Today I was singing to myself a song that I had learned in church, Not to us o Lord, which has the words “All we have, we bring to give, the honor and the love that you alone are worthy of.” While I was singing this I focused on the concept of worth and how God is the only one worthy of our honor and love.

In the Bible it talks about how we must honor and love God with all our minds, souls, body and that if we love another more than God we are not worthy of him (Matt 10:37). This struck me as a very powerful concept because often we put worth on people and objects and focus our energies on these things. But, when we fully understand the worth of these things we see that we have misplaced our dedications.

Webster’s dictionary defines worth as “having sufficient worth or importance.” All the things of this world are worthless for they shall pass away. People are not worthy of honor and praise because they are fallible. Only God is truly worthy of our honor and love because he is unfailing in his love for us. Who else can claim that they have unfailing love for another? The Bible tells the story about a Hosea who marries a prostitute that commits herself to him but falls back into prostitution. This paints for us a vivid picture of what God must endure with each individual. But through God’s unfailing love he holds onto us no matter the cost.

This continual act of love is only one aspect of God’s worth of our honor, praise, and love. The very fact that we continue to fall into our old ways and that God accepts us back unto him each time is almost beyond comprehension. But, it shows us that no other is WORTHY of our adoration.

One Christmas Eve back in the mid-90′s I headed out to Kensington Avenue with my good friend, Shirley. She had called me a few days earlier to invite me on a very special mission. So, I said yes, as I was always ready for a bit of intrigue.

Packed in her trunk were about twenty gift bags filled with toiletries like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. Shirley had prepared each bag with loving care and a silent, yet thoughtful, prayer went up as every one was completely filled.

Kensington Avenue is located in one of the ugliest areas of North Philadelphia known as the “Badlands”. I used to live and work just five minutes from the strip. After dark, and after most of the shops along this street (covered by the Elevated Train track overhead) were closed, out of the shadows crept the prostitutes who were ready to begin their workday. Dressed in dingy, skimpy clothing, with tired and vacant eyes and slouching shoulders, each girl began her silent sales pitch.

As we began our journey down this dimly lit avenue, bundled up and tucked safely in Shirley’s car, I could recall the words she spoke to me over the phone. It went something like this: “These girls just need to be touched with God’s love. Who else is going to do it? We’re His hands, Summer. I just want to make sure they know that God knows who and where they are, and that He loves them.” How could I resist?

One by one, as we inched along the street, we gave the bags away with a few words of hope. I wish I could say that they all responded with immense gratitude and that many decided to walk away from their lifestyle. But, no miracle happened that night. None that I could see anyway.

But, the memory of that evening is branded in my mind. And I thank Shirley for the invitation.

In 2002, I helped start a ministry to prostitutes along the railroad tracks in Zone One of Guatemala City. I’m no longer with that ministry, but my husband and I have maintained a relationship with one of the ex-hookers I’d met there. Her name is Sheny, and she’s HIV positive. She’s got three kids and we help them throughout the year with food, clothes, school supplies, etc. Sheny’s got a job, but only earns the equivalent of $200 a month, which barely provides for the rent, food and medication she needs to keep from dying too soon.

She’s got quite the story, Sheny does. Her life history makes mine seem like a fairy tail – and I didn’t have it easy.

I’m not tooting my own horn or patting myself on the back by sharing this with you. The truth is, it’s a sacrifice for me to give of my money, time and energy. Oftentimes, I’d rather stay inside my cozy home and enjoy being with my husband and son. But, I’m always haunted by the fact that there are millions of people hurting in this world.
So I give.

I wish I could give more. I wish I could do more.

We have gifts nicely wrapped under the tree for Sheny and her kids this year. Nothing fancy, really. Just blankets and some toiletries. But, we’re happy to give, because we know that through giving God’s love is communicated.

Shirely’s still living in Philly, giving of herself constantly.

How will you spend your Christmas? Will you give to someone in need? Who do you know that’s hurting?

It’s a challenge.

Don’t do it to make yourself feel good or to ease your conscience. Give because you know someone needs it. Open up your heart and life and pour out kindness and gentleness and mercy.

Don’t think you have anything to give? Everyone has something.

Our budget was extremely tight this year, what with the newborn baby and all. But, It’s worth it to love someone else, no matter what the cost. So we’ll be in debt for a couple of months. So what.

Give.
Help.
Love.

Merry Christmas!
Summer

(Originally written December, 2007)

Does My Work Give Credit to God?

“Knowing someone” has taken on a new dimension. Facebook and the internet make it possible for a person to spread themselves in many directions. I have to confess that I get a thrill seeing all my stuff pop up when I Google “Ramona Taylor artist”. But at the same time it bugs me when I meet someone who knows who I am and I am confident that I have never met them. I recently read an interview of Dakota Fanning she said often she would meet people who would say on introduction, “I know who you are.” Dakota exhorted that she would still like the opportunity to introduce herself. I think the ability to put so much of ourselves out on the social network, makes it possible to relate to what Dakota is talking about. While those who know Dakota may only know her by her public profile, it can be the same for all of us. And in a sense it can feel like a double life. (A real life and a media life).

I have to ask myself if I live a double life. Am I using the gifts God has given me for personal gain or for Him? It is when I am in this dilemma that I wonder if I am even being used by God.

So I put myself in check. Of course I am a sinner, to say otherwise would be lying, and I am reminded each time I sit in an award reception hoping for a prize, that my heart (motives) are often impure. I am unstable when I am seeking recognition from the world and the desire to Glorify God. Not that fame is bad.. (more…)

I may fight and strive, run and rave, to reach distant visions of personal victory and gain only to end up in the middle of a religious mirage. The destinations we run to are not so much the point of our lives as is the journey we are on. Throughout our pilgrimage, through all the hardships and joys, trials and pains, God is simply attempting to reveal unto us Himself.

 Often we think that God is there to help us through our pains and trials, to be our coach who trains us to win races of religious proportions. Our ideas of why God exists are often servant to our own personal wants. What we see as the issue we need God to save us from, God sees as the issue that will reveal to us who He really is. It is mercy that reveals God in a touchable way. It is mercy, not our ability to run, that brings us to God. How can I ever know mercy unless I am in the place of need? How can I know God who can deliver until I am somewhat hemmed in? My situations are more of  a window opening  into Gods abilites than the dungeon to which I feel bound.

Mercy is God’s kindness stooping down to a society that is not worthy to have God stoop. Mercy is God’s way of saying, “I love you.” Mercy is not a magic pill we pray for so that we can no longer feel the pain of life, it is God’s power of love extended in action to His saints. Mercy shows me what kind of God I really have.

David was often surrounded by his enemies, he was constantly at war, constantly in battle with something, himself, his enemies, his family, or his friends who turned into enemies. It was during these battles that he saw and prayed for the mercy of God. God took up a friendship with David that went as far as being with him in day to day life. This is Mercy. God with me in daily battle, not so that I may win, though we always will, but so that I can see that in God I have a friend.

In David’s life he cried to God for mercy over his sin, his mistakes, his battles, his enemies, and his desires for his Savior. What gave David this ability to live in the mercy of God was that he knew who God was. When I come to prayer in place of knowledge and pray for mercy without the heart of faith behind my prayer, I expect God to fail me. In this place I do not believe that I am friends with God enough for Him to show Himself to me in MY circumstance. I may believe that God can do this or that, but I often do not believe that He will, especially for me. Doubt keeps me from receiving the mercy of God. 

The mercy of God is the tender part of our Fathers heart toward us, His children. Mercy is the desire that wells up within a fathers heart to pick up his child after he falls and skins his knee. Mercy is God’s desire to help and be for His offspring what they cannot be for themselves. When I view mercy as something that I want God to do for me so that my situation will be better, I have the wrong set of lenses through which I am viewing prayer and God. But, when I understand mercy to be the desire of God to show Himself as my Father in MY situation, then I can have the faith to wait upon Him to accomplish the revealing of His beauty to me in my horrible circumstances. David cried for mercy when he was in the darkest times in his life. It was these cries that revealed to David who God really was. God has an intense pressure to show mercy to me, or better said, to show me Himself.

David had a confidence in God’s eternal mercy, mercy that endures forever. A mercy that endures through my sin, my shame, my loss, my defeat, my failure, my reproach, my grave, and my cross. God’s mercy is raw and real, so real it is often scary. Frankly, it often bends the power of my mind.

Psa 57:3 

He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. (emphasis mine)

The beginning to understanding mercy is the beginning of understanding God. Jesus told the Pharisees that they had omitted the heavier parts of God’s desires for man. They left out things like mercy, faith, and judgment. (Matt. 23:23) The things that man has a tendency to leave out of the make up of God are the things that often make God, God. If we Christians today do not have an understanding of who God is then who will tell the world? There is a constant push in me to believe that God will fail me more than He will show me mercy. Many times in our life our idea of God hinges upon the scripture “…Be it unto you according to your faith” (Matt 9:29) What I believe God to be, often He is, because the Bible says that whoever we submit to that is who’s servant we are. Funny that I find unbelief a better task-master than mercy.

Jesus states that the amount of mercy that we show is the amount of mercy that will be given to us. Showing mercy is when I have the right to extract payment, judgment, and justice from someone due to my position of being right and then not using it. Giving what one does not deserve is the heart of God, it is the heart of mercy. When I do not deserve forgiveness and God extends it to me is Jesus showing me who He really is. If I choose not be accept this gift or if I refuse to believe it, I then refuse to believe in a good God. I create a different God whom I will serve, one who is more cruel and taxing than loving and caring. To do this is to remake God into the image of a cow instead of a loving Father; this is ultimate idolatry.

God longs to extend His mercy to the areas of our lives where we do not deserve it. He does this for us so we can realize that He is better than all the powers of the earth. When God shows mercy it is to make me fall in love with Him again, a love that will keep me from sin, storm, and self.

Mercy is the embrace of God, let Him hold you again. This hug will boil within you an explosive praise!

Psa 106:1 

Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.

 www.proclaimingjesus.com

Be careful what you pray for!  If we pray for patience, God may grant us challenges so we can learn patience.

 It’s funny how we forget that we asked God for something after we get it.  If it isn’t given in the form we expected, we will often ask God why.  Yet He specifically states in the Bible to ask and ye shall receive.

God listens to us.  He often will give us exactly what we want, so if we don’t examine our prayers carefully, we may get “exactly” what we prayed for.  Is it right to pray for rain, then gripe because of the storm?  Is it right to pray for healing when it isn’t God’s will for healing?  God doesn’t grant us a perfect life because He granted us Free Will.  He allows us to go through trials and valleys because it is where we learn.

A few months ago, my mother passed away after battling cancer.  I knew she would eventually die.  It is not God’s will for our physical bodies to live forever.  These bodies are only vessels that carry us through this life on earth.  They are not meant to last forever.  I didn’t ask God to heal my mother from her cancer.  I only asked that His will be done.  I didn’t ask that He take her pain away.  The body is going to experience pain.  I asked Him to help her through her pain.  I didn’t ask that He remove my pain of going through the cancer with her.  It would have made me an unfeeling, cold wall.  If she had to suffer, was it right for her to have to do it alone?  After all, she had been through pain and suffering with me when I had trials in my life.

What is the pain on this earth anyway?  We are selfish to ask God to remove our pain.  What pain did our Jesus suffer when He gave Himself for our sins?  We cry out to our Lord for much simpler things than any Jesus suffered for us.  To honor the Lord is to bear our pain with grace.  God deserves better from us than to hear us whine about something so fleeting as the pain we suffer on this earth.  These bodies and our suffering here are nothing compared to the joys we shall have in eternity.

Our prayers should honor our Lord.  He expects us to be honest with Him, and that honesty extends to our emotions and our needs and desires.  He is more receiving of our prayers when we are honest with ourselves and respectful that He is the one in control and knows much more about our situations than we ever can.

The meaning was clear enough though, I suppose.  What He is trying to tell me is that we are too greedy. Now, I know this isn’t late breaking news or anything, but He does have a point.  As our nation has grown (and this applies globally, I suppose)we have seen personal incomes soar to atmospheric heights, personal possessions worth a kings ransom, even churches seeing multi-million dollar salaries.  We have adapted a lifestyle of  ’keeping up with the Joneses’ and standing in line for hours just to buy the latest and greatest, until it is out-teched in 2 months. Perhaps our greed is the source of our current economic demise.  Greed is a sin, and right now it is keeping us from God in a bad way.

What is greed?  And where do you cross the line from basic want to greed?  Greed can disguise itself as many things.   When basic desire is compounded until it becomes your driving life force, it then transforms into a tool the enemy can use against you.

Greed will compel you to actions you never thought you would take.  Greed is also putting yourself first, causing your heart to harden to those in need.  It is allowing your desires to become god of your life, spending money on things you don’t need with money you don’t have.

Greed promotes wastefulness, slothfulness, wickedness, lying, self-sufficiency, even death.  God, being creator of all things, repeatedly tells us that He will provide for us, He will take care of us, He will give us the desires of our heart.  If we have only faith in Him and His Son.  Greed is telling God you don’t need what He has to give, you can get it on your own.

To combat greed, we must simply remember where the source of all things come from.  We must also remember that the things we have now won’t be going with us when we depart this world for the next, all things will be renewed.  Do things for others.  Donate clothes, food, time, energy, whatever.  To combat greed, you must give of yourself.  Make purchases for your next life, build up treasures in the New Kingdom.

Life is full of problems. Ask most anyone these days. There are few unique people who have no problems to share. To dwell on the negative, the pain and sorrow, the challenges….can be easy indeed. After all, that is what Satan would have us do. He goes after our weaknesses, prides himself on our downfalls, thrills himself with our misery.

The upside to any problem is the Lord. We can go through our problems and misery alone, or we can hold God’s hand and tread the dread knowing our Savior is with us all the way. There are times when we feel as though we are hanging on by a thin thread, for sure, but the important thing is to not let go. So it’s a thin thread, it’s still a thread and it’s still there.

If life is a dance, would you rather do it alone or with a partner? Even when we feel we are dancing alone physically, God is there holding us up spiritually. I am a clutz when it comes to being led on the dance floor. I step on toes; I trip over my own feet; I get confused as to which way my partner is trying to lead me. But even then when I am embarrassing myself, God is quietly guiding me. He gives me the choice: laugh at myself and have whatever fun I can, or hide in a corner alone and watch everyone else.

To share joy is one of the greatest feelings on earth! God brings us joy even in the bleakest of times. But we must be willing to receive that joy. We want our earthly partners (our husbands and our wives) to help us when we are down. We sometimes practically beg them to give us a reason to smile. We even cause them to walk away disheartened at the efforts made. Then we ask God why He isn’t helping, and the answer is there all along. He might as well shine a big sign in our faces that states, “I am, child, open your eyes, your ears, and your heart.”

Some days it’s as though we have to grab a snow shovel and dig down deep to find the blessings. We don’t even have to do that alone. Grab your Partner, God, and pray while you dig. It’s helpful on days like this to take a pen and paper and sit for just a few minutes. Go over your day from the time you woke up and purposely seek out the blessings you missed. You may be amazed as the list grows. There is always something to be thankful for, even in the worst of times.

Need examples? Think of someone who has a worse situation. Believe me, there IS always someone who has or has had it worse no matter how bad it is for you. Want another angle? Put that Google search partner to work and find people who have suffered tragedies and came out better for it. There are articles online every day about winners who were born with jaw dropping disabilities and learned to conquer their challenges.

Does it mean we are silly and stupid when we get down and out and feel like life isn’t worth the effort? Of course not. God gave us emotions. We’re supposed to experience them. It’s not a sin to be angry, lonely, depressed, or whatever the case may be. It’s how we handle that emotion that’s important. It’s okay to allow the feeling, but to allow it to take over our lives is another matter indeed. Each emotion has a time and a place to be used.

We have probably all read that email that pops up from time to time about people coming into our lives for a reason and a season. So, we have many partners really. God gave us every one of them! He brings people to us when He knows we need that added physical support form. We get teachers, an ever-changing list of friends, parents, children, club members, prayer warriors, pastors, and many more partners along life’s path. Each of these is a gift from the Lord. If the only partner you have at the moment is the Lord, rejoice and remember all the other partners He shared with you over the years! When it’s time, He’ll bring you more.

BY CARLA HINTON | NewsOK.com – How can a loving, powerful God allow disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis to wreak havoc and destroy lives? It’s a question that has “kept seminarians up at night,” said Robert P. Jones, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the Public Religion Research Institute. His comments come as the institute releases findings from a survey conducted one week after a March 11 earthquake triggered a catastrophic tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan.

The survey, conducted by the Washington-based institute in partnership with Religion News Service, found that a majority of Americans, 56 percent, say God is in control of everything that happens in the world. However, less than four in 10 (38 percent) believe earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters are a sign from God, and fewer (29 percent) believe God sometimes punishes nations for the sins of their citizens.

“Generally speaking, what we see in this poll is that Americans basically have a more natural than supernatural view of disasters,” Jones said. He said one exception proved to be white evangelical Protestants. The survey found that among evangelicals, about six out of 10 (59 percent) believe natural disasters are a sign from God, and a smaller majority (53 percent) believe God judges nations for the sins of some citizens.

Jones said white evangelical Protestants tend to be more likely to approach the Bible literally, “and of course in the Bible, we have plenty of examples of floods, earthquakes, fires — all kinds of things that are attributed in Scripture to signs from God or God’s judgment.” Read more

Folks, f you believe God doesn’t punish nations for disobedience and sinfulness, then you haven’t read the Bible.  God’s words verbatim – “spare the rod, spoil the child”  (Proverbs 13:24).  If God thinks this is good instruction for our children, then we can only expect He applies it to His children, right? After all, sinners or saints, we are all God’s children.

Does this sound familiar? :

Hosea 9 1-3 :  Punishment for Israel 1 Do not rejoice, Israel; do not be jubilant like the other nations.

For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor. 2 Threshing floors and winepresses will not feed the people; the new wine will fail them. 3 They will not remain in the LORD’s land;

Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.

Jesus Christ is GOD the Father,Son of God, Son of Man, Messaiah, prophet, HE is everything because He is GOD.

1. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus never changes (Hebrews 13:8), for we know that God doesn’t change in (Malachi 3:6).

 2. If Jesus is not God, then why is Jesus called as the only Saviour (II Peter 3:18, Titus 1:4, Luke 2:11), for we know that God is the only Saviour (Isaiah 43:11, Titus 2:10, I Timothy 4:10).

 3. If Jesus is not God, then why did Jesus Christ created the universe and the earth (Hebrews 1:10, Colossians 1:16, John 1:3), for we know that God created the universe and earth by Himself (Isaiah 44:24, Genesis 1:1)

 4. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is called the Word, and the Word was God (John 1:14), for we know that God is the Word (John 1:1).

 5. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is called the first and the last (Revelation 1:17), for we know that God is the first and the last. (Isaiah 41:4).

6. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus did forgive sins (Mark 2:5); for we know that God forgives sins. (Psalm 103:2-3, Mark 2:7)

 7. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus did redeemed us (Titus 2:13-14), for we know that God is our redeemer (Isaiah 63:16).

 8. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus and God are one (John 10:30, John 1:1, 3, 10, 14), for we know that God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4)

9. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is called the Holy One (Acts 2:27, Acts3:13-14, Acts 13:34-35), for we know that God is the Holy One (Isaiah 10:20, Psalms 71:22, Psalms 16:10)

 10. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is worshipped (Matthew 9:18, Hebrews 1:6), for we know that Only God is worshipped (Matthew 4:10).

 11. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is called Messiah (John 4:25-26), for we know that only God is Messiah (Isaiah 9:6).

12. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is from everlasting(Micah 5:2), for we know that God is from everlasting(Psalms 93:1-2)

13. If Jesus is not God, then why God glorified Jesus (John 5:23, Hebrews 1:8), for we know that Only God is glorified (Isaiah 42:8)

 14. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is ‘I am’(John 8:58), for we know that only God is ‘I am’(Exodus 3:14).

 15. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus heals all diseases (Matthew 8:16), for we know that God heals all diseases (Psalms 103:2).

 16. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is the Judge of the whole earth.( Rom. 14:10, Ps. 96:13)  , for we know that God is the Judge of the whole earth.( Ps. 9:8, Psalms 94:1-2, Eccl. 3:17)

 17. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus has life in Himself (John 1:4, John 11:25 , for we know that God has life in Himself (Deuteronomy 30:20, John 5:26).

 18. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus raises the dead (John 11:1-44), for we know that God raises the dead (John 5:21)

 19. If Jesus is not God, then why God was manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) and Jesus is called God (2 Corinthians 5:19, Isa. 9:6).

 20. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus said that He would send the comforter to us (John 16:7), for we know that Father would send the comforter (John 14:26).

 21. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus Christ is our sanctifier (Ephesians 5:26), for we know that Father sanctifies us (Jude 1).

 22. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus said He would draw all men (John 12:32), for we know that Father alone can draw men to God (John 6:44).

 23. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is called “Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Eternal Father (Isaiah 9:6), for we know that God is the Eternal Father, Mighty God, Everlasting father (Job 36:5, Deuteronomy 10:17, Ephesians 4:6)

 24. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus said “I and the Father are one and “I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? “(John 10:30, John 14:9-11, John 17:10, John 14:20, John 9:37), for we know that There is only One God None beside Him. (Isaiah 43:10, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Ephesians 4:4-6, John 8:42, Deuteronomy 4:35, Isaiah 44:6)

 25. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus name is Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14, John 14:8–9, Colossians 2:9)for we know that LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king and the Word was God (Jeremiah 10:10, John 1:1)

 26. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus said us to witness for him (John 15:27, Acts 1:8, John 8:18, John 12:17), for we know that God wants us to be witness before him (Isaiah 43:10, Revelation 1:5).

 27. If Jesus is not God, then how would Jesus search the hearts of the people (Revelation 2:23, Matthew 9:4, Mark 2:8), for we know that God knows our heart and minds (Proverbs 21:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:4).

 28. If Jesus is not God, then how is Jesus everywhere (Omnipresent) (Matthew 28:20, Matthew 18:20), for we know that God is omnipresent (Matthew 18:20, Psalm 139:7-12).

 29. If Jesus is not God, then how Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Heb. 1:3, John 6:46, John 10:30, John 9:37, Colossians 2:9, Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3, John 14:8–9)

 30. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is called as good shepherd (John 10:14, Hebrews 13:20) for we know that God is referred to as the Shepherd of His flock (Ezekiel 34:31, Psalms 23:1).

 31. If Jesus is not God, then why John Baptist crying in the wilderness making a way of the Lord (Matthew 3:3, John 1:29-31, John 1:23, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1), for we know that God was manifested in flesh (John 1:1, Revelation 1:17–18, Titus 2:13, 1 Timothy 3:16 )

 32. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus did allowed  Thomas, to call him as Lord and my Lord and peter before partaking of the Last Supper, Peter called Jesus as Lord , Martha called him as Lord (John 20:28, John 13:13-14, John 13.9, John 11:21) and  Jesus soon affirmed this by saying “ I am”.

 33. If Jesus is not God, then why Apostle Paul wrote, “no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit ((1 Corinthians 12.3).

 34. If Jesus is not God, then why Jesus is worshiped by angels and in heaven ( Heb 1:6, Luke 24:52, Philippians 2:10-11), for we know that Only God deserves to receive spiritual worship from men(Revelation 22:9, Matthew 4:10, Exodus 34:14, Revelation 7:11)

35. If Jesus is not God, then why did Jews want to stone Jesus, for claiming to be God. (John 10:33).

36. If Jesus is not God, then why they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit (Acts 7:59).

37. If Jesus is not God, then why scriptures say feed the church of GOD, which he hath purchased with his OWN BLOOD?( Acts 20:28, John 19:34)

  38. If Jesus is not God then why, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are called one (1 John 5:7, Revelation 21:3).

 39. If Jesus is not God then why scripture says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands (Hebrews 1:10).

 40. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude1:4)

 41. If Jesus is not God then why did Jesus said I am the light of the world (John 9:5, 1 Tim 6:15-16, Rev 21:23), for we know that God is the light of the world (Eph 5:8-9, 1 John 1:5).

 42. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say “in order that they may know the  Mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ (Col 2:2-3, Revelation 10:7, Ephesians 3:2-6 ,Mark 4:11, 1 Cor 2:7-8), for we know that God is Mysterious( Isaiah 55:8-9).

 43. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.( Revelation 21:3) for we know that Lords table is of God(Ezekiel 37:27)

 44. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39)

45. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say” Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, (Philippians 2:5-8)

46. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say “unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Thessalonians 1:1).

47. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.( Revelation 4:8)

48. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus Christ provides a well of living water (John 7:37-38, John 4:14), for we know that God as the fountain of Living Waters (Jeremiah 17:13).

 49. If Jesus is not GOD then why did the Father say, “Thy throne, Oh God is forever and ever!” (Heb. 1:8, 1 Timothy 2:5)

50. If Jesus is not God, why did Isaiah write that God, the King of Israel is Jehovah (Isaiah 44:6)

51. If Jesus is not God, why did Ezekiel prophesy that Jehovah would enter the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem and that Gate would remain shut( Ezekiel 44:1-2, John 12:12–13).

52. If Jesus is not God then, why the Words of Jesus shall not pass away (Matt. 24:35), for we know that the Word of God shall stand forever (Isaiah 40:8).

53. If Jesus is not God then, why Jesus commands us not to add or take away from His word (Rev. 22:18-19), for we know that Lord God commands that we not add or take away from His word(Deut. 4:2; Deut12:32).

54. If Jesus is not God then, why Jesus is called as the horn of salvation (Luke 1:68-69), for we know that God is the horn of salvation (2 Sam. 22:3).

55. If Jesus is not God then, why Jesus is the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8), for we know that the Lord is the King of glory (Psalm 24:10).

56. If Jesus is not God then, why Jesus renders to each according to his work (Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12), for we know that the Lord God renders to each according to his work (Psalm 62:12).

57. If Jesus is not God then, why the Lord Jesus Christ who is our hope (1 Tim. 1:1), for we know that the Lord God is our hope (Psalm 71:5).

58. If Jesus is not God then, why Jesus is above all (John 3:31), for we know that the Lord God is above all (Psalm 97:9).

59. If Jesus is not God then, WHO Jesus loves He corrects (Rev. 3:19), for we know that WHO the Lord loves He corrects (Prov. 3:12).

60. If Jesus is not God then how Jesus abolishes death and brings life and immortality (2 Tim. 1:10), for we know that God swallows up death in victory (Isaiah 25:8).

61. If Jesus is not God then how Jesus is the redeemer (Titus 2:14), for we know that the Lord God is redeemer (Isaiah 43:14).

62. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus is the first and the last (Rev. 1:17; Rev2:8; Rev 22:13), for we know that Lord God is the first and the last (Isaiah 44:6).

63. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus said “I have said nothing secretly (John 18:20), for we know that the Lord God, did not speak in secret (Isaiah 45:19).

64. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus’ voice was like the sound of many waters (Rev. 1:15), for we know that God’s voice was like a noise of many waters (Ezek. 43:2).

65. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus has glorious appearance (Rev. 1:13-16), for we know that God has glorious appearance (Daniel 7:9, Ezek. 1:26-28).

66. If Jesus is not God then why at Jesus’ name every knee should bow and tongue confess (Phil. 2:10-11), for we know that to God, every knee shall bow and every tongue swear (Isaiah 45:23).

67. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus seeks to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10), for we know that God seeks to save which was lost (Ezek. 34:16)

68. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus sends angels (Rev. 22:16), for we know that Lord God sends angels (Rev. 22:6).

69. If Jesus is not God then why God calls the Son “God and Lord (Heb. 1:8, Heb. 1:9, Heb. 1:10).

70. If Jesus is not God then why through the grace of Jesus we have salvation (Acts 15:11), for we know that the grace of God that has appeared to save all men (Titus 2:11).

71. If Jesus is not God then why coming of Jesus Christ is with all His saints (1 Thess. 3:13), for we know that God has his saints (Col. 1:26).

72. If Jesus is not God then why Christ is all and in all (Colossians 3:11), for we know that God is all in all (1 Cor. 15:28).

73. If Jesus is not God then why Paul preached the Gospel of Christ (Rom. 15:19), for we know that Paul is an apostle of the Gospel of God (Rom. 1:1).

74. If Jesus is not God then why Peter said the men of Israel “killed the Author of Life (Acts 3:15), for we know that God made all things and he is the author of life (Acts 14:15).

75. If Jesus is not God then why scripture say Sovereign Lord who made heaven and earth (Acts 4:24, Acts 2:36).

76. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus tells Satan, “you shall not tempt the Lord your God” in reference to Himself (Matt. 4:7; Luke 4:12) ,for we know that God can not be tempted (James1:13)

77. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus said that He is “Lord of the Sabbath (Matt. 12:8; Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5).

78. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus said Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you, but the man declared how much Jesus did. (Luke 8:39).

79. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst. (Luke 17-21).

80. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus calls himself “Lord.” “The Lord has need of them (Matt. 21:3; Luke 19:31- 34).

81. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus said “ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them” (Luke 6:46-47).

82. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say “when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations’ (Romans 1:21).

83. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24).

84. If Jesus is not God then why did Jesus said my house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers (Luke 19:46), for we know that God himself has declared like this in Jeremiah 7:11.

85. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say that the true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:9-13).

86. If Jesus is not God then why scriptures say Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9).

87. If Jesus is not God then why Jesus said I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death(Rev.1:18),for we know that God has the keys of hell(Isaiah 22:22, Psalms 16:10).

Conclusion: “From there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29) .

People who try to come to God without accepting Jesus Christ as the way to God are deceiving themselves and they often try to deceive others also. Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (1st Timothy 4:1-2)

Thank you Jesus for all the souls you have saved throughout the generations. Please continue to open the hearts and eyes of your children to seek your truth with all their heart and soul! Amen. (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

 Restoration:

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Everyday, on my drive to the office; I pass a salvage yard. Acres upon acres of broken, wrecked, battered and seemingly useless vehicles.

 If you were going shopping for a clean, reliable, and durable form of transportation; it certainly would be the last place you would visit.

 But, that is not true for a gifted mechanic. He will look past the weeds growing all around the car. He does not object to broken headlights. He has little concern for a wrinkled fender. He doesn’t blink an eye, when the motor smokes. He could care less about a flat tire.

 He sees a classic. Something that with time and effort, might just be the next trophy winner at the big car show.

 GOD never designed us to be a clunker. He created us to be in show condition. But, over time; we wrecked. We blew up our motors. We got hammered by hail. We got so damaged that we ended up sitting; with weeds growing all around us.

 I know that there was a time in my life, that I felt I was beyond repair. My “vehicle” was a total loss. And without the Master mechanic of hearts (Jesus Christ); I was destined for the crusher. He polished me, straightened me, tuned me; and filled my heart with His Spirit.

 So GOD can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness towards us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7 NLT

We are never too wrecked to be restored.

What’s

your

thief?

    A woman that I had just met told me an incredible story. She was 74 years of age and her husband had passed away recently. One of the things that she did to keep active was clean the church. I am sure it was also a way to fill in the time; a void that her late husband had left. She had an amazing peace that her husband was now with Jesus and she rejoiced in the fact that he would never feel pain again.

 She described that the church paid her $25.00 per visit to clean the church. But, that she would not be getting paid any longer. She cleaned twice per week so, that came out to around $200.00 per month. In the short amount of time that we talked, she made it a point to let me know the incredible part of this story. The church had not decided to quit paying her. She did!

 Getting paid to serve was robbing her, of all her joy, working for the Lord. And she would either do it for free, or not clean. She was finding the work, as a way to say thank you to God for His Grace, and for taking care of her late husband. $25.00 was a thief to her expression of gratitude.

What’s your thief?

 Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness

grows up to trouble you,

corrupting many.

Hebrews 12:15 NLT

Remember watching the old poison tea trick in the movies. The angry person of the two, decides to sit down and have a friendly cup of tea with his enemy. The angry and bitter subject poisons the cup of tea that his enemy is supposed to drink. But, somehow; the wrong cup of tea is ingested. The bitter person drinks the poison and waits for the other to die. Surprise!

The same thing happened to the Coyote and The Road Runner. He would appear to be nice and put some bird seed out for the bird. The Road Runner would eat it and move on down the road. The Coyote, already in several disputes with ACME, gives the bird seed a nibble. He is instantly reduced to a cloud of smoke and an accordion body.

Who are we killing with bitterness? We spend all of our day dreaming up ways to spike the next tea, spread the next rumor, or go way (and I mean WAY!) out of ordinary routine to let someone know we are displeased with them. It does not seem that stupid while it’s going on. Until we realize that the investment in ACME has also wiped out our peace and joy account.

What do you say today we pick up the exploding bird seed and make things right? Does that mean the other person is going to change today? Nope! Does it mean we will? Yep! And at the end of the day, the only control we have over our neighbors is the example they see.

The LORD says,

“ I will rescue those who love me.

I will protect those that trust in my name.

When they call on me,

I will answer;

I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue and honor them.

                                           Psalm 91:14-15

Do you know what is so powerful about this verse?

That God says, “ I will!”

Not I might,

not if I have time,

not if I am able.

“ I will!”

Not once, but five times!

For those that love Him,

trust Him,

honor Him,

and call on Him.

He will!

Will I?

“ So after you have suffered a little while,

He will restore, support, and strengthen you,

and He will place you on a firm foundation.”

1 Peter 5:10 NLT

    I remember an incident from several years ago, and my attempt to anchor a newly planted tree. As I looked out the window on a particularly windy day, the tree was swaying violently from side to side. After watching this for over an hour, I decided to spring into action.

 I found some tent spikes, rope, and hammer; and went to work. I would save it’s life. I tightened it as best I could, and was pleased to see that it was now completely stationery. The tree was safe. The adversity it faced was over.

 Before I can reach the garage to put away the tools, the tree snapped in half. I had taken away the only defense the tree had to survive the wind. Without bending in the storm, it had no strength to stand any longer.

 The same can be said for helping a baby chick break out of the shell it is struggling to escape. By helping, the baby soon dies. It relies on the struggle to build enough strength to live.

 Sadhu Sundar Singh is quoted as saying, “A newborn child has to cry, for only in this way will his lungs expand. A doctor once told me of a child who could not breathe when it was born. In order to make it breathe the doctor gave it a slight blow. The mother must have thought the doctor cruel.

 But he was really doing the kindest thing possible. As with newborn children the lungs are contracted, so are our spiritual lungs. But through suffering God strikes us in love. Then our lungs expand and we can breathe and pray.”

Shining Perspective

I opened the door and my son yells from upstairs, “Hi Momma! Come up here!” Intrigued by the excitement, I drop my bags and head up the stairs. He continues, “I got on BLUE today! And look, I got this!” (Let me take a moment to explain that since school resumed from the winter break, his kindergarten teacher has implemented a color behavior chart system. On this chart blue means: he had a great day!) “Wow! You made it to the treasure box?” I ask.  “Yeah, I got this airplane from the treasure box!” He replies. “That’s awesome honey, I am so proud of you!”  He was thrilled to fly his little airplane around as if it were the most expensive, most extravagant toy on earth. But he was more excited to share with me his achievement and receive praise for a job well done.

I have entered a season I’m going to call the season of pressure. Every direction I turn, I’m involved in something, responsible for something, have to do some part of something and well, I’m not really sure what down time looks like anymore, because all of mine is dedicated to some kind of project. Something is always waiting for my attention. So I am becoming friends with pressure. I can’t get away from it and I can’t get out from underneath it, because my friend pressure is filling every area of my life.

Pressure can be a good thing. My son now has a little pressure to work harder on his behavior. He doesn’t want to end up on yellow, or orange or red for the day, but has incentive to stay on green or work towards blue or purple which results in a tangible reward.

As our evening of celebration continued on, Isaiah was enjoying some hard earned video game time. I joined him while he played. He wanted to show me that he could do a certain “trick” on the game. As he was playing he said, “Come on, I want to make mommy proud.”

What? (I asked myself.)

Doesn’t he know how proud I am of him?

Doesn’t he believe me when I tell him how much I love him?

Does he think I won’t be proud of him if he doesn’t do this “trick” on the video game?

And then, God spoke to my heart. “Do you think I’m not proud of you? Do you think I won’t love you if you don’t get all of those “things” done on your list?”

When does pressure become a bad thing? When pressure makes me forget about God’s grace, love and mercy-it’s a bad thing. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.”~ 2 Corinthians 4:8. If pressure makes me forget that the God who created the universe is with me every minute of every day, guiding me, strengthening me, and enabling me, it’s a very bad thing. But when I remember that: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” ~Psalm 46:1, the pressure will disappear.

I’m not six years old. I know what grace is; I experience it and live it and am saved by it every single day. It’s God’s grace that is typing each of the keys on this keyboard at 3:30am in the middle of my insomnia battle. It’s by God’s grace that I will make it through the day, today and every day that He gives me to live. It’s God’s grace that will balance out my to-do list, my responsibilities, my commitments and my trials, which all seem overwhelming right now. And it’s by God’s grace that I know He is in control of this season of pressure and is using it to teach me things I can learn no other way. God will meet me in my weakness as He always does. Maybe I can learn a little more about depending on His grace alone, which is sufficient. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ~2 Corinthians 12:9

There is nothing Isaiah can do that will make me love him more. Nor is there anything he can do to make me more proud of him. Today he was on green and I was just as proud of him as I was when he achieved blue. I know how he struggles and where his challenges are and I know he gave his best effort for the day. I love him just the same today as I did when he had a bad day and came home on red last week.

In the same way, there is nothing I can do to make God love me more. God loved me when I was a horribly angry, drug using, alcohol abusing, completely lost, and empty woman. I met Jesus while I was walking on a path that could only end in destruction. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”~Romans 5:8

God doesn’t love me more just because I don’t live that way now. I’m not treasured because I teach Sunday school or write blogs, or attend church or bible study. It is because God loved me that He saved me from that life. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” ~Ephesians 2:8. It is God’s grace that is making me new everyday and it is God’s grace that transforms me and carries me through every minute of this new life in Christ.

Have you let Jesus Christ save you? Have you let God’s promises conquer all of your pressures?

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ~Romans 10:9