Minute Musings...Coming!

I am excitedly waiting today for company!  Friends from Nova Scotia, whom I haven't seen
for over a year are coming for a visit.  I have spent the last month making up different menu
plans, cleaning and getting ready for their arrival!  My little grandson kept running around
yesterday yelling, "Coming, Gramma...coming!"  Yes, they're coming, and I can hardly wait
for that knock at the door!



I got to thinking about it this morning as I was polishing the bathroom mirror...we spend so
much energy getting ready for someone to come.  We plan (or in my case, change plans and
menus so much I finally get confused as to what I've decided! lol), we clean, polish, make
sure everything is just right.  However we have another visitor who is coming, and I'm
ashamed to say that we don't expend as much energy, time and thought preparing for His
arrival as we should.

Revelation 1:7 & 8  "Behold, He cometh with clouds:  and every eye shall see Him,
and they also which pierced Him:  and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because
of Him.  Even so, Amen.  I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,
saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

Our wonderful Lord, Almighty God and Savior, Jesus Christ is coming!  Are you
ready?  Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior?  John 3:16 & 17  "For God
so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into
the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."

If you are a child of God, are you preparing for your Lord's return?  Are you living
for Him?  Do you have a vibrant, living testimony before the world of God's saving
grace, sustaining and life giving love?  Are you exhibiting for all to see, God's power
in your life?  If not, then you have some major "housecleaning" to do right away!  Once
we are a blood bought child of Almighty God, we have a responsibility to live with
His eminent return in mind.  Titus 2:13 & 14  "Looking for that blessed hope, and
the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ:  Who gave
Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Him
self a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Angels told the disciples following the Lords ascension to Heaven in Acts 1:11, "This
same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner
as ye have seen Him go into heaven."  Jesus IS coming again!  He told us in Revelation
11:20, "Surely, I come quickly."  There will be no phone call, text, or email announcing
that He is close...He's coming!  Are you ready?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWToJ6ioKQg



Minute Musings...Crying Out

I was with my son and his wife and 22 month old grandson at a restaurant tonight.  I was
watching my grandson and inwardly chuckling as he cried for a certain food then would
not want it when it was given to him.  His patient mother only put up with that attitude for
so long, then stopped giving him what he was crying for.   I got to thinking about it later
and realized that we are just like that.  We cry to God for things that we think we want, and
when given to us, we push it away wanting something different by that time.  God will only
put up with that self-absorbed attitude for so long.

However, not all crying is bad.  The Bible has a lot to say about crying, starting with this
found in Ecclesiastes 3:1a & 4a  "To every thing there is a season...A time to weep..."
There is crying that is sweet to the ears of our Heavenly Fathers.

1.  Our cry to Him in the midst of trouble. 
     Psalms 107:19  "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He saveth 
     them out of their distresses."

2.  Our cry to Him in faith and trust.
     Philippians 4:6 & 7  "Be careful for nothing:  but in every thing by prayer and
     supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.  And
     the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
     minds through Christ Jesus."

3.  Our cry of repentance.
     2 Corinthians 7:10  "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to
     be repented of:  but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

4.  Our cry of praise.
     Psalms 66:17  "I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my
     tongue."

What are you crying for today?  Are you throwing a spiritual temper tantrum, kicking
and screaming because God has not given you what you think you need?  Just as we, as
parents know what is best for our children, we need to trust in the Lord's wisdom;  He
knows what we need in our lives.  He knows our hearts, our desires, our frailties, our
short comings...and He sees our tears.  Psalms 56:8  "...put Thou my tears into Thy
bottle:  are they not in Thy book?" 

Let your tears be those of submission and surrender to your loving Savior.





Minute Musings...Squeezed

Have you ever taken a orange, squeezed it and got apple juice?  I think you'd be pretty
surprised to take a drink of freshly squeezed carrot juice and find that you are really
drinking pineapple juice!  When we squeeze something we expect what's inside to be
what is represented on the outside don't we! 

Do you realize that we are squeezed on a daily basis by the trials and tribulations of
this life?  What comes out shows what we are really made of.  If our roots are planted
in this old sinful world then what will come out will be frustration, bitterness, anger
and discontent.  If we are rooted in Christ Jesus then that which will show forth will
be the fruits of the Spirit of God.  Galatians 5:22  & 23 "But the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:" 

The heart cannot hold the flesh and the Spirit at the same time.  When things are going
good, we might be able to fool those around us, but it is in the dark, troublesome times
of life, that what is in our hearts becomes visible to others.  Don't expect the love of God
to come forth during difficult moments when your heart contains the garbage of this world. 
Only those who are walking in the Spirit, surrendering daily to the Master, will exhibit the
heart of Christ under pressure.  So don't expect to see something good and pure flow from
your heart during those hard times when you haven't planted the good seed in your heart in
the first place!

We are exhorted in Proverbs 4:23 to "Keep (guard) thy heart with all diligence:  for
out of it are the issues of life."  It is of utmost importance that we guard our hearts against
this sinful worlds influence.  We need to keep our bodies, minds and hearts under  the control
of the Holy Spirit of God.  Remember, when you are put into the "winepress" of tribulation,
what is in your heart will be poured out for all to see.

Psalms 51:10  "Create in me a clean heart, O God:  and renew a right spirit within
me."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16ZNR9g3fFQ





Minute Musings...God Of The Valley

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to feel close to the Lord when you are on the
mountain top?  You are feeling great, things are going your way...you're on the top of
the world.  However, what happens when you are trudging along in the Valley of despair,
hurt, sorrow, discouragement?  The Lord seems to be a million miles away doesn't He!
May I tell you something, it is when we are at our weakest that the power of God can be
seen the most clearly in our lives...if we are surrendered and seeking His guidance and
will!  So why do we feel so separated from our Lord when we are going through the
tribulations of this life?  It's because we are allowing our troubles to create a wedge
between us and God instead of letting them be the glue that bonds us tightly to our
Savior!

We are not meant to dwell in the valleys, we are to walk through them.  We read this
in Psalms 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil:  for Thou art with me:  Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."
Have you put down roots and are dwelling in the valley?  We are to WALK THROUGH
them!  We are not alone in our troubles, pain and sorrows, He walks with us!  The
same God that we commune with on the mountain tops is our comfort and guide in
the valleys. 

I encourage you to thank God for these valleys in your life.  They are meant to draw us
nearer to our Savior, to purge us of the sins of this world, and to set our gaze upon our
eternal home.  Remember that the God of the valley is the same God of the mountain, let
Him restore your soul today!

 

 



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTl4tUYIAg

Minute Musings...Walking On Water

How often do we blame our "bad" day on the weather, work problems, family problems,
financial worries, physical ailments or...(the list could be endless!)  It's really easy to shift
the blame to someone or something else isn't it!  However the reality is, that we CHOOSE
the kind of day we have!  I can already hear the arguments forming in your mind about
that statement, but if you're honest with yourself, you will have to admit that I'm telling
the truth. 

The secret to having a joyful life lies not in the circumstances around us, but in the
peace of the Lord within us!  We choose whether to be joyful or unhappy, whether
to have an attitude of contention or peace; whether to be angry or peaceful...it's up to
us!  There will always be storms in our lives, times of distress, pain, sorrow and
uncertainty;  but the one thing constant, that we can always count on, is the Lord our
God!

Psalms 94:22  "But the LORD is my defence;  and my God is the rock of my
refuge."

Defeat, despair, discouragement and hopelessness can easily overwhelm the child
of God when we focus on the difficulties we face instead of the loving Savior Whom
is Master over all.  The Apostle Peter learned this valuable lesson when the Master
bid him to take His hand and step out of the safety of the boat into the wild waves
of the storm.  Matthew 14:28 - 31  "And Peter answered Him and said, Lord,
if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.  And He said, Come.  And
when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to
Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid:  and beginning to
sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately, Jesus stretched forth
His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore
didst thou doubt?"

Peter was able to do the impossible when he kept his eyes on Jesus and had faith
that the Lord would hold him up.  However, when his eyes strayed to the storm, his
faith wavered and he began to sink.  Notice the word, "immediately", Jesus was
there!  Do you realize that when we trust Jesus, when we keep our eyes on Him
instead of the storm swirling about us, that we are walking on water!  We can
experience the same victory as Peter did in the storms of our lives!

How is your day going?  Are you rejoicing in the middle of tribulation and pain?
Keep your eyes on the blessed Savior, and walk on water today!

Matthew 14:32 & 33  "And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased,
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth
Thou art the Son of God."



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjmxiF0CkVs&list=PLUVRsVBd3tUzvtgcAUnV4KWkx05yMB6GV



Minute Musings...Beyond Blessed

We live in the "I want" generation.  Kids are being raised with a "give me", "I deserve"
attitude.  One of the obvious problems with this is that they will never learn to be happy
with what they already are blessed with.  Unfortunately this mind set will go with them
into adulthood.  These are the people who always want bigger and better.  No house is ever
big enough;  car lavish enough; clothes highended enough;  schools exclusive enough; 
possessions expensive enough;  and sadly spouses not rich or pretty enough.  Everything
is based on eye appeal.  What they fail to realize is that all these things fade with the years. 
They are looking for true happiness in "things."

A child of God knows that true happiness will never come from worldly possessions.  You
hear all the time, "If I only had _____ I would be happy!"  However that is not true, in time
you will end up with something faded and worn, and you will constantly crave even more. 

Instead of focusing on what you think you want or need, focus on what you already have in
Christ!

We have a Savior!  Matthew 1:21  "And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt
call His name JESUS;  for He shall save His people from their sins."

We have eternal life!  John 10:27 & 28  "My sheep hear my voice and I know them,
and they follow me;  And I give unto them eternal life:  and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

Jesus is coming again!  John 14:2 & 3  "In my Father's house are many mansions;
if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also."

God's promised peace!  John 14:27  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto
you;  not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid."

We have the gift of salvation!  Romans 6:23  "For the wages of sin is death;  but
the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

God's comfort!  2 Corinthians 1:4a  "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,"

We have liberty in Christ!  Galatians 5:1  "Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke
of bondage."

God's promised provision!  Philippians 4:19  "But my God shall supply all your
need (not wants!) according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

We have God's promised faithfulness!  1 Thessalonians 5:24  "Faithful is He that
calleth you, Who also will do it."

God's promised wisdom!  James 1:5  "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraideth not:  and it shall be given
him."

We have the love of God!  1 John 1:16  "Hereby perceive we the love of God,
because He laid down His life for us:"

This is by far an incomplete list of God's blessings...in fact His blessings are like the
stars in the heavens or the sands upon the shores;  we cannot begin to fathom all that
God has bestowed upon His children.  So why is it then that we become so dissatisfied
and unhappy in this life?  It is because we take our eyes off of our blessed Savior and
start looking at this world, and before long we start longing for the perverted images of
happiness that it shows us.  We see this illustrated in the story of the prodigal son found
in Luke 15:11 - 24.  This young man had everything he could want in his father's home.
But greed took over, he demanded his inheritance and left.  For a while the world
entertained and satisfied him, but soon his fortune was gone, friends left, and he found
himself alone, hungry and looking after pigs.  His greed had brought him to ruin.  The
world had enticed him...and then forsaken him. 

Keep your eyes fixed solely on your Heavenly Father and His blessed promises.  There
is a childrens chorus that goes like this;  "Every promise in the book is mine, every
chapter every verse, every line.  All the blessings of His love divine;  every promise in
the book is mine."  Remember you are beyond blessed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJursNxC63o&list=PL4A9D6307D83E8FFC&index=4

 



Minute Musings...Striving For Excellence

The Pan Am Games have started and Toronto is in a state of high energy and enthusiasm!
The Pan American Games is a major sporting event which is held every four years.  This
year Toronto is hosting over 5000 athletes from July 20th to 26th.  They will be competing
in 36 sports with nearly 400 events.  These determined athletes have sacrificially devoted
time, effort and finances in preparation for these games.  Their lives were put on hold as
they gave their all in the pursuit of excellence and ultimately GOLD.

 

 

How would you view an athlete who took to the race track, only to be out of breath and

limping within the first few minutes? Their performance shows without a doubt that there

was little to no preparation for the race.  They put no effort into the training required to

even run the race, let alone compete for the gold.

 

I'm afraid that as Christians, there are many times that we attempt to run the race that

is before us without any training or preparation.  We might start strong, but soon the

hardships of the race take their toll on us, and we stumble and fall. 

 

1 Corinthians 9:24 & 25  "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but

one receiveth the prize?  So run, that ye may obtain.  And every man that striveth

for the mastery is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a corruptible

crown;  but we an incorruptible."

 

An athlete goes through months of intense training, they become "temperate" in their

living.  The definition for temperate is, "moderate, abstemious, not extreme."  They

become disciplined in their lifestyle.  Tempered steel is steel which goes through a

controlled heating process.  The end result of this environment is increased strength.

A temperate soul is an individual that has increased spiritual strength due to the heating

process of trials and tribulations which they have endured.  Trials increase our faith, our

patience...in fact, the whole list of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 & 23  "But

the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law.") increases with our dependency

and submission to the Lord.  We thus become "temperate in all things," ready for the

race.

 

Don't throw aside your training today because you find it too tough.  We have a goal, a

prize that we are striving for, don't quit when you have come so far.  Stay close to God

through prayer and His precious Word.  Keep striving for excellence in the race which

is set before you.

 

Philippians 3:13 & 14  "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:  but 

this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth

unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the

high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK9TJ8BaVmM



 



Minute Musings...He Will Carry You

We like to think that we are invincible don't we!  There is nothing that we cannot handle.
We are tough and capable, we don't need to rely on anything or anybody...we are fully
self-reliant.  Wow, are we ever conceited, and wrong!  The truth is that we are at our
strongest when we realize we are at our weakest.  You might be shaking your head at that
statement, but if you stay with me, I'll show you what I mean.

The Apostle Paul had this to say in 2 Corinthians 12:10, "Therefore, I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake:  for when I am weak, then am I strong."  What he is saying is that it is when he
is at his weakest, that is when the power of God can shine fully in his life.  Christ can only
shine in a life that is surrendered to Him.  When we stop trying to solve our problems in
our own strength and reasoning, then we have the strength of God present with us.

What do you rely on to carry you through the trials and tribulations of this old sin cursed
world?  Do you turn to God, or do you start finding your own solutions?  I'm afraid that
sometimes we tend to view trials like we would a math problem.  We struggle to figure
it out, putting obsessive effort into finding the solution that is in reality staring us in the
face!

We look at different options that appear as if they might work...should we turn to our
friends?  NO, God tells us in Micah 7:5a  "Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not
confidence in a guide:"  Can we trust in wisdom?  NO, God tell us this in Proverbs
23:4b about wisdom, "Cease from thine own wisdom."  What about riches, can we
depend upon them?  NO, God warns us in Psalms 62:10b, "If riches increase, set not
your heart upon them."  What about ourselves, can we place our trust here?  NO,
Proverbs 3:5b & 7a has this to say, "Lean not unto thine own understanding.  Be not
wise in thine own eyes."

So where can we find help if not in our friends, wisdom, riches or even ourselves?  The
solution to our difficulties is actually very easy...our solution is God. You need to understand
that the tribulations and burdens that are weighing you down are weightless to Him.  Why
keep struggling when He can so effortlessly pick not only our problems up, but...He will
carry us too! 

We have this tremendous promise found in Isaiah 46 verse 4, "And even to your old
age, I am He;  and even to hoar hairs will I carry you:  I have made, and I will bear;
even I will carry, and will deliver you."

Stop struggling today with the things of this world that overwhelm and burden you down.
Your loving Savior is waiting to pick you up...let Him!

 





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GIHDTxL0Ys&list=PLf18bmmC4Qcj1r3Jajeu5FroLqrNIGHo8&index=17

Minute Musings...Are You Throwing A Party?

So, what do you do on those days when you just can't stop crying?  The world and it's
cares, pressures and trials seem to be on the verge of capsizing your little storm-beaten
ship and you're ready to call it quits.  I know you all have days of struggle like this, I do!
The real temptation on days like this is to just sit right down in the midst of the troubles
and have yourself a good pity party!  I'm good at throwing party's like this!  You don't
have to have any guests, all the entertainment is up to you, you don't have to share your
junk food, and best of all..."it's my party and I'll cry if I want too!"  Yep, it's party time
and I'm going to pout, cry, and throw a hissy fit... cause things aren't going my way!

 



Have you heard of "cause and effect?"  The "effect," seen or unseen always has a cause. 
When we get ourselves to this point, there is only one cause...we have taken our eyes off of
the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is pretty easy to understand that if you are not looking at one thing
then you have to be looking at something else.  With our eyes off of God and His precious
promises, we start looking at the tribulations, worries and sorrows that are swirling all around
us.  His promises take a backseat to the trials we see. 

 

Matthew 11:28 - 30  "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will

give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me:  for I am meek and lowly in

heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is

light."

 

"I will give you rest...ye shall find rest..."  With our eyes off Jesus, we leave ourselves open

to the attacks of Satan.  He will do all within his power to bring you to a defeated, depressed

end.  Instead of giving in and throwing a pity party, you need to get alone with God.  With

your eyes freshly fastened on His loving face you will find your heart and mind restored,

replenished and refocused.  Your loving Savior is waiting today to give you the rest you so

desperately need.

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiRK2gu-KQQ

Minute Musings...Vacation!!

Summers here, schools out...it's vacation time!  Campers are stocked, airline tickets are
purchased, reservations made, suitcases packed...and we're off!  Vacation is the time that
is most looked forward to each year.  It's a time when the cares and responsibilities of the
everyday hustle and bustle of life can be pushed aside, and the flip flops, suntan lotion,
and relaxation become the priority.

Yet, in our spiritual life there is no such thing as a vacation.  The minute we let our
guard down, Satan will be right there with the temptations, lies and rot that he spews.
We also cannot take a vacation from our calling as Christians! 

We read the following admonition from the Lord in Luke chapter 10 verse 2;
"Therefore said He (Jesus) unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the labourers
are few:  pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth
labourers into his harvest."

I have a brother-in-law and nephews who are farmers.  I have never known them to
take their vacation at harvest time!  This is the one time when they are present and
working hard.  To leave the farm when there are fields ready and waiting to be harvested
would be a very irresponsible thing to do on their part.

So it is with the Christian.  God has work for us to do.  He states that the harvest is
great (ready), but His workers are few.  The harvest being talked about here is the harvest
of souls for the Kingdom of God!  How can we be slackers in the service of the King
when souls are at stake?  Our rests and rewards will come when we get to Glory, but
for now there is work to do.  Don't become a spiritual slacker, remember the harvest is
ready and waiting!

 

 



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXlnrGmMMG4

Minute Musings...Walking With The Broken

How do you respond to the broken, to the outcasts and downtrodden of society?  The
"Political Correct" way is to make a generous donation to a charity that covers their
problem, then go on your way with a clear conscious.  But is this the Christian way?

There are many occasions in the Word of God we find the Lord Jesus being accused
of spending time with the sinners, the broken and outcasts.  We find in Luke chapter
7 the account of a woman coming to anoint the feet of Jesus while He was in the house
of a Pharisee.  Verse 39, "Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him saw it, he
spake within himself, saying, This man, if He were a prophet, would have known
who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him:  for she is a sinner."
Jesus knew who this woman was, and He responded to the Pharisees thought, and in
verse 48 told the woman, "Thy sins are forgiven."  If the Pharisee had had his way,
the woman would have been chased away and not been saved that day.

Lets not kid ourselves, it is the natural mans reaction to think oneself better than another.
If we are truly honest with ourselves, we will admit to feeling the way this Pharisee did
when we have dealings with others.  If we are completely honest, pride is the driving
force for this feeling... we are better than the homeless;  we are better than the addict;
we are better than gambler...  Are we? 

In 1 Corinthians chapter 15 we see the Apostle Paul making mention of the persecution
that he made against the Church of God before he was saved.  Many lost their lives
because of the relentless attack he lead against Christianity.  Verses 9 & 10 say this,
"For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because
I persecuted the church of God.  BUT by the grace of God, I am what I am:  and
His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain;  but I laboured more
abundantly than they all:  yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

We are what we are because of the Grace of Almighty God...not of ourselves.  The
grace of God has set us free, yet in turn we tend to sit in judgement of others less
fortunate than ourselves!  1 John 3:18 tell us,  "My little children, let us not love in
word, neither in tongue;  but in deed and in truth."  If we say we love God and
then talk, walk and act like the world, we are a dishonorable servant of God.  Showing
love is not condoning the acts of the recipients, but it is opening a door in which the
love of God can be shown to them.

God brings the broken across our paths on a daily basis, how do we respond to them?
Do they find us harsh and judgemental, or do they experience love, help and acceptance
in their encounter with us?  Can they see Christ in our actions?  It's easy for others to
spot a hypocrite, is that what is seen in you?  Don't fall into the pit of judging, remember,
that, but for the grace of God go you!

Are your actions backed up by your talk?  There's a saying which says, "Talk is cheap."
It is so easy to talk, but a lot harder to walk that talk!  Jesus walked what He talked.  He
was known for associating with sinners and outcasts, He showed them His love and they
responded.  Take a moment today to evaluate your talk and walk.  If they need realigning,
than do so immediately.

 

 



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8cxJj3CZCc

Minute Musings...Construction Ahead

Lets be completely honest, we all dislike the deplorable conditions of the roads on which
we travel, yet at the same time complain about all the construction that is going on this
time of year!  The truth is that in order to have ideal highways we must endure the
construction that it takes to improve them.  None of us enjoy the delays, the detours,
the confusion that seems to go hand in hand with these construction zones, but they are
necessary in order to reach completion of the project.



On our spiritual journey to our heavenly home we encounter construction zones.  There
are times in our lives that seem chaotic, our plans are detoured and we experience delays
in our well orchestrated lives.  We dislike any interruption.  However our Heavenly Father
knows that there are times when we need to undergo a construction period.  There are
some area's in our lives that have gotten full of potholes.  These area's need to be striped
and repaved;  made smooth and straight again. 

These construction times in our lives are the times that are marked by trials and tribulations.
Our spiritual paths seem to cloud over with doubt, pain, uncertainty, fear and sorrow.  Yet
it is in these very needful times of our lives, these construction zones, that we grow and
mature in our Christian walk.

James 1:2 & 3, 12  "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations:
knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  Blessed is the man that
endureth temptation:  for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which
the Lord hath promised to them that love Him."

Doubt, pain, uncertainty, fear and sorrow are not things that we happily welcome, but they
are things that God uses as sandpaper in our lives.  They sand away the stubbornness, pride, selfishness, arrogance, defiance, bitterness and anger that reside within our hearts.  They
work to make us pliable in the hands of the great Master Builder of our souls.  He see's
past the construction zone to the improved servant of God that will emerge. Don't fight
these construction zones and try to get around them somehow.  Learn to accept them from
our loving Lord as something good and needful in your life.

We find this beloved promise from God in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to
His purpose."

The tombstone of Ruth Bell Graham (Billy Grahams wife) says this, "End of Construction,
Thank you for your patience."  This is something that can go on the tombstone of every
child of God! 

 

Minute Musings...I Am Blessed

Today is Canada's 148th birthday...we are a blessed nation.  It's easy to complain about
what we perceive as great problems within our borders, and yes there are problems...but
WE ARE BLESSED!  We still have religious freedom, we have universal health care, we
are free to voice our thoughts on any subject!  There are many in this old world who do
not enjoy such freedom.

We also experience great blessing personally.  For myself I am blessed to have loving
children who not only care for me in word, but also in deed.  I am blessed with a precious
little grandson and another one on the way.  God has blessed me with enough health to
still be able to care for myself.  I have my mental capacities still intact (really!).  I have
access to the medications I need on a daily basis.  I have my eyesight and hearing...such
blessings!

However my greatest blessing is my dear Savior.  To be loved, blood bought and kept
by the Great God and King of the Universe is a truth that is overwhelming.  What makes
this even more unbelievable is that I deserve none of His mercy and grace. 

 

How do you view your life today?  Do you see the showers of blessings from a loving
God, or do you only see trials, adversities, hardships and tribulations?  I want to point
out a great truth to you...blessings often come disguised as trials!  Some of you might
be shaking your heads at this statement, but it is the truth. 

God says this to us in Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected
end."

Don't mistakenly think that God has not blessed you because of a lack of material
possessions.  God's greatest blessings are peace, joy, comfort and His promised presence
with us.  It is one of the greatest blessing to have the peace of God present in your heart
while in the midst of a great trial.  The blessing of His precious promises have been a life
line to me during the lowest points in my life.  The blessing of others in my life have
been an encouragement and help that can never be measured.  The blessing that comes
from Godly music has been a balm to my hurting soul many times over.

I challenge you today to take a fresh look at your life.  Ask God to show you His
great mercy, love and grace that might be hidden in the storms of tribulation in your
life.  There is always a silver lining of blessing in every storm...take the time to look
for it. 

Ephesians 1:3  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJursNxC63o

Minute Musings...Gods Loom

Have you ever seen pictures of the old fashion looms?  Perhaps you've been fortunate
and have been able to visit somewhere and seen one working!  A loom is not for the
faint of heart.  Hours of backbreaking work is spent seated at the loom.  Attention
must be paid to every single detail, no matter how small or insignificant it seems, or
the whole pattern will be thrown off!  The Master weaver works steadily, never taking
his eyes off the pattern that he is skillfully weaving with his hands.

 

Our lives are like that tapestry that is being spun on the loom.  We however are not
the weavers...God is.  He alone knows what the finished pattern will look like.  We
cannot see what is taking shape in His hands, we instead only see the underside. 
Have you ever viewed the underside of a weaving?  It just seems to be a mess of
jumbled threads, knots everywhere, and no semblance of a beautiful pattern is in
sight.  One would become discouraged only seeing this side of the weaving!  Our
lives in our eyes resemble a mess of threads and knots.  We see the mistakes that
happened, wrong choices made, the place where pride took over, the shameful

actions and sinful thoughts that corrupted our hearts.  It all is just a mess to us.

 

But God in His rich mercy and grace is taking that rough fabric of our lives and is
making something beautiful out it.  Only He has the skill needed to turn a disaster
of a life into a masterpiece of glory! 

We sometimes look back on our life and wonder why God allowed such sorrows,

pain and trials to encompass us.  If you are honest with yourself, you will realize
that it is in these darkest hours that God became the most real to us.  These times
of greatest heartache produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives like no other time
can.  What God allows is always for our best and His ultimate glory!

Philippians 2:13  "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do
of His good pleasure.  We only need to look around us at the masterpiece of God's
creation to know that God does all things well!  Psalms 8:3 & 19:1  "When I
consider Thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which
Thou hast ordained:  The heavens declare the glory of God;  and the firmament
sheweth His handywork."  How can we doubt that God is making our lives
beautiful and full of glory?

Take heart today.  God is making your life into
a vibrant masterpiece of breathtaking beauty that
will tell the story for ages to come of His glory,
grace, mercy and love.

My life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me;
I may not choose the colors–
He knows what they should be.
For He can view the pattern
Upon the upper side
While I can see it only
On this, the under side.
Sometimes He weaves in sorrow,
And I in foolish pride,
Forgets He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
                                               And the shuttles cease to fly
                                               Shall God unroll the canvas
                                              And explain the reason why.
                                              The dark threads are as needed
                                              In the Weaver’s skillful hand
                                              As the threads of gold and silver
                                              In the pattern He has planned.

                                                                                                  Author Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_nKk0x2e8s
 

 



Minute Musings...Broken Crayons

One of my favorite things to do as a child was to color, in fact if the truth were to be
told...I still do!  I always felt a twinge of excitement when I'd open up a box of new

crayons.  Somehow the pictures always seemed to turn out a little better when I used
brand new crayons.  However in reality, the crayons still left the same marks on the
page, whether they were new or old.  But to our human minds, nothing is better than
new.  Then I grew up, and all of a sudden found myself having this same argument with
my children.   When the crayons became broken, in their little minds it was time to throw
them out, they were no good anymore.  No matter how much I tried to explain, and show
them, the crayons got tossed aside.  I'm sure you are all too familiar with that discarded 
container of broken crayons, that sits on a shelf, forgotten. 

Do you realize that this is how from our limited human minds we view lives.  We see
broken humanity as a life passed its usefulness.  Sin has corrupted and there is nothing
good left.  What a blessing it is to know that God does not view our lives in this fashion.

2 Corinthians 5:17  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old
things are passed away;  behold, all things are become new."

There are many of you today who feel that you are no good, there is no way in your mind
that God could ever accept you.  You feel cast aside, discarded and forgotten.  May I tell
you that this is a good way to feel!  You might be surprised that I say this, but one cannot
come to God unless they recognize their brokenness before Him.  It tells us this in Psalms
51:17,  "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:  a broken and a contrite heart, O
God, Thou will not despise."

When we approach God Almighty, it must be with brokenness of spirit and heart.  God
will reject any attempt at approaching Him in our perceived righteousness.  Isaiah 64:6
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;
and we all do fade as a leaf;  and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

When we acknowledge our brokenness before a Holy and righteous God, we are essentially
saying, "Only You can restore me to a state of usefulness;  only You can reverse my souls
brokenness."  I'm sure that you've all seen broken crayons melted down, molded, and placed
back with the other useful crayons.  This is what God does to us.  He melts us, remakes us,
and places us back into useful service for Him!  Our brokenness is the first step of a dedicated,
surrendered life in Christ Jesus!  Malachi 3:3  "And He (God) shall sit as a refiner and
purifier of silver;  and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the
LORD an offering in righteousness." 

Don't fret if you find yourself in the refiners fire.  You might feel that you are passed the
point of God ever being able to use you.  But the only way to be of use to God is through
the brokenness that we lay at His feet.  God's glory shines through our brokenness! 

Start viewing things from the Lords perspective.  Brokenness is a good thing!  Psalms
38:18  "For I will declare mine iniquity:  I will be sorry for my sin."  God is melting
you, remaking you and will place you back into a place of productive service for the King.  Remember, broken crayons can still color!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnn0hlV1kzc

Minute Musings...Excuse Free Zone

Do you realize that you can find almost any excuse to fit any scenario?  We are so good
at doing this aren't we.  We were late, sick, too tired, not home, lost our phone, forgot,
ran out of time, can't sing, it's out
of my comfort zone, no babysitter,
too short, too tall, too fat, too small,
shy, can't drive, no money, I don't
have the energy...are you starting
to get the picture?  There is always
an excuse.  Have you noticed that
you don't have to teach your
children the art of excuse making! 
"I can't" is a phrase that comes
quickly and easily to the lips of a
child...and to the child of God.

However...God doesn't buy that. 
God is the One person to whom
excuses won't cut it because He
can see right through them.  It's
not that people haven't tried! 
Right back to Adam and Eve, people have been trying to make excuses to God.  Whether
it's trying to excuse ourselves from our sin like Adam and Eve;  or excuses as to why we
are not able to do as God has asked us, like Moses.  Five times Moses doubted that he
could do what God was telling him to do; and five times he questioned God and gave
excuses as to why what was being asking him to do would not work! 

Exodus 4:14  "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses,"  God had
already told this to Moses in chapter 3 verse 12, "And He (God) said, Certainly I will
be with thee;"  Had God made a mistake?  Did He chose the wrong man to lead the
Children of Israel out of the land of Egypt?  We sit and shake our heads in disbelief at
how Moses could have the audacity to doubt God after he had received such a promise!

Guess what...we do the very same thing!  We have all had times in our lives when we
know that God wants us to do something specific for Him, but we start the excuse game.
Just like Moses, we tell God that He is wrong in His assumption that we are the right
person for the task, even though we are in possession of the exact same promise that
Moses was!  Hebrews 13:5  "I (God) will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  In
jumping on the bandwagon of excuses we are literally telling God, "I don't believe
You!"

Who are we to tell Almighty God anything...let alone that He is wrong and a liar!  I
have learned over the years that my God will never ask of me anything that His power 
will not enable me to complete.  This is why the Christian life is called the Life of Faith. 
It is our faith in God that empowers us, that moves us unto bigger and better things for
Him.  Does this mean that we never shake in our boots at some new calling of God upon
our lives?  NO!  But, if we had our way, we would never venture out of our comfort zones
and do anything that made us the least little bit uneasy.  Seeing God work wonders
through our human limitations is what grows our faith, deepens our commitment and
strengthens our zeal for the Lord.  Faith is our key to the Christian life.

 

The Apostle Paul tell us in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Can you imagine how little we would do for God if we only did that which we could see
the outcome for!  There would be no missionaries or mission fields;  church building
projects would be non-existent;  Bible Schools would not be needed for God would not
be equipping people for an unknown path;  communion with the Lord in prayer would be
greatly reduced as direction sought for the future would not happen.  The Christian life is
one that has its foundation on the Lord, and the Lord's will is not a hand delivered letter
to us when we are saved.  It is revealed bit by bit as we walk along in our faith.  This is not
a life that has any place for the safety net of excuses, it is a life of excited expectation as
we learn to lean on the Lord and to wait for Him to reveal our next step. 

How's your faith today?  Is it weak, like that of Moses', or do you have a faith like that
of Abraham?  Abraham obeyed without question when God called to him to leave his
country, kindred and father's house;  and to go to a new land which God would reveal
to him.  Genesis 12:4  "And Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;"
No questions, no hesitation, no excuses, just obedience.  Determine today, with the Lord's
help, to make your life an excuse free zone;  then watch the impossible unfold before you!

 



 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwJfwYMuZEQ

 

Minute Musings...I'm Free

Have you ever put a lot effort into a project only to find out that it wasn't good enough? 
It failed to meet the expectations of others because you didn't have what you needed to
make it work on your own.  It is a very humbling experience to realize that no matter
how hard you tried, you failed, you were unable to accomplish your goals. 

 

Do you realize that this is the problem we encounter with God?  We try in our own
strength to meet His expectations, and we fail over and over again.  Why?  Because
man cannot appease a Holy God.  And there we have it...HOLY.  We come in our
unrighteousness before a Holy God and expect Him to accept us!  But it doesn't work
that way!

We read in Hebrews 10:31  "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God."   We will have the wrath of a Holy, righteous God fall upon us if we try to please
Him with our attempts of holiness.  However, God commands us in 1 Peter 1:16,
"Be ye holy:  for I am holy."  So, what are we suppose to do?  I want you to notice
something very important here;  God will never tell us to do something that He does
not provide us with a way to do!  A way has been provided for us to fulfill Gods command
to be holy...but it has nothing to do with us!

There was a night long ago when the Children of Israel had followed God's directions
and had sacrificed a lamb without blemish,
and put its blood upon the doorposts of their
houses.  God passed through Egypt that night,
and judgement fell upon those homes that did
not have the blood covering them. 

Exodus 12:13  "And when I see the blood, I
will pass over you."  This is a beautiful picture
of the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, God's
perfect Son.  He died on Calvary, shedding His
precious blood.  Just as the shed blood of the
lamb that long ago night on the doorposts of the
houses, spared the occupants the judgement of God upon them;  so the blood of Jesus Christ,
the LAMB of God covers us, and spares us the wrath of a just and holy God!  2 Corinthians
5:21  "For He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin;  that we
might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

How about you today?  Have you been going along, trying with your own attempt at
holiness to please God?  I'm sorry to have to tell you, that you will always fail in this
endeavor. To please and obey God we must do things His way.  Repent of our sin and 
accept God's free gift of salvation which was bought by the blood of the Lamb.  When
God looks at you, He will not see sin, He will see the blood...and His judgement will
pass over you.

1 Peter 1:18 & 19  "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (lifestyle) received by tradition
from your fathers;  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot."

My soul has been set free by the blood of the Lamb!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzLY3nUGBNM

Minute Musings...Upheld

Do you have a traditional Sunday lunch?  Many families gather at lunchtime on Sundays
to spend time together before the craziness of another week begins.  Grandparents get to
enjoy their grandchildren, brothers and sisters visit over mom's good home cooking.
There is merriment and laughter as good times are remembered and memories made to
look back upon.  Do you remember what was served at those meals?  I certainly hope that
it wasn't "Roasted Pastor!"

My dad used to warn people about partaking of this.  You certainly can't ask the Lord's
blessing on it!  It is very easy to criticize isn't it.  Easy to judge someone when you really
don't know what it's like to walk in their shoes.  The majority of us do not know what our
Pastors go through on a weekly basis.  The discouragement they face, the heartbreaks
that they have to deal with, the comfort, rebuke and exhortation that they must mete out.
They bear the burdens of the church.  This is a daunting task to which they have been
called, but they have not been called to do it alone.

We read in Exodus 17 about a task Moses was called of God to perform.  The enemy.
Amalek had come to fight the Children of Israel in Rephidim.  Moses, Aaron and Hur
went to the top of the hill to watch the battle unfold.  Vs 11, "And it came to pass, when
Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed:  and when he let down his hand,
Amalek prevailed."

Have you ever done arm curls, or tried to hold your arms up over your head for any
length of time?  It is not very long before your muscles are screaming out in agony at
you, and they begin to get very heavy and shaky.  Before you know it, they are hanging
limp at your sides.  Vs. 12,  "But Moses' hands were heavy;  and they took a stone,
and put it under him, and he sat thereon;  and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands,
the one on the one side, and the other on the other side;  and his hands were steady
until the going down of the sun." 

Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses and held up his hands for him, and they were not
only witnesses that day to a mighty victory, but active participants in the battle themselves! 
How are you doing with holding up your Pastor's hands in the battle of the Lord?  Or are
you the one who knocks the rock out from under him with your backbiting and criticisms? 
Please to not misunderstand, we are not glorifying man here today, instead we are exalting
and magnifying the One Who works through a dedicated and surrendered heart. However 
this man is not in the battle by himself!  How can we hold up our Pastors hands, and those
of the other leaders in our churches? 

1.  Pray for him.  Ephesians 1:15 & 16  "Wherefore I also after I heard of your
faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for
you, making mention of you in my prayers."

2.  Do not tear him down.  Ephesians 4:29  "Let no corrupt communication proceed
out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers."

3.  Don't complain when asked to help.  Philippians 2:14 & 15  "Do all things without
murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons
of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among
whom ye shine as lights in the world."

4.  Show him respect for his place of service.  1 Thessalonians 5:12 & 13  "And we
beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you
in the Lord, and admonish you:  And to esteem them very highly in love for their
work's sake.  And be at peace among yourselves."

5.  Help him bear the burdens.  "Galatians 6:2  "Bear ye one another's burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ."

We might have an epidemic of fainting Pastors and leaders this week if their
congregations began praying for them; building them up instead of tearing them down;
offering to help; if they respected them instead of ridiculing and gossiping about them; 
and if they helped them carry their heavy demanding loads instead of adding to them.

I encourage you this week to spend time in prayer for your Pastor's and leaders!  When
we do things God's way He has promised to bless.  I challenge you to become an Aaron
or Hur for your Pastor and the other leaders in your church, then stand back and watch
the mighty victories unfold before you!

The Pastors Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE8MFHF6B5Y