Tag Archive | Salvation

First or Last Resort

How many times have you had a worry or burden the was too big for you to handle? You struggle with it until you are at your wit’s end and then in desperation you throw up your hands and say…I have given this to God; it is in His hands now…Sound familiar?

Why is it God is the last resort?

It is often human nature to try to fix things yourself for 3 reasons:

Independence
Pride
Lack of Trust

Independence

We often get this one wrong! In our quest for independence we shut God off. Whether from our lives, situations, decisions, or from our relationships. You see, we should be dependent on God in every aspect of our lives. We often give Him the hard things when we are at our wits end when in-fact He wants us to give Him our everything. We do not need to be independent…Oh no, quite the opposite; we need to become more dependent on Him than ever!!! It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:16

Pride

All too often we want to handle our own issues so we can say “Look what I did” or “This is how I did it” In seeking the glory for our successes we are taking the focus off of God and His ever-present help. God is a loving God but He is also a jealous God. He wants and deserves the glory!!! When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Lack of Trust

This one is pretty self explanatory…To leave God out, to not seek His guidance, deliverance, or help is essentially saying you do not trust Him. To that I say…Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalms 37:3

Is He your First or Last Resort?

Love Lee ♥

Just Be

Feb17

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Nowhere in this scripture do you see the words feel. All to often we base our Christian lives on feelings. We are not told to fake it till we make it…We are told to BE!

Be: Joyful in Hope

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Be: Patient in Affliction

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

Be: Faithful in Prayer

…pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Now I challenge you to BE OBEDIENT…

Love Lee ♥

Guts and Glory

Feb16

When our youngest daughter was in Jr. High she played league softball. I would often purchase T-shirts which had softball themes on them and give them to her for gifts. One particular shirt caught my eye. From a distance all I could see was…

“Guts and Glory”

As I looked at it closer it had a batter at the plate about to take a swing and the fine print said “Lord Give Me and I will give You” Then when put with the large print the logo said …

Lord Give me the GUTS and I will give You the GLORY

This became my cry from the stands…”Guts and Glory Brandi…Guts and Glory”. Then it was game on! Whether she was pitching or hitting she would turn on the determination and give 110%.

As Christian’s this should be the cry of our daily life…Guts and Glory

Lord Give Me the Guts to…

Live for You
Speak up for You
Trust in You
Depend on You
Follow You

Then to say…I will give you the Glory…

Despite the outcome
Despite whether things are going right or not
Despite how I feel
Despite my surroundings
Despite what others say

What is Your Heart’s Cry? Mine is…

Guts and Glory!

Love Lee ♥

Who Defines Your Standards?

Feb12

One of my favorite things to do is have coffee in the morning on the patio. This morning I decided to catch up on my reading. My most favorite thing to read other than the Bible is magazines…

While reading the November (oooh I am sooo behind) issue of “All You” I came across this little blurb.

WOW…THAT IS PROFOUND and confirms what I have always known to be true!

When we expect excellence and produce tangible and accurate results then it becomes the standard. When one performs at a level less than that standard and it is acceptable then the standard is lowered sending out a message that substandard is now the new standard.

Additional things I have learned that go hand in hand with this is…

Not everyone is capable of performing at the same level: Everyone possesses different skill sets and not everyone can produce the results defined by the standard.
Not everyone understands the goal: When the goal is not well-defined then it is virtually impossible for anyone to reach that goal. We must be clear, concise, and understood when defining a goal.
Not everyone wants the same results: If everyone has their own agenda and the focus is meeting each individuals goals or agenda then the primary focus of team work is lost.
Not everyone cares: There are times when you find some just don’t care. They are there because they are expected to be.

So to better be able to get all players on the same page one must…

Determine the skill set when making assignments: Assign those with similar skill sets to work together and set the standard based on that groups skill set. This prevents dragging down others or lowering the overall standard.
Define the goal: What does it look like, feel like, taste like, and sound like, and what smell like??? What is it we want to accomplish?
Set the standard:Without a clear vision of what the standard is then one can by no means measure up.
Weed out those that don’t care: Unfortunately there will be times when someone lacks the motivation, drive, passion, or connectivity to even care and those are the people who must go as they stifle the creativity of reaching the standard and ultimately the goal.

Now I ask you…Who sets the standard for you? Is it your family, friends, co-workers, pastor, church, or boss?

NO!!!

Jesus sets the standard, assigns our assignments based on our skill set, He has already defined the goal, and unfortunately those who do not care enough to reach the goal of eternal life will be weeded out!

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

The Skill Set: While we may not all be able to perform at the same level…God knows and makes our assignments accordingly
The Goal: Eternal Life with Christ
The Standard: The Bible…It clearly defines the standard which we must live by as Christians
Weeding: Judgement… The weeding out will be done on judgement day when non-Christians will be cast away for eternity. Pardon the pun but they will be “FIRED”

Who tells you how to act, what to say, what to believe, or makes excuses for those that don’t??? Think about it…

Who Does God Say You ARE? and…Who DefinesYour Standards?

Love Lee ♥

God’s Favorite Song

Feb7

At work when a baby is born the sweetest chime plays announcing the arrival. The song is “Happy Birthday” and sounds like it is coming from a little music box. As I sit at my desk working away, I hear the chime and I stop what I am doing and ask God to bless the child. When I hear the chimes it makes me smile and even tear up at times.

I feel there must be a chime which goes off in Heaven to announce the birth of a Christian. And, oh the celebration that must follow. The day we are born in Christ the angels in heaven rejoice and greatest song of all fills heaven…

And…It’s His Favorite Song Of All

Love Lee ♥

Transformed

Feb6

Ok so now that you have learned How To Change Your Mind, you must also RENEW your mind!

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. Romans 12:2

So once you make the decision to “change your mind” you would think it is a one time decision and you will never have the same thoughts and behaviors again…right?

WRONG!!!

Do you actually think the world stops just because you have made the decision to ask Jesus to come into your heart? One would think it is that easy but unfortunately satan is alive and roaming around checking out who he can get to next…We are bombarded with unwholesome TV, commercials, movies, internet, games, and music.

But the good news is…

It’s a choice…Your choice!

Choose Wisely!!!

Love Lee ♥

How to Change Your Mind

Feb3

Everything that happens to you; everything from your past and everything in your future all relies on one simple thing: How do you choose to process that which happens to you? The way you choose to process everything that has or will happen to you makes up your entire experience of life. Most people are oblivious to this powerful fact, mostly because the majority of our thoughts are shaped automatically by our past conditioning.

I have always said the hardest thing to change is your mind; how you process information has been ingrained in you since the day you were born. You have spent years watching your mom and dad’s reactions to life circumstances. Watched others respond to both positive and negative occurences over the years and without even knowing it your prejudices, likes, dislikes, and opinions have been formed; both good and bad…

I have good news…All those negative concepts, thought processes, prejudices and opinions can be reprogrammed. It all began at birth right? Rather than go back to the beginning your natural birth…Just get born again!

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:3-7

To Change Your Mind and Your Mindset and Letting Your Past Be Your Past…

Be Born Again!!!

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 ♥

Out With the Old and In With the New

Jan8

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

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 a door has open in your heart that Christ walked through bringing love compassion, concern for others, honesty, justice and self-sacrifice with it. Every characteristic that defines Christ can now define you. The struggle is to keep that old person with all her old habits and attitude away old habits die-hard begin each day by asking the Lord to help the new person shine over the old person.