Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Heartache or heartfelt
Are you heartbroken, lonely or do you feel dejected? Do you feel unloved or unappreciated? Does it seem like everyone is against you?
There have been times when my heart felt empty like a deflated balloon, depleted from what it needed most. I have complained that people have taken from me until I had nothing left to give. But it was I who was in control and had the power to say no but did not or maybe did but allowed myself to be sucked back in.
I have prayed for God to intervene in relationships; to make someone love me, to help me end a relationship that was not right for me, and for someone to appreciate me. I have prayed for someone to leave me alone, to include me, to pay attention to me, and to pay me no mind. But I have found that just like God gives us the freedom to choose him or to not choose him, to live for him or to not live for him; he gives everyone the freedom to treat others good or bad.
I have gone to God in tears because I was in despair. I have prayed for God to change someone's heart towards me, for a kind word of encouragement, a little of their time, or to be treated with love and respect instead of disdain. The fact is that God does not control Jim, Jill or Jenny anymore than he does me.
I have the freedom to treat people how I want to and so do you and so does everyone else. There is nothing wrong with praying for God to change someone's heart. Pray for God's will to be done in someone's heart and life. And there is nothing wrong with having a need or needing to be healed emotionally. But it is beneficial to us that we learn to love and give love without expecting anything in return. Our fulfillment and completeness comes from having a close relationship with our heavenly father. It is not serendipitous that we find what we need from someone or somewhere other than where we are looking. Or that sometimes what we need shows up when we least expect it. God wants to give us our hearts desire but he will not force someone to give us what we need or want.
There have been so many times when a kind word from a stranger, or a hug from a little child, or a pleasant conversation that distracted me from my thoughts just totally and completely filled me up and made me forget that I was sad. I am a firm believer that sometimes God uses people to answer our prayers but God can not use just anyone.
The people that God uses have certain characteristics. They are loving, kind and thoughtful. They have a need to help others and are empathetic, understanding human needs and the human heart. Does that sound familiar? Does that sound like you?
I have heard people say how fulfilling it is to help others by offering their time to a good cause. Perhaps when we busy ourselves with someone else's needs we stop looking for someone to fill our needs. When we busy ourselves by helping other's we stop concentrating on oneself. I believe that when we get our head out of the pot of scorched beans we lift our eyes and see what else is available to us and then God can bless us and fill us up.
The person, or relationship or material thing that we are stressing over does not have any power to make us feel one way or the other. We give power to circumstances or to people to hurt us or throw us for a loop by concentrating all of our time and energy on what is wrong in that particular situation instead of concentrating on what is right in the world or what we can do to make a positive difference. Do not fret over what if. State what is and accept it. Then find a way to help others.Give your heart totally and completely to God and give him all of your worries and cares. Allow God to meet your needs. I guarantee that when you learn to do this you will find peace beyond all understanding, inner joy and fulfillment, and faith that leads to small miracles.
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. Those things, which ye have both learned and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:8
Written by Lisa Collier Clewis 12/22/2015
lisa.clewis@live.com
There have been times when my heart felt empty like a deflated balloon, depleted from what it needed most. I have complained that people have taken from me until I had nothing left to give. But it was I who was in control and had the power to say no but did not or maybe did but allowed myself to be sucked back in.
I have prayed for God to intervene in relationships; to make someone love me, to help me end a relationship that was not right for me, and for someone to appreciate me. I have prayed for someone to leave me alone, to include me, to pay attention to me, and to pay me no mind. But I have found that just like God gives us the freedom to choose him or to not choose him, to live for him or to not live for him; he gives everyone the freedom to treat others good or bad.
I have gone to God in tears because I was in despair. I have prayed for God to change someone's heart towards me, for a kind word of encouragement, a little of their time, or to be treated with love and respect instead of disdain. The fact is that God does not control Jim, Jill or Jenny anymore than he does me.
I have the freedom to treat people how I want to and so do you and so does everyone else. There is nothing wrong with praying for God to change someone's heart. Pray for God's will to be done in someone's heart and life. And there is nothing wrong with having a need or needing to be healed emotionally. But it is beneficial to us that we learn to love and give love without expecting anything in return. Our fulfillment and completeness comes from having a close relationship with our heavenly father. It is not serendipitous that we find what we need from someone or somewhere other than where we are looking. Or that sometimes what we need shows up when we least expect it. God wants to give us our hearts desire but he will not force someone to give us what we need or want.
There have been so many times when a kind word from a stranger, or a hug from a little child, or a pleasant conversation that distracted me from my thoughts just totally and completely filled me up and made me forget that I was sad. I am a firm believer that sometimes God uses people to answer our prayers but God can not use just anyone.
The people that God uses have certain characteristics. They are loving, kind and thoughtful. They have a need to help others and are empathetic, understanding human needs and the human heart. Does that sound familiar? Does that sound like you?
I have heard people say how fulfilling it is to help others by offering their time to a good cause. Perhaps when we busy ourselves with someone else's needs we stop looking for someone to fill our needs. When we busy ourselves by helping other's we stop concentrating on oneself. I believe that when we get our head out of the pot of scorched beans we lift our eyes and see what else is available to us and then God can bless us and fill us up.
The person, or relationship or material thing that we are stressing over does not have any power to make us feel one way or the other. We give power to circumstances or to people to hurt us or throw us for a loop by concentrating all of our time and energy on what is wrong in that particular situation instead of concentrating on what is right in the world or what we can do to make a positive difference. Do not fret over what if. State what is and accept it. Then find a way to help others.Give your heart totally and completely to God and give him all of your worries and cares. Allow God to meet your needs. I guarantee that when you learn to do this you will find peace beyond all understanding, inner joy and fulfillment, and faith that leads to small miracles.
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. Those things, which ye have both learned and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:8
Written by Lisa Collier Clewis 12/22/2015
lisa.clewis@live.com
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Birth of Jesus
Caesar Agustus decreed that all the world should be taxed. All went to be taxed into his own city. Joseph went into Judaea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem because Joseph was of the house and the lineage of David.
Joseph took his espoused wife, Mary, with him to be taxed. Mary was close to the time she was due to give birth to the baby Jesus. And while they were in Bethlehem she gave birth to her firstborn son.Mary wrapped her newborn son in narrow strips of cloth to soothe him. She laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn.
Near Bethlehem there were shepherds watching over their sheep. An angel of the Lord came to them and said, "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Suddenly there appeared with the angel many heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." After the angels left, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem to see this thing which the Lord had made known to them. The shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. After they had seen them they told many people what the angel of the Lord had told them about the child. And all they that heard wondered about what the shepherds had told them.
Mary remembered all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they saw that was just like the angel had told them.
From Luke 2: 1-20
Joseph took his espoused wife, Mary, with him to be taxed. Mary was close to the time she was due to give birth to the baby Jesus. And while they were in Bethlehem she gave birth to her firstborn son.Mary wrapped her newborn son in narrow strips of cloth to soothe him. She laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn.
Near Bethlehem there were shepherds watching over their sheep. An angel of the Lord came to them and said, "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Suddenly there appeared with the angel many heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." After the angels left, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem to see this thing which the Lord had made known to them. The shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. After they had seen them they told many people what the angel of the Lord had told them about the child. And all they that heard wondered about what the shepherds had told them.
Mary remembered all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they saw that was just like the angel had told them.
From Luke 2: 1-20
Birth of Jesus
Caesar Agustus decreed that all the world should be taxed. All went to be taxed into his own city. Joseph went into Judaea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem because Joseph was of the house and the lineage of David.
Joseph took his espoused wife, Mary, with him to be taxed. Mary was close to the time she was due to give birth to the baby Jesus. And while they were in Bethlehem she gave birth to her firstborn son.Mary wrapped her newborn son in narrow strips of cloth to soothe him. She laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn.
Near Bethlehem there were shepherds watching over their sheep. An angel of the Lord came to them and said, "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Suddenly there appeared with the angel many heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." After the angels left, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem to see this thing which the Lord had made known to them. The shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. After they had seen them they told many people what the angel of the Lord had told them about the child. And all they that heard wondered about what the shepherds had told them.
Mary remembered all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they saw that was just like the angel had told them.
From Luke 2: 1-20
Joseph took his espoused wife, Mary, with him to be taxed. Mary was close to the time she was due to give birth to the baby Jesus. And while they were in Bethlehem she gave birth to her firstborn son.Mary wrapped her newborn son in narrow strips of cloth to soothe him. She laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn.
Near Bethlehem there were shepherds watching over their sheep. An angel of the Lord came to them and said, "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Suddenly there appeared with the angel many heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." After the angels left, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem to see this thing which the Lord had made known to them. The shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. After they had seen them they told many people what the angel of the Lord had told them about the child. And all they that heard wondered about what the shepherds had told them.
Mary remembered all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they saw that was just like the angel had told them.
From Luke 2: 1-20
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
John Preached and Baptized
In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, the word of God came to John in the wilderness. In all the country about Jordan he preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; according to the book of the words of Esaias the prophet saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low; and the crooked will be made straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth; and all flesh will see the salvation of God.
John said to the multitude of people who came to be baptized by him, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and do not say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. The axe is laid to the root of every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit and is cut down and cast info the fire."
The people asked John, "What shall we do then?" John said to them, "He that has two coats, let him give to him that doesn't have any; and he that has food to eat, let him do the same and give to him that doesn't have any. Luke 3: 1-12
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
A Praying Father
They seem not to care.
They appear to be sleeping when you are there.
But a quiet place they do find,
To lift you up to God divine.
They pray for your maturity and grace.
They seek God in your face.
Even though they make mistakes and growl. They pray God keep you, Satan is on the prowl.
Written by Lisa C Clewis
December 9, 2015
Friday, December 4, 2015
Simeon and Anna Gave Thanks
At the day of his circumcision, along the same time that Simeon held Jesus in his arms and prophesied to Mary, a woman named Anna gave thanks to the Lord.
Anna was a prophetess and the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. Anna was of great age and a widow which left not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. As Simeon gave his blessings, Anna came in that instant and gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
When Mary and Joseph had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew and waxed strong in spirit. He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him.
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