Those of you who have been following our blog know how much songs influence my writing. Lately, I’ve been listening to the song titled FOLLOW ME THERE by Third Day from their new CD Move. This song says exactly what LVC Ministries wants more than anything. If you have seen our YouTube video on our website, then you know that LVC stands for LIVING VICTORIOUSLY IN CHRIST and just like Lisa stated in the video, we want to help you to live a victorious life in Christ. I think if you are a Christian, this song should stand for what should be first and foremost in leading your daily life.
“You need a place where you can find some shelter
Follow me there, follow me there
You want a hand to hold, someone to help you
Follow me there, come on, follow me there”
If you have been following the news lately (or if you are like me) and turn it on for a second before quickly turning it off, it seems like the whole world is going crazy. You and I have peace about what is happening in this country and about what is happening in the rest of the world because we know that God is in control. We know that Christ is our solid rock and through Him we have total peace.
“You need a place to be your sanctuary
Follow me there, come on, follow me there
Where you can lay down all those burdens you carry
Follow me there, come on, follow me there”
If you don’t know Jesus Christ, you don’t have total peace. You think you are fine living life just the way you are, but deep down inside, I know that you are looking for a sanctuary, a place of total peace. One of these days you will be wanting to get out of the “rat race” and you will be looking for a place to lay all of your burdens down. What is weighing you down now? Do you want the peace that transcends all peace? “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:7.
“Where love like a river flows, peace like you've never known
And joy never ending lives
And a place where faith can find, hope that will never die
Follow me there, come on, follow me there.”
If you are looking for peace, love, joy, faith and hope that will never die, then follow me! It is LVC Ministries hearts desire that you find these things and by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior, all of these things will be given to you immediately. What is holding you back? Hebrews 8:12 says “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." How freeing that is! To know that your wickedness and your sins will be remembered no more! Don’t you want that peace?
My heart breaks for the people in this world that don’t know Jesus Christ as their personal savior. They have no peace, they have no hope, and eternal separation from God in Hell is their destination. If you are a Christian, please join me and let’s reach out to the lost people in our “individual little world” and say to them “I know you are hurting!” Reach out and take their hand and boldly say to them “COME ON, FOLLOW ME THERE!”
If you are not saved and you know that your life can be so much more, please read our blog titled New Life in Christ dated April 2, 2010.
Cindy
Song lyrics from Third Day CD MOVE
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Compromising Christians
Usually, we look at compromise as a good thing. We want families and friends to get along well together, and certainly compromising is a good solution. We all give and take and it makes our relationships seem so much easier. But there is a different type of compromise that will tear down instead of build up – It is a compromising of our Christian values and beliefs. Let’s see what Jesus has to say to the compromising Christians at Pergamum, and also to those of us who are compromising our Christianity today.
[12] “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. [13] I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
[14] Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. [15] Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. [16] Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
[17] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Rev 2:12-17 NIV
Those who were a part of the Pergamum church were in the midst of a pagan culture with an extreme amount of idolatry. The Scripture goes so far as to call it the place “where Satan has his throne,” so it must have been a very evil place. Yet even so, these Christians kept their faith. Interestingly enough, it seems you can have faith and still compromise, as these Christians did. It’s easy to understand that when you’re around sin all the time, your values can easily start slipping because, well, “Everyone else is doing it!” In this case they were worshipping false gods, but there was also sexual immorality. But just because something is common for those around you doesn’t mean it’s ok for you, as a Christian, to do the same. You are held to a higher standard, and that standard is Jesus. Don’t compare yourself to other people and think that you’re okay because you don’t sin as much as they do. Compare yourself with the perfect man, Jesus, and you will find that you always fall short. This word isn’t meant to condemn you, but to humble you. If you’ll open your heart to understand, it will show you your need for Jesus, because He is the only One who can transform you into His image. But when we choose to follow the world instead of God’s Word, we compromise. Then the only thing we can do, and must do, is to repent and turn back to God.
Those who turn back to God and overcome their compromising lifestyle will receive two very intimate things from Jesus. First, He will give you “hidden manna.” This hidden manna must be very precious to Jesus because not everyone gets it. They don’t even know where to look for it because it’s only revealed to those who overcome. The second is a white stone with a new name written on it. Can you imagine Jesus giving you a new name that is so special, it’s only known between the two of you? It’s like a lover whispering a pet name to his love – a secret that only they share. That’s the kind of intimacy you can have when you overcome a compromising lifestyle.
Where is Jesus speaking to your heart about a place of compromise? And what choices can you make to change your compromising heart to a heart of steadfast faithfulness? That’s what Jesus is calling you to do today.
~Lisa
Scripture references are from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
[12] “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. [13] I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
[14] Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. [15] Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. [16] Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
[17] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Rev 2:12-17 NIV
Those who were a part of the Pergamum church were in the midst of a pagan culture with an extreme amount of idolatry. The Scripture goes so far as to call it the place “where Satan has his throne,” so it must have been a very evil place. Yet even so, these Christians kept their faith. Interestingly enough, it seems you can have faith and still compromise, as these Christians did. It’s easy to understand that when you’re around sin all the time, your values can easily start slipping because, well, “Everyone else is doing it!” In this case they were worshipping false gods, but there was also sexual immorality. But just because something is common for those around you doesn’t mean it’s ok for you, as a Christian, to do the same. You are held to a higher standard, and that standard is Jesus. Don’t compare yourself to other people and think that you’re okay because you don’t sin as much as they do. Compare yourself with the perfect man, Jesus, and you will find that you always fall short. This word isn’t meant to condemn you, but to humble you. If you’ll open your heart to understand, it will show you your need for Jesus, because He is the only One who can transform you into His image. But when we choose to follow the world instead of God’s Word, we compromise. Then the only thing we can do, and must do, is to repent and turn back to God.
Those who turn back to God and overcome their compromising lifestyle will receive two very intimate things from Jesus. First, He will give you “hidden manna.” This hidden manna must be very precious to Jesus because not everyone gets it. They don’t even know where to look for it because it’s only revealed to those who overcome. The second is a white stone with a new name written on it. Can you imagine Jesus giving you a new name that is so special, it’s only known between the two of you? It’s like a lover whispering a pet name to his love – a secret that only they share. That’s the kind of intimacy you can have when you overcome a compromising lifestyle.
Where is Jesus speaking to your heart about a place of compromise? And what choices can you make to change your compromising heart to a heart of steadfast faithfulness? That’s what Jesus is calling you to do today.
~Lisa
Scripture references are from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
Monday, January 24, 2011
A MAN OF GOD!
During my quiet time last week, I read about how the kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms (1Kings chapter 12). The tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to the house of David by following Solomon’s son king Rehoboam, but the ten other tribes of Israel rebelled and followed their new king Jeroboam. Jeroboam was afraid that when the people made their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord that they would become loyal to Rehoboam and kill him. So Jeroboam made two golden calves and he told the people of the ten tribes "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." 1 Kings 12:28b. Then Jeroboam instituted his own festival for the people so that they could make offerings to the two golden calves.
One day a man of God came from the southern kingdom and he spoke out against king Jeroboam and the people for making offerings to the golden calves. Jeroboam was very upset at this. When he stretched his arm across the alter to tell the guards to arrest the man of God, his hand shriveled up. He beseeched the man of God to intercede and pray to his Lord God for him and when he did, Jeroboam’s hand healed immediately. The king was so glad that his hand was back to normal that he pleaded with the man of God to come home with him and eat with him. The man of God answered "Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. 9 For I was commanded by the word of the LORD: 'You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.'" 10 So he took another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.” 1 Kings 13:8-10.
That should have been the end of the story. The man of God came to Bethel to do what the Lord had told him to do (to speak against the sacrifices to the golden calves) and he was headed out of town on a different road than the one he came into town on, just the way the Lord had commanded him to do. However, this man of God made the mistake of listening to a person that told him that he also was a prophet of God and that an angel had told him that the Lord said it was OK for him to come back to town and eat with him. “The old prophet answered, "I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD: 'Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.'" (But he was lying to him.) 19 So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.”1 Kings 13:18-19.
During the meal, the word of the Lord actually did come to the old prophet and he cried out to the man of God and said "This is what the LORD says: 'You have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. 22 You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers.'" 1 Kings 13:21-22. That very day, when the man of God did finally leave the town, a lion met him on the road and killed him.
Now that’s a harsh punishment, wouldn’t you say? After all we are only human. Has God told you to do something? Is God leading you in a particular direction and you just know that it is God’s will for your life? I’m sure this man of God was hungry and thirsty after everything that went on at the alter of the golden calves. Besides this old prophet said that an angel of the Lord told him! He needed to eat and drink and surely the Lord knew that!
If God has commanded you to do something and you know in your heart, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is God directing you, then this lesson is for you. Remember, Satan loves to masquerade as an angel of light. Just like Jeroboam was afraid the people of Israel would wise up and give their allegiance to king Rehoboam (the legitimate king of Israel), Satan is also afraid that you will wise up and begin to see through his little schemes. If God directs you to do something...you can run, but you can’t hide. Ask God for discernment, ask God to show you His will for you and don’t let anything or anybody stop you from fulfilling what you know God has planned for you!
Cindy
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
One day a man of God came from the southern kingdom and he spoke out against king Jeroboam and the people for making offerings to the golden calves. Jeroboam was very upset at this. When he stretched his arm across the alter to tell the guards to arrest the man of God, his hand shriveled up. He beseeched the man of God to intercede and pray to his Lord God for him and when he did, Jeroboam’s hand healed immediately. The king was so glad that his hand was back to normal that he pleaded with the man of God to come home with him and eat with him. The man of God answered "Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. 9 For I was commanded by the word of the LORD: 'You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.'" 10 So he took another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.” 1 Kings 13:8-10.
That should have been the end of the story. The man of God came to Bethel to do what the Lord had told him to do (to speak against the sacrifices to the golden calves) and he was headed out of town on a different road than the one he came into town on, just the way the Lord had commanded him to do. However, this man of God made the mistake of listening to a person that told him that he also was a prophet of God and that an angel had told him that the Lord said it was OK for him to come back to town and eat with him. “The old prophet answered, "I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD: 'Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.'" (But he was lying to him.) 19 So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.”1 Kings 13:18-19.
During the meal, the word of the Lord actually did come to the old prophet and he cried out to the man of God and said "This is what the LORD says: 'You have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. 22 You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers.'" 1 Kings 13:21-22. That very day, when the man of God did finally leave the town, a lion met him on the road and killed him.
Now that’s a harsh punishment, wouldn’t you say? After all we are only human. Has God told you to do something? Is God leading you in a particular direction and you just know that it is God’s will for your life? I’m sure this man of God was hungry and thirsty after everything that went on at the alter of the golden calves. Besides this old prophet said that an angel of the Lord told him! He needed to eat and drink and surely the Lord knew that!
If God has commanded you to do something and you know in your heart, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is God directing you, then this lesson is for you. Remember, Satan loves to masquerade as an angel of light. Just like Jeroboam was afraid the people of Israel would wise up and give their allegiance to king Rehoboam (the legitimate king of Israel), Satan is also afraid that you will wise up and begin to see through his little schemes. If God directs you to do something...you can run, but you can’t hide. Ask God for discernment, ask God to show you His will for you and don’t let anything or anybody stop you from fulfilling what you know God has planned for you!
Cindy
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Bitter-Sweet
[8] “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. [9] I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. [10] Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
[11] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
I can’t imagine what the persecution was like for those in the church at Smyrna, but its name might be able to give us some insight. “Smyrna” means “myrrh” or “bitter”. I imagine it’s a bitter thing to have to go through persecution like they went through, and like others across the globe are going through even now. Myrrh is not only bitter to the taste, but when the gummy resin has hardened, it becomes a very aromatic ingredient for perfume. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, by Spiros Zodihiates, Th.D. tells us that myrrh is “perfume which exudes spontaneously or is procured by incisions made on a small thorny tree”. Do you see the relation between the persecuted church in Smyrna, and the bitter tasting, yet sweet smelling aroma of myrrh? How bitter-sweet persecution can be. The persecution itself is hard to swallow and is bitter to the taste. But from that thorny incision called “persecution”, when you have been pressed from every side, and you spontaneously exude a beautiful, sweet smelling aroma, it’s a sacrificial offering to the Lord.
Jesus understands persecution better than anyone. He was sinless and yet was still persecuted. He has already faced death and has been raised to everlasting life through His persecution on the cross. Persecution requires death, but it leads to eternal life. It may be a death of the body, but if not the body, it is definitely a death of the flesh. It’s a death of not getting what you want—to live a life free from pain. But Jesus sees the works you’ve done and the painful, crushing pressure you’re going through. Jesus knows the utter helplessness you feel. But even though you feel helpless, you are rich and lack nothing. You have a spiritual richness that will survive any tribulation you face. And the tribulation won’t last forever, so stand strong even if you are called to die for your faith. You can hang on because Jesus will give you everything you need for what He calls you to do. If He calls you to die for Him, He will give you the grace that you need to go through it. And when you make it through to the other side and overcome, He has promised to give you the “crown of life” – an eternal life where there is no more death.
We’ve seen how myrrh is related to persecution, but it was also a part of three important events in the life of Jesus. First, when Jesus was born, the wise men gave this sweet baby gifts, one of them being myrrh. (Mt 12:11) Perhaps this was a foreshadowing of the next two events where myrrh was present in His life. Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh to ease the pain when He was dying on the cross, but He refused it. (Mk 15:23) Jesus didn’t want anything to mask His pain and the wrath of God that He was taking for the sins of the world. And finally, Jesus’ body was wrapped in a mixture of myrrh and aloes to prepare Him for burial. (Jn 19:39) The bitter-sweet myrrh was present at his birth and death. I can only imagine the bitter taste of His death compared to the sweet smell of victory through everlasting life as Jesus was raised from the dead -- the first of many to receive everlasting life!
You too can receive the gift of eternal life. If you’d like to know how to receive this gift, please read our blog titled, “New Life In Christ” dated April 2nd, 2010.
Bible verses taken from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. [9] I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. [10] Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
[11] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
I can’t imagine what the persecution was like for those in the church at Smyrna, but its name might be able to give us some insight. “Smyrna” means “myrrh” or “bitter”. I imagine it’s a bitter thing to have to go through persecution like they went through, and like others across the globe are going through even now. Myrrh is not only bitter to the taste, but when the gummy resin has hardened, it becomes a very aromatic ingredient for perfume. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, by Spiros Zodihiates, Th.D. tells us that myrrh is “perfume which exudes spontaneously or is procured by incisions made on a small thorny tree”. Do you see the relation between the persecuted church in Smyrna, and the bitter tasting, yet sweet smelling aroma of myrrh? How bitter-sweet persecution can be. The persecution itself is hard to swallow and is bitter to the taste. But from that thorny incision called “persecution”, when you have been pressed from every side, and you spontaneously exude a beautiful, sweet smelling aroma, it’s a sacrificial offering to the Lord.
Jesus understands persecution better than anyone. He was sinless and yet was still persecuted. He has already faced death and has been raised to everlasting life through His persecution on the cross. Persecution requires death, but it leads to eternal life. It may be a death of the body, but if not the body, it is definitely a death of the flesh. It’s a death of not getting what you want—to live a life free from pain. But Jesus sees the works you’ve done and the painful, crushing pressure you’re going through. Jesus knows the utter helplessness you feel. But even though you feel helpless, you are rich and lack nothing. You have a spiritual richness that will survive any tribulation you face. And the tribulation won’t last forever, so stand strong even if you are called to die for your faith. You can hang on because Jesus will give you everything you need for what He calls you to do. If He calls you to die for Him, He will give you the grace that you need to go through it. And when you make it through to the other side and overcome, He has promised to give you the “crown of life” – an eternal life where there is no more death.
We’ve seen how myrrh is related to persecution, but it was also a part of three important events in the life of Jesus. First, when Jesus was born, the wise men gave this sweet baby gifts, one of them being myrrh. (Mt 12:11) Perhaps this was a foreshadowing of the next two events where myrrh was present in His life. Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh to ease the pain when He was dying on the cross, but He refused it. (Mk 15:23) Jesus didn’t want anything to mask His pain and the wrath of God that He was taking for the sins of the world. And finally, Jesus’ body was wrapped in a mixture of myrrh and aloes to prepare Him for burial. (Jn 19:39) The bitter-sweet myrrh was present at his birth and death. I can only imagine the bitter taste of His death compared to the sweet smell of victory through everlasting life as Jesus was raised from the dead -- the first of many to receive everlasting life!
You too can receive the gift of eternal life. If you’d like to know how to receive this gift, please read our blog titled, “New Life In Christ” dated April 2nd, 2010.
Bible verses taken from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
Monday, January 17, 2011
BE LIKE DAVID!
Remember several years ago when Michael Jordan was playing basketball and the “buzz” slogan at that time was “be like Mike”? Everybody loved Michael Jordan and every kid (and kid at heart) dreamed of being just like Mike. Well lately, I’ve been reading about David. You remember David, the king of Israel, the same David that was loved by God, the man after God’s own heart? So, I’m wondering, why isn’t it the dream of every Christian to be like David, to be a man or woman after God’s own heart?
When we look at David’s life we see a giant of a man, not in stature but in his standing with God. God loved David, that’s a fact, but God did not love David more than He loves you or me and that is also a fact. So with that said, maybe we can be like David!
So what made David so special?
1. David always remembered where he came from. He was a poor shepherd boy. There was nothing unique about him. After God placed him on the throne as king of Israel, David recognized that it was nothing that he had done to become king. He was humbled by the fact that out of all of the families in Israel, God chose his family to choose a king from and out of all of the members in his family, God chose him to be king. He didn’t try to second guess and constantly ask God “why me?” He humbly accepted the fact that God chose him, specifically to do a job. (1 Chron. 14:2, 17:16-18).
2. He realized that God was in control of everything and everything was God’s to give or take away. David knew this and he accepted it. God had a perfect plan and David knew that plan would be carried out with or without him. (1 Chron. 19:13b).
3. Whenever David had to make a major decision, he consulted God to see what God’s will for him was. Whatever God’s answer was, David abided by that answer. If God said “yes, go to battle, because the battle is already won” David went and fought. He didn’t say “well, now God, are you sure?” David didn’t rely on his own understanding or the counsel of his generals. The times that David did not ask God first....he failed, and he didn’t blame God for the failure. David knew that the failure was because he had sinned and he immediately repented. (1 Chron. 14:9, 14:14, 15:13, 21:8).
4. David worshipped and praised God constantly and he worshipped God with abandon. David didn’t care if his actions during worship weren’t befitting his “kingly” station and he certainly didn’t care what anyone thought. David understood that his worship was between himself and God. He tuned out the people around him and totally focused on worshipping God. He didn’t even care what his own wife thought “As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.” 1 Chron 15:29.
David was loved by God and we are loved by God. David gave all of his love, all of his praise to God. David gave all honor and glory in everything to God. We can be like David...if we want it badly enough. God created each of us in His own image. He watches over us daily. He knows the plans that He has for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11) and He knows what we need even before we ask for it (Matthew 6:8). I want to have a relationship with God like the one David had. I want to be a woman after God’s own heart.
If you are a Christian, you have God the Holy Spirit living within you! If you want a total relationship with God like David had, it’s time to put away your childish ways and recognize where your sustenance comes from “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” 1 Cor 13:11. It is time to give God all the glory and honor; it is time to give God all of your praise and worship!
If you are not saved and you know that your life can be so much more, please read our blog titled New Life in Christ dated April 2, 2010.
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
When we look at David’s life we see a giant of a man, not in stature but in his standing with God. God loved David, that’s a fact, but God did not love David more than He loves you or me and that is also a fact. So with that said, maybe we can be like David!
So what made David so special?
1. David always remembered where he came from. He was a poor shepherd boy. There was nothing unique about him. After God placed him on the throne as king of Israel, David recognized that it was nothing that he had done to become king. He was humbled by the fact that out of all of the families in Israel, God chose his family to choose a king from and out of all of the members in his family, God chose him to be king. He didn’t try to second guess and constantly ask God “why me?” He humbly accepted the fact that God chose him, specifically to do a job. (1 Chron. 14:2, 17:16-18).
2. He realized that God was in control of everything and everything was God’s to give or take away. David knew this and he accepted it. God had a perfect plan and David knew that plan would be carried out with or without him. (1 Chron. 19:13b).
3. Whenever David had to make a major decision, he consulted God to see what God’s will for him was. Whatever God’s answer was, David abided by that answer. If God said “yes, go to battle, because the battle is already won” David went and fought. He didn’t say “well, now God, are you sure?” David didn’t rely on his own understanding or the counsel of his generals. The times that David did not ask God first....he failed, and he didn’t blame God for the failure. David knew that the failure was because he had sinned and he immediately repented. (1 Chron. 14:9, 14:14, 15:13, 21:8).
4. David worshipped and praised God constantly and he worshipped God with abandon. David didn’t care if his actions during worship weren’t befitting his “kingly” station and he certainly didn’t care what anyone thought. David understood that his worship was between himself and God. He tuned out the people around him and totally focused on worshipping God. He didn’t even care what his own wife thought “As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.” 1 Chron 15:29.
David was loved by God and we are loved by God. David gave all of his love, all of his praise to God. David gave all honor and glory in everything to God. We can be like David...if we want it badly enough. God created each of us in His own image. He watches over us daily. He knows the plans that He has for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11) and He knows what we need even before we ask for it (Matthew 6:8). I want to have a relationship with God like the one David had. I want to be a woman after God’s own heart.
If you are a Christian, you have God the Holy Spirit living within you! If you want a total relationship with God like David had, it’s time to put away your childish ways and recognize where your sustenance comes from “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” 1 Cor 13:11. It is time to give God all the glory and honor; it is time to give God all of your praise and worship!
If you are not saved and you know that your life can be so much more, please read our blog titled New Life in Christ dated April 2, 2010.
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc
Thursday, January 13, 2011
First Love
Remember when you met your first love? You just couldn’t wait to spend time alone. And when you were together, the time flew by because you were so caught up in each other that you didn’t think about anything else. But after a while, your heart started to cool down, and life took over. Oh, you still spend a little time with your first love, but you’ve stopped talking like you used to and things have become a little stale.
What is it about our hearts that make us this way? Jesus has a message of warning for us in the Church who have left our first love – Jesus. His word comes from Revelation 2:2-7, which says:
“[2]’ I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. [3] You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
[4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. [5] Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. [6] But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
[7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”
When you look at this passage, you can see that the Christians in this church have a lot going for them. They have worked hard and persevered for Christ. They have tested those claiming to be ambassadors of Christ and have found some to be liars. But even with all that good stuff they’re doing, Jesus still has something against them...They have left their first love. They have become so comfortable with their Christianity, that they are doing their works out of duty instead of doing them out of a love for Christ. Is your love waning when it comes to Christ? Has your heart cooled down to where you are doing good things for God, but they aren’t being done out of love for Him? Are you “comfortable” in your Christianity? If so, then know that Jesus didn’t leave you, you left Him! If you look deeply into your own life, you’ll see where your time and attention is, and it’s not on Jesus. Where is your focus? No human relationship will survive if you’re not investing in it. And likewise, your relationship with God won’t thrive unless you’re pouring yourself into it.
Jesus tells us the way to return to Him is to repent! Turn from those things that are holding your gaze, and turn back to the Lord of your life who wants to meet with you every day. He wants your eyes on Him as He speaks a fresh breath into your life and fans the flames of your love for Him. We can easily get caught up in a lot of “good” things, but are they “God” things? Did God ask you to do them? Jesus isn’t impressed with your works that are done out of wrong motives. For those who will listen…if you will repent and turn back to Jesus, one day, you will eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. In the meantime, you can eat from the Bread of Life here on earth, and He will satisfy you. Turn back to Jesus and do the things you once did when your heart was on fire for Him and He will always be in His rightful place as your first love.
Bible verse taken from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
What is it about our hearts that make us this way? Jesus has a message of warning for us in the Church who have left our first love – Jesus. His word comes from Revelation 2:2-7, which says:
“[2]’ I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. [3] You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
[4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. [5] Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. [6] But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
[7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”
When you look at this passage, you can see that the Christians in this church have a lot going for them. They have worked hard and persevered for Christ. They have tested those claiming to be ambassadors of Christ and have found some to be liars. But even with all that good stuff they’re doing, Jesus still has something against them...They have left their first love. They have become so comfortable with their Christianity, that they are doing their works out of duty instead of doing them out of a love for Christ. Is your love waning when it comes to Christ? Has your heart cooled down to where you are doing good things for God, but they aren’t being done out of love for Him? Are you “comfortable” in your Christianity? If so, then know that Jesus didn’t leave you, you left Him! If you look deeply into your own life, you’ll see where your time and attention is, and it’s not on Jesus. Where is your focus? No human relationship will survive if you’re not investing in it. And likewise, your relationship with God won’t thrive unless you’re pouring yourself into it.
Jesus tells us the way to return to Him is to repent! Turn from those things that are holding your gaze, and turn back to the Lord of your life who wants to meet with you every day. He wants your eyes on Him as He speaks a fresh breath into your life and fans the flames of your love for Him. We can easily get caught up in a lot of “good” things, but are they “God” things? Did God ask you to do them? Jesus isn’t impressed with your works that are done out of wrong motives. For those who will listen…if you will repent and turn back to Jesus, one day, you will eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. In the meantime, you can eat from the Bread of Life here on earth, and He will satisfy you. Turn back to Jesus and do the things you once did when your heart was on fire for Him and He will always be in His rightful place as your first love.
Bible verse taken from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
Monday, January 10, 2011
TO CONFORM OR NOT!
Have you ever known anyone that would never follow the rules or laws and just seemed to live in their own little world? Doesn’t that just make you so mad? Well, can you imagine how king Nebuchadnezzar felt when the three Jewish boys that he was giving a second chance too, chose to blatantly disobey his order to fall down and worship the ninety foot high and nine foot wide image that he had set up? Can you believe the audacity of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? After all, didn’t the king give them an honored place in his kingdom and food from his own table? He even set them up to rule over the affairs of the province of Babylon! Who wouldn’t jump at an opportunity like that?
Even knowing that they would be immediately thrown into a burning furnace, these three Jewish boys chose to honor God and the law that He gave to Moses "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them.....” Ex 20:4-5. When king Nebuchadnezzar called the three to his throne room to question them about why they disobeyed his command they told him “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Dan 3:17-18. Well, you know the rest of the story. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the burning furnace and they were not harmed at all. The hair on their heads was not even singed! These three boys didn’t know if they would die a horrible death or not, but they did know that worshipping an idol was completely against God’s law and they knew that conforming to king Nebuchadnezzar’s law was wrong!
As Christians, we tend to live in our own little world but, unlike Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego we tend to conform to rules, through our silence, even if the rules go against God’s law. What about the laws that we have allowed our government to enact over the years and are now a part of society’s fabric? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to start a rebellion here...but if it is morally wrong and goes against God’s Word....then it is.....wrong! The question each of us must ask ourselves today is whether or not we will obey our God by not conforming and speaking out when we see something that we know is morally wrong or choose to conform through our silent acceptance.
Right now we can conform through our silence and with very little consequence to ourselves. But one of these days, there will come a time when every human will have to make a life or death choice....to conform or not to conform. The Bible tells us that there will be a future day when not bowing down to an idol will be immediate death. We already know what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would do. What will you do?
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
Even knowing that they would be immediately thrown into a burning furnace, these three Jewish boys chose to honor God and the law that He gave to Moses "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them.....” Ex 20:4-5. When king Nebuchadnezzar called the three to his throne room to question them about why they disobeyed his command they told him “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Dan 3:17-18. Well, you know the rest of the story. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the burning furnace and they were not harmed at all. The hair on their heads was not even singed! These three boys didn’t know if they would die a horrible death or not, but they did know that worshipping an idol was completely against God’s law and they knew that conforming to king Nebuchadnezzar’s law was wrong!
As Christians, we tend to live in our own little world but, unlike Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego we tend to conform to rules, through our silence, even if the rules go against God’s law. What about the laws that we have allowed our government to enact over the years and are now a part of society’s fabric? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to start a rebellion here...but if it is morally wrong and goes against God’s Word....then it is.....wrong! The question each of us must ask ourselves today is whether or not we will obey our God by not conforming and speaking out when we see something that we know is morally wrong or choose to conform through our silent acceptance.
Right now we can conform through our silence and with very little consequence to ourselves. But one of these days, there will come a time when every human will have to make a life or death choice....to conform or not to conform. The Bible tells us that there will be a future day when not bowing down to an idol will be immediate death. We already know what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would do. What will you do?
Bible Verse taken from the New International Version
@copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Are You Living On Old Manna?
I remember when I first started hearing from God personally. I was like a sponge reading the Bible -- I couldn’t get enough! As I look back, I realize how spiritually malnourished I had been. I was going to church every week, but I was only getting spiritual nourishment on Sundays, and I was being spoon fed at that! It was at that point that I realized it was time for me to start feeding myself. That’s when I began my life-long journey into the study of God’s Word! So, let me ask you, are you spiritually malnourished, like I was? Are you being spoon fed God’s word? It’s time to start feeding yourself! God has wonderful treasures in His word that He wants to reveal to you personally. He also wants to reveal who He is to you through His word. God wants a personal relationship with you. He wants to speak to you about your situations. He wants you to come to Him and find out what His will is for your life. The God of this Universe loves you and wants to spend time with you!
So, maybe you’re thinking… “I do read the bible. Maybe it’s not every day, but I go to bible study and I pray.” Ok, then let me ask you this…Are you living on old manna? When is the last time God spoke to your heart? When is the last time that you couldn’t wait to share what God had revealed to you?
Remember in Exodus 16 where God sent manna every morning for the Israelites to collect and eat while they were in the wilderness for forty years. They were to gather as much as they would eat for that day, except the day before the Sabbath, then they could collect two days worth of manna so they could rest on the Sabbath. If they collected too much and kept it until morning, it would be full of maggots and would stink.
God speaks to us through His word and His word is the bread of life! His word to us is our manna! He doesn’t want us living on yesterday’s word, He wants to give us a fresh word, or fresh manna! Just like the Israelites had to gather their manna each day, we need to be in God’s word daily. Since the Israelites had to “gather” and work for their manna every day, we will find that we need to spend some time digging into God’s word. The more you dig, the deeper you’ll get. As you continue to study, God will take you into different levels of studying His word. So don’t think that just because you’ve read through the bible once that you’re done. God will continue to reveal Himself to us through His word as long as we’re alive. There is no end to God. How can we be so presumptuous to think that we know all there is to know about Him?
Maybe God has given you a word or a vision that has kept you going in your ministry but now you’re starting to wane. Is it hard to stay focused on what God has asked you to do? Have the embers of passion for your ministry died down? Then you know that it’s time for some fresh manna from God!
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that You would stir the embers of my heart and ignite the fire within me to burn with passion for You and Your Word! Lord, I’m asking You to speak a fresh word to me as I read Your Word. I want to hunger and thirst for Your Word like never before. I don’t want to live on old manna any longer. Show me treasures in Your Word that I can share with others. And help me to stop and listen to hear Your voice. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
*If you want to know how to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please read our blog titled, “New Life in Christ” from April 2, 2010.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
So, maybe you’re thinking… “I do read the bible. Maybe it’s not every day, but I go to bible study and I pray.” Ok, then let me ask you this…Are you living on old manna? When is the last time God spoke to your heart? When is the last time that you couldn’t wait to share what God had revealed to you?
Remember in Exodus 16 where God sent manna every morning for the Israelites to collect and eat while they were in the wilderness for forty years. They were to gather as much as they would eat for that day, except the day before the Sabbath, then they could collect two days worth of manna so they could rest on the Sabbath. If they collected too much and kept it until morning, it would be full of maggots and would stink.
God speaks to us through His word and His word is the bread of life! His word to us is our manna! He doesn’t want us living on yesterday’s word, He wants to give us a fresh word, or fresh manna! Just like the Israelites had to gather their manna each day, we need to be in God’s word daily. Since the Israelites had to “gather” and work for their manna every day, we will find that we need to spend some time digging into God’s word. The more you dig, the deeper you’ll get. As you continue to study, God will take you into different levels of studying His word. So don’t think that just because you’ve read through the bible once that you’re done. God will continue to reveal Himself to us through His word as long as we’re alive. There is no end to God. How can we be so presumptuous to think that we know all there is to know about Him?
Maybe God has given you a word or a vision that has kept you going in your ministry but now you’re starting to wane. Is it hard to stay focused on what God has asked you to do? Have the embers of passion for your ministry died down? Then you know that it’s time for some fresh manna from God!
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that You would stir the embers of my heart and ignite the fire within me to burn with passion for You and Your Word! Lord, I’m asking You to speak a fresh word to me as I read Your Word. I want to hunger and thirst for Your Word like never before. I don’t want to live on old manna any longer. Show me treasures in Your Word that I can share with others. And help me to stop and listen to hear Your voice. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
*If you want to know how to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please read our blog titled, “New Life in Christ” from April 2, 2010.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.
Monday, January 3, 2011
RESOLUTION TIME!
Here we are again, a brand new year. It’s time to fill out our resolution list for 2011! When I was younger I used to make a long list of things that I would resolve to do in the new year and after only a few weeks, I would lose the list or decide that I just couldn’t keep the promises that I had made to myself. As I got older my list got shorter and eventually I quit making a New Year’s resolution list. This year however, I have resolved to make one resolution. Only one you ask? Yes, because I realize more and more each day what is really important. Don’t get me wrong, losing weight and exercising (always at the top of my resolutions to break list) is very important, but the most important resolution for me (and if you think about it) for you too is heavenly things....not earthly things (after all this earth is not our home).
I passed a small church a few days ago and on the marquee was written “Make Jesus your resolution.” In my opinion, this is the only resolution that anyone should make and if you are a Christian, this is the only resolution that you will ever need to make. If we focus on Jesus, if we turn our total attention to Jesus all of our problems will be put into perspective. Maybe you are not like me (and I hope that you are not) because I let the little things bother me. My husband gets upset with me because I tend to dwell on “could of and should of!” I always say “why didn’t I see that coming?” Instead of taking the little things in stride and moving on, I let them drag me down and I dwell on them. When I dwell on these little things my focus is changed from Jesus to me and then Satan wins because that is exactly what he wants! If Satan can turn our thoughts from God to worldly things then he thinks that he has won and Satan only wants to make your life and my life miserable.
So, how am I going to keep this resolution? Only with the help of my friends, through prayer, through quiet time with the Lord and through Bible study. Iron sharpens iron and as Christians it is the responsibility of all of us to keep each other sharp and focused. As the body of Christ, you and I must resolve to make Jesus our one and only resolution. Satan is like a lion, roaming to and fro in this world looking for the weak sheep and he is nipping at our heels. Together, you and I through unity can stay strong, we can stay focused and we can be a witness to a lost world.
“I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. 23 I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:22-23
Bible Verse taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
@copyright 2010 LVC Ministries, Inc
I passed a small church a few days ago and on the marquee was written “Make Jesus your resolution.” In my opinion, this is the only resolution that anyone should make and if you are a Christian, this is the only resolution that you will ever need to make. If we focus on Jesus, if we turn our total attention to Jesus all of our problems will be put into perspective. Maybe you are not like me (and I hope that you are not) because I let the little things bother me. My husband gets upset with me because I tend to dwell on “could of and should of!” I always say “why didn’t I see that coming?” Instead of taking the little things in stride and moving on, I let them drag me down and I dwell on them. When I dwell on these little things my focus is changed from Jesus to me and then Satan wins because that is exactly what he wants! If Satan can turn our thoughts from God to worldly things then he thinks that he has won and Satan only wants to make your life and my life miserable.
So, how am I going to keep this resolution? Only with the help of my friends, through prayer, through quiet time with the Lord and through Bible study. Iron sharpens iron and as Christians it is the responsibility of all of us to keep each other sharp and focused. As the body of Christ, you and I must resolve to make Jesus our one and only resolution. Satan is like a lion, roaming to and fro in this world looking for the weak sheep and he is nipping at our heels. Together, you and I through unity can stay strong, we can stay focused and we can be a witness to a lost world.
“I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. 23 I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:22-23
Bible Verse taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
@copyright 2010 LVC Ministries, Inc
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