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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

I'm Not Invisible!


As I sit on the curb holding a sign, you walked past
You didn't even try to look my way.
I'm not invisible....
As I stand on one leg with my cruthes holding me up, you drove past
You didn't even try to look my way.
I'm not invisible....
As I stood under the over pass holding my cup, you kept walking
You didn't even try to look my way.
I'm not invisible....

I am human. I have a soul. Yet you don't even look to see.
You treat me as if I were a diseased,ravaged mutt,
avoiding even the slightest eye contact.
I wonder how many will continue to pass me by?
How many of you will think of me while you are asleep at night?
I must tell you, some do stop. Those who have His eyes, His hands and His feet.
To Him and to those who have His heart, I'm not invisible.
You may not care but He sees me and knows. I may not have a home on earth but I do have a home. It's in heaven where Jesus my Savior has prepared a room for me in my Father's house. He has prepared a table for me in the presence of those who don't like me. Yes, I will be at His table. I wonder on that Day, will you be sitting with me?
Or will you still think of me as invisible?

Written in honor of all those who find themselves homeless and feel as though they are invisible. Jesus sees! Jesus knows!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

"It Should Have Been Me, Yet it Couldn't Have Been Me"

Hebrews 10:10 NLT "For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time."

When we think about the pain and suffering Jesus went through for our sins; knowing Jesus was holy, innocent, blameless and did not deserve to die, we think to ourselves or even say to another..."it should have been me." It seems so humble and even noble when we say that. But is it?

God gently reminded me this morning,"it shouldn't have been you!" "Okay", I thought. Then He spoke to my spirit and said, "It couldn't have been you or anyone else because all have sinned and fallen short of my glory." Romans 3:23 "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."

Wow, what a humbling conversation with my God! I have been innocently thinking that I was being humble when I said,"It should have been me". God showed me this way of thinking is a form of pride. To think that anyone of us "should have been" on the cross instead of God's perfect sacrifice, Jesus, is a sin. Ephesians 2:8-9 "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."

Maybe someone reading this is thinking, "This is ridiculous, you are taking this too far when you say it's a form of pride, and sin at that." I get it and I thought the same thing at first, until I realized God was speaking directly to me after singing the words to a familiar song. As I picture my sweet Savior's life leading up to His death and knowing He was God's chosen all along, to die for the sins of the world...yeah, I am proud to say, "It could not nor should not have been me!"

Jesus was God's chosen from the beginning of time because He fit the description of the Perfect, Holy and Final Sacrifice for ALL PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE sins! When I think about it like that, boy, it sure does cause me to love Him even more! I desire for the whole world to know this truth, it was and only could have been Jesus! John 14:6 "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Satan is an imposter, yet a real enemy!

1 Peter 5:8-9 HCSB "Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world."

For the first time, I had to laugh out loud at this verse...let me explain. Peter warns us to be on alert because Satan is out to destroy followers of Jesus Christ.(this is not where I laughed). He then uses a metaphor in describing Satan, as "like a roaring lion"...Don't get me wrong, he is a REAL enemy and he can get a hold of fellow Believers and trap them in his web of deceit so we have to be on guard and alert at all times!
We have this imposter, satan, trying to trip us up..an IMPOSTER! That is who he is, an IMPOSTER! What do imposters do? Pretend to be something or someone they are NOT! With this truth, how are you and I going to live differently? Can we live differently? YES, by the power of the Holy Spirit, abiding in Christ, and by studying the Living Word of God! That's how we defeat this imposter! Amen!

Our enemy wants us to be scared stiff...which means we will not "DO" what God has called us to do as Christians. All of us are commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age."

All authority was given to Jesus and now He is with us to the end of time...If this truth doesn't stir you to live differently, in the POWER of the Holy Spirit, then you are not in the battle to win! I challenge you to examine your heart, asking God what is holding you back from living in victory? I am not saying victory=happiness or a pain free life, on the contrary Jesus says we will have suffering and some will even hate us because of His Name (Matthew 10).Bearing the name of Christian does not exempt us from suffering...KNOW THIS truth because it will set you free!

In order to have victory in our daily lives we have to understand our enemy! He has been defeated by Jesus at the cross! However, satan is trying to put fear in Believers so that we are not a threat to his kingdom. Imagine with me for a moment...that Believers all over the world knew satan was defeated and an imposter, and we lived in such a way that we rebuked him when he came "calling", we ignored his temptations, and we lived in the POWER of the Holy Spirit because we have the victory in Christ Jesus....How would our world look if that were the case? I know it would be different!!

Being a Christian simply means we have the victory, through life or death, we have the VICTORY!AMEN!

Who thinks they can have VICTORY as WE live out life as Christ Jesus and in this truth?
I DO, I DO, I DO!!! This takes more than belief...but ACTION IN THAT BELIEF!!
Remind satan that he is only an imposter...and that JESUS IS THE LION OF JUDAH! And as he tries to remind you of your past, simply remind him of his future!

Have a blessed week!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Lord, I Want to be Moldable!

Have you ever heard these words in the depths of your soul?
"Are you willing to be molded into the image of My Son, Jesus Christ?"

I have heard them on more than one occasion, and it happened again this morning. I simply replied,"Of course, Lord, I want to be molded into the image of Christ."

My heart's desire is to be ALL God wants, therefore, my heart beats to please my Abba Daddy!

The molding began many years ago. I remember having a conversation with God about wanting to do His will no matter what and He spoke clearly to my heart,  "Satan has asked to sift you. I have told him to go ahead, because you will not deny me for you are My servant."
Job, right...Peter, right...but Angie?? "Okay God," I said, "Help me to never deny You as my Lord, no matter what comes my way!"

I meant it then and I mean it even more so today! I have been through the testing, and the beauty of testing is that God has to approve the testing of my faith. The testing has to go through His hands before it can touch His children. He allows Satan to test His children. You know, Christ promises us many things and one of His promises most Christians don't like to hear is what He said in John 16:33, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you WILL have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

We love knowing He has overcome the world, but we don't like the trials and sorrows He promised we would face. Naturally we hate when bad things happen to good people. But the trials, sorrows and testing are all part of our testimony. I am joyfully bearing the trial I now face!

I was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Sunday, May 20, 2012. Well, this past Thursday God asked me again, "Are you willing to be molded into the image of my Son, Jesus Christ?"

On Thursday May 24th I will have brain surgery to remove a tumor that has been slow growing and causing me to have constant headaches for a LONG TIME! I have not shaken my fist at God and asked, "Why me, God?" Instead my heart sings praises! He has filled my heart with pure peace and joy! Knowing He has a purpose for allowing this trial that could possibly bring sorrow, I have peace like a river because it has gone through His hands first. He knows what He is doing, and I am trusting Him!

I did have a conversation with Satan, and told Him that either way, He doesn't win! If God sees fit that my physical life ends on the operating table, my life has been lived to glorify God and I WIN! I believe My Redeemer lives, therefore, I live! Whether on earth or in heaven with my Savior! I WIN!!

God knows the outcome and I am trusting Him to do what He does best, and that is Glorifying His Name through His servant! I am His servant! I will continue to be who I am no matter what the devil tries to throw at me! I would think by now He would get sick of me not falling for his tricks, but I said yes to God's calling to be on the front lines. I am His Princess Warrior! I have committed my life to serving Christ and I will not go down without fighting for all souls I encounter for the purpose of them being united with Jesus. For He is the One and Only Way, Truth and LIFE!

I am here today because He lives! I am here today to bring Him glory! I am going through this today for someone to know God is faithful, no matter what we see! I am here today because I want to be molded into His image!
Be blessed! Angie

Friday, May 4, 2012

Are You Following The Shepherd's Voice?

John 10:3b-5 "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought them outside,He goes ahead of them. The sheep follow Him because they recognize His voice. They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."

John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me."

We live in a day and age where everything/everyone is fighting for our attention. Some are "screaming" for it, or "flashing neon lights"...We have our own minds to battle with daily and our thoughts are often the loudest and our biggest competitor. You know what I love about Jesus; His patience for His own! He simply speaks and will keep on speaking with His still, small voice until we recognize the One speaking and we listen then follow Him. He doesn't have to do cartwheels, throw us a party, or use a bull horn to get our attention, He simply speaks as John 10:27 says, "My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me".

If we are putting Him first in ALL we do, we will hear His voice over all the "noise pollution" in our air waves. We will follow Him no matter the cost, because He is the Good Shepherd! As the Good Shepherd, He will keep us safe and guide us to find "pastures of rest and peace".

I wish to reiterate John 10:3b "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out." In order for Jesus to lead you out, you have to first recognize His voice and say "yes" to following Him. Have you done that? Have you heard Him call your name, and your response was, "Not today Jesus, I still wanna live my own life, my own way, after all you only live once."

Or have you found yourself lately wondering who was speaking to you? Have you found yourself, hearing from God, and then another unfamiliar voice rears its ugly head? If this is you, which most Christians go through this from time to time, then STOP:
S= Silence yourself before God
T= Take time to praise Him for who He is and all He has done
O= Open your heart to Him so He can speak to you
P= Prove faithful to your Shepherd and follow Him

He knows your name, He is calling you to follow Him. Are you following your Shepherd's voice?

Father God, You are the Good Shepherd, our Wonderful Counselor, our Great Provider, our Savior, You deserve all praise, honor and glory for ALL You have done and continue to do! May we open our hearts to hear from You. Speak to us, give us direction and may we prove ourselves faithful by following our Shepherd's familiar voice! In Jesus'Name, AMEN AND AMEN!

Following my Shepherd's voice,
Angie




Wednesday, February 15, 2012

My Daddy's Eyes!


On February 15, 2007 the good Lord decided it was time for my dad's suffering to be over. After many years of drug and alcohol abuse he damaged his liver to the point of needing a transplant. Years before all of this he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior! He had been saved for about 18+ years to my knowledge and during that time he was a walking testimony of God's mercy and grace. Anyone who would listen, heard his testimony. He was a blessing to so many people! I didn't always feel this way.....

Unfortunately he was absent when I was a child and into my adult years because He made the choice to put drugs and alcohol above being a daddy. When he did come around I avoided looking him in the eyes because I was so angry at him for being absent. I chose to not honor him because I felt he did not deserve it after all he had done or didn't do as a father. I held a grudge and justified it because of his sin.

Years later when I was about 28, I got a call that my dad was in the hospital and the Dr's didn't know if he would make it through. Honestly, I DID NOT CARE! I had a heart of stone when it came to him. I believed that if I kept him at a distance, it would hurt him. And if I didn't let him close to me, he couldn't hurt me any longer.

When I got that call, I had just given my life to the Lord, so the Holy Spirit quickened my spirit.."Have you honored your parents? Have you obeyed your parents?" I was immediately convicted and yet offended at the same time. I cried out to God telling Him why I didn't honor my dad. I said, "He doesn't deserve honor! He has never been in my life really for me to obey and respect him. Why should I when he hasn't earned it! Why should I love someone who doesn't acknowledge me?"

The Lord said, "Because it is my command..I don't give you a command for you to follow only when you feel like it or have reason to. If you love Me you will keep my commands (John 14:15). Again, the Spirit of the Lord spoke, this time penetrating my soul! I decided to listen, which means hearing and then obeying, and go see my dad in the hospital and ask him for forgiveness.

When I was little, my dad being high and drunk, looked at me and said, "You can't be mine, you have blond hair and blue eyes." Those were the most crushing words I ever heard. From that day on, I searched for "my daddy's" eyes. My momma had the most beautiful brown eyes and so did my oldest brother. So my whole life I figured my dad had brown eyes too.

A beautiful and amazing thing happened that day I walked into my daddy's hospital room! For the first time, since I was about five years old, I looked into my daddy's eyes. To my surprise his eyes were the same as mine!

When I looked into my daddy's eyes that day, I saw the most beautiful blue eyes! Eyes that were filled with the love of Jesus! Eyes of compassion! Eyes that were remorseful for the words he had once spoke to me...We both teared up as I bent over to give him a hug. Through the tears, I whispered, "I am so sorry". He said, "I am the one who is sorry, you have nothing to be sorry for." And the healing began!

For more than five years, my daddy and I became extremely close..we talked for hours on the phone about Jesus and all He had done..we spent time together on special occasions and just got to know eachother.

If it wasn't for Christ coming into our lives, we would have never been able to do this and I would have never seen the resemblence...We both have our Daddy's eyes, our Heavenly Daddy that is: )