Author: Faith

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” –  Exodus 20:7

“Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” -Ezekiel 33:9

This sin is committed so often, it’s easy to become “used to it”.  But it is a Serious Sin.  Sadly, we hear God’s Name used in vain often.  By a person, in a song, in a movie…As Christians, we are obligated to confront Sin.  We may not do it perfectly, but we need to do it.  For our sake and the sake of the person using it!

There are many ways to confront the use of God’s Name in a swear word.  One is that we can simply give the person a “look”.  You know the kind I mean, lol.  They will often stop and apologize right then.  If that doesn’t work, we can simply say kindly, “there’s no need for that”.  And there is no need, after all there are plenty of other swear words.

If we hear it in a movie, we can simply edit Wikipedia that it is used in that movie!  Unfortunately, they will probably edit that comment out!  Another way is to forward that particular movie review on social media with a comment warning watchers that the movie uses God’s Name in vain.

Our Father created us and He loves us.  That we treat Him with Respect is the very least He deserves.  And let’s face it, He does so much for us, we can at least do this!

There is a song by Casting Crowns, “Love Moved First”.  Jesus loved us first!  Before we were even born!  Sometimes I feel my heart just bursting with Joy at His love for us.  And of course we love Him back, how could we not?  He has, and always will, love us.

And Jesus loves us unconditionally?  Who really does that?  Think about it.  Everyone that loves us here on earth, let’s face it, loves us somewhat conditionally.  We don’t have to be perfect, but there is a minimum, lol.  But not with Jesus, He loves us wherever we are ?

And who is with us always? Jesus goes before us, with us, always!

Thank you Jesus!

We all get tired sometimes.  Feel weaker than the mission that lies in front of us.  Not up to the task…

It’s just part of life here on earth.

But Psalm 84: 5-8 it tells us that God will grant us the strength we seek:

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.  O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.”-Psalm 84:5-8

“They go from strength to strength”.  Isn’t that what we all need in this life?  We all have tasks we must accomplish, strongholds we must tear down, missions we must accomplish.  But although sometimes we are ready and able to accomplish these, sometime we need Jesus’ help.  Because sometimes just looking at what lies ahead, leaves us tired.

But we can ask “Jesus to carry us today so we can rest”–Matt Hammitt. ?

“Do not keep silent, O God!  Do not hold Your peace,
And do not be still, O God!  For behold, Your enemies make a ^[]tumult;
And those who hate You have ^[]lifted up their head. “

“They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.  They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” -Psalm 83:1-4

“Crafty counsel” indeed!  America can only be destroyed from the inside.  And that is happening right now.  But as my Pastor once said, “Prayer Changes Things”  ?

Ezekiel 33 begins with the story of a “watchman” on the wall, who blows his trumpet to warn the people of the trouble coming. If the people listen and heed the warning, they survive. But if they do not, than they do not survive.

The same is true with God. We can either heed God’s MANY warnings and be Saved, or we can refuse to heed God’s warning – and not be Saved.

God also commands us to warn our brothers and sisters. Perhaps they will not listen, but by heeding God’s Command, we are Saved 🙂

God takes “no pleasure” when one of His children, who He loves so much, refuses to heed His warning. (Verse Ezekiel 33:11). But God is also as Just as He is Merciful.

“¹¹ Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel” – Ezekiel 33:11

Heed God’s warning today. Ask Christ to be your Savior now, while there is still time 🙂

“Oh My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love you. And I beg pardon for all those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love you.” – Angel of Fatima.

One of my favorite prayers, this prayer is short enough to say through out the day 🙂

There are so many stories about Fatima, but here is one in Lucia, Servant of God’s, own words:

“The apparitions and miracles that occurred at Fatima, Portugal in 1916 and 1917 rocked the country at the time and the rest of the world soon after. Let us look back on the events of Fatima — in Servant of God Lucia dos Santos’ own words.” Use this link to read the rest: In Servant of God Lucia’s Own Words 🙂

And Have Hope 🙂

“What if Jesus was asking His followers to value things differently?  Not just things, such as our possessions, but our children, our egos, our health, our bodies, looks and abilities, our reputations, our intellects, memories and accomplishments?  Matthew’s Gospel today tells us that true followers of Jesus have radically different orientation to our earthly, embodied experience.  That which we think of as our is not ours, but gifts for use in the span of a lifetime.” -Author Unknown

With inflation growing by leaps and bounds (“Groceries up 12%, Gas up 60%, Electricity up 14%, Rent up 5.8%…”), it’s important that we remember the above message.  We will all  need to share with those in need, no matter how much or little we have.  God’s Gifts are a Trust.  A Trust that we will use the Gifts He has so kindly given to us – as He would.

And so that always needs to be our first question when deciding how to allocate God’s resources, “What would Jesus do?”

Difficult days are ahead, we need to Pray and Prepare now.  Be Ready.

“I will remember the works of the LORD: Surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, And talk of thy doings.”-Psalm 77:11-12

“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.”-Psalm 105-1

So basically, we need to say Thank You and Share the wonderful, amazing things that God, Our Father, has done for us! 

Just to name a few, He created the world in which we live, He created us!  He created the Sun and the Stars, the Mountains and Seas.  And when we created a chasm between God and us, He created a Plan to Save us.  And those are just the things He created for everyone!

And then there are the things He has done for each of us!  Personal prayers that were answered!  A still, quiet voice that directs and comforts us ?.  He is our Hope.  He is our ever present anchor when we face life’s storms.  He is our shelter, when we face a fear or temptation bigger than our abilities.  He protects us when we can’t protect ourselves.  And most of all, His love for us always surrounds us and goes before us ?

Remembering all God has done in my personal life helps me to grow in faith, love and trust. It’s easy to forget in the throws of life’s struggles, that is why a prayer journal, or even a photo journal, help so much!

God is with us!  And He loves us! We can Trust Him during good times and bad ones ?