Verse and Message (Week of Nov 1-7, 2009) November 5, 2009

 **I was unable to include colors and graphics on my blog this week. The application failed when I pasted it and copied it. If you would like a copy of the original, Iwill be happy to send it to  you via email**

I am on the greeter team at Church of the Highlands. We are so very blessed to have an amazing Greeter Coordinator who oversees the greeter service teams. Her name is Ginny DeBardeleben, and she is a beautiful leader for the Lord. She is compassionate and encouraging, and I have witnessed her demonstrating nothing less than going the extra mile in every area of her ministry. She blesses me each week with the precious thoughts she sends to the greeter captains to sharpen us and strengthen us. Last week she sent us the poem below that truly spoke to me.   

Many times, God reveals things through other brothers and sisters in Christ. I know that God led me to share this with all of you. I hope it touches you as it has me. It’s expresses the genuine heart of God. Check it out, and feel free to pass it along to someone else who might need to be encouraged….   

Isaiah 40:31       

      But those who wait on the LORD
      Shall renew their strength;
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
      They shall run and not be weary,
      They shall walk and not faint.  

Wait
by Russell Kelfer  

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, “Wait.”

“Wait? you say wait?” my indignant reply.
“Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming your Word.

“My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I’m needing a ‘yes’, a go-ahead sign,
Or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign.

“You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:
I’m weary of asking! I need a reply.”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, “Wait.”
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting for what?”

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

“I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You’d have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me. You’d not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You’d not know the power that I give to the faint.

“You’d not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.
You’d not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.

“You’d never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

“The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that’s beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

“You’d never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I’m doing in you.

“So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait.”

© 1980 Russell Kelfer. All rights reserved.

Special thanks to Ginny for sharing this beautiful insight. I appreciate the reminder that we “wait” so that we might come to know HIM more…knowing HIM more intimately is a beautiful reason to “wait.” God bless you all……

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Oct 25-31, 2009) October 28, 2009

 

 

ROMANS 8:1-2

 

NIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

   

The Message

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

 

I have a few friends who I converse with regularly that beat themselves up for stupid stuff. What I mean by stupid stuff is the stuff that the enemy throws in their face.

 

At my biblical counseling small group this past Sunday, we were discussing the subjects of conviction and condemnation.

 

Webster’s online indicates that conviction occurs when one is convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth. Condemnation, on the other hand, occurs when one is declared to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation.

 

Before Christ, we were all condemned to death for our sin. If you weigh the evidence, not one part of us is holy. However, God the Father had a beautiful idea… He provided THE Perfect Substitute for our unholiness.

 

BUT, the devil wants to condemn us as Christians. He wants to declare that we are guilty causing us shame for our wrongdoing. In fact, one of his main objectives is to blur our perspective in a way that causes us to see ourselves as we were before Christ redeemed us, with a dark cloud over our heads. The devil’s plight is to manipulate us into becoming miserable Christians that will be ineffective for God’s Kingdom.

 

The Holy Spirit removed that condemnation when Jesus took it all for us on the Cross. One of the main goals of the Holy Spirit is to give us a lens to see the TRUTH. He reminds us that that when we walk in His Spirit we are free from the pain of guilt and shame. The POWER of the Holy Spirit convicts us when our flesh acts out in the old nature. This is much the same way as a loving parent disciplines his child. This action of the Holy Spirit is for our good, so that we will confess our sin by admitting and confessing the TRUTH.

 

Even though God placed within us His own Holy Spirit upon Salvation, we undergo a process of sanctification day by day. Salvation was an event, and it guaranteed our residency in heaven. Sanctification is the process that takes place from Salvation until we meet Jesus.

 

Upon Salvation, we received a new way of thinking and a fresh awareness of God’s presence, but look who’s still hanging around…..the flesh side of us. Our spirit is perfect…and, therefore, the sinful man is beaten, but that flesh man will look back at the old nature and will put up a fight with the new nature. Sometimes, the flesh wins the battle….

My point….even though the flesh will fight, we cannot beat ourselves up when we fail. We can embrace the gift of the conviction of the Holy Spirit and confess and agree that we have sinned. 

 

Satan wants to torment us with our failures. God desires for us to recognize our mistakes….but, He wants us to learn from them and MOVE ON. 

 

So, when the devil reminds you of how “bad” you are… remind Him how GOOD  JESUS IS!! If you are a Christian, God sees Christ when He sees you!

 

When you maintain a healthy diet of prayer, reading The Word, worship, thanksgiving, and accountability…..you’ll be able to see right through that liar who’s taunting you. Nothing the enemy can do or say will change what Jesus has transformed….

 

COMMITMENT TO CHRIST BANISHES CONDEMNATION…

STEER CLEAR OF THE ENEMY’S HARASSMENT…

PERIODIC CONVICTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT –

GUARANTEES GROWTH IN THE SANCTIFICATION PROCESS…

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Oct 18-24, 2009) October 21, 2009

 

James 1:6

But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

 

We all know people who waver back and forth in everything they do. I think we have all had seasons in our lives where we have found ourselves slipping into that anxious position of uncertainty. 

 

Doubt is the uncomfortable place when uncertainty torments us, and we are unable to do anything but “straddle the fence.” Somehow, straddling the fence appears to be a safe place. However, that place can be a miserable place, because we are fearful to make a decision. We are afraid we might choose the wrong side of the fence.

 

We are all capable of moving forward in faith, even though we may be threatened with doubt. However, doubt can paralyze us and keep us from realizing God’s blessings. It’s important to recognize when our heart is divided. God may clearly define the next step He desires for us to take, and yet, we may delay that action, because we are bound in fear. Delayed obedience equals disobedience.

 

Here’s an acrostic I created with the word DOUBT:

 

D – Double Mind which may cause Delayed Obedience

O – Over analyzing until we are utterly exhausted

U – Under Satan’s Deceptive Spell

B – Belief smothered until faith is small or nonexistent

T – Tormented with confusion

 

I have learned that the more we understand the unconditional love of Jesus, the more apt we are to place our faith in Him, thus, diminishing all the remnants of doubt that keep us unsettled. True peace is provided when we listen to the VOICE of TRUTH and claim victory in His promises. When we stand on His promises by meditating on His Word, and when we take time to communicate with Him daily….fear and doubt run the other direction ie Satan flees.

 

Another miraculous way to drown fear and doubt is to make it a practice to come before the Lord with thanksgiving, adoration, and praise. When He floods us with the knowledge of His presence, the other voices desperately attempting to plant seeds of doubt will be banished.

 

When we seek to discern the VOICE of TRUTH amidst the chaos, distractions, and confusion bombarding us, we are able to stay steady in our Walk and Work for Christ. When we don’t waver, we can be confident with each step we take.

 

Nonetheless, it doesn’t come natural. We have to be intentional in our focus on Christ. Everything in the world around us is competing for our attention.

 

Most of you are familiar with the “The Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns. I had not heard the song in a while, and then I heard it last night on XM Radio.

 

Here’s a video of “The Voice of Truth” with clips from the movies Bruce Almighty and The Truman Show. Check it out when you get a chance….

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqg6QOY8oKc

 

“Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort and a prayer that God will be there to pull us out of the water”…Max Lucado

 

DESTROY DOUBT WITH A DAILY DIET OF HIS DIVINE LOVE

LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF TRUTH….

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES?

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Oct 11-17, 2009) October 14, 2009

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

A sister in Christ, Christie Bryant, sent me a profound message on forgiveness written by Terri Savelle Foy, the daughter of well-known ministry, Jerry Savelle.  

 

I decided to rewrite Terri’s version of ”Forgiveness is a Choice” as it has applied to my life and my past. I have referenced some of her message, but I have added my own insights for emphasis.

 

UNFORGIVENESS…..A delicate subject that every single one of us has dealt with. Unfortunately, some live in a vicious cycle of unforgiveness which can lead to a lifetime of unforgiveness. Getting our feelings hurt, being offended, feeling resentful and/or bitter are areas we all face relationally on one level or another.

 

When Terri Savelle Foy was in high school she participated in gymnastics. Each summer the team would take a break, but would return to full force training in the fall. When Terri would begin practicing the uneven bars after taking three months off, her hands would become raw from the blisters that would develop from her hands rubbing continuously on the bars. The pain would become so severe that she had no choice but to wrap them with tape in order to endure the consistent swinging on the bars. The more she practiced the tougher the skin on her hands became, because of the calluses she developed. Her hands became so hard from the calluses that she couldn’t even feel her own skin.

 

This is what can happen to our hearts if we are hurt, abused, or mistreated. Sometimes when someone has hurt us, we become so self-centered that we share our story of pain as if no one else has experienced it.  And, even though it’s not something we should keep bottled inside, it’s extremely crucial to recognize that dwelling on the pain will lead to a hardening of our heart. Our heart will become callous and cold. We will become numb and indifferent to Scripture that commands us to embrace the love and mercy of the Lord, and we will fail to take the steps necessary to forgive. Instead, we stew inside and obsess over the offense and replay it over and over in our head analyzing each detail. Whenever we are around people who haven’t heard our story, we are compelled to share our pitiful plight.

 

So, what’s the answer? Simply to forgive. You ask how? The only way. Give it to God, ask God to help you with your unforgiveness. CHOOSE to cancel the debt. CHOOSE to LET IT GO. When we stop swinging over and over the uneven bars…..when we choose to stop doing and saying whatever it is that has calloused our heart…..that is when healing takes place. When we decide to stop reliving the pain, God can and will do a miracle in our heart. It’s sad that some people go around trying to be a debt collector, trying to get people to pay the debt that they feel is owed to them. However, no one can pay that debt back. Why? Because that debt was paid once and for all at the CROSS.

 

God is the only true VINDICATOR. His love wants to hold us…..He wants to heal our hearts supernaturally.  God will turn a heart of stone into a heart of clay. He will restore us completely. It’s a promise of His, but He cannot do His work until we do our part. However, we cannot wait until we “feel” like forgiving, because we will be waiting forever. The feeling will not come until after we have taken the faith steps to CHOOSE TO FORGIVE. The tenderness in our heart will return with the help of Jesus.  

 

The most powerful reason to forgive …….HE FORGAVE US. He took the nails for us, and He had done absolutely nothing wrong. He took the blame. He took the shame. He took the pain. HE is the only ONE who was capable of giving HIS ALL for every sin we have ever committed or ever will commit. That is the weight of the world.

 

So, if you want to travel light…..release the burden of forgiveness.  Terri suggests a beautiful confession to get you started:

 

“LORD, I CHOOSE BY FAITH TO FORGIVE (and say their name) FOR WHAT THEY DID TO ME (or what they did to someone you love).

 

FORGIVENESS BRINGS HEALING

IT’S A CHOICE….CHOOSE HEALING

 

BECAUSE HE CHOSE YOU!!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Oct 3-10, 2009) October 9, 2009

 

Psalm 63:1-4 (The Message)

God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

  

The GLORY of the Lord is unmistakably evident when God inhabits a place. Yes, God is everywhere all the time. However, there is a heaviness of His Spirit that is so profound when He chooses to make Himself known. If you have never experienced this, you might ask…how and when will His Spirit appear? It’s actually very simple. He inhabits the praises of His people. When we worship Him with reckless abandon, He cannot help but show up.

  

Last night, I had the awesome privilege of experiencing one of the most beautiful moments in worship I have ever known. Church of the Highlands was honored to have Kari Jobe as guest for our Wednesday evening service. It was off the charts amazing! (I also have to add that the incredible worship time over the course of last weekend during Highlands women’s reCreate conference prepared our hearts to be hungry for even more of HIS immeasurable presence!)

  

When God reaches you deep within your soul, it may be totally unexpected. Even if you are seeking Him completely, something supernatural happens within you, when you decide to release everything you have to Him in worship. 

 

I wanted to direct your attention to three worships songs that moved me last night. Jobe is known for ”Revelation Song” but she also shared songs known by other artists. I have included the links to not only “Revelation Song” but that of “Hosanna” sung by Brooke Fraser of Hillsong United and “How He Loves Us”  by Kim Walker. I have also thrown in my favorite portion of the lyrics of each these songs.

 

If you have time over the weekend, I recommend you listen to the following three worship songs and see if God doesn’t take you to a higher place of intimacy with Him. I don’t see how I can add another thing. Taste the presence of our Holy God….it’s remarkable!

 

REVELATION SONG – KARI JOBE / GATEWAY CHURCH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahhg1LFGyPA

 

My favorite part of the lyrics:

 

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah…

 

HOSANNA – BROOKE FRASER / HILLSONG UNITED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6hiyVV_GtU&feature=related

 

My favorite portion of the lyrics:

 

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

 

 

HOW HE LOVES US - KIM WALKER / JESUS CULTURE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps

 

My favorite part of the lyrics:

 

He is jealous for me
Love’s like a hurricane,
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of
His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.

 

I know that this message was a little different than those I have written before– I just couldn’t help but share my passion for worship, and if you will truly “give all you have” in worship…..you might just find yourself in a realm you never thought possible….no kidding!

 

SEEK HIM THROUGH WORSHIP!

PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!

LET HIS SPIRIT OVERWHELM YOU AND TAKE OVER!

SUSIE MC

Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I – will – adore You!

Verse and Message (Week of Sept 27-Oct 3, 2009) October 1, 2009

 

Psalm 26:2

Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

 

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

Last Wednesday night, Pastor Chris presented a message called “Passing Life’s Tests.” There are ten tests he suggested that all of us will’; go through at some time or another.

 

In this world we will face trouble. Trials will come our way; it’s a fact. Not only do we question the reason for these times, but we also try to determine the source of the trial. We might blame people for something difficult we are experiencing, or we may possibly accuse Satan for our troubles. Tests usually take place in our lives to measure how we are doing. In school, obviously, a test determines our level of academics. In life, the tests often point to where we might fall on the scale in our faith journey. The secret to that process is not only understanding the tests we undergo but allowing ourselves to appreciate the tests we encounter.

 

Here are the 10 Tests in Life:

 

1.  The Test of Small Things 

This test will reflect how faithful we are in things that may personally seem insignificant to us. But, if we are faithful in the little things, the Lord will give us a chance to be faithful in the big things. An example of faithfulness in small things would be taking the opportunity at the workplace or in ministry to do something no one else desires to do. When I worked in Disney World, the entire cast was encouraged to pick up trash in the park. Everyone was expected to take pride in the small things required whether your job was selling merchandise or operating as a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise. In other words, work as hard as you can as if you were working for the Lord–Who is the real CEO after all! God smiles at the servant heart.

 

2.  The Motivation Test

This test will determine if we are doing things with the correct motive. God is much more interested in our heart than our sacrifice. No matter what we do, no matter how great it may be….it means nothing without the right heart. An example of this would be the character Job. The devil tried to prove that Job would curse the Lord’s Name once calamity befell him. However, God allowed the tests Job had to endure in order to prove that Job’s true character of devotion and commitment to the One True God would remain the same. He praised God’s Name in the storm. His heart stayed pure throughout all the trauma he had to withstand. The result? Job was restored much more than he had in the first place.

 

3.  The Stewardship Test

How do we currently manage the resources that God is giving us?  As the Lord blesses us with provisions, time, relationships, etc, do we in return give out of the overflow we receive. What’s the point of our gifts if we cannot share them? So, let’s be faithful in our tithe, faithful and wise in the use of our time, and faithful in growing relationships. The best way to gain a friend is to become one. We are only able to LOVE, because He first loved us.

 

4.  The Wilderness Test

We all experience dry seasons in our walk. There have been times that we don’t have the desire to read the Bible, or the passion to pray, or even the energy or motivation to be nice to people. We must stay devoted to the Word, Prayer, and People even when we don’t feel like it. Love is an action, not a feeling. The best way to stay devoted in these areas is to be pliable and be open for change. All circumstances and situations will change. The beautiful thing to remember is that GOD NEVER CHANGES. If we want to be aligned with His will and at peace, we must allow Him to mold us and stay committed to the things that matter….The Word, Prayer, and Healthy Relationships.

 

5.  Credibility / Integrity Test

Don’t live according to the customs of the world. It’s easy to allow the world to influence our talk, our wardrobe, our activities, etc. We must focus on staying pure and being honest with ourselves and others. We need to be the same person on Friday night that we are on Sunday mornings. WWJD? Yes, we must ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?”

 

6.  The Authority Test

Submission is an attitude that God is looking for. We must determine our submission and keep our attitudes pure. It’s ok to disagree, but we can still be submissive to our leaders. Don’t talk negatively about your boss. Be respectful and faithful to God. God commands us to submit to authority. Of course, our Ultimate Authority is most important.

 

7.  The Forgiveness Test

We must not hate people. We must instead hate the devil. Our conflict is not with flesh and blood. But, you might say, “He hurt me.” Well…..our mindset should be that of Christ. We have no right to hold anything against someone, because, the ONLY REASON WE HAVE LIFE IS BECAUSE GOD LET US OFF THE HOOK AT THE CROSS. The best way to show mercy is to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes. Maybe that person has had a bad day. Maybe that person is struggling over many things. Maybe that person doesn’t have God. The best way we can show someone Jesus is to be like Jesus. Forgiving an offense simply means canceling the debt. God will provide the healing if we take the step to LET GO and LET GOD step in and change hearts.

 

8.  The Warfare Test

This test exposes our ability to stand strong when all Hell breaks loose. If you lose your job, you get sick, a relationship is stirred up, and you can’t find your keys …..you feel like throwing your hands up in the air and giving up. Most of the time when it rains….it pours. God won’t allow us to go through anything that He won’t provide the strength and perseverance for. Usually, it’s pretty obvious when we are in the midst of warfare, because it becomes comical how many things seem to be going poorly.

 

9.  The Test of Time

Whoa…this one is a hot point for me. This test is the test of our patience. We want it NOW, NOW, NOW!! Or, we might have a COW, COW, COW!! If we will relax and wait until His appointed time, His plan instead of our forced plan will unfold and it will become more than we could ever hope for or imagine! Seize the day, enjoy the NOW…don’t rush ahead…wait on the Author of Perfect Planning!

 

10. The Lordship Test

This tests whether or not God really has the last Word in our lives. God didn’t want “Isaac” ….instead He wanted Abraham. Abraham’s heart and commitment to God was proven, and when Abraham’s devotion was reflected, God rewarded Abraham and provided the ram. If we truly serve Him, we are saying,”Thy will be done.” Is He genuinely the Lord of our lives?

 

HE PROVIDES TESTS SO THAT WE CAN EXPERIENCE TRUE LIFE!

SUBMISSION WILL BRING SUCCESS

WALK THE WALK AND TALK THE TALK….

IT’S EASY WHEN WE ARE IN LOVE WITH JESUS!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Sept 20-26, 2009) September 24, 2009

 

Ephesians 4:27

Do not give the devil a foothold.

 

Ephesians 6:10-11; 14-18a

Put on the full ARMOR OF GOD so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Stand firm then, with the BELT OF TRUTH buckled around your waist, with the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. In addition, take up the SHIELD OF FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the HELMET OF SALVATION and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD. And PRAY IN THE SPIRIT on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

  

I have a favorite pair of jeans that I really can’t live without. Ok, well, if I had to give them up I could, but I wouldn’t want to. They are so comfortable, and the crazy thing — I paid for them with holes and fray already manifested within them.

 

Saturday, I volunteered at the ERA / Oxford Realty 8K that Johnny and Liz Montgomery host each third Saturday in September. I decided I would wear my “holy” jeans as I like to call them, because they are truly set-apart from the rest of my denim choices, and I wanted to be comfortable. 

 

The weather here in Birmingham has been anything but dry. It’s possible we have had enough rain in the past couple of weeks to make up for the lack of rain that occurred last year. The problem with consistent rainfall is that there’s a particular insect that thrives in the overwhelming humidity. This insect happens to be one of my least favorite of God’s creatures (which I would be hard-pressed to include a pair for the ark that I considered building). They are a pesky nuisance of the insect family – mosquitoes.

 

I am a magnet to those pests. They will find a place to feast on my body no matter what I am wearing. If there is one mosquito in a room of one hundred people, I will certainly be the target. Well, that wet day at the race, those irritants managed to find the holes and fray in my jeans…and they had a party. I am still scratching those bites….OUCH. 

 

The Lord dropped in my spirit an interesting revelation as I was scratching that afternoon. Mosquitoes attack what is most vulnerable. Mosquitoes have no mercy. Mosquitos suck the life out of you.

 

I realize that there have been times in my journey when I have become complacent and slack in my walk. Such negligence has allowed holes or fray in my spirit for the enemy to set up a tailgate and have a party. These moments can cause so much discomfort that it’s difficult to focus on anything else. We cannot allow ourselves to become vulnerable, lest the devil will get a foothold.

 

We have to protect ourselves with the Full Armor of God, and we must stay alert in order to resist his bites of vengeance. We cannot leave one crevice open.

 

According to Charles Stanley’s words in When the Enemy Strikes, there are four goals of our enemy:

 

1.  To draw you away from God.

2.  To thwart God’s purpose from your life.

3.  To deny the glory of God in your life.

4.  To destroy you in any way he can, including physical health.

–Just a sidenote I recall from literature class–

Would you believe another name for the devil is “Old Scratch?”

 

It’s important to recognize that Jesus overcame the powers of darkness in His work at the Cross, and we have been given the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions…and mosquitoes. The Blood of the Lamb extinguished all demonic powers.

 

Nonetheless, our enemy is a liar and he will attempt to brainwash us into believing that we are powerless against his schemes. The key is to keep our eyes on Christ. When we take our eyes off of Jesus, we are apt to compromise initially….and compromise eventually leads to destruction. On the flipside, the more captivated we are by our Savior, the less sin and temptations will entice us. 

 

We must guard our hearts and minds and we need to be intent on calling on our Body Guard each morning to walk with us. Don’t get “comfortable”….stay alert and wear the full armor consistently.

The most active piece of armor is The Sword of the Spirit. When used accurately, effectively, and consistently the Word of God NEVER FAILS.. Jesus proved it’s effectiveness in the wilderness when satan tempted Him.

 

And, lastly, the enemy’s powers are annihilated if we stand strong in prayer. Prayer provides us discernment and direction, greater awareness of sin that we need to confess, and prayer gives us added energy and strength.

 

Pesky mosquitoes crave blood, but we know that satan shivers at the thought of the BLOOD OF JESUS. The primary benefit of redemption as Christians is that we are covered in the BLOOD OF JESUS. But the POWER OF THE BLOOD is only active when we apply His repellant daily and CLAIM IT IN HIS NAME!

 

The Enemy attacks what is most vulnerable.

IN CHRIST WE ARE PROTECTED AND VICTORIOUS!

The enemy has no mercy.

THE MERCY AND GRACE OF OUR SAVIOR IS ETERNAL!

The enemy will suck the life out of you.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Sept 13-19, 2009) September 18, 2009

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

 

I was laughing the other day hearing my son quote word for word several lines in a movie. It’s a hobby of his, and he’s quite gifted in reciting movie lines. Most of us can come up with a couple of movie lines, but why do you think that is something we enjoy? The answer is that we all enjoy what is familiar. We like it when we recognize a quote, a line, or famous saying. See if you recognize the following famous movie quotes…..

 

“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
FORREST GUMP 1994

  

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
JAWS 1975

 

“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings”

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1946
 

“Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
THE WIZARD OF OZ 1939

 

“May the Force be with you.”
STAR WARS 1977

 

“E.T. phone home.”
E.T. THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL 1982

 

“Show me the money!”
JERRY MAGUIRE 1996

 

“You can’t handle the truth!”

A FEW GOOD MEN 1992

 

“I see dead people.”
THE SIXTH SENSE 1999

 

“Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF  1986

 

“Go ahead make my day.”

SUDDEN IMPACT 1983

 

“H`asta la vista baby!”

TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY 1991

  

It’s interesting to me how fascinated we are in quoting movie scripts as well as song lyrics. Wouldn’t it be amazing, if as many people who could quote a famous line in a movie or a lyric in a Top 40 music hit could quote Scripture as effectively? Imagine the power in that!

  

I have spoken to people who say that they have trouble memorizing Scripture. How do we memorize movie lines and songs? We play them over and over. We learn by repetition. In fact, my friend Jerry has amused his friends on facebook by quoting famous 80’s lyrics in his status update. He will start a line in a song, and a series of replies by his friends are posted with the rest of the song. Some of the songs he has posted are not highly favored by some, and it never fails for someone to claim, “Thanks, now I am going to have that song in my head for days.”

 

Same concept people. If we study the LIVING WORD OF GOD….if we were to experiment with repetition….Scripture would be so easy to claim in any given circumstance. We could call upon the verse and claim it in Jesus Name……and POWER would PREVAIL. There’s nothing more powerful than speaking the Word of God! His Word never returns void!

 

How do you think hymns and worship songs were/are written? They are taken from the Holy Word. So, if you don’t think you have memorized Scripture, well, think again …if you know any worship music or have dedicated to your memory any classic hymns, you have memorized some of Scripture.

 

The most active piece of the Armor of God that we can utilize is the Bible – The Sword of the Spirit. Try it…….you just might get hooked! If you need some help determining a daily reading plan, go to the following link where you can pull up the One Year Bible that we use at Church of the Highlands. It includes a portion of the Old Testament, a portion of the New Testament, a Psalm, and a Proverb as well as a mini devotional to tie it all together.

http://www.churchofthehighlands.com/oneyearbible/

 

IF YOU ARE HUNGRY, THEN EAT!

CHEW ON THIS….

FEED ON THE LIVING WORD OF GOD….

THE ONLY BREAD THAT TRULY SATISFIES ETERNALLY!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Sept 6-12, 2009) September 11, 2009

 

James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

  

Each day we face all kinds of situations that can frustrate or upset us. We wake up late, we forget to put the garbage out, we can’t find our keys, we get caught in traffic, etc. Little inconveniences that can make living life a strain sometimes will take on a domino effect. You have all heard the phrases, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another” or “When it rains, it pours” or “What else can go wrong?” By the way…don’t ask that last question too often, because it can always get worse.

 

Truthfully, sometimes things do seem to snowball. Something may happen, and we get past it like last week when I got a speeding ticket. I am not saying I wasn’t speeding, but there were a gazillion roadblocks in my day, and when I finally got past all the starts and stops, I was on a mission to accomplish an important task…like taking something to my sons school. He had a “well check-up” last Monday, and we had forgotten to get his doctor’s excuse. I was able to get the “well check-up” doctor’s excuse to the school after being pulled over only to have a repeat doctor’s visit that evening, because Connor came home, YES that same day, with Swine Flu. I remembered to pick up the doctors excuse this time, and then headed to the pharmacy in hot pursuit of Tami-flu (but no speeding this time). Unfortunately, the computers were down. I had several prescriptions waiting but couldn’t purchase them without proper operation of the computer system. I felt like I handled it all pretty well. I felt that God gave me a proper dose of patience…

  + +  +

UNTIL….Thursday night when I was in the process of sending out my verse and message, my computer system went down. It took hours to send my weekly message when I finally threw my hands in the air and asked God, “What’s the deal…here I am serving you, and you are allowing this computer glitch to hinder me from sharing your Word?” He stopped me in my tracks quickly……..He said…..”Consider my brother, Paul.” What an eye opener…..and a clear reminder my friends. Check this out….

 

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 (The Message)

I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.

 

When we are running against the enemy in furtherance of the Gospel, why would we expect it to be a cakewalk? The enemy will do whatever he can to break us down and wear us out. The enemy wants us to throw up our hands and give up the Cause of Christ. And, WHY? Because it’s working….our efforts to share the Love of JESUS is working my friends.

 

Paul risked his life each and every day as he served the Lord. I hardly risk my life….and I was complaining about an internet inconvenience? The good news…. I did get the good news out as God allows each week! Sometimes, it’s important not to take for granted the freedom that we still have to share the Gospel. I wouldn’t have wanted to walk in Paul’s shoes….but more importantly, I will NEVER suffer an ounce of what Christ endured, much less Paul’s experiences.

 

Don’t let frustrations and inconveniences in life wear you down….in other words, don’t sweat the small stuff. Instead of sweating it…give it ALL to the Lord. He wants it all. He wants to lift the burden of everything, whether it’s true tough stuff or minor annoyances you face.  

 

CONSIDER JESUS….HE GAVE IT ALL!

LIFE IS GOOD when you are running with Jesus!

CONSIDER IT ALL JOY, because of the JOY in JESUS set before us!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Aug 30-Sept 5, 2009) September 4, 2009

Archives of my weekly Verse and Message can be found at my blog link: http://susiemc.wordpress.com    Psalm 46:10a (NIV) Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 118:24 (NIV) This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.    Leviticus 19:18 (The Message) Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself.    I got a puppy at the end of May, and several of my friends asked me to incorporate “Lena-Belle” in my verse and message since she has brought me such joy.   In the January 11, 2009 of “Parade” in The Birmingham News there was an article written by The Dog Whisperer on “What Your Pet Can Teach You.” I liked the points, but I have taken a few and edited them to my liking as it relates biblically, and I am using Lena-Belle, my puppy, as the reference point. Check out the following thoughts, and see what Lena-Belle is teaching me!   Live In The Moment Dogs don’t regret the past or worry about the future. I can attest, because when Lena-Belle has had an accident, she sure isn’t worried about it more than a few seconds after the incident. The animal kingdom isn’t so much concerned about past mistakes. We humans are tempted to dwell on the past.. A mistake is simply an “opportunity” to improve our future. If we are too busy looking in the rear-view mirror, we are liable to happen upon a more serious accident….   Celebrate Each Day   For a dog, every morning is Christmas morning, every walk is the best walk, every meal is the best meal, and every game is the best game. If we want to embrace each day with all the joy and favor God gives us, we must seize the moment and be grateful for each experience…the small things, the ordinary things, the big things, and even the tough things.    Nurture A Balanced Life Dogs have no trouble doing the balancing act. They eat, they drink, they play, they love, and they sleep. Balance is tricky for humans, especially in our generation. Balance includes taking control of your schedule, relieving pressure with margin, and doing only what you can do. Balance must include recreation as well as relaxation, and maintaining a healty diet. The best way for me to maintain balance is to surrender my schedule each morning to God. Once I give it to Him, somehow He manages to redeem my time and energy. On the days I fail to consult Him, my day gets rushed, stressed, and I end the day dangerously exhausted.   Trust Your Instincts Animals recognize that what’s really going on in any interaction is beneath the surface. As Christians, we have something more powerful than instinct to get our attention. The Holy Spirit within us convicts us and leads us in our interactions and tugs us when something “isn’t right.” This gift works well when we listen and are obedient to that “still small voice” whenever there is a decision to be made or there is a warning in our midst.   Be Direct and Consistent In Communication Clear and consistent communication builds effective relationships no matter what species. Say what you want, and mean what you say. Let your “yes” be yes and let your “no” be no. Most importantly, speak the truth in love.   Learn to Listen Lena-Belle listens even though she’s not always obedient. Her ears perk up when I talk to her. She knows when it’s time to eat, when it’s time to play or go for a walk, or when it’s time to go to bed. If she sat around barking all day, she might miss out on something important. Many times we bark about things. If we would just be still and take time to listen to God, we might get a bonus, just like Lena-Belle gets a dog treat when she listens. Lena-Belle crawls in my lap, but she doesn’t try to fix my problems…she listens and looks at me with her sweet eyes. That’s love.   Don’t Hold Grudges Sometimes I have to leave Lena-Belle in the backyard for hours while I am at work and Connor is at school. Occasionally, a neighbor or family member will come check on her. However, the days she is left alone, she doesn’t have a chip on her shoulder when I get home…she jumps up and down and licks me to pieces like there is no tomorrow. She forgives and totally forgets.   Understand and Live Out Your Purpose Lena-Belle’s first priority is pleasing her master. She gets selfish sometimes, but when all is said and done, she wants to make me happy. Our purpose should be doing whatever God has called us to do to build the Kingdom, pleasing our Master and fulfilling our God-given purpose. When we find our true purpose, our life develops meaning.   I hope these ideas are helpful as you embrace each day God has given you. It definitely grabbed my attention.    IN THIS DOG EAT DOG WORLD…LET’S FEED ON THE HOLY SPIRIT! AFTERALL…ISN’T JESUS MAN’S BEST FRIEND? SUSIE MC