His Yoke is Easy and His Burden is Light

11-27-2008


Thought at the moment:
WHY ARE WE DEFEATED
WHEN WE DON’T RECEIVE THE DESIRED OR EXPECTED RESPONSE WHEN WE FEEL THAT WE HAVE BLESSED SOMEONE’S LIFE IN A PARTICULAR WAY?????????
HOW CAN WE OVERCOME THIS?????????????????????????????????????????

WHEN WE REALIZE IT IS THE LORD THAT HAS BEEN THE ONE BLESSING OTHERS….THROUGH HIS VESSEL….HIS YOKE IS EASY AND HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT! Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Psa 31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath showed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
Psa 72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Psa 98:1 A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
Psa 109:31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
Isa 12:5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
Mar 3:10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

(When we let Him shine,It is THE HEALER that lives in us that others are drawn to)

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It is all about the GLORY OF THE LORD, I think if we really understood that….we could be free from our emotions that so many times trap us in bondage!
It is the Lord in us who moves us to do good works, there is no wrong in being joyful in obeying the Lord, it is when we start believing the lie that we have done a good work…and become prideful in that. There is where the trouble starts.

It is the Lord that is good! There are seven verses that clearly state that fact:

(Psa 34:8) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

(Psa 100:5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

(Psa 135:3) Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

(Psa 145:9) The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

(Jer 33:11) The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth forever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

(Lam 3:25) The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

(Nah 1:7) The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

WE MUST GIVE THE LORD THE PRAISE FOR HE IS THE ONE THAT BLESSES, EVEN WHEN WE DO NICE THINGS FOR OTHERS…AND IT FEELS GOOD….GIVE IT ALL TO JESUS….IT IS HIS…EVERYTHING IS HIS….WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT NOTHING IS OURS…NOT EVEN OUR WORKS AND THAT THEY ARE HIS…..OH WHAT A BURDEN IT LIFTS….WE MUST SURRENDER TO BE OBEDIENT TO HIS VOICE TO BRING FORTH HIS BLESSING TO TURN IT BACK INTO PRAISE…
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.


I don’t really know exactly why this is on my heart…
It is so freeing to realize that even my works are the Lords! My first thought every day should be how can I possibly serve my Lord in all that comes into my life today…
I pray this upcoming year is packed with right choices and fruitfulness….

If we find ourselves felling EMPTY it is because we are doing the work of the Lord in Vein-
Greek definition:
G1500
εἰκῆ
eikē
i-kay'
Probably from G1502 (through the idea of failure); idly, that is, without reason (or effect): - without a cause, (in) vain (-ly.)

Let us learn to be Full

Joh 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Joh 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This Thanksgiving

This year has been one of GREAT THANKS in my heart. I have found myself being so thankful for simply being free! Free to worship my God with out persecution, free to walk the streets at any time of day or night, in all things being free.
Lately I have came across some films, one called, "THE HIDING PLACE" a story about a family named the Tenbooms, the other film "ANN FRANK" this particular film on Ann Frank was one not only about her diary but included a few years before their captivity and went through until her fathers return home.

There is so much I could say about these films and how they have greatly impacted my life right now. The biggest thing that I want to share is the fact that in both of these films it really stood out to me that these families were just like me! They had stable homes, good jobs, they were FREE! These people were simply surviving in the world, taking care of the day to day and for no good reason that I can see...they were made into slaves, thrown out of their homes and sent to concentration camps in obscene surroundings. It became aware to me that this very thing could happen to me at any time....any one of us....or many of us...
I pray my Lord I never have to face that fate...it hurts my heart to think of all those who have and are suffering this fate now simply for their worship to Jesus Christ. I pray if I do...I may be counted as faithful as those Tenboom's who kept their faith, found the good in the most HORRIBLE circumstances.

I leave you with this challenge...if you find yourself unable to be Thankful this year because our economy is lacking right now...or any other circumstances surrounding you right now.....checkout anything on the Holocaust....
It will cause you to reflect on simply being free...and that will make you Thankful... I pray..
http://history1900s.about.com/cs/rescuers/

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,

In my reading tonight I see that as David poors his heart out to God. David understands the need for mankind to PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS TO US.
So today as we walk through life may we be mindful that the things we see, hear, taste, touch, feel, smell and every single thing we expereince; our Lord is just waiting for us to Praise Him for His goodness to us...

Read this Psalm and notice how many times it says to praise God for his goodness to man!



Psa 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.

Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

Psa 107:3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

Psa 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Psa 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Psa 107:6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Psa 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Psa 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

Psa 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

Psa 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Psa 107:13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands in sunder.

Psa 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Psa 107:17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

Psa 107:18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

Psa 107:19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Psa 107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psa 107:23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

Psa 107:24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

Psa 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Psa 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

Psa 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

Psa 107:28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Psa 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Psa 107:33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

Psa 107:34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

Psa 107:35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

Psa 107:36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;

Psa 107:37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.

Psa 107:38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

Psa 107:39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

Psa 107:40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

Psa 107:41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.

Psa 107:42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

Psa 107:43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

There is a Cost

THE BATTLE IS SPIRITUAL

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.

Last night a student and I sat at my kitchen table over dinner and we were discussing the risks that we take in this life when we open our selves up to others in relationships. The conversation put me in mind of a question I have been pondering in my heart for a while. " WHAT IS MY PASSION?" That made me think about sports....specifically football...and we were talking about how those players that play with the most PASSION are the ones who get the worst injuries...she said because they are the biggest threat!!!!
I thought WOW...now that gives me perspective....
I had been reading in Ephesians 4 and in this chapter verses 11-12
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
This scripture, as do many others in the Bible talk about the body of Christ..and how we that are in the Body are to edify each other....just like the defensive line on a football team... Edification is so important to the survival of the Body of Christ....
1Thes.5
[11] Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
It is so clear that there are risks involved in being a minister of the Gospel of Christ. WE MUST COUNT THE COST...AND EDIFY ONE ANOTHER...
If we are going to fight this spiritual battle with PASSION then we MUST realize, understand and accept there will be wounds....
Jesus knew He was going to suffer the Cross....He still fought with PASSION because He loves the Father because the Father SO loves us. John 3:16
Christians let's allow the Love of God and committment of Jesus flow through us as we fight...because when we fight this battle in our own strength is when we are most voulnerable.... Jesus said
Matt.11
[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light

GOD Speaks through the Rain

Gen 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

There is no need for God to bring the rain with out a prepared man!

Today is September 12/13, it just so happens to be 12:30 in the morning…and I just got home from a powerful time of prayer with some magnificent women of faith.
On my journey home it began to rain AGAIN….it has been raining all day, as a matter of fact…..it has really rained A LOT all summer….which is very unusual for this geographical location of the state of Missouri!...
God has been working on my heart about this rain thing for probably 6 months now and I have been preparing for His rain to come into my life…spiritually speaking….
God gave me this mental picture as I traveled through this rain tonight….
At first it was just a light sprinkle, very nice a relaxing for a midnight drive…
AND THEN here came the down poor!!!! I get really nervous driving in the rain at night because I can’t see well AT ALL at night when driving and the rain totally doesn’t help the situation…
I thought to myself, “SELF turn the radio up and just meditate on what the group just did and let the music speak to me..!” Self said MMMMMMM that idea sounds delicious!!!
Then the Holy Spirit said, “You have been talking to me for over an hour with your friends, let me speak to you through the rain!”
Well, how could I say NO to that!!!! I LOVE the sound of nature!! I turned off the radio and just sat back slowed my speed down and started listening…..and God had something to say…!!!!
He said that sometimes the rain is slow and light making it easy to get around in and through…and sometimes it comes down fast and hard making it difficult to see the path that your are on. To be safe not to drift off the safe path you have to slow down and keep your eyes on the lights to see where you are going! I tried looking AHEAD of the light that my head lights were making but that only distorted my view, making the path cloudy…God said that I need to keep my eyes in front of me ON the light and that would keep my FOCUS clear and on the safe path.
That means don’t get ahead of God…there is safety in the light.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

I was like WOW…all this time in the last few months I have been trying to get as much of God’s Word as I can every way I can to get ready for what ever it is He is getting ready to do in mine and Bill’s lives. We have slowed down in everything.
I remember realizing how much clearer God’s voice has become the more we have slowed down and just got into His presence!!!! God is totally showing me the picture of that in this rain tonight!!!
Gen 19:27 And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:

God also said that sometimes the rain comes so hard that it washes out part of the path that I am on and I have to take an alternate route to my destination…!!!!!
That is EXACTLY…. where we are right now in our lives! The rain is coming hard and fast and part of our path has been flooded and we have been directed to an alternate route for God to bring forth the fruit He has planted the seeds for in our lives in His season!
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
CHRISTIAN: YOU MUST PREPARE YOUR GROUND FOR GOD’S RAIN!!!! YOU CAN HEAR HIS VOICE IF YOU JUST GET IN HIS PRESENCE, STAND STILL AND LISTEN.

What Makes My Heart Melt

This saturday Bill and I had the opprotunity to go from no children to two teenage boys for the weekend... !!! Chris and Phillip Alred got to our house about 1230 on saturday and we got them settled into their room and took them off to lunch...we took them to Monglian BBQ!!! We met Amy there too...The boys thought it was cool...
It mad me so happy to share something with them they had never done before...
They want to go there again when they get home from camp...
It was saturday night and Phil started calling me Mom...I know I can never replace his MOM and I don't want to...but it was so sweet!!!! It just made my heart melt...He said I am his mom for this week....and so all day sunday and monday til they left for camp he called me mom...!!!!
Now it is wednesday and I find myself missing them so so so much...I keep watching the clock trying to imagine what they might be doing right now at camp and missing Phillip saying, MOM....MOM....
every time I go to the store I see oatmeal cream pies and that makes me think of Phillip then I see chocolate donuts and fruit snacks and think of Chris...
These boys are so awesome..they just talk talk talk talk talk...I love it...
I don't know what I am going to do when they go back to Mexico!!!! Right now I get to look forward to seeing them again on saturday....
And I can't leave out my girls.... Val and Robin they are my kids that I have here all the time and Jerin anf Micah...they are my fulltim pretend kids...I just love it when they call me Mom....I just melt every time...except when Robin and Jerin are pretend fighting for too long...!!! LOL...

I said all that to say this:
Yesterday as I sat at the Lake looking through my Bible and my old notes sitting in the quiet...I wanted so much to know everything that was happening at camp...this was the first time in 6 years that I have not been able to go to camp and my heart achs to be there....I was thinking of how much I miss Phillip running around here saying MOM...MOM....and God said to me how much He misses me when He doesen't hear from me and I don't spend time with Him every day...He achs for me...He wants me to call Him Father...it will make his heart melt...just to hear me call Him Father....
I can't imagine how much these Boys' parents must be missing them...I thank God my Father to have had them long enough to experience what it may be like to have children and to miss them so much....
I love my Kids!

Hold on to your Spoon!

Well, so much has been happening in my life recently... My last entry was about the Grace of God and how He has promised me spiritual fruit.
I have just recently returned to work after recovering from a complete abdominal Hysterectomy at the age of 34. It was some what of a difficult decision for me to make to follow through with this procedure. I have been asking for one about 10 years now. After my first miscarriage at 6 weeks I wanted it that day...I never wanted to experience that again...that was in 2002. In 2004 the Lord granted us the courage to get pregnant for a second time. That also ended at 12 weeks. Some how the second one was so different...it was very painful emotionally but I still wanted to have a child....but the more time went by the more I wanted spiritual fruit.
Over the last 4 years...WOW... I can't believe it has been 4 years...in August actually...
Anyway in the last 4 years The Lord has helped me understand and accept that I will not bear children of my own. He has in His way turned my focus to His will not mine..I often think of Jesus in the garden before He was taken to be crucified. Jesus prayed to God the Father and asked if there be any other way...BUT...not my will but thine be done...
I AM SO CONTENT!!!!!
I had asked my doctor what would be best for me. I said I want to be as healthy as I can for as long as I can. That was when she said it was time to take it all out...!!!!
I was so amazed at my emotion to that response...I knew it was what I had wanted for YEARS....and I knew it was best for my overall health....why was I sad...
I spoke with several women that had children and had the same reaction...so I guess that's normal...
OK I said all of that to say this.....
On Sunday the preacher was talking about dinner at Grandma's house...and how she always said "HOLD ON TO YOUR SPOON" because desert was coming...the best part of the meal.....
The Lord is telling me to "HOLD ON TO MY SPOON" because the best of my life is yet to come.....
PRAISE THE LORD...HE IS FAITHFUL.