Christ.  Peter, John and some of the other Apostles were beaten and jailed for spreading the Gospel. (Acts 4).  Afterwards, they prayed that God would grant them even more boldness to preach the Gospel of Christ.   This is a far cry from the gospel preached today that you can accept Christ today and tomorrow have a glorious life without pain.
History tells us that Peter was crucified by the Emperor Nero.  Tradition says that he was crucified upside down as he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ.  James was put to death by Herod Agrippa.  Paul also died as a martyr.   
If you think that martyrs only existed in Bible times, you should visit the Voice of the Martyrs website.  http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx  Christians all over the world are being martyred today.
I believe that persecution is coming to the USA.  It's time to make sure you are right with God.  The God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac.

Forgetting:  The idea that my life will always be a bowl of cherries.

Remembering:  Jesus is the reason for life.  I may end up a martyr for Christ.  I must prepare for the day I meet my Saviour face to face.

Day 9: Goodness of God

Forgetting:  unmet expectations

Remembering:  Much of life is about perspective.   Whose perspective will I use?  My perspective from the "trenches"?   Or will my perspective be from being "seated in heavenly places with Christ?"
When I expect people to meet my needs, my perspective is not correct.   When I ask God for my daily needs, and trust Him, it frees my mind and spirit. 
Regardless of what happens on this earth, God will always be with me.

Update 11/11/17:
I like writing 11/11/17 for some reason.  Anyhow, I remain convinced that God is with me and always will be.  We don't know what's around the next bend, but we can know that God is with us.

Extra, extra

Sometimes when you start out on a journey you don't know what the route looks like.  At times you may go through a place you have never been before.
When I started out on this journey, I didn't realize some of the implications of what I was doing.  One thing I had been doing monthly I will no longer be doing.  This is a ministry I had been involved in for a number of years.  It was very difficult to stop.  However for over a year God was preparing me.
Per prophecies I have received and what I have received from God, I have three main ways God uses me.  These are:  prophecy, prayer and healing.
In my case I believe that God is helping me to unlearn somethings so that I can re-learn kingdom principles.  What makes this hard is that most of my Christian friends probably do not understand.  The fact remains that God works differently with me than others.

Update:  2/3/15
I am happy to report growth and repentance in my life.
I have the release to begin praying again for the ministry mentioned above.
God has done work in my heart.  He has re-ordered priorities, put relationships in correct places in my heart.  It is such a joy to pray for my fellow workers for the gospel.  Also, this means being able to be a helper to a dear friend of mine.  My helping her, I am helping the cause of the gospel of Christ.

Update:  2/7/15
I have yielded to the call of the Holy Spirit, regarding my call to being a watchman.  I know it will be hard, I likely will suffer in many ways.  

Update 11/11/17:
I had no idea how I would suffer.  This journey is hard at times.  My friends and family often do not understand where I am coming from.  They want me to toe the "Christian line".  Change is not easily embraced by "Christianity".  However, the deep, abiding peace of God is worth it all.  When I stand before God, I want to hear him say "Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord."
Unfortunately, I have seen relationships change that I thought would always be there.  I've seen problems where I could not imagine.  BUT it's time for me to rise up and put my faith in the ONE who will not fail me.  That is my everlasting Father, the prince of Peace, and my Lord and Christ Jesus.

Day 3: God's Love

Forgetting:  I am just_________ (fill in the blank.)

Remembering:

I am the apple of the Lords eye

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

I live in the shadow of Almighty God

I am the righteousness of God in Christ

I am seated in heavenly places.

Read Psalm 139

Update 11/11/17:
This is a great reminder.  I'm very glad I'm taking another look at these blogs before I start writing new blogs.  I want to show others my path so that I can hopefully keep someone from being deceived.

Day one: The Tongue

Forgetting this:  thinking that I will always  get into trouble because of my tongue.

So before too long into my day I found that I had done it again.  Opened mouth and I inserted foot.  It seems that many people do this and it doesn't bother them.  

It did bother me.  I want to change.  According to the book of James, taming the tongue is possible.  It's hard but possible. 

Learning:  to tame the tongue.

It seems that in order to succeed, I should be wise in my speech.  I probably would benefit from reading James 3 often.
Another good thought would be to read Proverbs daily.

Future:  reading James has brought up other issues I believe I need to deal with.

Update 11/11/17:
I am still having trouble with the tongue.  I am still hopeful that I will grow closer to God and part of this is taming that tongue.  I do talk a lot less than I did, but it seems like talking gets me into trouble.  I am trying to listen more and talk less.