Speak Truth

Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. ~ Ezekiel 3:16-19

Spirit Wind by Casting Crowns

In the summers of 2013 and 2015 I would wake up in the early morning hours (2:30-3:30 am) with an urgency to pray and read the Bible. This happened for many nights through out those summer months. I would get up and get my Bible and let it fall open wherever He wanted me to read. On several occasions it landed on the scriptures I shared above.

In the Bible I used most often I would mark the dates and times next to whatever I was reading and the title of this section of scripture is, "Ezekiel is a Watchman." I wondered why, I pray and asked, why. Why would God want me to read this over and over so many times. Well, brothers and sisters, we are also watchmen for the Lord. We are to go out and preach the good news and be that iron that sharpens our brothers and sisters. We are not to see sin and say nothing. (This isn't about judging others it is about sharing truth. Sin has already been judged by God and is clearly stated in the Word what it is).

Ezekiel was to warn the wicked that if they stayed in their sin and did not repent, "they would surely die." (vs.18) If he stood by and said nothing. Their blood would be required at his hand. Not only was he to warn the wicked but also the righteous. If he warned them and they choose to listen or chose not to listen he will have "delivered his soul."

“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.” (Ez. 3:20-21)

We live in a world where no one wants to speak or hear truth. Everyone wants to feel good all the time and in whatever situation they are in. We humans want to hear about all the good things about ourselves. We want to hear, "You're only human so it is okay to do (enter sin here)______." It's not okay!

We who call ourselves believers should want more than anything to know and live God's truth. We will stumble, we will fall, and if left alone in whatever sin we find ourselves in without the loving, helping hand, praying heart of a brother or sister in the Lord - we just may not come out of it. The consequences for that sin we stumble into may be more than we can deal with - alone.

I share this with you because I have seen what sin can do to the life of believers, the life of the church, and to those looking in from the outside. It tears people apart. It puts a wedge between people and God. It, sin, does just what the enemy wants - kills, steals, and destroys us. I have lived those consequences and if it were not for a lady I met when I was about 19 years old, I may still be stuck there, in a worse place, and facing horrid consequences.

"Just as iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17)

Today, hold on to truth. Look in that mirror of your soul and find those "sin planks" and get them out. Don't be afraid to call sin what it is. If we truly love our neighbor as ourselves, we want to see them on the other side. Don't let the moment pass when you can share the truth with someone. Don't allow their blood to be required at your hand because you didn't want to hurt their feelings. When my sister in the Lord tells me that I am heading in the wrong direction, in that moment it may sting a bit, but it proves to be that she loves me and wants to see me living the life God wants for me.

"But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house." (Ez. 3:27)

*This was written for a daily worship post for The Spirit In Me Facebook group.)

Fruit Of The Spirit: Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness (Part 5)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." ~ Galatians 5:22-23(NKJV)

Don't you just love hearing a kind word from someone? Or maybe even just a kind voice speaking to you with respect. Unfortunately, it has become a rarity in the world today. We (in general) are on edge, irritated easily, lash out at strangers, and treat their loved ones like they don't matter. We are wound so tightly, due to stress, worry, illness, and a host of other things that steal our sleep and out peace. Some have a heaviness in their voice, a spirit of depression that you can hear even if they are just the person taking your order at the drive-thru. The enemy is killing the spirit of so many of us. The truth is, we allow him to. *OUCH* That has been a hard pill to swallow, but it is the truth none the less. We have the opportunity to choose how we will act, react, and feel every day. Every choice has a consequence, good or bad,

Kindness, goodness, gentleness go hand in hand. When you read this words what do they make you feel?

"Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NKJV)

Goodness brings to mind that that feeling a good tasty strawberry brings to your taste buds. A hug from a loved one. A kiss from my spouse. Last night as we were sitting outside watching the fireworks with my parent's he rubbed my feet (Praising God for a good man!).

"For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!" -Psalm 117:2 (NKJV)

Kindness, brings to mind when a friend, loved one, or stranger compliments me on something I struggle with. It brings to mind a smile from someone that lights up their face. A kind word spoken that makes my heart smile.

“You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;

Your gentleness has made me great."-2 Samuel 22:36 (NKJV)

Gentleness, Oh what a quality to have! A gentle voice that soothes hurt feelings. A gentle touch that soothes fear and relieves tension. A gentle look to calm the chaos that runs through our minds.

His merciful kindness, His goodness, His gentleness, all towards us. Undeserving, unmerited, unworthy of any of it, yet He willingly gives it to us. Give it = GIFT! Just like salvation, the ultimate gift. He extends so much more through His love for us. Can you wrap your mind around that!?

As humans our righteousness is like filthy rags. We withhold kindness, goodness, and gentleness almost daily. We are quick to extend judgement loudly, so everyone around knows just how bad that other person is. We are quick to expect all the good things from others but don't much feel like giving it first, possibly, we will give it in return. Imagine how our actions break God's heart daily as He looks upon those who claim to be His children, claim to love like Jesus, but instead live like foolish devil children. (Preaching to myself!)

We can't pick and chose which Fruit of the Spirit we want to apply to our lives. It comes as a package deal. You can't have one without the other. We need to be aware of our actions, reaction, thoughts, words that flow from our mouths (and fingers), our treatment of our loved ones and strangers, and our treatment of ourselves. What message do you want your life to speak to the world?

"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." - Luke 6:31 (NKJV)

Kindness - Chris Tomlin

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ~Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NKJV

When you think of the word longsuffering, how does it make you feel? A bit apprehensive? I know it makes me feel a bit overwhelmed. To suffer for a long time just seems so unfair. We want what we want now, not later. We want people to hurry up. We want to have everything instantly at our fingertips. We are impatient and we tend to voice that impatience loudly.

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ~ Romans 2:4 NKJV

God, waits and waits for us to choose Him. He is so patient and good to us. He wants none of us to perish. Even when we break His heart and willfully sin and turn from Him - He is longsuffering.

As God's children we are to share in His longsuffering. We need to love and be patient with people. We need to share what we know about Him and His love. Most of all we need to pray and listen for His voice.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
~ 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

While I'm Waiting - John Waller

Fruit of the Spirit: Peace (Part 3)

Read Galatians 5:16-26

Shalom. Peace. I believe we all want peace in out lives as much as we want love. No one likes to be in turmoil. No one likes constant fighting with others or with ourselves. This type of living saps so much energy from us. Of course, life will not be without conflict, but imagine having peace even when the tornadoes of life surround you on all ends trying to steal your love, joy, and peace. Satan's greatest mission is to steal from us, destroy us, and kill us - he can do this mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and ultimately it will kill us physically.

"Now may the Lord of shalom himself give you shalom always in all ways. The Lord be with all of you."~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 CJB

How can we keep the peace? There are days I ask this question of myself so many times. There are just some people and some situations that make it so hard to maintain a peaceful attitude. (God forgive me and make me a peacemaker).

“How blessed are those who make peace! for they will be called sons of God." ~Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:9 CJB

Going back to how can we keep the peace. We need to think before we speak. "The tongue has power over life and death; those who indulge it must eat its fruit." ~Mishlei (Proverbs) 18:21 CJB. The tongue has the ability to make things worse or make things better. Sometimes making things better requires that our tongue stay still - quiet.

"The speech of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the speech of the wicked is a cover for violence." ~Mishlei (Pro) 10:11 CJB

"When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely; on her tongue is loving instruction. צ" ~Mishlei (Pro) 31:26 CJB

Another way to keep the peace is to speak life. Speak with wisdom. Encourage. Inspire. Build one another up. Build yourself up instead of putting yourself down. If you need to correct someone do it in love.

"A wise person fears and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and overconfident." ~Mishlei (Pro) 14:16 CJB

Keeping the peace and being a peacemaker requires us to turn away from evil and stay focused on God. It requires that we be in constant communication with Him and learning from His Word. It requires love most if all.

Peace be with you all the days of your lives.

Peace Be Still - I AM THEY
❤🙏

Fruit of the Spirit: Joy (Part 2)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things. "- Galatians5:22-23 (CJB)

(read Galatians 5:16-26)

https://youtu.be/MoyHjjHTO14

Joy, such a different feeling than happiness. It is not dependent on our circumstances. It comes straight from the Ultimate Source, Yah (G-d). Joy like love sets you apart from the world. No matter what is happening in your life at any given moment you can have joy because you know God is in control. He is there even in the midst of the storm.

When I think of joy, I think of Paul. He was in jail for his beliefs and scripture tells us that even then he was content. "I have learned to be content regardless of circumstances." (Phil. 4:11) No matter how hard it got, no matter how much he lost, he chose to be content in the good and the bad of life's journey. He chose joy. The joy of the Lord! "You make me know the path of life; in your presence is unbounded joy,in your right hand eternal delight. (Psalm 16:11)

I wrote this 4 years ago (2014) and at that time many things were changing in my life, health and other life circumstances. Right there and then I chose to began taking time to look on the bright-side of life. I looked for the joy in the present moment not matter my circumstance, no matter how dark things seemed, I chose to find things to thank Yah (G-d) for. In that time, I learned an important lesson. Thankfulness, being grateful for this moment results in joy. The changes that I had to make at that time forced me to stop and evaluate my life and where I was at in my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It was an awakening. Yah (G-d) really showed me how far I had gone down the wrong path - the path that He hadn't meant for me. Every day I learn more and more about what it is to surrender my life to Him and the plans He has for me. I have found more joy in these hard times than I did in the times when by society's standards I was more "stable." Glory to Yah (G-d)!

January 8, 2014, the day I wrote this, I found joy in a day off from work, sun bathing at our picnic table, the breeze blowing through my hair, music playing, the ability to write and read, the awesomeness of nature, our cats meowing, the mountains against the clear blue skies, baby evergreens growing. Grace inhaled and thanksgiving exhaled. The joy of life and all its turbulent winds and exciting moments. The ability to choose.  

July 22,2018, today I find joy in celebrating another year of my mom's life with her and my dad. Breakfast made by my dad. My mom reading her cards and seeing her flowers. My dad playing lots of birthday songs for her and other music loud enough for the neighborhood to hear, reminds me of my childhood days. In our fur babies (cats and dog) and in my parent's fur babies. The love between my husband and I. Our home. Amazing friends and family in the Lord. Every breathe and beat of my heart. Yah's Word and salvation through His Son Yeshua! 

Today and everyday, take a moment to really see who Yah is. How much He loves you and all of humanity. He has said,  For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai,‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly;" (Jeremiah 23:11) Doesn't that bring you great joy!? 

Challenge:
Love joy! When you pray for Yah to fill you with love as for His joy as well. Ask to see through His eyes. Take time to soak in His blessings and be grateful. 

Act Out Joy:
*Smile
*Laugh
*Share your joy stories
*Share scriptures that bring joy to your heart
*Be grateful
*Choose to be joyful no matter your circumstances
*Most of all praise Yah and spend time in His Word.

We have the free will to choose how we react to the world around us and to what is happening to us. We can let it control us by allowing our emotions to be affected by how we are treated or we can take back that control and understand that everyone is fighting a battle and those of us who serve Yah have Him to fight for us. So let Him fight for you! Rest in Him and find your joy in Him. You can and should walk away from people who bring you down and treat you badly but don't let that make you bitter and angry. Forgive and let God take care of it and live your life in joy.

Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness, so that the bones you crushed can rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins,and blot out all my crimes. Create in me a clean heart, God; renew in me a resolute spirit.  Don’t thrust me away from your presence, don’t take your Ruach Kodesh (Holy Spirit) away from me. Restore my joy in your salvation, and let a willing spirit uphold me. (Psalm 51:8-12)

Fruit of the Spirit: Love (Part 1)

https://youtu.be/CDyx2kayhGQ

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." ~Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NKJV

When the Fruit of the Spirit is evident in our lives others will know who we follow without us having to say a word. Like me, you might look at this list and think, "I live out the Fruit of the Spirit most of the time with most of the people in my life." Our humaness gets in the way sometimes. Yet, we are called to live this out everyday, all day, with all people. *Ouch* Even on our bad days and especially on their bad days.

Love is first on the list. Love is who God is. He doesn't just have love - He is love!

In Mark 12:30-31 we are given these commandments:

"and you are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your understanding and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other mitzvah greater than these.” ~CJB

Scripture tells us that if we love God we will keep His commandments. Love should ensure that we won't violate the relationship. We wouldn't cause pain on purpose. Love should ensure we won't turn our backs on God or one another when things don't go the way we think they should.

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ~John 13:35 NKJV

Love for one another. Love, real agape love, spiritual and selfless love. Unconditional love. Love that sees your faults and loves you anyway. Love that wants to build you up, encourage you to be a better you not a different superficial you.  Love that sees beyond the clothes we wear, brand name or thrift store. Love that sees beyond the silver in our hair, the winkles, the color or our skin. Love that sees beyond the cars and houses we have or don't have. Love that takes time to listen to your heart, love that commits, love that lends a helping hand expecting nothing in return. Love that shines through your eyes, smile, and the words you speak. Love that shows evidence that God lives within us.

Love is the very essence of God. The very essence of who we should be. Are we living love? When we look in the mirror do we see love, hate, maybe indifference?

Challenge:
Everyday before you get out of bed, before you utter that first word. Ask God to fill you with His love. Enough so it overflows from you to others.

Read:
Proverbs 10:12, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, and
John 3:16.

Crissy Johnson 2014

Face Forward

The above image quote has been on my mind today. I am going to take each part and try to apply it to my life. I am looking forward to making some positive changes in my life and this quote seems like a good place to start my thought process on just how to do make those changes.

"Face Forward." I am so used to having my head slanted towards the ground eyes looking at the ground. The dirt and I are on a first name basis, we know each other well. There is beauty in every grain of sand, every piece of dirt, every rock, blade of grass, flower, and tree root. There is no doubt that I love the feel of the earth underneath my feet and the treasures I find as I walk upon it. However, I am missing out on many beautiful things that would be at eye-level if I would just lift up my head.

You may be wondering why I am even blogging about this. Well, you see, I have suffered from low self-esteem for as long as I can remember. That is my main reason for keeping my eyes focused on the ground. I don't want to see the look on someone's face when they see me. I just know it won't be good! At least that is what I have come to believe. 

I allowed certain people's words, actions, and beliefs muddy my view of who I was. I believed I was not good enough and my thoughts were not valid. Everything I enjoyed or had a passion for was looked down upon. So I began molding myself into something foreign to me and told myself daily that who I was and what I dreamed were of no worth and should be locked away in the darkest recesses of my being. (Just typing this makes me nauseous)

                                                       For you formed my inward parts

       you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

   I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

    my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

    intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 

~ Psalm 139:13-15English Standard Version (ESV)

You're probably wondering, "could things really be that bad?" Yes. yes they can be, they were, and in many ways still are. All because my child-mind didn't understand how to filter out the negativity and the chaos going on around me. So I internalized it. I made it mine. I made it real. I find myself at 39 years old sifting through it all and pulling out the weeds to make room for the sunflowers, green grass, and trees of love and joy to bloom. 

The work is hard. The journey is exhausting. The emotional roller-coaster it nauseating. Most days I want to quit and just live in denial. Working on my physical health is hard, believe me, but this the work of facing forward - straight at myself in the mirror - without casting my eyes downward - is so much harder than I ever imagined. It takes every ounce of energy, courage, and "just do it already" attitude to face forward - to face myself for 30 seconds. I don't like who I allowed myself to become. I don't like the anxious, panicky, depressed, unfocused, chaotic-minded person I have become - or maybe always was. I want to fight her - I want to beat her. But you know that is not the way to healing. I have to love her - accept her. That is much harder to do than to berate her for being this way.  

" do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 

~Philippians 4:6-8English Standard Version (ESV)

My first step to facing forward is awareness. Something I learned from a few years of seeing a counselor (the best decision I have made!). Every moment that I become aware of my triggers, my defense mechanism, my negative self-talk, my need to please people and leave myself on the back burner, I get one step closer to freedom. One step closer to healing. Every moment I become aware of the lies of our spiritual enemy and refuse to believe them, I get one step closer to freedom. One step closer to healing.Now that I am well into becoming more aware of my inner workings, I need to work on the second step. 

Step two to facing forward is "weeding my garden." Yesterday during my session I learned about a process of visualizing my mind, thoughts, attitudes, and feelings as a garden. (I have always found peace in nature). As I sit in the quiet, stillness of my garden I need to look around and find those weeds of self-hate, low self-esteem, doubt, negativity, unforgiveness, bitterness, and any thing else that I have held onto that is hindering my growth. Anything that steals my peace, joy, love, and happiness. (Joy and happiness are different, more on that in another post). Once I find them, I need to pull them out and throw them away!! One by one. Step by step. One day at a time. It may sound simple and a little corny but why over-complicate something that just needs a simple corny solution!?

There are many more steps along the way to healing. As I weed my thought garden I will practice taking every thought captive and guarding my heart so the enemy won't gain a foothold in my life. It may seem as if our battle is with people but it is not. It is a spiritual battle. The enemy, Satan (negative, evil energy), is out to manipulate, steal, kill, and destroy every single good thing inside of every single human being. He doesn't want us to have peace, joy, love for ourselves or others. So he uses us if he can to hurt each other. To bully, be little, and sometimes even physically harm ourselves or others. If he can keep us busy being angry, bitter, hurt, and trying to one up each other then we will not grow into the amazing, fearfully, wonderfully made, human beings we were meant to be. It's time we stop fighting ourselves and each other. It is time to allow the healing to take place.

 "The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity." ~2 Corinthians 10:4-6The Message (MSG)