Thursday, March 31, 2022

He’s Coming…

For several weeks I have been asking the LORD, what would you have me share in the next blog? I know some of you ask about weekly blogs. Honestly, I just write one when I am impressed to by the Holy Spirit. There are lots of things out there for you to read and get your hands-on, so I never just write a blog to be able to say I did.

I do want to share with you something I read out of one of my daily devotional books following my prayer time this morning. The reason I am sharing the devotional with you is if you are like me and many others in the body of Christ you are watching the signs of the times. Biblical prophecies are being looked at more closely in this day and time than ever before.

Non-believers should be told the truth of the gospel and how Christ died on the cross for our sins and was buried and rose again defeating death and ascended to His Father in heaven and will come again. Believers should be encouraged to be ready for His Coming. BUT…. do not miss His surprise visits in the here and now?

                                                 

Our Lord’s Surprise Visits 

You also, be ready… - Luke 12:40 

A Christian worker’s greatest need is a readiness to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience has been. The battle is not against, sin, difficulties, or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in our service to Jesus Christ that we are not ready to face Jesus Himself at every turn. The greatest need is not facing our beliefs or doctrines, or even facing the question of whether or not we are of any use to Him, but the need is to face Him. 

Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect him, and always in the most illogical situations. The only way a servant can remain true to God is to be ready for the Lord’s surprise visits. The readiness will not be brought about by service, but through intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This sense of expectation will give our life the attitude of childlike wonder He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious. In other words, we must stop using religion as if it were some kind of a lofty lifestyle- we must be spiritually real.

If you are avoiding the call of the religious thinking of today’s world, and instead are “looking unto Jesus, setting your heart on what He wants, and thinking His thoughts, you will be considered impractical and a daydreamer. But when He suddenly appears in the work of the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready. You should trust no one, and even ignore the finest saint on earth if he blocks your sight of Jesus Christ.     ... Oswald Chambers


So, I ask us are we ready for the Lord’s surprise visits? Do we expect Jesus Christ at every turn throughout our day? Does our life have the attitude of childlike wonder? What is blocking our sight of Jesus Christ?

 

Love you all, have a wonderful week!

His,  
Vickie



Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Hearing His Voice Above the Noise…

 

War is defined as, “the state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state.”  War (battle, fighting, conflict, combat) has always existed going back to the beginning of time.

Today, in this present moment of time we are focused on Russia and its attack (war) on Ukraine. We see the consequences this war is having on not just Ukraine but Russia and surrounding countries as well as people all around the world.

Father in Heaven, God that sees all, God that knows all, God that is present and not far away. God that has His hand on the pulse of every child of God.

John 1:12 -13 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

The World looks at what is going on today from a horizontal perspective.

Seeing the world this way causes us to be stuck in a rut. Like a mouse running a maze with no outlets. Changing directions, taking a different path, speeding up, slowing down, stopping to ponder, still provides no way out in and of itself. There are still no outlets to that maze. The response can be frustration, anger, fear, anxiety, depression, withdrawal, hopelessness, and all these things can lead to self-destructive behaviors and or total destruction.  

LORD, help us as your children to see this world from a vertical perspective.

Psalm 123:1 

To you I lift-up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

Psalm 33:18-22

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for thee; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Father God let us find you as our resting place in the middle of all this noise around us, that we your children may hear your voice, make decisions, and take steps accordingly.

My we all recognize that this world is a maze and until you lift us out of it and bring us home, we all will have battles to fight, whether in foreign countries, at home or within our very being. But may we remember we do not war against flesh and blood but against the………spiritual forces of evil. And may we also remember, The Battle Is Not Ours but The LORDS!

And finally, LORD, we at Pure Joy International lift-up the M’s and their families that are serving you in the countries touched by this war. Guide them through your Holy Spirit, shelter them from the enemies hand, get them to safety as they move about. Comfort their families that are living away from them and above all may they look to You for the peace that surpasses all understanding to rule in their hearts. And we pray all these things in the precious Name of Jesus.

 

His,

Vickie