Sweet Sounds From Heaven

Let’s attempt to clear up some confusion in the body of Christ concerning Faith. We know the definitions. Hebrews 11:1 Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6 But without Faith it is impossible to please Him for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

We also know how we get Faith. Romans 10:8-10, 13,14,17. But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the Word of Faith, which we preach; That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(The Greek and Hebrew word for salvation implies the idea of deliverance, safety, healing and soundness.) Therefore, Paul was saying, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto deliverance, safety, healing and soundness, Romans 1: 16″. For whosoever (are you a whosoever?, then you qualify) shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Faith is based on the Word of God. If we can find a promise in the Word, we can appropriate it in our lives. So why don’t we always get our answers when we’re standing on a promise in God’s Word? Several reasons: we could have head faith (mental assent) not HEART FAITH, saying it out our mouth and not fully persuaded in our heart, considering circumstances above the Word of God (looking at the things that are seen instead of looking at the unseen), getting Hope and Faith mixed up, not walking in Love and harboring unforgiveness (Galatians 5:6), and elevating our own desires above God’s plan for our lives, and these are just a few reasons.

So, we can see that people can have true faith and feigned (pretend) faith. I have not tried to walk on water. My faith would allow me to drown. Jesus said “don’t temp God”, so I stay away from things that are not in my Heart. Faith has to be stirred up. We keep it red-hot by putting our Faith into action according to what we can believe. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us, if we are HIS. He is a gentleman; He will guide and direct us. He will prompt and urge, but He will never force or control us. He won’t do anything until we put Him to work for us. For He is sent to be our helper. He is not sent to do the job, but to help us do the job.

Remember the woman with the issue of blood? (Mark 5) She believed in her heart and said with her mouth, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” She did and Jesus said, “Who touched my clothes?” She pleaded guilty and Jesus said, “Daughter, thy Faith hath made thee whole; go in peace and be whole of thy plague.” It was Jesus’ healing power, but her faith that activated that power and made her whole.

When we step out in faith, we may be shaking in our boots, but we must be fully persuaded that what God has promised, He will do. It’s good to mention that a delay is not a denial. Sometimes, things are held up in the spiritual realm because God has something wonderful ahead for us and the devil knows that and tries his best to stop it, but he cannot (Daniel 10: 11-13).

Act 16: 6-9 gives a good account of when the Holy Spirit forbade Paul to go forth. Paul thought one thing and the Spirit had another thought. Therefore, we must be sensitive to what the Spirit is thinking and saying. A lot of times, we may not know. That’s a good time to do nothing but spend time with God. When in doubt, wait until you find out, and when you know, leave no doubt. Go for it!!!

So, don’t follow someone else’s faith. Check inside where the Holy Spirit abides. Know that Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4) The dividing line is clearly defined in St. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

There’s a good way to discern whether some thought is from God or the devil or our own carnal thinking (flesh). If it steals, kills or destroys, Bingo!! you’ve identified the thief. If it’s from God, it will line up with His Word, honor God and there will be good fruit from our efforts. If it’s our own plan, even though it may be a good plan, it may not be God’s plan. This is the most difficult to discern. Spending time with God until we know what God wants us to do, is the only sure way to victory.

No one hears perfectly, however the more time we spend with Abba (daddy) Father, communicating with Him, the better we will hear His Voice and Plan for our lives. His plans are always Good!!! If you have been married for a while, without caller I.D., your spouse can call you on the phone and you will know that voice because you spend time together. What makes you think God is any different? After considerable time together, spouses can communicate without words. They get to know each other so well, they often know what the other one is thinking. Scary, isn’t it, but it comes by intimacy.

To “worship” means to kiss towards. If you can kiss towards your spouse for cooking your breakfast, you can kiss towards God for giving you breath. We just need more intimacy with God, and not just on Sunday. We need breath daily. We need intimacy with Him daily. You think you can’t hear from Him?– you’re wrong!! You can indeed! Isn’t that good to know. So climb upon His lap, lean in toward His chest and hear His Heart Beat! It’s beating for you!!!

Today my Pastor preached on Tithing. It was refreshing. Tithing is one of the first things the Holy Spirit taught me almost 30 years ago. It has been part of my life style ever since. There were times when my mind questioned Tithing, but just because I did not want to be among the God Robbers (robbing God of His ability to Bless me), I continued to Tithe. Over the years, I have learned what it is, how it works and why it is important.

Malachi 3:10-12, Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

That scripture alone is enough to make me want to tithe. Proving God on an issue. He rebukes the devourer for my sake. He opens the windows of heaven and pours out blessings I can’t contain them all. All nations shall call me blessed and I will be delightsome in their eyes. It don’t get no better than that! Just taking God at HIS WORD, knowing He can not lie and HE CHANGES NOT. Tithing is a privilege, not pressure.

Pastor worked the message in a very foundational way. We don’t tithe because God needs our money. God needs to see us faithful with the money He has allowed us to have. Pastor dealt with the 90% which God allows us to keep. A tithe is a 10^th. It grieves me to see people struggle in the area of finances. I have struggled in that area, so I know how difficult it is. God does not want us to want. He wants us to have plenty for giving and plenty left over for living.

Tithing was my life style, yet it seemed like not much was changing in my circumstances. One day, I realized, things were changing all along. Little by little, debt was leaving my house. God was preparing me for promotions. Favor was abounding in my direction. Sewing my own clothes and buying at the Goodwill got me through the tough times, but I could see past oatmeal and beans for the first time in years. Learning to live with what I had was a College Education. Faithfulness was my friend. My words were and still are wonderful servants. God’s Word is settled in heaven, powerful and always working, when put to work. I got my degree!!!

What is tithing? It is God’s method for successful living. How does it work? It works like a pump. Put a little water in and prime it to get a full flow of blessings. Why is it important? Nothing works right unless we do it God’s Way. He gave us the plan and it’s already Blessed. Anything contrary to God’s Way of Doing Things always ends in frustration and defeat.

Tithing and Offerings are two different things. We can not give an offering until we have satisfied the requirement of tithing. II Corinthians 9: 6-8, But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.

So, here we have a heart issue. According as we purpose in our heart. If we give regretting it, God cannot bless our giving. Just keep it, you’ll need it. And, like everything that has to do with God, we give in faith. Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him for he that cometh to God must believe that HE is and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Everything that God tells us to do in His Word is for our benefit. He has our best interest at heart. He is our Father. He loves us enough to tell us the Truth. Let’s honor HIM enough to Believe Him and Obey HIS WORD.

Money is the tithe. Tithing is done with the mouth! Don’t ever just plunk it in the bucket. According to Deuteronomy Chapter 26, Prime that pump by speaking: “I was a sinner, held in bondage and in darkness by Satan. I cried unto the Lord Jesus and He heard my cry. He lifted me out of my affliction and oppression. He took me in and forgave me. He made me His Own through HIS SHED BLOOD and gave me authority over the evil one.” Watch Out!, Your gratitude is Showing!!, and God is Watching!! (2 Chronicles 16:9)

“Now I have brought the first fruits of my land which You have given me. I ask You to set it before the Father and worship Him with it. Look down from heaven, Father, in Jesus’ Name and Bless me. Your son (or daughter) and servant, according to Your riches in Glory. Bless my land (job, business, whatever we stretch forth our hands to do) and cause it to flow with milk and honey as You have promised in Your Word. I am Your very own child. You are my very own Father.” God honors that kind of Boldness!!

Prosperity is produced by the Word of God, not by the world. Deuteronomy 8:18, But thou shall remember the Lord thy God; for it is He that gives thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant, which He swore unto thy fathers as it is this day. Let’s bring it over into the New Testament, III John 2: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers. Soul Prosperity is HUGE!!!

God gives us Wisdom to operate by. God’s Way of Doing Things may seem contrary to our way of thinking. Just Remember, Isaiah 55:8-11, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater: So Shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

We understand that God is not Broke. If we are, He can fix it. Let’s line up with His way and watch things improve in our Lives. Let’s check our Heart, Do our Part and Get Ready for an Overhaul. Ps 33:12 Our God is the Lord and we are the People He has chosen for His inheritance. Jesus already Died (and Rose) to give us an inheritance. Don’t miss out on what He’s passing out. This would be a good time to ask Him to make Proverbs 8:12 come alive in our Spirit. I Wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

Recently a minister came to our church from Montana as a guest speaker. This gentleman was Meek and Deep. It was truly stirring to just listen to him talk. Life takes us in lots of different direction, and if we listen to our heart, were God lives, we’ll end up at a wonderful place, working for the kingdom and helping people. That’s God’s goal and plan for all of us. Listening to the minister, God reminded me of several dreams He had given me, one of them repeatedly. Things started to click in my mind, confirming what I harbor in my heart.

Living in Whitetop with my grandmother during the middle 60’s was a dream come true. Teaching school was a complete surprise, but I enjoyed the kids and we seemed to make a good mix. It was as much an education for me as for them. It was an adventure I cherish now that I’m older. Suffice it to say, hindsight is 2020.

A generation in the Bible is about 40 years. Now, a generation later, it seems that the move back to Whitetop may be on the horizon. Things just seem to fall into place this year, but actually God was working on the transition for decades. Scary, isn’t it when we think that being insensitive to the Holy Spirit could actually thwart or alter HIS plan for our lives. God forbid!

Dreams play a big part of our victorious future. Dreams are often placed in our heart by God and the Holy Spirit (our helper) helps manifest them in the earth. Not just night dreams, but also day dreams. We certainly have a part to play, but what a dream team when God is involved. We all dream, but don’t often remember them. When we awake and the dream is real and still vivid, take heed!

Recently, upon awaking, I remembered my dream. I had just left a restaurant and was walking with a teenager on a sidewalk which had lots of broken pieces and was dangerous to maneuver. Still, we were making progress going in one direction and everyone else was traveling in the opposite direction. It was difficult enough to walk when suddenly I realized my handbag was still in the restaurant. There was nothing to do but return. I’m praying in the Spirit over my bag, which was holding a good deal of money and of course, my identification.

This dream literally wore me out. All these people think I’m creating a new definition for the word, squirrelly. I don’t know what they were thinking, but I know what I think they were thinking. Who’s the weird One??? Well, call it whatever, but upon returning to the restaurant, my handbag was handed to me with everything in tact. Hallelujah! I immediately awoke. This difficult, almost nightmareish dream turned out good.

This dream spoke to me when I pondered it, actually surprised me that it had a good ending. Things can be real tough in life. Often times, it seems like life is just not fair, and it’s not. But, you know what, God said He’d give us double for our trouble. Man, I’m looking forward to a mother load. When difficulties hit our lives, if we’ll just let the difficulty mold us and make us and not break us, we’ll only come out better because of the difficult trial. God wants to break our will, but not our Spirit, similar to horse training. He wants our will to line up with HIS will, which is so much better. It’s the process that is difficult, but without it we are wild and useless.

Jesus endured the cross, looking forward to the prize. He passed the test in the garden, the cross was just an event that He had already surrendered to. It’s not easy to trust someone we don’t see with the natural eye, however, if we’ll just slow down and rest, HIS Presence becomes very real and gives us the strength to endure the difficulty and shine victoriously, glorifying God. Hebrews 12: 1,2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This minister used several scriptures, but one that pierced me was Isaiah 49:1,2 Listen to me, O isles and coastlands, and hearken, you peoples from afar; the Lord has called me from the womb, from the body of my mother He has named my name. And HE has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of HIS hand has HE hid me and made me a polished arrow; in His quiver has He kept me close and concealed me. That is so humbling to me. To read and believe that Almighty God had me conceived, hid, and was and still is and always will be polishing me for HIS mission and purpose.

Making arrows was explained during his sermon; this minister was also quite the hunter. First the branch is separated from the tree. Ouch! Then all the bark is removed from the branch. Ouch, Ouch!! And that is just the beginning. The process is timely, removing all the knots, unevenness, shaving and rubbing until we have a smooth, straight stick. Still it is not an arrow until it is properly balanced. The powerful tip on the front and the feathers on the back, everything must be perfect to use the arrow effectively.

God is working on us, perfecting everything that concerns us, making us ready to be effective in the dark woods of life. Let’s allow HIM to have HIS way with us. Let’s wrestle with God until HE wins. Thank you Father that YOU never give up on us, no matter how knotty, YOU never quit and never throw us away. YOU just keep working YOUR PLAN until we are smooth and balanced and ready for use in the Master’s hands. Thank You Father God that we truly are YOUR Arrows and we will end up where YOU send us. We will live our lives to affect generations to come. YOU will show us things to come and our foresight will also be 2020.

Recently, I have been doing a lot of thinking about why people do what they do. What makes us tick, or motivates us. God is the greatest motivator I have ever met. He inspires me to be everything I can be. His word is supernatural and cuts right to the heart of the matter. Yet, I see people who keep going around the same mountain again and again, and I can’t help but wonder if anything was learned through the trial.

The Bible tells us that God looks on our heart! This is very important for us to understand in order to be successful in life. Our heart (not the blood pump), but the very core of our being refers to our Spirit. The real you and the real me, that’s what God sees. He also sees the motivation of our heart, which brings us back to my opening statement. Let’s break it down if we can.

Some people look like everything is hunky-dory on the outside, but on the inside they are a real mess. This can be deceiving to people with no perception, but not to God. Then, worse, some people are so emotionally wounded it actually shows up on the outside. Obvious to not only God but society. They are so ripped-up, shattered, crushed, rejected, abandoned, angry, and feel like life has totally cheated them.

Both of these people actually need the same thing. They need to be brutally honest with themselves. This is not easy and sometimes is never done, therefore people keep wandering around the same mountain with the same results. Some of these people are holding an “I’ll work for food” sign, totally dependant on others and feel like they are entitled. Others strive in the flesh and make a total mess of their lives by their decisions. It’s the attitude of the heart in both cases that defeats us in life.

I am no expert, but have come a long way with God’s help. The good news is He is no respecter of persons and wants desperately to help you as well. Put God 1^st place in your life. Just know that one hour on Sunday morning is going to give you one hour of victory. The enemy is working all week trying to defeat you. Be a pack rat. Pack it in daily and store it up for a time of need. Spend quality time with Your Heavenly Father, Who loves you more than life. That’s why He sent JESUS. Just think about that!!!

Do it anyway you wish. There’s no set formula, just do it. Meditation, reading His Word, Praying, (my personal favorite), just being aware of His Presence, asking why, listening, (let those Healing tears flow), God’s Deep, He can touch your emotions. Singing, and just being thankful for the Holy Divine Connection to name a few. Some people just like to get outdoors and marvel at the great creation and the Wonderful Creator. Focus on Him as the answer, it will amaze you how small our problems become.

No matter what you don’t have, find something you do have, (we all have something) and use it, give it to God and let His anointing make it powerful. Everybody has gifts. Everyone can do something better than anyone else. Don’t try to do something that God has not anointed you to do, that’s instant defeat. Dig deep and pull out those gifts God has placed in you. Stretch yourself, step out and find out what you are good at, and do it.

So many Believers are living like beggars; let’s park here for a moment. People want what you’ve got, but don’t want to do what you did to get there. Last time I looked, money did not grow on trees. I have said this so many times, that my family and friends can finish the sentence for me. “It’s not how much you make, it’s what you do with what you make.” We must plan to work and work our plan. Be realistic and do the best we can with what we’ve got. I know this is simplistic, but amazingly people don’t get it.

I love being in a covenant relationship with God. After all, He walks on gold streets, He’s very rich, full of wisdom, makes good decisions all the time, and loves me more than I love myself. He’s given me an owners manual with all the answers to any question that might arise. $4.00 a gallon gas does not cause Him to fret. I’m His kid, why should I fret. I enjoy the benefits of tithing. He rebukes the devourer for my sake and opens the windows of heaven and pours out a blessing that I can not contain it all, Malachi 3:10-11.

That mean, I’ll have some to give away. He tells me where to give it. He owns the cattle and the hills, Psalms 50:10. If He decides not to sell the cow and give me the money, that’s O.K. He is still my source and my supply. He can do it anyway He wishes. It may be in bargains, favor, making things last longer than they are actually supposed to. I Kings 17: 8-16, remember the widow with the barrel of meal, WHATEVER!!, He can do it. Besides, I would not think of robbing God! Please, that is really not smart! Some people say, “I can’t afford to tithe”- child, you can’t afford not to. PROVE HIM!!

So again, we must look inside ourselves if things are not working out for us. It’s not God’s fault. He wants you to succeed. He made a way for you to prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. Prospering the soul, renewing our minds is critical. Romans 12:1,2, I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies, presenting all your members and faculties, as a living sacrifice, holy devoted, consecrated and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable, rational, intelligent service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs. BUT be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind, by its new ideals and its new attitude, so that you may prove for yourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you. WOW!!

So lets make sure our hearts are PURE before God and mankind, and then give ourselves a check-up from the neck up. Most of the time, the problem is in our stinking thinking. We think contrary to God’s word. God has an opinion about everything. Let’s line up and watch our situations improve. Amen?, Amen!!

We had planned this beach trip for months, but little did we know how much we all needed the refreshing. Totally impressed with the impromptu coordination of food, seemed we just tossed stuff into a cooler and left. Amazingly, we ate well and nothing was wasted. Would have made my grandma proud.

This writer had been quite ill and certainly did not want any stress associated with the trip. Venturing out with a new travel plan was surprising as the writer had enough excitement on her former trip to last her for the whole summer. Nevertheless, with some encouraging words from a friend, like, “you can do this,” she believed and decided to bite the bullet. It was a refreshing travel plan and we only got lost once.

Looking forward to back rubs and foot rubs, walking on the beach, eating out and just hanging out, we girls were a team to be reckoned with. Nothing could be finer than a crisis that is minor in the moooooorning!!! One phone call almost stole our peace and robbed us of our joy; but prayer prevailed, and if God be for us, who can be against us? Thank you Jesus that we know YOU and know who we are IN YOU. We pray and YOU fight our battles for us. Understanding that it is the Sharp Two Edged Sword that does the work, we were sending the Powerful Word of God into the situation to arrest devilish attitudes and by noon our enemies were scattered.

If people knew what victory there is in Christ, everyone in the whole world would give HIM their lives to live through. He never said we would not have any trouble. He said He would be with us in trouble and deliver us. The Holy Spirit is not called Our Helper by coincidence. I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory–making us conquerors–through our Lord Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph–as trophies of Christ’s victory–and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere.

The bottom line is we have to forgive those who come against us, for they know not what they do. Most of the time, they are just sinners, doing what they do best, sin. Even redeemed folks can yield to the law of sin and death. II Corinthians 2:10,11 If you forgive any one anything, I too forgive that one: and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence of Christ, the Messiah. To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.

There’s just something about walking in love that can not be beat. I Corinthians 13:4-8 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy; is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited–arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s Love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it–it pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything (without weakening), Love never fails–fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end. That promise should be enough for us to strive to cultivate that winning (loving) attitude in our lives. The Love is there if we truly belong to Jesus. Romans 5:5 The Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. It’s letting that love out for the world to see that is challenging.

II Corinthians 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. The challenge is there for the taking. Are we going to live our lives like nothing has changed since we accepted Jesus and received this wonderful new life, or are we aware of His presence in us and willing to let His Love shine through us? Are we still living with the old Adam or with the New Christ? We choose and the results will follow. Sowing and reaping is still the order of the day, as long as the earth remains.

Remember, this is a process. It takes practice and persistence. Don’t beat yourself up, just keep getting up and pressing forward. God is on our side and Jesus is our Guide! No one will ever do this perfectly, but we can all improve. Jesus is the only perfect One, He is our example and He’s rooting for us; let’s not disappoint HIM!! Hallelujah!!!

She was awaken with the sounds of wailing. Everyone was bawling their eyes out. Oh my! She thought, what in the world could be so bad to make everyone hurt so deeply? She sat up and rubbed her sleepy eyes, and asked, “what’s wrong, why is everyone crying?” “Your mother died last night,” they said. This 8 year old didn’t know much, but she knew what death was, she’d seen the graveyard up on the hill . Still gawking in disbelief, she said, “That’s impossible, she is supposed to come home from the hospital today, daddy said so.”   “I know honey, they consoled, something must have gone horribly wrong.”

Everyone who knew her, loved her. She had an incredible ability to make everyone feel comfortable immediately. Once “hellos” were exchanged, no more a stranger. People connected with mama (Mary Jean); they felt like she was a life long friend. They could confide in her and trust her with their deepest thoughts, an attribute not many can lay claim to. The most irksome thing about mama, is that she thought she was invincible. That is a serious short sight, as she was always taking care of everyone in need. Everyone, except herself. She would have been 26 had she lived until April, but she died in February at the unthinkable age of 25. Everyone was stunned but me, and I was numb.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes, things happen and we just act like ho-hum. Well, not really ho-hum, but no one would ever in a million years know that we were totally broken inside. Seems as if I went through life that way, until God cornered me in 1978. God had revealed Himself to me as the Wonderful Lover of my soul. I had been listening to tapes on forgiveness all day. Finished with the last tape, and God said, “now let’s practice what we have learned. Think of anyone who has hurt you and we are going to forgive them.” Didn’t take long to collect some names. I was ready. God said, “you need to add your mother.” “My mother?, I said, she’s been dead since 1953.” God said, “yes, and you’ve been angry about it ever since.” I was shocked!, but I knew God had struck a main cord in my life.

As an act of my will, I forgave from my heart several people, including my mother, who died so young, and abandoned me. I had no clue of the baggage I had been needlessly carrying around. Once forgiveness was vocally expressed, it was like I had a shower on the inside. Sometimes, things happen that we have absolutely no control over. It’s not our fault. We had nothing to do with it, but it attaches it’s hurtful self to us like a leach, sucking the very life out of us. Unfair? Yes! But, without a doubt, we have the privilege to Forgive and Let God Heal us. He knows exactly how to recompense us for life’s wrongs.

The famous “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:12 summarizes forgiveness: forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Verse 15, however, is paramount: But, if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Harboring Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies. Forgiveness does more for the forgiver than the forgiven, especially if we’re angry at God or someone departed. Like a rainbow that shows itself after a serious rain, God is Faithful! Forgiveness is the Pot O’ Gold at the end of that rainbow.

The young couple lived in Atlanta and rubbed shoulders with the very rich. Met them at Georgia Tech where the Mr. graduated college. Sometimes, this country bumpkin really wondered about these wealthy people. Some of the things they could deduce baffled her mind. Oh well, not her job to figure it out.

One thing was for sure, they were rich with generational money. We just enjoyed the fellowship with the four adult children. Admittedly, it was impressive to see how the truly wealthy lived. A bird’s eye view from the surface, nothing could break that they could not fix. Something outstanding in her mind, is the year one of the adult kids got a stop watch for Christmas. A stop watch…. O.K.?!?

We were at their home horsing around in the formal living room when someone came up with an idea to play with the stop watch. We, included two Georgia Tech students, a Yale student, a Harvard student and can’t remember where the daughter was attending school, but somewhere impressive, you can be sure of that.

We glanced at the adjacent wide foyer and winding marble staircase and decided it would be fun to see who could run up the stairs into the bedroom, into the adjacent bathroom, flush the toilet, run back down stairs, jump over the marble foyer and land in the living room the quickest. O.K., the game was on. No one broke anything; impressive as the jump over the foyer was at least 8 feet wide. If we could master the leap from the 2^nd or 3^rd step, we often landed on cushy carpet instead of unforgiving marble. We enjoyed playing that game as much as anything we had ever done together, including attending football games. The game was appropriately named “Flush the Toilet.” Move over Monopoly. Truly out of the box thinkers are together again.

Heard it said, “if you have all the money in the world and don’t have your health, you’re a poor person.” What about that Peace money can’t buy, not to mention Love and Acceptance. Recently one of the brothers and close friend died in his late 50’s with complications from diabetes. I’m confident that people with big bucks and poor health would swap it out. All of the out of the box thinking in the world won’t take the place of good old common sense, waiting on God and doing things HIS way.

Money is simply a tool, a very good tool, but just a tool. 3^rd John 2 says it this way: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in EVERY way and that your body may keep well, even as I know your soul keeps well and prospers. Father, help us to remember the 8^th chapter of Deuteronomy. That it is YOU who brought us out of bondage, gave us water out of a rock, and that it is YOU who gives us the power to get wealth. If money is not used for it’s intended purpose, when it’s all said and done, we might as well flush it down the toilet.

The kid and her grandmother side kick counted the schools the youngster had attended from 1^st through 12^th grade, and came up with twenty-one. Five of those years, she stayed in the same school. The other seven were a blur. Not surprising, because she moved frequently. What is surprising, is that she graduated high school period. Later in life, even after college, she had continual nightmares of falling short of completion. Everything from inability to find her classroom, botching the exam, missing the bus, losing her homework, tardiness, studying the wrong stuff, other duties keeping her at bay, and arriving some place other than school. Always reaching for that diploma that said, “you made it.”

Going to school in a one room school house, which included seven grades, this first grader knew everyone. She was related to lots of them. Life was easy. No problems here. Just learning to read and write was the only mission. The next year she was relocated to Brooklyn, Wow! What an antithesis. No corn fields to play in, no yards at all. Concrete everywhere. She thought kids were born with wheels on their feet. Later to discover the wonder of roller skating. Everything was so different.

Everyone walked everywhere, which is why the sidewalks were about as wide as a railroad car is long. School was ten winding blocks away. She was shown the way once, then on her own. The brick building was tall enough to almost reach the clouds. Her classroom was on the sixth floor. All the kids were given dog tags to wear with name and address. If anyone got lost, whoever found them just placed them in the mailbox and they would arrive back with their own folks, she figured. Nevertheless, so different from the mountains from which she came.

Attending school from Montreal to Miami, she was always the new kid. That was the hardest part of all. Everyone staring at her, wondering why is she here. And when they heard her talk, thinking, Good Lord! Where did she come from. She didn’t look like them, act like them and certainly did not sound like them.

Amazingly, she began to blend in. She was surprisingly adaptable. After a few relocates and some humble humiliations, she caught on rather quickly. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. You’re here kid, do the best you can with what you’ve got. It may take some practice, but try to talk like they talk. Yous guys in the north and y’all in the south. Even with her best efforts, she still got stares. She might get the words right, but her accent gave her away. She just had this drawl that distinguished her from the crowd.

Oh well, she would not be here long. Soon enough she would move and the whole thing would start all over again. The school in Miami was shaped like an octopus. All the corridors looked alike from the hub. One would think those intelligent school administrators would label the tunnels. English, Math, Spanish, Cafeteria, they did not. By the time she found her class, often it was over. She began buying junk food on the two mile hike to school so her stomach would not speak out of turn. That was one time she was happy to move, which she did one month after school started.

The best thing about living in Hershey, Pa. was the trip to the chocolate factory. The absolutely biggest bowl she had ever seen with chocolate beating against the glass sides. She’s thinking, if that thing should break, we’d not only be chocolate covered, but have the best food fight ever. In retrospect, I guess, if you die in chocolate, you still die.

One other occasion she was glad to relocate was when she failed the eight grade. Her family moved from Bristol, Tenn. to Allentown, Pa. and shortly thereafter to Catasauqua, Pa., the prettiest little town she had ever seen. The only down side to the quaint little town was this little old lady who apparently was half-witted. She walked real fast and could over take anyone walking to school or just anywhere. She often scared us. She was harmless, just so darn fast. She was upon you before you knew it. Surprise! Than gone just as quickly. Rumor had it that she was related to the founding fathers of Catasauqua, and therefore left loose.

All these adjustments were beneficial to the kid in the long run. God takes everything that happens to us and makes it work out for our good. She learned that there’s more than one way to skin a cat. He made her a chameleon. She could mix with the best of them. The rich and poor were no different, somehow. They were all just people. People who needed acceptance and love. People, who though diverse, are actually the same. The financially wealthy without Jesus are just poor people with money. The impoverished with Jesus are truly rich and CAN climb the ladder of financial success because of HIS Wisdom.

Are you a chameleon? Does anyone know that you are HIS disciple? If it were illegal to be a Christian, would you be let go for lack of evidence? Or would they say, “I know she’s been with Jesus. They speak the same language, and they have the same undeniable accent.” Would your attitude and actions give you away? Let’s stick so close to our Master until we master HIS way of doing things. Until it’s indisputable that we have been with HIM and we are HIS.

You know Peter also had this accent problem. Took him some humble humiliations, but he finally got it right. “Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard and one maid came up to him and said, You were also with Jesus the Galilean! But he denied it falsely before them all, saying, I do not know what you mean. And when he had gone out to the porch, another maid saw him and she said to the bystanders. This fellow was with Jesus the Nazarene! And again he denied it and disowned Him with an oath, saying I do not know the Man! After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, You certainly are one of them too, for even YOUR ACCENT betrays you. Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not even know the Man! Matthew 26: 69-74.”

When we have been with Jesus, our accent will give us away. Glory to God! Let’s Just Plead Guilty! We’re in Good Company! When folks can’t tell where HE ends and we begin, we’re in good shape. Let’s keep pressing in until we are molded in HIS Image.

My goal is for God to become more real to me daily. The Bible says draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). He longs for this probably more than I know. Once when in my prayer chair fellowshipping with My Heavenly Father the feeling of closeness was so real and natural, I asked Him to hold that thought, I’d be right back. It was funny when I realized what I had said. I was excusing myself to go to the bathroom as if He were sitting in the other chair. I’m sure He gets a lot of laughs out of our relationship. He loves me in spite of me, and I am so grateful.

Upon receiving this new faith, I told God I did not want to be an ordinary Christian. I wanted to really make my life count for Him. He told me He wanted my men, my mouth and my money. Immediately I thought it was a new candy, M&M&M. I understood the men. I knew what the Bible said about sex outside of marriage. He told me I could not cuss and preach at the same time. Later I found in James 3:10 & 11 where it says “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing, my brethren, these things ought not so to be. Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” Again, I got it.  I said, ” but God, I don’t understand this money thing, I don’t have any.” He said , “I know I want to get some to you.” I started tithing immediately. Even when it didn’t look like I could, I would.

I really connected God with Love and He is Love. But remember, I’m just a baby Christian and don’t know anything except my whole world has just changed…and for the better I might add. So since it’s already settled with God that I don’t want to be just ordinary, He lead me to study Love. First of all, I found out that Love never fails; that made me happy. So, I set out to learn how to walk in Love early on. He lead me to read 1 Cor. 13: 4-8 and 1^st, 2^nd, and 3rd John. I did this every night for 2 years. I finally started to get this revelation that God is Love and Love lives inside of me and what Love looks like.

Perfect Love casts out fear and Love never fails. So how do I do it, I’m wondering. The Book of Galatians taught me that Love is one of the Fruits of the Spirit. Fruit grows and this Love thing is going to be a process. Only time will tell if this Love fruit is edible or should I say evident. The only way to get good at something is to practice it over and over. Oh brother, Now look what I’ve done. I’ve given God permission to test me in this area until I get it right. Many, many learning opportunities were in my path from that day until now.

One day at work, my coworker had evidently experienced a bad week-end and came in all mad at the world. She was ranting and raving about everything. The coworker was throwing my name around and insults that were not appreciated. I’ve been meditating on Love all week-end. I did not know this was a test I was about to take and fail. Finally, I had about all this flesh could handle and marched right down to her office and said, “listen here coworker, if you continue to falsely accuse me, and continue to insult me, you are going to be sorry.” And turned on my heals and walked back toward my office.

On the walk back and still fuming, God said, “now are you happy?”  I said “No.”  He said, “and you never will be as long as you take matters into your own hands.”  I said, “But God, she is missing a golden opportunity to walk in Love.”  God said, “she does not have my Love Sandra, YOU do.”  I broke. He was teaching me wonderful truths.

I excused myself and went to the bathroom and cried and repented. I bound the enemy that was causing her to act that way in the first place. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12 we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. So I knew my battle was not with my coworker. I returned and asked my coworker to forgive me for my attitude and actions and she did. That repentance by me and praying for her turned the tide. She was like a different person the rest of the day. When we do things Gods way, things just work out, don’t they.

Over the years I have learned to be more sensitive to the real problem and it’s not the people, it’s the enemy of God that hates us because we are made in Gods image. God was just teaching me. He is still teaching me and will be until He takes me home.

Do I always get it right? Oh Please, I wish. I’m just like everyone else. But I have committed to get better and better until I hardly know myself. I have committed to walk in Love to the best of my ability. It’s a growth process. As we learn to trust Him more and believe in the Love he has toward us, we will be able to Love others with that supernatural Love that we only get from HIM.

Romans 5:5 tells us that the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. We just have to believe that and let that Love work in us. It gives a whole new dimension to the song we’ve sung since childhood, Jesus Loves me this I know. It’s the knowing that takes time. So just jump on the band wagon and learn with the rest of us. It’s a wonderful journey and the view is great. Sometimes the road gets rocky but He will show us things we will only get to see IN HIS LOVE.

We make decisions every day. What to do with our time, where we go, what we eat, what we wear, who we spend time with. This may seem like just life, but reality is, our decisions determine our life. As one minister put it, “where the mind goes, the man follows.”

Have you ever really thought about that? You know God places before us daily, life and death, blessing and cursing and gives us the answer key… Choose life (Deut 30:19). But, IT IS OUR CHOICE. God will not make us choose life. He gives us a free will. A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.. Prov. 16:9. I am not trying to add to our human dilemma, but Prov. 16:25 says there is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight, but at the end of it are the ways of death.

So, what’s the solution, you might ask. It’s the same for all of us. Pray, seek God’s will for our life, keep our hearts uncluttered and our minds uncontaminated. Be responsible, correctable, honest and humble before Almighty God. If we lose our way, HE is BIG enough to save the day. If we do our part, He Certainly Will Do His. Have a great day!

Love, Sandra Kay