Good morning, Sisters (& Brothers)!
We've been silent far too long! It's time to rebound! restore! reinvigorate! renew! and RESTART my blog!
Hold on....it won't be long and then... I will not be SILENT! anymore.
Blessings!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Friday, October 28, 2011
Personal Holiness
Good morning, Sisters (& Brothers)!
Today's definition (10/28/11) of personal holiness is the following: Living, working & interacting in a hostile (not violent, but maybe) environment with those who are contrary or indifferent regarding God. But you yet remain resolute, firm and steadfast in your walk with God demonstrating it through your language, behavior and passion toward the Lord and others.
The indifferent persons can call themselves believers but their manner, language and lifestyle betray them. We are called to live a life that manifests that we are children of God and that we are wholly His. This is not referencing the traditional views of holiness because your exterior can look the "holiness" way but your heart be filled with ungodliness and your disposition expresses what is in your heart. God wants our hearts FIRST and then as we truly sell out to Him and for Him...the exterior will line up to that the demonstrates holiness and modesty...regardless of the gender.
Just as Isaiah saw the Lord and realized his wretched condition, the same will happen in our lives when the Lord Jesus becomes the focus of our daily lives. Pleasing Him becomes the focal point of every day and every thing. Passionate for Him! Remaining faithful and constant in our committment to Him...this is holiness.
Some say holiness is an antiquated idea, but I beg to differ and the Word of God is clear that God doesn't change. We change. Times change, but God never changes. He still loves and still requires a sell out to our ways and the world's way of thinking and living.
Hope your day is great!
Today's definition (10/28/11) of personal holiness is the following: Living, working & interacting in a hostile (not violent, but maybe) environment with those who are contrary or indifferent regarding God. But you yet remain resolute, firm and steadfast in your walk with God demonstrating it through your language, behavior and passion toward the Lord and others.
The indifferent persons can call themselves believers but their manner, language and lifestyle betray them. We are called to live a life that manifests that we are children of God and that we are wholly His. This is not referencing the traditional views of holiness because your exterior can look the "holiness" way but your heart be filled with ungodliness and your disposition expresses what is in your heart. God wants our hearts FIRST and then as we truly sell out to Him and for Him...the exterior will line up to that the demonstrates holiness and modesty...regardless of the gender.
Just as Isaiah saw the Lord and realized his wretched condition, the same will happen in our lives when the Lord Jesus becomes the focus of our daily lives. Pleasing Him becomes the focal point of every day and every thing. Passionate for Him! Remaining faithful and constant in our committment to Him...this is holiness.
Some say holiness is an antiquated idea, but I beg to differ and the Word of God is clear that God doesn't change. We change. Times change, but God never changes. He still loves and still requires a sell out to our ways and the world's way of thinking and living.
Hope your day is great!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Didn't I just say that?
Good morning, Sisters (& Brothers)!
Those are the words we usually think or say when someone that we are speaking to repeats what we JUST SAID in the same terms or rephrased. We stare at them in amazement wondering that what we just said was lost in translation.
The Lord reminded me that because He loves us so and is so very patient and longsuffering that He repeats Himself often to us because sometimes we just don't hear Him the first FIFTY times. But because God is love, He waits and reminds us again of His plans, promises and pursuits for our lives. When the light bulb finally comes on and we realized that we are monnths and years behind schedule, we are in amazement that we missed it for such a long time. But thank God for mercy and patience! He redeems our lives from destruction and only He can help us get back on schedule. Only He can show us the way. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Walk in it!
So, today when you hear a word, phrase or statement that you've been hearing but you have neglected to act on it... Selah (pause and calmly consider it). Maybe God is trying to tell you something....
Hope your day is great!
Edna
Those are the words we usually think or say when someone that we are speaking to repeats what we JUST SAID in the same terms or rephrased. We stare at them in amazement wondering that what we just said was lost in translation.
The Lord reminded me that because He loves us so and is so very patient and longsuffering that He repeats Himself often to us because sometimes we just don't hear Him the first FIFTY times. But because God is love, He waits and reminds us again of His plans, promises and pursuits for our lives. When the light bulb finally comes on and we realized that we are monnths and years behind schedule, we are in amazement that we missed it for such a long time. But thank God for mercy and patience! He redeems our lives from destruction and only He can help us get back on schedule. Only He can show us the way. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Walk in it!
So, today when you hear a word, phrase or statement that you've been hearing but you have neglected to act on it... Selah (pause and calmly consider it). Maybe God is trying to tell you something....
Hope your day is great!
Edna
Friday, October 21, 2011
We will never be as "grown" as God
Good morning, Sisters (& Brothers)!
I have thoughts & impressions that I feel like sharing so, here goes:
Followers of the Lord Jesus should believe every word of the Bible. We may not understand it all, but all that we understand we should believe and make every effort to obey. As we walk with Him, we may not have always been successfully obedient, but we should make the effort to continue to follow the Word.
Just as we obeyed our parents and other authority figures because they were "grown" and there would be consequences for any disobedience-either situational or physical stimulation. We will never be as "grown" as God. Our disobedience to natural laws (that were created to help & protect us) can create a series of events that change our natural lives and the lives of others forever, such as running a red light without consideration for the other drivers or possible pedestrians. We obey an inanimate object such as a traffic light and written man-made laws but fail and often flat out refuse to obey the words of our Lord, Who ALWAYS knows and does what is best for us, even when it doesn't seem or feel like it.
Now what sense does that make? Who do we really trust the most? Who do we love the most?
Hope your day is great!
I have thoughts & impressions that I feel like sharing so, here goes:
Followers of the Lord Jesus should believe every word of the Bible. We may not understand it all, but all that we understand we should believe and make every effort to obey. As we walk with Him, we may not have always been successfully obedient, but we should make the effort to continue to follow the Word.
Just as we obeyed our parents and other authority figures because they were "grown" and there would be consequences for any disobedience-either situational or physical stimulation. We will never be as "grown" as God. Our disobedience to natural laws (that were created to help & protect us) can create a series of events that change our natural lives and the lives of others forever, such as running a red light without consideration for the other drivers or possible pedestrians. We obey an inanimate object such as a traffic light and written man-made laws but fail and often flat out refuse to obey the words of our Lord, Who ALWAYS knows and does what is best for us, even when it doesn't seem or feel like it.
Now what sense does that make? Who do we really trust the most? Who do we love the most?
Hope your day is great!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
It's A Trap Part II
Hello Friends!
To continue in the same vein as my last blog... remember in Acts 16:16 where this young girl possessed with a spirit of divination brought her owners LOTS OF MONEY. The girl prophesied that Paul and others were "really" men of God, who came to show them the way to salvation. Paul didn't bother the girl or the men at first, but then CAST THE DEVIL OUT OF THE GIRL. The girl was probably relieved but her owners were irrate cause their moneymaking scheme had been cast out... a DEMON of all things... they were more concerned with making money than realizing that a demon controlled this girl. Beloved, nothing has changed. The love of money IS still the root of all evil. Having money is fine, but allowing the lust for it to control your godliness and plain ol' good sense is a trap.
Think about it. When you see advertisements for virtually ANYTHING on TV they make every effort to appeal to your senses... lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.... fast cars, naked women, perfectly shaped bodies, etc. It is a masterplan of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy.
Beloved brothers and sisters, beware the traps of the enemy!
To continue in the same vein as my last blog... remember in Acts 16:16 where this young girl possessed with a spirit of divination brought her owners LOTS OF MONEY. The girl prophesied that Paul and others were "really" men of God, who came to show them the way to salvation. Paul didn't bother the girl or the men at first, but then CAST THE DEVIL OUT OF THE GIRL. The girl was probably relieved but her owners were irrate cause their moneymaking scheme had been cast out... a DEMON of all things... they were more concerned with making money than realizing that a demon controlled this girl. Beloved, nothing has changed. The love of money IS still the root of all evil. Having money is fine, but allowing the lust for it to control your godliness and plain ol' good sense is a trap.
Think about it. When you see advertisements for virtually ANYTHING on TV they make every effort to appeal to your senses... lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.... fast cars, naked women, perfectly shaped bodies, etc. It is a masterplan of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy.
Beloved brothers and sisters, beware the traps of the enemy!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
It's A Trap!
Good morning, Friends!
My hiatus may be over so here I am. I took leave not because my thoughts were empty but a much needed time to refresh myself. I will make every effort to resume blogging at least once a month if not more, but all that said, let's get to the heart of today's thought.
This is NOT a typical devotional. So, for those of you who only talk about relationship with Jesus and really get enough church on Sunday, STOP here an go back to your "business as usual demeanor". Change is good, but only the change that leads us to a closer walk with God is best. However those of you who can stand to hear some truth about holiness... proceed.
There is a generation of pleasure seekers that have allowed science fiction & such to become their god. The videos, games and other entertainment have so entangled their minds that they can no longer discern reality. That is the extreme case. If the enemy can warp and tap their minds opening themselves up to his control, they cease to be clear in their minds.
They love to win. They love pleasure. They love control. Not just love it they are obsessed with it in every area of life.
These games, videos and such are tools that the thief uses to progressively seduce them. Leading them further and further into his abyss.
Any way that he can decieve them,he will.
I think of all the parents who are hopelessly trying to find solutions to their children's problems.
Sedating and drugging the devil isn't a solution. The person remains trapped.
The people of God - the church- MUST rise up and take control via strength in the Word, passionate prayer, fastings and personal sanctification that penetrates their appetites, thoughts, intents and desires.
Holiness cannot be legislated. Just like sin should not be legislated.
These are just portions of Scripture that come to mind:
1. Be not entangled with the bondage of sin.
2. Come out from among them (the world & it's system) and be ye holy.
3. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!
It doesn't matter if the majority of the church world agrees with sin as the Bible defines it... we, believers must stand with God's Word. Right hasn't changed. God's requirements for successful living hasn't changed.
How does seduction take place? One is very gradually led away from holiness into worldliness. AGAIN, seduction happens when one is very, very gradually led AWAY from holiness INTO worldliness. When we find more pleasure in our activities and events than in the presence of OUR LORD, we need to consider what is happening. EVERY believer should be holy and when believers are convinced that holiness is JUST the exterior rather than an internal change, we are decieved. Holiness is the lifestyle of the believer. A life that demonstrates that there is only ONE God and He requires separation FROM the world and DEDICATION unto Him. If we love Him, we will keep HIS commandments... Whenever others depart from God's word, HIS children will STILL keep HIS commandments.
Worldliness, whatever form, becomes appealing to our senses-lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life.
People are in bondage to the enemy and don't realize it. They just know (& sometimes others see & know) that they are different and that they've changed. The enemy invades thair personality and they think it is maturity and progess in their personal ives (but every gift from God is first peaceable and easy to be entreated). It is clear that the enemy has done this when it what they find pleasure in disagrees with the Word of God.
Fractured people!!! TV and other sources of entertainment (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life) have focused on the supernatural opening doors into things that the world knows NOTHING about... it is devilish and sensual. The participants, if you will, feel powerful. Isn't that what the devil when he was kicked out of heaven? Isn't that what convinced Eve (via that old serpent) to break God's law? Wanting to be LIKE God? Powerful LIKE Him?
People need hope. They need answers and the word of that old song still ring true... Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him there's no other. Jesus is the way.
Finally, I am not intentionally trying to offend or alarm anyone, but unless we are shaken from our stupor of worldliness, the world will never be healed.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
We have so many promises that requires something from us in order for God to move on our behalf and we take advantage of most of them... peace, joy, money, houses, favor, etc., but the Scripture above is a promise, too. Let's take advantage of it.
In Him,
Edna
My hiatus may be over so here I am. I took leave not because my thoughts were empty but a much needed time to refresh myself. I will make every effort to resume blogging at least once a month if not more, but all that said, let's get to the heart of today's thought.
This is NOT a typical devotional. So, for those of you who only talk about relationship with Jesus and really get enough church on Sunday, STOP here an go back to your "business as usual demeanor". Change is good, but only the change that leads us to a closer walk with God is best. However those of you who can stand to hear some truth about holiness... proceed.
There is a generation of pleasure seekers that have allowed science fiction & such to become their god. The videos, games and other entertainment have so entangled their minds that they can no longer discern reality. That is the extreme case. If the enemy can warp and tap their minds opening themselves up to his control, they cease to be clear in their minds.
They love to win. They love pleasure. They love control. Not just love it they are obsessed with it in every area of life.
These games, videos and such are tools that the thief uses to progressively seduce them. Leading them further and further into his abyss.
Any way that he can decieve them,he will.
I think of all the parents who are hopelessly trying to find solutions to their children's problems.
Sedating and drugging the devil isn't a solution. The person remains trapped.
The people of God - the church- MUST rise up and take control via strength in the Word, passionate prayer, fastings and personal sanctification that penetrates their appetites, thoughts, intents and desires.
Holiness cannot be legislated. Just like sin should not be legislated.
These are just portions of Scripture that come to mind:
1. Be not entangled with the bondage of sin.
2. Come out from among them (the world & it's system) and be ye holy.
3. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!
It doesn't matter if the majority of the church world agrees with sin as the Bible defines it... we, believers must stand with God's Word. Right hasn't changed. God's requirements for successful living hasn't changed.
How does seduction take place? One is very gradually led away from holiness into worldliness. AGAIN, seduction happens when one is very, very gradually led AWAY from holiness INTO worldliness. When we find more pleasure in our activities and events than in the presence of OUR LORD, we need to consider what is happening. EVERY believer should be holy and when believers are convinced that holiness is JUST the exterior rather than an internal change, we are decieved. Holiness is the lifestyle of the believer. A life that demonstrates that there is only ONE God and He requires separation FROM the world and DEDICATION unto Him. If we love Him, we will keep HIS commandments... Whenever others depart from God's word, HIS children will STILL keep HIS commandments.
Worldliness, whatever form, becomes appealing to our senses-lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life.
People are in bondage to the enemy and don't realize it. They just know (& sometimes others see & know) that they are different and that they've changed. The enemy invades thair personality and they think it is maturity and progess in their personal ives (but every gift from God is first peaceable and easy to be entreated). It is clear that the enemy has done this when it what they find pleasure in disagrees with the Word of God.
Fractured people!!! TV and other sources of entertainment (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life) have focused on the supernatural opening doors into things that the world knows NOTHING about... it is devilish and sensual. The participants, if you will, feel powerful. Isn't that what the devil when he was kicked out of heaven? Isn't that what convinced Eve (via that old serpent) to break God's law? Wanting to be LIKE God? Powerful LIKE Him?
People need hope. They need answers and the word of that old song still ring true... Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him there's no other. Jesus is the way.
Finally, I am not intentionally trying to offend or alarm anyone, but unless we are shaken from our stupor of worldliness, the world will never be healed.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
We have so many promises that requires something from us in order for God to move on our behalf and we take advantage of most of them... peace, joy, money, houses, favor, etc., but the Scripture above is a promise, too. Let's take advantage of it.
In Him,
Edna
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Who Is Your Source?
Good morning, Sisters (& Brothers)!
What a profound question...who is your source? where do you get your strength? your joy? your peace? resilience? willingness to move forward? or stand still? If we have expectations from others, we might be disappointed. As much as others will try (or not) to BE what we (think) we need, they can and often will fail or come short. Intentional or not... humans are frail and finite. Even if "our" humans aren't aware of their frailities, they still are. They may have certain areas that are their strengths but we all have some areas where we are weak (which is why we need Him to be the Strength of our lives.) We can have unrealistic expectations of others and they CANNOT BE what we want them to be. So, we cover them in prayer and rest in the promises that the Lord is for us and is helping our infirmities (& our humans. smile)
(okay, yes, I just watched Avatar...so it shows up in my writing. Pray for me. LOL!)
If we look to the hills from which cometh our help, we are assured that our help comes from the Lord. There are many, many scriptures reassuring the believer that God is for us. We can get so caught up in the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of sin and the desires to have things that we cease to stay focused on Who our Source really is. When we begin to expect our spouses, friends, or others to fulfill us, we begin the slow migration from the presence of the real Source. When we allow our minds and thoughts to wander into what is NOT lovely, pure or of a good report, we descend slowly into the war of our souls. The Scriptures says that He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on ME. I recently read Brother Lawrence's Practice the Presence of God. If we could just remember during the day and during our activities that God is right there with us and there is nothing greater than pleasing Him. If we please Him, others will be pleased. We treat others with the same love (by this shall all men know that we are His disciples...love) that the Lord Jesus has shown us. We love them with the same mercy, compassion and quick forgiveness. When we harbor ill thoughts about someone or something, we taint ourselves and open an opportunity for the little fox to destroy the vine that the Lord is growing through us.
If we really trust Him as our Source today, let's remind ourselves and others...that we live a life that demonstrates who we are really trusting. Speaking to ourselves... building up ourselves and acknowledging Him in all our ways and He WILL direct our steps.
It may take some getting used to... keeping Him first in our thoughts, but if you practice something long enough it becomes a natural or second nature... even if it is a bad habit.
With all of the economic uncertainties in our world, He is the only REAL Help... as He always has been. So, keep your eyes forward. Heart fixed. Mind made up.
If you work a secular job, there are many things during the day that vie for your attention and distract you from remembering that He is your Source. But my Sisters and Brothers, when you realize that you are no longer focused on Him, just jump right back into it. Pleasing Him should be our highest priority. This is not a license to allow others to kick you around, but it is an opportunity to fellowship with our Lord all the day long. The Lord will not let you get taken advantage of, as such. He always has a plan for your success. But remember God doesn't measure success in money but in how much pleasure he receives from our lives.
Give Him glory today! He is our Source!
In Him and for His glory,
Edna
What a profound question...who is your source? where do you get your strength? your joy? your peace? resilience? willingness to move forward? or stand still? If we have expectations from others, we might be disappointed. As much as others will try (or not) to BE what we (think) we need, they can and often will fail or come short. Intentional or not... humans are frail and finite. Even if "our" humans aren't aware of their frailities, they still are. They may have certain areas that are their strengths but we all have some areas where we are weak (which is why we need Him to be the Strength of our lives.) We can have unrealistic expectations of others and they CANNOT BE what we want them to be. So, we cover them in prayer and rest in the promises that the Lord is for us and is helping our infirmities (& our humans. smile)
(okay, yes, I just watched Avatar...so it shows up in my writing. Pray for me. LOL!)
If we look to the hills from which cometh our help, we are assured that our help comes from the Lord. There are many, many scriptures reassuring the believer that God is for us. We can get so caught up in the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of sin and the desires to have things that we cease to stay focused on Who our Source really is. When we begin to expect our spouses, friends, or others to fulfill us, we begin the slow migration from the presence of the real Source. When we allow our minds and thoughts to wander into what is NOT lovely, pure or of a good report, we descend slowly into the war of our souls. The Scriptures says that He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on ME. I recently read Brother Lawrence's Practice the Presence of God. If we could just remember during the day and during our activities that God is right there with us and there is nothing greater than pleasing Him. If we please Him, others will be pleased. We treat others with the same love (by this shall all men know that we are His disciples...love) that the Lord Jesus has shown us. We love them with the same mercy, compassion and quick forgiveness. When we harbor ill thoughts about someone or something, we taint ourselves and open an opportunity for the little fox to destroy the vine that the Lord is growing through us.
If we really trust Him as our Source today, let's remind ourselves and others...that we live a life that demonstrates who we are really trusting. Speaking to ourselves... building up ourselves and acknowledging Him in all our ways and He WILL direct our steps.
It may take some getting used to... keeping Him first in our thoughts, but if you practice something long enough it becomes a natural or second nature... even if it is a bad habit.
With all of the economic uncertainties in our world, He is the only REAL Help... as He always has been. So, keep your eyes forward. Heart fixed. Mind made up.
If you work a secular job, there are many things during the day that vie for your attention and distract you from remembering that He is your Source. But my Sisters and Brothers, when you realize that you are no longer focused on Him, just jump right back into it. Pleasing Him should be our highest priority. This is not a license to allow others to kick you around, but it is an opportunity to fellowship with our Lord all the day long. The Lord will not let you get taken advantage of, as such. He always has a plan for your success. But remember God doesn't measure success in money but in how much pleasure he receives from our lives.
Give Him glory today! He is our Source!
In Him and for His glory,
Edna
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About Me
- Edna Jamison
- Hattiesburg, MS, United States
- As we learn our value as daughters of the King and sisters, we grow in grace, faith and love. Learning to trust the Lord Jesus daily as He intervenes in our lives.