I was rereading this morning about when the children of Israel were being chased by Pharaoh and his army because God was taking them out of Egypt.
Here’s a recap of the story. The Israelites went through the Red Sea on dry ground with a wall of water on their right and on their left. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen, the entire army of pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. (Read Exodus 14 for the whole story.) OK that is an amazing example of God’s power right? But what got my attention was what happens next. “Then Moses and the Israelites sang a song to the Lord.” Read Exodus 15 for the whole song, I’m just going to take a part of it. “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Exodus 15:13
I want you to get a mental picture of this and I really do want you to read Exodus 15 so you can see the whole song. The Bible says Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. How did they all know the words????
I was a choir helper years ago when Anthony and Amanda were young. Funny because I can’t sing, can’t play an instrument or read music, only God… OK so we had about 25 kids in this choir and we practiced for months to teach them a few songs. There were over 2 million people with Moses!! Can you imagine this scene? 2 million men and women signing praises to God! Can you imagine how intense the presence of God must have been?
It picks up in verse 20 “then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing.” Again, interesting point. They didn’t have time to bring yeast for cooking when they fled Egypt but they took tambourines! Obviously praising God was a priority.
Back to our story, we’re talking a lot of women here! They were celebrating, singing and dancing about what God had done for them.
Years ago I was involved with a group of women and the Lord brought us together from different towns and denominations to start a women’s Bible study with no “church” affiliation. We would meet to pray and seek God’s plan. One day we all went to lunch and the Lord reminded me about a small gazebo on the side of the road in Umatilla next to the lake. He told me to bring the women there and dance before Him. Now this spot was also right on the main highway so there were cars constantly driving by, we had to decide if we were willing to look like freaks. We were, so we piled into cars and drove to that gazebo and sang and danced before our God. It was beautiful and you could just feel Him smiling down on us.
This was just a small picture of what it was like with Miriam and her girls.
This experience with the Israelites gave them courage to move forward because they knew God would protect them. He showed them His mighty power.
When I was a kid probably 8 or 9 and still did the trick or treat thing I was out in the neighborhood with my pillow case full of candy and this bully knocked me down and took my loot. I was really scared and ran home. My uncle was living with us at the time and he must have been about 19 and about 6 feet tall and I ran in the door crying. He asked what happened and I told him and he said “let’s go get your candy back.” I gotta tell you I didn’t leave the way I showed up. I had a new fire in me and I was ready to kick butt cause this time I had Uncle Donald and he was big!!! I was not going to have to use my strength. True story, we banged on the door of this kids house(his parent’s weren’t home) and he wouldn’t answer so my uncle went around back, crawled into the basement window went up the stairs grabbed the kid and got my candy! The guy was crazy, must run in the family.
My point is the Israelites didn’t fear moving forward because they weren’t relying on their own strength any more.
You may be in a place where you’re afraid to move forward. The only reason you would be afraid is because you’re relying on your own strength. Satan may be sending you threats or attacking you in some way. Exodus 15:9 The enemy boasted, “I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils, I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.” Those are pretty scary words. I’m sure the enemy is using similar ones on you. Notice verse 10: BUT you blew with your breath and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.”
God is truly the bomb!!!!!!
We all have a Promise Land here on this earth before we go to our eternal one. What is yours? What is keeping your from entering it?
God will protect you as you “pass-over” into your Promise Land. Don’t retreat, the same God that crushed Pharaoh’s army is more powerful than the Red Sea. He is the same God that raised Jesus from the dead, and He’s the same God that watches over you! He is the same God that will return for His people and the same God that will judge those who did not believe in Him. The enemy may be scaring you BUT GOD will deliver you. Pass over Gems from this place to your Promise Land.
Gena’s Jewels.
Gena's Jewels Keeper of The Testimony available on Amazon
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Unrequited Love
We hear a lot about God’s love for us. He loved us so much He sent His only son to die for us. We are taught about the Love of Jesus and sing songs with words like “He loves us oh how he loves us” “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” I think that’s great and I love singing these songs but if I really think about it they seem a bit one sided.
Through out the Bible the Lord uses the marriage relationship of a man and woman to indicate the intimacy of the relationship we should have with Him.
When you first get married a bride and groom spend every free moment together. When ever you see one you will usually see the other and they are usually holding hands or sucking face. Honestly at times they can be just plain annoying they are so happy and “in love.” You might see a couple at a restaurant and they are so into their conversation it’s like no one else is there and you say to yourself they are obviously newly weds. They want the whole world to know they just got married, we even write “just married” on the car they leave their wedding in. We are talking in love here.
When I was first divorced I went to a church and decided to join a Sunday school class for the first time, the problem was the only class that was in my age group was the young marrieds. Are you kidding me! Being newly divorced you can imagine how annoying it was for me to see all these young men and women being all gooshy with one another.
A new bride will do everything she can to make her new man happy even at the cost of her own needs and wants. They will attend events or movies that they don’t like to please their new spouse but after a while the newness wares off and the being together 24/7 is not as pleasing as it once was. You’ve heard the saying “the honey moon is over.” The worst part is when the honey moon is over for one and not the other or a woman who no longer feels like the main attraction in her husband’s life. The Bible even talks about it.
Proverbs 30:21 Under three things the earth is disquieted, and under four it cannot bear up:
23: An unloved and repugnant woman when she is married, and a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.
If your new spouse started loving someone more than you would you have a problem with that?
Guess what Jesus does to.
Matthew 10:37-39 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
We talk so much about the love Jesus has for us but I want to challenge you to focus on your love for Him. Does he have unrequited love? Did you used to find alone time with Him. Did He used to be a top priority in your life? Did you used to talk to Him all the time but now you’re busy with work, family and other responsibilities that have somehow become more important? Has He ever had this place in your heart?
I know when I had my first love I would go out of my way to see him any chance I got. I also remember being so in love with someone and he did not feel the same way. It was awful, truly a living hell but I still took every chance I could to spend time with him. I would rearrange my entire life to spend 10 minutes with him.
When you’re in love or love someone you will do the craziest things. Take a moment right now and reminisce on a time in your life when you did something crazy for love……
On another note let’s talk about sin or in other words our actions toward the one we love and in this scenario that would be Jesus. I’m making a conscious effort to make decisions in my life to honor God. The Lord has really convicted me about movies and the fact that we have no problem watching them even when they use the Lord’s name in vain. You don’t even have to go to an actual movie we have come to the point we will use the Lord’s name in vain on regular TV!
Commandment Number 3 Thou shalt not use the name of the Lord in Vain.
I was talking to a woman (a professing believer in Christ) the other day about movies and she told me she watches movies all the time she knows she shouldn’t but she does it anyway. She said it very matter of fact and very unapologetic. She is a mom too and I thought to myself if you gave rules to your teenager and they not only broke them but looked you right in the eye and said “I know I’m not supposed to do this or that but I did it anyway.” How would you react to that? I know my kids would be ducking for cover and no doubt be punished. Why is it OK to just disobey God? Do you think there will be no repercussion of your decision?
I have made a promise to the Lord that I will shut off the TV or leave a movie if they use His name in vain. A few days after making this promise I went to the movies with some friends and I remember thinking to myself as I took my seat in the theater I really hope they don’t use the Lord’s name in vain so I don’t have to walk out of this movie theater. I mean people think I’m enough of a freak do I have to give them more ammunition?
I’ll be honest when the Lord first brought this movie thing up to me I flippantly said to Him “I guess I’m going to have to give up my whole life” no sooner had the words came out of my mouth Jesus said to me “whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Talk about the word coming to life!
I felt so bad; I apologized to the Lord for being such a jerk. Jesus obeyed His father even when He didn’t want to. He prayed to God before His crucifixion to the point he was sweating blood and asking God if there was another way He could do His plan. The bottom line was He would do whatever His father asked, even if it meant dying. (Gena translation)
I don’t want it to be just Jesus in love with me, unrequited love. I want to be in love with Him too and as I say to my children “action speaks louder than words.” I don’t want to become tolerant of sin when sin cost the love of my life His life.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not telling you I don’t mess up I do but I’m going to really try and not take advantage of what the Lord has done for me. I want to show Him my love by trying to be more obedient and I hope you will too.
1John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments: 1John 14:15
The saddest thing in the world, is loving someone who used to love you.
Anonymous
I decided to write a new praise song, you can make your own music should you decide to sing it.
Lord I love you
And as I start my day
Help me be kind
With the words that I say
I will seek you during the week
And on Sunday have dessert
How can I eat once a week
And expect not to hunger or thirst
May I share with the needy
And those without hope
May I be strong in your Spirit
To show others how to cope
May I love my enemies
When they are mean to me
May I take the example from
the one who was hung on the tree
May I not curse or swear
Or use your name in vain
May I not make excuses for addictions
And say others are to blame
May I fight for life
No sex out of marriage
Fight for the unborn
Put the baby in the carriage
God unrequited love
Has to be the worst of all
May I not be guilty of it
May I not take that fall
I love you Lord
You are my friend, Savior and mate
May my actions speak loud and clear
When I’m judged at your gate
Thank you Jesus for your power
The Holy Spirit gives
To walk this life victorious
Cause Jesus truly lives!!!!
Through out the Bible the Lord uses the marriage relationship of a man and woman to indicate the intimacy of the relationship we should have with Him.
When you first get married a bride and groom spend every free moment together. When ever you see one you will usually see the other and they are usually holding hands or sucking face. Honestly at times they can be just plain annoying they are so happy and “in love.” You might see a couple at a restaurant and they are so into their conversation it’s like no one else is there and you say to yourself they are obviously newly weds. They want the whole world to know they just got married, we even write “just married” on the car they leave their wedding in. We are talking in love here.
When I was first divorced I went to a church and decided to join a Sunday school class for the first time, the problem was the only class that was in my age group was the young marrieds. Are you kidding me! Being newly divorced you can imagine how annoying it was for me to see all these young men and women being all gooshy with one another.
A new bride will do everything she can to make her new man happy even at the cost of her own needs and wants. They will attend events or movies that they don’t like to please their new spouse but after a while the newness wares off and the being together 24/7 is not as pleasing as it once was. You’ve heard the saying “the honey moon is over.” The worst part is when the honey moon is over for one and not the other or a woman who no longer feels like the main attraction in her husband’s life. The Bible even talks about it.
Proverbs 30:21 Under three things the earth is disquieted, and under four it cannot bear up:
23: An unloved and repugnant woman when she is married, and a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.
If your new spouse started loving someone more than you would you have a problem with that?
Guess what Jesus does to.
Matthew 10:37-39 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
We talk so much about the love Jesus has for us but I want to challenge you to focus on your love for Him. Does he have unrequited love? Did you used to find alone time with Him. Did He used to be a top priority in your life? Did you used to talk to Him all the time but now you’re busy with work, family and other responsibilities that have somehow become more important? Has He ever had this place in your heart?
I know when I had my first love I would go out of my way to see him any chance I got. I also remember being so in love with someone and he did not feel the same way. It was awful, truly a living hell but I still took every chance I could to spend time with him. I would rearrange my entire life to spend 10 minutes with him.
When you’re in love or love someone you will do the craziest things. Take a moment right now and reminisce on a time in your life when you did something crazy for love……
On another note let’s talk about sin or in other words our actions toward the one we love and in this scenario that would be Jesus. I’m making a conscious effort to make decisions in my life to honor God. The Lord has really convicted me about movies and the fact that we have no problem watching them even when they use the Lord’s name in vain. You don’t even have to go to an actual movie we have come to the point we will use the Lord’s name in vain on regular TV!
Commandment Number 3 Thou shalt not use the name of the Lord in Vain.
I was talking to a woman (a professing believer in Christ) the other day about movies and she told me she watches movies all the time she knows she shouldn’t but she does it anyway. She said it very matter of fact and very unapologetic. She is a mom too and I thought to myself if you gave rules to your teenager and they not only broke them but looked you right in the eye and said “I know I’m not supposed to do this or that but I did it anyway.” How would you react to that? I know my kids would be ducking for cover and no doubt be punished. Why is it OK to just disobey God? Do you think there will be no repercussion of your decision?
I have made a promise to the Lord that I will shut off the TV or leave a movie if they use His name in vain. A few days after making this promise I went to the movies with some friends and I remember thinking to myself as I took my seat in the theater I really hope they don’t use the Lord’s name in vain so I don’t have to walk out of this movie theater. I mean people think I’m enough of a freak do I have to give them more ammunition?
I’ll be honest when the Lord first brought this movie thing up to me I flippantly said to Him “I guess I’m going to have to give up my whole life” no sooner had the words came out of my mouth Jesus said to me “whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Talk about the word coming to life!
I felt so bad; I apologized to the Lord for being such a jerk. Jesus obeyed His father even when He didn’t want to. He prayed to God before His crucifixion to the point he was sweating blood and asking God if there was another way He could do His plan. The bottom line was He would do whatever His father asked, even if it meant dying. (Gena translation)
I don’t want it to be just Jesus in love with me, unrequited love. I want to be in love with Him too and as I say to my children “action speaks louder than words.” I don’t want to become tolerant of sin when sin cost the love of my life His life.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not telling you I don’t mess up I do but I’m going to really try and not take advantage of what the Lord has done for me. I want to show Him my love by trying to be more obedient and I hope you will too.
1John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments: 1John 14:15
The saddest thing in the world, is loving someone who used to love you.
Anonymous
I decided to write a new praise song, you can make your own music should you decide to sing it.
Lord I love you
And as I start my day
Help me be kind
With the words that I say
I will seek you during the week
And on Sunday have dessert
How can I eat once a week
And expect not to hunger or thirst
May I share with the needy
And those without hope
May I be strong in your Spirit
To show others how to cope
May I love my enemies
When they are mean to me
May I take the example from
the one who was hung on the tree
May I not curse or swear
Or use your name in vain
May I not make excuses for addictions
And say others are to blame
May I fight for life
No sex out of marriage
Fight for the unborn
Put the baby in the carriage
God unrequited love
Has to be the worst of all
May I not be guilty of it
May I not take that fall
I love you Lord
You are my friend, Savior and mate
May my actions speak loud and clear
When I’m judged at your gate
Thank you Jesus for your power
The Holy Spirit gives
To walk this life victorious
Cause Jesus truly lives!!!!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
A Proverb A Day Keeps satan Away
I wanted the first jewel for 2010 to be wise and profound, something with real meaning to bless you so I decided to go to Proverbs. God in his wisdom gave us 31 chapters of free counseling. One for everyday. The hard part was picking just one verse from each chapter.
So here is my list of 31 daily things to do to help fight the SWV (Spiritual Warfare Virus)
1. Whoever listens to me (God) will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. v33
2. If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. v3
3. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. v27
4. Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. v23
5. For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths. v21
6. There are 6 things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. V16-19
7. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. v2
8. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. V17
9. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker you alone will suffer. V12
10. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. v19
11. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. V13
12. Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. V9
13. Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. v10
14. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. V31
15. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. V17
16. When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him. V7
17. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. V14
18. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. V21
19. A hot tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. V19
20. Do not say, “I will pay you back for this wrong” Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you. V22
21. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. V3
22. Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. V6
23. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. V17-18
24. If you falter in times of trouble how small is your strength: v10
25. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give. V14
26. Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. V 20
27. Better is open rebuke than hidden love. V5
28. He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. V13
29. Fear of man will prove to be a snare; but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. V 25
30. Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. V5
31 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves for the rights of all who are destitute. V8
I would be more concerned with the SWV then H1N1 any day.
There you are my gems, a Proverb a day keeps satan away…..
So here is my list of 31 daily things to do to help fight the SWV (Spiritual Warfare Virus)
1. Whoever listens to me (God) will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. v33
2. If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. v3
3. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. v27
4. Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. v23
5. For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths. v21
6. There are 6 things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. V16-19
7. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. v2
8. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. V17
9. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker you alone will suffer. V12
10. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. v19
11. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. V13
12. Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. V9
13. Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. v10
14. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. V31
15. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. V17
16. When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him. V7
17. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. V14
18. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. V21
19. A hot tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. V19
20. Do not say, “I will pay you back for this wrong” Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you. V22
21. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. V3
22. Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. V6
23. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. V17-18
24. If you falter in times of trouble how small is your strength: v10
25. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give. V14
26. Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. V 20
27. Better is open rebuke than hidden love. V5
28. He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. V13
29. Fear of man will prove to be a snare; but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. V 25
30. Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. V5
31 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves for the rights of all who are destitute. V8
I would be more concerned with the SWV then H1N1 any day.
There you are my gems, a Proverb a day keeps satan away…..
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