Time To Look Up! by Myra Boozer

Just thinking how Satan works to paint a picture of horrible, no-win situations in the lives of those who may be going thru a dry valley. A place where you are thirsty for a drink of spiritual waters, a place where you seem to be all alone and no one seems to have time to give you an encouraging word...a time when the wall just won't come down and the Lord seems to withhold the ladder for you to climb over and then with everything else, it's time to pay those bills and the money is low...the tears seem to flow and the heart breaks. But, you find that the Lord is standing in front of you holding out His hands to you...wanting to lift you from the valley and set you on the mountain of Hope where the sun is shining and the birds are singing the song of deliverance. 

It is up to you, after you pour out your heart and rid your self of all the doubt and the fear, reach up to the One who can change that picture and give you the best drink of water you have ever had. Tear down those walls and open those doors that have been closed. This is for you if you are looking down instead of looking up. God loves you...love Him back and watch things began to change. Time To Look Up!

The Beginning Of Sorrows! Conclusion

God has already begun to pour out His judgment upon this world and the birthing pains have begun. In light of these scriptures in Matthew and Mark (see The Beginning Of Sorrows, part 1, 9/28/19), we must conclude that the Holy Spirit is connecting the “the beginning of sorrows” to the birthing process. The term “beginning of sorrows” is associated with childbirth and literally means the beginning of travail pangs. We can conclude that the judgment we are seeing and will see in the immediate future is a prelude to the culmination of the birthing process. This birth will bring forth a new Israel reborn, a new kingdom (the implementation of the literal Kingdom of God) and a new world (new heaven and earth).

Let us understand that God will preserve His Church, the Bride of Christ through all the unrest and destruction coming upon our world. He will equip and empower His Church to rise up in His Name and do great things even in the midst of darkness and evil. He will preserve the Church until she has completed her mission in the earth and then He will rapture her away. In both Matthew and Mark’s writing, the “beginning of sorrows” described by Jesus is the beginning of something much worse which is yet to come.

Mark 13:19, “For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.”

Matt. 24:21, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

The “beginning of sorrows” is the beginning of the birthing process which will culminate in the rebirth or restoration of Israel to a living relationship with God through their Messiah, Jesus Christ. But before they repent and return to God, Jesus says in the book of Matthew that “then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” This “great tribulation” will bring forth a new Israel reborn. The Lord will shorten this time of affliction for the elect’s (Israel) sake. Jesus will return at the second Advent defeating the Antichrist and his world system of government and religion. Jesus will establish a new kingdom in the earth (the implementation of the literal Kingdom of God) and a new world (new heaven and earth).

The birthing process has already begun and deliverance is at hand. The tribulation now and the great tribulation to come are but a prelude to the culmination of all things. Oh happy day for the child of God! Oh, the sorrow of those that neglect His call! 

Matt. 24:42, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Lord, I Will Trust In You! by Myra Boozer

When I was just a young girl l felt such rejection, loss, and despair. What went wrong? How did it all fall apart? I surely had made some horrible mistake that caused my father to walk away and start a life without us. Our Mother was broken and cried so much! How would we make it? What would we do? Where would we go? We had to leave our new home, our school, our church and all our friends behind, not knowing what was going to happen to us.

I actually felt like a rag doll with no strength or courage to go on. But You Lord became the one that I called upon. I am grateful for your love that brought me to my knees as my heart cried out in despair. You picked me up and gave me the courage to face the life I felt was utterly destroyed. I was amazed that you could bring life to something that felt so lifeless, so dead, so empty. You put a smile back on my face as I was flooded by your great mercy and grace.

You filled me with your Spirit and put a song in my heart. You allowed me to sing in many different places, my church, other churches, larger church gatherings, and Youth Camp. You Lord gave me a purpose and I began to allow you to be my Hope. You even brought my Daddy back home. It was not always easy but you put our family back together.

I saw your hand of guidance and protection everywhere. I learned that I could trust you and there was no need for despair. You looked down thru time and counted me worthy to become your child. So I must never forget your willing heart to obey your Father. There is no greater sacrifice than when you accepted your assignment and walked the dusty road to die on Calvary's wretched cross. You washed me in the blood you shed and made all my sin as white as snow. You picked me up from my hopeless life and took away my sinful guilt which freed me from the debt I never could repay.

Lord I must Trust You to work your will in my life daily. I surrender to you, at this moment and every moment. Please help me to stay surrendered for that is the only way for me to feel secure. Lord sometimes the path seems too steep and you must hold my hand, even carry me when the way seems long, difficult and scary. I love you Lord, and I am still learning to accept your love for me. I feel unworthy! 

Help me to always follow in your ways. Lord this is not an easy prayer but neither was your prayer as you prayed all night and concluded with, “Father, Not my will but thine be done!" Lord, I Will Trust In You!

Let Jesus Take Control!

1 John 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Today, as I meditate on the ever-presence and influence of Jesus Christ in my daily life, the words of a song by Sarah McCracken comes to mind. I am including a link here,

https://youtu.be/1QEchFtxVi4. The title is “He Walks With Me,” and it goes like this:

Though now we have trials, we wait for salvation.

Though tested by fire, we suffer with joy.

By His great mercy, our hope has been born again.

Faithful as the morning, we are raised up with Christ.

And I cannot see Him, but oh how I love Him.

I cannot see Him, but I believe.

I know He walks with me. I believe that He walks with me.

We will face trials and testing in the days ahead! But, we have a companion who walks with us to provide for every need. Jesus will make a way through every difficult experience. 1 Cor. 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” We will not face any trial or test that is not been experienced by other human beings. The testing is the same for all, just different faces with the determining factor for victory being the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in one’s life. 

The challenge many of us face today is allowing Jesus Christ to fully control our lives. It is a struggle for us to relinquish our independence and allow Him to lead the way. However, He is immensely more qualified than we are to determine the correct path. He knows the way that we should go. Our heart cry should be to go where He is going. Therefore, we must submit to His leading to go along with Him. (continued)

The Beginning Of Sorrows!

Mark 13:5, “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.”

First, we must look at the context of these verses in relation to their immediate application. Christ was alluding to the immediate future when many of these circumstances would occur but also alluding to events that would occur at the end of the age. We can conclude that these scriptures were partially fulfilled when the Romans destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem in AD 70. The Jews were scattered to every corner of the world and only began to return to their homeland in 1948. Since that time, God has been bringing them home.

The tribulations and calamities which preceded and accompanied the overthrow of Israel at that time are a sign and warning of the great and universal woes which will bring in the great day of the Lord and the judgment of God. The reference alludes to the beginning of something much worse which is yet to come. 

Ellicott's Commentary states that the words, “the beginning of sorrows” mean strictly, the beginning of travail pangs. Paul speaks of the whole creation as travailing in pain together. So a time of national suffering and perplexity is one in which the children are come to the birth. Romans 8:22, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (continued)

What's On Your Calendar? by Myra Boozer

“For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we EVER be with the Lord... Wherefore, COMFORT one another with these words,” 1Thessalonians 4:16-18.

For the Child of God, this should be on your Calendar! He is coming! We don't know when, but we know He is Coming. I do NOT regret the years I have lived my life with this anticipation. Even though He has not returned as of yet, it has made me who I am and has kept me more focused on what is eternal, instead of what is temporal. The word temporal means worldly, not spiritual, secular, of, or limited by time. (Webster's New Dictionary)

I believe the way we live our lives on a daily basis has such an influence on ALL the decisions we make and on our goals and expectations of life. If we are continually focused on our plans for today, if our life revolves around "us" and what we want, we will be grabbing for all that we can get not really thinking of the day we are living in and where we are on God's Calendar. 

We then become addicted to THINGS, we are never fulfilled, never satisfied, always searching, always desiring for "something" new, something different to fill our life. You see, this is a trick from all the way back to Eve and the "lust of the eye." It was just so appealing and she just had to have it. Also, the promise from the serpent was that it would make her like God. It inevitably brings its reward of spiritual death if not repented of. What’s On Your Calendar for the next few weeks or months? This thought might help us to re-evaluate where we are and where we're going!

Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen! by Myra Boozer

God is looking for an Army and many are satisfied to be Cheerleaders...Go God Go! Yes, Lord yes! You can do it, God! Or Go Pastor Go! You can do it, Pastor!

But God is saying to us “Go Mighty Army...Yes, Church Yes! You can do it Church! I left the work for you to accomplish...Get into my Word and the path will be clear. I didn't leave without giving you instructions and directions for the task at hand...The Harvest is Great, the time is short, the laborers are few and many are weak...Take strength in my Power...I alone am the Power Source... don't look to yourselves.”

Sing the Battle Song, sing it loud and strong! "Like a Mighty Army Moves the Church of God"..."Onward Christian Soldiers marching as to war With the cross of Jesus going on before..."

Arise take up your cross...only those in the heat of the Battle are God’s true Warriors. Don't be a traitor, don't lay your armor down. The enemy is too close, you will not be spared. Time is swiftly passing, the end is getting near. Those that slumber and sleep will be left behind. Awake Church! The Army of God has a destiny...an appointed end.

The Wedding Supper is already in the making, the halls are lined with banners and the Heavenly Host is getting in tune. The flowers are on the table and the candles are being lit, the music is swelling and the Bridegroom is ready, waiting for His Father to give the command, “Go and bring my children home.” 

In my prayer time sometime back I asked the Lord, "When are you coming?” In my heart I heard, "Coming soon...not yet...I am going to call all I have chosen.” Matthew 22:14, "For many are called but few are chosen.”

Extended reading... Matthew 6 and Luke 12

Let The Church Be The Church Of Jesus Christ!

Exodus 3:13, “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

When God confronted Moses in the burning bush and gave him the awesome task of leading the children of Israel out of the captivity of Egypt, it was very important that he and the people understand that it was the great I AM of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that had designed this plan of deliverance. God’s command to Moses was to go in the power and authority of Almighty God. God, the creator of all things! He simply spoke the Word and all things that exist came into being. Now, He is saying to His servant, go and I will implement My plan.

God has ordained His plan of deliverance to be implemented in the earth in these last days. He has chosen the Body of Christ, His Church as His instrument to carry the Gospel to all the world. He is saying to His servants, go and I will implement My plan. His servants are receiving His call and accepting His commission. 

The army of Christ is rising up. Rising up in the mantle of Jesus Christ. That mantle is the manifest presence of Christ in the Holy Ghost. If you have received since you believed, you carry the mantle of Christ. The Holy Spirit is calling upon the Body of Christ to rise up in the power of that mantle and do His work. What is that work? Our commission is to preach the Truth in the anointing of Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls. (continued)

No Longer A Slave To Sin! by Myra Boozer

When God changes you, accept the FACT that you have been changed, not of yourself, but by His Transforming Power. You must have your mind made up to never go back to your old ways of foolish habits and careless living. They only lead you back down the same ole path reaping the same ole results, and in the end, it is spiritual DEATH.

Listen to God as he speaks to your heart. Arise and be strong. Walk in the newness of life, free from the bondage of sin and evil. Never offer a half-hearted life to Christ. He requires ALL or nothing. When you give Him your ALL, make sure there are no hidden rooms in your heart with "NO TRESPASSING" signs hung on the doors. Begin your life with Him open and honest (He knows it already). Give him the key to every area of your heart. This commitment will help produce a strong desire of "NO TURNING BACK " to the old life of sin and regrets.

You will wake up in a brand new world with a new attitude about life and living. You have been bought with a price greater than the riches of heaven. The rags of sin won't belong to a child of the King. You are royal now and you will be clothed in royalty. Just as the King's daughter is glorious within, so are you (Ps. 45). When you come into his palace, you will come with gladness and rejoicing because of the favor that God has placed on your new life in HIM. When you know who you are, the son or daughter of the MOST HIGH GOD, your status changes. You walk, talk and live in a brand new world. The old things are passed away. When you love righteousness and hate wickedness, you're anointed with the oil of gladness. You see things through different eyes. Where you once lived in doubt and dread, you now live in faith and trust.

When Satan comes knocking on your door telling you nothing changed when God forgave you and gave you a new wardrobe (spiritual robe), tell him he came too late. Because you now see him for who he is, the great deceiver. Tell him you have a new Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Tell him you have been washed by the blood of the lamb and you are no longer a slave to sin. 

Be blessed with the Mercy and Love of God...Acts 10:15, "Don't call something unclean if God has made it clean," NLT. You are a new creature! Walk in that newness! No Longer A Slave To Sin!

Peace And Freedom In The Holy Ghost!

John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

As individuals in the Body of Christ, we need to recognize and embrace the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is now and will be in the time ahead of us, an indispensable confidant. The power of Christ through the Holy Spirit is essential to our success individually and as the Body of Christ. We need to experience the same Holy Ghost that we read about in the book of Acts. The same Holy Ghost that empowered the first century Church to turn the world upside down.

We need to walk in the unabated freedom of the Holy Ghost. Unabated means “continuing at full strength or force without becoming weaker, being at full strength or force.” The power of the Holy Ghost will never diminish and we will require His full authority, presence, and perspective every moment of this journey. We dare not proceed without being fully immersed in His person and baptized in the power of His presence. His guidance is essential! The choices and decisions ahead will be difficult. Not difficult to make but difficult in the sense of their consequences. A step forward without the absolute wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit could put us on a path of irreparable error. At the very least, choices made without the full assurance of the Holy Ghost will cause unnecessary sorrow and suffering. The road back is always burdensome.

The storms of darkness will rage against the souls of light. Jesus Christ is fully aware when the storms come. He is with us in the person of the Holy Spirit, therefore, the storms will respond to His voice. He is the Master of ALL! When the storms of life are raging, He will stand by me. At the mere utterance of His command, the winds cease and there is peace. 

Mark 4:37, “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” There is always Peace And Freedom In The Holy Ghost!

I Search For God! He Finds Me! by Myra Boozer

Lord, please clear the thought of all the things I think I must do today. Surround me with Your thoughts and Your desires. Fill in all the recesses of my heart and set my feet on the right path.

Troubles are all around and the sounds are coming in loud and clear that all is not well. The road of demands is calling for my attention to come to each of them and each seems desperate.

Slow me down to Your pace Lord. You are never in a hurry but always right on time. You are never slack when You make a promise. You always follow through. You have this whole universe in Your hands and nothing is out of Your control. Why can't I be more like You? You are relentless, never letting up. Help me Lord because You are greater than all my rush to unfold today and rearrange this clutter in my mind.

You seek me as I seek You! We will come together in perfect unity when I slow my pace so I can reach You. Thank You for Your never-ending patience with me. Thank You for always reaching and stretching Your infinite love towards me!

Today will be no ordinary day. Today I will reach for You to allow You to touch me. I will consider Your lofty thoughts. They are so much higher than mine. I will consider Your love that is ever reaching to the lost, the sad and the broken. I will consider Your strong arms of mercy and grace as they pull in all who are drifting on the sea of ignorance and defeat. They are searching for peace, hope, and love. 

So I must reason with myself daily and know that I am not alone in my search for You. When I can be still and shut out the world scurrying all around me, I find You and You find me! You find me along with the least of mankind or the highly favored in all the world. You are not off-limits to the needy and hungry refugee that is searching for You. Neither would you turn away the rich and famous if they would come to You. 

I see ME slowly giving up the struggle and You accepting my humanity. Thank you, Jesus! I Search For God! He Finds Me!

Declare The Gospel!

2 Timothy 4:1, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

The commission of Christ is one that we must accept individually and collectively as the Church. So today, we have either embraced His call or settled for something less than complete surrender. Without total abandon for Christ, we introduce the arm of the flesh into a spiritual body. The result is the creation of a humanistic social order rather than the Body of Jesus Christ. Jesus will reach the world through a Spirit-filled, Spirit-inspired and Spirit-empowered Church. Our success will be determined by how well we have followed His instructions. It is for this reason that I offer this prayer for all engaged in the Harvest of souls.

“Lord Jesus, You have given us such an enormous responsibility, that which I accept willingly. However, I realize how much I am dependent upon You. I feel the helplessness of this frail human soul. I ask You in all humility to cause me to rise to the task. I need Your intervention in every effort with every step I take. Open my heart to Your Holy Spirit! Help me to hear Your voice. I don't want to miss Your cue. Help me to be ever aware of where I am and where You want me to be. I need Your abiding presence every step of this journey. I can't go without Your direction, approval, and support. I don't want to be sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. I want to speak Your WORD. Your WORD will go forth with power and authority. Your WORD will convict hearts and change lives. Your WORD will prepare our hearts for eternity.

Father, I pray for the Church, the Body of Christ, all of us. Help us to hear what You are saying to the Church. Create within us a renewed desire to walk in intimacy with You. Bring us so close that the wind of Your Spirit cannot pass between us except that we are aware of what You are doing in the Body. Father, we must have Your direction and instruction. Push back the darkness that clouds our minds and thoughts, and prevents us from walking fully in Your light. Burn away the fog of deception with the fire of Your Holy Spirit in our presence. Lead us forward into Your Divine plan for each of us and collectively as the Body of Christ. 

Shine Your Light upon our path that we can see clearly the way You have chosen for us. Help each one of us to find our place and serve with renewed passion. Create that passion in us as we submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit. Empower us to share Your message in the anointing of Your Spirit. Break the chains that prevent us from seeing total victory. Create within us an insatiable hunger for renewal and spiritual awakening. Father God, send Your Holy Ghost fire among us. Baptize us afresh in Your Pentecostal power. Father, breathe upon us once again. Breathe Your life into this breathless, hopeless mortal body. Quicken us with Your Life-giving Spirit. Cause cloven tongues of fire to rest upon us yet once more. Thank you, Jesus! Stir the burning embers of our past experiences that they may break into a full blaze of present revival fire. Send Your fire Lord and prepare us to receive Him when He comes! I ask in the Name of Jesus! Amen.”

Are You Hiding In The Locker Room? by Myra Boozer

There was a time when the evidence of what you stood for wasn't as well known as it is becoming today. If you are in doubt of who you are and who you really stand for, I guess you just hide in the locker room. NO THAT WON'T WORK! Remember in not choosing "you choose." You’ve made the decision at that point.

As a Christian, you need to to come out of hiding and give an answer to the world about what you STAND for. They are watching and waiting, looking for your response!

I have noticed that some, like Peter of old, don't want to be recognized as "one of them" and some are hiding out hoping that God will not see their lack of allegiance to HIM. They are so-called "secret Christians" which is an oxymoron. When you become a Christian you're changed and people will know you are changed. If you hide it or camouflage it, then you are ashamed of the Lord. If you are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of you. Luke 9:26, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory…” I think that hiding your LOVE and RESPECT for GOD among the people you associate with is totally "Denying Christ."

But, if you KNOW who you are and you know whom you Love and Respect, you have NO problem coming out of the locker room and standing tall in front of the whole world...no matter the consequences from your associates.

Do you remember what Adam and Eve did AFTER they disobeyed God and followed the leading of the serpent? They hid themselves from God. They broke the spiritual relationship they had with their creator and constant companion...causing themselves much pain and sorrow. They died spiritually! That is much worse than physical death.

Our world is on an hourly downward slope. It will not be as easy as it has been in the past to say "I AM A CHRISTIAN, and I will NOT DISRESPECT MY GOD. I WILL STAND TALL and be counted among CHRISTIANS." You must make some SERIOUS decisions today. You must see the line drawn in the sand. It is time to know who's side you're on. Only two sides, God or Satan! Good or evil! Only two choices. It is really simple and time is counting down to the end. 

Time to come out of the locker room if you're hiding? We are either for or against… 

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth," Romans 1:16a.

Challenge The Powers Of Darkness!

A while back I came across a new song that caught my attention. The words of this composition have stirred the Holy Spirit within me to challenge the powers of darkness that attempt to subvert the commission of the Church of Jesus Christ. The title of the song is “Hear The Roar,” and I have included a link here, www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJL3wfrp1Cs. Take time to listen and allow the Holy Ghost to challenge YOU!

We must continue to focus on what God is speaking to us and to the Body of Christ. It is imperative that we hear His voice and heed His calling. God is calling us to take back what belongs to Him. It is time to take back our nation, our schools, our churches, our families and our children. We have allowed the covering or mantle of the Holy Spirit to slowly erode and thereby give access to the spirit of darkness in each of these areas of our lives.

God is calling us, the Body of Christ, to rise up in the power and authority of the Holy Ghost. He has embedded the Holy Ghost in His Church to empower the Body of Christ to finish His Work. God is calling us to confront and engage this invasion of darkness and evil that dares to challenge His perfect plan. However, we must use the weapons God has given us to defeat the powers of darkness. 2 Cor. 10:4, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

We cannot win against Satan if we are walking in the flesh! As local church congregations, we will not succeed without the leading and anointing of the Holy Spirit. Carnality cuts our connection to heaven. We can promote our plans and dreams but if they are not born from the heart of God, they will not have God’s favor.

So many churches have become social connections and financial institutions. The Church of God should be an entity of prayer. Matt. 21:12, “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.” The religious had made the house of God a place of merchandise and personal gain. After the commercial aspects of religion were removed, many came to Jesus in the Temple and He healed them!

The Holy Spirit is calling His Church to refocus on prayer. He is calling us back to our knees for a fresh anointing of Pentecostal power that will change lives around us for eternity. That kind of power will come through intercessory prayer born out of the heart of God and implemented by the Holy Spirit as He seeks the will of God through us. 

By the power of Almighty God, we, the Church of the Living God, can pull down the strongholds of Satan. He has no place to hide in the presence of God! Darkness is illuminated by the Light of His presence. When we come to God in faith, submission, and obedience, our victory is assured in Jesus Christ. God wants to bring us back to His original relationship with man where God and man walked together in perfect peace without the influence of darkness and evil. And, that will be the result for all who will follow Him in submission and obedience. It is time to Challenge The Powers Of Darkness!

Satan Will Oppose You! by Myra Boozer

“Opposition to lives which are yielded to Jesus Christ takes many forms, some dramatic, some subtle. Satan is a clever angel of light but sometimes he chooses supernatural ways to frighten us into inactivity. During a time at camp with the girls, I was singing outside of the cabin after lights-out. The song had the words: ‘Don't be afraid for whatever is coming, your heavenly Father takes care of you.’ Suddenly I heard horrible noises around me. It seemed as if among the trees some sort of beings were trying to make me stop. The noises grew and subsided, sending shivers through my body with their weird tones. While I sang, I pleaded with the Lord: ‘Cover me and protect me with Your blood, Lord Jesus...give me strength to go on singing and speak through me to reach all these girls.’ The noises remained and got louder and more ugly, but I didn't stop. I knew that I stood on the front line of battle but through Jesus it was victory ground, not defeat or retreat. As soon as I finished the song, the noise stopped, just as abruptly as they began. I went to bed and thanked the Lord for His victory. The next morning I asked the girls if they had heard anything unusual the previous night. They answered that they had never heard me sing so beautifully. Nobody heard anything else.” This is taken from Corrie ten Boom's book IN MY FATHERS HOUSE..

My question is what is trying to stop you today? Don't let the troubles, trials or tribulations of this life or anything that Satan would throw in your path stop you from singing the Praises of our Lord. Sing loud and with all your might! Don't give up, we are almost HOME.

Jesus said in this life we would have these troubles but to not be alarmed because He overcame and so will we through His power that works in us. As we get closer to the return of the Lord the noise will become louder and louder from the opposition. It is time to arise and stand in the face of the enemy. The world's tactics (or armor) will not fit the Christian. Just like Saul's armor did not fit David, the shepherd boy. It will take the leading, the direction and the unction of the Holy Spirit to defeat the enemy of our day just like it did in David's day. 

We must remember these words as we go out to defeat our giants...”No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD,” Isaiah 54:17. NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER...FOR I GO IN THE NAME OF THE LORD GOD JEHOVAH...

Put On The Armor Of God!

Eph. 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

As I read this text, I am reminded of a passage in 1 Samuel 17. The armies of Israel were engaged in a conflict with the Philistines. The Philistines had presented a challenge for Israel to face their champion. It was no coincidence that a young shepherd boy by the name of David was present that day. The heart of this young lad was stirred that this infidel would challenge the army of the God of Israel. David went to King Saul and volunteered to face this giant Goliath. Saul insisted that David be dressed in the king’s armor but it did not fit him. And David had not proven the armor. David entered the plain of battle with only what he trusted. He had his sling, five smooth stones and an unshakable faith in his God. David was the victor and Israel was delivered because of his unwavering faith. He was dressed in the armor of God!

We are engaged in a great spiritual war. We are not fighting flesh and blood but against spirits and against the very ruler of the darkness of this world. Eph. 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

Saul’s armor was not beneficial to David. He chose rather to put his faith in the awesome power of God. We must choose to follow the example set by David. Far too many are trusting in man-made theology and man-made plans. We must have the anointing and covering of God to meet our enemy and be victorious in this conflict. Anything less than total surrender to the plan of God will certainly ensure defeat. 

Put on Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation and the Word of God. Put On The Armor Of God!

Your Love Lord! by Myra Boozer

YOUR LOVE LORD...

Is so high my mind can't reach it...

My thoughts can't think it...

My heart can't conceive it...

And my words can't express it...

YOUR LOVE LORD...

Is like the ocean, it covers more than I can see...

Like the sky, it keeps on going...

Like the rivers, it keeps on flowing...

Like the trees, it keeps on reaching...

And the flowers, it keeps on growing...

YOUR LOVE LORD...

It finds me where I am...

It hovers over me like a light...

It forces me to smile even in the saddest times...

It lifts me above the sorrows...

And gives me hope for tomorrow...

Your Love Lord... is all I need...

My God Is Awesome!

You are mighty Oh God in the midst of your people. Who can stand against Your beloved as You dwell among them? How Great and Mighty You are, Your Wonders ready to perform. Is anything too difficult for You? “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” Jeremiah 32:17. There is nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing that God can’t do. Put your faith and trust in Him today!

"Father God, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit of God, when I survey the awesomeness of who you are, I stand in wonder of your person. You are the Creator of all things yet you are my Father. You are the Life and Sustainer of all things created yet you are my Life and more abundantly. You are my Way, my Truth and my Life. In you, I live and move and have the entirety of my being. You are the power of Almighty God inhabited within the person of the Holy Spirit as witnessed in the book of Acts. Yet you are my Strength, my Power, my Comforter, my Teacher, my Paraclete. You are the Divine and Magnanimous Person who inhabits all of eternity yet you are my Friend, my Companion, my Heart and my Soul. There is no one like you!” 

Psalm 46:1, “...God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

God Is My Refuge! by Myra Boozer

"A lot of people have these little retreat places they go to when they need a break from the everyday hustle and bustle of life. Some just can't wait to go to the beach. Others will head to the mountains. Still, others will spend time in theme parks and other places of interest. But, me? I love to just find a quiet place with my Lord! It can be in the early morning when the sun is coming up, or the late hours of night when everyone else is sleeping. I can go outside to the porch swing, or sit in my recliner. I can travel to the mountains or sit on the bank of a lake or river. When I need to get away, I go to my refuge...” by Pastor David L. Browder

Psalms 91:2, " I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." 

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." When the things of this world can fade away like a fog that lifts off the valley, I believe that we find a new perspective about life, love and our relationship with others, especially God. He fills our every longing and desire. We no longer are pushed or pressured into needing anything except Him and His presence. It is no longer about me and what I must attain or receive from this world. God becomes my focus! He brings my life to the fullest. My heart can sing in the midst of chaos because I know He is more than enough for today and tomorrow...God Is My Refuge!

Peace In Time Of Storm!

John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

This very moment as we battle the storms in our life, Jesus is making provision for us. He is providing the spiritual fortitude to bring us through the storms and also preparing our final destination to be with Him. We must place our hand in His and let Him lead us there. There is no storm, no trial, no test or battle that He cannot navigate. In fact, He allows the storms to come to help us grow and mature as His disciples. He is teaching us to recognize the best path. He is teaching us that He is always with us and we are learning to recognize Him in our storm. God uses the storms to fashion His faith, His trust and His assurance in us. Faith that His promises are sure, trust that it is His voice we hear and assurance that no matter where the storms may carry us, He is always there. Matt. 28:20, “...and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world...”

Christ has promised to go with us, sustain us and deliver us. What we must to do is walk with Him. We belong to Him and He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27. He has paid a great price for our deliverance and nothing can take us out of His hand if we will only trust and obey Him.

Psalm 31:19, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.” 

My soul craves the peace of God's presence. In His stillness, I find peace and rest. He lifts me above this world's raging storm. He quiets the winds and calms the blustery waves. He commands “peace, be still” and my life returns. He is my Peace In Time Of Storm!

The Only Remedy For Sin Is Repentance! by Myra Boozer

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Evil is running rampant in this world but also in many churches. The toleration of sin is a mockery of God's holiness and majesty. It is a mockery of the shed blood of Jesus on the cross." This is from a post by David C. Cooke, “Quit Calling Sin a Mistake.” It is strong, powerful and cuts to the heart of the matter, but it is Truth. The world is not hearing much truth these days.

Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Titus 2:11, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

Better to know the truth than to believe a lie and be lost. Jesus own words in Luke 13:3, "Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." The Word of God has been so watered down! So much of the Word has NOT been preached to this generation which has led us to where we are today. People just pick and choose whatever they want to believe because there is a smorgasbord of doctrine out there. There is ONLY one Way and it is the BIBLE way, and we are not free to change it to our liking! 

We must seek God with an honest heart and know His Truth. That is what will SAVE us in the end, and time is running out! The clock is ticking and the midnight hour is almost here. Just listen to the news. Prophecy is being fulfilled! We have a Savior who wants to make us pure and holy and acceptable in His sight. We must surrender to His call and walk in His approval if we want to go to heaven. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." We need to stop calling sin a mistake. The Only Remedy For Sin Is Repentance!

Replacing God's Plan!

Jude 1:3-4

Jude wrote to identify the apostasy that had crept into the Church in his day. There were false teachers presenting Gnostic beliefs as truth. They believed and taught the emancipation of the spirit while their flesh could do anything it liked and as a result, they were guilty of all kinds of lawlessness. Vs. 4, For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Lasciviousness is defined by the Greek word “aselgia” which means: wantonness, lewdness, sensual. HelpWord studies define it as “violent spite which rejects restraint and indulges in lawless insolence, shameless and defiant, contemptuous expressing deep hatred or disapproval.” The use of this word indicates contempt for and revolt against the plan of God. We can conclude from this text that carnal men have chosen to reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ and replace it with their own carnal theology.

Jude was also writing to warn future generations to guard against false doctrine. The departure from the “faith” began some time ago. What we are seeing now is the result of rejecting God’s plan and authority. We can conclude that this apostasy, defection, revolt is taking place right before our eyes. We can also conclude that as this falling away takes place, we can know that “the day of Christ,” “the day of the Lord” is at hand. See 2 Thess. 2:1-3.

God’s judgment is upon us because of man’s sinful revolt against His influence in our daily lives. One reason for this impending judgment is the apostasy that has crept into our churches. The ideals of a carnal theology have infiltrated the pulpit and replaced the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

Sin and apostasy must be identified and addressed in the Church. Our church leaders are obligated to seek for and teach the Truth. We are bound by our covenant and calling by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach and teach His Gospel. Today, we stand at the door of Christ’s return. Our task is to prepare for the appearing of the Son of God, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Our challenge is to make ready the bride to be united with the bridegroom.

The external forces in our world are pressing in upon the boundaries of holiness and righteousness which are so firmly established in God's Holy Word. We must push back against and stop this intrusion. 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” We need the correction of the Word by the Holy Spirit. This correction must begin at the “house of God.” This text indicates an examination by the Word and Spirit in the household of faith, the family of God, God’s house.

The Bride of Christ will be presented to Him as chaste, pure, undefiled and without spot or wrinkle. One role of the Holy Spirit is to illuminate the darkness and remove the covering for sin. The covering for sin is the absence of Truth. The Word of Truth illuminated by the Spirit of Truth will set the souls of men free to walk in the liberty which only God can give.

The promise of Christ is that as the pure Gospel goes forth, it is accompanied by His power and authority. When religious men compromise the Word of God, there is no authority of Christ, therefore, there is no power. If there is no power in the message, ask by whose authority the message has come. Is this my message or the message from the heart of God? It must be God’s message or we are Replacing The Plan Of God with our plan of the flesh! 

Revelation 22:18, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

I Run To Jesus! by Myra Boozer

When my heart can't find direction and my thoughts are running wild, I run to my Savior and I began to cry. He dries my tears with hands of mercy and looks into my eyes. He knows my burdens and that my tears are for those for whom He died. I tell Him all my secrets and allow Him to mend my wounds. I tell Him how my heart breaks for those that I hold dear, for those who once loved Him but walked away and left Him far behind, for those who are now lonely and feeling exhausted by this life. I call out to Him and ask that He would speak softly, just call out their name. Help them to see there is a better way! Help them to see you Lord, the person that you are, the Son of God and Redeemer of this world! 

Lord would You send someone to talk to them, someone they will listen to? Maybe a neighbor, a friend or a stranger...Someone who would remind them of the treasure they once had and cause them to quickly turn and run to You...because You will be running to them with open arms of mercy, forgiveness and New Life. You have not forgotten them! You love them still the same! On the cross, You died for all who will call upon Your Name. I Run To Jesus!

The Soul Cries Out For Freedom!

Hebrews 12:1, “...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” The soul cries out for freedom, freedom from sin’s influence and sin’s wages. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Disobedience is sin and sin is a weight that paralyzes our attempts to be right and live right.

We need to identify our struggles in life and decide that we will not entertain the influences of sin. And, neither can any person if he or she wants to truly be free. Sin is a weight! Its destructive power is like a malignant cancer with its invasive tentacles reaching into every fiber of the human body. The cancer must be identified and eradicated. It is the work of the Holy Ghost to identify the sin.

It is the work of the same Holy Ghost to destroy the power of sin. He does this when we repent and walk the light of the Word. He does this because of the power of the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. Accept the saving grace of Christ and don’t look back. By faith in the finished work of the blood of Jesus, tell Satan that he has no hold in your life. Tell him he can no longer exert his influence in your life. You need to decide that he is not welcome and he needs to feel the indignation of the Holy Spirit’s disapproval. 

Submit yourself completely to the leadership of God, resist Satan’s influence and he will flee from you. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” In the preceding verses, James addresses the pride that exists in the fleshly heart. God will not receive our proud boasting but if we will humble ourselves He will give us His grace. Humble yourself before God and He will lift you above your storm and you will experience the Freedom your Soul Cries Out For!

Who Will Listen? by Myra Boozer

Who will listen to the still small voice when He speaks. It won't be the excitable, giddy one who is inflated with self-conceit being bound up in pride with an arrogant spirit leaves no room for listening.

It won't be the one who can't be reasoned with because they are stubborn and stuck without understanding, unable to concede.

It won't be the fearful for it takes courage to receive instruction.

It won't be someone who doesn't welcome change for God is an advocate for change in its most deliberate form.

It won't be someone who refuses to forgive, for the speaker is the Father of Forgiveness and He requires it.

It won't be someone who ignores the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is the very unction to hear the still small voice.

It won't be someone who doesn't understand trust, because God is all about our leaning on Him. 

So Who Will Listen? I think it is the one who is DESPERATE...The one calling out to God for HELP in their Brokenness, the DESTITUTE person who has forsaken all to find God. All else has failed and they are searching for answers from someone higher than themselves. If that is YOU, there is HOPE! God will speak to your HEART when you listen with your HEART...Who Will Listen!

Lord, Speak To Your Sheep!

John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

God has not concluded the revelation of His TRUTH. He is still speaking to submissive hearts and open minds. There is much that He desires to reveal to the Body of Christ, the Church of Christ. We need desperately to experience His revelation in us and through us. How does He want to implement His will in the Body and through the individual members?

His plan in us will always have the greater good of the Body in focus. When we, the Body, actively seek and follow His directions, Christ is exalted, His work in the Body is confirmed and members in the Body are vindicated. May God empower us to be actively engaged in His plan and purpose, NOW, TODAY and EVERY DAY till we see His glorious return.

John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.” 

Let us purpose here and now to submit ourselves new and afresh to God's master plan, not only for our own salvation and victory but also for the divine will and purpose of God in the earth. Allow Him to place us where it pleases Him and fits His purpose. For that grand venture, we will require the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Lord, Speak To Your Sheep!

Living In Splendor! by Myra Boozer

Do you ever wonder about the home the Lord has gone to prepare for you? Will it be a villa by the beautiful sea or a chalet in the mountains? I don't know what it will be like. I sure don't need to have anything fancy. I can just hang out by the crystal sea and sit on the beach for a long time. Then, I can come and visit you in your new home and we can talk about all the things that we don't have time to talk about down here.

Oh, we will not talk of our insecurities, our lack of trust or hope or any of our sickness. The bills will all be paid, no talk of politics, or the school system...no talk about what is going on next door or the way the people are treating little children...abandoning them and leaving them on the streets and even aborting them before they are born.

No talk of all the shootings and robberies and the vulgar filth that is on the TV and the movie theaters...No talk of drugs, alcohol and abuse...or talk of drama, and fake people, no talk of the Grammy Awards or any worldly status.

No talk of needing goats to send to the needy...no talk of needing clean water for little thirsty children. We will all be happy, healthy and completely whole, living in the splendor of a Righteous God who will feed us from His Throne forever and ever. 

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." John 14:2-4

The Dreams Of My Life Refocused! Conclusion

We must plan for the present with the end in view. We set our goals in life always thinking of tomorrow or later. I realize that there are things in life for which you must plan. It is best to prepare for college and career, marriage and family, retirement and final things. But, it is so very important to keep the finish in mind, always! A correct understanding of the final things in one's life will keep everything else in proper focus. Then we understand that our vision of the finish will determine how we respond to every relationship in life. No matter what decision or choice we may face, the final things will bring a correct perspective to the matter. Ecc. 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Therefore, life's choices are governed by our vision of final things. We realize that we live our lives in the present tense. We are planning for tomorrow by the way we live today. That will not only affect our lives but also those who have been given into our care and those who share our sphere of influence on this journey.

Now, getting back to my little gray squirrel (see post for 9/16/19). His creator has given him an innate sense to gather and store provisions. I am sure that what appeared to me to be a frantic search was normal for him. That's the way squirrels are because God created them that way. You and I are created to live on a much higher plane. If God gives an animal an innate sense of provision for his life, God has done so much more for us. The problem comes when we fail to communicate with Him. My little squirrel has an automatic system built into his consciousness for his provision. We are created higher than any other creature in God's creation. We were made for relationship with God and each other. Our relationship requires communication. If we fail to communicate with God, we cannot receive instruction for our provision.

If we are listening to God, He will instruct us in His plan for us today. He will help us to understand that we live His will today so that we are in His will tomorrow. If we follow Christ today, we have no need to worry about tomorrow. Our life and future is secure in the grace of Jesus Christ. 

2 Tim. 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Treasures Of The Heart! by Myra Boozer

Proverbs 2:1, “My son, (or daughter) if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.” NASB

The things that I love and hold dear to my heart are just borrowed they're not mine at all... Jesus only let me use them to brighten my life...So remind me, remind me, dear Lord. The words of an old song hold true today. I have loved and held many things close to my heart. I have had so many blessings and material goods. No, I am not wealthy compared to some. But compared to others, I am. I have had my share of the comforts of life, not extravagant things but enjoyable things. Some have been very useful and some just pretty to look at and some just plain and simple little treasures. But, things are just that, they are “Things.” Things can be replaced if lost or stolen. They are disposable and transferable. They are just things.

Sometimes things get in the way of what is important. They can become too meaningful and take our time and energy away from what really counts. I am learning to lay them down. Day by day they are losing their value to me. I have been letting them go from my heart for some time now because I will not take them with me. They have served their purpose thus far and I am very thankful for all I have been given to enjoy along the way.

I have always tried to keep my head straight as for how I spend our money. I have tried to be saving and practical, you know the bargain hunter kind of person. But even at a bargain, the “things” you have can become a part of you. You become familiar with them and they sometimes become “treasures.” They may not be worth much to anyone else but you. They are special to you.

Well, I have had lots of those special things hidden away in old hat boxes or the dresser drawers and in closets, even under the beds. Things I have saved from our only little boy, baby clothes, little cars and things he saved thru the years. Things that make you smile, like a costume I made him for his 1st-grade play, pictures he drew of his house, family and the neighbor's dog. The dog stayed at our house because he loved it so much. You know “treasures” that I don’t plan on throwing out but my heart is letting go.

I think I understand the purpose is for letting go. It isn’t wrong to have things but it is wrong for things to have us. When what we have and what we do is all about things and we just want to live on and on so we can secure and protect our treasures, we need to release them. There are no U-hauls going to heaven. I don’t want the tears that are wiped away from my eyes to be about the “things” I have accumulated. I will leave all that behind. 

1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world...” I am letting go! The greatest treasures I have are My precious Family, My Relationship with the Lord and My Understanding of His Word. I celebrate the fact that He died, that I might live and that has nothing to do with “things.” That is my greatest treasure! And, that my friend, I must hold on to forever and NEVER LET GO. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” Matt. 6:21.

The Dreams Of My Life Refocused!

Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

(I wrote this some time ago on a wet, dreary day, inspired by a little gray squirrel). As I sit looking out my window, I observe nature at work in my world. The rain is falling at a steady pace and a gray squirrel is running from place to place appearing to be searching for food he has stored. His work must continue whether sunshine or rain. No matter what the weather or circumstance each day brings the same responsibility and need for provision and survival.

We have a lot in common with my little squirrel. We rush at a hurried pace from place to place searching for whatever we perceive to be the needs of life. And we do that for the entirety of our lives. We rush through our childhood wishing that we were older so we can participate in the games of life. Whether it is to attain the age of 13 to be a teenager, or 16 to get a drivers license, on we go experiencing the magic of age, graduating high school and maybe college.

We hurry through those magical years thinking that by “obtaining” our lives will be fulfilled. We find a mate, get married and start a family. We are so very busy learning how to be a companion, parent, and provider, thinking that life will slow down at some point and we can begin to enjoy who we are and what we do. So, we rush through the early family years thinking that when the children get older, or we land that perfect job or we achieve this or that all will be “better” and we can slow down and enjoy the life we have created. 

And, before you know it the children are all grown up, have chosen mates and have started families of their own. Then we rush through the grandparent years helping our children and grandchildren to do the same as we have done. We are rushing through time achieving, thinking all along this journey that at some point we are going to slow down and enjoy the life we have created for ourselves and our families. However, we must plan for the present with the end in view. (continued)