Don't Fret Over This World

     I see a lot of terrible things on television-many of them are anti-Christian and very hateful. For example, everyone is up in arms about the Governor of Indiana signing paperwork to protect religious works from frivolous lawsuits. Before you ask, yes it has gotten that bad to the point that we need legislation to protect us. 

     A Christian bakery was sued for not baking a cake supporting gay marriage. A photographer was sued for not taking pictures for a gay couple at a marriage. It's borderline ridiculous. Having said that, be of good cheer. Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33). Jesus in the same scripture told us we would have tribulation. He also told us that the world hated Him and would hate us (John 15:18). It is the way the world is. There is no need for us to fret, pout, frown, and get all angry about something that was always going to happen. We need to lean on Jesus and not worry about these things. 

     I leave you w/ our nightly scripture to ponder:

     "18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning." John 15:18-27

     Your Sister in Christ,
     Mary

Faith Without Works is Dead

     "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone, " James 2:17. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," Hebrews 11:1. Faith is a wonderful thing to have, but w/out works (aka action), it is dead. You see, w/ faith, you have to implement, implement, and implement. In other words, you have to put action in. 

     Implementation is putting things in effect. We not just read the Bible. We pray, we fast, we love, we turn the other cheek. We don't just sit around. I have recently been inspired to put my faith into action. I want to be an advocate for Israel. I want to pray for her, love her, but also ensure that the world understands that I, along w/ many Christians, support her. How am I going to do this? I'm becoming more active. I attended a meeting for Standing w/ Israel, which was a little over 3 hours to drive to, but well worth it, and if the Lord wills it, I will be going to Washington, D.C., to attend another event. I also plan on taking a trip to Israel. I pray for her every night.

     Faith requires us not to just talk the talk, but also walk the walk. I have to admit, my job is very stressful, and I often get cussed out. Sometimes, it is hard to turn the other cheek, to love my enemy, bless those that curse me, do good to them that hate me, and pray for them which despitefully use me, and persecute me (Matthew 5:44). Yet, it is definitely something we are commanded to do and must do. It's not enough to just read the Word, but to implement it. 

     Don't get me wrong, actions can't buy your way into heaven. "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified," Galatians 2:16. What I am saying, is that we need to be more active and not just sitting around, preaching the Word of God, and not doing anything more. Faith requires more. We need to give God everything and not just words. 

     Loving God,
     Mary 

Pray Without Ceasing

     Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to the dismay of the White House, led his party to a victory on Tuesday. I prayed hard for him; many Christians did. After this, the White House is unable to hide the fact that this was not something they wanted. They have no respect for him. 

     I shake my head in dismay at what our leader is doing and how he is treating our ally. Yes, we don't put our trust in man, and yes, we don't rely on other countries, but God Himself. Having said this, we also mus bless Israel, w/ prayers, love, and support, but our country is not. Our leader definitely is not. So, I ask my brothers and sisters in Christ to do what 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us, "Pray without ceasing." Israel needs this. Our country needs this. Our leaders, especially the President, needs this. James 5:16b states:"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." I believe in the power of prayer, and now is the time we need a lot of it.

     May the Lord bless Israel and the Prime Minister and lead them in the path of righteousness for His Namesake. May they prosper and be encouraged. May the Lord protect them.

     Love For Israel,
     Mary

     "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed," Genesis 12:3. 

Applying Scripture

     I have to say the most important thing for Christians is not simply read the Bible, but read and meditate. Meditating requires thinking about it and applying the Word to our every day lives. I know I did this today and work was a lot better than I have ever felt. I felt like good. I didn't feel like throwing something or going off on anyone, but felt that meekness that Jesus wants in us. I wanted it, along w/ being merciful, and being hungry after righteousness and it worked. The Lord is Gracious, Merciful, and always strong...He is my Savior, my Strength, and my one True Love. 

     Lesson to be learned, to make it in the world, we have to apply the Word in our lives. Action literally speaks louder than words. So, I implore each and everyone of you, read your Bibles and go deeper in them. Apply it to your lives. Don't rush the Word, because you will not get anything out of it. I guarantee you that. Read slow. Surely, you and I can give God time as He has given us time, mercy, love, strength, healing, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

With Love,
Mary

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," Philippians 4:13. 

Rejuvenated

     After reaching the final straw yesterday, I went back and read the Word of God. I feel so rejuvenated. I never want to let the Word go. I'm going to continue w/ reading His Word so that I never allow myself to feel the way I did yesterday. I have to remember (we all do) that there are things that are going to happen that we will not like, but they are going to happen. The world is in an awful place right now. The world is living godless and that will always create an ugly situation. 

     We have to pray hard for Israel. We have to pray hard for the U.S. and the world. We can't rely on others to pray. We have to pray. It's not our will but His will that needs to be done. We also need to rely on Him and stop relying on ourselves or this world. Let us pray and seek Him every day of our lives.

Rejuvenated,
Mary

"(9)After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (10)Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (11)Give us this day our daily bread. (12)And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (13)And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen," (Matthew 6:9-13).

Disappointment

     This is the first time I have been back on blogger for awhile. Sadly, it's not for good news. I have to say that I have been battling some crippling issues w/ my spiritual life, but I'm also struggling through disappointment w/ the churches in this country and w/ this country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who I wholeheartedly support, spoke to congress about the very bad deal that the White House and Iran are trying to complete. He is right. It is a very bad deal, but that is a topic for another time. Right now, the fact that the churches in this country could allow our President to treat the Prime Minister of Israel badly is unacceptable. No one has said one thing about this. The lack of support from this country for the Prime Minister is unacceptable. I literally just got done crying for seeing this. This country knows better. The church knows better, but none are doing better.

     We shouldn't be surprised w/ this though. We are living in the end times. I just find it disturbing and quite frankly, am disappointed w/ my country and the church. Honestly, I'm not in love w/ this country anymore nor w/ the church. Both have lost their appeal. When we lose God and when we lose what He told us, there is nothing useful nor appealing to us. We are ugly. We are dirty. We are a disappointment. I apologize deeply to the Prime Minister for the lack of action of my country, the horrific President that we have, and for the churches not leading. I'm so sorry. Prayerfully, we will get our stuff together. Something tells me that won't be the case. For God, I issue an apology for me not doing the things I need to do, but also for the sorrowfulness of this country.

Time for Prayer,

Mary

"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed," Genesis 12:3.