Sunday, January 31, 2010

Hey There,... Your Heart Is showing....

What is the difference between being obedient to customs(traditions) and being faithful to do what God has commanded ?

This was the beginning questions of the study I am doing. I said "Heart Attitude"..Which I think is pretty good and correct ....AS I read what Mary and Joseph did after Jesus was born... the customs that they did were typical of devout Jewish parents.. but they were anything BUT typical Jewish parents!!

The 3 Rites:
1-Circumcision
2-Redemption
3-Purification

I would love to type all that God spoke to me in this study but I will give ya the readers digest versions..(Hopefully)

In circumcision- it was God's way of requiring the Jewish people to become Physically different because of their relationship to Him....Thankfully because of Jesus.. I have been spiritually circumcision.. there should be proof I am a different person....I have had to ask God for forgiveness, in my trying to be so "Relevant", I have sinned against Him.

In redemption- They presented Jesus to the Lord.. this symbolized act of giving him up by saying 'He is yours,we give him back to You"' which I kind of smiled at cause here is God coming down to earth and they are giving himself back to himself..Humm?? Reminds me when I had my kids dedicated to the Lord.. I truly pray for each of them and God gave me all three.. and I gave them back to him and boy it hasn't been easy at times wondering what is going to happen to them...and wondering if He gave them to the right parents.. I am thankful God's redemption doesn't wonder, doubt or waver.. We all needed redeeming and Jesus filled that and I am Redeemed...

In Purification--Parents would offer up a sacrifice.. which I learned this week, that Mary and Joseph offered up the least sacrifice permitted by Jewish law for Purification...They offered up the poverty version of the sacrifice....WOW!!! This hit me on so many levels... Like:God choose the poor cause He knew we are the poor in soul and could not offer Anything for our purification.. in comparison..there is no comparison..we have nothing!!!!how fitting that they held in their arms the greatest sacrifice a Holy God could make for their eternal purification...Also.. God spoke to me about how proud I could and have been by what I had offered up.. the years of service to the Lord.. trying to be good and do the right thing.. Falling down and getting back up, the roller coaster life, teaching the Bible...praying...shining my light for Him.. when in comparison.. I had nothing but rags... Yet, God in His goodness knew and Still, He came, For me!!(Titus 2:14)

One last thing.. I wondered what all the religious people thought of their sacrifice...."MY goodness ,look at this, Do they think God will honor this?, or "They are giving the least amount?"...That is Not a sacrifice?..."Do they know how that looks".. They are not right,God would not be using them., if they were right with him,, he would provided a better place and offering?" ......Oh, I haven't said those words exactly but I have said things with the same attitude about what others have offered up to Him in my church ...
God has said to Obey is better than sacrifice....He knows our sacrifice is NOTHING compared to his righteousness...What is your heart showing? Let the redeem of the Lord say so.....

Monday, January 25, 2010

The SuperBowl of Your Life !!

I like football even though I could not explain it to you cause I do not understand all the rules.. Just when I think I might get it.. it seems like they change it ..This Super Bowl coming up is going to be good but I am sad cause my team..Dallas Cowboys! did not make it.. they had a hard time this season, They always seem to pull through but were never consistent with their games.. I even tried to help them from My Couch but ALL of my yelling could NOT help those players , coaches and not even the refs!!!!

As I was thinking about the Super Bowl.. I was thinking of how two of the best rivals come together BUT only One will Win..

Well , I have seen Satan fighting against God. 1 Peter 5:8- ..Your enemy the devil prowls around....looking for someone to devour...). His offense strategy to Oppose God by casting doubts and discourage (2 Cor.12;7).. to deceive both believers and non believers...2 Cor.4:4.. he also Plants evil thoughts ...

We know that defense wins the game..But What is our defense against Satan?..I must admit, I am like the Cowboys,I win some and lose some ... Because 2 Cor.2:11 -.. that Satan will not outwit us..For we are NOT Unaware of His schemes." Even knowing the other teams plays... I have acted like....How did that happen? How did I get here and do that? Why do I keep struggling with the same thing over and over??

God has given us...The strategy:

Ephes.6:11-18- Put on the "Whole of Armor of God"
vs.17- word of God
vs.16- shield of faith
vs-17a- helmet of salvation
vs.18- Prayer-And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of Prayers and request.. With this in mind,be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Strength for the battle comes only through Lord.... Ephes 6:10 "Finally,be strong in the Lord and in his mighty Power."
.. So while I sit herein my locker room, I Look over the game plan ,which defensive measure do I need to practice, to overcome the attack ? James 4:7 -"Submit yourselves then, to God.Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

It is Time... .. Got Your Armor on? Dress for Success!!!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

From Youthful to Useful

Below is a post form a day I did with the swag on the life of David.. I am re posting it cause God had me read it this morning to remind me,AGAIN!!!...

Monday, September 7, 2009
Day 2 From Youthful to Useful

In day one,The Lord ask Samuel How long will you mourn for Saul? This really spoke to me, he ask me, how long you going to mourn,Lisa ? All the could haves, should haves and even the wish I didn't haves.. I even mourn the good ole days or past success.. what that it?I am a whiner to God I usually say,But God...., So it was refreshing to see this man of God whining over the fact that his plan did not work out, what he thought should have happen, didn't! I love God, He always knows what to say.. How long?, I know in my life I have mourned over something for years .I know, it smells really bad by now! So as I do this study, I lay it all down and ask God to renew me and Change my heart to a heart like His~! To stop Mourning and to find that special place He has in His heart for me.

Day 2- In a world where looking younger is all the crave, and we spend lots of money on it,especially for Women! Then as when we look at this younger generation and think to ourselves, They are our future. OH ,LORD,Help US! Do you see what they are wearing? what music they listen too? They are not committed or discipline.... How could this be? That might be what Samuel and David's family was thinking as they waited for Him to come in from the field. Thinking, how can He be useful, He is too young and has no experience, all he does is watch Sheep all day!! I love it, God choose David, but on the surface it made, NO sense at all, He wasn't the oldest, he wasn't the strongest, he wasn't the one with the most experience. So how could this be? It was a God thing! God choose David and took Him from tending sheep to shepherding His people. Ps.78:70-72.
Guess what? He choose You and I. In Is.44:2:10- says He formed you in your mother's womb. We are heaven's custom design, in every detail...Ex.4:11 He planned and packed you on purpose! For His purpose, not to throw away who you are, but recognizing He made you that way to serve him .. Just think, before He said let there be light or place a star in space, He says, I will make Lisa__( Put your name)And I will make Her with this personality___(outgoing) and I will give her these experiences____( being a Preacher's Kid,loss of children). You see, We are God's idea, set aside for His special work ,Jer.1:5. So when your are Wondering ,Why? you look,act or have the family you do ? You are God's Idea! Some may think you are a NUT, but Remember the Oak indwells the acorn! When others see a shepherd boy, God may see a king/ QUEEN!


Because of Jesus, Sisters 4-ever,( blame God ;o).. Love ya, Brat SWAG!(LISA)

Friday, January 15, 2010

John did it ,.Mary did it.,...Have YOU ?

Remember being a kid ,telling your parents, My friends did it, how come I can't? That didn't work well with my parents..

But I am here to say...John did it ,Mary did it.. Have YOU?

Luke 1:41.."When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,the baby leaped inside her..." In the Womb,John jumped for joy..In the presence of His Lord....

Luke 1:47-Mary says.." My spirit rejoices in God my savior." ..( Original word for rejoices meaning to.. exult, Leap for JOY, to show Joy by leaping and skipping, often spoken of rejoicing with song and Dance )

As I read this,.. it struck me, that abortion is killing of a Baby. John Leap in his mother womb, He knew he was in Jesus presence... but I won't go into Abortion

My Little girl, Loves to sing and dance around..She doesn't walk , she skips everywhere, I love to watch her.. My mother said I was the same way.. I do remember making up songs for my mom, She was so sweet to listen to me as if It was the best song, she ever heard...We laugh about it today .. Cause I am NOT a writer, singer nor a dancer.. Watching My little girl dance around with Joy, Brings me JOY.. ( BTW- Her Middle name is JOY).. I thought of How it must have brought God the Father such pleasure when, John leaped for Joy and Mary Leaped for JOY !

I thought about the things I get excited about.. like: Dallas Cowboys football,My son's games, a vacation, My kid's rooms clean ..etc..
I was sad when I realized that many times that I have missed God presence and what He is doing around me cause I am focused on MY stuff.. If Jesus walked in the room,would I Leap for JOY? When He is working in church service but I am focusing on music too loud? or who is there? What are they wearing? When He is working and answering prayers for others, do I Leap for JOY?

Mary Leaped for Joy, that God ,whom she Heard about through His word ,Would choose her, to carry out His plan.
This same God, chose me, to Know Him and serve Him...My prayer is that I too will Leap for JOY and NEVER ,EVER ,Get Over IT!!!

Great exercise.. Leaping for JOY!!!

Monday, January 11, 2010

To Question or NOT to Question... This is the Question?

Have you ever questioned God? Why me? What are you doing? Can you changed this person?

As a child ,I Questioned everything, Not always a good thing to do, I might add. But it has followed me into adulthood..( My poor Husband) I want to know the "Why's" of what you are doing..
As I was reading "Jesus" , in Luke 1:34-38.. I really enjoyed the question Mary ask..in verse 34- "How can this be, since I have not been imitate with a man?"...Great question... But as always God has answer...vs.35.-The HOLY Spirit shall come upon you....The Power of God shall overshadow you...

On New Years day,God impressed on me, "John 3:30 -He must increase,I must decrease." and how I should live out this verse for this year. So I ask God how can I do this?( How can this be?), Cause He knows this is not natural for me, I am selfish,I like my comfort,I like me! But He is so Loving...This morning,He spoke to me through His word and said,Lisa, My child...My spirit is upon You,(invading,resting upon and operating in you) You are mine!!..Allow me to do it.. cause You can't...

In verse 34,Mary said- I am your servant and be unto me according to your will..
WOW!!! How could she say this? ( there I go again with questions)...

I must admit.. because of my selfishness, I have missed out on a lot of God moments of "How can this be".. Mary could ask the question and She could also accepted the Answer...because in verse 45..She believed that God would do what He said ... She didn't miss out on the wonderful Blessing He had for her because She believed God!!!

Lord knows, that I can, ask the questions.... The question is..Can I accept the answer? OUCH!!!
I can, if I believe God!!!

My prayer is that..I will surrender to the Spirit , as He invades every area of my Life and I would believe,Not just in God but believe God! He does what He said He will do.. Yeah God! Phil. 1:6 He said "He who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ!"

Be unto me, According to YOUR WILL ,Oh LORD!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Is it really MY Bible ? If so.. then how am I living?

This morning I was reading and came across this and wanted to share it with ya...

This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive; Ill never be the same. In Jesus name, God bless you- by Joel O

Below is from James MacDonald:

We need God’s Word in our hearts, minds, and lives every day. Why? Here’s a resource that I have shared with our church family. I hope it’s helpful to you as we start 2010.

This is my Bible.

I am who it says I am. Matthew 5:16
I can do what it says I can do. Philippians 4:13
I am going where it says I will go. John 14:3

God’s Word is milk for my soul. 1 Peter 2:2
God’s Word is seed for my faith. Luke 8:11
God’s Word is light for my path. Psalm 119:105
God’s Word is power for my victory. Hebrews 4:12
God’s Word is freedom for my life. John 8:32

When I read God’s Word it brings me joy. Jeremiah 15:16
When I study God’s Word, it keeps me from shame. 2 Timothy 2:15
When I memorize God’s Word, it purifies my heart. Psalm 119:11
When I quote God’s Word, it defeats my enemies. Ephesians 6:10, 17
When I meditate on God’s Word, it brings me success. Joshua 1:8
When I abide in God’s Word, it gives me confidence. John 15:7



Reminding me that He is the VINE and I am the branch..ABIDE IN HIM!!!!