Category Archives: faith

Continue to work on it

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

Approximately  18 years ago we purchased the property where we are now living.   At first it was just a piece of land.  In time, our home was built, then an extension.  Next came some upgrades  like our  BBQ area.    We now find ourselves building an office/meeting room.

As I began to meditate on the progress we have made, I realize it has not been easy nor has it been fast.  It has taken work.  We have saved money, worked extra,  gone without, prayed,  and many things on and around our home/property have been built ourselves.

Did you know that walking with the Lord is just about the same? When we purchased our piece of land, there was nothing on it except  a few fruit trees. When you begin walking out your faith, there will be many things that you will not have spiritually speaking, but in time you will have them.

The beginning years of my Christian walk, I always admired and looked up to those that could pray eloquently,  knew the scriptures well and  flowed in spiritual gifts.  My land at the time had only a few fruit trees, nothing more.

In time I began to develop my land.  The spiritual gifts began to flourish, I grew in  confidence, boldness, and yes, I could pray like those I looked up to in times past. There were also instances where I had to remove things that were not needed nor beneficial to me.

Am I done? Not by a long shot. Just as  our home  continues to undergo changes, upgrades and cleaning,  so does my spiritual house.

Are you just starting your walk in the Lord? Have hope, because the Lord  wants to develop your land with spiritual gifts, boldness, courage, love, faith, hope, grace and eloquence.   He wants to give you additions and upgrades.

There is just one thing we need to do, and that is to work on it and ask for the gifts you desire to flow in by faith, and He will meet your every need.

May you be richly blessed as you develop your land.

The Real World

Luke 10:2  Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Yesterday I had to run some errands, and since I am without a car I had to resort  to using the bus and taxi service.  It has been some time since I have used public transportation, and this experience turned out to be an eye opener.

In using this service,  I found a group of people who are happy, talkative, helpful and grumpy.   I enjoyed talking to ladies that are  mothers, grandmothers and a few gentlemen complaining about the high price of food.

In coming back home at the last bus stop, a lady began telling me her woes as a domestic maid, sending her small salary back home to Nicaragua to help care for her aging father, and her desire to be with him in his last days.

ENCOURAGE
I had my chance.  I encouraged  her in the Lord and  let her know that her sacrifice will not go unnoticed.  She responded well, and we instantly became  friends, even if it were for a few short  minutes.

I realized that the harvest is ripe and had to think;   Who am I reaching in the real world?  Do I just minister to those that know the Lord, or am I active in bringing people into his Kingdom?

While I am not an evangelist, a few short words of encouragement can bring hope and comfort to the hurting and lost, and maybe into His kingdom.

I do know this.  I will continue to look for opportunities to share faith, hope and love, while using the public transport system and when I am not.

May you be richly blessed this day.

Do you Believe?

Mar 9:23  Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Mar 11:23  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Whatever mountain is standing in your way believe that it is removed. For it to be removed you must first say, in other words speak out your declarations.  That does not include saying it in your mind, but saying it out loud.  In doing so you will find your faith rising up and soon that mountain will be cast into the sea, forever forgotten.

Geologist Top Ten

Many of you know that my husband is a geologist.  A career that he is passionate about, especially when it comes to God’s creation.

I recently asked him what were the top ten things every geologist needs, and here is the list he gave me.

  1. Rock hammer
  2. Map
  3. Compass
  4. G.P.S
  5. Rite in the rain- (books that you can write in while it’s raining)
  6. Day pack – granola bars, snacks, etc..
  7. boots,  preferably snake proof
  8. vest
  9. water bottle
  10. Knife, or in his case a sharp machete

As he gave me this list, I saw the similarities that we need as believers.  Here is what I found:

  1. Jesus is our Rock
  2. Jesus has our life mapped out
  3. He will guide us while on our map
  4. G.P.S.  – we will know if we are in His perfect will
  5. Journal- we should spend time journaling with the Lord, under any circumstance, even when it’s raining on our life!
  6. Be nourished with the word of God
  7. Our feet our shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace and we trample on serpents and scorpions
  8. Breastplate of righteousness
  9. Be filled with the spirit
  10. We have the sword of the spirit

When my husband is packing for field work, he does not need to make a list of the things he needs, it comes natural to him.

It’s the same for me.  When I have my quiet time with the Lord, I don’t need a list of things needed, it comes natural!  I have my  Bible, notepad and music handy, and then I retreat to a quiet place to hear His voice.

What things do you use when coming to the Lord?  Perhaps we can add to the list and learn from each other.

May you be richly blessed this day.

Ask, seek and knock

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Last year my car “gave up the ghost” so to speak,  well almost. My car was an older model, and with older cars there are always repairs. Tired of spending money to have it fixed, I told my husband that we are no longer putting in the shop, but  it was time to get a new car.

To be honest, I am growing weary of not having my own transportation. I have been using my husbands truck to do my errands, but  I prefer a smaller car to get around.  It hasn’t been  all that bad since I do work out of the home.

Last night in reading the above scripture, I had to pause. We have been car shopping for a new vehicle, and we finally picked one out. Now all we need is the money to purchase it.

ASK -SEEK -KNOCK

As I read the verse, the words ask, seek and  knock  stood out to me.

We have asked the Lord for a new car, we have shopped at our local  car dealers  finding the vehicle that is  just right.  Last night in my Bible reading and prayer time, I found myself knocking on the door  telling the Lord that we are ready to have our new car.

Will it work? Is this a right principle?

So many times we want something out of life  but  have no plan or direction on HOW to get there.

I grew up not being encouraged to dream or to aspire to much.  It was not until the Lord changed my mindset that I now aspire and desire for better things in life and from myself.

I have discovered that with a new mindset, many things have changed. I no longer settle for less, but desire to be the best  and improve at what I do.   No longer do I expect the crumbs from the table. If so, then it’s time to knock on the door.

May you be richly blessed this day!

Note:  I have been in an intensive ministry training course which is why I did not post last month.  I’m still in the course, but am taking a small break.

Mary knew her Son

John 2:3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

Have you raised your son or daughter in church, with prayers and setting the example of a Christian life?  When you child reached that certain age, did they go off into the world?

If so, I am sure you feel helpless.  Many things can go through your mind, the main one guilt and condemnation, which comes from the enemy.

Mary knew who her Son was.  Here she is telling Jesus that the wedding party had run out of wine.   Mary knew what He was capable of doing.  She knew her son was the Son of God.  Luke 1:35

When she mentions they have no wine, Jesus replied that his hour has not yet come.  But  if you continue reading, almost immediately Jesus turned the water into wine and  performed his first miracle.

So what happened? 

FAITH

It was Mary’s faith in her Son that caused the first miracle to occur in the Bible.

Guess what, you  know who your son or daughter is too.  We have a scriptural promise in Proverbs 22: 6 which says: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Has the Lord given you a glimpse of what your child’s life will be like when they walk His path? If so, use that in your prayer time.  Remind the Lord and the enemy the call of God upon your child’s life.  Declare that they are redeemed and purchased with the blood of the lamb, and bound to the Kingdom of Heaven. 

What am I saying? 

FIGHT!

Your child  may taste the world, but eventually they will grow tired of it and return to their first love.  I have heard many a testimony of parents that never stop praying for their children, and rejoice when they renew their committment with the Lord.

With God, there is no age limit!

But what if your child has not been raised in the church?  Pray, and believe that they will come to know Jesus, and don’t stop praying.  The Lord will honor your prayer, and it is His desire that all come to know Him.

Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Believe in Jesus, believe in His Son, and see your miracle come to pass.

May you be richly blessed this day.

Serving the Lord

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

In my prayer time to the Lord, I was thanking Him for his abundant blessings, love, and how He continually provides and cares for us, even when times are rough.   I then asked the Lord a question.

“How can I serve you Lord, you have done so much for us?”

That  still small voice replies “By pouring out to others you serve Me.  By sharing my grace, my goodness, my love and compassion to a hurting world. Heal the brokenhearted, hold nothing back.  My anointing rest upon you, and my glory rest upon you.”

What a wonderful response from the Lord.  When the Lord laid his life on the cross, it was a selfish act of giving His all to us, even to those that would reject him.  Even to this day, His Name is the only name that we can call  to help us in times of trouble. 

I know that this word does not only apply to me, but to all that serve and Love the Lord.  Even to this day, He gives.

May we do the same, and give what He has poured into us.  the more we give out, the more He pours in.  In doing so, we  give others hope that can only come in the name of Jesus. 

May you be richly blessed this day.