buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

Archive for the category “Faith”

12 Sep 2012
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Opinionated

My sister called me opinionated. Is that a good thing or bad thing? I was commenting on her reading material during our beach trip. I offer my opinions on healthy lifestyle adjustments too. Yes, maybe I am opinionated and offer them way too much. When people are not ready to hear the truth, then they might take offense to what I am saying. I have come a long way from where I started. Truth be told, a few years ago, my reading material was not the best either. I was filling my mind with junk. I was filling my body with junk too.

God filled me with the Holy Spirit many years ago. But I became more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting a few years ago after I started to pray for a hunger and thirst to know God more. I realized I could not keep doing the things that I used to do and develop a closer walk with God. When I started to pray that specific prayer, I became more aware of the things I was doing that was not honoring Him. I began to realize the junk that I was subjecting my mind and my body to. I was not only harming my physical body with junk food but also my spiritual body with mindless trash. I could not keep doing these things and walk with God at the same time.

If Jesus came back when I was reading the junk or watching the junk at the movies, would I have been embarrassed for Him to catch me? I began to realize I couldn’t continue to do it and feel God being pleased with my choices. I dumped the trash out of my life. I must admit, I still watch some things on TV that I should probably not watch as well. Every day is about choices. I need to remember the choices I make will either please God or not. But I also need to remember that not everybody is where I am, and I need to keep my opinions to myself.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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 12:1-2

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05 Sep 2012

Nobody Touched Him

I was listening to one of my favorite preachers one Sunday morning speak on one of my favorite miracle stories from scripture. The passage was concerning the bleeding woman found in Mark 5:25. I identify with this woman. I had a problem similar to hers – mine didn’t last 12 years though, and I can’t imagine what I would have done if it had!

The preacher was talking about the facts surrounding this woman. She was an outcast in her community. She wouldn’t have been able to touch anyone because of her condition. She would not have been able to be in crowds such as this. She would not have been able to cook, clean, touch a thing because it too would have been unclean. The fact that she came on this day to see Jesus when the crowds had gathered around him was a big step of faith. She could have been stoned on the spot. But she came anyway – death would probably have been a welcome relief to her after what she had gone through for 12 years!

Hearing the story this time, I heard something different. Jesus had a large crowd around him. And if someone touched him in faith, they would have been healed. But she was the only one healed that day. I’m sure people had bumped into him. It was crowded. I’m sure there were many there that day that needed to be healed from something. But nobody was healed. Nobody touched him with faith as she did. She reached out with a determination to just reach him, knowing He could heal her. She had heard about Him. She thought to herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” And she was.

I have heard about Jesus all my life. I have heard the stories of how He heals. Have I thought to myself, if I could just reach Him, I know He will heal me? I might have bumped up against Him many times in my life, but have I actually had His power touch me? We all need to be healed from something. We all have sin that has left us broken and hurt. In faith, reach out and touch Him. His power heals.

When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. Mark 5:27-29

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29 Aug 2012

Drifting Through

I had a bit of a wake-up call the afternoon I wrote this post. I was reading a book I received for my birthday. It’s called “Outwitting the Devil” by Napoleon Hill (Sterling Publishing Co, 2011). The book is has an odd feel to it. It was actually written in 1938, but was not published until last year. It features an interview with Satan. In it, the writer asks a series of questions concerning the devil’s schemes in how he controls the world. The devil says it is through the mind. It is easy to control a mind when there is no purpose or people who do not think for themselves. Whether you believe there’s a devil or not, this book is right on target with many of its theories and observances. However, as I said, this was written over 70 years ago.

My wake-up call was the definition of a drifter. A drifter is easily conquered; someone who has little to no imagination, a person who lacks enthusiasm or initiative, or someone who starts many projects but finishes none (pg 91-92). There was a formula for drifting as well: laziness + indifference = procrastination = drifting (pg 86). This was me several years ago. Do I see myself in this way now? No, but I could easily fall back into old practices. The writer uses the word “habit.” Laziness is an old friend. Procrastination is easily available to me. I do not want to fall into the habit of drifting through life again. I don’t want to walk on a whim. There is a reason for my presence in this world. I don’t want to miss the opportunities put before me. “The non-drifter has a mind of their own and uses it for all purposes.” (pg 94) Reality check: am I drifting or am I considering plans for the future? It’s not the time to drift but to live with purpose.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

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22 Aug 2012
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Nails and Pennies

A few times a week I walk my neighborhood. I like to think it is an extension of my prayer time. However, there are many times when I am thinking about the day ahead or what I need to write next. While I was walking this morning, I was looking around not really thinking about much. On the last stretch of road my attention was drawn to a nail laying there. The nail was a reminder not of a spiritual truth, but there has been quite a bit of rebuilding in my neighborhood over the last year and a half. I have picked up many nails as I have walked about. If God brings my attention to something in the road, I pick it up (within reason, of course). I don’t know if it’s impacting anyone, but maybe it’s saved a tire or two.

I have also found that when I am concerned about financial matters, God will place a penny on my path that day. I also scoop it up as well. One penny isn’t very valuable. However, I look at the inscription on that penny, and it reminds me “In God We Trust.” This impacts no one really but me. It gives me encouragement.

The truth of the matter is: what am I doing for my neighbors as I walk the neighborhood? How am I impacting them? The nail really is a spiritual truth. Jesus died, nailed to a cross for the ones I am passing by. The Holy Spirit helped me to remember the reason I am in this neighborhood is to make an impact for Jesus. That’s the truth of the nail. That’s the reason I really should be stopping to pick up a nail. Maybe I found the nail in front of a house that needs prayer. God has a purpose for everything in our paths. But we have to be paying attention in order to be obedient to our call. He cares more for the condition of the neighbors rather than the condition of the path.

Thank you God for nails and pennies. Let me consider thoughtfully the things you put in my path today. Amen.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:27-31

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15 Aug 2012

Mirror Mirror

Last week I wrote about “do something.” God pointed out another issue about doing something through a sermon from Andy Stanley (Senior Pastor, North Point Community Church). Don’t you just love how God works? Pastor Andy spoke on Matthew 7:24-27 and James 1:22-25. Basically, the same principle: one spoken by Jesus and the other by James, Jesus’ half-brother. James had the analogy of a mirror. Jesus had the analogy of a wise man building a house. I listen to several teachers every week on spiritual matters as well as health matters. It doesn’t do me any good if I just listen and do nothing else. Jesus says we are to “put these things into practice.” James says it is like us looking in a mirror and seeing ourselves but doing nothing with what we see. I know there are many people who spend at least an hour getting ready to face the world every morning. We are grateful that they have taken the time to do so. But what if our spirits were showing in the mirror instead? What would we do with what we see? We are to be a reflection of Christ. Is our spirit reflecting Him or do we need to spend more time working on it before we leave to face the world?

After looking at the Olympics for the last two weeks, I am aware of the practice it took for the athletes to be able to do the things they can do. As a child, I took piano and guitar lessons. I liked the theory of playing, but I hated to practice. As a health coach, my goal is to help others become healthier. I can talk to them and give them advice. It does no good unless they actually put the suggestions into practice. I can purchase the treadmill, but it is no good as a clothing rack. I have to do something with it. What we hear is nothing until we actually put it into practice. As the athlete practices to become better able to compete, I have to practice what I hear so that I can become better as well. I have found the best part of hearing the Word, is the freedom found from doing what I hear. This has made the difference in my life.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

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08 Aug 2012

Do Something

Have you asked God to confirm what you think you have heard? I started asking a few days ago to confirm what I believe God was saying to me. I listened to sermons from the different pastors I follow. I read my Bible as I do every day. I paid attention to the ones I was speaking to thinking He would confirm it through a friend. But nothing was confirmed through those means of communication. I wasn’t discouraged, but continued to ask that the message I heard is the right thing. I did hear two words during this time, and it was “stop procrastinating.” Ouch. Was I doing that? Yes, I was. I do that a lot. When I procrastinate, I am usually controlled by fear. Faith and fear do not coexist. You either have one or the other. The next day I started working on my next step. I put the fear into the right place – behind me and moved in the direction that I believed God was indicating.

I finally heard my confirmation last night. When I took a break from writing, I popped over to my email account, and I found an email from a daily devotion email blast. The title was Letting Our Light Shine. In it, I found my confirmation. As I was reading, the words jumped off the page. I knew then, God was saying “you’re on the right track, go for it and let me deal with the consequences.” This morning, I was going through my Anne Graham Lotz Bible Study, it was focused on Lazarus’ resurrection in John 11. The scripture reminded me that we have to do something first before the miracle happens. The stone had to be rolled away before Lazarus could be resurrected. We have to put our faith into action. God showed me first that I had to get busy doing what I believed to be right before He confirmed it was right. I can hear the word, but I have to believe it’s true. I have to do something to show my belief. Then God promises I will see His glory.

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”John 11:40

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01 Aug 2012

The Other Side

I have a monthly newsletter that I write and send out.  This month (August), I wrote about swimming and my fear of it. The gist of that particular newsletter was about different water heights. The passage was on Ezekiel 47:5. The water that is over our heads is the water that can be crossed only by swimming. Only God can help us cross this water height. In the last paragraph of this article, I wrote: “There is something on the other side I now want to reach. God is waiting for me to wade in until it’s too deep for me alone. He is waiting to see if I have the faith to get my ankles wet, if I have the power and strength to wade further in than I have ever been before. I may be afraid of getting in over my head, but God will not let me drown. Just as a father takes the hand of his child, my God will take my hand and help me across.”

As I was finishing up with the last tweaks of the newsletter, I heard a sermon about the other side. This is the rest of the story. Jesus is on the bank of the Sea of Galilee, and he asks his disciples to cross over to the other side (Mark 4:35-5:20). Jesus had a reason to cross over to the other side. He went to help a man who was demon-possessed. Jesus crosses for one person who is lost. When the man with the legions of demons was healed, he wanted to go back with Jesus, but Jesus told him to “go home and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” In the parables of the lost sheep and coin found in Luke 15, Jesus says there is great rejoicing in heaven when one who is lost has been found.

There is a reason to get to the other side. Jesus pursues us individually. The other side has one person who is lost and needs Jesus. He wants us to cross over with Him. He didn’t go alone. The disciples were with Him. He uses our story of our crossing to bring others to Him. There is great rejoicing to be done. Praise the Lord for finishing the story.

The Lord had mercy on me. He found me and restored me. Someone crossed over to the other side for me. Now, I have a story to tell. How about you?

We give thanks to You, O God. We give thanks that Your name is near. Men tell about the great things You have done. Psalm 75:1 (NLV)

To read the newsletter, see my Facebook page at Denise4Health.

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25 Jul 2012
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Open Door

A couple of years ago I had a dream. I believe it was a vision from God. I mentioned it in my newsletter in May (Think Myself Free). This dream or vision was not clear. I remember only the open door and my need to close it, but it would not close. When I woke up, I was immediately filled with fear. I thought someone was in the room with me. And I prayed immediately that if I was in danger or demons were present for God to protect me. I was immediately filled with peace and went right back to sleep. I did not know how to interpret all that had transpired.

I have mentioned it to a few people, and they gave me different possibilities. At the time of this dream, I was in a middle of a transition to another path in life. One thought was the door represented the future, and I was trying to close off the future. I didn’t like what was on the other side. I was fearful of going through the door. One thought was the door represented people who needed to come in and out of my life. Another thought was that my old path was not yet done, and I wanted it to be done – representing me closing that door.

I believe God’s visions always reflect a spiritual issue. God doesn’t focus on the physical as much as He does on the spiritual. We are spiritual beings in a physical world. I believe I finally have the interpretation. The open door means I need to tell my story, going where He wants to send me and doing the thing He has placed in me. The fear comes from sharing my story. It’s something I thought I could take to my grave, but God has a different plan. His ways are not my ways.

The scripture in Habakkuk 2 I used last week, and a message from Craig Groeshel opened my eyes to the vision, and I believe it is true. It’s time to tell, and it’s time to write it down. So in May, I started my next book. It will tell of my journey, and how I got to where I am today. It’s scary to be this open, but I know God wants to use it to reach someone else that needs to hear. May it be as He says!

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:7-8

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18 Jul 2012

Wrestling with God

Do you know when you hear a message from God? Do you always like what you hear? I think of Jonah at times when I’ve heard something that I just didn’t like and want to run in the other direction. I think of Jacob when he came face to face with God and wrestled with Him (see Genesis 32:22-32). Jacob wanted a blessing, and Jonah wanted an exit. What do I do when I hear a message or witness God’s presence? Run and hide or run toward Him expecting to see the blessing? Jacob’s name was changed to Israel on the day he wrestled God’s messenger. Israel means “because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” And Jacob received the blessing. God always has a blessing for those that overcome. The blessing may be here on earth, or it may wait for us in heaven.

Jonah ran as far as he could from God’s purpose. God wanted to use Jonah as a prophet to a people who Jonah hated. He knew of God’s compassion. If the people repented of their sins, God would forgive them and not destroy them. Jonah would rather have died himself then to do what God had asked of him. But God’s plan is always righteous. His ways are not our ways. He is always seeking people to do what He asks when He asks.

I believe I have my next step in my journey, and I am not thrilled with the prospect of doing it. I will be stepping out into a place I really don’t want to go, much like Jonah. I’m not sure if I’m wrestling with God or with Satan right now. I think if its God then there will be a blessing. But if it’s Satan, there will be nothing good coming from it. I will have procrastinated beyond God’s timing. I want to overcome and not run from God’s plan. It’s time to move forward and not look back.

Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2-3

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11 Jul 2012

Opportunity Knocks

I find it annoying, when going about my business on a Saturday morning, someone knocks on my door. Most of the time it’s the Jehovah Witness’ doing their thing. Most of the time, I ignore those knocks. It happened again on this particular Saturday. I didn’t answer the door. But this time I felt the Holy Spirit disagreeing with that decision. I was convicted this time that I missed an opportunity. I don’t know what that opportunity was at this point. I stopped what I was doing and went to the window to see if there was a car on the street or whatever other indication I could find of what I had missed. No car, no neighbors out and about, no one walking around. Did I miss an angel visiting me? Did I miss someone in need that I could have helped? Did I miss an opportunity to minister to someone who did not know Christ? I will never know now what God wanted to do through me on this particular day. It could have been a divine appointment. Or maybe someone giving me a check for a million dollars (doubtful) – but I’ll never know.

I say I want the power of the Holy Spirit to work through me. In order for that to happen, I have to open the doors of opportunity. The Holy Spirit needs a place to work. If I stay in my nice comfortable place, the Holy Spirit is not needed. Sometimes I feel like I am not ready. But if I ever feel ready, the Holy Spirit is not needed. If this is about me, what good is it anyway? If opportunity comes knocking again, I’ll let the Holy Spirit work as He wants.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6

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