Living Life To The Full

The enemy comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; But, I come that you may have life, and have life to the full!!!
John 10:10

For those who believe in Jesus, our enemy is constantly trying to get us to mess up. It's his mission. He can't stand it when we are so passionately in love with the God of the universe. He can't stand seeing us running to our Heavenly Father and worshipping at the father's feet. The enemy can't stand it when we set apart time in our day to spend with Jesus, our friend.

It's interesting how these are the ares in which many Christians struggle. Personal Devotion time, surrenduring our entire life to Him, and having enough faith to put our entire trust and confidence in God. It isn't easy for anyone, most of the time people don't even like the thought of having a God, people think it makes them sound weak and out of control. Truth is, we are weak. Truth is, we need Jesus, Jesus didn't make us to be independant creatures. He made us to be dependant on Him cause He wants to Have a personal relationship with us. If He made us totally independant: 1) why would he have bothered to make thousands and millions of other people?
2) Why would we even be here at all?
Jesus wants us to rely on Him, it's what we were made for. By surrenduring our life to Him we are showing our personal strength. How willing we are to admit we are imperfect and flawed. That just shows how strong one is to be able to do that as pride has become something people thrive on.

And it's just what the enemy wants from us. He wants us to be puffed up with pride. Pride is one way the enemy tells us that we don't need a saviour. We are better than that. It's NOT true. The Bible says we can only serve one master. There is no room in our life to hold on to pride and serve Jesus.

Jesus came for us that we may have life and have it to the full. Jesus came for us! He didn't create us to completely ignore Him. He created us that we may serve Him and worship Him, and Live out His plan for our lives. The only way to do that is to surrender to Him and let Him breathe new life in to you daily. That comes from spending time with Him daily.

The devils favourite word is tomorrow. "I'll do it tomorrow" The enemy LOVES it when we say this. cause, once you say it once, it gets easier the second time, and the tird time, and the fourth and so on. We need to take tomorrow out of our vocabulary and replace it with today. Today I will serve Jesus, Today I will spend time with Jesus, Today I will tell my friend about Jesus, Today I will pray for that person.

We need to trust that God knows what He is doing and surrender fully to Him. Only then will we receive complete strength and righteousness. It may seem like the weak step to the rest of the world, but in the end, just who will appear the strongest? Those who relied on their own stregnth all their life? Or those who relied on the Stregnth of the almighty Saviour?

Proverbs 40:3 Those who wait on the Lord will receive new stregnth, they will run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.

Who are you going to listen to: The enemy, or Your creator? Jesus is crazy about You. It breaks His heart everytime you run from Him. Stop running, stop wearing yourself out. Turn around, face Jesus, and fall to your knees. For you are weak on your own, but in Jesus you are forever strong, With Jesus the center of your life,You will appear to be stronger in the end. Jesus came that You may have life and have it to the full! Give Your life to Jesus and Your life will be full.

Come to the Cross

Come to the Cross

All who are lost

All who are searching

All who are seeking

All who have found disappointment

If you have any guilt, fear or pain,

Come to the cross

Come to the cross and let

The King take it all away

 

Come to the Cross

Those weary of sinning

those who need repentance

And unconditional forgiveness

Come as you are

There’s no exceptions or restraints

To the Heavenly Father’s never ending Grace

 

Come to the cross

Singing praises in his name

Glorifying and praising

And in all things giving thanks

Worshipping the saviour

In everything you do

Come to the cross…

…allow Him to make you new…

“Aslan is On the Move!”

 

There is a famous quote from one of my most favourite stories. It’s a classic really. “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is an amazing story with so many truths and parallels about our walks with Jesus and what He did for us all. Perhaps you read the title of this blog with this book in mind. It’s a quote from this most beloved story, and I find it most appropriate for these present days. “Aslan is on the move!” Jesus is beginning to work, stirring something up, something different and wonderful.

Isaiah 45:21-25

For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Saviour, There is none but me.

Let all the world look to me for salvation!

For I am God there is no other.

O have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word:

every knee will bend to me,

and every tongue will confess allegiance to me .

The people will declare,

“The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.”

And all who were angry with him will come to Him and be ashamed.

In the Lord all the generations of Israel will be justified, and in Him they will boast.

What an amazing promise we can hold on too. This is God saying this, Himself! He is God and there is no other! He is righteous and He is my saviour. We look to Him for salvation!

We pray for our loved ones that they may come to accept God’s gift of salvation. We pray fervently and persistently and faithfully.

This month, the major focus at my church is “The Lost:” those who don’t know who Jesus is or just can’t seem to accept what He did for them. It is sad, really. It’s Disappointing  to tell someone an hilarious joke only to have them just stare back at you like it was the most ridiculous thing you have ever said, even though you know it just changed your life having heard it.

Yes this may seem pretty extreme but it’s true! Jesus changed my life! why am I holding this wonderful news back from people? Why am I not shouting it loud for all to hear? I know that when I have an awesome secret that I am told not to share, it takes all my strength to hold it in. Yet this news is no secret. I have been given permission, and even commanded, to share it with all i know and then some. So why do I hold it back? Why, when I know that this secret, this huge news of mine WILL save lives?

Jesus break my heart for what breaks yours, everything I am for your kingdom’s cause! Jesus break my heart for what breaks yours! break my heart! break my heart! break my heart! I want to have that compassion you have for people, I want to see people for how you see them…lost and broken…but with out hope! You are there hope, Jesus, but how should they ever know this if no one tells them the simple truth?

Jesus, I pray right now for the people on my heart. For my friends and there families, that they may not live in darkness any longer. I pray for boldness and courage over the church of Langley, that we all may have greater faith for the unsaved. I pray for the city of Langley, that eyes may be opened and that You may begin to reveal yourself through us. Give us the strength we need to withstand the temptations to “conform to the world” let us be set apart, salt and light, to our city. Let us be carriers of your Kingdom, that in all we may do that we would seek your Kingdom first. Don’t let us rest until our work is done. Take away any fear that may be holding us back from saying what needs to be said. Replace it with power, with love and with a sound mind. Thank you, Jesus for your grace and love that you so unconditionally offer us. We want to see lives changed!

Your will be done today, on earth as it is in Heaven….

Amen

The Promise of Laughter - Part 1

She laughed uncontrollably. It was a deep refreshing laugh. There had been too many months of tears that to show this particular emotion felt foreign to her. Now, hearing these strangers speaking with her husband, she just couldn’t help herself. How could they expect her to believe such news? After so many years of disappointment, she had just about given up all hope. Should she believe them? Should she convince her husband that they should try again? Did he even believe this news? Maybe these men were sent by Yahweh. If so, maybe this was finally the fulfillment of that promise they were waiting for.
Her eyes drifted away from the mysterious meeting. She watched as their young boy so willingly helped out the shepherds and servants with the endless work needing to be done. They had believed Ishmael to be that promised son of her husband, Abe. Maybe he wasn’t. Maybe God had other plans. Though if this boy wasn’t to be her husband’s descendent, just what was his purpose?
She chuckled, this time out loud, as she re focused her attention on her husband and the three strangers who were explaining the news for the fifth time. It was comforting to know that he was having trouble understanding this news just as much as she. After all, he wasn’t getting any younger. Most of their friends were going on great grandchildren by now. Was this only disappointment threatening to settle over their home once again? If that was the case she just couldn’t condone it. She couldn’t let that happen once more.
“Sarah?”
Strangely, she thought she had heard someone calling for her. Though there was no one around but her husband and his guests, surely they didn’t need to speak with her.
“Sarah, could you please come over here?”
Surprised Sarah grudgingly brushed herself off making herself look presentable for their guests. Curious she was, very curious as to why they would ask to see her. She had enough to do anyways.
“Ahhh here she comes,” Her husband teased, “Gentlemen, this is Sarah.”
Without giving the men a second glance, Sarah moved ever so close to her husband. She didn’t appreciate being gawked at like she was sure they were all doing.
“You laughed?| the first man asked.
“Yes, I did. Is that so wrong?”
“Sarah…” Her husband sounded agitated.
“Do you find us of humor?” The second man asked, ignoring her husband’s comment.
“Well…yes, no, oh I don’t know. You just caught me off guard. Wasn’t expecting this is all. I mean--surely I am too old to bear children!”
“Is anything too hard for the Lord, Sarah?” The third man challenged. We will be returning in a year. At the appointed time, you, Sarah, will indeed have a son.”
She stared at the men, astonished at the audacity they had to invade one’s home and speak their minds as if they ran the place and not her husband.
“Abe, please, I think we have a few things to talk over, may I have a word with you?”
“Sure, just as soon as these men are on their way.”
“We really should be heading out now anyways, we have already stayed way over the time we planned to. Congratulations you two. We’ll see you in a year.”
Sarah waited patiently as the men promptly got up and proceeded to saddle their horses. After brief goodbye’s they were on their way.
“Abe?” He was awfully quiet for a man whom was just told he would indeed have his first son at such a mature age.
“Hmmm?”
“Well, what do you think of all this?”
“Sarah, remember, Yahweh never lies, his promises are yes and amen. He did indeed promise us a son.”
“Yes, but…what about Ishmael?”
“What about him? Maybe he just isn’t who we thought he would be.”
“Abe, do you honestly think these men are from God?”
“I don’t know, is there any proof that they are not? Maybe we should wait it out, we’ll try one more time and if nothing happens then we will have our answer.”
She watched as her husband stalked off in the direction of the fields. “Probably to check on the shepherds” She decided. She remained silent for a few moments. She had a good many things to ponder about. If she was to have a son after all, what would become of her husband’s eldest? He would most surely get nothing then as illegitimate as he would be.
Then there was the possibility that she still could conceive, despite her age. I mean technically, it was still physically possible. If God could flood the earth with one rainstorm, Surely Yahweh, creator of Heaven and Earth, knew what he was doing. Those things seemed so impossible. Yahweh could surely do the impossible.
But the possibility of bringing disappointment under their roof again still flooded her heart with heavy feelings of resentment.

TO BE CONTINUED...

No Such Thing As Impossible…

Just an ordinary girl that God used in an extraordinary way. She was no saint, she wasn’t at the top of her class, she wasn’t even considered brilliant or the most beautiful. In fact the Bible doesn’t really describe any physical part of her. All we know about her at the time is that she is: 1) a virgin and 2) highly favoured by God.

Imagine…To be told by one of God’s messengers that God highly favours you. Mary was just an average teenaged girl. She was betrothed to an average guy and she thought she had her life planned out perfectly. They would marry and have children, love those children and watch those children grow up to marry and give them great grand children. It was a perfect average situation….But…God had other plans. God always has a plan for us that goes way beyond our expectations. We may try to change them, forgetting that no matter what, God can do anything.

So Mary receives this divine visit from a man named Gabriel, who “claims” to be God’s angel. She never even questions that claim for she knows in her heart that he speaks the truth. I say this cause I know  a lot of people, sometimes even myself, that would probably question someone claiming to be an angel. Mary didn’t, in fact she was even friendly to him and Believed him.

Mary never argued. She never once demanded that there had been a mistake. But instead she reply’s:

“How can this be, I am a virgin?”

A voice of reason. Now if I were Mary, I would most definitely be in shock right about now. But such a sensible and reasonable answer certainly tells us something. Mary was thinking clearly. She clearly understood what this angel was telling her. The answer she receives is pretty amazing.

“The power of the most high will over shadow you. The holy Spirit will come upon you.”

WOW! How wonderful would that be! To be honest I have been stuck on this verse for the past day. I can’t get past it. That is some promise. “The power of the most high will OVERSHADOW YOU” Imagine God’s power overshadowing you. When you have God’s power overshadowing you, that is when you begin to see the impossible happen.

“Mary, nothing is impossible with God.” The last  thing Gabriel told her before leaving. When God’s power is over shadowing you anything can happen. God can do anything!

Mary had the best response you could have to such a message. She didn’t away, she never got angry, she never questioned the angels sincerity, but instead She kneels down and worships Her God singing praises in His name. She knew this could bring her some trouble, I’m sure she was even a little frightened to tell people, knowing what they would think. But she didn’t care cause she knew her God was greater than that. Mary had enough trust and faith to believe Her God knew exactly what He was talking about. She had the faith to believe that God’s plan for her life was greater than hers and that it was indeed the best plan for her. She truly believed that…NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!

MERRY CHRISTMAS: NOT JUST A SIMPLE PHRASE

I know it is not Christmas yet…though it is fast approaching. I am also aware of all the rules that prohibit me to say the famous and lovely “Merry Christmas”. And to be honest…I hate it. .

This Christmas is different for me. This Christmas I have a growing number of friends and acquaintances who not only are not Christians but really have no idea why Christmas even exists. It’s all fun and parties for them. Though it’s true that Christmas is a wonderful time to have parties and gatherings, to see friends and family and spend time with them, It just isn’t the reason for Christmas.

It is required of me to be respectful and remember all these religious holidays. To be respectful of other cultures and backgrounds. I have no problem with that, it is important to love one another and be considerate. But the thought I keep coming back to is this:  All the religions in this world are all highly respected and tolerated. They are all respected. All the religious holidays are respected…but then there is Christmas. Believe it or not it is a religious holiday. It is a Christian holiday. You are free to celebrate along with Christians but why does the true meaning of Christmas, the reason Christians celebrate, have to be so hidden and secretive. Really it is as easy as saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” or “seasons greetings” I absolutely can not stand those two phrases.

Maybe it would be easier to understand why I feel so passionately about this subject if you truly had a basic understanding of why Christmas even exists. Maybe you do understand Christmas, but really , it’s a good reminder to us all. You see, it really isn’t about the presents, the cookies and milk, the shopping, and the santa clause. None of this really has anything to do with Christmas.

It’s not about Christmas trees, decorations and carolling, the lights and the big feast on the 25th of December. I admit, these things are nice, I enjoy them as much as you. But there is so much more to the story.

It’s about a baby. A baby that was born to a virgin girl. A baby who not only would grow up to be a mighty king…He was born a King; the King of Kings. A baby who was born in a barn and laid in a feeding trough due to every inn being full that night. A baby who grew up to teach his people, and heal them of their pain and disease. A baby who grew up only to be arrested and beaten and later slain on a cross though he did nothing to deserve it. A baby who after dying was laid in a tomb for three days that was heavily protected against potential thieves. A baby who, three days after dying, arose from his grave conquering death and coming back to life.

This baby I speak of is my Saviour Jesus Christ. He is the reason for this Holiday. He is the reason we even get a day off near the end of the year, the reason Christmas was even created. Because with out Jesus, with out my God we would all be dead! We would all be completely doomed! Jesus came to earth as a little baby, so that we all, whom he loves so very much, may have the choice to follow him.

My God has so much grace and love for me. More than I have ever deserved. That is the gift I celebrate having received at my Christmas time. The gift of grace. It’s a gift that is under every Christmas tree every year. In fact it is a gift that is always available no matter what time of year it is. It’s a gift from God to us. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Seven Days

On the first day God said,
“Let there be light”
And the light that he made was ever so bright
The light he called day
And the dark he called night
And so it was made to God’s delight!
God looked at it all
With a smile on His face
For He was pleased with it all
All that He had just made



On the second day God said,
“Let there be space between the water and the sky,
So the light has place to roam up so high,
And let there be water to cool the planet,
To bring refreshing and beauty so extravagant”
And it was so as God declared!
God looked at it all
With a smile on His face
For He was pleased with it all
All that He had just made

On the third day God said,
“Let there be land
Let there be soil and mud,
And rocks and sand,
Let there be trees
And plants and leaves,
Let the flowers grow and colour
The earth beneath”
And it was so, all that God dreamed!
God looked at it all
With a smile on His face
For He was pleased with it all
All that He had just made



On the fourth day God said,
“Let there be lights in the sky,
Let there be a sun that shines so bright during the day,
And let it bring heat to the chilliest of days
Let there be a moon to light the night,
When darkness covers the earth so tight,
And let billions of stars twinkle like diamonds so pretty”
And it was all so as God exclaimed!
God looked at it all
With a smile on his face
For He was pleased with it all
All that He had just made


On the fifth day God said,
“Let the sky be filled with birds,
Let each winged creature soar undisturbed
And let the sea be filled with movement so swift,
Of dolphins and sharks and whales and crabs,
Let each creature in the sea swim and roam freely”
And it was all so as God gave his command!
God looked at it all
With a smile on his face
For He was pleased with it all
All that He had just made

On the sixth day God said,
“Let there be life to roam the land
So quiet and still,
Let there be movement
Running, prancing, with noises so rare,
I want to see my creation enjoyed,”
God made it clear
Tigers, elephants, puppies, and snakes,
“Each creature will be special and have different traits,
I want creativity to cover the earth,
Let there be diversity among each living creature”

“And let there be humans
Made in our own image,
Let them rule the earth
And have dominion of it
Let them do so together
With each other and with us”
And it was all so as God made it known!
God looked at it all
Each creature with love
For He was pleased with it all
As he watched from above

On the seventh day
God examined the beauty he had created,
He watched each animal and spoke with Adam
It was this day he rested after all he had done,
This day he made Holy and from then on
And it was all so, for the last time God declared!
God looked at it all
With a smile on His face
For He was pleased with it all
All that He had just made