Posted by: judyhitson | February 27, 2016

When Glory Came Down

by Judy Hitson

Luke 2:14 NIV “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

With these words, angels in heaven praised God with the angel of the Lord who appeared before the shepherds.

Peace  to those on whom his favor rests seemed a different perspective to me. Other translations say, on earth peace, good will toward men. God made His peace available to man  through the birth of His Son. Only those who please Him, who have His favor experience His peace on earth.

Pray for the favor of God, I heard preachers and teachers say these words in the church. It caught my attention to begin praying this prayer. I taste God’s favor in my life and His peace on earth, though there is much chaos in the world. The New International version of this verse leaped off the page to my heart. When Glory came down from heaven to earth, our Savior was born in Bethlehem to a virgin called Mary. This was something only God could do to bring about the birth of His only begotten Son. I thought about the angel appearing to the shepherds in the field bringing them the good news. As Christians, we know the Christmas story of Luke Chapter Two, the most important story ever told.

Think about this glorious event in history from Philippians 2:6-7 New Life Version 6 Jesus has always been as God is. But He did not hold to His rights as God. 7 He put aside everything that belonged to Him and made Himself the same as a servant who is owned by someone. He became human by being born as a man. I recall a song, “When God Became a Man” from this passage of Scripture. I found it searching on Google with another hymn titled, “Love was when God became a Man.”

The shepherds heard the good news the angel brought them, Luke 2:11a Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. In Bethlehem they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  The shepherds spread the word about this child. All they heard and saw were just as they were told.

Have you seen Jesus?
Are you telling the good news when glory came down, when God became a Man?

Posted by: judyhitson | February 19, 2016

Step Forward in His Glory

by Brenda D. Flowers

January 21, 2016 marked a milestone in my life. It was the fortieth anniversary of my spiritual birthday. I have been praying about the significance of this event and have been impressed to write these words.

On our spiritual birthday, when we believe in Jesus as Savior and receive His Spirit, we begin our journey of learning how to experience resurrection life as a new creation. As we daily read God’s love letters to us in the Bible, we learn to put our trust fully in Jesus Christ, not only as Savior but also as Lord of our lives. By spending time in God’s Word and in communication with Him, we learn how He empowers us by His Holy Spirit to be ambassadors of His love to the world. We are successful ambassadors, fulfilling God’s purpose in us, as we reflect His character and as we step forward in His Glory.

As this marks the fortieth year of my journey as a Christian, I am challenged to move forward even more to reach my God-given purpose. Like Joshua and Caleb of the Old Testament, I want to declare with confidence and joy the victory that is possible because God is with me.

Caleb and Joshua never gave up on God’s promise, although they had to live through many difficult circumstances while wandering in a desert wilderness for forty years. I imagine their heartache, as they had to bury loved ones of their generation along that long desert journey. I firmly believe, however, they realized God’s provision and sovereignty. It is evident in the Scriptures that they were thankful for what they learned along the way and gave God the glory.

God also wants us, as Christians, to live our lives focused on Him, not focused on our circumstances. We must be willing to die to our selfish ways to discover the rich fruits of His Spirit and reach our “promised land”, experiencing His Kingdom life on earth as it is in heaven. My prayer for all of us this year is that we each may trust God with our whole heart, knowing He is all we need to live fruitful glorious lives, and may we step forward to fulfill our created purpose. It is in Jesus’ name I pray this prayer, trusting His promises.

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is
the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with
unveiled faces contemplate (or reflect) the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his
image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
 (2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NIV)

 

Posted by: judyhitson | February 19, 2016

Prelude on Glory

by Brenda D. Flowers

As Christians, we have a time in our lives when God pursues us in love and we open our hearts to receive Jesus Christ, as Savior. We mature in Christ as we realize He is alive in heaven interceding for us daily, wanting a close personal relationship with us. As a new creation in Christ, we embody His Glory.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 HCSB)

      In the year 2016, the members of Christian Writers Circle are writing on the topic of glory. One key definition of glory is the essence of God. When I researched this meaning, I found clarity by the following statements at the site: biblestudytools.com. Under the heading “Its Ethical Significance”, “In all these cases (referring to the usage of the word glory in certain scriptures) it has a distinctly ethical signification, for it is the term which is used to describe the essential nature, the perfection of the Deity, and is shared by others because they are made partakers of the Divine nature.” Also under the heading “Messianic Ideal” this statement asserts the type of glory we may experience as we mature in Christ, moving from being immature Christians to Christians reigning in life, “The light of the restored community is to be the glory of Yahweh.” (Isaiah 60:1) The presence of Yahweh brings grace and glory (Psalms 84:11), and His salvation of those that fear Him causes glory to dwell in the land (Psalms 85:9)”.  

Prayer:  Father, bless us each day to walk in the light of Your Glory.

Posted by: judyhitson | February 16, 2016

Glory in Creation

by Judy Hitson

Psalm 19: 1 HCSB The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.

From a reclined dental chair, I sat looking up through the skylight above to see a clear blue sky. As the dentist waited to be sure the local anesthesia did its work to numb the tooth area he was going to work on, this verse came to mind. I quoted it to him. Knowing  I prayed for him and his family, I asked the Lord for a word to share. The thought of this verse excited me! Sensing it was a word from the Lord for my dentist that day, I asked him to look to the heavens and think of God’s glory in creation. It was a blessing to share this verse from the Psalms with him. Though he acknowledged it, my hope for him to respond with the same excitement I felt, didn’t happen. I believe the Lord wanted to get his attention to look up, know there was a God in heaven who cares for him and wanted to show Himself strong on his behalf. It tore at my heart when I got word he and his wife divorced. O that men would see the glory of God in their lives is my prayer.

Now I hear, Look up. Be watchful for our redemption draws nigh. Looking for this Bible passage, I found Luke 21: 27-28 KJV 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Lord what are You saying to us today?

As I read Luke 21, I noticed the New International Version had the subtitle for Luke 21: 5 to the end of the chapter, Signs of the End of the Age. I sensed the Lord says this is a word for us to heed at this time of history as we look to the heavens declaring the glory of God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus help us as people of God to discern the times and follow You day by day. We look up to the heavens that declare Your glory, O God. Assure us  of Your presence, peace and plan for our lives. Amen.

Posted by: judyhitson | February 10, 2016

Maturity in Christ through Rest in God by Judy Hitson

Psalm 62: 1-2 NIV 1Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 2Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

What does the word rest in God mean?

Do we go to sleep? No, it is not a time to sleep. Although I think of Elijah in the cave and realize it can be. I find rest in God relieves stresses of life, silences enemies of my soul and gives divine exchanges like peace for anxiety.

To hold steadfast in the LORD in this world, one needs to still himself in mind and spirit finding solace in God alone. This word came to me as I considered our key verse. It stunned me at first, yet stirred a desire to get hold of its truth in action. Living in days of terror and terror threats, we can find rest in God.

“Do not be afraid of sudden fear when it comes.” The words, “when it comes,” about popped off the page realizing sudden fear will come. Proverbs 3: 25-26 NASB Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. Let us stand on God’s promises and allow our soul to find rest in God.

Negative thoughts come to cause us fear and doubt, rob our peace and joy, bring confusion and panic. We must refuse negativity and stand on God’s promises for our soul to find rest in God.
These negative thoughts are enemies of our soul (mind, will and emotions). Take them captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Cor. 10: 5 and receive rest for your soul through God’s word and by His Spirit.

Following are verses and comments the Holy Spirit taught me on God’s rest. I invite you to consider them with the Lord for your life.

Matt. 11: 28-30 Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest…..
     I learned by the Spirit to take off my yoke that is hard and heavy and put on His yoke which is easy and light. It is a process relating to Christ, receive life by His Spirit and mature in Him.

Hebrews 4:10 NIV for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Hebrews 4. An NIV Bible titled this chapter, A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God. I have tasted this rest and see in this chapter a depth to understand on rest God has for us. He can work through us as we rest in Him. My desire is to live out of this rest 24/7. How about you?

Psalm 37: 7 NKJV Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;…………
I expected this word was for the test I was experiencing, only to discover it is a life-long lesson.

The choice is ours to rely on God and find rest in Him or rely on self effort. As people of God we are not alone. He is there for us. Our soul finds rest in God.

Posted by: judyhitson | February 10, 2016

Born of God by Kathleen Shore

I John 5:4 NIV For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

      I cannot get you off my mind since last month when I wrote to you of Father’s encouragement to us, that we who belong to Him are the evidence of HIM. When we simply believe, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God…given, pierced, and poured out for us…in love of us, we are ‘born of God’.
As I think of you amidst various circumstances in this earthly time of preparation, I pray you are abiding in Him – The Vine…living and dwelling in the life-giving secret place of His presence; in total belief of Him, right in the face of that which is contrary and not yet reconciled.
If we are ‘born of God’, His presence is where we belong. It is home. But when we live as His children, outside of this place prepared for us, we begin to show the effects of our desperate need for Him and what we were born for.
Think of the entirety this small phrase, ‘born of God’ touches.
Now take a moment in this exercise to find where you are at in the declaration of being, ‘born of God’.
– Go with Father to a mirror and look at yourself. Yes, right now…
– When you see yourself, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
Self hatred? All your mistakes? Voices that agree with the way people treat you? Things you heard from others as a child?
So in your thoughts, are you living ‘born of God’?
With the enemy exposed, bow on your knees in acceptance of Father’s love. Let Him wash over you and begin to restore you back to being ‘born of God’. With your sights solely upon Him, picture Him – your original design, feel the absorption and warmth of The Light of Life. Remember, He is the vision that without it we are all perishing. Just begin to say, “yes” to His good pleasure in creating you and you will begin to believe, not just for what is outside of you, but even for the completed work in you!
~ What is born of God in us: was spoken into being long before the earth was made. This truth of you cannot be avoided, voided, or return to Him incomplete. He must finish the amazing gift of YOU!
~ What is born of God in us: overcomes the world around us and within us causing a rest within, and giving the Holy Spirit free movement and control.
~ What is born of God in us: cannot be shaken in the midst of pain and suffering, upheaval and destruction.
~ What is born of God in us: grows when we feed it.
All this and more comes from the power of His resurrection life. If we desire to walk in it, we must throw off every hindrance that would so easily entangle what was ‘born of God’ in us. So come to Father God and let Him make you brand new.

Posted by: Administrator | December 31, 2015

Maturity in Christ through Love

Maturity in Christ through Love
by Judy Hitson

John 13: 34 Amplified I give you a new commandment, that you should love one another; just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.  

What comes to mind when you consider how God loved you?

God loved us so much He sent us Jesus, John 3: 16. His Father love is giving.
Note the love of Christ in Eph. 5: 2 NASB And walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. His love is sacrificial.

One way the Lord ministered His love was like spiritual surgery, painful but good. Reading and meditating on James 4: 8a, I was captivated that when we draw close to the Lord, He will draw close to us. One day conviction pierced my heart as the Spirit prompted me to read on. It was like a can of worms opened. James 4: 8 NASB Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded. During a pity party, I wanted God’s comfort. Stunned that He shifted attention to my sinful ways, I wept for days confessing my sins. He revealed I was spiritually stuck. If I was going to love Him as He loved me, I John 4: 19, I needed His love to transform me and enable me to follow in His steps.

Jesus’ example:

I Peter 2: 21-25 NASB 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and 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 you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

How are you doing following in His steps?  

In my situation, I grieved that my ways are not His ways, Is. 55: 8b. Reacting in anger, He called me to respond in love. it was vital to invite Him into the rooms of my heart to cleanse me from all unrighteousness, I John 1: 9; John 5: 16. It took times alone with God to see my sinful ways and times with trusted women in the faith to be healed. Through confession and repentance, I learned by His Spirit, we can live as a righteous man and be examples of His love on earth as it is in heaven.

God’s love:

I Cor. 13: 4-8a NASB Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered , does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…..

This is something only God can do in and through us to walk in the Spirit and walk in love, Gal. 5: 22-23; Eph. 5: 2.

How is your walk in love?

Love is the mark of a disciple of Christ. John 13: 35 NASB By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

Prayer: Father in heaven bless us to grow to maturity in Christ through Your love by Your Spirit. Amen.

 

 

 

Posted by: Administrator | December 31, 2015

Transformation to Freedom in Christ

Transformation to Freedom in Christ

by Brenda D. Flowers

Have you ever watched a preschooler approach a giant pile of leaves? One day this fall I was raking the large oak leaves which covered my back yard and my grandsons, ages three and four offered to” help” me rake. I knew what that meant. They really wanted grandmommy to rake piles of leaves so they could enjoy jumping in them. In fact, Tavis, my four year old grandson proved what I suspected as he stated, “Grandmommy, rake a giant pile of leaves, the biggest pile you’ve ever raked. ” His eyes were bright with anticipation.

When my young grandsons approached the giant leaf pile I succeeded in raking, they ran with wild abandon, exuding with life and freedom, laughing joyfully as they hurled themselves into the leaves. Every part of them seemed relaxed as they plopped backwards again and again, that is, once I reraked the pile to its original height far above the taller grandson’s height.

Then it came time for me to gather up the other piles I had been raking while the boys played. As I began unfolding a large white sheet to lay on the ground near a couple of smaller piles, my grandsons’ attention turned away from the giant leaf pile to the sheet. Bouncing over to the sheet, Tavis then laid down on the sheet and began rolling himself in the sheet, looking like a white cocoon. That began another game and a teachable moment. I pretended he was a caterpillar making a chrysalis and when he emerged he was a handsome butterfly. He delightedly escaped from the sheet and pretended to fly around the yard while his younger brother, Wyatt, watched inquisitively.

Then it was Wyatt’s turn. The only problem was when Wyatt rolled himself into the sheet, he couldn’t get himself free. It was like he was caught in a trap. I am sure it was dark under the layers of sheet and he couldn’t see a way out. Raking nearby, I suddenly heard his laughter turn into scared cries. I worked quickly to set my younger grandson free and soon he was smiling and freely running and “flying” with his brother.

It wasn’t long after this incident when I heard a sermon regarding Paul’s letters to the young Christians in Galatia and Corinth. The minister shared how Paul wrote these letters, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to challenge Christians to grow in maturity and to recognize who they were in Christ. These Christians were being influenced by false doctrines and by the ways of the world and thus were living in bondage. Paul challenged his brothers and sisters in Christ and us today to recognize that we are no longer who we were before we accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Our heart is transformed and we can walk daily with joy and freedom in newness of life. In Galatians 5: 1, Paul penned these words, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again in the yoke of bondage.” (NKJV)

When I was a teenager, my church’s youth group met in a building called The Chrysalis. What a perfect title for a building where young Christians were being mentored. Watching my grandsons pretending to transform to butterflies reminded me of the transformation which should be seen by nonbelievers daily in the lives of Christians. Paul reminded Christians in his time period and Holy Spirit reminds me now, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)

Lord, I pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. May we, as Christians, live our lives with the recognition that we are transformed into new creatures and don’t need to be living immature lives caught in the bondages and temptations of the world. May we recognize we are maturing sons and daughters of the King of kings. May we experience the joy, freedom and life which is promised and be true ambassadors for Christ.”

Posted by: Administrator | November 16, 2015

Maturity in Christ through Waiting for the LORD

by Judy Hitson

Isaiah 40: 31 NRSV Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Wait! Slow down! Not so fast!

Think of a baby learning to walk, taking that first step. In the beginning, the little one stumbles and falls but quickly gets up to try again. Before you know it, the child not only walks but learns to run. Then a fall can be more serious, from a bruise or scrape to a fractured bone at times. So too we begin our walk with Christ as a babe, some stumbles and falls along the way. We are blessed as we rely on the Lord, learning to walk and live in the Spirit to the full measure of Christ. As we consider the maturing process of a child dependent on their parents, it can help us understand the progression of spiritual growth depending on our Father in heaven.

On the topic of Maturity in Christ, I’ve written on the following aspects for you to consider, first an overview. Then we looked at Maturity in Christ through: Diet, God’s Word, Prayer, the Spirit, the mind of Christ, Spiritual Gifts and Bearing Fruit. In each of these facets, we discover our need to wait for the LORD to understand His perspective. Otherwise we run ahead with our own understanding(see Pr. 3:5-6).

When the LORD renews our strength, He gives us a divine exchange. When anxious in a situation, God wants to give us peace.

Phil. 4:6-7 is God’s Recipe of Peace for anxiety
Refuse anxiety like an enemy of your soul.
Thank God that He is with you.
Pray about the situation.
Receive God’s peace.

When we are anxious and proceed in a situation, our decisions will be earthly, of our flesh. When we wait for the LORD in the situation, He renews our strength by His Spirit, giving us His strength for our weakness. It is a divine exchange. Here are some examples from God’s Word:

peace for anxiety, Phil. 4:6-7
Spirit of power, love and sound mind for a spirit of fear, 2 Tim. 1:7
God’s peace for confusion, I Cor. 14:33
Rest for weariness, Matt. 11:28
Faith for doubts, Rom. 14:23

As we wait for the LORD and receive His strength, we will soar like an eagle in the situations of life to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint.

Posted by: Administrator | November 16, 2015

The Evidence of Me

by

Kathleen Shore

Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Self lingered in disguise as my hungry, thirsty spirit pressed into His presence. Feeling the resistance, I cried out to Him, “Oh God, search me and know me…show me what you see in me…I want You to have all of me.”

Self-protection shrunk back into the closet and clung to the cloaks of counterfeit within my heart-house as The Light of Truth, like a fluid, a permeating aroma, a radiating heat, slowly seeped into every space. Nothing could stop the invasion. It painted the walls. It replaced the insulation. It lit the basement and the attic. It washed all the linens in a costly fragrance that removed the stench and even put love letters in my mailbox.

Like a child, peeking out to see if anyone was near by watching, I began to follow the whisper of His voice, calling my name. As He spoke just that one word, my name, over and over, the warmth of His Love overtook me and lit a fire in my heart-house. I could feel Life entering the cold, core of my bones. GONE…was the chill of the evil shades of gray. AWAKE…was my life to His fire of Love, now here to stay.

Volumes of revelation seemed to lift my sights in understanding of who He was, how He adored me, and to whom I belonged. Yet as much as I knew in that moment, the unknown of His Love Mystery was far greater, leaving me wanting more.

Then I heard Him say, “Look for the evidence of…”

The evidence of ~ My Love:

Is that you are patient, kind, you do not envy, you do not boast, you are not proud, self-seeking, or easily angered. You keep no record of wrongs. You do not delight in evil but you rejoice in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. My Love in you never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

The evidence of ~ Believing:

Truly I tell you! Signs and wonders will follow you. (Mark 11:23)

The evidence of ~ Waiting:

You are looking at Him. He is all your Hope. You are Expectant. You are blessed in the waiting. You are strong. You are not anxious. You continually find your salvation. The Lord turns to you in your waiting, and hears your cry. His name and renown becomes the desire of your heart. Compassion and justice is yours, because you wait for Him! (Psalm 130:5-6) (Proverbs 8:34) (Isaiah 25:9; 26:8; 30:18; 40:31; 51:5)

The evidence of ~ Trusting:

You ‘know’ His name. The Lord displays His might for you. You are very pliable in His hand. You have joy in your heart. You will not be shaken. You will not be put to shame. You will be delivered. You will attain all He has promised. You will honor His holy name with your life. You desire His Will being done, not your own. You are not deceived. You will have your full reward.

(Exodus 14:31) (Psalm 9:10; 13:5; 20:7; 21:7; 22:4-5; 25:2) (Rev. 22:12)

The evidence of ~ Abiding:

You are very restful. You are led by The Shepherd. You love to obey Him. You are planted of the Lord. You have clean hands and a pure heart. You bear the full fruits of the Spirit; Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, meekness, and self-control. You cultivate a place within you for Him to dwell. You keep yourself separated for His holiness. His goodness and love follows you. His glory rests down on you and others notice it. You flourish. (Exodus 15:13; 15:17; 29:45) (Psalm 4:8; 15:1; 23:6; 24:3-4; 91:1) (Hosea 14:7) (John 15:1-5)(Gal. 5:22-23a)

The evidence of ~ Surrender:

Peace is The Prince of your heart. You live your life in light of God’s mercy. You offer yourself to Him as a living sacrifice, knowing this is your true worship. You do not conform to the patterns of this world, but through the renewing of your mind you are being daily transformed. You do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. You love to just be ‘your piece’ in His whole body. You honor others above yourself. You keep your zeal for Him. You are joyful in hope; patient in affliction; faithful in prayer. You share with those in need. You bless those who persecute you. You associate with people of low position. You do not repay evil with evil. You are not overcome by your circumstances. You have an opposite spirit from the world.

(Matthew 5:1-12) (Romans 12)

This is the evidence of Me.

“Keep seeking Me, and you will find Me.” He still whispers. “Swing wide the doors of your heart-house, for you are My pleasure. I love what I made of you. I will do miraculous things through you! I will do all I have created you for. Just let Me in and you will see the evidence of Me.”

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