SPECIAL

I've tried to put my finger on it.  The feeling that there's so much we can do, buy, make, that it seems nothing is quite as special as it was when it wasn't so accessible.  Does that make sense?  Example:  A lady carrying an "expensive name brand" purse.  Several years ago, that "purse" was really special, because it wasn't unattainable for most of us. Now, you can buy some of these in outlets that sell them cheaper, at re-sale shops, or, you can buy a "knock-off" and make it "look like" you have the real thing. 

I don't know...sometimes I'd love to go back to...SPECIAL...where things weren't so accessible and you had to really work, save and reach for the goal.  That's when things become SPECIAL. 

Such are things in the Christian world. I love the SIMPLE, SACRED, SPECIAL things God gives to "those who DILIGENTLY seek Him. Don't give me a "knock-off salvation."  Give me a "power packed experience" with God!  Give me doctrine (truth) that will change my life!  Give me guidelines and lifestyle changes that helps me walk according to God's Word. Don't give me watered down religion. Give me the old-time experience!  That's really...SPECIAL! 

What Do You Fear?

Through the years I have said, and prayed..."Oh God, PLEASE don't let me be deceived!"  I have also heard others voice their fear of "being deceived."  

The other day I was reading my Bible and I saw something I hadn't "seen" before.  The more I think about it, the bigger this subject gets.  Here is the scripture that caught my attention.  Oh yes, I've heard it preached all of my life, and I've read it numerous times, but this time it spoke to me in a different way.  

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22 KJV)

Here is the Amplified version:

"But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. (James 1:22 AMP) 

This scripture spoke volumes to me.  In the last days when many are "being deceived" we must stop and take inventory of our own hearts and make sure we have an "obedient spirit." If we do, and we're walking with the Lord like we should be...if we're praying, being faithful, and obeying the Word that is preached by a "Truth preaching preacher," there is no way for satan to deceive us.  He is not powerful enough to walk into the heart of a Holy Ghost filled child of God and destroy them!  

The following is a quote from Pastor Mark Foster that struck a chord in my heart...

"It is inconceivable to think the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead would come into our lives and do nothing." 

The power of God is greater than the schemes of satan!  Be obedient to God's Word and satan has no power in your life!  After all, Jesus used the Word against satan, and satan was DEFEATED!

In all of my simple thinking, I came to this conclusion...Born again, children of God do not need to walk through life being afraid of the "spirit of deception jumping on them."  What we should fear is our own carnal mind that wants us to "intentionally reason contrary to the Truth." Those who "reason contrary to the Truth" will go on their way as if they never heard Truth, fulfilling the lusts of the flesh.  That person is then set up for deception to invade their heart and mind, and if they do not come to their senses, they'll never know they have been "deceived!"  Now that's something to fear.  

Stay alert child of God!  Be obedient to the Word of God!  Save yourself from this world by dying to your flesh!  Crave the things of God!  Walk in the Spirit!  Keep yourself unspotted from the world!  Jesus is coming back for His bride, so be ready!   

When I go to prayer I want my heart to be open:

"Dear Lord,  please look deep into my heart and walk into every corner and cleanse me from anything that is not pleasing to You.  Help me to see "me" like YOU see me.  I want to be obedient to Your Word, and act upon it...lest I deceive myself into thinking that I'm alright when I'm not, and be lost because of my own negligence and self will.  Help me to be a doer of the Word and not just hear it.  In Jesus Name!"

Ponder

Tonight as I was going about the house taking care of things when a word I have not heard in a long time popped into my head. PONDER! Upon entering my mind, my mind started recalling things from the past. After awhile I decided to sit down and look the word up.

PONDER - 1. to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate. 2. to weigh careful in the mind; consider thoughtfully.

I can see him sitting in the living room. There is "noise" in the kitchen as supper is being cooked. There is "noise" coming from one of the bedrooms where music is being played. There's a young girl sitting at the piano practicing her piano lessons and there's "noise" because the "piano music" was not being played correctly. There he sits, in the middle of "noise", but he doesn't seem to notice. He's sitting quietly, looking at nothing, or no one. Upon seeing this scene, the young girl goes to the kitchen to inquire of her Mother. "What is Daddy doing? Why is he just sitting there and staring off?" The Mother had seen this many times throughout their marriage and knew exactly how to answer. "Your Daddy is meditating." That was quite a big word for the little girl to understand, so she asked, "What does THAT mean?" The Mother explained..."That means your Daddy is thinking about something important. He may be thinking about what he is going to preach tonight. He probably has a lot on his mind. Don't disturb him! He needs to be alone right now." The little girl nods her head, goes and looks at her Daddy again, but she wasn't about to disturb him, because he was "meditating".

This picture is painted vividly in my mind and it will never be thrown away. I remember it as if it were yesterday! I really believe that some of the greatest messages I've heard have come from men and women of God who took time to "ponder", and in those times God spoke to them and developed a message filled with "power, passion, and anointing".

Now, as I look back, I wish I could have crawled into my Daddy's mind and read the many thoughts that were there. He was a powerful preacher of the Word! He never had a diploma stating he had a doctors degree in theology, but he didn't need it. He was a studier of the Word of God. He loved talking about God and His Word more than anything else! He loved preaching and ministering to people. No, he may not have been "smart" in the world's eyes, but he really didn't care what they thought. He wasn't planning on staying here for very long anyway, but while he was here he wanted to preach the gospel to all who would listen. He preached without fear or favor, and it didn't matter if you agreed with him or not. When he had a word from the Lord, he wasn't fearful of man or the false doctrines that are destroying "relationship with Almighty God". Many years down the road I'm so glad I didn't interrupt when Daddy was "meditating, pondering, communing" with God! The messages I heard him preach through life, are what gave me the desire to have my own relationship with God. They are what made me WANT to be saved above all else! They are what gave me a glimpse of Heaven. Daddy made Heaven so real, and beautiful that nothing is worth me not going!

Daddy is not the only preacher I have seen "ponder...meditate". I have watched my husband as he was "in another world", and knew that this was not the time to disturb his thoughts. I have watched our sons, Jonathan and Andrew sit and stare! Oh yes, I recognized it! I knew they were being drawn into another place. I knew when they step to the pulpit that they would have the same "power, passion, and anointing" as their father, and grandfather.

In a few hours we will all gather in a sanctuary to spend time with God in Morning Worship. Preachers everywhere will bring the scriptures to life as they preach with "power, passion and anointing". I'm sure there were little girls and boys that watched their Daddy today, as he sat in the living room, staring off into another world. Mother's were asked the same question I asked..."Mommy...what is Daddy doing? He's just staring! "Oh honey...Daddy is meditating. Don't bother him."

Yes...the "cycle of life" continues....