Pursuing the Presence, Purpose and Power of a closer walk with Christ

From Rags to Riches

01 29 14

Wisdom that is from God's Word is more valuable than gold, silver or rubies.

Wisdom that is from God’s Word is more valuable than gold, silver or rubies.

If someone offered you riches beyond your wildest imagination in exchange for your rags, would it give you cause to heckle and spout off? Certainly, there have been many rags to riches stories bringing the pauper and unknown fame and fortune. And whom among us would not want a dream come true life filled with the abundance of earthly things.

When I was younger, I often wished for the inheritance of a wealthy unknown relative to come to pass. But, this wishful thinking was not my reality, in fact, my life at one point was filled with despair because of my sinful heart.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6 NIV)

Before I invited Christ into my heart, I felt dirty, ashamed, and in need of forgiveness. The moment I asked Jesus to forgive all my sin, I was cleansed of self-reproach associated with wrongful acts I committed and filled with his peace, joy and the promise of Eternal Life.

The good deeds done before coming to Christ would never be able to make-up for the wrong. My self-righteous acts were filthy rags before God who is Holy and all-powerful. The meaning of “filthy rags” written by Isaiah in the Bible are likened to a woman’s monthly sanitary protection. Yes, it is repulsive to think of such a word picture, but that is what our self-righteousness is before God Almighty. Only Jesus is righteous, but we can be clothed in his righteousness once we’re saved.

Yet, even though we were born into sin, our Loving Heavenly Father knew we needed a spotless lamb as our Savior to become sin for us and take our place on the cross. Jesus died on Calvary to cleanse and forgive our sins. John 3:16 says it best, “For god so loved the world he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life.”

It’s wonderful that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords wants to share what he has with us. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:19 NIV)
 It doesn’t mean we will get rich because we belong to Christ, if he so chooses to do that in our life he can. What I’m referring to is spiritual and eternal riches.

I find the abundant life in Christ and His Word to be wealth enough. That is my rags to riches story. I hope it is yours also. If it isn’t, I strongly urge you to decide that you want to know Jesus and experience the love he has for you. Then, the personal relationship with Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit will help you follow him the rest of your days.

Proverbs 8:10, “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” v18, “With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.” v20, “I walk in the way of righteousness. along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.”

The wise choice is evident. Do you agree?

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The Dimly Lit Mirror

08 18 13

Can Jesus be seen in your reflection or is the Light too dim?

Can Jesus be seen in your reflection or is the Light too dim?

Have you ever walked over to a mirror to check your appearance but couldn’t see well enough because the lighting was too dim?

I have, but oddly enough, it occurred in a dream. I dreamt I tried to look at myself in a mirror but was unable to see my reflection due to poor lighting.

While I was thinking about this strange dream, the light went on in my head. I came to the conclusion, since Jesus is the light of the world and if he is living in us, that light should be shining for the world to see. His reflection needs to be evident in how we live, act, and speak.

Would you agree if you have a healthy self-image, it radiates in your face and demeanor?

But what causes the light to be the opposite of what it should be? Could we allow things to blur or block his image? Perhaps we allow anger, unforgiveness, envy, jealousy, a critical spirit or a bad attitude which hides the light of Jesus and consequently, others can’t see Jesus living in us.

For me, my light was dim due to my low-self esteem. If I focus on how much prettier, younger, slimmer or more successful another person is, I’m comparing my-self to them. My focus shouldn’t be on the temporal outward appearance, but the inner beauty of joy, peace, love and the new creation Christ has wrought in me. I am transformed by Christ’s power working in each area of my life, though it’s an ongoing virtuous woman progress.

What do you see in your reflection and what do others see in you?

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Is this the End? Part 2

07 31 13

The flight home from North Carolina earlier this week was not one of my favorite flights. In fact, I said to myself, “I’ll never fly again.”

It was moments earlier I found myself on a higher plane with Jesus. He enveloped me in the clouds of peace, joy and assurance. The next moment the plane suddenly began dropping from the 28,000 foot height to God only knows how far. It was like I was at Cedar Point riding on the Demon-Drop with the seat belt suddenly pushing against my abdomen to keep me in when it stopped. Added to this fright-flight was a great deal of earth trembling turbulence further prolonging the terror until the plane landed.

Obviously we did land safely. Once I was no longer shook up I realized something. I was already safe. Spiritually, if I would have died or were to die at any second, I’d be absent from the body, but present with the Lord.

I know this because God’s Word confirms it and his Spirit gives me peace and assurance that I’m saved, therefore I am safe for all Eternity.

“Since we now have justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5:9-11 NIV)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

I am glad Jesus completed the work on the cross by dying for the whole world so that we may have everlasting life.

How about you? Are you glad for what he’s done for you? Can you say that no matter what, you are saved and therefore safe in Jesus?

Leave your comment below. I’d like to hear your story or your opinion on the matter.

Thank God for Safe Landings

Thank God for Safe Landings

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Is this the End?

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Is this the End?

Have you ever flown on a plane and you didn’t know if you were going to land safely?

Written

on 07/30/2013

GreenGinger’s Green Garden

07 28 13

The Beginning of Greenginger's Garden

The Beginning of Greenginger’s Garden

Greenginger's Green Garden 3 weeks later

Greenginger’s Green Garden 3 weeks later

Greenginger 's Green Garden 7 weeks later

Greenginger ‘s Green Garden 7 weeks later

I have been harvesting broccoli, cabbage, yellow squash, kohlrabi, rutabaga and potato from what I call GreenGinger’s Green Garden. The beans are about ready to harvest and I hope to get some put up before a brief vacation.

I will give more up dates in August and of course, you are welcome to stop by to help with some of the work.

On a spiritual plane, we must remember the fields that are white with harvest.

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest fields.”(Luke 10:2 NIV)

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Black Raspberry Heaven

07 24 13

Jewel-like Black Raspberry

Jewel-like Black Raspberry

Black Raspberry

Black Raspberry

Black Raspberry

Black Raspberry

One of my favorite fruits to eat and use for pies, jams and frozen yogurt, though I usually buy it already made and ready to enjoy on a hot day, is the black raspberry.

I’m interested to see if you may like them as much I do or what your favorite fruit is. Just leave a comment and share.

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Oh, God! Don’t Let That Car…

07 23 13

EverGreenGinger's avatarEverGreen

    I didn’t finish the sentence which was a  prayer of desperation.  I remember the turn signal Jerry, my beloved husband turned on, sounded like a loud echo in slow motion; b-link, b-link, b-link, b-link. The surreal effect made it appear as if I were watching a Hollywood thriller that kept me in a suspense of surprise, shock and horror.  Next,  I heard the blood curdling sound of tires screeching behind us and I closed my eyes… hoping… praying… and thinking we had made the turn successfully into a driveway and missed what was coming complete with the terror I was feeling.
     
   It was only hours earlier that I paused on my sidewalk and looked around at the beautiful flowers and herbs and then up at a clear blue sky on that bright sunny day. I prayed, “Thank you Father, for my family and everything you have given us.” After…

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You Shall Be Free Indeed

07 04 13

Let Freedom Ring

EverGreenGinger's avatarEverGreen

 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”(John 8:36 NIV)

Does the typical high school teen living in today’s society realize they need a Savior and that they can experience true freedom?  There may be many high school students who are unaware that they are bound by sin and addiction.

When I was attending highschool years ago, I didn’t have a clue, but God did. He sent 2 older teens, a boy and a girl, to talk to me one day while I remained behind in the cafeteria. Most everyone else had gone to the gymnasium for a pep assembly. But there I sat alone, feeling a bit forlorn.

“May we sit down and talk to you?”  I was surprised and answered in the affirmative.

They continued, “Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior?”

I replied, “I know He died on the cross for…

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“Ain’t Misbehavin”

06 10 13

The title to this song with its catchy tune has recently side-tracked me to find it on-line and I railed it up over to this blog.

The first time I heard it was many years ago while watching a BW movie called “Stormy Weather”, starring Lena Horne and Cab Calloway.

This past week, I again encountered the title, but it was in my thoughts as I reflected on waiting until marriage to enjoy the fruits of love.

“Ain’t misbehaving’. I’m saving all my love for you.”

Many would say I’m old-fashioned and that times have changed, in fact, the majority of singles at some point in their lives have skipped the ceremony and rushed to the honeymoon.

I don’t want to appear as if I have always honored my parental and moral upbringing that can be found in the following passages of the New Testament. (I Corinthians 6:9-11 and 18-20 NIV)

Having sex before marriage is sin.

I like to think of keeping sex inside of the bounds of Holy Matrimony as the safe zone. Outside that protective boundary it is hazardous emotionally, physically and spiritually.

So, in a similar way, the words sung by Fats Waller, “I’m happy to be up on the shelf”, is how I feel. That part of love I put up on the shelf for the proper time.

Honoring God brings peace and happiness to my soul. If you are single and in a relationship, I hope you will choose a godly lifestyle and wait until marriage to delight in the gift of sex. You will never regret it.

I’m glad I can’t get the phrase of this song out of my head. “Ain’t misbehavin’, I’m saving all my love for you”. I rather fancy singing my choice.

Perhaps you will savor listening to the recording of “Ain’t Misbehavin” sung by Fats Waller in the video I’ve pasted below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=97Wwhe9Hx_w

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A Stitch inTine

05 09 13

article-new_ehow_images_Tractora07_8k_06_2-acre-tractor-tillers-1_1-800x800<KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

You may have seen them out on the rural back-roads these past couple of weeks. Planting season is upon us and some of us have been delayed because of driving slowly behind a tractor that was either on its way to or coming from a field.

My neighbor owns a 1957 401 Case Tractor. He obliged my request to plow a new patch of ground where I planned to plant a strawberry patch and a few vegetables. As I returned home from an errand, I heard a tractor running. I turned off my car, got out and walked around to the back of the house hoping find out why it was idling.

At first glance, I thought, “He’s hurt!” My neighbor was laying on the ground beneath the rear of the tractor near the tines. As I hurried closer, he seemed to be wrestling with the cable that we took down earlier that morning; the one I wanted to drag completely out-of-the-way so the tractor wouldn’t be encumbered. However, my neighbor thought part-way was far enough. A “stitch-in-tine” in this Case(tractor)could have saved two hours if I had pulled it back into the woods.

The cable, formally used as a dog-run, became an entangled nightmare around the tines of the tiller head. Have you ever been vacuuming a rug when a piece of the unraveling rug yarn gets tangled in the brush-roller head? I have. It can become embedded in the ends of the roller making it difficult to untangle. But this cable couldn’t be pulled free like the unraveled rug yarn from a sweeper head. The cable had to be put through one side over a tine, then pulled through to the other side again and again until we could begin to reach the horrible tangle. The wires of the cable had to be painstakingly cut through. It then required an oversized screwdriver to pry the cable loose, one wrapped rotation at a time.

Just when I thought we were making headway, we would encounter another tangle, time after time. My neighbor was more patient then I; I wanted to take the end of the tiller that held the tines off. The cable wires looked like they were melted together in some sections, but thankfully, they were not.

While working on this tangled mess, I couldn’t help but think about how it related to my personal life. My life had at times become so entangled with the things of this world that I could not get myself free. It took the patient help of Jesus to free me from addiction, relationships and sin. Many times His love would reach down and pry loose the grasp that bound me by the cable of consequences, resulting from choices that I’d made. Choices that cost time and kept me from becoming what God wanted to be.

Has this been true for you? Has the Lord been merciful to you providing you forgiveness and Grace in spite of your faults, failures or wrong choices that you’ve made in your life? If not, I want to encourage you to seek his help in untangling any cable that binds you from becoming free to serve him and live in joy, love and peace.

Heavenly Father, help us to be at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing to Glorify You. Bless those that need your comfort and forgiveness and draw them ever closer to You.

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