Free

You mended my broken heart,
When it was torn apart.
Because of the work You’ve done in me,
From my bondages I’m now free.

Layer by layer You peel them away,
You show them to me and You say
“My child it’s time to face this one,
The healing process has begun.”

You refine me so tenderly,
From the inside You’re changing me
Free of bitterness, money and it’s chains.
The hold of unforgiveness and the pain

Every obedient step I take in the light,
Matures and blesses me with new insight
Day by day, hour by hour
I see the release of Your power.

These blessings from You that I receive
I put on the altar as a seed

Beautiful Bill

Oh, how I love my Beautiful Bill,
On good days and bad, I love him still
He’s different than anyone I know
And I always want my love to show.

He’s kind, gentle and oh, so sweet,
No one else I want to meet.
He’s my lover, soul mate, my best friend.
I will love him to the end.

Riches Untold

When I look in your eyes, I can see,
All the love you have for me.
I can feel your love is true,
And I become one with you.

Lost in each other, we both melt,
This experience, I’ve never felt.
I want to share with you my life,
To honor and love you as your wife.

Waking up each morning next to you,
Is all I ever want to do.
Holding you in my heart through the day,
As we both go our separate way.

To join back with you once again,
As the day comes to an end.
And as I sleep, in my arms I hold
A gift from God equal to riches untold.

My Snowflake

You are like a snowflake in my eyes,
That one day, just fell out of the sky.
You surely came from God above,
Into my life, for me to love.

Just like a snowflake is one of a kind,
So are you, in my heart and mind.
You’re valuable and precious beyond compare,
With you, my life I want to share.

To have and to hold in my heart,
Knowing we will never part.
I’ll love you for the rest of my life,
And be honored to be called your wife.

Are You a Dead Sea Christian?

The Dead Sea received its name because no life can exist in its waters. The Jordan River is the source of fresh water for it, but as soon as the water reaches the Dead Sea, it can’t go any further, so it becomes stagnant. The fresh part of the water evaporates rapidly in the hot desert climate and all the salt; minerals, etc. are left behind. The dry air absorbs the water evaporating and creates a natural sunscreen. This can happen in our Christian walk. If all we do is take in without ever giving out, then we are going to become stale Christians. All the blessings and knowledge we receive from God are going to evaporate. We do not want to be a “son”-screen, and screen out Jesus from the rest of the world. We want to share Jesus with the rest of the world. But, the more we allow ourselves and our spiritual life to become stale, the more we are being a son-screen rather than a witness to others.

“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” Luke 11:23 NKJV

Many of us take in mercy, grace, forgiveness, love and all the blessings both material and spiritual from God and never give any of it away. We are intended to be vessels, to pour out to others what we receive from God.

“Freely you have received freely give.” Matthew 10:8b NKJV

This shows itself in many ways. We are material vessels for God by giving tithes, offerings, gifts, food, clothes and many other material things to others. God wants us to be resources for Him on this earth. We are to be Jesus in the skin to people.

“Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom. For the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 NKJV

Spiritually we can be vessels for God, by giving time, encouragement, love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and other forms of support. This includes forgiving the people we encounter on a daily basis. Not just our friends, family and coworkers, but the people that cut us off in traffic, or are slow in front of us in line. Giving mercy, grace and love to others can be part of our daily lives. A kind word, a smile, letting someone go ahead of you, these are all little ways that we can bless others. Sometimes all people need is to be listened to, or noticed and given time.

“And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 AMP

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 NKJV

The things we learn in the Scriptures we are to share with others, to help lead people to the Lord. We are to do Kingdom business here on earth, sharing what we have whether it is knowledge, love or material items.

“He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” Luke 9:2 NKJV
“For the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few…” Luke 10:2a NKJV

We can’t give what we don’t have, so first it’s necessary to receive all God has for us and then give it away to others, in this way we empty ourselves so God can pour more into us. It is a divine cycle.

“And there was a man called Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, and he was rich.”  Luke 19:2 AMP

“And when Jesus reached the place, He looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus hurry and come down for I must stay at your house today. So he hurried and came down, and he received and welcomed Him joyfully. And when the people saw it, they all muttered among themselves and indignantly complained, He has gone in to be the guest of and lodge with a man who is devoted to sin and preeminently a sinner. So then Zacchaeus stood up and solemnly declared to the Lord, See Lord, half of my goods I give [by way of restoration] to the poor and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I restore four times as much.” Luke 19:5-8 AMP

Eating in a person’s home was a significant act in biblical times, signifying fellowship and acceptance. Zacchaeus RECEIVED and welcomed Jesus joyfully; and in response promised to give half of his goods to the poor and restore four times the amount to anyone that he had cheated. The law only required that Zacchaeus restore the original amount plus one-fifth. The proof of receiving salvation is not that we do what we must to make things right, but that we gladly do more.

Be an encourager. Be Jesus in the skin to someone today. Give away one of your many blessings to someone else, and just watch how Jesus uses you.

Don’t be a “Dead Sea” Christian.

He’s My Abba Father

I attended the Life in the Word (Joyce Meyer) Women’s Conference in St. Louis, MO the first part of October. I volunteered to serve as an usher. God blessed me so much! I met some really wonderful women; I got to work alongside two Spirit-filled women, one from South Carolina and one from Texas. It was an awesome weekend.

God really touched me. The theme of the conference was “Totally Transformed”. I do believe that God is in the process of transforming me daily. One night during worship I truly felt and understood, perhaps for the first time in my life on this level, what it means to be a child of God. He is my Abba Father, my Daddy; He loves me so much! He loves me just as I am and He wants to bless me in many ways. There are times that I don’t talk to Him as a Daddy, I speak to Him more like this God that is way out there, really far away. When actually, He is right here with me, His Spirit is in me. He created me and I am His masterpiece. I am beautifully and wonderfully made!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you…” Jeremiah 1:5a AMP

“For we are God’s [own] handiwork [His workmanship] recreated in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2:10a AMP

I started to think of God the Father as I did my earthly father. My dad died almost 10 years ago and to me he was the holiest man I ever knew. He loved Jesus so much, he served Him every chance he could and Jesus was the main topic of conversation with my dad. As I was worshiping and had my hands stretched out to heaven, I started thinking about my dad, knowing he’s in heaven and with Jesus right now. I felt my dad could see me, hear me and I knew he was proud of me. That gave me a perspective I hadn’t had before, if my dad could see and hear me so could my Heavenly Father, my Abba Father. It was easy then, in my mind to switch over to thinking about God, and how He is my Father and He wants to bless me (even more than my earthly Father does), He wants me to have victory in my life!

“…that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Ephesians 2:10b AMP

“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you a hope in your final outcome” Jeremiah 29:11 AMP

“Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent?” Matthew 7:9-10 AMP

I know that God is pleased with me, He is changing me daily, He hears me, loves me, watches over me and even delights in me with singing!

“The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]: He will exult over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 AMP

Freeze Tag

(Please see my article “He Touched Me” for part one.)

One Sunday my Pastor’s sermon was called “Freeze Tag”. When you were a kid, did you ever play the game freeze tag? It’s just like playing tag, one person is “it” and runs around, trying to tag the others, the only difference is once you are tagged, you must freeze in that position. You remain that way until one of the other people that aren’t “it” come and touch you and unfreeze you, then you are free to run around again. Well my life related to this game of freeze tag, as I’m sure many other’s do. At a point in my life I was touched and frozen. The part of me that was frozen didn’t grow up and also didn’t want to feel because of the pain I was trying to avoid. I needed to find ways to numb my feelings. People get frozen for different reasons, either for one reason or for a combination of reasons. I think mine was a combination. I had really low self-esteem and self worth; I had what I call a “soil of shame” and a “root of rejection”. These were brought into my life for various reasons.

“…For you shall forget the shame of your youth…” Isaiah 54:4

When I heard the sermon Freeze Tag something happened inside of me. Monday, I decided to quit smoking pot, I was going to call my Pastor and speak with him about the sermon and realized Monday was his day off. I didn’t call him that day and I didn’t quit drugs, but I did only smoke one joint (instead of the usual 8!). Tuesday came and I got up my nerve and called my Pastor. He was so gracious! I poured it all out, I told him all the things I was ashamed of and how helpless I was to stop on my own. I just wanted to live for Jesus-completely! He talked to me about my concerns of quitting and starting a new life, he prayed with me and that was the day I quit!

“Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” James 5:16 AMP

Once you’re frozen in life, you need a touch to get defrosted just like in the game. The difference being in the game anyone other than the person that is “it” can touch you, but in life, it has to be Jesus. He comes and touches that frozen part of you and you’re defrosted. That part of you is now allowed to grow and to feel. It’s a difficult process. Even if you are supernaturally delivered like I was from the addictive substance, there are still a lot of things you have to do in the aftermath of it. For me, the part that was frozen was my emotions; I truly didn’t know how to feel, or what I was feeling. Making decisions was hard; I didn’t know what my opinions were. I cried very easily because my emotions were right on the surface. I wasn’t used to feeling, so when I did feel it was really intense.

“Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had had an infirmity caused by a spirit (a demon of sickness). She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward. And when Jesus saw her, He called (her to Him) and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity! Then He laid (His) hands on her and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God.” Luke 13:10-13 AMP

This sums up how Jesus touched me. I was frozen in life always looking down, unable to look up because the things of the world held me in bondage. Jesus touched me and I wasn’t frozen any more, I could look up and see Jesus, look Him right in the eye and know that He loved me, He healed me from my infirmity!

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows].” Psalm 147:3 AMP

Anyone can be used by Jesus to be “Jesus in the skin” to someone else, let Him use you today. Let Him use your former pain and shame to minister to others. Help Him set the captives free.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” Isaiah 61:1 NKJV

“Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense…” Isaiah 61:7a AMP

“who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” II Corinthians 1:4 RSV
(Continued in my next article “The Battle Belongs to the Lord”)

Willing to be Willing

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone.  You know the commandments: `Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.”  “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”  Mark 10:17-22

The rich man had kept all the commandments and was successful, but his values were distorted. He had to face the reality that his goals in life were wealth and power, yet these had left his life empty. Happiness is never found in money, success, or power. It is found in living in a good relationship with God and others. The rich man had loved things more than God and people.

The rich man was not willing to give up what he had. His grasp was firmly around his possessions and he was into idolatry, he loved his possessions and success more than God.

“The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matt. 26:41b

God knows that we are not perfect and we have desires of the flesh. He doesn’t demand perfection, just willingness. If we are willing to do something for God, He will give us what is needed to accomplish whatever it is.

The rich man was not willing. I can relate to him, there are times in my life that I’m not willing either. During those times I have learned to pray to the Lord and tell Him that I’m not willing, but I am willing to be willing. I pray that if it is something Christ wants me to do, He needs to make me willing.

Following are words to the song “Everything I Own” by “Pegtop”. A group the Minister of Music at my church is in. It touched me so deeply, I want to share.

What would I give to be pure in heart,
And pure in flesh and bone?
What would I give to be pure in heart?
I’d give everything I own.

I’d rid my whole house of its demons of lust
And open the windows of trust
And out of those windows all fear will have flown
And I’d give everything I own

What would I give for the words of God
To come tumbling from the throne?
What would I give for the words of God?
I’d give everything I own

I’d open my head and they’d roll right in,
When I open my mouth they’d roll out again.
They’d uproot the weeds of the deeds I have sown,
And I’d give everything I own

What would I give for my children’s strength
On the day they stand alone?
I mean what would I give for their strength to stand firm?
I’d give everything I own

I’ve wasted my life
In accomplishing things
Ignoring the giver of wings.
Lord teach them to fly to the foot of Your throne,
And I’d give everything I own

All I’ve accomplished and the titles I hold,
My passions, positions, possessions and gold.
To God they must look like a thimble of foam–
And it’s everything I own.
Dirty rags is all I own.

So I stand before God with my truckload of hay,
He gets asked, but says there is still a way.

Because “Father forgive” are the words Jesus moaned,
And He gave everything He owned.
When He gave everything He owned.

So what would I give to be pure in heart
For the known to be unknown?
I mean what would I give to be…
Born again?

© Pegtop 1999 Stone Jetty Publishing/BMI

Are you willing to give it all; everything you own? Are you like the rich man, holding tightly to things that have no lasting value? Ask God to make you willing to be willing, you’ll not regret it.