Author: Sonja

Child of the King; Christian WP Blogger; Grandmother or five; retired 55 years; Property Landlord; Buckner International missionary for 10 years; struggling unpublished memoirs writer of non-fiction personal life events!

God Invites Us To Pay It Forward

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Blog - Pay It Forward-697243

Extend a Helping Hand – Pay It Forward

I learned something today.  It was amazing.  I had never thought of this ‘truth’ before.  This new eye-opening and informative statement caused me to wonder if others had somehow missed this fact, too.  Here it is…

“When the average person becomes a Christian, he or she is not necessarily thinking “horizontally” about what just happened–that they have agreed to be adopted into a new family of people.  Instead, they are usually thinking “vertically”—that is, looking upward towards a new-found relationship with the Almighty God and Jesus Christ.”

What is not realized at the outset is the fact that the Kingdom of God is like a composite of family members.  And that God ordained the creation of a new family community right here on earth made up with those who have become his followers–in the horizontal atmosphere.  Basically, the walls that contain the family is called the church; and the place without walls is the heart of the confessed believer.

ISN’T THAT GOOD NEWS!

Jesus’ first group of followers were also a community.  Better known as the 12 disciples or apostles, this group of men were all baptized, ate and prayed together, performed wonders and signs, and ministered to the people. (Acts 2:41-47)

What about you? 

Since your conversion, have you been responsible in introducing someone else to Christ?  I asked myself this question and without much hesitation, could recall several opportunities where the Holy Spirit had given me the unction to approach total strangers.

Once when I was eating alone in a restaurant, I noticed a young lady also eating alone seated not too far from me.  After a while, I introduced myself and invited her to join me.  I learned she had just relocated to my city and was looking for a new beginning.  What an opportunity to inquire if she was also looking for a new place of worship.  The conversation proceeded from there and ultimately, she became a member of my church.  The rest is history.

Last week I celebrated a milestone birthday with a grand party with a host of family and friends.  After reading an article in the AARP monthly magazine, I followed suit on what a reader and contributor to the magazine had done.  I read where she had given a sum of money to each party participant and had asked them to pay it forward.  As a result, she had received feedback from some of her guests with inspiring stories of gratitude.  I decided to do the same thing.

Since I had more than 80 party goers, I only gave each one a dollar and asked them to add to it if they so desired, but to pass it on by paying it forwarded with a blessing that God would be glorified.  For me, that turned out to be the highlight of my birthday bash.

You know, the older I get, the easier it becomes for me to keep the faith, to defuse doubt, to trust God, to entertain strangers, to find time to meditate, and to visit the doctors with reassurance that God’s got it!  So, in all of my getting, I am striving to get an understanding in the things of God that will bless his people in their going out and coming in.  My true desire is to pay it forward!  Amen!

Lord, Lest I forget, Lead me to Calvary….

3:48 Take a few minutes to click and play this song while you meditate on the Scripture below.

Scripture Lesson:  “We are no longer Jews or Greeks or slaves or free men or even merely men or women, but we are all the same–we are Christians; we are one in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:28 (Living Bible)
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God Designed Us With Precision

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Blog - God and herbs and drumba class

That’s me in the center of my Drumba Class beating with precision!

Because my birthday celebration is upon me, I have found myself giving over to silent, impromptu, heartfelt and sincere prayers of thanks to our gracious, loving and kind Lord of Host for ordaining me these expanded years of life. For the Bible says; “The days of our years are threescore years and ten…” Psalm 90:10

Yet, God has given me much more…

Not only was He generous in giving me extended years of life, but He has also designed my innermost being to remain healthy and sustaining for most of them…notwithstanding the stripes Jesus Christ suffered on the cross for my salvation.  Plus the strength to beat those large balls to death to lively music in my Drumba classes.

So, I can say with assurance; “I praise you, {Lord}, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Psalm 139:14

God Placed Natural Healing Wisdom At Our Fingertips…

Do you realize that God did not just make us with precision, He also gave us access to bona fide natural medical remedies to cure what ails us.  As you know, for centuries, people have been using herbs for their culinary and medicinal benefits.  Listed below are 7 herbs that are still being widely used today for healing and restoration.  Some of their uses in biblical times and today are listed.

  Blog - God made us with precision aloe plant

Aloe

 Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes.  About  seventy-five pounds (for burial).  John 19:39

Today’s use is for burns, rashes and to lower blood pressure.
Blog -God made us cumin

Cumin

 (Jesus said in regards to tithing) Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You give a tenth of your spices—mint, anise and cumin (for cooking).  Matthew 23:23

Today’s use is for your digestion system, breast feeding, and coughs.
Blog - God lemon balm

Lemon balm

 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead.  Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt (for bartering).  Genesis 37:25

Today’s use is for making soothing salves and oils.
Blog - God Designed us precision bitter herbs

Bitter Herbs

 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. (seasoning)  Exodus 12:8

Today’s use is for kidney stones, digestive system and the urinary tract.

Mustard Seed

 

 He (Jesus) told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field (Medicine and teaching).  Luke 13:18, 19

Today’s use is for common colds, soar throats, muscle and back relaxing, and as a hair conditioner to treat damaged hair.

Myrrh

 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad (for burial). Psalm 45:8

Today’s use is as a cleansing agent, and to help with ulcerated throats and mouth sores.
Blog - God olive tree

Olive Oil

 Command the sons of Israel that they bring to you clear oil from beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually ( illumination).  Leviticus 24:2

Today’s use is for cosmetics, medicine, cooking, and soaps, and was also used as a fuel for traditional lamps.

 

I’ll be the first to admit that with drug stores and pharmacists so readily available, I do not avail myself to a lot of natural healing.  But I have tried olive oil and aloe for medicinal purposes.  Once, when I was a teenager, my grandmother had me to chew on a dandelion root to cure my cramps.  And another time she picked some wild mint from the front yard and had me chew it to alleviate a sour stomach.  Both experiences worked.  Boy oh boy, how I wished I had preserved all those ‘ole time’ remedies!

As I prepared for this blog, the Holy Spirit reminded me of this verse:   “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”  Revelation 22:2

I thought to myself, God is interested in every thing I do.  He walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am His own.  How wonderful and blessed I am to have such a friend in Jesus.  (And I pray that that is your desire, too.)  As for me, I will continue to serve Him until traveling days (and birthdays) are over.  Amen!

Scripture Lesson:   “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.  I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”  Psalm 34:1-4

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 God Whispered “Count Your Blessings”

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Yes, we all need to go to God in prayer

As a child, while in the first decade of my life, there was a song I sung in Sunday School entitled, “Count Your Blessings, Name Them One By One”.  Well, this morning, as I’m approaching the 8th decade of my life, the Lord whispered, My Child, count your blessings.

(There is no sweeter sound to hear early in the morning then the sweet, sweet, voice of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.)

So, the first thoughts that ran through my mind were the spiritual gifts that the Lord has so graciously showered on me.  Did you know that there are spiritual gift survey tools that can help you discover and exercise your God-given gifts?  Most Christians have a dominant spiritual gift and many Christians have more than one gift.  I’ve been tested and my dominant spiritual gift is Hospitality.

But for some reason, this morning as I was praying and preparing to write my blog post for this week, the Holy Spirit directed me to one of my minor gifts, my gift of ministry.  You see, I love to pray for all kinds of situations, for example; my fellow believers, strangers, lost causes, world events, highway accidents, police and fire truck sirens, and stumped toes.  Yep! Just about anything. Smiling face with halo

Praying personally for people is the hardest assignment…though.  Why?… because there should be a method for the moment.  And that lesson was what the Holy Spirit wanted to remind me of this morning.

When ministering to others and when they specifically ask you to pray for them, I was reminded by my Heavenly Father to A-S-K!

  • ASK the person what exactly do they want Jesus to do.  Do not just look at their physical appearance or listen to their ranting about their circumstances.  Preference your question with scripture by saying:  Jesus asked the blind man in Mark 10:51 “What do you want me to do for you?”
  • ASK the person how long they have encountered the problem.  This inquiry gives you and the person time to pause, think, relax and breathe.  This question also gives you time to ascertain if the person is harboring any unconfessed sins such as guilt, or resentment.  Remember how Jesus prayed in Mark 9:21 “Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has he been like this?'”
  • SEEK the persons eyeballs!  Yes, always look them dead in the eyes. If the person turns their head away, or will not look you in the eyes, this could indicate that they are afraid or uneasy.  This could also be caused by many other things.  Are you too close to them…in their space.  Or are there too many other distractions such as no privacy or maybe you both need to sit down or kneel or something.  Look around.  Be vigilant.  For your information, Matthew 6:22-23 says, “The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”
  • SEEK the Lord.  Your first prayer for the person may be one for any unconfessed sins, resentment or guilt.  OR the timing may not be right.  Remember the cripple man in the Bible who was put at the gate called Beautiful every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.  But he did not receive what he really needed until Peter and John passed by him one day.  Acts 3:1-5
  •  KNOCK on the door of the Holy Spirit.  Ask Him to come in and sup with you and the person you are ministering to.  Wait on Him.  This may take a few seconds or minutes.  Begin your time together by just whispering a soft prayer or invitation for the Holy Spirit and Jesus to come into your mist prior to your partitioning Them for aide for the person you are praying for.
  • KNOCK again if necessary.  After you have prayed and neither of you since the anointing of the Holy Spirit, pray again.  Or perhaps you need to schedule another time or solicit two or three other prayer partners to corporately pray for this person.  Some things come through prayer and fasting.   Matthew 17:21

Thank you Holy Spirit for this time together.  My prayer is that God will be glorified whenever someone feels the need to call on another to be ministered to in prayer.  And if the name called is mine, please, God, allow me to be somewhere listening and remembering all the many blessings you have given me.   AMEN.

– Merle Haggard – I’ll Be List’ning

 
 
 
 
Scripture Lesson:  Therefore, confess your sins to one another (your false steps, your offenses_, and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored.  The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much (when put into action and made effective by God–it is dynamic and can have tremendous power).  James 5:16 (Amplified)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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God Wants You To Become More Christlike

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EAT THE WORD

Out of the frying pan and into the skillet!  That was the first thought that entered my mind as I started to write this week’s blog. Where did that thought come from I asked myself?  Dear Lord are you there?  Are you trying to tell me something?  Speak Lord, for thy servant is listening.

And thus, our conversation began…

Did you know that becoming like Christ has nothing to do with transforming your personality, but everything to do with transforming your character?  However, to understand this statement, you first must know the definition for both words.

  • Personality – The sum of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual.  (These features can be honed by the individual.)
  • Character – The inherent complex of attributes that determines a person’s moral and ethical actions and reactions. (These features can ONLY be honed by Christ.)

I intentionally highlighted the difference between these two words to make it absolutely clear what the Bible teaches us.  Yes, we are wonderfully and uniquely made in the image of God and he does not want us to lose this uniqueness.  But what he does want is for us to develop our character in the image of the beatitudes listed in Matthew Chapter 5.  In other words, God desires our character to be a blessing to others and not to make you a god but to transform you to be godly.

The lesson to be learned is this…develop your personality not just to be a unique individual that is all about “me-myself-and I”.  BUT use your unique personality to be a nurturer to others.  Allow your moral and ethical characteristics and actions to be a source of power God can use to mold you into his godly person.

Rick Warren, author of the book, The Purpose Driven Life writes; “Christlikeness is not produced by imitation, but by inhabitation.”  So why not consider to ‘let go’ of your methods of what is good and perfect and ‘let God’ fortify your spiritual growth and development.

Personal testimony….

It wasn’t that long ago when I personally struggled with this dilemma.  I wanted so much to be just like my older sister.  But she was much smarter than I.  She dominated the accolades from our parents.  I was always being compared to my sister as being ‘not as smart as M______’.  As an adult, I began to recognize that what I really desired as a child was to mimic my sister’s personality.  And that flawed thinking almost destroyed my ability to allow God to do a good work in me by developing my own character borne out of my love for Jesus Christ.

GOD HAD TO ERADICATE ALL MY CHILDHOOD THOUGHTS OF THINKING THAT I COULD NETHER BE AS GOOD OR AS HUMBLE AS HIS SON, JESUS.  I WAS IGNORANT OF THE FACT THAT GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, BUT FAIL.

Perhaps you, too, were raised in the shadow of someone else.  If you have ‘been there and done that’ get over it!  Come to realize that even though you can develop your own personality, only God can develop your character.  I once wrote this line in a prose writing you can revisit in the very first blog I published on WordPress entitled “Mr. Character”. (*)

 “Mr. Character, I salute you for those unselfish efforts you have attempted to perform in the lives of others. You know, you are really like a mirror…that is, you reflect in every mood. Every experience you encounter is automatically revealed.”

Little did I know that when I was addressing “Mr. Character,” I was actually addressing God.  And YES, I jump out of the frying pan into God’s holy skillet!

Scripture Lesson:   Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.  Romans 12:2

(*)  NOTE:   For the complete reading of “Mr. Character” click Archive month of May 2018 to the right of this page. Then scroll down to the article)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Intentionally Designed His World and Its Inhabitants To Be Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

On By SonjaIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Blog- The Devil Made Me Do It-1839564A strange thing happened to me as I sat down at my computer to begin composing this week’s blog for Conversations With God Using Scripture.  You see, I had been procrastinating all week and had not given any thought or prayer time for choosing a subject.  Actually, I had been basking in the success of my writer’s class I facilitate every first and third Monday of the month here in my apartment building.  The class is growing in number and the seniors who attend always shower me with accolades on my teaching style and informative information that I present.  (I guess I had gotten the big head and my pride overtook me.)  “The Devil Made Me Do It!”

Instantly, as I bowed my head to ask forgiveness for my counterfeit prideful interest in my writing class, a small Voice whispered; My Child, don’t you know that writing is governed by ‘life lines‘ and from the beginning I, and I alone have introduced ‘life lines‘ into my world in every aspect of human life?

What in the world are ‘Life lines’ I asked the wind, so I Googled it!  And thus, this week’s blog was born.  And boy, oh boy, what a powerful lesson the Holy Spirit taught me.  

BAM ALS

Please continue reading and see for yourself

BESIDES GOOGLE, GOD CONVERSED WITH ME USING SCRIPTURE TO LET ME KNOW THAT HE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED HIS WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS TO BE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE (Psalm 139:14)

Writing is governed by ‘life lines’.  But it is better known as “The Rule of Three” to artists, storytellers, play writers and comedians to help them develop their plots, scenarios and jokes.  Fundamental rules for developing a story should always have a (1) beginning, (2) middle, and (3) an ending.  Also, scientific research has shown that the human brain processes information masterfully by recognizing patterns of three which is the smallest numbers of elements.

For example, here are the titles of some of the most famous books you may remember from your childhood:  Three Musketeers, Three Blind Mice, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Three Little Pigs.

Now, let’s tie this ‘Rule of Three—Life Line’ to the Bible.  What about the three Wise Men and the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Or the three in one concept of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Or another use of these parings with faith, hope and charity.  Or body, soul and spirit, or the introduction to Genesis: “In the beginning…”, just to name a few.

In the secular world, let’s look at the following examples:

  • Realtors say, Location, location, location…
  • Athletes say, Blood, sweat and tears…
  • Patriots say, Red, White and Blue…
  • Niki says, Just do it!
  • Children recite, One little, two little, three little Indians…
  • Orators say, Friends, Romans, countrymen…
  • Coaches say, One, two, three go….

Studies have also shown that when we operate and govern our lives with the rule of three, instructions are easier to remember then when using four or five and it allows for less confusion even under duress or extreme conditions.

The Rule of Three is sometimes used spontaneously or intentionally in our everyday lives.  Young mothers often use it to control their cantankerous children by threatening:  “I’m going to count to three just one more time…onnnne, tooowww, threeee…(Lot’s of luck with that!)

SOME HINTS WHEN PRESENTING THE GOSPEL…

When presenting the Gospel to the lost, consider paring it down to just three basic Truths:  Love, Honor and Obey.  Hope will spring eternal for your listeners when they hear you say to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength because…He first loved us!  You can also talk about the 27 Books in the New Testament…(that’s 3 to the 3rd power equals 27!)  Choose one of the subjects below to share for lasting memories.

  • Jesus prayed 3 times in the Garden of Gethsemane (You can talk about the lack of support Jesus received from his homeboys.)
  • He was placed on the Cross at the 3rd hour of the day  (You can equate that time with our A.D. time of 9:00 a.m.)
  • He died at the 3rd hour (You can make it plan by saying 3 p.m.)
  • The sun was darkened for 3 hours prior to Jesus’ death on the Cross (That’s an Old Testament prophecy…look it up)
  • Jesus arose from the grave on the 3rd day (He conquered death, hell and the grave…get it…another set of threes)

AND THERE’S MORE…

  • The righteous patriarchs before the flood were 3 men: Abel, Enoch and Noah
  • The righteous patriarchs after the flood were 3 men:  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
  • The special friends of Jesus were: Peter, James and John
  • Jonah was 3 days in the bell of the fish

Well, my friends, what do you think?  Did Jesus or did Jesus not set me straight on the notion that I had anything to brag about.  The Holy Spirit said it was God all along.  He had already done it before the beginning of time.  God had already  set in motion the theory of Biblical numerology in His people and in the world.  None of us can boast about anything.  For if we do, we are robbing God of His majesty and His omnipotent power.

I have learned my Scripture Lesson:  “For there are three that testify:  the Spirit, the water and the blood and the three are in agreement.  We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.”  1 John 5:7-10

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

God Desires His People To Bare Their Souls

On By SonjaIn Uncategorized7 Comments
“I swear to tell the whole truth.”

Do you agree that sometimes we can become overly concerned with the judgment of other people?  We often burden our hearts with thoughts like, “What will people think?  Will they talk negatively about me behind my back?  Will I sound and look like an idiot if I reveal this experience?

Blog-God Desires His People To Bare Their Souls

God’s opinion is the only one that counts…search the Scriptures for your answer!

The above thoughts used to hinder me from expressing myself at the Wednesday night church prayer meetings earlier in my Christian walk.  But not any more!  The power of the Holy Spirit has manifested Himself inside of me and freed me from being self-conscious about a lot of life’s circumstances.  Those things that had crippled me, negatively impacted me, strengthened me and empowered me in a boastful manner have now molded me into a believer who desires to press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:14)

Perhaps you, too, have felt similarly during the early stages of your Christian journey and maybe you didn’t.  But I would like to bet you were often consumed with thoughts of how others judged you as a godly person.  After all, is it not our innermost intent to be obedient and to become salt and light in the world in order to provoke others’ thoughts and in some cases emotions, to pick up their crosses and to follow Jesus.

Yes, it can be very painful but necessary to bare your soul among fellow believers or total strangers, especially when you realize the solutions to answered prayers could possibly bless them and also to contribute to their faith and growth relationship with our Lord and Savior.  It’s what makes serving God resonate throughout the Christian and unsaved communities. Especially when your personal testimony reveals something deeper, and has an element of vulnerability; a personal and powerful spiritual truth that propelled you to grow immensely in the fear of the Lord and to strengthen your trust in Him.

So, if you want to spread joy and hope to others, consider trusting the Comforter and present yourself a living human sacrifice of praise.  Learn to master the ability to be human–share your mistakes, successes, punishments and victories in Jesus.  Permit me to borrow a quote from Langston Hughes’ poem entitled, “Mother to Son” ….Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor.

Photography of Hand During Sunset
                                                 All is well, for God will provide.
 
 

Scripture Lesson:  James 1:2-8  “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.   If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;   he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!   

God IS The Author And Finisher Of Our Faith

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When was the last time you had an “Ah-Haa” moment?  Was it last week, yesterday or maybe this morning?  Mine was just now!  Just as I began to compose my thoughts for this week’s blog, the Lord shouted in a loud voice, “STOP in the name of love, before you break my heart.  Think it over.”  Doo wop, doo wop!”

Well, I exaggerated.  The angels were not really blasting out The Supremes 1965 hit song, but I thought it was a great opener for what I am about to share with you (for the second time) concerning just how much God loves proof reading our writings, publishing and promoting our hieroglyphics on how we use His written word as a form of our worship.

Honestly, when life throws me a lemon, one of the most expressive ways I’ve found to cope is by journaling, or writing my grief down somewhere.  And my first thoughts this morning when I awoke were the Holy Spirit whispering to me, my child, that is just what I do…envelop someone’s heart to write things down.  (My “Ah-Haa” moment.)  You see, God is actually the Author and Finisher of our faith….who would-a-thought!

So, what are some examples in the Bible of God’s references to writing things down?  I’m so glad you asked.

  • As a Prosecuting Attorney, God said:  “Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”  Luke 1:3-4
  • As a Supreme Ruler, God said:  “This is what the Lord said, the God of Israel, says:  ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.'”  Jeremiah 30:2a
  • As the Master Teacher, God said:  “Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:9
  • Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote:  “You (the Corinthians) yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.  You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”  2 Corinthians 3:2-3
God Prefers a written letter.

Needless to say, one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day!

I realize that there are other acceptable ways Believers in Christ pay homage to Him, for example:

  1. By worshiping through music.
  2. By worshiping in fasting and praying.
  3. By worshiping conducting Bible study.
  4. By fostering unity in the body of Christ.

But for me, worshiping while journaling allows me to laugh out loud with Him, debate with Him, cry with Him, rejoice with Him, shout with Him, run with Him, Love on Him, and most of all submit to Him.

The man on the left is not a picture of my grandfather, Daddy Bob, but it reminds me of him sitting in the wooden bench swing on his front porch on a warm Spring day, slowly pumping himself back and forth as he read his Bible.  We grandchildren knew not to disturb him, but we could watch him as he from time to time looked up at the rolling clouds in the bright blue sky and spit out his tobacco.  Next, he would take his pencil from behind his ear and underlined something he had just read in the Bible.  How I longed for a peek at that page.  But that was Grandpa’s own private conversation with God and I knew he expected God to answer him in His own good time.

You may be wondering how you can use the written word as a form of worship?  May I suggest you try writing down your first positive thoughts of your day.  And in the evening pick up that list and write down how each thought was accomplished.  Did you make it happen?  Did someone else make it happen?  Was God in the mix?  Then turn it all over to Jesus in your closing written prayer.  Collect these precious pieces of paper and you will be on your way to worshipping while journaling.   Then you, too, will agree that to journal is a wonderful form of expression.

Until next week, my friends, happy journaling.

TO HELP YOU GET STARTED WITH YOUR JOURNALING, SHOP AMAZON FOR THIS JOURNAL NOTEBOOK:  I’ll Write it Down: A Two Way Chat Diary Oct 17, 2019 by Joronda Montañ Paperback      $9.95

Scripture Lesson:  “Never forget to be truthful and kind.  Hold these virtues tightly.  Write them deep within your heart.  If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself.  Proverbs 4:3-5 (Living Bible)  STOP in the name of love…

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God’s Super Woman

On By SonjaIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Dear Readers, this weeks blog is a reprint of one I posted in May 2018.  The reason for this reprint is that I suffered some mild health issues that ‘way-laid’ me for most of the week.  I have been told by friends and family that I need to slow down and smell the roses and perhaps rethink my efforts of trying to be a “Super Woman” for the family of God in this life.

I DON’T KNOW ABOUT THAT, THOUGH!  I’LL HAVE TO CHECK WITH MY FAVORITE MENTOR…JESUS CHRIST.  PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS SITUATION. 

Blog - Super Woman Man in red shirt Prfect!

Okay, in our efforts to be perfect we sometimes forget to put the “e” in the mix.

So What!  Just remember what is written.

God’s requirements for success are unchanging and straightforward:  Keep the faith, keep his commandments, officiate in love and stay on his path of truth and righteousness.  Read the conversation below for a better understanding.

OH LORD, HOW CAN I BECOME A SUPER WOMAN IN THE FAMILY OF GOD?

If you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them, I will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not beneath.                                            Deuteronomy 28:13b-13a

BUT LORD, I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND.  FOR EVEN THOUGH I STUDY YOUR WORD MY HEART IS HEAVY MORE OFTEN THAN GLAD.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.                                 3 John 1:2

TELL ME, MASTER, HOW CAN MY SOUL PROSPER?

My child, it is written that the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in her.  Hebrews 10:38

HOLY FATHER, DO YOU MEAN THAT I AM PREVENTING MYSELF FROM DEVELOPING INTO  A SUPER WOMAN IN YOU BECAUSE MY FAITH IS WEAK?

Consider Abraham, he believed in me and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  Therefore know that only those who are of  faith are daughters of Abraham.                 Galatians 3:6, 7

THEN ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD, DEAR JESUS, IF I INCREASE MY FAITH IN YOU, YOU WILL BLESS ME AND MAKE ME A SUPER WOMAN?

Surely blessing I will bless you and multiplying I will multiply you.                                                Hebrews 6:14

OH, JESUS, YOU ARE SO GOOD AND SO KIND.  AND I PROMISE TO INCREASE MY FAITH AND DEPEND SOLELY UPON YOU IN EVERYTHING I DO.

Just remember,  faith comes not by your own might, but faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.                            Romans 10:17

SO THAT I MIGHT UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY, MY LORD, LET ME REPEAT WHAT YOU SAID.  IN ORDER FOR ME TO BECOME A SUPER WOMAN IN YOUR HOUSE, I MUST LISTEN AND OBEY YOUR COMMANDMENTS AND YOU WILL MAKE ME THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL.

YOU ALSO DESIRE THAT I NOT ONLY BECOME A PROSPEROUS WOMAN, BUT THAT MY SOUL BE ENRICHED AS WELL. AND THE BLESSING IS THAT ALL OF THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED JUST BY INCREASING MY FAITH IN YOU.

That’s right, daughter.  And you should also remember that without faith it is impossible to please me.                            Hebrews 11:6

I KNOW WHAT FAITH IS, LORD, IT IS LIKE HOPING AGAINST HOPE THAT AN INCURABLE SITUATION WILL GET BETTER EVEN THOUGH YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW.

I say it a little differently…Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.           Hebrews 11:1

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THIS VISIT AND I AM DETERMINED TO PUT MY FAITH INTO PRACTICE AND NOT ALLOW SATAN TO ROB ME OF MY SUPERIORITY IN YOU.

Well said, my beloved, for the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.                                            John 10:10

Scripture Reference:  “You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you.”                                             Deuteronomy 5:33

 Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant Manager…Me!

God Suggested That I Let Go And Let God

On By SonjaIn Uncategorized8 Comments

Blog - Let Go and Let God Little boyHave you ever decided to just ‘let go and let God’?  Well I did.   And I have now decided to share that experience with you guys.  All I did was to say to myself; “Enough, already!”  And guess what I decided to throw out: DOUBT, FEAR, WORRYING, INDECISIVENESS, PROCRASTINATION,  ETC., ETC., ETC.  All those things were getting old and in my way.  They kept me from becoming the person God wanted me to be.  Actually, I was hindered from performing things God’s way.  (You remember that song by Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. ‘I Did It My Way’?)

OUT, OUT, OUT YOU GO….

I don’t have any regrets, either!  All those things that were a detriment to my health and that inhibited me from being Christ-like went out the window and the Holy Spirit made room for a new creature in Christ.

You, too, can deep six those books of yours entitled “My Past,” “I Ought,” “I Might”, or “Tomorrow”.  Replace them with “My Future”, “I Can” or “I Will”.

From the very beginning, God had a calling on my life and yours, too.  He seeks us out from birth…from the womb.  I know this for a fact because I asked him.

One evening through prayer, I was led to claim His words that said…”…and you shall be called Sought Out” (see Isaiah 62:12a).  My name was capitalized right there on the pages of the Bible…”Sought Out”!

Although God called me at an early age, like most of you, I did not stop running.  I turned a deaf ear to his voice.  I allowed the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Excuse, Aunt and Uncle Procrastination, and my favorite cousin, Self-willed Willie to have control over my life.  They took turns distorting my hearing, understanding, mind, heart, time, talents and my treasures.  Enough, all ready!

If the truth was told we all have bodies that come designed with a myriad of voices.  Did you know that your persona reflects which voice you are listening to at any given time in your life?  At present (and I hope from this point forward), my persona reflects a contented sheep because the voice I am listening to is that of the Shepherd.

So, when I came to myself, I repented and prayerfully asked the Lord to forgive me for procrastinating in compiling my thoughts into a blog that I had penned entitled “Conversations With God Using Scripture”.  I have also thanked him for silencing every negative voice that previously had dominion over me.  For I once was young, but now I am in my late senior years and am privileged to see just who it was that rescued me from the snares of life.  Thank God for those of you whose eyes and ears were opened in your youth.

But no matter what your age, begin seeking him today.  Start recognizing the extraordinary methods of operation he is performing in your live.  In my situation, he turned my personal Bible study quiet time into an interactive, stimulating and intimate conversational time with him, where of I am glad.  (And I hope my blog readers are truly enjoying eavesdropping on our conversations.)

Always remember that God is calling you twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week.  It is your choice to mentally leave your domain, your comfort zone, your place of many voices and answer his call.  He is the One with the still small voice.  He is The Comforter.  When you are ready to obey and yield, just say, “Speak Lord, thy servant is listening.”

Blog - enough already trash

Hear my prayer, Oh Lord, for this load is too heavy for me.  ‘BLESSED BE GOD, WHO HAS NOT TURNED AWAY MY PRAYER, NOR HIS MERCY FROM ME’.  AMEN (Psalms 66:20)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!   

God Has Empowered His People To Live Life’s Journey Within A Healthy Society

On By SonjaIn Uncategorized4 Comments

(Re blogged by request)

Don’t Worry…Be Happy and Healthy In The Lord and Run With Patience!

Some time ago, while in deep conversation with God, the Holy Spirit shared with me a thing or two about the “Great Physician”.  Basically, I came away with this penetrating thought: “Remain in me (Jesus), as I also remain in you.”  John 15:4

So, for this week’s blog I want to share with you how to be at peace and in good health in this environment even when our bodies are racked with pain; troubled with disturbing thoughts; and our spirits are questioning our faith on every side.

For your understanding, I will apply certain scripture references that will give meaning to why Jesus used so many examples of life’s emotions to teach on how to be blessed and content when all hell is breaking loose around us.

FIRST RULE OF THUMB:  THE PURPOSE

While living down here on earth, those who follow the cross ought always to be salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13) regardless of what physical, mental or material state we find ourselves in.  If we are to be disciples of Jesus Christ, our ways and demeanor should bring illumination and savor (preservation) to our fellow man.  Thus, living in a manner befitting the atmosphere of the Kingdom of God!

SECOND RULE OF THUMB:  THE SCRIPTURE

Our scripture is found in Matthew from chapter 4:23 through 5:12.   You will recognize it as containing The Beatitudes.  The word Blessed is used quit often and means more than just ‘happy’.  It takes on the ultimate well-being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the kingdom of God.

So, during my conversation with God, I asked the Holy Spirit why did He use physical human emotions that depict pain and sorrow to define the word ‘blessed’ or in some Bibles ‘happy’.  For example:

 Blessed are the poor in spirit…

Blessed are they that mourn…

Blessed are the meek… etc.

THIRD RULE OF THUMB:  GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S WORD

Why use physical emotions?  Because those examples have a deeper longing and infuse more sincere compassion not only for personal righteousness, BUT also justice for the oppressed.  Let me explain further; when scripture says blessed are the merciful it means that those souls not only forgive others but also have empathy for them.  When you are sensitive to God’s forgiveness it frees you from feeling guilty and brings comfort to your soul.

All of the qualities and emotions mentioned in these scriptures should allow us to bring peace to others.  But, it is also a catch 22 situation because it can make us vulnerable to persecution.  That’s why Jesus includes blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Children of God.

Here on earth, our only reward may be to be called “sons and daughters of God”.  And we may have to experience God’s kingdom rule while here on earth by becoming a peacemaker thus proving our fitness for the kingdom by suffering down here, but free from such pain in the Atmosphere.

FORTH RULE OF THUMB:  REFILL YOUR PRESCRIPTION (*)

Sickness and infirmities can come about through bad habits, weak constitutions, exposure to danger, crimes, accidents, birth defects, etc., but while experiencing sickness it can also reveal attitudes, values and motives which must be transformed if human beings are to be truly in harmony with God.  (Reference Matthew 5:19-48)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. …(Excerpt from Romans 5:21)

Instructions:  Take One 70 Milligram pill per day…that is, examine yourself.  Your 70 milligram pill represents your 7 senses:  seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, intuition and telepathy.  Each milligram has been dimmed by 7 sins:  pride, anger, lust, covetousness, envy, glutton and sloth.  (All of your aches and pains can be categorized as manifesting from one of your 7 senses or 7 sins.  Therefore, take each pill with a glass of water and intense prayer.   Name the culprit and pray mightily and daily for those things that so easily beset you and hinder you from receiving good health and  intimacy with God.  Schedule a follow-up visit with Doctor Jesus in the morning.)

Scripture Reference:  “Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 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.  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

ALL MEDICINE PRESCRIPTIONS RECOMMENDED HERE ARE ON SALE AT YOUR NEAREST HOLY BIBLE.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!