Changed - In His Word 2-23-25

Changed- In His Word 2-23-15

We all change in our lifetime, many of us change several different ways before we come to be the person we are meant to be.

The only one constant thing in our lives is the fact that the world is here because God created it.

 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in.

 Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”  The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. Acts 3:1-8

The man healed in this scripture was changed. His life was always the same; prior to that day, that moment that he called out for help from Peter and John He was lame.

As soon as they spoke healing into his body n the name of Jesus Christ the man’s life was never the same.

From sorrow he turned into a man of joy; from lameness and inability to take care of himself he became full of energy and excitement about the healing and heath he was given!

From pity to gratitude, it sounds like the title for a book about his life’s story at this point.

We all are lame when we are born; I don’t mean that we cannot, although that too is true; but we are not born walking with God. Although some may beg to differ with this theory we are not born ‘saved’ but we are indeed ‘born in sin’. The sinful nature of man is there from the start. We can however be known by God from the beginning; only He can change our hearts.  Our hearts start out not caring about anything or anyone but ourselves; thus we have a selfish nature.  There is a stage that every child goes through, and it is the “Me-do” stage. The child experts tell us that usually around two years of age a child wants to try to do things himself. From there we try to do everything on our own, often even going as far as trying to get to heaven ourselves.

We try to be ‘good’ even though there is no way we can ever be ‘good enough’ to please God.  It goes against our human nature to be perfect, ask any perfectionist they will tell you how hard it is to get things just right.

Of course we can please people around us but it is God is who hold the key to get us to heaven! The good news is He wants to give it to us.  There is a code to put in in order to get it, and that is all. . That’s it! Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, speak it out loud and prove it to yourself. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved! (Acts 15:11, Romans 10:8-9)

Once we believe then we are changed. We are no longer walking in sin, we are walking in the Light, because we are walking with Jesus and He is the Light of the world!

 But you have not so learned Christ,  if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,  and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,  and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:21-24

Changed. You and I have been changed when we accepted the truth that Jesus is Lord and that He died for us.  That’s the ticket! From then on we are free from sin, and free to walk according the plans that Christ has for us, but with our own choice of following those plans.

We are not forced to behave a certain way it is a choice. No more worries about measuring up because we measure up to God Himself and that is all who matters.

We do not have to be presented to become saved, or chosen, for we are already adopted by God the Father as one of His own. To God be the glory! We do not have to live like the Jewish do trying to be good enough but by grace, the grace of God.

For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:28-29

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for changing us. Help us to follow your path and plans for our lives that we can continue to walk in the joy we first felt when we made the choice to be changed by you. In Jesus name, amen.

Suggested reading :Romans 10:1-29, Ephesians 4: 1-31, Romans 2 1-29, and Colossians 2:1-35

TeresaWilson.com: Are you Lost-- In the Word 2-17-15

TeresaWilson.com: Are you Lost-- In the Word 2-17-15: Are You Lost in the Word- 2-17-15 Sometimes I just love to sit and read the Bible for hours, or even only for a few minutes; to be lost...

Are you Lost-- In the Word 2-17-15

Are You

Lost in the Word- 2-17-15

Sometimes I just love to sit and read the Bible for hours, or even only for a few minutes; to be lost in the Word separated from the world I am in and totally engrossed in the life going on around me in between the pages of the Bible words.

When all things around me become as the hymn says, “strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace” I feel peace that transcends reality and overwhelms me with an I can do all things attitude.

I can do all things through God who gives me strength. Philippians 3:11

Sometimes I sit and try to read the Word of God and the things around me keep pulling at me. The television blares, the clicking of other people typing, or conversations that keep drawing my mind and causing me to be distracted.  Like a word on the page that just does not fit where it should my reading time often feels out of place.

Usually this is because I woke up later than usual and I know to start with that I should have my peaceful place in which to pray and read but there are others rising up for their days as well.

Growing up in a family of early risers I never had a problem getting a cup of coffee in the morning if I wanted it. My mother got up for work, rushed around and tried t grab a cup before she left. This was before the days of a coffee house ‘on every corner’, bidding to give us a cup to drive to work with. She would grab a quick cup of coffee drink it as she got ready for work and rush out the door usually to grab a bus.

My life is very different, but I learned a lot from my mother. She would often read in another room where she could have quiet space. If we came in the room she would put down the book and give us her full on attention. I try to copy that, but sometimes I fail. I am so lost in the Word at times that I do not see this world around me. Do you know what I mean?

The Word of God tells us that we are to be separate from the world, but we still live in it. We are not to leave widows or parent-less children to fend for themselves but we are to take care of them. We are to feed the hungry, encourage the down trodden and then we will know we are walking in the Word.

Walking in His truth, this is a good place to be lost!

… that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…

Ephesians 1:16-18

Wandering around from chapter to chapter wondering if we can find a place to feed our soul is a good place to be. Another song comes to mind that said that we can’t stay there on the ‘mountain top’ all the time or we cannot share the Word of God with others, we cannot share His love if all we do is fellowship with other believers.

Some are called to preach, to teach, to evangelize the nations, others are called to take care of the lost in their own back yard.  Which one are you?

Do you ever stop and ask God where should I go? What should I do—to further the Kingdom of God?

But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The Lord will hear when I call to Him. Psalm 4:3

Start in the Word- study it to know what it says; search it to see that it all fits together like the joints of a body.

Take time in prayer- to find focus for a place each day in the Word and in your life in which you can glean from the Bible as you read.

Open your heart to the Holy Spirit to allow Him to help you merge the Word and Prayer time together so that you will be able to apply things to your life.

Practice what you read- don’t just read it to claim it, but practice the things you learn about as you wander through the Word of God studying to be a proved, dividing the truth rightly, and increasing not only in knowledge but in peace, hope, and love that you may share these things with others.

It really is all there to find when you are lost in the Word of God each day.

Dig in for a while forget the things that hinder you and really immerse yourself in the pages. Really get to know the people the places and the things of the History in His Book.

Then apply it to your life today.

Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”

2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for pulling us in to your Word today and helping us understand what it is You want for each of us to gather up for the day. Help us to share the Word of God through our lives today in Jesus name, amen.

Suggested Reading Ephesians 1:1-23,  Psalm 4: 1-8, Philippians 3:1-21 and 2 Corinthians 6:1- 18

Love me? In His Word 2-9-15

“Do you love Me?”

This is a question that most people ask someone at least once in their lives; whether to themselves or out loud and it is the same question that Jesus asked Peter. Or is it?

Peter’s answer came basic, then deeper and then sincerely as deeply as he could answer. “You know I do!”

Now that is where the movies and the story books end; ‘I love you!’ and they lived happily ever after.

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah,^[b] do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” John 21:15-18

Love is not a thing to enter into lightly, Jesus shows us in this passage that loving and being loved by Jesus requires something of us; contrary to popular belief; God wants something from us! People today seem to have gotten the idea that God is there to give them things, give them food, money, favor, health, happiness, etc.  I believe that because He loves us we do receive these things at times because He loves us He answers our needs. He gives us the desires of our hearts as well but he asks for something in return. He wants our love, and I do not mean just to hear us say “I love you Lord”, though that pleases Him as well; He told Peter to feed His sheep. I believe Jesus wants us to do likewise in order to show our love to and for Him.

How do we do this?

Well, we can start by feeding people physically but that is not what Jesus is referring to; feed their souls. ‘’Show them the way, guide them in the steps I have given you to follow Peter. That is what Jesus was saying.

So to love God is to love one another and teach one another and encourage one another in Godly living.  God being love makes it easy for us to love Himself, and showing how much we love Him back by doing things that please Him is loving Him.

To love one another is to be as Corinthians 13 says;

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails…  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1Corinthians 13:1-13

It is said to love and be loved are two of the greatest things on Earth; to be loved by God and to love one another are even better! If these are true then I want to love God! I want Him to love me! I want to walk in His promises by way of following he path He has chosen for me; not just do what I think is right. I love Jesus, Jesus loves me, and so I will do what I can to please Him, to share the love that overflows from my heart to and with Him. It is my heart’s desire to please my God and have Him say well done to me some day, because I love Him, and because I know He loves me.  I know I am a far cry from being there, but I can try my best to show Him that I love Him. We all can try to show Him the love we have for Him by doing the works that He has given us to do. Pray, Worship, Feed, Teach. In Jesus Name.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank  you for Your Love. Help each one of us to feel Your love, to know You and know Your love will pass all understanding and will be unconditional, you love us no matter what. Thank you, in Jesus name, amen.

Suggested Reading:, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Romans 8:1-39, Ephesians 8:1-22 Colossians 2:1-23

Are you in it to win it.. In His Word- 2-2-15

Are you in it to win it? In His Word 2-2-15

Are you really running the race?

 Many people begin a race with high hopes assured in their abilities to win the prize but only one person, team, or organization will win it. Really we could ask ourselves; “are we in it to win it?” or do defeat ourselves before we start?

Do you have what it takes to complete the course or task God has given you to complete?

I am talking about job, homework, housework, ministry work; whatever it is that you have on your plate today to do as unto the Lord; are you in it to win it?

 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.  For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.  Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction. 2Corinthians 13:8-10

A lot of people out on the world have a view of Christians as people who live a ‘perfect life’ who look down on the so called unbelievers. They do not know that when we are trying to make it to the end prize we trip, drop the ball or slip up at times; even the best of Christians make mistakes, look at Peter. Peter knew who Jesus really was, the Christ, the Son of God. The man was so close to Jesus that he was ready to fight for him and yet, he denied Jesus within hours of his capture. If anyone tripped on the way to the finish line it was him.

The thing that makes a prize winner is the one who gets back up and runs again!

I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 1 Corintians 9:23-25

The difference between a Christian who trips and gets back up and one who trips and falls for good is discipline in training. We train to run the race. We go out daily doing strengthening, stretches, and endurance runs; then when we run the race we will be strong and limber enough to finish the race.

We can run all over if we want but unless we train we well and consistently we will be weak and frail in the end.

A runner I know loves running, he runs at the drop of a hat then pays for it later.

Is your Christian walk like this runner?

Do you hear of a trend in churches and follow it ‘willie-nillie’; or do you check it out and see if it stands up to the Bible? The Bible tells us there will be all kinds of doctrines and false teachings in these days we live in; to know the truth you have to know the Truth.

Jesus is the way the truth and the life, we know Him, then we will be able to discern between what is worth listening to and or copying or what is only for personal benefit not that of the furtherance of the Gospel.

If we are following a person or belief that tells us that sin is okay we are not throwing off the things that bind us.

If we think we need to appear to the world to be ‘just as good as them’; we are not waking in Truth.  We are not running the right race, the full race or maybe even have begun the race if we do not follow the Word of God and what our Lord directs us to do.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:1-3

How can we know if we are following the correct path to the race we are running?

Tracks have lines to keep people in the lanes. Ask yourself what are the boundaries of my life lane?

If you answered the Bible and prayer then you answered correctly!

Ephesians 6 tells u to be prepared with the armor; this is like the equipment we need to run with. Cleats, shorts, shirt, etc. do you get the idea?  How can we pick up the sword of the Spirit if we have not first read the Bible? How can we read the Bible if we do not give ourselves time in which to do so?

You see, just like everything else it all comes back to the preparation in the Word.

Let’s take some time, no let’s make some time this week to plan our days in His Word. If you have not yet practiced a sport you take baby steps to running. You  do not jump right in. In reading the Bible it sometimes helps to start with a short daily reading with explanations; like reading a devotional or Bible study or Daily Bible readings can help you to get in the habit of preparing your heart daily, in His Word.

This article is great for a one or two day thing but we need to prep consistently so we need to read consistently. That is one of the reasons I wrote the 365days In His Love devotional book; getting in the habit of reading is not always as easy as it seems but when you have a days schedule to read it seems to be that much easier to not let it slip by.

SO whether you have one of the above mentioned devotional style Bibles or not get started with daily reads and begin prepping for your race! Be filled with the Gospel so you can run with it!

Dear heavenly Father, feed us, guide us, strengthen us, train us up in Your Word today that we may run strong and healthy toward You, our prize! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Suggested Reading: Ephesians 6:1- 24Hebrews 12:1-29, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27 and 2Timothy 2:1-21