SERIOUSLY, Can We Talk?

Monday, August 15, 2016

The Divine Exchange!!

God made Him who had no
sin to be sin for us...(2 Cor. 5:21)

When's the last time you've had the occasion to exchange something at the store? Perhaps thinking back you recall standing in the long service desk line, receipt and item in hand hoping that what you really wanted is in stock and in the desired size and color!

No matter how courteous the clerk, going through the process is STILL a big pain!! (Returns require you to have not only the receipt for the purchased item, but show I.D. ; fill out paper work and sign) The whole deal has cost you something! Your time, gas, change in plans or at the very least, a bit of irritation!   Rarely if ever can you say when it's done that you got a perfectly good deal from it all!

Yet, there is an exchange you can opt for that you actually get more out of it, than what you started with! It is one in which you trade Death for Eternal life!! Theologians call it Imputation. I like to think of it as, The Divine Exchange!   You bring your old sinful life to God in repentance and He gives you the righteousness (holiness) of Christ!

In shopping language (the language most women thoroughly understand) without any means to pay for this wonderful Gift of Salvation, God credits the entire cost (Christ's holiness) to the believer's account and charges our debt (sin) to Christ! ( Romans 3:24-26) Both parties are fully satisfied!  We never receive a bill but reap all the benefits of the Gift. The only thing you need to do is Believe that it is so! Now that's a good deal!!

If you are a Believer, it is easy to take this exchange for granted. We sing the song, Amazing Grace, but do you really know just how Amazing it truly is? Take some time to read the following and praise Him anew. If you're Not a Believer consider how you might try this new Fail Safe plan:

A SUMMARY OF GOD'S PLAN FOR REDEMPTION (How Man Gets Right with God!)

--It is God's I-DEA, no other plan will work (Rom. 3:25)

--God I-NITIATES the first move. Only in Christianity does God come to man to offer peace!
(John 3:16-17)

--God chooses the I-DEAL sacrifice. Sin MUST be paid for (Rom. 6:26) What price does God require? Only Perfection!! (Heb. 9:14 and 10:14)

Did you notice the boldface "I's" above? Man has nothing to do with it! That's a good thing, because any other exchange you'd try for Peace with God would fail! Not your good deeds, moral living, church attendance, or charitable donations would be nearly enough.

Why not bring those fleeting feel-good moments of False Spirituality to the Cross of Christ for a Sure-fire, confidence of a life of freedom and eternal security! No Lines and No Receipts Needed....Everything is PAID IN FULL!

UNTIL NEXT TIME....

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

DECLARING BANKRUPTCY BUT LIVING IN PROSPERITY!

"...and all our righteousness is as
filthy rags...(Isaiah 64:6)

Bankruptcy! Who wants to ever hear that word? It denotes failure, insur-mountable debt, insol-vency, and in many cases financial ruin! Yet it's a word all too common now a days with the economy and the volatility of health and job situations.

I'm from a generation in which there was a shame that haunted you, if you couldn't pay your bills. That's not necessarily true in our current society! The reasons for filing vary and are often not preventable.

Notwithstanding, for some, it's a perfectly legitimate way to get over a financial hump and in many cases get a fresh start. Even with its drawbacks, the outcome for a few people have been quite lucrative.

Still, I'm not here to discuss your finances. I want to tell you about another kind of bankruptcy. One that has an eternal effect! You can't bounce back from this one and it doesn't matter if you can pay your bills here or not, because the debt you owe can only be resolved in one way...through faith in Jesus Christ...IT'S THE DEBT OF SIN!

Spiritual Bankruptcy is a term that regular church goers hear quite frequently but may not really know what it mean! I say that because many confuse it with those uncomfortable ranges of emotions or feelings of disconnection we get sometimes in our Spiritual lives. Many equate it to the times we think we have failed God in the performance of some Christian obligation or character standard. It has nothing to do with any of that.

Spiritual Bankruptcy is our spiritual condition apart from a faith in Christ! Because we inherited from Adam and Eve, the legacy of sin and with it God's wrath and condemnation, we are born Spiritually bankrupt! (Ephes 2: 1-10) We have no resources, no assets, nothing of value to build on; no tools to barter with when summoned to the Court of Righteousness ...not our good deeds, moral life styles, generosity, or faithfulness. (Isaiah 64:6). And here's a heart clutcher...We are without hope and DESERVE to die! (Romans 6:23)

But if we humble ourselves; admit our inabilities --and declare Spiritual Bankruptcy, that's when we catch our first break! Here's all you need to do:

Admit you are a Sinner with a debt you cannot pay (Rom 3:10; 23)
Confess and forsake your sins (Rom. 10:9-10)
Trust Christ in faith (Acts 16:31)
Accept His forgiveness and start your new life (2 Corin. 5:17)

Then begin a Life of Spiritual Prosperity (Ephesians 1:3-14) with benefits better than any Debt Counselor can guarantee:

1. You're no longer an Enemy of God but His friend!

2. Your debt is eliminated, immediately, completely, and permanently!

3. No need to worry about rebuilding your Credit Score -It's Solid Gold!

4. No stigma is associated with the filing - You'll be celebrated not condemned!

5. No threats of liens, foreclosures on your future home - It's secured in heaven!

SO COME ON...DECLARE SPIRITUAL BANKRUPTCY AND LIVE SIN DEBT FREE IN GOD'S GRACE!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME....

Monday, July 18, 2016

ANGRY AMERICA: Four Possible Reasons!!

Be Angry, but sin not... (Eph. 4:25-27)

Traveling home from a jubilant family reunion yesterday, my husband and I decided to check out recent news accounts for the day. Expecting to hear more rhetoric surrounding the upcoming presidential election we were saddened to learn of another police shooting! First Dallas policemen and now Baton Rouge policemen have been killed. We were saddened, but not shocked!!

We live in an angry world!!! And where there's anger there will always be violence! I entitled this post, Angry America, but ask the people in France, Syria, North Korea, West Africa, or anywhere in the Middle East! Somebody, somewhere with access to an assault weapon is Mad as H*** and they are not taking it any more!! And that somebody may be living next door to you!!!

This is not just a domestic issue it's happening world wide. It's not just a race, political or religious issue--it's a SIN issue and the only way we're going to get through this is looking at the situation through spiritual eyes!

So, Why are so many people angry? Biblical Counselor, June Hunt from the radio program, Hope For The Heart, gives four reasons people become angry. I've added a bit of spiritual insight of my own regarding recent events to broaden the perspective:

Reason One: HURT - Hurting people, hurt other people! Our world is filled with people in pain. Emotionally, Physically, and most of all Spiritually.

Reason Two: INJUSTICE - One politician uses as his campaign slogan, Let's Make America Great Again! Sorry fella! For some folks, America's legacy for justice has never been that great! Our soil still seeps from the blood of the Native Americans, Black Africans disenfranchised of land and rights, and reeks with the mistreatment of Asian Americans, Mexicans and poor people of every color who help to build this capitalistic society.

Reason Three - FEAR- September 11 catapulted this country into an era of fear that we are still feeling. It shook some folks in privileged positions to their financial core. The election of a Black president, almost pushed them over the edge---WHY? Fear of a Shift in POWER! When Abuse of Power has been accepted and beneficial for decades and has become part of our country's DNA, threat of its loss will drive people to extreme measures of every kind.

Reason Four - FRUSTRATION - For many years we in America have been holding out for The American Dream, We were told that if you worked hard, became more educated and lived as a Model citizen that no good thing would be denied you. Your color didn't matter, your economic background didn't matter. Every body had an equal chance to become successful and prosperous! The American Dream became merely a Pipe Dream! Because we put our faith and trust in man rather than God! One poet said that, dreams deferred can fester like a sore, stink like rotten meat but sometimes it EXPLODES!

As a Christians you may be angry too! Some are saying that praying is not enough, we need to get involved and force the powers to be to deal with the situation, but really is that the solution? I've given you four reasons to be angry now listen to four ways to deal with it!

Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Psalms 4:4 :(NKJV)

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.

Monday, July 4, 2016

EVERY DAY CELEBRATIONS!

It is for freedom that Christ has
set us fee... (Galatians 5:1)

Nationally, this is a day of cele-bration for our country's freedom, commem-orating the anniversary of the signing of the Decla-ration of Independence! Culturally, July 4th is a time for gathering with family and friends over good food and fireworks. It is also the first holiday of the summer season with vacations, leisure down-time, and outdoor activities.

Truly, these are times to look forward to, but those of us who are Christians don't have to wait until the calendar pages turn to celebrate a particular holiday...we can do it every day!!!

Each morning that I wake up with a heart filled with gratitude for God's blessing, I celebrate Thanksgiving Day ( Psalm 100:1-4). Because everything I have comes from His hands!

When I think of the day He died on the cross for my sins, showing the greatest love I'll ever experience, it is Valentine's Day (Romans 5:8) all day long for me!

I never get bogged down looking for or trying to buy the perfect gift during the holiday season for I already know what it is and Who is the Giver. Christmas Day (2 Corinthians 9:15) and Pentecost, the Gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). It begins the moment I begin to praise You for Your grace, mercy!

Many Christians celebrate All Saints Day in October which honors the unification of believers eternally in heaven and earth one day, but I do that each Sunday, Sabbath Day and during Communion fellowship (Exodus 20:8-11; I Corinthians 11:26)

Resurrection Day (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) is not only in the Spring of the year, but every day as I look forward to the soon coming Savior who will bring with Him my glorified body, free from sin which is my true (Independence Day). He'll also bring rewards for my faithful service here on earth, Labor Day (Rev. 22:12). And, I will be filled with joy when He takes me to heaven and I reunite with my parents, Mother's Day and Father's Day where eternity with Him begins, New Years' Day (John 14:3)

So My Dear Sisters, Be Encouraged, for there's no reason NOT to stay in a Celebratory State of Mind, for truly God is Good and worth Celebrating no matter what the calendar is saying!!

Sunday, June 19, 2016

THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE!

"...and if someone asks about your
Christian hope, always be ready
to explain it. " (I Peter 3:15 NLT)

It's been a tough year already and we're only half way through it! If the political campaigns haven't depressed you enough then recent news headlines ought to just about do it!

My heart is saddened that we in America must endure yet another mass shooting! It doesn't matter that the club was frequented by the LGBTQ community, the outrage for me is that more and more mentally ill people are able to obtain weapons of mass destruction so easily!

But through it all....there is still hope! The Enemy is trying to drown it out! Our emotions fight against what we know is Truth! Yet, Sisters, I'm here to remind you that HOPE is alive and well....all we need to do is fight through the muck and mire of these unpleasant circumstances and get to the OTHER SIDE!

If you are a Believer reading this, the following is a gentle but stern reminder not to give into fear, frustration, or anger....God is still in control! If you're not a Believer....then honey, let me beg you to consider these benefits and place your trust in the Only One in Whom you can find security today (I'll show you how at the end of this post!)

Since it is generally the news media pushing doom and gloom to everyone, I thought I would show you HOPE manifested in a few under reported news items!

THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE:

Hope Never Disappoints (Romans 5:3-5) Paul reminds us that suffering can often bring about perseverance! Patrick Downes, Adrianna Haslet, and Rebekeh Gregory. All were victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing. Today each of them have come back from this tragedy, reclaimed their lives and successfully completed the 26 miles with prosthetic (artificial) limbs! Ms. Haslet, a professional ball room dancer before the bombing is now even dancing again!!

Hope Brings Comfort and Encouragement (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) Paul again tells Christians that as long as we have Christ, we can have hope! In August 2010, thirty-three miners in Copiapo, Chile, became trapped in a copper-gold mine for 69 days! For 17 days no one knew if they were dead or alive! In fact, most assumed they were dead. With only three days worth of emergency food, families had already started the grieving process. Yet God prevailed--all thirty-three miners were rescued in reasonably good medical condition!

Hope Helps Us Forgive (Psalms 130:5-7) The Psalmist assures us that if we but "wait" on the Lord there is mercy, redemption, and yes forgiveness! One year ago this month, 23 year old, Dylann Roof, a deranged young man on the pretense of attending Bible study, open fire on innocent men and women, killing nine of them as they studied the Word of God! At his first meeting with the victims' families, he heard time and time again -I forgive you...may God have mercy on you...you hurt me but I forgive you! Although many in these families and even strangers are still finding it hard to do so....the love of Christ is healing and helping them get through this loss!

Perhaps these stories have touched you as they have me and shown just how powerful HOPE can be in the life of a Believer! I invite you now to join us at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ for on the other side is HOPE and SALVATION! It's simple just...

1. Admit you are a sinner (Romans 3:23)

2. Believe that there is nothing you can do to save yourself - death is the consequence of all sin (Ephes. 2:8-9; Romans 6:23)

3. Confess your sins before the Lord (Romans 10:9-10)

4. Accept Jesus Christ as not only as your Savior but your Lord (Acts 16:31)

NOW REST IN THE ASSURANCE OF THIS HOPE: Psalms 62:5 - Yes, my soul, find rest in the Lord; my hope comes from Him!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

SAY MY NAME! Timeless Truths From Unnamed Women in the Bible, Part Four

I could find no better way to end this series on unnamed women in the bible who were also mothers, than with this one--The Proverbs 31 Woman! But not the one you're thinking of--the one that inspired her!!

Whether you are a concerned, grieving, vigilant or self-sacrificing mother there's one thing that you've got to have--and that's wisdom! I know no parent who doesn't want the respect and ear of their child when giving advice. Especially as it concerns life experiences and the inherent dangers that can follow them for the rest of their lives.

That's the kind of rapport the Proverbs 31 Woman, the mother of King Lemuel had with her son whom some believe may have been the famed King Solomon. If that is the case than the woman speaking would be Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-27; 12:1-24; 28-31). Regardless, there's no denying that this mother knew what she was talking about.

In the last 31 verses of the 31st chapter of Proverbs we find this mother giving counsel to her son, a young prince, coming into his own, shortly taking the throne of a mighty kingdom. She gives him advice about women from a Mother's Perspective. And just let me say, modern day moms would do well to do the same for our sons and daughters even today!

Say on, Wise Mother....what would you have us to tell our sons? (In modern day language):

1. Be careful of the women you hook up with, because some have destroyed kings! (31:2-3)

2. Don't spend your time partying (drinking, drugging, etc.) or you will soon forget your personal and work responsibilities! (31:4-7)

3. Speak up for the defenseless, the poor and the needy. Be socially responsible! (31:8-9)

4. Marry a woman with good character rather than a pretty face! (31:10-30)**Note that she uses 20 verses to emphasize this single point.

5. When you find such a woman, praise her and appreciate her! (31:30-31)

IN SUMMARY - In giving counsel to your children a Wise Mother needs to know When to speak, How to speak, and When to Shut up! In addition to be a proper influence you should - Keep your advice short, Your lives upright, and Your hearts continually open!!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

SAY MY NAME! Timeless Truths From Unnamed Women in the Bible, Part Three

Hear, my son your father's instruction
and forsake not your mother's teaching
Prov. 1:8 (ESV)

The word vigilant means, watchful, discerning and on the alert for possible danger. This week's unnamed mother is one we can readily identify with. Her son was born during a time and in a culture very much like ours today--immoral, violent, and spiritually weak!

And sadly, we find her modern-day sisters here too! They are in cities notoriously known as: Kill-adelphia, Nap-ghanistan, and Chi-raq. Their tear stained faces flash across our television screen daily. Their haunting presence in criminal court rooms all over America quietly watching and praying for a change! We know her as...

THE VIGILANT MOTHER ( Judges 13:1-14)

The back story of this well known Bible saga is not generally emphasized in movies about Samson. Usually his relationship with Delilah is the focus. But read Judges 13-16 and get the rest of the story! You'll find an incredibly insightful and grateful mom driven to distraction by a strong willed and rebellious son!

Samson, the Bible hero of Israel was the kind of child that kept his parents up all night wondering what he was up to! Although he was a Son of Destiny, called from the womb to be a Nazarite (sanctified, set apart for God's use); he was not immune from sin.

As a young adult, he was wanton, hot tempered, and was known to visit prostitutes. But get this! He was raised by a mother who did everything by the book! She was God-fearing. Although barren for many years, unlike Sarah, she did not use a surrogate to become a mother. She was spiritually discerning. She knew when God was talking to her and she obeyed without hesitation. She set a godly example before her child. And in spite of it all, for twenty years she watched her child make mistake after mistake.

She watched, believed, and prayed long enough to see Samson finally fulfill God's destiny for his life! And you can too! So let's take a page from the Vigilant Mothers Handbook. When your children insist on living on the edge and refuses to heed your pleas, here's what you can do!

P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens) - I Thess. 5:17
Keep watching for opportunities to give wise counsel - Prov. 1:8
Don't waver in the belief that God will bring good things out of this - Gal. 6:9
Let God's Word keep you encouraged -Ps. 119: 92