Jesus- The One, The Only

Everyone worships something. Whether we know it or not; we are worshiping every day. The question is WHAT are we worshipping? Worship means to idolize: love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess.

What has our focus? Our attention? Is it food? Is it our future? Is it how we are going to make enough money? Is it a report from the doctor?

Some people worship Jesus; others Buddha. Some people worship money; others relationships. Regardless of who are what we worship, I do know this...that everyone wants to be blessed by what they worship. The lady in the picture above is kneeling before a priest for a blessing. She is seeking for a blessing. She makes it a point to go out of her way once, maybe twice a day, to the temple to see a priest and for prayer.

Today I want to tell you about a people who worship foreign gods. These people have so many gods that they cant remember all their names...over 33 million. They are of the Hindu religion. According to Wikipedia: "Hinduism is often stated to be the "oldest religious tradition" among the world's major religious groups. It is formed of diverse traditions and types and has no single founder. The types, sub-traditions and denominations taken together add up to Hinduism qualifying as the world's third largest religion following Christianity and Islam, with approximately a billion adherents, of whom about 905 million live in India and Nepal."

They are bound to mindless tradition and walk in confusion. They pray to a god who can not hear them. They ask to be seen by a god who can not see them. Their God cannot create. Their God only destroys. They ask to be 'blessed' by their god, without knowing that they are actually bringing curses upon themselves. Their gods 'blessing' is sickness and insanity. Death to the body and mind.

When I was in Nepal I had a conversation with a friend there about this very subject. She told me a story that opened my eyes of how her sister was sick. The sister's husband invited a Hindu priest to pray for her - and instead of the sister being cured, she was cursed...almost losing her mind in a rage of fury and anger that only got worse as the priest tried more 'holy' things to help her. Needless to say, this is what brought my dear friends family to Jesus. He alone is what delivered the sisters mind, body and soul. And now she is a living testimony that our God is alive and well. He is ready to work miracles and set prisoners free. All they need to know is His Name.

I worship a God who created the Heavens. Jesus Christ. He hears me, takes notice of me, and cares for me. I serve a God who loves and supports me. His consolation brings joy to my soul. He blesses me with life and joy, not death. My God says that in His sanctuary are strength and glory. Where He is, there is strength.

Sing to the Lord, all the earth

Proclaim His salvation day after day

Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For GREAT is the Lord and most worthy of praise

He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the Heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him

STRENGTH and GLORY are IN HIS SANCTUARY.

- Psalm 96

From Generation to Generation

Bettye Jo Wolfkiel, my grandmother, has been faithful to teach me about the Bible, as well as the necessity to study it, and the importance of putting Jesus first- all of my life.

Today I want to honor her for the influence she has made in my life and to thank God for what a blessing she has been to me.

One thing I know is that she gets so excited when she talks about the Bible. She loves to study God's Word early in the morning- and write down what she's learned. She's even excited to share it with others! You can see it in her eyes the joy she receives from sharing.

Grandma has always shared with me the stories of old concerning God's faithfulness. She often speaks of stories regarding her parents and God's hand on them.

"Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come" Psalm 71:18

Where are you going? Where'd you come from?

I was just dropping off a FedEx in the outdoor drop box at Post Office downtown. As I put the envelope in the box- I noticed a lady sitting on the stairs by me. She was dressed in a red suit- long hair-with a complementing hat and 2 bags of luggage. She was going somewhere. But where I dont know because the bus doesnt pick people up there. Anyways, she was yelling at people walking by. Calling them murders, and just yelling whatever came to her mind. I looked her in the eyes from a distance and she began to talk- though I was just far enough away that I couldn't make out her words. I began to think of what could have happened to this lady who was decently dressed and had a simple beauty about her- to make her go mad. I thought that she could possibly be someone's mother. Someone'e wife. The lady had clearly lost her mind-and anyone around her knew it was so. She was not fully there and was left alone on the steps of the Post Office- bags with her- in a red suit..to fend for herself. But where was she going? Who's responsibility is she? What was her life previous to this? Was she a small school child once who was made fun of by her peers? Was she a loving wife who developed a mental illness and was sent to an institution? How could she be homeless with no one to care for her? All these thoughts, and more, rushed through my mind as I was leaving the Post Office. I passed her as I flew by in my car- but this time she was standing. Again, I looked her right in the eyes and she began to mumble- raising both her hands in the air as if she were reaching up to God. I can only imagine the tale of her life. What events led her to such madness? What could have been done-if anything- to prevent this woman- with a seemingly kind disposition to turn her mind inside out? God only knows.
All I can say is that this makes me want to love those around me all the more. And I challenge you with the same thought: love those God has placed around you. YOUR love can make a difference in their life!!

Give Ear...

Psalm 78 reminds me today of the importance in sharing with others-especially those younger than us- the things the Lord has done in our lives. I know I posted a blog about this a week or so ago- but it is still on my heart. We need to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonderful works that He has performed in the past. Whether it's a Bible story or a personal story- I challenge you today to share with someone about the deeds and works of the Lord that you have seen happen in your life. How will they know unless we tell them? You might be surprised how Faith is built in your own heart as you share. Read the rest of the chapter..it's good stuff!

Lord, give me opportunities-orchastrated by You- to share with others around me of your deeds, Your might, and the wonderful works that You have performed in the past. Use me Lord.

Psalm 78
A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of Asaph.

1GIVE EAR, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2I will open my mouth in a parable (in instruction by numerous examples); I will utter dark sayings of old [that hide important truth]--(A)

3Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

4We will not hide them from their children, but we will tell to the generation to come the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonderful works that He has performed.

5For He established a testimony (an express precept) in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, commanding our fathers that they should make [the great facts of God's dealings with Israel] known to their children,

6That the generation to come might know them, that the children still to be born might arise and recount them to their children,

7That they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but might keep His commandments

8And might not be as their fathers--a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their hearts aright nor prepared their hearts to know God, and whose spirits were not steadfast and faithful to God.

LOYAL...to me???

Ps. 30

9Once I have turned to dust, how can I praise you or tell how loyal you are?
-I've never thought about telling of the loyalty of God. What is He loyal to? Himself? His laws? Yes, but also, He is loyal to me. Think about that for just a second and remember how the Lord has been loyal to you. Remember how He has seen you through so many things. Remember the times when God moved in your life and reflect on them at least once a month. Share your testimonies with those around you. There is power in sharing them. It has a way of lifting your Spirit-and other too. People can tell me all they want that God does not care, or God is not real..but I know otherwise because I have had personal experience with Him- an encounter that so changed my life. A pivitol moment in time where one way to the left or right would determine my future. And in that moment, He met me. He showed up. He didn't forget me becuase He is loyal to me and our relationship.

I will take a minute to reflect on the times God has demonstrated His loyalty in my life and how to express that through Scripture...

7You, LORD, were my friend, and you made me strong as a mighty mountain.

5Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime.

2I prayed to you, LORD God, and you healed me, 3saving me from death and the grave.

9Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms. Ps. 28

I can think of so many times that God has been a friend to me. He has been so kind to me- despite my attitude toward Him. He has healed me and saved me. He has blessed me and is now the Shepherd of my life- carrying my in His arms. May I continue to stay there and not become prideful or independent. It's easier for me to work for love- that way I feel like I've earned it. It is harder to receive a love that you don't have to work for. It is much easier to be a slave than a lover. Help me to receive Your love and the goodness of our friendship.

Lord, help us to never forget your kindness. LORD make us strong and give us peace.

4I ask only one thing, LORD: Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are.. Ps. 27

Calling All: Looking for someone God-expectant..

Psalm 14 (The Message)

2 GOD sticks his head out of heaven.
He looks around.
He's looking for someone not stupid—
one man, even, God-expectant,
just one God-ready woman.

Lord, I pray that today, you would find me. Find me standing. Find me praying. Find me believing. Find me listening. Find me in need. I know you test me. I want to be found uncompromisingly righteous. Thank you Jesus for the cross. Through your death and resurrection I can live a righteous life. God, help me to walk through the situations of life with integrity- upholding honor for You. If not for grace, where would I be? I desire to know You in the deepest possible way. I'm having a hard time believing how You see me. You see me through the eyes of love. You want to love me. I am of value to you. Please help me to see myself as one of great value and worth. Help me to receive Your love. I am prone to not accept anything from anyone. I am prone to work for things- to earn it. It's much harder to receive something I know I didnt work for or deserve. Drown me in Your love God. Help me calloused heart to receive. My pride keeps me far from You when I wont accept the truth about who You say I am. Though I feel I am in the waiting room of unanswered prayers- help me to know everything is going to be o.k. I know that in Your Word I can build my Faith. Help me Lord, for I am in need of You. I desire to be invited to Your table to dine and talk. I'm in need. I love You Lord.

The Lord tests and proves the [unyieldingly] righteous. For the Lord is [rigidly] righteous, He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face, or He beholds the upright. Ps.11 [New Amplified Version)

Psalm 11 (The Message)

A David Psalm
1-3 I've already run for dear life straight to the arms of GOD.
So why would I run away now
when you say,
"Run to the mountains; the evil
bows are bent, the wicked arrows
Aimed to shoot under cover of darkness
at every heart open to God.
The bottom's dropped out of the country;
good people don't have a chance"?

4-6 But GOD hasn't moved to the mountains;
his holy address hasn't changed.
He's in charge, as always, his eyes
taking everything in, his eyelids
Unblinking, examining Adam's unruly brood
inside and out, not missing a thing.
He tests the good and the bad alike;
if anyone cheats, God's outraged.
Fail the test and you're out,
out in a hail of firestones,
Drinking from a canteen
filled with hot desert wind.

7 GOD's business is putting things right;
he loves getting the lines straight,
Setting us straight. Once we're standing tall,
we can look him straight in the eye.

"Land that I love.."

2"Why should the nations say, Where is now their God?
3But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.
4The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
6They have ears, but they hear not; noses have they, but they smell not;
7They have hands, but they handle not; feet have they, but they walk not;
neither can they make a sound with their throats.
8They who make idols are like them; so are all who trust in and lean on them.."
-Psalm 115

This morning I'm thinking about America. "Why should the nations say [of America], Where is now their God?" I believe they are...

America was founded upon Christian principles and now our tolerance has led to the decay of our foundation. Sadly, most of us as Christians are not even aware it's happening around us- and what's worse, most of us will not do anything about it until it's too late. Tolerance will drive us to a place we never wanted to go or intended to go as Christian nation. It will keep us longer than we intended to stay and damage us more than we thought it could.
You may be labeled as 'intolerant" if you speak out, but who cares- at least you're making a difference and standing up for God's law to be estabilshed once again in our land. We need Godly leaders who can direct America back to it's foundation. I don't understand how we let prayer be taken out of our schools systems. We are so tolerant and blind. We have let so many things slip into our government. Where are the people who will stand up and say "No, we will not allow this!" ??

We have to bring God back into our government(laws)..if we don't- we will look back upon this time when we had the opportunity to and regret it.

I don't want other nations to look at us and say "Where is their God now?" Question is...where do we start?