Tag Archive | Religion and Spirituality

Can’t Touch This

Today I had cause to think about Job and all that satan put on him in effort to get him to curse God. But what I find interesting…

Before Satan was allowed to touch Job, he had to have permission from God.

“Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:10-12

Now how cool is that??? Satan had to approach God and request permission to tempt a child of God…WOW!!!

I take great comfort in knowing I am the King’s kid and absolutely nothing or nobody can touch me without God’s permission!

So, you ask why would God give Satan permission to tempt us…

Because, our Father knows us…We are His and He believes in us!!! We are allowed to go through the test because He knows we will pass! Bottom line God knows us better than we know ourselves!

When We Say…. He Says…

“I can’t go on” “I am Your Sustainer”
“I am thirsty” “I am The Living Water”
“I am scared” “I am Your Protector”
“I am hungry” “I am The Bread of Life”
“I am lost” “I am The Way”
“I don’t have enough “I am Your Provider”
“I’m not” “I AM”

He knows us, He loves us, He has a hedge of protection about us and Satan does not cross that hedge unless given permission by your Father! Most importantly…God told Satan “but on the man himself do not lay a finger” and he…

Can’t Touch This!!!

Love Lee ♥

Whatcha Thinking About

Jan19

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding. Psalms 49:3

Meditation…what exactly is meditation?

The dictionary defines it as “A devotional exercise of or leading to contemplation”.

The use of Meditation for healing is not new. Meditative techniques are the product of diverse cultures and people around the world. It has been rooted in the traditions of the world’s great religions. In fact, practically all religious groups practice meditation in one form or another. The value of Meditation to alleviate suffering and promote healing has been known and practiced for thousands of years.

The author of Holistic-online.com does a fabulous job of defining the benefits of meditation.

Physical Benefits

Deep rest-as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart.
Lowered levels of cortisol and lactate-two chemicals associated with stress.
Reduction of free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage. They are now thought to be a major factor in aging and in many diseases.
Decreased high blood pressure.
Higher skin resistance. Low skin resistance is correlated with higher stress and anxiety levels.
Drop in cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease.
Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing. This has been very helpful to asthma patients.
Younger biological age. On standard measures of aging, long-term Transcendental Meditation (TM) practitioners (more than five years) measured 12 years younger than their chronological age.
Higher levels of DHEAS in the elderly. An additional sign of youthfulness through Transcendental Meditation (TM); lower levels of DHEAS are associated with aging.

Psychological Benefits

Increased brain wave coherence. Harmony of brain wave activity in different parts of the brain is associated with greater creativity, improved moral reasoning, and higher IQ.
Decreased anxiety.
Decreased depression.
Decreased irritability and moodiness.
Improved learning ability and memory.
Increased self-actualization.
Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
Increased happiness.
Increased emotional stability.

In order to meditate it is essential to shut down the mental “chatter”. Turn off the inner critic, negative thinking and brain chaos and instead allow your mind to quiet and meditate or reflect on God, His mercy, grace, and love. Allow the world around you to disappear for a few moments and totally reflect on Him. Once your mind is stayed on Him the wisdom will flow…

Think about it…doesn’t junk and negativity flow from our mouths when our minds are not on God?

So if you’re not thinking about Him…

Whatcha thinking about?

Love Lee ♥

Why Am I Here?

Jan18

Have you ever wondered, Why am I here…Why am I here on this earth, in this place at this time?

Last Wednesday First Baptist Church Brazoria began learning the music for our annual Passion Play. While all of the music is awesome there was one song that has ministered to me and has answered the question “Why am I Here?”.

As I was driving to work one morning this week, a light bulb went off in my head and I became abundantly aware of why I am here.

I’m here to WORSHIP THE KING!!!

Worship:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:1-8

We are here in this moment for one reason only…It is to WORSHIP THE KING…

Worship The King

by BJ Davis

I bow in rev’rence in the courts of royal majesty. Honoring His presence, I’m here to worship the King. I’m here to worship the King. Blessing and honor and power be to Him alone. Holy, holy, holy, we join the angel’s song. Come, let us worship the Lord, and crown Him Lord of all. Come, let us worship the Lord, and crown Him Lord of all, Lord of all! We join the angel’s song. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. I’m here to worship the King. I’m here to worship the King.

Have You Worshiped the King Today?

Love Lee ♥

Is the Grass Always Greener

Jan13

How many times have you seen this while driving down the road? That poor cow always trying to get to the grass on the other side of the fence. Aren’t we much like that cow? How often is it we want what we can’t have and pursue it without thought of the consequences?

There is much to be said for finding contentment with what we have rather than always pursuing that which is just out of reach. Oh wait, before you go there…I am all about goals…defining goals, planning a path to reach the goal and celebrating the achievement of goals.

I am not referring to goals…I am referring to the constant state of discontent. Are you always looking for something or someone to make you happy; that perfect job, perfect mate, perfect party, or perfect friend?

…godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

We celebrate being a Christian and being born again…we try to live our lives as Christ would have us live by acting right, talking right, walking right or anything else right…BUT are we content?

Are we content in knowing Jesus is our Lord and Savior and He is in control; that all we have belongs to him and…. all we are is because of him??? Well…we should be…In finding contentment in Jesus all the other “stuff” does not matter!!!

My friend, I am here to tell you…The grass IS NOT always greener on the other side!!! Stop looking for that something or someone to make you happy…Start looking for GOD!

Love Lee ♥

But How Do You Know

Jan12

Recently I was reminded of how not all is as it seems. Just because the clouds are dark and heavy it does not mean the sun is not shining. In fact the sun is shining so bright it is a blinding light. This picture proves my point. At the edge of the clouds…The Sun Is Shining!!!

So things are tough, not enough money, the kids are fighting, no one understands you, jobs got you down, your spouse has left you and you are lonely…Things are gonna get better!!!

I can hear you asking…

But How Do You Know

Well, it is quite simple…God said,

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:3

When it gets too much to bear…

He will CARRY you
He will SUSTAIN you
He will RESCUE you

He’s got this covered…No matter where you are or what is going on! God is still there whether you can see Him or not just as the sun is there…He’s got this!!!

God said it, I believe it, and that settles it!!!

Love Lee ♥

Who’s Your Daddy

Jan5

In a recent conversation with a friend we discussed the effects of growing up without the presence of her father in her home. In-fact she did not even know who her father was. Life was challenging and many of her emotional needs were not met resulting in poor life choices, acting out, and feelings of insignificance.

Statistics show that children who grow up in a fatherless home are:

5 Times more likely to commit suicide
32 Times more likely to run away
20 Times more likely to have behavioral disorders
14 Times more likely to commit rape
9 Times more likely to drop out of highschool
10 Times more likely to abuse chemical substances
20 Times more likely to end up in prison

Wow…this is mind-boggling and is so dismal.

Fatherlessness is not only those who grew up without a father but also those who had one he did not meet the emotional needs of his family. The father that is consumed with his own personal wants and desires without regard to the effects it will have on the family.

Growing up my home life was less than perfect…I was not fatherless but on the other hand did not receive the unconditional love and acceptance a daughter seeks from their dad. My parents divorced when I was 16 and my mother remarried. My Pappy is a wonderful man and as an adult provided me, my sisters, and brother with unconditional love and acceptance. He loves us and would go to the moon and back for us.

When it comes to my childhood…

Am I bitter….NO
Am I sad…A little
Do I miss him…at times
Would I change anything…NEVER!!!

You see, it was during those times of feeling like I didn’t measure up or feeling I had been abandoned by my earthly dad that my Heavenly Father made Himself known to me. He showed me that He:

Loves and adores me
Wants to spend time with me
Cares about what concerns me
Celebrates my successes
Knows what makes me tick
Disciplines me when I need it
Takes care of all my needs.

If you are fortunate enough to have an earthly father who has met your physical and emotional needs growing up…Yeah. But for those of you who have not please know all is not lost and you my precious one are not fatherless and you do not have to be a statistic.

The Lord your God is with you He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

My Daddy is God… Who’s Your Daddy?

My friend, you have a Daddy God! I encourage you to crawl up in His lap and let Him comfort you, love you, delight in you and let Him sing you a lullaby!

Love Lee ♥

Whose Opinion Defines You

Jan4

My Sister Cheryl recently posted the statement below on her Facebook Status which lead to a quite lengthy list of comments…Because I am very passionate about the subject matter I just crawled up on my soapbox…

I share this because just this morning I realized Cheryl and I are not the only ones who have or are dealing with the opinions of others…

This New Year, stop listening to others’ opinions… about who you are, what they THINK about you, about who you are or what they think YOU should do or be! Stop speaking things over yourself that contradict who God’s Word says you are. Open His Word to see what He says about you. He’s a LOVING Father & wants His best for you. Don’t believe me: believe HIM. ~Cheryl Kimbrough Fairbank~

Lee’s Soap Box Session

I have sayings that helps me deal with those who attempt to steal my joy and suck my spirit out of me.

I am not warring against flesh and blood: If people say or do things that contradict God’s nature …then it is not of God…Satan knows he can best get to us through those we love. By using them to whittle away at our spirit his mission is accomplished. My prayer is I will stay prayed up, read up, and filled with forgiveness and love so I am never that person for someone else.
I am not the enemy: If Richard and I get crosswise. I remind him I am not the enemy. This helps us recognize exactly who the enemy is.
On my list of opinions that count…Your Name IS NOT on my list: This one can get tricky…As an over achiever and a people pleaser, I have always valued the opinion of others especially those who I call family or friend. But as one who DETESTS conflict, lies, cheating, stealing, laziness and spirit suckers (Negative Knit Pickers) it helps me get the right perspective when making my list.

My list is a static list and names are added or removed as needed. God has blessed me with the Spirit of discernment so it becomes very easy to add and remove names due to the sensitivity to He has given me.

Sister, I so proud of you! You are so right…God is a good and LOVING God but He is also a JUST God. Everyone will be accountable for their actions and woe be to those who allow themselves to create conflict, speak lies, cheat, steal, waste their life away, or attempt to suck the life out of others…They will be accountable before the Lord on judgment day! People may think they have the world fooled but God ALWAYS knows!

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7

OK can you give me a hand and help me get down off my soap box but before I do…I ask…

Whose Opinion Defines You?

Love Lee ♥

New Beginnings

Dec31

As we look to start a new year, many people build lofty resolutions only to fail. Remember that you can acheive anything you truly want but don’t wait until conditions are “perfect” as perfection rarely comes. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~Theodore Roosevelt~

Perfection

“Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly.”~Robert Schuller~

Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable. ~Lord Chesterfield~

We are often ineffective and immoblized due to fear and there are two fears which exist in the world.

Fear of Success: That which will happen if you succeed; the changes success will create; not only for you personally but for those you love and are close too. Will your success change your life style, draw attention to you, or create a change you are not able or willing to deal with.
Fear of Failure: That which will happen if you fail; the changes failure will cause such as embarrasement, depression, and possibly loss of self esteem or motivation.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ~Jesus~

Hmmm…puts a whole new spin on perfection doesn’t it

Do What You Can, With What You Have, Where You Are

What a profoud statment! I can not tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I don’t have —” or “My—is too small or not good enough. To that I say HOG WASH!!! God has placed you right where you are…given you what He has seen fit to give you…so get off your pitty pot and embrace what you have with a heart felt since of grattitude and appreciation. You will never have more until you learn to appreciate and care for what He has already given you.

So, while you sit and contemplate what your New Years Resolution will be this year perhaps you should resolve to be grateful for

Who you are in Christ
The talents He Has blessed you with
The possessions He has entrusted to you
Those whose lives He has surrounded you with

Resolve today to give Him the Glory and Honor He is due rather than complain about what should, could, or would have been…

With Jesus Every day is a NEW BEGINNING so resolve to begin anew and…

Choose to Live, Love, Laugh TODAY!!!

Love Lee ♥

Let Others See Jesus In You

Dec30

Where have you come from? The person you were before Christ came into your life should be gone. The habits and attitudes that defined you then should be changed. You are a new creature!!!

When you opened the door of you heart and asked Jesus walked in so did love, compassion, forgiveness, concern for others, honesty, justice, and self-sacrifice. Every characteristic found in Christ now dwells in you.

You are no longer defined by the old you but by Christ who dwells in you.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Does that mean you are perfect? NOPE…old habits die-hard!

So, begin each day by asking God to allow Jesus to shine in you; for others to see Jesus in you. As Jesus begins to shine, His light will illuminate the darkness and you will be known as a child of Light…His Light!

So, Out With The Old & In With The New…Let Others See Jesus Shine In You…

Love Lee ♥

Gotta Get It Right

Dec28

No one can be wrong with man and right with God…

Profound statement and so true! Man is God’s greatest and most complex creation. We are the sparkle of His eye. But…God does not like it when His kids don’t get along. In fact so much so He commands we love one another and in so doing we fulfill the law of Christ.

By no means am I saying I have arrived! In fact at times it is just the opposite!!! As I grow in this area I become keenly aware those difficult personalities placed in our path are to either distract us or define us.

The Distraction…is satan’s way of removing our focus from God and placing it on people. Our focus becomes selfish and we focus on the negative traits of people rather than honing in on their beautiful attributes God has blessed them with. When we become focused on the negative our attention is drawn away from the Lord and viola…satan’s mission is accomplished.

The Definition…God does not allow failure and He expects us to rise above the temptation of being mean and hurtful to others. It is when we focus on the positive and beautiful attributes of others we are able to see God more clearly and we are drawn into His presence.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John 4:11

O Lord, I know that You are aware and care about each person I will face today. Please let others see Jesus in me and allow me to extend Your love as commanded.