Many will come saying I am the Christ

"Take heed that no one deceives you.   For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many..."
I used to think that this verse referred to those crazy people that went around saying, "I'm Jesus Christ" and of course they would be easy to recognize and avoid.  But when you read this verse, you realize that can't be what Jesus is referring to here, because if it was, how would they deceive many?
I have been hearing a lot about "The Christ Consciousness" lately.  People who were once followers of Jesus, who are now saying that it is this christ consciousness that we must each reach.  In achieving this christ consciousness we become our own christ.  There is no need for a savior, if you can achieve it in your own mind.
I believe, and this is just my own opinion, is more inline with what Jesus was warning us about.  For Jesus warning says that "many will come".  This is not the random crazy person.  I think as people turn from God and start looking for the answers within themselves they will start elevating themselves.
You can see Satan's hand in this, particularly when you find these same people backing up what the say with the Bible.  They take phrases like "the kingdom of God is within you" and use it to bring credence to what they are saying.
The enemy is not stupid, he is not going to use some crazy person to do his bidding.  He will use someone, who like himself knows the Bible and can quote the Bible to lead people away.  The Bible warns that "even the elect".
I believe that we are seeing more and more philosophies that want us to turn inside, to ourselves for answers and away from the truth.  This is even being taught in some churches.
So I challenge you to:
1. Examine first where you are on this, has there been any compromise on your part when it comes to seeking answers within yourself and not from God?
2. Test all things.  Just because it sounds good, or is said by your own pastor or another prominent person does not make it true.
3. Pray!!  That you will not be lead astray and that others will not be lead astray.
4. Put on the Full Armor of God everyday.  We are in a spiritual battle and just like a soldier would never think about going into war without his armor, we also should never think about starting the day without first putting on our armor.
God has allowed me insight into the enemy's camp, so I come warning you.  I am committed to praying to everyone who asks, so please let me know how I may pray.
God Bless.

Do you trust me?

One of my favorite Disney movies is Aladdin.  Do you remember how all Jasmine wanted to do was to get out of the Palace walls?  Now here comes Aladdin on his magic carpet, with his hand reaching out to Jasmine, asking one simple question, "Do you trust me?"  At that moment, Jasmine had a choice to make, did she trust Aladdin and even though she may not of trusted the Magic Carpet, did she trust Aladdin enough to follow him.  Of course this is Disney, so of course she trusted him and off they went on a wonderful adventure.  Can you imagine what she would have missed, and how the story would have been different, if she didn't trust him?  It is one of my favorite parts and songs of the movie.

Well we don't live in a Disney movie, but God is asking us, "Do you trust me?"  When God tells us to, "Be anxious for nothing", he is telling us to trust him.  God tells us to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thy own understanding."

Our own understanding would say, but carpets do not fly, carpets can't hold our weight..., but do we trust him?

I have learned to trust God over the years and to take God at his word.  When he says he will supply all my needs, I trust him.  When he tells me that his plans for me are to give me a hope and a future, I trust him.  When the Bible says, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!  Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!  There is no want to those who fear Him.   The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. I trust that.

I trust God because of who he is.  When I have moments of doubt, I ask myself, "Why am I not trusting God right now?"  Is God a man that he should lie?  No!!!  If God does not lie, then what causes me not to trust him?  Do I compare him to man?  Do I think that his promises must be for someone else?  Surely, they can't be for me, I've messed up, I've....., fill in the blank.  But his promises don't depend on who I am, his promises depend on who he is.  I've come to realize that for way too long, I had a very small God, and I kept him in a small box.  But now, I let him be who he is, "Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So I have come to trust him in a way I never thought possible.  I have learned to give my anxious thoughts to him. (One of the things I love most about God, when I find that I can't do what he asks of me, I can ask for his help and he is always willing to help). So when he says be anxious for nothing, I can, because he helps me.  I have learned to pray and let go.  I have learned to give thanks in all things, and I have that peace of God that surpassed all comprehension.

This is what I pray for you, this is what God wants for you.  What ever you are going through right now, take your eyes off the problem, and spend time in God's word meditation on his promises.  I can assure you when you start doing this, everything in your life will change.  That peace of God, is for you.  It is God's promise and gift for just trusting God. 

If you are going through something right now, and you would like prayer, please feel free to share, knowing that I will pray for you, but also know that God already has everything in control and nothing, and I mean nothing is going to happen to you that God has not allowed.  But please don't get that twisted, just because, God has allowed something to happen to you, you can not blame God for what has happened.  Sometimes things happen because of our own sin, sometimes it is because it simply rains on the just and the unjust, but all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

So trust Him, He loves you.  And He is there for you, even during the difficult times.  And that peace of God is not dependent on your circumstances, it is dependent on resting in the assurance of who God is.

DO YOU TRUST HIM?

I can do all things

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
How many times have we heard this quoted, how many times have we quoted this ourselves, to help us through a difficult time or situation?
But have you ever read what comes before?  Have you read this verse in context?

¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ^[a] who strengthens me.

Paul is talking about knowing how to live with little and with much. 
When I started my 90 day transformation, I didn't know what the transformation would look like, I didn't have any preconceived ideas as to where I wanted to go, what I did know is that I wanted God to do a work in me.  I wanted to be transformed inside and out.  

So I asked God to do a work in me.  Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.

I truly put my life into the Potter's Hands.  And He has and is doing a work in me.  Is it what I would have chosen, no.  Is it how I would have done things, No.  But does the clay say to the potter, do this or that?  No, the clay simply lets the potter do his work.  The clay trusts the potter.

So is what ways have I been transformed?

1. I do completely trust the work of the Potter.  I have completely surrendered to God.
2. I am thankful for everything.  I live in an attitude of thanksgiving.  When was the last time you took a shower and said thank you?  Thank you for a place to shower, thank you for hot water, thank you for soap, for shampoo?   What about thanking God for a bed to sleep in?  Clean sheets?  Warm blanket?  Your soft pillow?  I have am constantly saying thank you to God for everything.
3. I have learned not to judge people by their situation.  But to love and pray for everyone.  So many times I have heard people say that people that are homeless, chose living like that.  That they can't give them money because the homeless person would just use the money for alcohol or drugs.  But the Bible says:
⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
⁴⁴ “Then they also will answer Him,^[d] saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ ⁴⁶ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”  
It is not up to me to figure out what someone will do with what I give them, it is up to me to give.  It is not my money anyway, it all belongs to God, to if God tugs at your heart to give, don't try and analyze, just give.
4. I have also learned that everything I make is because of God.  He has provided me with the opportunities to earn money, and everything belongs to Him, so whether it is a little of a lot, the very first thing I do, is tithe.  This is an act of complete of submission and faith.  But like the widow who gave the two mites," but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”  I give first and then trust God to multiply the rest for my needs.  
5.  And finally I have learned not to judge myself by the life of others.  We are all on our own journey, each with it's own set of blessings and challenges.  We have know idea what someone else is facing right now, so when I see someone, whether at Starbucks or on the streets I pray for those that God places in my site.  I don't need to know what they are going through, and I assure you everyone is going through something, God knows and God just wants us to pray.  So sometimes I will will sit in Starbucks and just pray for each person sitting there.  

Do I know where God will lead me next?  No.  But I trust God, I trust his heart, I trust his plans, I trust that he always has my back, and I know without a doubt that:

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us^[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Amen!!!!!

Detox

Detox: To rid the body of poisonous substances.
Poison kills, we all know this.  So it would only make since to get poison out of our bodies. 
If you think of your body, not just as your physical body, but of everything that makes you who you are then you find that there are many parts to your body and there are many things that can poison your body.
There are things that poison our physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social selves.
When I did the Daniel Fast, it was about detoxing all parts of myself.  But why should we get rid of the poisons in our body?  What purpose does in serve?
I think that the reason can be found in the word: Sanctify.
The generic meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning." To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer.
In the Bible, we are called over and over again to sanctify ourselves.  And one of the first places to start, is with detoxing.  You were made for a purpose, your body was made for a purpose, your mind was made for a purpose, but we put so much poison into our bodies and minds that we no longer function properly.

When you put poison into your body, you get sick, you feel tired, your mind is foggy, you can't think or function properly.   
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
So detoxing becomes necessary.  You have to get the poison out.  There are many programs out there for detoxing, some healthy and some not so healthy.  Below you will see what I use to detox. 

If you have never tried a detoxing program before, try one and see if you don't start feeling better.  But you must be committed to staying with a program for at least 10 days, three weeks or more would even be better.  Because often times when you detox, you feel worse before you feel better, so give yourself time.  Sometimes we are so saturated with poison, that we don't even realize that we don't feel great.  We have accepted how we feel as normal. 

Now besides physical detox there is Spiritual and Mental Detoxing.  What are you watching, listening to, reading?  
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Next time you are feeling out of sorts, not quite sure what is going on, think back on what you have put into your mind in the last day, week, month.   Does your mind need a detox? 

So finally, we live in a world where there are poisons all around us, some we can avoid and some we can not.  So why now try a detox starting today?   Do you need ideas? Support? Prayer?  Please contact, I am here to serve.

My physical detox is:

For complete details on how and why the Arbonne Detox program works, please email me for a free copy of the program. 

Is Jesus your Reason or your Excuse?

^{Romans 6:15
15} What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

Many times I have been counseling with someone only to have them say, "yes but God will forgive me".  And I think that, that was the same problem that Paul was dealing with in his letter to the Romans.  Do we knowingly sin because we know that we will be forgiven?  
I think that can be the excuse for people actively engaged in an activity that they know is wrong.  But on the other hand I think most Christians, if asked the question would say "No".   As least I would hope that they would say no.  But question I want to propose to you today is, "What is sin?"   

I believe that sin is anything that falls short of God's best for you.  Now there are some sins that are sin for everyone, and the Bible is very specific about those sins.  But some sins, may not be sins for everyone.  What is sin for me, may not be sin for you.  The sin comes when we are not living and doing what God has called us to do.  Look at Jonah, God called him to go to Nineveh, but instead Jonah decided to go a different way.  Not everyone was called to go to Nineveh, so not going to Nineveh would not be sin for everyone.  But Jonah was called and decided to run away from God's calling on his life and that was sin.

So what happens when God calls us?  Do we go immediately and do what God is calling us to do, or do we run away in the other direction?  Or maybe we don't run away, but we stay in the same place.  

God tells us that he has plans for our lives, plans that give us hope.  He has direction for us.  He has goals for us.  But how many of us, consult him when writing goals?  How many really seek him first or do we start out on our plans and directions and then ask God to bless it.  

Or are we so concern about knowing every last detail, that we never even get started?  Are we living our purpose?  

Jesus knew his purpose, and he lived that purpose to the end of his life on earth.  He was not distracted by everyday life, but was focused on what needed to be done.  Everything he did, was getting him to his ultimate purpose.  And he got to that purpose at exactly the right time.

Where do we fall in the spectrum of living our purpose?  Are we going the right direction?  Are we going the right speed?  Are we standing still?  or Are we running away from God's best for our lives?

Is Jesus our reason or our excuse?  Jesus tells us to follow him.  To watch him, to learn from him.  If we do that we see the Jesus was our perfect example or how to live our purpose.  Don't let the "love and mercy" of God, excuse you from being exactly who he made you to be.

If you are not sure what your purpose is, there are ways to discover your purpose.  
1. Know that your purpose will always align up with God's Word.  God is not going to call you to be or do anything that is against his word or commandments.
2. God gives each of us gifts and talents, so what had God already given you?  Now this may or may not be the ultimate determination, because sometimes God calls us out of our comfort zone in order to grow us into who he wants us to be.  Think of Moses, speaking was not a gift, he would probably of thought he had.  
3.  What is your passion, what concerns, ideas, thoughts keep you up at night?  What are you drawn to?   Now I'm not talking about what worries keep you up at night, but what concerns make you wish you could do something, change something, donate something, invent something?
4.  If there was no money involved what would you want to do?

Sometimes sitting down and just writing, using the questions above will lead you to where God wants you.  But we must also listen.  What is that nagging thought that just won't go away?  Maybe God is trying to tell you something.  Listen to other people, sometimes, if we are paying attention, you will get confirmation from others.  
God doesn't want his plans to allude us, he wants us to pursue them.  So if we ask and we listen he will tell us.  He won't tell us everything, so don't wait around for every last detail, but he will tell you enough to get started today, and then each day he will reveal more.

 

Fear is not an Option

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7

Fear, it can over take us, it can stop us, it can cripple us, and it is not from God.  

Yesterday was a hard day, I just didn't feel like doing anything, but couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong.  But then last night, I remembered the dream that I had the night before and God revealed to me what was causing me so much angst.

So here is my dream and what God and I talked about last night.  I hope it encourages you.

In my dream my husband and I were looking for a place to live.  We walked into this house and it was dark, ugly and dated.  It had dark wood paneling all over, even on the ceiling.  And although I hated the place, I was telling myself, well just be happy to have a place to live.  You'll get used to it.  

But then we walked out into the backyard and there in the backyard there was this beautiful walkway that lead to this beautiful glass building.  This place was so big and bright and cheery.  I wanted to go there immediately.  So I ran toward the walkway, but then I was stopped, I noticed that there were no sides on this walkway and it was extremely high.  Now you must know that I am terrified of heights, so I stopped on the steps to the walkway and just cried.  There across the walkway was this beautiful place, and here was I was, was this dark and dreary place.  Instead of going toward what I wanted, what was there for me to have, I let my fear overtake me and stop me.  

I woke up yesterday very sad and stayed like that all day.

Last night, as I was driving, God reminded my of my dream.  He reminded me that He wants more for my life.  He has more for my life.  This spirit of fear is not from Him, it is the enemy stopping me from having and being all that God has for me.  So God asked me, what are the fears that I have, that are preventing me from being what God made me to be?

1. Fear of Heights prevents me from enjoying God's beautiful world.  You would never find me looking at the Grand Canyon, or at the top of a mountain looking to the valley below.

2. Fear of looking stupid or appearing dumb, being wrong, keeps me from trying new things, asking questions, giving answers.

3. Fear of rejection keeps me from making phone calls, sharing what I do, talking to others, sharing who I am.  

Ok, well there are  probably more, but I think this is a good start.  So in order to stop my fears from controlling me, I will take control of them.  I will look out a window and enjoy the view.  I will ask more questions, try something new, make a fool of myself.  An I will make my phone calls.  I will call you even to just say hi, how are you?  

God has created me for greatness, he's created all of for greatness.  Please share your fears, that I may be able to pray for you, and if I can help in anyway, please contact me.  

Ok just looking at these pictures freaks me out.  But here they are.

A Privilege to Pray

Esther 4
¹⁰ Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: ¹¹ “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.” ¹² So they told Mordecai Esther’s words.

Esther 5

Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house.^{[a] 2} So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter.

One day as I was speaking to this gentleman, he was telling me about some things that were going on in his life, and I asked if I could pray for him.  After I prayed, he thanked me and I told him that it was my privilege to pray for him.  This caught him off guard, and he asked, "Really?", yes I responded.

It is a privilege to be able to pray for someone one.  To be able to take your petition before the King of Kings.  You see coming before the king without being summoned first was something that was punishable by death.  If the king did not show you favor, it could be "Off with her head" time. 

And the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the God of this Universe invites us to come near, to come to the foot of His throne and bring your petitions.  You can petition on your own behalf, on behalf of someone else, the person you are petitioning for doesn't even have to know you are doing it, you don't even need to know the person directly or and get this, you don't even have to know what you are petitioning for.  You just have to come to the throne.  God knows what you are coming for, before any words leave your tongue.

God wants to hear your petition and God wants to grant your petitions.  God has already called for you to come near, won't you do so now? 

One thing that I have learned is that the best time to pray, is NOW.  So if someone asks for prayer, pray right then and there, don't wait for later, for often I have found, when I wait, I forget.  So if I am with someone, I pray for them right where we are.  You don't have to wait for a quiet place or be in a church, I have prayed for people in Starbucks, in a restaurant, in Barnes and Noble, on a bus, there is no place that God will not hear your petitions.

So I tell you, it would be a privilege to pray for you.  Please send me your requests.