Before I start this post I created a new page that doesn’t show up for some reason:
“Come as you are…”

My God has the power to open the eyes of the blind.  He heals the sick and softens the toughest hearts of stone.  He takes the scales off of our eyes and lets us see His glory.

He says before we point out the splinter in our brother’s eye that we are to remove the plank from our own.  When it is removed we can’t help but proclaim the light we can see.

My God is the God of miracles, signs, and wonders.

The same God that parted the Red Sea for His people called me and wants me.  He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  He still does miracles, signs, and wonders.

He is alive and His word is as relevant as when it was written and before he formed the earth.  He is His word.

Jesus always corrected the disciples about their lack of faith.  Let he who has ears to hear let him hear…

“AND HE SAID, WHEREUNTO SHALL WE LIKEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD? OR WITH WHAT COMPARISON SHALL WE COMPARE IT?  IT IS LIKE A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED, WHICH, WHEN IT IS SOWN IN THE EARTH, IS LESS THAN ALL THE SEEDS THAT BE IN THE EARTH:

BUT WHEN IT IS SOWN, IT GROWETH UP, AND BECOMETH GREATER THAN ALL HERBS, AND SHOOTETH OUT GREAT BRANCHES; SO THAT THE FOWLS OF THE AIR MAY LODGE UNDER THE SHADOW OF IT.”

-MARK 4:30-32

There is a current prayer in my heart I can’t shake.  I don’t know if it is out of my own selfish desire or if God has placed it there for a reason.

“YE LUST, AND HAVE NOT: YE KILL, AND DESIRE TO HAVE, AND CANNOT OBTAIN: YE FIGHT AND WAR, YET YE HAVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK NOT.
YE ASK, AND RECEIVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK AMISS, THAT YE MAY CONSUME IT UPON YOUR LUSTS.”
-JAMES 4:2-3

Only God knows the end from the beginning.  We can’t control situations, but can only pray through them.  Sometimes, God has placed something in your heart but removes you from the situation so that you don’t make it an idol.  I have been through this several times and finally have learned this lesson.  You can’t force something that God doesn’t want you to have.  His will is always first.  It is not my life or will anymore, but His.  You can plant seeds, but can’t force something to grow.  Are the  things I am praying for myself or out of genuine concern?

It could be both, but the choice is not mine to make.  Let people be.

Sometimes God’s no is a step in the plan He has for you.  I have an all or nothing personality so this no has be going in an entirely different direction.

God has opened my eyes to the hearts of atheists.  Their foolish hearts were darkened.  They choose to be blind and God will not show mercy at judgement.  Romans 1 states there is enough evidence in creation to be known of the Creator.  They are without excuse.  It also states if they ignore God long enough He will leave them to do what they wish and they will be “happy” in their sins.

It is absolutely heart wrenching to have eyes that see and to be aware of the truth to explain this to a blind person.  They do not care or have any concept that what they are choosing is a terrible choice.

But, the fight is not ours, but are to be ready.

“PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL.  FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.
WHEREFORE TAKE UNTO YOU THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND.  STAND THEREFORE, HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH, AND HAVING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED.  AND TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD:
PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT, AND WATCHING THEREUNTO WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPLICATION FOR ALL SAINTS; AND FOR ME, THAT UTTERANCE MAY BE GIVEN UNTO ME, THAT I MAY OPEN MY MOUTH BOLDLY, TO MAKE KNOWN THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL…”
-EPHESIANS 6:11-19

Just because someone is blind doesn’t change who God is.  My God is bigger than them.

“AND JESUS ANSWERING SAITH UNTO THEM, HAVE FAITH IN GOD. FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT WHOSOEVER SHALL SAY UNTO THIS MOUNTAIN, BE THOU REMOVED, AND BE THOU CAST INTO THE SEA; AND SHALL NOT DOUBT IN HIS HEART, BUT SHALL BELIEVE THAT THOSE THINGS WHICH HE SAITH SHALL COME TO PASS; HE SHALL HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH.
THEREFORE I SAY UNTO YOU, WHAT THINGS SOEVER YE DESIRE, WHEN YE PRAY, BELIEVE THAT YE RECEIVE THEM, AND YE SHALL HAVE THEM.
AND WHEN YE STAND PRAYING, FORGIVE, IF YE HAVE OUGHT AGAINST ANY: THAT YOUR FATHER ALSO WHICH IS IN HEAVEN MAY FORGIVE YOU YOUR TRESPASSES.
BUT IF YE DO NOT FORGIVE, NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN FORGIVE YOUR TRESPASSES.” – MARK 11:22-26

My God always was and created me because He wanted me.  He is in the waiting for in the waiting He builds our faith.  He wants to keep us for Himself and make us learn to trust Him.

He set His people apart because we are not of this world.  We have been transformed by the renewing of our hearts.  He put His light in His new creations.  He loves making masterpieces from broken things.

He creates these stories and everyone has a unique one.  Nobody can measure the depths of His understanding.  Only an Almighty, omnipotent, undefinable God can come to everyone differently creating a story and relationship that is just for them.  We are brothers and sisters with the same understanding of Who our incredible Heavenly Father is.  We all share the same Spirit.  He sent His comforter for us.

People see the light that is in us and are drawn to it, but they reject the source.  They know they would have to change and turn away from their wicked ways in order to have what we have.  But, they cannot understand because they are blind.

That still doesn’t change who He is.  He loves us more than we could ever imagine.

We weren’t meant to live depressed or anxious.  We can overcome because we serve the one who conquered death.  He is alive.  He says to cast our worries on Him.  He wants to take care of us.  Nothing is ever too much for Him.

Count it all joy.  We are only sojourners.  We are to proclaim His goodness no matter where we are in life and are looking forward to eternity with Him.

“FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGETH SALVATION HATH APPEARED TO ALL MEN, TEACHING US THAT, DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS, WE SHOULD LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GODLY, IN THIS PRESENT WORLD;  LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY UNTO HIMSELF A PECULIAR PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS.
THESE THINGS SPEAK, AND EXHORT, AND REBUKE WITH ALL AUTHORITY. LET NO MAN DESPISE THEE.” – TITUS 2:11-15

As Christians we know we will be persecuted and mocked for our faith, but we are awaiting our Groom…

“LET US BE GLAD AND REJOICE, AND GIVE HONOUR TO HIM: FOR THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB IS COME, AND HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY.  AND TO HER WAS GRANTED THAT SHE SHOULD BE ARRAYED IN FINE LINEN, CLEAN AND WHITE: FOR THE FINE LINEN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF SAINTS.

AND HE SAITH UNTO ME, WRITE, BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE CALLED UNTO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB. AND HE SAITH UNTO ME, THESE ARE THE TRUE SAYINGS OF GOD.”
– REVELATION 19:7-9

“HE WHICH TESTIFIETH THESE THINGS SAITH, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. AMEN. EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS.” – REVELATION 22:20

“Clear the Stage” – Jimmy Needham
“Take a break from all the plans you have made and sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper…
Beg Him please to open up his mouth and speak and pray for real upon your knees until they blister.
Shine the light on every corner of your life until the pride and lust and lies are in the open.
Then read the word and put to test the things you’ve heard until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken.
‘Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

We must not worship something that’s not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the one who deserves it

Anything I put before my God is an idol…
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol…
Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol…
Anything that I give all my love is an idol”