For The Sake Of Harmony

What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?

In life, harmony is an important goal. It’s a state of peaceful coexistence. One thing I try to get rid of is one thing I think we can let go of in society today. And that’s the need to always be right. I see situations where ego gets in the way of resolving conflicts. People tend to stubbornly hold onto their beliefs and opinions. While it’s fine to have strong beliefs in things we have gotten farther and farther away from accepting other people’s differences. There is so much hate these days because of one person not believing in this or that. We need to talk to each other without screaming and violence and work on things to make it better. I may not have the same beliefs or opinions as someone and that’s okay. I’m not going to hate someone for it or try and shove my beliefs or opinions down someone’s throat. It’s okay to disagree and still have respect for each other. We need to relearn or learn that in society.

Favorite Music

What is your favorite genre of music?

My musical preference is country legends like Hank Williams Sr and Johnny Cash. But I also like Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Bob Seger. I also have a thing for Messianic Worship songs. It just depends on what I’m feeling like on a given day.

Music is what go me though my childhood. I helped me cope with everything that happened. The old legends today help me remember the good times I had with my father. The old Rock and Roll just feels good to my soul, and the Messianic Music calms my spirit and helps me worship God.

Music is so many different things to so many people. But no matter what genre we listen to it has the ability to change our moods, and helps is process our feelings, heal, inspire, and soothe our souls.

Freedom From Bondage

Freedom is a liberating moment when someone is released from a force, influence, and power that has dominated their lives. Before freedom, there was a restraint of personal liberty, involuntary servitude, slavery, or captivity in one form or another, which when freed from its grip, gives someone reason to shout and be thankful.

When God gives us that liberating moment it feels like a heavy weight has been lifted off of us. In Psalm 40:1-2 David reveals freedom from bondage,e

“I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.”

David waited continually with constant patience, hope, and firm expectation, for help and assistance and for God’s deliverance.

God gives us freedom from bondage with provision and protection. Psalm 23 expresses clearly the role of God as our protector and provider in life. God is compared to a shepherd and His children are His sheep. We are His sheep who should be dependent on Him as the Shepherd provides us with provision and protection.

“The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want…He restores my soul“ -Psalm 23

Freedom from bondage only comes when we realize we are in a condition of bondage. Bondage is the power of physical corruption against the freedoms of life. Any believer in God who fails to fight and fortify sin, allows sin to dominate them.

Many people are being held in captivity towards the sinful side of themselves, not realizing it even relishing in its pleasures, and are good of conscience or conviction against it. Enslaved to that which condemns their soul to eternal damnation rather than heavenly gain. They are brought into captivity (bondage) of the devil, out of which nothing but the power of God, and Jesus can release them.

Those who have gained victory over sin, become the servants of obedience unto righteousness. They have a new life with Jesus, a new beginning and live righteously in His sight.

Paul wrote in Romans 6:22,

“Now being made free from sin (freedom from bondage of such) and become servants to God (no longer to sin), have your fruit into holiness and have everlasting life.”

Proverbs 5:22 reveals to us,

“The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.”

It is noted that someones iniquities is the snare or new in which they become so entangled that they cannot release themselves not are able to shake off the shackles of the bondage of their sins.

They will be held with the cords of sin which becomes more in bondage with constant indulgence increasing it’s hold. With the person’s individual conscience becomes seared towards retaining it with no desire for freedom from bondage and becoming enslaved to it.

Paul wrote in Romans 6:23,

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Messiah, Yeshua our Lord.“

It is noted that the penalty for sin is death, both spiritual and physical. The moment Adam and Eve sinned they died spiritually of what was provided before that time. Sin became a reality to them, and to all generations, from that day forth.

Physical death is described as the separation of body and spirit with someone in an unsaved state, having to face a second death portrayed as the lake of fire. The only escape from the second death which is literally burning in hell is to receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus as one’s Savior, who provided atonement for our sins, through His shed blood on the cross.

Sin will do three things to us,

1. It will take us where we never intended to go.

2. it will keep us longer than we intended to stay.

3 It will cost us more than we intended to pay.

Sin is a costly business that separates us from God, whereas repentance from our hearts brings forgiveness and restoration with God, through His Son Jesus,

Paul wrote in 2 Peter 2:19,

“Promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.”

This is not Christian liberty, where in lies freedom from bondage of sin and it’s dominion.

It is a license to immortality, to walk away from the Word of God, to live in a manner of sin and wickedness, which eventually leads pro the confines of a literal burning hell. Such entrapment and way of thinking is by those who promise like berty while they themselves are in bondage.

They corrupt all others and particularly lust of uncleanness, which they walk in. For of who man is overcome, of the same is brought into bondage after having entertained the ways of sin and become a prisoner themselves, such is neither a free man, not can they promise liberty to others.

Jesus said in John 8:32, 34

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits a sin is the bondservant of sin.”

The truth of the gospel is acknowledgment and adherence to it, will lead one away from the captivity of sin, while others who are learning and never coming to the acknowledgment of the truth are blinded and will continue in the errors of their ways.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4,

“Even if our Good News (the gospel) is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying; in whom the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Messiah, who is in the image of God, should not dawn on them.”

Many today have been blinded to the truth of the Gospel message allowing the sinful side of man to be more prominent in their life than the life-saving message of Jesus.

There is a cultural drift toward doing what is right in one’s own sight rather than adhering to the Word of God.

Proverbs 14:12 says,

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.“

God calls us to love all. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:24,

“The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels but must be kind to everyone (even-tempered) preserving peace, and he must be skilled in teaching, patient, and tolerant when wronged.” -Amp

God wants His people to be free from the bondage that readily ensures one in modern-day culture.

He gave us His best, an atonement sacrifice for our sins, through His Son. Who delivered us from the power of darkness (Satan) and has given us an opportunity to transfer us into His kingdom of His dear Son, in whom we have deliverance through His blood, and the forgiveness of sins.

My Most Memorable Vacation

Describe your most memorable vacation.

My most memorable vacation was this year. We went to Las Vegas with my daughter and her husband. For mine and my husband’s 35 wedding anniversary. When we arrived the hotel desk gave us the wrong room so she switched it the next day we went to get something to eat and enjoy the sites. When we arrived back to our room someone had gone in the taken all of our things -our things our were completely gone.

When went back to the hotel desk clerk she said the lady the day before didn’t put our room change in the computer and they thought we were squatters. Security had our things. When we went to security they told us some of our things had been thrown away.

My husband has a nasty habit oh chewing tobacco, and he had just bought new. They said they threw the tobacco away. So we lost about $80 worth of tobacco. Why would they throw brand-new things away? Seems suspicious to me.

No one likes having their personal items gone through. I am the same, some strange men touching my underwear just creeps me out. It was an awful circumstance for what was supposed to be a good time.

For Those Who Don’t Give Up

Psalm 11

“In the Lord I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, ‘flee as a bird to your mountain!’ For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the unright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple. The Lord is on His throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence His soul hates. On the wicked, He will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is “righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see His face.“

The an old hymn that begins with the words, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.” By Louis Armstrong, I’m sure that song has resonated with a lot of people over the years, because there is one constant in life -trouble.

We are certainly living in troubled times. Our world is becoming more and more divided. The riots, the pandemic, genocide and lawlessness abound. Trouble is not a new issue. Nearly 1000 years before Jesus walked the earth, King David brought his troubles to God by praying the Psalms. And today we can use the Psalms to assist us in praying during times of trouble.

On one hand, we have an impulse to turn to God in times of trouble, but on the other hand we have the desire to run away and hide from what it taking place.

“In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me flee like a bird to the mountains.”

As human beings, it’s easy to run away and hide from the troubles we face. In America, drugs are running rampant, alcohol sales are through the roof, and sexual immorality is at an all-time high.

Charles Spurgeon said that “sinning times have always been the saints praying times.”

The Psalms do not minimize the level of trouble. But they describe what is at stake when troubles come.

Human beings today are not just having bad days, our troubles are as real as life and death. The foundations of civil and moral life are crumbling and the future well-being of people is at stake.

“For behold, the wicked bend their bow, the have set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?

There is an internal battle that goes on within people during difficult times. We can fight, for what is taking place across our world in many varied forms or we can run away from the problems. The third option and the best is to connect with God in prayer and receive His guidance in these troubled times. I will never be about riots and picket signs. But I am about smacking the devil in the face with God’s Word.

God is never far from us. He is the Lord of the universe and He sees and knows what we need.

“The Lord is in His Holy temple; the Lord is on His throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine.”

When Peter was about to face the most difficult time of his life in Luke 22:31-32 Jesus said, “Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when inc you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

We are being “sifted” by the troubles of this world, we can ask Jesus to pray for us. Rather than run away from the troubles we encounter. We can always call on Jesus who “always lives to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25).

I decided along time ago that I was not going to let satan win. And I will always stick to those words.

In Genesis 18:25 Abraham asked God, “Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just? God is the judge of all the earth and He does do what is just. God’s just abs righteous justice demands that those who oppress others receive appropriate punishment for the way they have treated the people less powerful.

“The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and him to love violence His soul hates. On the wicked, He will rain blazing coals, fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

How does God respond when people use their power to oppress others? He says, If your neigh cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate” (Exodus 22:27). God hears the cries of the oppressed and will respond with justice.

As we face trouble that causes us to lose sleep or cry at night, we know that God sees, hears, and responds to our anguish.

Our great opportunity and goal should be to behave in the way Jesus both lived and taught. Being people who live a “Jesus-kind of life.” and live righteously.

“For the Lord is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see His face.”

May our troubles always cause us to run to the very fact of God, rather than to the diversions and distractions of the world.

What advantage is it to have God’s mighty power if we don’t make use of it in times of trouble? As our works us being “sifted,” lets make use of Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon

God’s Opinion Matters

There are a few people in my life whose words are meaningless to me. I love them and see them as someone in need of Jesus. But when they speak, I know from my observation that their words are probably deceptive and wrong. I don’t pay much attention to their opinions, and I would certainly not follow their counsel.

I’m sure that’s true of you too. But there is One who’s opinion matters. The One from who every word is wisdom and righteousness and mercy and justice all combined.

Seeking God’s opinion results an a heart attitude.

“Great piece have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” – Psalm 119:165

People have peace because their lives are not standing on the shifting sands of culture or circumstances but on the sovereign, never-changing promises of that One who is above all. And they do not stumble beytney are following the Good Sheppard who leads them in all the right paths for His name’s sake,

Having a heart attitude towards God’s Word is very simple. If you cherish His Word, you will make time to playfully read it and gladly obey what He says. It’s the source you run to first for direction. It will assume the highest place in your heart and mind. It is not merely a value for the Bible, it is your value of God Himself.

If you are against God He will be against you.

“Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned” – Psalm 34:21

On What Subject Am I An Authority

On what subject(s) are you an authority?

I don’t feel like I am an authority over any subject. Learning is a journey it is a continuous process of gaining knowledge and skills which never stops because life never stops teaching us.

The authority I have is in Christ I have the authority to resist and overcome evil. And this authority comes from the power of Jesus, who conquered sin and death through His death and resurrection.

My definition Of Romantic

What’s your definition of romantic?

My definition of romantic would be going up to the mountains in a 4 wheel drive pick-up truck mudding, fishing, and for dinner cooking the fish we caught over an open fire.

Making God Inspired Decisions

Some people say, “Just do it” It sounds easy right? There is something to be said for spontaneity. But some choices in life require deep thought and prayer. Or we find ourselves facing the consequences of our poor choices. That’s where discernment comes in.

Discernment is a time-honored practice that honors God’s will in our lives. It is an interior search that seeks to align our will with the will of God in order to learn what God calls us to do.

Every choice we make, no matter how small, is an opportunity to align ourselves with God.

An example of this is, I had a bone density test last week. It’s a test that shows how bridle your bones are -whether you have osteoporosis. Mine was good. The doctor wanted me to take injections right away. I told the nurse I had to pray over it, as well as research the side effects. And I would let them know. Every medication, treatment, or surgery has negatives.

It’s good to talk to other people and do your research but at some point, it’s crucial to take some time to be alone with your thoughts and with God. It’s important to invite God into your decision-making process.

When making a decision start with what you know. Lay out all the facts in front of you so you can deal with the known before you delve into the unknown.

Be honest and tell God about your fears and your desires. Then let God speak to you. Most of us don’t hear a voice when He speaks to us. It’s important to pay attention to your thoughts, and feelings. I noticed whether I am at peace with the decision or I am anxious or nervous.

Know that God always has a plan for you. Remind yourself often that you are not on your own and you don’t have to yell, scream, or cry to get His attention He’s here to help you in your decisions always.

Pray that He will show you what to do. And as hard as it is pray for His will to be done and for Him to give you the strength you need to continue to discern His will and follow it.

If the decision can wait, continue to pay attention to your feelings to see which direction you are being drawn to.

At some point, you need to act. After you have sought God’s will, set forth to obey what God has shown you.

Discernment can help you when you face decisions. Making good decisions can be difficult at times, but when you trust the Holy Spirit is with you, He will guide you and help you choose what is good and true.

Expressing Gratitude

How do you express your gratitude?

I have a very close friend circle that I stay close to. They are the ones J can trust. So naturally I show gratitude to them often. I often buy flowers or bring them items I’ve baked or take them out to lunch when I appreciate things that have done. Everyone else that does things that I appreciate I say thank you.

Practicing gratitude has incredible effects from improving our mental health to improving our relationships with others. It’s a game-changer that has far-reaching effects. There are two key components to practicing gratitude. The first is we affirm the good things we’ve received and the second is we acknowledge the role other people play in providing our lives with goodness.

Strength Through Our Trials

What do you do when you’re faced with disappointment, disaster, or despair? Scripture teaches us that,

“We know all things work together for good to them that love God” – Romans 8:28.

God shapes us through trials. Trials are an inevitable part of our lives as humans, we cannot escape them. They come in various forms and can shake us to our core.

However, in the middle of every trial, we have a faithful, loving God who invites us to lean on Him for strength, comfort, and guidance.

Trials expose our hearts, they remove the impurities from our lives -those things that keep us from bringing glory to God as we should. But there are things we need to understand about trials and our responses.

God doesn’t allow us to go through trials to trip us up, He designs them to strengthen and purify us. Job said, in 23:10, “When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

We sometimes have unbiblical perspectives when we experience trails and suffering. We can believe:

  • That they are always our fault
  • That they are always the other person’s fault. And can have z “victim” mentality.
  • They are no one’s fault. This is divine fate.
  • That they are God’s fault. He causes everything.
  • A deistic view -that God isn’t involved in it at all. This is a belief that God created everything, but now He just stands back and watches without getting involved.
  • God is sovereign and works all things to His plan and purpose, including trials and suffering
  • That they’re always for God’s glory and our eternal good, even though God may temporarily set aside our happiness to accomplish something greater

So, since God has allowed whatever we experience and it’s for our good, how should we respond,?

One thing I’ve learned through all the trials I’ve been in, it’s that we are accountable for our responses no matter how we feel. We respond in ways that please God, and no matter what our circumstances we reach our goal,

I long time ago I went to my pastor because I was going through one trial after another. It was becoming cumbersome. He gave me the best advice I could have gotten. He said, “Pray and ask God what He wants to teach you.” I found that being focused on God instead of the trial helps you grow and allows Him to guide you to the next step.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 says,

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well-pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each on may receive according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

It’s easy to justify wrong responses during a trial, God gives us grace to us when we respond rightly.

We should just pray to get through the trial by “hanging in there” and somehow get through our trials by suffering through it. We should ask God to help us grow in the middle of difficulty and become more like Jesus. James, 1:2-4 says for us to,

“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it’s perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.”

We may not always rejoice in the suffering, we may rejoice in the fact that a sovereign God can work through the trial.

I can look back and see how God had used other trials for my good, and how I’ve grown in faith and learned to trust Him, in spite of my trials, because of them. I bet you can too when you remember past trials.

Some of the why’s God allows trials

  • Because of unconfessed sin. 1 Corinthians 11:28-33 says,

“But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For he who eats in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason, many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.”

It’s important to take the Lord’s supper (communion) as a reminder of the importance of examining ourselves, self-examination is something we should do on a regular basis.

Because people fail to confess and turn away from their sins, they suffer many trials. God chastens us because He loves us. No Chastening is joyful for the present but painful, nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. James 15:2 says,

“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit.“

We live in a failed world and trials encourage us to long for heaven.