Good morning my dear readers,
I hope this letter finds you well. The topic that the Lord has put on my mind is about relationships, further more to address why relationships are so hard sometimes. I woke up this morning, said [in my heart], “good morning Lord”, grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to the front porch to see if I could discover something new in my life.
As I sit on my front porch swing, it wasn’t long before I was dealing with a cat and watching the horses in the field. As I interacted, or tried to discourage interaction with the cat, which was / and is consistently an ever so needy and demanding cat, I also noticed Amie in the field.
Why am I sharing this with you today? Well the fact is, that I like the cats; I like animals. I like people! Yet, sometimes getting along with people can be more difficult at times than others. This morning, as I discouraged sharing my time with this cat, I thought of how sometimes, we just just need a quiet moment when we may or may not be in the presence of people. People need people!!!
Or perhaps, something is going on in a person’s life that we may feel jilted by a person, not knowing what they are going through, like I discouraged attention from this cat this morning. Sometimes, we have to be careful to notice, that we people can get our feelings hurt; and also make up our mind MUCH too quick about how a person feels about us / or how we may feel about another person????
The thought that come to me this morning, what if we were more persistent like a cat to believe we have value to offer (JESUS); and not be so quick to take things personal against us???
Also, I like the horses, and each, cats and horses and people, in their / our own nature and personalities have things that I adore, and things to deal with. Think about how we deal with people as you read this. Think of how you view yourself as you read this. Allow the Lord to minister HIS love [the Love of Jesus] in your soul as you read this, that what would happen if we would keep (gently) coming back to ‘walled up’ relationships, with a confidence [in Christ] (God’s love of Jesus) that our presence is welcome & in a confidence [JESUS] like a cat won’t be so easily offended by the shunning we sometimes give others.
returning to THE CHURCH
Of course there are boundaries that are safe to keep!!! And, times to “shake the dust off your feet” and turn and walk away. This message is more about returning to THE CHURCH! And what does that look like. “Never tire of gathering together as some are in the habit of doing …”
She, Amie Lou,
took a beautiful and readied pose
Have you ever seen a horse notice someone, or something different, in, or near their field? She, Amie Lou, took a beautiful and readied pose with full attention pointed to what, I don’t know, but I know she saw something, or someone at or near, the fence that keeps her pasture. It wasn’t long until she gaited beautifully into the woods to get a closer look at the “intruder” –almost as to discover if they were a friend or a foe.
Our other horse Brownie, didn’t even look up from grazing on the morning tender grass, so I was assured, that whatever Amie saw was not another horse; or even a threat. The funny thing about horses is that when a new horse enters the field there is a level of excitement and also an element of challenge to establish who the alpha horse is. In Church, Jesus is the head, so that element should be eliminated to work together as in harmony. There is peace in a church filled with the Holy Spirit, as a peace is in a well-established and in order field.
The point is that no matter what our gift is, (even if you don’t know you have a gift; you do), our gifts are valuable and important to share with others. Capture your thoughts and keep your focus on Jesus. We are “human beings”, so just simply BE who you are (and remember our value is SET in Jesus, who died for whosoever believes on HIM). We are not human doers, so don’t fret and try so hard, just be simply who Jesus makes you to be.
Romans 12:2King James Version (KJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Now, then there was that pesky cat, who is relentless to get attention demanding that his needs must be met. Or demanding that I realize that I need to pet a cat! LOL If you could see this particular cat run after our dog, Buster, it is hilarious! Yet, I have to say, I feel sorry for Buster, when he stops to look at me with those begging eyes, as if to say, “help me.”
Can we try too hard sometimes too and smother people who just need space to grow. Love is patient and kind, and is not rude; nor does love boast. Sometimes, if we have grown in a certain area, it is really difficult to have [discovered the answer in our life]; and not want to crack someone’s head open and pour the information in to help them in the same way God’s Word helped us. “Pouring in” is not our job, Filling is not our job, but the job of the Holy Spirit. Praise God for that Revelation just now! Planting and watering seeds as God gives is what we do; and it is the Lord God who makes all things grow.
As we learn and mature in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we learn patience is our strength and prayer is powerful and effective in Jesus Name!
We can pray for people so much more effectively than by smothering each other with filling the air with words trying to help. Sometimes silence is more powerful, especially in a heart that is praying for God’s Will.
As much as I discouraged the cat from entering my private space this morning, “Hope” the real name of our male black cat persisted that I must understand what he had to offer by allowing me to pet him. LOL. You see, our cats, ‘Faith & Hope’ are probably typical cats, but still they have a unique story. They were found by our son in the wild as stray / wild cats at 4 ½ weeks old. As kittens, they were furious and about as cute as anything that I have ever seen. Yet, they were scared, because they had entered a strange and uncomfortable new home.
Think of how we feel; how do others feel and how we can respond to people being sensitive to how the Holy Spirit guides us to respond and give peace unto others …as the Lord Jesus is the Source of Peace.
Jesus said,
“27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27-31 KJV).”
As time emerged, our children, would not give up on loving these kittens and proving their love for them was gentle and kind; and safe. As God has SO loved us. These cats, “Faith & Hope” will let the kids hold them like a baby still today, because they know the love they have for them. Yes, both of these cats, wait on and love to intrude on our dog, Buster’s, space; and ours at times. Yet, I believe we can learn a simple lesson of confidence in our very being from these cats that we do belong to the Church, because in Jesus Name!
These cats, by nature I believe, know no boundaries to rubbing a moving or living object. It is what they do. But they are relentless to the point Buster struggles to just turn around at times. Buster will turn one way, and the cat will cut him off. Almost rude, the poor dog just can’t seem to escape to just be a dog and pee on a tree in peace. However, the cats mean no harm, they truly seem to adore Buster.
Now, “I don’t have it all figured out, BUT God does … Follow Jesus!” …Is my personal motto. Yet, I believe these are the ways, the Lord is guiding my words to encourage you and inspire you today. I pray that the Lord just melts them into your heart, that God’s love is genuine and persistent for you. And God’s love is good! God’s love is NOT a nuisance, but God’s love for you is good. Sometimes our human nature just wants to get in the way.
Now, think about human nature; and how we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Yet, God purposely formed us all with different personalities and degrees of social skills and talents and measures of faith. I personally have become convinced that learning to get along with people is God’s intention for us on this earth and our faith is meant to grow.
This is the introduction to the Topic that the Holy Spirit gave me a week or so ago. I hope this letter helps us to pray for God to open our eyes of how to pray and respond and react to others –and even how to pray and respond to how others react to us. I hope this gives you an idea of how special you are to Christ and how much you fit in the family of God.
how special you are to Christ
Top 5 Lies; One Great Truth, by Karen Rowe May, 19, 2017
Let’s Begin by Opening our Bibles to John 8:44 & John 14:6
- Soul fighting Lie #1: You are alone.
- Soul in Truth & Peace: God loves you and Jesus near.
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV)
- Soul fighting Lie #2: You are the Right one.
- Soul in Peace: God is the Right one. Jesus is the Truth, the Way and the Life. Our job is to allow the love of God to flow like a River of Grace and Truth in HIM.
“ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18 KJV).
- Soul fighting Lie #3: You are a failure.
- Soul in Peace: We all make mistakes, but Keep your Helmet of Salvation on! Take control of your thoughts! Keep your focus on Jesus. “Salvation” in the concrete—all that is of the Saviour, all that makes up our “state of salvation” by His atonement and grace—received in earnest now, hoped for in perfection hereafter.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For 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. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:10-17 KJV).”
YES, you are welcome!
- Soul fighting Lie #4: You are not welcome.
- Soul in Peace: Jesus departed earth to go to heaven to prepare a place for you! He is excited to have you in the family! YES, you are welcome! And YES, you fit in the family of God. Do you believe? Sometimes, we can be tempted to deny the truth, but remember Jesus is the Truth. How can we refuse Him now?
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17 KJV).”
Soul in Peace: Jesus makes us belong!
- Soul fighting Lie #5: You do not belong / or fit in.
- Soul in Peace: Jesus makes us belong! Because of Jesus, not because of me. Jesus is the Truth, who will you choose to believe? Take control of your thoughts! God has said, because Jesus, said “It is finished.” It is finished. Quit struggling and just believe in who Jesus is and live grateful showing the world who Jesus is to you! Your confidence will help another to see God’s love for them, through seeing your confidence in God’s love for you.
Tell your story:
“20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control (Philippians 3:20-21 NLT).”
Scripture Focus 1:
“It is Written” that Satan is the Father of Lies:
“You belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and has never stood for truth, since there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44 ISV).
When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Satan is the “father of lies” in that he is the original liar.
Scripture Focus HOPE:
…see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
There is HOPE for whosoever might believe:
“For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them (Matthew 13:15).’
Scripture Focus 2:
“It is written” that Jesus is our Savior: The Truth; and in Him there is no lie:
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6 KJV).”
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life …
Let us pray,
Father, I thank you for who you are! Hallowed be thy Name! Thy Kingdom Come! Thank you for sending Jesus to save my soul! Father, I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit that I can pray this prayer for those reading. Father God, In Jesus Name, I ask you to rest in this message that all who come will know your love for them. That they will see and discover who you are to them. Father, I pray that You will help us understand who we are to You. Lord Jesus, thank you for what you have done for me. Lord Jesus, I know you can be an awesome friend! Befriend those to help them know their value to You. Befriend those who are struggling in their purpose to know the Truth of who they are. Father, I thank you that we can know who we are, because of who you are. God, You are love! And, to come to know and believe in this love you have for us is tremendously life changing. I pray that you intersect in the lives of those reading in a powerful way, that they too can discover this wonderful love that you have for them. I thank you for this ability to write this prayer and I ask that you get all the glory and Jesus gets all the praise from within the hearts of many who will believe, because of what Jesus has done. It is finished. Now, Lord, teach us how to survive in this world after the miracle of believing, by following you, as our friend. We love you Father. I love you Holy Spirit. I love you Jesus, my precious and adorned friend. You are the reason, I breathe on difficult days. You are the reason I have confidence to serve.
Love in Christ, to all who will read and to those who do not, Father I ask you in Jesus Name to send someone to intersect in their life today –that the love they see will point to you and stir their heart to seek you in a personal way. I pray we all continue to grow deeper in our relationship with you as we all are growing closer to eternity with each passing … gift of Today. Lord, what a blessed day it is, to call you by Name.
Father, help the words flow from the heart, I believe and desire a relationship to grow nearer to Heaven and father away from the ways of the world. Father, as you flow love into our hearts, remind us of who we are to you. As we smile in the mirror, let us see ourselves as you see us and remind us the power of our smile. Lord Jesus, I believe my smile is powerful to let someone know today that they are worth everything to you.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.
I hope this is a blessing to you!
Love in Christ,
Karen Rowe
Hope in Today Ministries, Inc.
The Train Whistle, Sounding the call of God’s Love [2012 Published], by Karen Rowe