One of my earliest memories was about my Dad. I can remember being in a group of adults. I was toddling around, looking for my dad and the sun was in my eyes. I couldn't see him, but I could hear his voice laughing and talking. I found his slacks, so I reached up, and said, "Daddy up!"
I was picked up. To my surprise it was not my father. I panicked and looked around for my daddy...he was not far from me so I squealed to be rescued from the stranger I thought was him.
Once I was in his arms I felt safe and was ready to face the crowd of people.
I want to speak to someone out there. Someone who has been walking around, trying to find the answer to their emptiness. You reached for something you thought would satisfy your need for comfort and now find yourself in the clutch of a nightmare. You feel like you are forever trapped, a slave to sin and there is no way out, and the grip seems to tighten every day.
What should you do? Do not fear. Your heavenly Father is there with you, waiting for you to reach out to Him. He will scoop you up and hold you close. All you need to do is reach out and call, "Abba! Father!"
You see, you are His child...you just climbed into the wrong arms. I pray you find God and His peace for your life today.
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15
He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. Psalm 91:4
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Name Calling
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." ~Juliet
I have always been interested in names. There have been a few babies born at our church and I loved hearing what the parents decided to call their children. Names are important, they are the one legacy that really sticks with you. Have you ever looked up what your name means? It's pretty cool, especially if you look at it from God's perspective. You see, He calls you by name. (Isaiah 45:3) So whether your name is Spike or Hortense...you and your name are significant to God.
Think about it, your name is the one word that you have heard consistently throughout your life. It is like a repetitious pronouncement over your life. So I want to explore what that can mean as a Christian.
In the Bible, names were very significant. From Adam (Of The Earth) to Jesus (God Is Salvation), names carry the weight of life. There were instances where names where changed, because people were changed by the touch of God. When Abram was changed to Abraham, a man's life changed from "High Father" to "Father Of Nations". His wife, Sarai changed to Sarah...which didn't seem to be much of a change but when you look at the definitions, God was making a statement. You see she went from "MY princess" to "Princess". God was changing this woman's legacy from someone's trophy to a higher standing.
What about someone who changes their name on their own? Then they are rejecting the legacy that the name carries. Whether it is a surname or their first name...they are turning away from the life that the name represents.
Recently, there was a football player who changed his last name. He changed it from Johnson to Ocho Cinco. What do you think he was saying about his legacy? Johnson=Son of John to the number 85. Do you think he had a problem with his Dad? Who knows. But I do know this football player is the most all-out player that I have seen. He is so committed to the game, that he legally changed his last name to his football jersey number, 85...Ocho Cinco.
When we meditate on the concept that God calls us by name, we should take a look at what our name means. Especially when we become a Christian, because our name speaks volumes as to what we were before and after accepting Christ.
To illustrate, take my name: Kelly. Kelly means Warrior or fighter. Without Christ, I am the opposite of a warrior. I am weak, I give up to easily and become a doormat. But as I allow Christ to work through me more and more every day, a spiritual warrior starts to awaken and I am ready to speak up, to stand and to not allow people to take advantage of me.
I shared this with my Bible study group the other night. I was amazed to find the amazing potential encircled in that group. We had a Conquerer, Friend, Joyous Song, Promise Keeper, and a Gift of God's Mercy. When we accept Christ, the full impact of our name can be realized in our life.
So Spike, your name means long, heavy nail. When a spike has no purpose, it is a heavy piece of metal that will rust eventually. When it does have a purpose, it secures a piece of railroad that tons of material can travel over...or cars of people. One loose spike in a railroad can cause a catastrophe.
Spike, who are you in Christ? You can either decide to be a spike with no purpose and rust, or in the hand of our Carpenter, be hammered into place (Psalms 16:8-9) and help support the lives of others as they seek Christ in their life.
Hortense, your name means Garden. A garden that has no gardener goes to weeds very quickly. It is unproductive and may hide a snake or two. Hortense, if you allow the Master Gardener into your life, your life will be so fruitful (Galatians 5:22-23) you will always have enough to share with others.
So what is it about your name? What does it say about your potential for abundant life in Christ? If you are curious, send me your first name and I'll help you discover what God thinks about you. (rosieskye@hotmail.com)
Be encouraged today, God knows your name. Do you?
I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. Isaiah 45:3
I have always been interested in names. There have been a few babies born at our church and I loved hearing what the parents decided to call their children. Names are important, they are the one legacy that really sticks with you. Have you ever looked up what your name means? It's pretty cool, especially if you look at it from God's perspective. You see, He calls you by name. (Isaiah 45:3) So whether your name is Spike or Hortense...you and your name are significant to God.
Think about it, your name is the one word that you have heard consistently throughout your life. It is like a repetitious pronouncement over your life. So I want to explore what that can mean as a Christian.
In the Bible, names were very significant. From Adam (Of The Earth) to Jesus (God Is Salvation), names carry the weight of life. There were instances where names where changed, because people were changed by the touch of God. When Abram was changed to Abraham, a man's life changed from "High Father" to "Father Of Nations". His wife, Sarai changed to Sarah...which didn't seem to be much of a change but when you look at the definitions, God was making a statement. You see she went from "MY princess" to "Princess". God was changing this woman's legacy from someone's trophy to a higher standing.
What about someone who changes their name on their own? Then they are rejecting the legacy that the name carries. Whether it is a surname or their first name...they are turning away from the life that the name represents.
Recently, there was a football player who changed his last name. He changed it from Johnson to Ocho Cinco. What do you think he was saying about his legacy? Johnson=Son of John to the number 85. Do you think he had a problem with his Dad? Who knows. But I do know this football player is the most all-out player that I have seen. He is so committed to the game, that he legally changed his last name to his football jersey number, 85...Ocho Cinco.
When we meditate on the concept that God calls us by name, we should take a look at what our name means. Especially when we become a Christian, because our name speaks volumes as to what we were before and after accepting Christ.
To illustrate, take my name: Kelly. Kelly means Warrior or fighter. Without Christ, I am the opposite of a warrior. I am weak, I give up to easily and become a doormat. But as I allow Christ to work through me more and more every day, a spiritual warrior starts to awaken and I am ready to speak up, to stand and to not allow people to take advantage of me.
I shared this with my Bible study group the other night. I was amazed to find the amazing potential encircled in that group. We had a Conquerer, Friend, Joyous Song, Promise Keeper, and a Gift of God's Mercy. When we accept Christ, the full impact of our name can be realized in our life.
So Spike, your name means long, heavy nail. When a spike has no purpose, it is a heavy piece of metal that will rust eventually. When it does have a purpose, it secures a piece of railroad that tons of material can travel over...or cars of people. One loose spike in a railroad can cause a catastrophe.
Spike, who are you in Christ? You can either decide to be a spike with no purpose and rust, or in the hand of our Carpenter, be hammered into place (Psalms 16:8-9) and help support the lives of others as they seek Christ in their life.
Hortense, your name means Garden. A garden that has no gardener goes to weeds very quickly. It is unproductive and may hide a snake or two. Hortense, if you allow the Master Gardener into your life, your life will be so fruitful (Galatians 5:22-23) you will always have enough to share with others.
So what is it about your name? What does it say about your potential for abundant life in Christ? If you are curious, send me your first name and I'll help you discover what God thinks about you. (rosieskye@hotmail.com)
Be encouraged today, God knows your name. Do you?
I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. Isaiah 45:3
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I asked, He answered
Our family was in the Medicine Bow National Park, specifically the Snowy Range camping area near Laramie Wyoming. We were gathered to spread my mother's ashes. It was difficult, but a necessary step in our grieving process. Once we found the spot, we had a short ceremony and huddled in tears.
I wanted so much for a special message from God for my family. I asked God to send an Eagle, a butterfly or something to show my loved ones that there is a hope. Instead, it started to rain so we walked back to camp...tears mingling with raindrops.
It was chilly at 10,000 ft because the wind was coming off the mountain peaks that still had snow. The rain started to come down harder and thunder rumbled like boulders rolling down the mountainside. Six of us crammed into the small RV and we found warmth. It was good to be together.
My brother and I sat in the front seats and watched the rain wash over the windshield. Just then I noticed a light outside.
"Rainbow! There's a rainbow coming out!"
We jumped outside and watched as the biggest, brightest rainbow I had ever seen started to glow in the sky. This was not a small one either, as I watched it stretched I started to weep. It was reaching towards the area where we left my mother's ashes. Dad and I were crying. We grabbed our cameras and started clicking. My battery was dead so my brother and uncle started taking pictures as well. And then if that big bold rainbow wasn't enough, a second rainbow started to form...almost like an echo of colors, like a watercolor. It was a glorious sight.
What I want you to know is, God does not always answer prayers the way we want Him to. But know this too, He is our heavenly Dad and He knows just what we need. You see, I asked for an eagle...but God knew I needed a rainbow, or two. His loving kindness is never ending.
So the next time you pray, go ahead and ask with your heart. But be prepared dear one, God will give you exactly what you need. And I pray that answer will blow your socks off like our rainbow did.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him {be} the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
I wanted so much for a special message from God for my family. I asked God to send an Eagle, a butterfly or something to show my loved ones that there is a hope. Instead, it started to rain so we walked back to camp...tears mingling with raindrops.
It was chilly at 10,000 ft because the wind was coming off the mountain peaks that still had snow. The rain started to come down harder and thunder rumbled like boulders rolling down the mountainside. Six of us crammed into the small RV and we found warmth. It was good to be together.
My brother and I sat in the front seats and watched the rain wash over the windshield. Just then I noticed a light outside.
"Rainbow! There's a rainbow coming out!"
We jumped outside and watched as the biggest, brightest rainbow I had ever seen started to glow in the sky. This was not a small one either, as I watched it stretched I started to weep. It was reaching towards the area where we left my mother's ashes. Dad and I were crying. We grabbed our cameras and started clicking. My battery was dead so my brother and uncle started taking pictures as well. And then if that big bold rainbow wasn't enough, a second rainbow started to form...almost like an echo of colors, like a watercolor. It was a glorious sight.What I want you to know is, God does not always answer prayers the way we want Him to. But know this too, He is our heavenly Dad and He knows just what we need. You see, I asked for an eagle...but God knew I needed a rainbow, or two. His loving kindness is never ending.
So the next time you pray, go ahead and ask with your heart. But be prepared dear one, God will give you exactly what you need. And I pray that answer will blow your socks off like our rainbow did.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him {be} the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
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