How can sin hold us captive

Sin is something we all deal with...yes all of us.  

The good news about that is that those who believe in God's truth

 know that even though we sin, we are forgiven

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,and are justified freely by His grace 

through the redemption that came by christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-25

Jesus took all our sin on himself as a sacrifice of atonement.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and 

purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

So.... how can sin hold us captive?  

Here's my personal thought on that.

"It holds us captive to the things we want nothing to do with.

 It causes disharmony, guilt, and brings feeling of failure".

 We become enslaved to it, yuk!

So here's what the Bible says in Romans chapter 8

If we live by our sinful nature ( that which we are born with) then our minds are set on what nature desires.  But if we focus on Christ and live by the spirit, then our minds are set on what the spirit desires.

Here's the part that caught my attention recently, Verse 6: The mind of sinful man is DEATH, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace.... oh how I love  that !

 If we are controlled by the sinful nature, we can not please God, it's as simple as that. 

I'm in love with Gods promises,

 I depend on them and I believe these promises to be truth, and fuel  for living in this world.

Sin Nature is of this world.... we deal with "stuff" everyday and as a follower of Christ, it can be a struggle. Thankfully Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit, we weren't abandoned and left floundering, He is with us and in us. ( you just have to invite him in)

Today and always I will strive to  set my mind on what the spirit desires, and LIVE... a life of peace.  

May 21, 2011

Today is the end of the world..... so somebody has decided

Not worried, cuz I have nothing to be worried about.

First of all the bible says only the Father knows when Jesus will return. Therefore, WE DO NOT KNOW and we are not suppose to know. We are only to be ready. This media frenzy drives me nuts, who are these people.

I do not say this in arrogance, and no I'm not perfect, but I do know that Jesus Died for my sins, (and Lord knows I'm a sinful human), hears where I stand...

I know to whom I belong. (the bible tells me so)

I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior, (as the bible instructs and my heart knows)

I believe that He is Gods son. (the bible tells me so)

He is my Lord and Savior (yep, the bible tells be so)

and I have been immersed in baptism (just like jesus was)

I long for the day when Jesus returns.... I've been ready for many years !

I've tried to ignore this nonsense in the media, but I just gotta say what's on my mind about it....The bible is what I know to be TRUE.... not what some guy or organization claims to be true.

I do agree with one thing in all this hoopla and that is..... Be ready because no one knows the day, or hour! When Jesus returns there are two options

Heaven or Hell

I choose Heaven :)

Mark 13: 32-33 No one knows about that day, or hour. Not even the angels in heaven, nor the son but only the Father.Be on your guard! Be alert,You do not know when that time will come. AMEN

We do not know and we are not suppose to know, we are only to be ready if we want to spend eternity with our Father in heaven.

Suffering...it's really not such a bad thing

It's been awhile since I've updated my "spiritual blog", I've wanted to it's just not as easy for me, cuz I have a harder time putting my thoughts into words...So much GOOD STUFF, so little time for my thoughts.

I've been reading a great book called "BE STILL MY SOUL"

embracing God's purpose & provision in suffering.

I certainly don't pretend to be an expert in "Suffering" but I'm learning about it from a whole different perspective and I'm loving that.

In the preface the book there's a little blurp that says this...

Few of us get through life without having the winds of difficulty blowing through our lives.

At some point, when those winds blow, what we need most is something secure to tether ourselves to, something strong and unmovable that will keep us from being swept away in a storm of questions, fear, discouragement and disillusionment.

We need to tether ourselves securely to what God has said, to the promises of God.

HE is the anchor of our soul.

When things get tough, when things seem impossible, when we are afflicted whether physically or emotionally, In our weakness we need to anchor ourself to God, then... we become strong.

This whole topic deserves much more thought, there is much I have learned and want to share , I will blog more on suffering soon

Romans 5:3-5

an excerpt from my journal June 2008

I'm not the scholarly type but I'm always searching God's word,(for it's meaning). Seems like so many translations, some things are to be taken literally, some things aren't. Who ultimatley decides what the bible has to say to us? We do. I believe God wants us to read, study and share (our own) understandings of His word. I hope God would be the first to agree that He has made some things very difficult to understand, but the clincher here is that we're not suppose to have it all figured out. I find myself (meekly) questioning the scripture at times, trying to put it all together in my head. I've discovered that questioning releases me, and in that I gain a freedom that I don't have to "be God". I don't have to pose that I have it all figured out. I can just let God be God. The best part of it all is that the things that really matter are very clear to me. For example, The Ten Commandments and Gods wonderful promises proclaimed throughout the Bible. Those are facts Jack - Ya don't even have to think about them.I believe God really does want us to ask questions. Even Jesus asked God questions... before he died on the cross he said, " My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matt 27:46)He wants us to engage with him through study, prayer and wonder. When we're wondering where the answer is, when silence is all we hear, then maybe....that's enough. "Be still and know that I am God" psalm 46:10I will forever be in awe and wonder

Secure in His Love

I feel pretty darn secure... In Christ

You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5

Psalm 91:10-12

No harm will befall you, no disaster will come near you. For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways, they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

~

I have always loved the thought of Jesus sending his angels to guard us, be near us and guide us is ways that are silent to us. Sometimes it's a feeling I get but mostly it's faith in knowing what God say is true.
~

Some may say, " then why is there accidents, disasters and mishaps". With this question I am reminded that we live in a fallen world, our lives will not be perfect while we live on this earth.
~

But one thing I know for sure....

~

God is putting my life in order. He is setting up devine appointments that bring forth His will in my life. He is in charge of my life, He's fine-tuning each part of me for His glory, and it's all happening through circimstances He has planned for me to experience.

~

Meanwhile, I will feel secure in His embrace knowing that He loves me and His angels are near.

God's plan for my life is perfect, I just need to get out of the way.

My dear friend Valerie sent me this beautiful prayer today (below).
My baby had his last day of highschool today, the last of our 3 to graduate. It's a bittersweet time. Happy and sad all at the same time. Valerie is very intuitive and seems to know just when I need a Pick-me-up. She seems to know my heart, she's an encourager and I'm so very blessed to have her as my friend.



Dear Father,

My friend Jackie has many happy/sad moments to face this week. Her "little Gavin" has grown up and will be graduating from high school. Jackie and Rick have nurtured and loved him every step of the way. But with the birdies flying the nest it's a pull at Jackie's heartstrings. She loves Gavin enough to let him go, but the mother part of her wants to keep him safely under her wings. We know you have always helped protect our young and as Gavin goes off into the world we count on you to help him make the transition to adulthood.Please be alongside Jackie each day this week giving her joy in the memories that come to mind, pleasure in the final preparations for Gavin's open house, basking in the love all the friends and family will give Gavin, and praying as she works.We pray for Gavin too Lord. May he be yours completly and may he "grow in wisdom and in stature and in the Lord."Your servants, Jackie and Rick, have done their job well. Bless them for their loving service to their family and the family of God.A friend who knows,Valerie

Thank you Valerie, It's just what I needed today love , Jackie

I melt in your peace

Hope you enjoy this beautiful song the way I have. I touched my soul
The more I seek you
the more I find you
The more I find you, the more I love you

I wanna sit at your feet
drink from the cup in you hand.
Lay back against you and breath, hear your heart beat
This love is so deep, it's more that I can stand.
I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming.