Entering the Rest of God

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What do you think of when you hear, “The Rest of God?”

I think of it as Peace in the most tumultuous situation.  Reading Hebrews 4:1-2 it talks about the rest of God but it says those who don’t have it don’t mix faith with the words they hear preached.

The first time I found the Rest Of God was about 25 years ago when I learned how to bring all my worries to God and leave them there. Learning how to Trust God with everything, for a short while I became bored. My brain used to be filled with thoughts, worries, and fears: now I was able to choose what to think.

This was the beginning of listening to the words that cycled through my brain when depression or fear arose.  I learned how to catch the bad thoughts of “I talked to much” or “nobody likes me”  and  “I do everything wrong” to  kick them out of my brain.

I replace the bad words with God’s words in my mouth and speak out loud “I am LOVED BY GOD” and “I am the Righteousness of God in Jesus” and “I am treasured!”

This was a battle I had to fight daily and it took 20 years before I really got good at it.

The real breakthrough came when God showed me “my shame”so He could take it away!

When He did that it exposed what I believed all my life at least since I was 7 years old. The thought in my subconscious mind  was “I am garbage.” With this thought out in the open my life started to really change. Just ask my husband.

What my story really shows is that when a person believes God and His Word they put it into action. That is probably what James is talking about Faith without works is dead. I could attach scripture to each of these actions.

I believed God!

I acted on His Word!

My life changed!

Keto and Lemon Water

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About 6 months ago I tried to do the intermittent fasting and failed. I just watched a program about Keto and intermittent fasting by Eric Berg “The New Body Type” and it is getting my attention. This program went straight into facts and didn’t spend an hour selling.

The reason I found it is because the benefits of lemon water showed up on my YouTube feed. I watched his program on drinking lemon water because it has been a daily habit for almost 10 years and I have taken it with me everywhere I have traveled.

Anyway, I was interested in the facts and it sounds like there are many benefits  for example, keeping the liver happy? I should watch it again and take notes.

Thinking about eating the salad for breakfast makes me think I was probably more energetic when I started my day with my plate of salad and boiled eggs. The reason I quit probably has much to do with Dad dying and the traveling to the West Coast twice this last two months. There is nothing like 8000 miles driving that will  mess up a person’s eating habits.

It might be a good thing to return  to eating salad for breakfast and see how it fills me with energy. I will check out this keto thing and see how I can fit it into my life.

If nothing else I do know that drinking my lemon water every day is a very Good thing and I will continue to use it every day, it is a good thing that I truly enjoy lemons!

God Bless you this very day. Amen!

Being truthful God reminded me today I started cutting back on my salad breakfast because it is so much easier to just fry eggs and have a piece of toast. Eating the more healthy way takes more work but I feel better and have more energy so the goal is to keep working at getting better each day.

God is so Very Good!

Life

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I know this is not like most of my stories, but life piling up. Dad died this May and we have driven 7,000  miles in the last few months interrupting my garden weeding and planting. My house is a mess with many projects started and nothing finished.

Today I went out to look at my garden to find some creature is eating my peas as they come up. A few years ago it was a vole that ate the seeds as soon as they were planted, now it is a chipmunk climbing my  fence to eat his fill of strawberries and peas and other new sprouting vegetables.

What I know is God still LOVES ME and that He is going to strengthen me as I keep pushing forward!

Today I pushed past my fear and tried a new dinner,  Tuscan-Herbed Chicken over Creamy Tomato Linguine. Someone sent us one of those dinners that come with all the ingredients to make a fine restaurant stile dinner in an hour. The most impressive part of this is I ate the noodles and almost enjoyed them.

Hopefully tomorrow will have sunshine instead of the rain pouring and I will push past whatever it is that is stopping me from getting into my raspberries! My favorite fruit! The fruit is on the vine ready to pick but something has kept me from digging into them.

Maybe I am still processing the death of our dad. I will soon write something on him, this man who saved me but didn’t know how to deal with a broken child. But God has a way of healing the broken heart.

God Bless each of you with LOVE AND PEACE Filling your daily life.

A Chance Meeting

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Life is so exciting when I follow the urges of Holy Spirit!

There  was no thought of running today because of the pain keeping me on the couch, but after a walk with Bart and a little rest something in me thought try running one mile. As I changed into running clothes Bart said, “Now is the time to go because the sun is setting.”

As I step out the door, all I saw was dark clouds. Oh well, running isn’t all about a sunset.

Turning down the street I see a glimpse of color in between the houses, so my speed picks up to catch whatever color will show up! I am pleasantly surprised. After taking pictures of the sunset I see a friend. I found here in the cemetery remembering her husband about a year ago. Sam and I go to talk with her and ask, “How  are things going, I haven’t seen you since the fall?”

Talking today I find out she has a rod in her spine as long as my rod. I am betting it is a Harrington rod. I know she is in great pain so I pray for her and encourage her to move as much as she is able!

As we are talking the sky turns pink and purple! I am feeling so very Blessed!

Sam was also being a wonderful dog allowing her to pet him with no barks or growls.

It fills me with Joy when I have the ability to stop and talk with someone who needs a smile!

God Bless You with a Day Filled with Joy. Amen!

Eating Communion Rightly

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I have asked God for many years what does this mean?

1 Corinthians 11:29b, “eating and drinking judgement to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.”

God dropped the meaning into my soul, it is the righteousness that Jesus purchased for us.

When we think of ourselves with a sin nature then we are connected to the curse (sickness and poverty). This is what Jesus came to set us free from. But when we grow in sanctification we walk in the Blessing, (healing and Goodness of God overtake you) found in Deuteronomy 28, Jesus died to fulfilled the Law so we are able to receive righteousness.

In the Lutheran Church we confessed each week that “we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.” It took 20 years for The Word of God to grow in my soul teaching me to stop confessing that I am in bondage to sin! God says in Romans 6:6 our old self was crucified with Christ, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

I quit confessing that I am a sinner because I know I am a saint who has been set free from sin and death and raised to righteousness by the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ and Lord of my life.

Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him and by His scourging we are healed!

1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds we were healed.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit and life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death!

I live my life in the righteousness of Jesus the Christ growing in the Blessing as I become more and more as Jesus Is here on this earth. Come join me learning how to live healed. Amen!

Jesus Is The Better Offering

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One day last week God Prompted me to open my Bible to Leviticus 6, guilt offerings. The question He ask, “How were they convicted of guilt without the Holy Spirit?”
Is this why God had to give the Law so they would know they were not acting well?

Leviticus 6 When a person sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD and deceives…or lies… then it shall be, when he sins and becomes guilty, that he shall restore what he took plus 1/5 and give a guilt offering to the LORD. The question is still how does he become guilty?
After they become guilty they need to repay and give the offering that gets rid of the guilt for one year. Did they actually feel free of guilt? Did the guilt come back when the year was up? Did they have to offer another guilt offering for the next year?

I remember in high school reading the Bible and being convicted of a sin. I believe it was Holy Spirit speaking to me, pointing out something I knew wasn’t good but it wasn’t until I actually saw it in print I was convicted. The problem was I stopped but still felt the guilt for 30 years!

It was in my late 30’s when God impressed upon me, “Jesus already paid! I didn’t have to pay!”
I now live guilt FREE, and shame FREE!

Jesus died to take all my sin and to give me His Righteousness!
Romans 10:4 “for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 5:17b “much more those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will weigh in life though the One, Jesus Christ.”

The greatness of Jesus’ guilt offering is it is a one time gift for all time!

Anything Done without Faith is Sin: Romans 14:23b

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My pastor has been teaching, “Walking in the dust of the Rabbi.” What does that look like here on this earth, where the feet and dust of Jesus cannot be physically touched?

Several years ago, in a Bible study a different pastor accused me of being in an unhealthy love with my Bible on three separate occasions.

I didn’t know how to respond, but God gave me the answer through BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) question of the week. The answer is, “I Love my Bible because IT shows me WHO GOD IS.”

What Has my Bible shown me: The God Who Loved me became human to show me how to LOVE. When He left earth, He sent Holy Spirit to be the same guide to me as He was to Jesus. My goal is to learn the voice Holy Spirit uses to communicate, and obey.

A few years ago, we took the RV on a 5000mile trip for my mom’s January funeral.  We drove through snowstorms and deep snow on the way there. Not finding many places to camp in the middle of winter, we learned how to use rest stops.

As we start the return trip, Bart wants to get some road behind him before we stop.
When I start driving, we are in the Eastern Columbia River Gorge. The snow blowing ahead makes me wonder, “Should we stop and make food?”

Bart gets ready to sleep and says, “We should pass the first exit and stop at the second one.”

Driving 70 MPH through the mountain passes, I have the impression God wants me to stop at this first rest stop. I debate knowing to quickly pull over in this 25foot RV will not be easy. Do I listen and obey what I think God is impressing on me, or Bart’s desire to keep driving?

The decision is made quickly, as I pass the turn off.

Apologizing I ask, “God, did you want me to stop to keep us safe from the storm we are driving into?”

God responds, “No, I had someone for you to talk to.”

Tears fill my eyes as I say, “Oh God, Forgive me! Send someone else to talk to whoever You had for me to talk to!” Regret fills my soul as I pray for that person remembering all the times God has put people into my life to lift my spirits and let me know someone cares.

I pray daily, “Holy Spirit fill me! Put your Word in my mouth and meditations in my heart, Oh LORD, MY ROCK AND REDEEMER! Help me follow YOUR Guidance daily! Amen!”

Love Covers

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Jesus came to bring Love and Forgiveness, not to expose our faults.

Twenty years ago I heard someone talk about offense and how we are not to take any. I didn’t know what an offense was so I asked God, “What is offense?”

Later that day, our neighbor came over to return something. As she talked about life she added, “I don’t like your daughter.”

My thought, “How could you not like my daughter, this sweet girl that everyone likes?”

God said, “That is offense!”

I knew I needed to forgive this woman and quickly. “LORD HELP ME FORGIVE THIS WOMAN, and BLESS her, help me walk in Love with her Jesus!”

By the time she left, I had forgiven and the bad feeling left. I didn’t say anything, but she might have seen an expression on my face, (my face shows all).

I still remember, but I don’t hold it against her and any time it might come to my mind I will pray, “God Bless her and

In 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:3, talks about reconciliation and ends with giving no cause for offense that the ministry of Christ be discredited.

When working to reconcile, we don’t expose all the garbage that tore us apart. God sent Jesus to be a man; and to be our lamb to cover our sin, and pay the price needed to set us free from sin and death. God doesn’t tell us everything we did wrong before He invites us into a relationship. He covers our mistakes until a time when we are ready to receive Forgiveness and Grace.

God LOVED me for 15 years before I was ready to hear that I needed to change.

HOLY SPIRIT knew when I was healed enough to receive a word from Him, He said, “You are rebellious!” This sent me to a prayer I wrote minutes before my accident.

For the next 15 years Holy Spirit would prompt me to do or not do something, to set me free from my rebellious spirit.

God has given us the commandment to LOVE God, LOVE our neighbor, and LOVE our enemies. I think that includes everyone. In 1 Corinthians 13:5b,7 says, “LOVE doesn’t take into account a wrong. LOVE Bears all things, Believes all things, Hopes all things, and Endures all things.”

Luke 6:37-38, “Do not judge and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; pardon and you will be pardoned. Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, they will be poured into your lap. For however you measure it will be measured to you in return.”

This is something I will be working on until the day Jesus takes me up, but in Jesus, I have made great strides! For some reason I used to judge people with tattoos until my daughter wanted one, and people who looked or acted like someone I knew, or people who’s house is run down with trees growing out of their gutters.

I have learned to pray for these people as soon as I hear that judgment enter my mind. Some people get many more prayers than other depending on the amount of judgement in my heart.

My goal for life is in Philippians 4:6-8

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let my requests be made known to God. And the Peace of God…guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

So, whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, of good repute, if there is any excellence anything worthy of praise, let my mind dwell on these things.

This makes it hard to watch the news, but it sure makes it easier to sleep.

God Bless you.

Being Set Free From Condemnation

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I have come to Love Romans 8:1, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

It took many years for me to find the Blessing in this, but it is a wonderful place to live and I plan on living here for the rest of my life.

I wonder how many people believe Jesus is their savior and Lord but still feel condemnation?

Jesus has been my savior and sometimes my Lord for at least 30 years. I chose Jesus when I was 8 years old in my grandma’s church.  Years later, when when I truly left home God Filled me at a Bible study in college. Rising at the end of the first Bible study we stopped after putting on coats to hold hands and pray. This was something very different from anything I have ever experienced.  “I KNOW they have something I don’t.” I prayed, “God, I want what they have!”

HE ANSWERED, “YES!”

GOD FILLED ME with HIS LOVE AND JOY. This came with a great desire to study His Word! I believe it is like Holy Spirit filling people in the Bible.

Years later, while doing a Bible study in 2011, God showed me, “my shame!”  This process of exposing my shame and bringing it into the open brought out pain. As I felt the pain and cried over what was, Jesus set me free from it.

What I lived, but couldn’t speak was, “I am garbage, I have no say, and anyone can use or treat me however they want.” I dressed in baggy clothes and watched tv to hide myself in other’s people’s stories.

When God set me free, everything about me changed. It isn’t a one and done process: it continues still today. Having been set free from condemnation I quickly recognize when it tries to return.

What helped me to grow in freedom is knowing, I am righteous in Jesus. He took all my shame, guilt, and condemnation! He gave me His Righteousness! In Romans 12:1-2 and elsewhere God says, “Be transformed by renewing your mind!” This is something we partner with Him in!

My process is to realize when a bad thought is tormenting me, for example, (I did it again or I said the wrong thing, or I talked too much or I messed up and they will probably never talk to me again!) I literally say, “Bad thoughts go away! I am a child of God! I am the righteousness of God in Christ! I AM LOVED! I AM THE BELOVED!

I continue to say this until I am at Peace. I strive to stay in Peace because it feels GOOD, and it is part of the Kingdom of God! Romans 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not eating or drinking but, righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!

Come and enter in, it is Very Good! AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

 

 

Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and LOVE

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Does forgiving someone mean you have to reconcile?

Forgiveness has much to do with taking no offense, not making a person pay you back but letting God deal with them. Letting go of making them pay you back, because they probably cannot pay you back what was taken. It is also cutting the ties that bind you to them, if you are not thinking of how to get back what was stolen you are free to live your life.

Reconciliation is restoring a damaged relationship. If a relationship has no hope to be building you up, or treating you as one loved; it is probably best to not keep it, or at least keep it at a distance and protect your heart.

Love is Patient, kind, and does not take into account a wrong suffered. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things! 1 Corinthians 13.

Years ago our pastor suggested the congregation sit in the quiet and ask God, “Who do I need to forgive?”

I was proud and thought, “I don’t need to forgive anyone!” I was wrong!

God surprised me by dropping my step-dad into my heart. I didn’t understand what I needed to forgive. Over time God revealed the pain, but that is a story for a different time.

After Mom died, Dad needed a caregiver and help deciding to sell the house. God set me up to have the time and energy to be there. Fear filled me as we drove West to help because I could not live in the angry and loud atmosphere, BUT GOD!

Holy Spirit showed me how to walk in LOVE with this man.

This resulted in changing Dad.

He apologized for the very first time and changed enough for me to enjoy being around him. Weeks later, God told me Dad couldn’t have changed without receiving Jesus as his savior.

Years earlier while I was in college, I had the desire to connect with my biological father. I had a plan to meet him over Christmas break. God had other plans. He brought me home to meet Bart, who became my husband.

Bart took me to see my dad before we were married.  I learned my memories of life with him were true and I did not feel safe.  Thirty years later, I have forgiven and prayed for him until I could be nice over e-mail and not have bad thoughts or feelings. The desire to see him is natural and I have tried, but God has blocked it.

This has brought much contemplation and prayer.  I decided my dad has never apologized or admitted any wrong doing. How can I have a true relationship with him when he does not admit causing any pain?

What I know, if God wanted me to meet him again He would have opened the door: instead God closed the door.

Jesus said, if someone hits you across your cheek to give them the other cheek. He says to show Love not anger, but He may not want you to be in a close relationship for your safety.

Walking in Love is being humble, strength under control. Jesus had his life threatened many times but God kept Him safe until it was time for Him to lay down his life.