CONCLUDING THE CURE

LONGING FOR FELLOWSHIP

I had the most shocking revelation this morning, (not that I did not know), but it slapped me into reality of my own experience.  I know that you too are right there with me. 

"God did not choose us to "use" us.  We are not that important!  Only in Him - Hello?

We work so hard, put in so much time effort and energy in service that we go to the express line for worship.  Our duties and activities, EVEN OUR "GOD" ONES, exhaust us.  Our worship would be like our vegetables squeezed in the smaller compartment of our grocery cart while the other things are overflowing the larger section of our cart.  Our busyness are like the junk food and other unnecessary items that were outside of our budget and certainly not needed. 

With all that we still feel empty.  Emptiness overwhelms our spirits.   Sometimes we may not feel His nearness or even His love.  We have those Elijah moments - feeling alone, Jonah moments - wanted to runaway, Peter moments - denial. 

A wake-up letter was necessary to catch the attention and give a reminder to the Galatians.  "Who have bewitched you?"   Read Galatians 3: 1-3.  He even described them as being foolish.  For what begins in the Spirit can never be fulfilled in the flesh!  Awesome revelation. 

"We can add so many requirements to our faith that the "one thing" is swallowed by the "many," and the "best" is obliterated by the "good."

Our heavenly Father longs to have fellowship with us and pour His very life in us.  Believe it or not, He wants us!

TODAY'S FOCUS - ONE THING IS NEEDED

Martha was so overworked that Jesus had to remind her that while all her efforts and preparations were appreciated she was missing out on enjoying the main meal that she was preparing for.

Oh thank you Jesus! Mary discovered that when she put down her apron and opened up her ears and heart at His feet.  I am sure we have experienced that from both a physical and spiritual point of view.  We exhaust ourselves when we prepare for guests that when they come we cannot enjoy them or stand in their company for too long.  We may engage in so much preparation for a spiritual service or function that by the time the event gets here we are angry, frustrated and demotivated that we lose the focus and intent of it. 

Our WOSHIP must take priority over our service!

We must be careful not to miss the purpose of the banquet by being overwhelmed with the service that is involved in the preparation.  Be careful that our devotion and time of worship does not become an item on our to-do list or a rock that we might be tempted to throw off our overloaded wagon. 

Let's talk.... Can we have a "keep it real" moment?

What activities do you let come before your worship and devotional time?

What spiritual discipline have you thrown off your wagon because of your busyness? (i.e. prayer, bible study, church attendance etc..)

What activities are you engaged in now that you need to reevaluate?

Remember you cannot do everything, but you can do "one thing" - Choose the better part.


 It is found in in true fellowship with Jesus.  He is the Bread of Life, the Living Water, the only "dish" we need.  Let's find the freedom - THE GREAT FREEDOM of Luke 10:42. 

Today carry only your load - For His yoke is easy and His burden is light!

Keep the faith

Precious Jewel

THE GIFT GOD DESIRES

God's Plan VS Your Plan

I can truly identify with Joanna Weaver's illustration of her gift experience from my own personal experience.   I am sure you too can share the same thoughts as it can be disappointing to receive something very different from what you expected.

We are very guilty of the statement..
"So often we give God the gift we think He needs rather than take time to find out what He desires." How true!  We make so many resolutions, promises and commitments to change, assist, visit, volunteer and even take on assignments over and above our abilities which leaves us drained, frustrated and regretful.  We get so overwhelmed and overextend in service that we don't have time for what we are personally assigned and called to do.  OUCH!!

We think we can do it all.  Our abilities and capabilities are limited. 
WE CAN'T DO IT ALL!
As stated in Romans 12 the body of Christ has many members and each has a different gifting.  We must allow each member to do their part in their areas of strength. 

Sometimes what we want to do may not be God's plan for us.  His plans are that of good and not of evil to bring us to an expected end.  How tiresome, burdensome and even grievous are some of the things we assume and claim to do for God.  Your interest, knowledge, concern or even compassion is not a sign that God is asking you to take on that need or assignment.  God may be asking your insight or help to find and pray for the right person or direct you to the individuals that can carry on that task.  You may also be stealing or preventing a blessing of someone else by trying to do it yourself. 

Don't assume a plan or an assignment from eagerness or guilt but wait on God and be assured that this is HIS plan for you.  It is very important  that you carry out God's plan for your own personal assignment and not be too exhausted with activities and rocks not in the assigned plan for your life. 

TODAY'S FOCUS (MHMW Study Group) - What does God desire from you?

Have you ask God What are His plans for your Life?
Although God wants us to serve and do service to others, and our faith must be accompanied by actions, it is important to know if that's His plan for you or for someone else. 

This chapter made me more aware that God is not only looking for maids, cooks, typist, bus drivers or other service technicians - he is looking for a people to call His very own.  As His child he will place us to serve but necessary to serve as we are skillfully equipped. 

'BUT SERVICE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE OUR FIRST PRIORITY!"

Martha's efforts, hard work and hospitality were commendable, but Mary chose the one thing...
It was not in the kitchen or in the cleaning up and preparations.
God wants to live and communicate with us in a least busy place.  The kitchen is where all the activities of preparation comes but the living room is spotless, neatly arranged, sweetly scented and reserved for special guests.  Martha was so busy that she forget to entertain the guest of Honor. 

Intimacy Can Be Threatening            

Today God wants intimacy.  Intimacy can be threatening because it exposes everything about us.  Some of us are afraid that if we get close to God He will see all our faults, sins, habits and all other short comings.  The truth is we may want to hide them or may not want to give them up. Guess what? HE ALREADY KNOWS!

We understand that it's not always easy to get intimate with someone.  It may be a matter of trust, or being uncomfortable.  It may require going outside the box or leaving your comfort zone.  Some may not want to express their emotions or unable to sit still etc.... But as the writer states, "Regardless of our temperament, regardless of our emotional preference, we are all called to intimacy with God!  Hallelujah!

Do you long for intimacy?
As a child longs for intimacy from a parent so as children of God we need intimacy with our heavenly Father. To get that we need to be in His presence. 

Today He's calling us to intimacy - THAT"S WHAT HE DESIRES!
Our own agendas are at times for us to feel accepted by others; feed our egos; make us feel important; show off ourselves; get noticed; offend and show shortcomings of others etc...
At times it even gives us an opportunity to express our pride, prejudice or cover our guilt. 

Let's keep it real - ASK....
What's hindering me from entering in the living room of intimacy with God?
What am I afraid to expose or get exposed?
What don't I want to give up?

Today I encourage you to get out of the kitchen of your busyness and go into the living room.
Ask Him to reveal the things that are hindering you from sitting still in His presence.
Ask Him to reveal His plan for your day and your life. 
Come just as you are.  He is waiting.....

Invite Jesus to rule and reign
Ask God to reveal the next step
Have faith that what needs to get done will get done
Be open to the Spirit's leading.

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. - Proverbs 16:3

 Precious Jewel 

OVERBURDENED, OVERWORKED, AND OVERWHELMED

An Overloaded Wagon 

Today we continue on Chapter 4 - THE CURE
"Nothing is harder to bear than a burden we're not called to carry.  While God does ask us to bear one another's burdens, he has not asked us to step in and do what people are not willing to do themselves.  And while there are many needs, God has not asked us to meet every one."

That statement holds the release of truth that we need to lighten our wagon.

As we read throughout the section,  (we apologize to those who have not yet purchase their books), we see the Jews and Pharisees in an eagerness to please God  took on the law by works that were grievous and burdensome.  (Matthew 23: 2-4)

You see while they were very committed and implement laws that would supposedly help them keep the law, it did not bring them closer to Him.  They had no relationship cause it became a stumbling block.  While God has called us to obedience he never ask us to carry the weight of the law!

We too can allow rules and activities that we feel that God has assigned or given to us overwhelm us.  Like Martha the custom to prepare for the feast and the hospitality she had extended to Jesus and his followers became burdensome.  She was more interested in making everything comfortable so everyone else could worship that she forgot that she also needed to worship. 

OUCH! Did you just feel that.  How many times we get so involved in the preparation of a good meal at home for guests, an anniversary or other church program that we never enjoyed the service or heard the message?

"Even Welcome wagons can grow heavy, especially when they're laden with the extra weight of our human agendas and expectations."

FOCUS FOR TODAY: DUMPING ROCKS

Jesus came to help us dump the rocks off our overloaded wagon.  He never gave them to us in the first place.  He only gave us what he knew we were able to carry at the time.  He even took care of those who inflicted and piled up rocks (burdens) by His words.  (Luke 11:46)

To those who were helpless under the law, Jesus became their burden bearer.  Today He is making that same appeal to all of our women of God.  One of the things that we need to note is that he removed the gender barrier that separated women from their maker!

Mary understood that it's not cooking, cleaning and doing good works but knowing God, being in relationship with Him wanting to hear and listen to Him.  Whether it was out of the normal custom or not, she dumped that rock.  She wanted to leave the kitchen and experience the intimate fellowship of the living room. (to be discussed in another chapter)

We do not know exactly how Martha responded, but what would be your response to the following:

Lets TALK.....
Today I encourage you using Tricia's example, let God assist you to dump your wagon of unnecessary rocks  (activities, burdens, worries etc...) by doing the following:

• Make a list of all activities (church, children, work, etc..)
• Pray and prioritize over all the activities as importance number them from one to four
• Eliminated all the fours

After you have done the above exercise, ask yourself....
What effects or result the ones I dump have?
How can I help someone else to dump their rocks without making it a burden?
  Please share with others who need their wagons to be made lighter. 


Let go of your lengthy list of to-do dos and begin doing the one thing that's needed to do. 
Remember, "The sweet wooing of the Holy Spirit calms our fears and shatters our defenses."

God Bless
Precious Jewel

CONVICTED

Are you carrying your assigned load or everyone else's?

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World 12 week study series Chapter 4 - The Cure

The story is told of a man who was given specific instructions to carry three stones through the woods up the road that winds up the side of the hill.  He was told once he got to the top to leave the wagon there.  He was excited to know that God had asked him to do a task and that the weight was light and easy to manage. 

On the way he made several stops, either to chat, have a drink or help his friends along the way. He told them of his mission and was also asked where he was headed.  Of course they asked him to load up some things in his wagon and take it up to the hill for them.

Naturally the stuff he gathered made his wagon heavier every time. 
That's where the trouble began.
He began getting angry, complaining, frustrated and weary. 
He fumed at God with many questions and wanted to give up. 

He had sense enough to pray, and God came to his side.
God:  "Sounds like you're having a hard time, what's the problem?"
Man:  "You gave me a job that is too hard for me."
God:  "What is this?"
Man:  " That belongs to John, my good friend.  He didn't have time to bring it up himself.  I thought I would help." 
God:  "And this?"
The man tried to explain as God continued to unload the wagon removing both light and heavy items.

You guessed it as God removed the items the wagon got lighter and he was back to the load God gave him to carry.  The man grew silent as God continued.... 

God:  "If you will be content to let others take their own burdens, I will help you with your task."
Man:  "But I promised I would help! I cannot leave these things lying here."
God:  "Let others carry their own belongings.  I know you were trying to help, but when you are weighted down with all these cares, you cannot do what I have asked of you." 

That's where I got convicted... (Please get the book read the story as I can't post it all.)

Today, the word of God that states, My yoke is easy and My burden is light, and He will not ask us to carry more than we can bear took on a new meaning in my life. Truly what we think are our burdens and stresses that causes all kinds of maladies are in most cases the weight of others we are carrying and not the assignment or purpose God has given to us.  We take on children's responsibilities, church responsibilities and other troubles that we need to give the opportunity to others to figure out, deal with and learn the lessons themselves.  We get involve and overwhelm ourselves with numerous activities, accept all types of invitations, do all kinds of tasks for others along the way, forsaking our calling and assignment and just loading our light wagons and then blame God.  OUCH!!!

Today I ask, what's in your wagon?  Let's talk....            

Please share this post so we can have a great discussion and help you lighten your wagon, put the excitement and passion back in your assignment with God's help. 

Keep the Faith!
Precious Jewel

WHO AND WHAT IS THE SON OF GOD TO YOU?

 Do you know of the Lord? or Do you know the Lord?

The questions posed may sound and look the same but are very different.  It's one thing to know of someone and to know them personally in a relationship.  In Mark 8:27-33 Jesus asked the question of His disciples, whom do men  say that I am?  They gave Him several answers.  Then He asked them, who do you say that I am?  Peter answered Thou art the Christ.  That sounds like he did not only know of the Lord but knew Him. 

Today I ask, Who do you say the Lord is?

We know the many controversies of who and what He is.  Controversies on what He should be called etc...  Today let's just open up and keep it personal to the relationship we have with Him.  Knowing of someone does not give you full access to them.  However, when you have entered into a relationship with them the experience is deeper and more meaningful.   Relationship means everything.

So I ask...

Is He your Provider - Psalms 23:1

Is He just a Friend - John 15:5

Is He a Husband to your lonely heart - Isaiah 54:5

Is He your Healer - Psalms 103:3

Let's Talk - WHOM DO YOU SAY THAT HE IS?

I encourage you to open up and share your thoughts, testimonies, your stories and experiences.  Also engage others in this discussion by posting and sharing on your timeline, email or text. 

If you do not know Him, please feel free to let us know so we can lead you to know and be in a relationship with Him. 

God bless you and keep you today as you deepen your relationship with Him. 

Precious Jewel

How Important Is Your Peace to you?

The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth His handiwork.  Psalm 19:1

PEACE:  calm repose - Who's Responsible for Your Peace? 

Today I would like to present two (2) questions to my readers. 

1.  How important is peace to you? 

2.  Who's responsible for your peace?

Is peace a specter of the mind like many people say or can we genuinely have peace?  As we look around the world we live and turn on our televisions we hear of various conditions that may lead us to believe that.  Destructions, wars, tragedies, economic stresses and other happenings around us cause us to be perplexed and troubled.

These are external circumstances.  However, if we internalize them we can become traumatized and forfeit our peace.  They can also be personalized to affect us internally and mentally.

Destruction - internalizing can destroy our physical bodies
Wars - turmoil and battling of the mind
Tragedies - our thinking wrong thought patterns
Economic stresses - worrying over our personal finances
Other happenings - offences, jealousy and evil

Is your peace important to you?  I hope your answer is YES!  Let me show you HOW.

Hide yourself in the blanket of prayer. 

Obedience to God

Worship the Lord

When we hide ourselves in prayer we are covered and can go to sleep in peace and safety.  Psalm 4:8
Obedience to God qualifies us as His.  He promises to bless His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11
Worship brings perfect peace to our minds and spirit and keeps our trust in Him.                        Isaiah 26:3

As you can see we may not be responsible for world peace, but we are surely responsible for our peace.  Therefore, we will hide ourselves in the blanket of prayer by praying and communicating with our heavenly Father.  We will walk in obedience to His word and live up to the principles for Godly living.  We will worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness for He inhabits the praises of His people.  In doing these we will have great peace.  Internal peace that the world conditions and our circumstances cannot touch. 

Jesus says,
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
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

So today Lord, I decree and declare upon your people - Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them.                                                                                                                     Go forth with the peace of God - God bless you!

Please let me know how this has impacted your life and your peace.  Share this peace with everyone!

Precious Jewel

 

RELIVE YOUR STORY

Another day to be thankful another day to be glad!

This morning I would like to engage you in today's inspiration.
I ask that you picture this story in your mind and as Phoebe's story unravels revisit your own story.  It may be long but worth the read for your deliverance.

Phoebe lived in a place where the streets were unpaved, small, narrow and winding.  When it rained it was very difficult to walk, and because it was so slippery she would fall several times before she reached her destination.  Her little home though comfortable had no electricity; she slept on the hard floor; source of water came from a walk to the nearby creek; her means for food were from things grown around her and very little from the neighborhood market; her education was limited as she had to take turns with her 6 other siblings and the entire village to attend the overcrowded school.  She was taught and knew of God but did not know Him in a relationship.  Phoebe did not have the luxury and means of many of the finer things in life.  Because of that she was abused and sometimes she had to compromise herself to make ends meet. One day a wealthy benefactor came to the village, fell in love with her, married her and took her to another country.  There she was given and experienced all of the things she never had.  Such as abundance of food, clothing, paved roads, a large home with electricity and running water, a chance to go to college, she was taught to drive and had a car and a driver at her disposal along with all blessings of wealth and abundance.  Yet Phoebe was unhappy and never smiled.  Her husband would notice when he came home the lights would be out and she would fumble and grope in the dark.  Sometimes her meals would be untouched.  Phoebe  was also reluctant go out of the house,  She barely acknowledged the gifts she received or hardly ever used the things he had given to her.  He was told by the driver when they went out she would close her eyes and gasp every time he went around a corner or speed a little.  This went on for many months.  Her husband watched painfully as his beautiful wife was withering away.  She was loosing weight, she looked pulled down and did not want to be intimate with him.  After carefully evaluating the matter and speaking with a close friend he finally understood Phoebe's plight.....

Phoebe was LIVING IN HER PAST!  That was it!  Although she was physically in another world, her MIND was back in the village.  She did not realize that the switch just needed to be turned on, the food, the house and all the luxury was hers to use and enjoy not just to know about and to view; she needed to know that the car was made to run on the paved roads, she was secured with the driver who was hired for her use, and she would not fall down at the curve; the educational opportunities were available to help her progress and move forward and her husband was providing for her and would not abuse her but wanted to comfort her in intimacy and love.  Phoebe could not appreciate or experience what she had unless she allowed her mind and her heart to accept where she was.

It's time for your story!  You may ask, how does this relate to my story?
Here's how.... Romans 8: 1, 14-16
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (and daughters) of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. 

As you relive your story think of Phoebe's story apply the spiritual applications of the word of God.  Whatever you did in the past, conditions or circumstances that existed before in your past.. There is therefore NOW NO CONDEMNATION, to them which are in Christ Jesus.  Your only requirement is to be in Christ.  As the benefactor who rescued Phoebe, your Benefactor, Jesus Christ, came to your town and redeemed you, placed you on a new path, he promoted you from sinner to saint, He has given you a new name.  He has made you a victor instead of a victim, He has taken you from zero to a hero, He has made you the head and not the tail, taken you from the pit to the palace, prisoner to governor, from slave to master, from nothing to something, from nobody to somebody, from rags to riches, from unnoticed to be noticed, from darkness to light, from death to life, from lack to abundance, from bondage to freedom, from guilty to pardoned, from ordinary to extraordinary, from unselected to elected and now your test is your testimony and your mess has become your message.  So tell your story, tell how you are forgiven and you are bought with the precious blood of Jesus.  Tell the town folks, village folks and the church folks that you have a new owner and you are under new management.  There is NO condemnation. It's a done deal. Don't underestimate the power of the blood of Jesus.  It washes and cleanses from all sins. Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  It can stand alone.  Even if you have fallen from the bumps and turns along the way, He is willing to receive and restore you back to Him.  Like the prodigal son, arise and go to your Father. He wants to be intimate with you.  He wants to hold you, hug you, love you and will not condemn you no matter what you've done.  Don't let anyone including yourself hold you in the life of your past when you have already change address and master. Let the mind of Christ be in you.  Relive your story and renew your mind.   By renewing your mind, like Phoebe you will prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. The choice is yours to make today..  Do it now!

Be encouraged - Be blessed.  Please help someone else by sharing Phoebe's story so they can live without condemnation. 
May love and blessings leave my home to yours. 
Precious Jewel