THOUGHTS….

So I was settling into my reading time in the morning and as I began with Psalm 68 – a song of David.  It begins….  “May His enemies be scattered.”   

It jumped off the page at me and I let my thoughts wonder.  Why does God have enemies?  What has He done to deserve that?  God is a good God and anything He has ever done has been for our good and betterment.  And He gave us His best and most costliest gift – His Son.  

My mind went to the scripture in Matthew 13:27,28  “ So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ 

Sometimes we forget – AN ENEMY HAS DONE THIS.  Satan is the “father of all lies” and he has spent millennia sowing lies about our Father God and His Son and Kingdom.  Our world is clouded by lies and this is what we must fight.

It is easy to look around at this upside down culture and throw our hands up and cry – “but what can I do about it?”   Well my friend – that is a GREAT thing we can do!!!  Share the TRUTH.  “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”(John 8:32)    We can help to free people by speaking and living God’s Truth and undoing the lies Satan and his followers have sown.  In any way you can!!  

There is something we can do – speak, share, live the truth contained in God’s Word and it will do the rest.   “It shall not return void”.   

Isaiah 55:11

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

God bless your day!

DON’T LET PERFECTIONISM RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY (OR ANYDAY)

With the holidays almost here, just a little encouragement to keep you from the trappings of perfectionism.  The definition of perfectionism is ‘refusal to accept any standard short of perfection”.   It can drive you mad!!  It is actually your own perception that drives how you view perfect.  It may come from upbringing, teaching, or your own ideas.  If we look at it, what drives it is ,I believe,  from the root of pride.  Or wanting to please or be perceived as perfect. Sometimes we don’t even see it at work in our lives and inner thoughts.  It can simply be ingrained in us by the world. 

It is a sad way to live because it is often in imperfections that something is made unique and beautiful.  We were never made to be cookie cutter humans.  Just look at our finger prints.  God gave us each one that is like no other.  Or like snowflakes or the grain of wood.  You get all that, so I will make another point.

Personally, it was my upbringing that imprinted this deep into my psyche .  It was sad as I watched my mother try to live up to her own self imposed image.  Perhaps it came from her upbringing too.  At any rate I promised myself I would try to live an authentic life and I am probably more vulnerable and open than most.  But I still have those lingering subconscious pressures I have to fight against.  

I have to work at it.  Catch myself tensing up and even more if  someone begins pointing things out.  I have to look within and regain my peace and commitment to be kind to myself and realistic about my limitations  Personally my health doesn’t permit me to do “all things”, maybe for you it is your job, energy level, finances.  These things are real and I think God wants us to have true mercy for ourselves.  A perfectionistic spirit is not realistic. It is subtly tormenting.  We can choose to be realistic and give ourselves a break.   

As a believer and follower of Christ, I also know that the enemy of our souls (the devil)  is an accuser and loves to get us to condemn ourselves.

Fortunately my family is mostly used to my imperfections and limitations.  My family is small though, yours may not be and you may have some pretty big criticizers in your midst this holiday.  I encourage you and remind you that God the Father knew we could not reach perfection or righteousness on our own so He sent His Son who was strong enough to never sin and destroyed sin on the cross for us!!  What a gift.  We are covered as we accept what He did and we try to walk in His ways – imperfectly.

So give yourself a break, determine now to reject any petty criticisms about your home, cooking, anything at all.  Protect your soul.  No criticisms allowed.  And know that you are okay and that this is a day to focus on more cherished things like….love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience/long suffering , faithfulness…  let these things be in your mind and heart.

Enjoy the many things about the holidays that are special to you.

You are loved. You are beautiful.  If someone else can’t see that…..it is their issue.  Let it fall off.  Protect your soul and know quietly inside that you are are a blessing.  Period.  

Much love and have a great day!

WHEN GOD BUSTS OUT IN THE MOST UNUSUAL PLACES

Sometimes you just never know when God is gonna just break out somewhere.  You’ve been there – when you suddenly feel God is in the place.  

Well I was sitting in a small room with about 10 other people at the cardiologist office waiting for a stress test. (to see if the ticker is working right)

Not something I looked forward to and besides that why in the world did they say it would take four hours. And what’s with the “nuclear” part of the test?

I was  uneasy in the way that you are when there are a lot of unknowns.  I noticed that most everyone was looking at their phones or magazine with only minimal conversation between people and the ones that came with them.   Then I asked a lady what the test was like.  She was older, but I could tell she brightened up at the opportunity to share some wisdom.  She walked me through it and a few others chimed in with their additions to the knowledge I was getting.  It was sweet!  

All of the sudden, everyone in the room started talking to others.  At times the whole room was participating in one group conversation.  A far cry from the isolationist feel it had when I walked in.  I could feel the Holy Spirit moving.  I love it when He shows up outside of church and does a suddenly.

One of the ladies began to share her heart about having had several heart attacks and possibly cancer.  The weight and burden on her face made me want to cry.  I knew that God wanted to lift her burden, especially her.  

So most of the room cleared out and I began to tell her of my near death experience as a teenager.  I saw heaven and was describing what I saw.  I could see a familiar peace come on her.  I knew that she already knew the Lord, but she leaned in towards me as if to soak up the words of truth.  A reminder of what she already knew in part.  I pulled out a Closer cd that I had made a decade ago and gave it to her and she was excited.  Her countenance changed and her mother began to talk about a revival she had been to in her past.  It was an easy conversation, and you could almost see how much lighter the room was as well as these “family” members in the body of Christ.  I got called out for the test and wish I could have prayed with her – but she got something better I think. She remembered to Whom she belonged.

I don’t know.  I just love when that happens.  I know prayer helps them happen – but sometimes God just busts out!!!  I can’t wait till the next time and I think I will ask for more!  How about you!?

WANT TO BE A PART OF WHAT GOD IS GOING TO DO IN THE EARTH NOW?

Good morning brothers and sisters in Christ. In prayer this morning I felt the Lord putting it on my heart to challenge us All to pray over the next few days/weeks, pray for everyone you have ever known or met, starting with your family line. Pray that God would open the eyes of their understanding , that they would accept Jesus as their Lord and that all would get right with Him…..All. Just lay in bed at night and allow the Holy Spirit to bring people to mind. Then pray for them. Our prayers are powerful, not because of us, but because of WHO we are praying to. Give your love and time to call each ones name out to God. He wants to do a mighty work! ” Not by (our) might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord”. Revival happens by the breath of His Spirit and we are all invited to participate!! Again give your sweetest love to someone by lifting their name before God. You will be blessed too! I hope you will join in. 💝. Your sister in Christ, Jean

Deep Waters – Poetry and Thoughts

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Sometimes those who have suffered the most, have the most to give.  

2 Corinthians 1:3-5    “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

DEEP WATERS

Don’t be afraid of deep waters, my love

This journey’s been sent from heaven above

It is at Gethsemane you are purified

In ways you can’t see, so don’t try to hide

Lay it all bare, at the foot of the cross

Let His word cleanse you as you follow it’s path

Clinging to truth, let all else pass away

Let it burn up, it’s not meant to stay

Deep into the waters you go

Let Him enter in to the depths of your soul

Stirring up places where pain still remains

Let Him expose them and pour healing rain

copyright  2017  Jean Chamblee

Do you know how to lead someone to salvation in Christ? Simple, practical, fun.

Part 1   (short 30)

Part 2  (short 30)