Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

As children of God, born again by His Spirit, because His Spirit now lives in us, we possess God's authority. Does that mean that we  have absolute authority?  Obviously, not. However, we are to call upon God's authority to win over evil.  Since God's authority is absolute - perfect and there is none higher - whenever we rebuke the enemy, Satan, invoking God's authority, the devil must flee. Why some (most?) Christians do not utilize this power is because they mistakenly look at themselves instead of God. Of course if we look at ourselves, we know (or should know!) that we are no match for the devil.  Christians also look at their own sinfulness and think that that "lessens" their authority, or right to their God-given authority, over evil. No wonder the world is in such a mess!  It starts personally, with each of us, If we are not taking authority over the devil and his work and schemes in our lives, how can we move beyond ourselves to help others? Another mi...

 

God’s overarching purpose for each of His children is that we know Him. And what a relief this is! Yes, we have “assignments” and jobs, etc. But they are not our utmost purpose. This truth should set you free. No more wondering, worrying, or confusion. As a born again child of the Most High God, your purpose is to get to know Him more deeply each day. You could be “successful” in worldly pursuits, even in ministry. But if in the process you are not knowing God better, then what’s it all for? Remember what Jesus told His disciples when they were so excited that the spirits were subject to them? He set them straight right quick! Jesus told them to instead rejoice that their names were written in heaven. In other words, don’t rejoice in your good works, even though done in God’s power. Rejoice that you are rightly related to God! Knowing God. Living with Him now and then forevermore in heaven. Our joy is to be found in Him because that’s where it is! He is joy! “Joy is the serious busines...

 

 

The Lord is telling me a lot lately to let go.  This is a constant.  In my thoughts, in my ways, all of it, to simply keep letting go. I can hold too tightly to whatever I think I "need" at any given moment.  God is showing me that this is a constant source of underlying stress in my life, if I stay with that way of thinking and being. Life is so much more enjoyable when I simply let go, relax, and trust God to handle and deal with everyone and everything in my life that is causing, or may potentially cause, me emotional stress or discomfort. I believe this can be seen as training! if indeed there are "worse" days ahead for us collectively, then we'd best get used to letting go of it all now so that we may stay  in that wonderful peace that we have in Christ no matter what is going on around us. Whatever we grasp, we lose.  Whatever we hold with open hands, upward to God, I believe remains ours.   Ultimately, Jesus let go of His very life for us. ...

 

For those of us who have seen only the "good" side of others' families on social media, take heart.  It has left its unholy mark on us because the whole picture is not fully revealed.  We are only shown the family photo op, not the whole truth.  The whole truth may not be so pretty. For those struggling with family relationships, here are some good words for you that came up when I Googled "When family fails."  (see below) When people are damaged emotionally, dysfunction reigns.  There are deep-rooted lies that may never be fully healed this side of heaven.  How to live with that pain?  Pray.  Give it to God.  Trust Him to make it as He wills, whether or not it is the way we want.  But remember that people have wills of their own!  And if they are not living the good life - the obedient to Christ life - messes will remain.   This is not to discourage you, but to encourage you to seek your Heavenly Father.  For He is ...

 

You win some, you lose some, so the saying goes. But when you belong to God, through Christ, He tells us otherwise. He promises to always lead us in triumph; in life, in spiritual battles, in all the ways we need to in order to glorify Him. Question is, are we following Him?  The promise is not a given, as if it magically happen.  We have our part to play, too. He leads us into victory, but we have to follow His lead. If we trust in our own wits, we lose.  Why?  Because the battle belongs to the Lord, not us.   I read somewhere (I wish I made note of the reference, but I didn't) that we have abiding victory in Christ.  That means that it is always with us. But we must be tapped into it.  How to we disconnect from this Source? Acting from the flesh instead of the Spirit, that's how! Once we "cross over" into flesh territory (reasoning, our own strength, depending on self instead of Christ), we are no longer following Christ.  Ergo, we lose the...

 

 

 

God ordains good for us even in the midst of great suffering. When Jesus hung on the cross , it seemed like it was over.  His apostles were bewildered and discouraged.  They may have felt that all was lost. However, God ordained Jesus' sacrifice since before all time.  God knew how it was going to go down in the Garden with Adam and Eve .  But He is always working out, ordaining, good plans for us, for the world. I have been in a very difficult situation, some would say near impossible, for around 11 years now.  If I believed everything I read about leaving "toxic" relationships, I would have disobeyed God and taken matters into my own hands with a seeming "fix." Our culture has become so self-obsessed that enduring even the least bit of suffering, even for Christians, is to be banned, to be unacceptable.  We've bought the bill of goods that this life is to be about nothing more than our pleasure and comfort. But when God allows all kinds of suffering in...

It is hard to believe that it’s been a year since my devotional was published.  If you bought a copy, thank you and I trust that it encouraged you in your relationship with Jesus. Since then, it is now being offered on Amazon at a lower price. So if you missed out last year, now’s your chance to grab a copy!  Don't forget to read the 5-star reviews. :) Purchase one for yourself and more for Christmas gifts! Available on Amazon.  Click here .

Some are further along their walk with Christ than others. That doesn’t make them “better than” others, but they are beyond them.  This is not prideful but simply a fact. I may be on mile 4,000 and you may be at the 10 mile marker. Or vice versa. Why bring this up at all? Because we cannot expect others to “meet us where we’re at” if they have never been where we are.  More importantly, we should not let others pull us back to a place with God from which we have already trod. Joshua and Caleb entered the Promised Land out of a courage based on their faith that God was with them. Hard to believe, but they were the only two to do so out of millions of Jews. Not very good statistics, but fact. I believe this historical fact plays out still among God’s followers. Not many will enter the Promised Land out of fear or other excuses.  Were Joshua and Caleb “better than” the others? They were as human as the rest of them. But they went most definitely beyond the others.  So w...

 

Thankfully, churches are still plentiful.  If the Lord is drawing you to get to know Him, He will lead you to the best church community for you. Now maybe you think that you already "check that box," and you attend church faithfully.  And that is a good thing, depending on where you worship. Though churches are plentiful, the sad truth is that many have gone astray in their teaching and preaching.  You may find watered down messages, those that aim at making you feel good about yourself (an epidemic these days!).  It's not that God wants you to feel bad about yourself, that's not what I'm saying. It's that God's message to us is about Him, knowing Him, worshiping Him, because that's what actually transforms us.  We forget about ourselves, take our eyes off self, and focus on Him, His grace, His many attributes, His divinity. Even much of the music you may hear at any given church service is more about you than Him.  How can this be, you may wonder. Thi...

  My latest Scripture Song. Based on Psalm 19.

  A snippet from “Knowing God,” my musical. Enjoy!