Jesus Christ

September 21, 2017

Thursday’s Pen Tip #1

Those who are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ are special in His eyes.

Those who walk away will dwell in an environment known as darkness.

He who is on high is the Light of the world. The only way to see your way through a world of darkness is to plug into the Light. Then ye shall see forever.

He who enters a dark room automatically reaches for the light switch. Hopefully your power source has not been cut off.

He who is on high, the God of all is that light source. Once man has been empowered God’s energy will never fail.

July 13, 2017

A True Story

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Samson Komati

December 16, 2015 · 

A True story….
A man from Norfolk VA, called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.
His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:
A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said ‘amen,’ we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently.. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight.. both very upset, we drove home..
I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife’s flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.
My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. ‘This is not something I can’t just sit by for; I have to do something.’
I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, ‘take good care of my grandchild. Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.
My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye.
Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn’t expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child.
The man looked at me and asked if my father’s name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, ‘I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.’
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, ‘there is something else you need to know.’
His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.
Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves ..
When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live. This story should help us to realize this: God is always in control.
We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.
Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never know the impact it may have on someone… God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures Forever. Psalm 136:1

(Copied from Face Book)

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May 14, 2017

Happy? Mother’s Day

Today is Mother’s Day and I have avoided turning on the T.V., going to church, and those things that remind me of what a mother is supposed to be but that many of us did not experience.

Growing up in an abusive home where the abuse is ignored or perpetrated by the mother does not leave happy memories for many of us. Whether it was the Dad doing the abuse or the mother inflicting the physical or emotional pain, it leaves more than just a bad taste in the mouth of the surviving child/adult.

We hear from the pulpits across America the testimonies of those mother’s that raised their children in loving and caring homes. I’m happy for those children that have those memories. They are truly blessed more than they probably realize.

But what about the others? Those of us that hear the wonderful testimonies and sit quietly trying to hide the tears and shut out the memories of abuse, betrayal, and mother’s that chose to be far less than what God wanted her to be. Every child loves their mother whether they admit it or not. That’s why the pain is so deep.

Many people do not want to hear the testimonies of hurt, pain, and betrayal within a family, especially within a church. “This isn’t the place for that” is what I’ve heard after giving a testimony of an abusive childhood. Even though those testimonies reveal the healing power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “It’s just too awful to hear.” So the pulpits are sadly quiet about what reality is to many and how the Lord has healed the hearts of many.

Many of us that have experienced the healing power of Christ do forgive, as difficult as it is. And many times we have to forgive over and over and especially on days like today; Mother’s Day.

In my case, my mother is with the Lord. Praise God because she accepted Christ as her Savior in her late 80’s so I know she is with Him.

But what about those who still have their mother’s? Those who, out of a sense of obligation and a bad taste in their mouth, send the flowers and cards? Honoring your mother and father, as Christ commands, causes some to feel that dreaded obligation but what it means is that you are acknowledging their authority, their position, as your parent.

Forgiveness is a powerful thing. It does not say what they did was right. It does not say we have to have contact with them or a relationship with them. It says we release the hurt, the anger, the guilt, the shame, and the unforgiveness. For our benefit not theirs. Our Father in heaven forgives us as we forgive others. If we won’t forgive then He will not bless us with His forgiveness.

I pray that we may hand our hurt to the Lord and celebrate that there are mother’s who exemplify the Father’s love of His children and set aside the hurtful memories. Forgiveness does not render amnesia.

Blessings to you.

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January 20, 2016

Love your neighbor…

It may seem odd to some that as a Christian I have often wondered about the verse in Matthew 22:39       that says that we are to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” When I read that for the first time my immediate thought was, “What if you don’t love yourself?”

I know Christ is the perfect example for us since He showed His great love by dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. But does that mean that I have to die on a cross or step in front of a bus to save  someone from being hit?

Those of us that were raised in abusive homes were not given examples of love. Many were not shown what love is or taught how to show love. So as adults why would we not be confused about this loving others as ourselves verse? Many hate themselves!

I asked the Lord about this the other night and He gave me some examples of showing love to others. He did not include dying on a cross or stepping in front of a bus. He brought to mind a few examples from my own life that I would not have connected to “loving others as yourself.”

One example was when I was in Walmart during the summer months and a lady stepped up beside me to look at some similar products that I was looking at. She had on a beautiful summer dress and I just couldn’t help myself, “Oh, I love your dress! It looks so good on you and so comfortable.” I exclaimed. Her face lit up. “That’s showing love” the Lord said.

Another example was helping a neighbor find her little dog that got out of the fence and ran off. “That’s love” the Lord said.

When a lady stepped up beside me in the drug store and mentioned her son had just died I could see the anguish in her eyes and tears filled mine. I asked if I could give her a hug and she let me. “That’s love” the Lord said.

The lady in line ahead of me at the grocery store was short a dollar and was going to put something back. I handed her a dollar. “That’s love” the Lord said.

Yesterday a lady was in line behind me to check out and had 2 items and a heavy baby carrier with her infant asleep inside. I had several items in a basket. I told her to go ahead of me. “That’s love” the Lord said.

The examples continue each day as the little things I do pop up here and there. He’s showing me that we show His love throughout our days by the kind, considerate, and “loving” things we do. Berating someone is not love but a smile to a stranger, a kind word, encouraging someone, stepping up to protect someone, sending a card, calling someone to say happy birthday, cheering at their accomplishment, all is showing love. We don’t have to have what I call BIG love events (stepping in front of a bus) to be examples of Christ’s love in a hurting world. All the “little” things we do and say can make or break someone’s day.

Wow, I guess His example of being love and showing love isn’t so hard to understand after all. Now some of us need to learn how to love ourselves like that.

~~~~~

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Blessings to you.

December 1, 2015

Franklin Graham speaks

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Franklin Graham

To all lesbians, gays, bisexuals, & transgenders—

There are many people who will tell you what you want to hear in this life. I hope you will give me an opportunity to tell you the truth here.

Every person on earth shares one thing in common—we are all sinners according to the God who made us. God created us, and He loves us—even more than we can imagine. But we—all of mankind—have a problem, and the Bible calls it sin. Sin is disobedience to God’s laws, and it has infected the entire human race. It is a disease of the soul. The Bible, which is the Word of God and the standard by which we should live, says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The Bible is also very clear that the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Mankind is under a death sentence because of sin—but because of God’s great love for us, He sent His Son Jesus Christ from Heaven to this earth on a rescue mission to save you, and me, and everyone from sin.

Jesus Christ took our sins to the cross where He shed His blood and died for our sins, took our sins to the grave, was buried, and on the third day God raised him to life. He’s not dead—He is alive, and He can come into your heart and your life today if you will let Him. The Bible tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Sin includes anything that runs counter to God’s Word—His standard for our lives. This includes pride, dishonesty, lack of love for our neighbors, using God’s Name in vain, and loving anything more than Him.

There is also sin involving the misuse of sex. God created sex and gave it to us to enjoy, but tells us in His Holy Word that it is to be reserved for a marriage relationship between a man and a woman. Any kind of sexual activity or sexual relationship outside of that is sin. The world would like to redefine marriage and other boundaries for sex, but it’s not up to us to define. Almighty God, the Creator, set the standard at the beginning of time. The enemies of God would like for you to be deceived, but God wants the best for your life; He wants us to know the truth. God wants all of us to be with Him in heaven in eternity—but our sins block the way.

I love you enough to tell you the truth. I’m a sinner too, and my sins are not any “cleaner” than anyone else’s—they’re just forgiven. When I was 22 years old, I repented of my sins and asked God to forgive me and save me. That night I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life and take control of my life. I’m so thankful for His salvation and to be able to live my life knowing that God has forgiven me of my sins.

The Bible teaches, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What a promise! I want people everywhere to know that we can be forgiven, cleansed, and set free from the power of sin’s control by believing on Jesus Christ and trusting Him as our Savior and Lord! “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

If you’ve never invited Christ into your heart, you can do it right now by praying this prayer from your heart:

“Dear God I am a sinner, I am sorry for my sins. I want to turn from my sins and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son who died for me on the cross and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

I hope you prayed that prayer today. God bless you, and remember God loves you and so do I.

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Blessings to you.

August 30, 2015

Growing in Grace

Grace is everything God is. It is His Essence. Besides being unconditional love given to us as His free gift it is His power that indwells us through His Holy Spirit to give us everything we need to do anything He calls us to do. His power through His Holy Spirit gives us the ability to believe and have the faith to follow His Son, no matter where He leads us.

“This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to be My disciples.” John 15:8

“And this is my prayer, that your love many abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.” Phil. 1:9

“Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” Phil.1:11

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.” 2Peter 1:5

“Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.” Job 17:9

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Cor. 3:18

“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of Your hands.” Ps. 138:8

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Phil. 3:14-16

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Prov.4:18

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Blessings to you.

August 12, 2015

I Should Know Better!

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The night was long with everything under the sun running rampantly through my mind. The pillow didn’t feel right, flipping from one side to the other side my body was taking a beating. Sitting up, laying down, wanting to pull my hair out and scream, rebuking the devil, sleep finally comes.

The new day has dawned all too quickly and dragging my weary body to the edge of the bed I ask the Lord, “What would You have me do today?” I’m hoping He’ll say, “Oh My sweet child, you’re so tired just roll over and go back to sleep. You need your rest.”

Sitting there hoping upon hope, I await the sweet words of the Lord. “Do what I told you to do yesterday,” was His reply. With a groan I go about showering, getting dressed, and shoveling a bowl of cereal down my throat one spoon full at a time.

Grabbing the long list of items I need to get at Sam’s I make my way to the car. “You forgot the C.D.’s” the Lord says. Hands on the steering wheel, motor running, garage door up, “Oh I’ll take them some other time.” “Take them now. You’ll be close to her house.”  You see, I had some C.D.’s and a D.V.D. I needed to return to my friend who lives just a couple of miles from Sam’s, which is a 20 minute drive for me.

I spend a couple of hours in Sam’s gathering up the supplies I need. Those things that are essential for every day living; huge packages of toilet paper that won’t require my making another run to store any time soon. No-siree, I hate shopping so to be able to buy in bulk makes me quite happy. Grabbing the big bundle of Kleenex with several boxes all bundled together pleases me to no end and the family size bags of potato chips last so much longer than the regular size. Essentials you see, and lots of them. With the cart piled high I go through the cashier and head straight for Sam’s hot dog stand. I’m hungry and tired. I plop down at one of the tables and delve into the hot dog and big cold drink. I love their big hot dogs.

I’ve purchased several, quite heavy, 40 count bottles of water and by the time I wrestle those and everything else into the back of my van I’m worn to a frazzle. Pulling out of Sam’s parking lot I glance down and there on the seat lay the C.D.’s and D.V.D.

“Ohhh, I’ll take them some other time. I’m tired,” I say out loud to no-one, since no-one is in the car with me. Or so I think. “No, take them now.” There’s that voice again. My immediate reply is, “I’m tired, I want to go home and get this stuff un-loaded.” “Take them now.”  Irritation is rising within me.  I pull into a small strip mall and grab the cell phone. It rings and rings and finally the voice mail picks up. Happily I leave a message, “Hi, I’m leaving Sam’s and I was going to drop off these C.D.’s but since you aren’t home I’ll do it later,” and hang up.

Backing the car out I’m at the intersection where I turn right towards home or left toward my friend’s house. “Take her the C.D.’S now!”  Slapping the steering wheel and angrily stating, “Oh for crying out loud she isn’t even home!” Whipping the car into the left turn lane I’m fuming. Okay, so I can still act like a child having a temper tantrum. I would like to assert my free will some times! No, lightning didn’t hit me.

Turning into my friend’s driveway her garage door is open, her car backed in part way, and she’s unloading boxes from the back. I don’t apologize to the Lord. She and I stand in the shade of the garage and during our short conversation she tells me something the Lord had just told her that morning.

As the conversation continues all of a sudden she almost yells, “Thank you! I really needed to hear that!” Immediatedly I know the Lord wasn’t insisting on my returning those c.d’s just because I was close by,  but was using me to give her the confirmation that she needed. We had a good laugh, when I wasn’t choking on the words, as I told her about arguing with Him about coming to her house. “You know better!” she laughed.

So many times we think we’re on the same wave length as the Lord and think we know exactly what He is up to. I thought He was sending me there, since I was so close, and was saving me gas and time of having to return later, only to learn that in my selfish desire to go home I would have missed Him using me to give her what she needed right then.

Anyone who has read my book, “Laying Down my Net – A Walk of Faith” is saying, “Sue, you know better!” And yes I did apologize while driving home.

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Blessings to you.

 

 

August 4, 2015

Jesus Cries

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Please excuse me if I misspell a word or make no sense for a split second for the tears streaming down my face are hindering my way. I feel like they are the tears of the Lord Jesus as He watches what is going on in our world.

I cry for the children who are being used as pawns for the evil within hearts of many. The Lord said to bring the children to Him. I am, Lord. I am lifting up these innocent souls for Your care. I pray You put a stop to the madness that we are witnessing here within these United States that You have poured out Your grace on. I pray You forgive them for they know not what they do.

I take that back. They know exactly what they are doing! They are robbing this child of knowing the love and nurturing of a father. He will never feel his loving arms around him or experience the gruff whisper in his ear of his father’s voice or feel whiskers scratch his face as a kiss is planted on his cheek.  He will never hear him laugh with him as he rough houses with him before telling him it’s time to go to sleep. He will never know what it’s like to have Daddy toss him a ball or take him to a ball game or go fishing with Dad. They know exactly what they are doing and they do not care! They are giving You the “finger!” For the enemy has deceived them and turned their hearts to him.

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They know exactly what they are doing and what God calls an abomination they have rallied and won the skirmish. This little girl will never know what her mother’s love truly is. She will never know the special smile of Mama as she twirls in a new dress or to go shopping with that special mother-daughter relationship that only a daughter and mother can have as they try on clothes and giggle at a funny hat they try on. She won’t know the tender kisses of a soft woman’s cheek against hers. She’ll only know the scratchiness of a beard, the smell of a man, not the fragrance of a Mom. There will be no Mom to help her pick out her prom dress or show her how to put make-up on. No Mom to help with wedding plans. No, she will only have the males perspective and we know how that can be. They know exactly what they are doing – spitting in Your face!

 

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We cry, the Lord and I, as children are being ripped apart, limb by limb, MURDERED, for what? MONEY! GREED! I cannot fathom a human being so cold and hard-hearted that being careful not to crush the organs is vital to their evil purposes. Oh my dear God how Satan has taken control of these vile, evil people! How do You stand to see this all happening and not scream and pull your hair out? No wonder You flooded the earth! Maybe You should do it again. The evil is unconscionable. They laugh out loud and scream, “God? I am god!”

http://adflegal.org/planned-parenthood-the-whole-story/

We cry, the Lord and I, at those who are supposed to help, protect, and defend the innocent, instead use their power to throw them back into the violence of abusive homes. We cry at how many children are being sexually abused. I cry because I know their pain and the hopelessness they feel. We cry, the Lord and I, because it isn’t suppose to be this way. We were given children to love and grow, and teach. They throw the victim aside as though tossing rotten meat in the garbage. They know not what they do? Oh YES THEY DO!

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Oh, but the tears fall steadily as we cry, the Lord and I. What is now being taught to the innocent is atrocious. You Lord, created male and female! Now children are being told they are not boys, they are not girls! It gets even worse! What is now being shoved down their young throats isn’t something that a child should ever have to learn. Their minds are too young. Their comprehension not developed. Their understanding not there. Oh how we cry, the Lord and I, at the brainwashing that is taking place within walls that is supposed to educate not manipulate the young minds of the innocent for the perverse actions of grown ups. Children do not need to be taught about oral and anal sex! Nor incest! They know what they do! They are doing it methodically and intentionally! Where is the outcry, Lord!? Why are the teachers and the parents allowing this to be done to the innocent? I want to scream. WAKE UP! I want to scream, STAND UP! I want to scream, TEACHERS REFUSE TO TEACH IT! PARENTS STORM THE SCHOOL BOARDS! JERK YOUR KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL IF NECESSARY!  My God where are their guts?

Oh, Jesus, help us. Wipe my tears, wipe Your tears and come. Let Your presence be known. And have no mercy on the evil that is being perpetrated on Your little ones.

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Blessings to you.