Psalm 46:1-3
1) GOD IS our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2) Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3) Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah
This psalm expresses trust and confidence in God during a time of instability and insecurity.
As we listen to the news on the radio, watch it on tv or read the headlines in the newspaper or here on the web we are bombarded with disasters on every hand. There is so much instability and insecurity. The economy is collapsing, not only here in America but in many countries around the world. Natural disasters.....earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and fires. Domestic problems.....murder, rioting, stealing, hatred, racism, abortion, pornography, infidelity, sexual, physical & mental abuse and on and on and on.....this earth is rocking and reeling.....teetering on the brink of extinction.
We look for help from the government, political figures, disaster relief agencies, clergy, family and friends....and although we may find a helping hand there are no assurances and confidence that we are safe and secure. The power and ability to face the uncertainties and adversities of life are found in God and Him alone.
"Refuge" pictures shelter from danger, indicating that God is our true security in the storms of life. "Strength" refers to His might when battling our foes and includes His power that works in us and enables us to overcome obstacles in life.
The end result..... is that He is "a very present help in trouble". God is available to His people and wants us to call upon Him for help in any time of need. Hebrews 4:16 says.....Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
He is sufficient for any situation and never leaves our side. Therefore, we need not fear.
Because Christ sympathizes with our weaknesses, we can confidently approach the heavely throne, knowing that our prayers and petitions are welcomed and desired by our heavenly Father.
One of the greatest blessings of salvation is that Christ is now our high priest, opening a way to His personal presence whereby we can always seek the help we need.
How about you? Have you approached the throne of grace today. Are you resting in Christ or are you fearful, stressed, anxious, depressed, nervous.....Psalm 46:10 says....Be still and know that I am God.
How can you BE STILL in the midst of turmoil.....because if you have accepted Christ into your heart you have the Prince of Peace residing within you. Isaiah 41:10 says....Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
If you do not know Christ.....the first step to obtaining peace is accepting Him as your personal Savior. You may ask how do I accept Christ? Romans 10:9-10, 13 says....That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Call upon Him today..repent of your sins and ask Him to come into your heart. He will not turn you away. Then you can rest in Him and Be Still!
See You In The Word,
Janetta
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Salt shaker and a Light bulb
Matthew 5:13-16 (English Standard Version)
(13) You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
(14) You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
(15) Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
(16) In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
A lot of Christians wonder about their place in the kingdom and what their calling is. All of us born again bible believing Christians are called to be Salt shakers and Light bulbs.
SALT SHAKERS
Verse 13 of Matthew 5 tells us that we are the salt of the earth. What does salt do? Salt is beneficial in a number of ways. It is a preservative and seasoning. Salt can keep foods from spoiling and it will bring out the natural goodness and flavor. Disciples of Christ are to be to the world what salt is to food.
It does not take an Einstein to figure out that the shaker is of no use on it's own. It must contain salt and the salt is what preserves and seasons. However it is not good enough for the shaker to just have salt in it...the salt must be shaken out. Once the salt lands on the food you don't see it but one taste of the food and you know that it has been there and done it's job.
Just as salt must have a container so that it can be shaken...we as Christians must be WORD containers before we can be WORD shakers.
(13) You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
(14) You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
(15) Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
(16) In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
A lot of Christians wonder about their place in the kingdom and what their calling is. All of us born again bible believing Christians are called to be Salt shakers and Light bulbs.
SALT SHAKERS
Verse 13 of Matthew 5 tells us that we are the salt of the earth. What does salt do? Salt is beneficial in a number of ways. It is a preservative and seasoning. Salt can keep foods from spoiling and it will bring out the natural goodness and flavor. Disciples of Christ are to be to the world what salt is to food.
It does not take an Einstein to figure out that the shaker is of no use on it's own. It must contain salt and the salt is what preserves and seasons. However it is not good enough for the shaker to just have salt in it...the salt must be shaken out. Once the salt lands on the food you don't see it but one taste of the food and you know that it has been there and done it's job.
Just as salt must have a container so that it can be shaken...we as Christians must be WORD containers before we can be WORD shakers.
We must be out there in the world doing our good works no matter how far under the radar those task may be. The best representatives of Christ are usually not the ones out there in the limelight with the media spotlight and massive crowds but it is the everyday normal man or woman that is faithful to walk the walk of the gospel of Christ in meekness, humility & love.
In verse 14 Jesus says..."you are the light of the world". He's saying "You are not just a reflection of the light. You're not a mere conduit. You are the light itself. And the intensity of your light depends upon the intensity of your walk with me."
Jesus disciples have the kingdom life within them as a living testimony to those in the world who do not yet have the light.
Your neighbors and coworkers may not know about your daily communion with Christ, but they do see the light that shines from you because of the life you have with Him. As long as nothing hinders that life, your light will continue to shine in darkness.
A light bulb still in the box will not give light. It has everything it needs to provide light however it cannot work until it is connected to the light producing source such as a lamp. Therefore, Christ is the lamp that we connect too so that we can shine our light. John 1:4 says ...In him was life, and the life was the light of men. Where there is no WORD LIFE, there can be no light for others.
Jesus tells us in verse 16 to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Everything we do must be done to bring glory to heavenly Father.
The typical lamp in a Jewish home was fairly small and was placed on a stand to give maximum illumination.
We are to be out there in the darkness...shining our light like a city on a hill that can't be hidden... while standing on the Rock of Ages.
So today let's get out there and shake some salt and shine some light.
See You In The Word,
Janetta
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Why Word Life Ministry Was Formed
The Apostle Paul taught the Colossian church: “Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
As I observe the modern day church I am constantly astonished at some of the things that are being offered to entice people into attending services and functions. When did desiring a close relationship with Christ stop being enough? It is a sad day for Christianity when we have to be lured, entertained and enticed to follow Christ.
I am sure God shakes His head when He looks down on us and witnesses the extremes that the churches go to just to "bring people to Christ".
Is not...
the shedding of His blood and the torment He faced on the cross
the suffering He endured for our infirmities
the stripes He took for our healing
the humiliation and ridicule He was subjected to because of our unrighteousness
and most of all the total isolation He felt because of the separation from the Father while He had the weight of every sin of every human being upon Him...is that not enough to make our hearts burn for a closer walk with the Savior.
There is nothing luring, entertaining or enticing about the cross. It represents the greatness of the love Christ had for us...we should hold the cross in the highest esteem and reference.
Shame on us that we have allowed the redemption of the cross to be reduced down to...
coffee shops where people can bring their laptops and sit at tables with one another and watch on the big screen the "worship service" going on in another part of the building. This allows the attendee to be totally detached and unengaged in worship. What's the point in going?
entertainment in the sanctuary such as....dinner theatres, wrestling matches, sports events - Super Bowl parties come to mind etc. Some may argue that we are the sanctuary and the church is the people not the building. While I agree with that...the section of the building we call the sanctuary was set aside as the place the church congregates together to worship the Lord. Tell me where is the worship in these entertainment programs.
Recently I heard of a church having "porn Sunday" where they actually showed pornagraphic movies on a big screen in the sanctuary. When asked about it the Pastor said...there was a huge problem in the church with men being addicted to pornagraphy and they wanted to show the men what they shouldn't be watching. How delusional is that!!!!!!!!!
Please don't missunderstand me...I am not against fellowshipping with Christian brothers and sisters and having programs for kids...however that being said...those things should be secondary behind the presentation of the cross of Christ and the instruction on how to have a more intimate personal relationship with the one who gave His all so that we might be saved!
If we have to have entertainment and programs and give in to the modern day technology crazy mentality to bring people into the church then we are not presenting the gospel of Christ with the conviction and passion that it deserves. If we talked about Christ with the same awe and affection that we do a new love in our life or our spouse, children, grandchildren, friend, movie star, music entertainer etc then everyone we come in contact with would want to know Him and would do whatever it takes to meet Him.
So........Word Life Ministry was created through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit......for those of us who want to KNOW CHRIST. For those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for those who long to walk with Him and talk with Him, for those who crave His presence like the writer in Psalm 42:1-5
1) As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2) My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
He is desperately seeking and searching..... then
3) My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
Have you ever been so tore up over a relationship that you couldn't eat or drink anything...all you wanted to do was cry...that's what was going on here...He wanted to be in the presence of God more than eating or drinking or fellowshipping, or being entertained
4) When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God (watch the difference in what went on in the house of God then as compared to now), with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitide that kept holyday.
Nothing here about entertainment, programs, coffee shops, social clubs, they went rejoicing and praising God...they went solely to worship God!!!!
5) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
The psalmist so longed to be with God that he was depressed and low in spirit...yet the secret to having your dersire for God met is in the next words....HOPE THOU IN GOD....watch now....FOR I SHALL YET PRAISE HIM FOR THE HELP OF HIS COUNTENANCE!!!!
Glory to God...if we really want to know Him...all we have to do is get back to what we were created for and that is to WORSHIP HIM, LONG FOR HIM, FELLOWHIP WITH HIM, SEEK HIM, FOLLOW HIM and LOVE HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART, MIND, SOUL & STRENGTH.
So dear friends you are invited to come along with me as I develop a WORD LIFE that, as Paul said in our opening scripture, is worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in knowledge of God.
See You In The Word,
Janetta
As I observe the modern day church I am constantly astonished at some of the things that are being offered to entice people into attending services and functions. When did desiring a close relationship with Christ stop being enough? It is a sad day for Christianity when we have to be lured, entertained and enticed to follow Christ.
I am sure God shakes His head when He looks down on us and witnesses the extremes that the churches go to just to "bring people to Christ".
Is not...
the shedding of His blood and the torment He faced on the cross
the suffering He endured for our infirmities
the stripes He took for our healing
the humiliation and ridicule He was subjected to because of our unrighteousness
and most of all the total isolation He felt because of the separation from the Father while He had the weight of every sin of every human being upon Him...is that not enough to make our hearts burn for a closer walk with the Savior.
There is nothing luring, entertaining or enticing about the cross. It represents the greatness of the love Christ had for us...we should hold the cross in the highest esteem and reference.
Shame on us that we have allowed the redemption of the cross to be reduced down to...
coffee shops where people can bring their laptops and sit at tables with one another and watch on the big screen the "worship service" going on in another part of the building. This allows the attendee to be totally detached and unengaged in worship. What's the point in going?
entertainment in the sanctuary such as....dinner theatres, wrestling matches, sports events - Super Bowl parties come to mind etc. Some may argue that we are the sanctuary and the church is the people not the building. While I agree with that...the section of the building we call the sanctuary was set aside as the place the church congregates together to worship the Lord. Tell me where is the worship in these entertainment programs.
Recently I heard of a church having "porn Sunday" where they actually showed pornagraphic movies on a big screen in the sanctuary. When asked about it the Pastor said...there was a huge problem in the church with men being addicted to pornagraphy and they wanted to show the men what they shouldn't be watching. How delusional is that!!!!!!!!!
Please don't missunderstand me...I am not against fellowshipping with Christian brothers and sisters and having programs for kids...however that being said...those things should be secondary behind the presentation of the cross of Christ and the instruction on how to have a more intimate personal relationship with the one who gave His all so that we might be saved!
If we have to have entertainment and programs and give in to the modern day technology crazy mentality to bring people into the church then we are not presenting the gospel of Christ with the conviction and passion that it deserves. If we talked about Christ with the same awe and affection that we do a new love in our life or our spouse, children, grandchildren, friend, movie star, music entertainer etc then everyone we come in contact with would want to know Him and would do whatever it takes to meet Him.
So........Word Life Ministry was created through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit......for those of us who want to KNOW CHRIST. For those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for those who long to walk with Him and talk with Him, for those who crave His presence like the writer in Psalm 42:1-5
1) As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2) My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
He is desperately seeking and searching..... then
3) My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
Have you ever been so tore up over a relationship that you couldn't eat or drink anything...all you wanted to do was cry...that's what was going on here...He wanted to be in the presence of God more than eating or drinking or fellowshipping, or being entertained
4) When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God (watch the difference in what went on in the house of God then as compared to now), with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitide that kept holyday.
Nothing here about entertainment, programs, coffee shops, social clubs, they went rejoicing and praising God...they went solely to worship God!!!!
5) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
The psalmist so longed to be with God that he was depressed and low in spirit...yet the secret to having your dersire for God met is in the next words....HOPE THOU IN GOD....watch now....FOR I SHALL YET PRAISE HIM FOR THE HELP OF HIS COUNTENANCE!!!!
Glory to God...if we really want to know Him...all we have to do is get back to what we were created for and that is to WORSHIP HIM, LONG FOR HIM, FELLOWHIP WITH HIM, SEEK HIM, FOLLOW HIM and LOVE HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART, MIND, SOUL & STRENGTH.
So dear friends you are invited to come along with me as I develop a WORD LIFE that, as Paul said in our opening scripture, is worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in knowledge of God.
See You In The Word,
Janetta
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)