Take It and Grow With It

You have heard the statement .."take it and run with it" or "take it and go with it" ..in regards to a concept or idea.
Well, my brain jumps to "take it and grow with it"
As in...Christ's gift of salvation!
📖 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

So, whoever believes should have eternal life!  You believe in Jesus Christ Gods son, you believe in the crucifixion and the resurrection.... You believe that without it,you a sinner, shall be eternally separated from God.  You believe...you are saved!
BUT now what....
Take this gift and GrOw with it!
📖 continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:12b-13

📖 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.  James 2:17-19

If we have the faith to believe, then our deeds must reflect that...and one of those deeds is continuing to grow and learn.

Peter, in his second letter to the churches,  talks about Christs's 2nd coming and appealed to his readers as to what to do until that time...
📖 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
In other words we need to keep GROWING until we see Jesus!
To read the whole chapter click on the link
2 Peter 3
I thought this was appropriate as we enter the advent season next Sunday.
Each week during Advent we learn, discuss, meditate on an atribute of the true meaning of Christmas; Hope, Peace, Joy, Love
As we prepare to celebrate the earthly beginnings of this Savior of ours let's commit to growing more each day...in our knowledge and love for Christ.
So please join me each Monday starting December 3rd as we go through advent together.
This season...if you haven't already...
Take His gift and GrOw with it!

My Legacy

We sang a new song at church yesterday...and it is a good one! Only Jesus by Casting Crowns
And following a weekend filled with children and grandchildren, celebrating a first birthday and packing shoeboxes... it made me think.....(of course it did!😉)
The chorus:
 🎶And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus
When we gather as family, memories and stories are shared...it is an important part of family heritage.  It is also a way for the younger generation to be connected to the past...it is vital.  Memories of grandparents, walks in the woods, reading stories, tea parties, sleepovers.....I hope my kids have beautiful memories and now as a GiGi I want my grands to have great memories like my kids do...and I do of my grandparents.
But listening to that song I realize that though those memories are important ...the best legacy I can leave to my grandchildren, my children...to anyone....is Jesus.  That all I did in life was about Him, passing on His memories, His stories.
It brought me to the verse
📖Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

Do we honor Him in all we do?
As we gather this week for all the festivities that surround Thanksgiving....will people see Jesus?
As we enter the Christmas season....will the memories being made center around Jesus?  

📖 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

📖 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16


🎶 Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself
Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else
Make a name the world remembers
But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams
I got lost in the light when it was up to me
To make a name the world remembers
But Jesus is the only name to remember

All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won
Will crumble into dust when it’s said and done
But all that really matters
Did I live the truth to the ones I love
Was my life the proof that there is only One
Whose name will last forever

And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus                            Lyrics by Mark Hall, Matthew West, Bernie Herms

click on the link and enjoy the song Only Jesus by Casting Crowns

A poem I wrote in 2010

  🦃Thanksgiving Day🦃 

Thanksgiving is a time to gather those we love close by

We laugh and eat and celebrate and even enjoy some pie.

We eat until our bellies are full, we work, and rest and play

But do we stop and give pause on Thanksgiving Day?

To reflect on all the blessings that are showered from above,

Gifts from our Lord and Savior, who lavishes us with love

Will we stop to think as we dress ourselves that morn,

 that we have choices of what to wear, what color or how warm?

As we bathe and shower and brush our teeth so clean

Should we pause and be grateful for the gift of simple hygiene?

As we prepare the food, with extra portions to spare

Will we take the time and thank the Lord that we have enough to share?

As we smile across the table from family and loved ones so dear

Should we stop and say  “Thank you, Lord,  for all those gathered here.”?

As stories and memories are shared, even some with tears

Will we give thanks for those who touched our lives over the passing years?

God has blessed us so with much, our cups to overflowing,

 if we only take the time to find what is most important in knowing

that God’s love, and grace and mercy is there for us each day

 and we must share it with others we meet along the way.

Thank you God and Father

For loving us so

That you sent your Son

So Salvation we could know

                                                                                                                           ©TJT 2010, rev 2018

                                                                      

The Living and the Dead

Since this past Sunday was veterans day....I wanted to know the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day...as some of the visual remembrances seem to be interchangeable.
Memorial Day is the day we honor those who have died in service to our country.
Veteran's Day is the day set aside to recognize and honor those living veterans and active military.
A big difference? Well to those still alive, I am guessing.

But aren't we honoring those who serve in our nations armed forces either way?
I think the distinction between the living; those who served/are serving...and those who have died in service, is an important one.  Don't we honor the living differently than the dead?
But it got me thinking about honoring our Lord.

Jesus Christ died....in a battle with the sin of this world....He sacrificed His life for a worthy cause...YOU and ME!
📖 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
And we can honor that by accepting what He did for us.
📖  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God  2 Corinthians 5:21

BUT on the other hand!!  Jesus is ALIVE!

📖 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:27-29

And He is still "active duty"
 📖 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Isaiah 121:3-4
📖  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 

We can honor that by proclaiming what He did for us!
 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. Romans 14:8-10

This says it all!  
I have accepted His death for me, and I proclaim it!!

I am grateful for those who have served our country, as well as those who have served the Lord, and lost their lives in that service.  And I am thankful for those who can testify to their service and those who are serving now.
BUT I am most thankful for the Savior who gave it ALL for me and is on my side today...everyday!

Every Hour I Need Thee

We were given an extra hour this past weekend...not really...but for those who observe daylight savings time...
we got to set clocks back an hour...how many of us were like "YAA bonus sleep hour!!!"
Hmmm?? did any one say..."YAA, bonus prayer hour!"??
It reminded me of the chorus says..."every hour I need thee"

 We should need to turn to Him every hour, every minute of every day
📖 As for me, I will call upon God,
And the Lord shall save me.

Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:16-17

We can't be on our knees every moment in prayer...we have jobs, families, commitments....BUT we should make sure we begin our day with the most important commitment we have....to Jesus Christ.  When we became of follower of Christ ...a relationship was formed and we have a commitment to grow in our knowledge and understanding of Him and that comes from TIME with Him....prayer and in His word.
📖Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18
📖This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.1 Timothy 2:3-4

In Proverbs alone there are 38 verses with the word "knowledge".
And 44 times in the New Testament the word is used.  It is important.  God wants us to come to a knowledge of the truth, His truth that saves us, but also, knowledge that brings us to and understanding of His character and to an understanding of His peace, His love!

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

 📖Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

As I said we can't be on our knees 24/7 but from this verse it tells me it must be possible to have a flowing conversation with God through out our day...."without ceasing", a thread of communication with Him from the moment we are conscious of being awake until our mind falls asleep.
Doesn't that sound beautiful!?   Peaceful!?


Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup
you make my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful[b] onesee decay.

You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:5-11

 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Beautiful song to sum up what I am feeling.....(click on link to listen)

Lord, I Need You  Chris Tomlin

A post script for today....
We need to go out and vote....and "Lord, we need You OH we NEED You" as we go to the poles and vote for our government leaders; give us wisdom not emotion, peace not turmoil, Your love not anger.

God Loves a Cheerful Giver 😁

How many of us, at church, have seen a child wait excitedly for the offering plate to come around so they can drop in their few coins or dollar into the plate?
Why do we not see that on the adult faces??
It got me thinking...not just when they give during collection time...what about when we give our time?  Our other resources?
When it is time to have volunteers clean the church, do you see them, brooms and cleaning supplies in hand, smiling and skipping in to do the work?  Or the one tending the grounds, grinning from ear to ear as they trim and mow?
Or how about teaching a class of children or adults?  Do we see smiles on their faces as they prepare and wait for their class to arrive? OR how about those attending the class?!  Are they arriving expectantly, with excitement in their eyes?...excited to learn? To fellowship?
Or how about when we are sitting in the pew during our service, do we look bored? distracted? tired? angry? as we sit and worship?  What do those up front see on our faces and ultimately in our hearts?
How about giving outside of the church?  Our time? Our resources?  Because all we have comes from above...
📖Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18
God has blessed us and allowed us the jobs, the homes, our possessions, the circle of people around us....do we give back with a cheerful heart?
Do we tend the family that we have been blessed with with an grateful attitude?
Do we clean and care for the home that we have been blessed with with a smile?
Do we "whistle while we work" at the job we have been placed in?

The attitude of our heart is what God is most concerned with!
📖
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky  as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:15-16
📖A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

In all we do we do it for Him...from the dirty to the glamorous....
📖
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters Colossians 3:23

...we should do it cheerfully, gratefully, as an offering..even if it seems a small offering...our attitude in the giving is what makes it great.
📖...singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16b - 17
Give thanks for being able to give...whatever we are able; money, time, prayer, work, encouragment, kindness...etc etc
AND DO IT CHEERFULLY
📖Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
📖A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
    but heartache crushes the spirit.  Proverbs 15:13

Let's decide to give, ALL WE'VE GOT, with a happy heart starting today!!😊💗
A song that should make your heart cheerful!
Smile - Kirk Franklin

Carved

Walking through the trails the other day...I noticed some trees with names, initials etc carved into the trunks of them.
Hearts with initials inside, others just randomly etched into the flesh of the tree.  First reaction: "awww isn't that sweet." Then "wait!  Isnt that damaging, even harmful to the tree? Carving into the flesh of this living thing?!"  Now, this big, old tree seemed to have grown right past these, let them become part of who it is...though it may have done some damage...if nothing else, it scarred it permenately.

 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;  Isaiah 49:16 
The Lord says we are engraved onto His flesh!  
But that didn't come without a cost...without permenant scarring.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,  and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Our names are carved into Christ's flesh; every lash of the whip, every thorn that was driven into His brow, each nail driven in, left it's mark for the sins we were to commit.
Our names are written on His hands, engraved with a price.  Death!
BUT He did not stay that way ...and like that tree Christ is ALIVE, bearing the scars of us!

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:24-28

AND do we say..."MY LORD AND MY GOD!"? Are we in awe of what He has done!?

Just like I stood, head tipped back, looking up at the mightiness of that scarred tree....do we stand back in awe....eyes lifted upward, at the mightiness of our Lord and Savior? Humbled by the scars?  Realizing there isn't any way to remove those carvings now...short of destroying that which has been carved....they already tried that with Christ.  He will never be destroyed, so our names are forever "engraved on the palm of His hand."

...I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;  Isaiah 49:15-16 

AMEN!!

Found this beautiful and powerful song while doing this blog....click on the link to listen (no graphics only words)
By His Wounds.   By Steven Curtis Chapman, Brian Littrell, Mac Powell, Mark Hall