24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.Genesis 2:24-25 (KJV)

What was God saying to me? It really did not seem like this particular passage applies to me in this season. yet I knew that there was something there God wanted me to meditate on – and as I thought on the whole chapter,,,

In the second chapter of Genesis God completed making the heavens and the earth. In this chapter He issues instructions to Adam concerning the garden that He placed him in:

15And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

With marriage comes favor! What a God idea!

There is no doubt that marriages are under attack! And even more, the institution of marriage has been twisted from its’ original design. Even when i watch channels that appear to be safe, like HGTV, I am reminded of how the marriage design for so many today is so contrary to the original plan. Couples go and find the house and live together before they get married – not knowing that one day they will not be able to be “naked and not ashamed.”

Everything God says, and everything He prescribes is for our health, not just for our soul, but for our spirits and our bodies. When we do things God’s way – we won’t be ashamed – we can look the adversary straight in the eye and know that we are in the plan of God, hence we have dominion over our garden and the favor of God.

Too much for today – -more on this tomorrow.

God Bless You,
Maria

22While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.Genesis 8:22 (KJV)

It is for sure that this scripture is comforting – with all the changes we have to go through on a daily basis, some that even prove to be life-threatening, what a joy it is to know that there are some things that are going to remain – we are going to have a time of planting, a time of reaping, a time to enjoy both winter and summer, and both day and night.

It’s comforting also for me to experience the advent of a new life in the earth realm. Such was the case last night when I was there to welcome my new grandson, Isaiah James into the family. When I rejoice over the great celebration it is for the parents, and for all of us in the family I am reminded of the Gaither rendition of “Because He Lives.

One of the verses goes like this:

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Words and music by William J. Gaither
© 1971

Thank God, He Lives!
Maria

Life is not always fair. Situations don’t always line up the way we think they are supposed to. Sometimes we have to go out of our way to lead someone out a place that is self-imposed. Sometimes we have to give up our pride, our confidence in what we’ve done – our annoyance of those who haven’t done what they should – sometimes we have to give up the right for the wrong! How do I know, my big brother did it for me!

Jesus lived a sinless life. After being called to come forth in public ministry He labored tirelessly with the masses – healing the sick, casting out devils, teaching, preaching, mentoring His disciples – all in the midst of on-lookers who criticized His every move. To top all that He was convicted, tried, and executed for crimes He did not commit – and in the face of unbearable slander and accusation – His only words were, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

I could never attempt to compare my minor problems, (some of which I also create for myself) – with that of my Savior – but I can look at His example, and I can attempt to follow His character. And I even have one better – because He lives in me – and longs to “bear my burdens” – I can give this one to Him… I can allow His spirit to rule and reign in this situation, knowing that He has a way of taking dead situations and bringing them to life!

Being the oldest of six children, I never had a big brother to watch out for me. It’s so good to remember, I have one now. Even now i feel better…it’s well! I will rejoice in the God of my salvation, my Savior, my burden-bearer, my Comforter, my Redeemer, my Friend.

8-11Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.. 1 Peter 5:9-11 (MSG)

“Thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus!”
Maria

Problems will either drive us to one solution or another – and often we fail to utilize the gift God has given us to PROBLEM-solve! As an educator, i stress to my students daily the importance of teaching their students to problem-solve. From the simplest exercise to the most complex analysis – what separates man from the rest of God’s creation is our ability to use this very intricate brain we have.

One thing I noticed over the years I’ve been in the church is the passive nature too many Christians have regarding exercising their abilities. Recently I heard a message on the parable of the parable of the talents – this particular preacher talked about the God-given talents and abilities each of us have been given – particularly the believer. It reminded me of a passage from one of Myles Munroe’s books that states that the richest place on the planet is the graveyard – where tons of treasures went to the grave with the deceased!

Why was the master so hard on the servant with the one talent, who hid it in the ground. After all they didn’t risk it, they played it safe. We really see the answer in the reply of the master:

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. Matthew 25:24-28 (KJV)

At the very least, the servant could have put that one talent in the bank so it could draw interest, at least his master would have had that gain.

God is not unjust – He has given us the ability to seek out a way to gain increase in the Kingdom – and that does not always mean an increase in money. In fact, when we explore what the kingdom really is about – we find that the concentration is not on money – after all “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.”

We are now in the third month of this new year. Are we looking forward to a quarterly increase? Can we say that we used that which God has given us toward pleasing the master?

God Bless You,
Maria

This year has been a defining year for me – yes, I know I’m getting older – and for too many years preceding this -I have felt the pressure of life quickly passing by – however, this year I made a decision to go for it – not considering my age or stage – but trusting the God who made me, that if He could call Moses at 80 – He might still have something He wants me to do for His glory, and He will give me the energy to do it!

One of my all-time favorite recording artists is Larnelle Harris and he sings a beautiful song that has helped my emotions to stir up that passion I need to act by faith on things that seem impossible to my natural mind. the first part of the song goes like this:

Alone again in a crowded room
Cornered by the questions in my mind
It’s so hard to understand
How the life that I had planned
Stole my joy and left me far behind

Though all I have is lost it seems
In the shadow of a dream that used to be
I can look beyond the skies
Deep into the Father’s eyes
And see that there is hope for one like me

I can begin again
With the passion of a child
My heart has caught a vision
Of a life that’s still worthwhile
I can reach out again
Far beyond what I have done
Like a dreamer who’s awakened
To a life that’s yet to come
For new beginnings are not just for the young..

If you can go to You Tube – listen to “I Can Begin Again” in its’ entirety – it will bless you, it will stir you, it will give you hope. What does the scripture say:

1-2By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

6Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. Romans 5:1-6 (MSG)

Be Blessed to Act – In Jesus Name!
Maria

This is a time of recovery in your life. I am aware of your struggles. I am aware of your challenges. I am aware of darkness’s attempt to define your life by your circumstances. Remember these words: the things you are facing today are temporal. The decisions that you are making will result in eternal outcomes. So pause. Praise. And be moved only by Me.

I am aware of all that you are plowing through. I know where you itch, tickle, scratch, and burn. I hold you in the palm of MY hand and I know the paths I have ordained for you, even as I know how many hairs are upon your head.

This is a time of advancement in Me, says the Lord. This is a time of you coming full circle in some areas of your life. This is not the time for broken focus, or for being off balance living. Gone are the days that you would choose the lower path, because it seemed easier. Gone should be the days that it was hard for you to trust me with weighty things.

This is a time of advancement, and in order to go forward … you will have to let some things go. You will have to watch some fall to the ground, and others you will simply cut off and keep walking forward in Me.

I have a path and a plan for your life. l alone know your every step, even before you take it. Remember, I created you and I formed you and yes, I also formed your destiny and your life’s work. So come up. Come up into a new place of trust in Me. Trust me with your secrets and watch Me heal and show you how to recover things that had been lost. I have some very specific blessings for you, if you will follow My leading. I know the way you take, before you even take it.

As you enter into new dimensions of trusting Me, there shall be a blowing away of things that in times past held you back. You will not worry as you did in time past. You will follow your truest heart, and you will trust Me. I joy for this season being presented to you. A season of recovery and a season of advancement. And it all comes through Me, says the Lord of Hosts. Know that I love you. My child!

12So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (KJV)

I believe that the God who created us understands the need that some of us have to be strongly motivated before we move into action. And in His infinite wisdom He addressed every area of our lives at some point in scripture. In this particular passage, the psalmist seems to indicate that he too is a passion driven person, who at the writing of this psalm was somewhat frustrated by the turn of events in his life. He had begun to feel as if wrath was greater than His mercy. In this state, he cries out to God to “teach us to apply our hearts to wisdom,” – I can appreciate the depth of concern he had, having been there myself, -“God if I’m operating outside of Your will or Your way – teach me – grant me wisdom that I might know what to do, and how to do it.

I can remember the principal of my children’s Christian school praying during prayer time so often this prayer, “Lord show me what to do and how to do it, and what to say and how to say it.” It was a simple prayer, but one that I have prayed myself many times. After all, it’s not in the eloquence of the words, or the sophistication of the prayer – it’s in the sincerity of the heart that God is moved to help us.

We all need wisdom, and it’s so good to know that God will grant it – to those who are quick to obey, and to those of us whose passionate nature requires a little more encouragement.

God Bless You,
Maria

I don’t know abut you, but I want fear out of my life – it is a yoke of bondage that prevents us from experiencing all the good things that God has ifor us. Early in this morning, I heard the words “fear not little flock,” here it is in context:

31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it Luke 12:31-33 (NLT)

Our Father does not want us to live in fear – we are His- we belong to Him, it is His pleasure to give us the Kingdom! When we don’t live in fear – we can not only give without fear – we can venture forth without fear! We can know that we don’t have to hoard, or to hide! We are free to live without worrying about our tomorrows, and we can venture forth secure that the First Bank of the Kingdom does not run dry! So we can start that new business, venture forth with that new ministry, even receive new friends into our lives.

Fear not, two small words, that have such big possibilities!

Selah,
Maria

1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10: selected verses (KJV)

This scripture brings to mind times in my life when I was caught in a snare – those times when I purposed to do one thing and was swayed away from that purpose and began to do something else. And all the time that something ele was not profitable for me. And because I am a contemplater by nature, and because I did no grow up in te church, I have also spent a great deal of time looking at the lives of people around me – prarticularly those that got off track – why did it happen, what caused them to be fervent for God at one point, and so far from Him the next?

In this passage of scripture, we see it begins by saying, they all were under the same cloud and all crossed the sea – referring to the Exodus of the Israelites ffrom Egypt -all of them had the same experience of witnessing miracles – and yet only two of the original number remained steadfast in their faith. How could hundreds of thousands of people who saw the miraculous power of God be so swayed that they did not reach their destination, instead they perished in the wilderness!

The key passage lto me lies in verse 7, “they sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” We must be mindful of the simple things that we do – and how we do them – it’s always the little foxes that spoil the vine!

It is those times when we are tempted – that we have to remember that “there is no temptation given, except which is common to man” – the sin is not in the temptation, the sin is not yielding to the power of God which is able to give you both an escape plan and a way to bear it! Those things that happen in our life are “common to man” – we are not alone in our struggles, and even better – “the scriptures were written for our admonition” – Yes, and remember how the Winans sang: “it’s good to know that He’s with us whenever we fall, it’s better to know, we don’t have to fall at all, He’s able to keep us!”: –

God Bless You This Lord’s Day,
Maria

It made me think of how often you see this kind of thing enacted in nature. Birds travel in groups, just mess with one bee, and see what happens next, ants have ant hills that work together to prepare for their winter solstice. If we look at God’s creation and study them, we find few animals try to make it alone – they know they need some help, and when good things come, they tell somebody!

We, who name the name of Christ,have the best news there is! We have been given the keys to the Secret Kingdom – the Kingdom of God! And far too many of us keep it a secret! Instead of running and telling others this good news, we hold it to ourselves, almost as if we are afraid that there aren’t enough benefits to go around. In my reading through the Bible this year, I have to admit one of my favorite chapters is Exodus. I love the way God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, I love the way He provided for them in the wilderness, I even love the way He had mercy on them time and time again, as they rebelled. Exodus shows to me in a very action-packed, moving narrative the mercy and the long-suffering of God and the way He “daily loads us with benefits” – even when we don’t deserve it.

Now that’s the kind of news that we need to run and tell. I’m going to keep feeding the birds – watching them at work inspires me!

18 You have ascended on high,
You have led captivity captive;
You have received gifts among men,
Even from the rebellious,
That the LORD God might dwell there.

19 Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah Psalm 68:18-19 (NKJV)

God Bless You,
Maria