What is REAL? You become.

"Grammy! What are those things on your hands?" asked my almost 3 year old grandson.  My reply, "Veins Aaron - you have them too." In wonderment he replied, "Not like yours Grammy - I can't see mine."  

I'm getting older but also better! My grandkids are fascinated by my curly hair, loose skin, lines (wrinkles), and now my veins.  They like to touch me ... I remind them, "Remember, Grammy's fragile - be gentle".   

Am I real yet Lord?  I feel much like the old Skin Horse in the 'Velveteen Rabbit'...Here's my favorite part of that story:

The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled. 
(by Margery Williams)

I am becoming REAL.  My heart is opened wide and I am learning to love and to be loved.  Thank You Lord for Your unconditional love for me so I can love others.  A-men.

Matthew 22: 36-39  Loving God, Loving People

Open Wide Your Heart!

Scripture
2 Corinthians 6:11-13
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.  We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.  As a fair exchange, I speak as to my children, open wide your hearts also.

Observation
Honesty, transparency, and having an open heart filled with the Spirit of God are vital in learning to love people.  Paul the Apostle said, "open wide your heart."  An unloving person is narrow in heart, so the follower of Christ should love all people.  What comes out of our mouth is a good indicator of the condition of our heart.  Is love and understanding being communicated?  We need an open heart to be able to love those with faults and shortcomings, those who would naturally repel us.  It makes me wonder, am I withholding God's love and affection toward someone - just because they have different views, or sinning, or unkind to me?  

Application
I need to open wide my heart - to make room for the unlovely, the lost, the one who is held captive in their sin; even to those who may have offended or hurt me, or said unkind things.  Because now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation!  Do not put a stumbling block in anyone's path - and don't be one either! 

Prayer
Forgive me Father, I repent for closing my heart to those who have hurt me or for those who would cause me to shudder and shrink back.  I invite You to stretch the tent of my heart wide and help me not to hold back Your love to anyone!  Lengthen my heart cords and strengthen the stakes to hold them firmly in place.  I need a new wineskin for the new wine You are asking me to contain - lest You pour new wine into this old skin and I burst!  Change me Lord and help me to see what You see in others.  I open wide my heart to You to receive all that You desire to pour out through me in these days!  I will keep praying and doing good, in Jesus Name, A-men.

Onward! to the Promised Land!

Scripture 
Numbers 32:1-2 & 5 The tribes of Reuben and Gad owned vast numbers of livestock. So when they saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were ideally suited for their flocks and herds, they came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the other leaders of the community . . . "If we have found favor with you, please let us have this land as our property instead of giving us land across the Jordan River.” 

Observation
The tribes of Reuben and Gad decided they would rather stay where they were with their families and livestock to the east of the 'promised land'  because the land was adequate for the needs of their flocks and herds.  They were settling for less than what God intended for them.  They were content where they were.  They swore that they would help their brothers fight the Lord's battles and drive out the enemy, but they did not want to live in the promised land.

Application
I hear the Spirit of God speaking to my heart:  "Move it!  Onward to the promised land! Keep pressing on!  Don't turn aside to the left or to the right, keep Your eyes on Jesus!  Come out of the place of complacency, contentment, & convenience, come out of your comfort zone!  Don't get stuck!  Be stretched, keep pace with Me, there's so much more I will do!  Follow Me, and obey all that I have said to you to do!"

Prayer
Father, I have faith in You, I trust in Your Word!  Keep me moving forward 'step by step.'  When I need to rest, You are my rest. When I am afraid of unchartered territory, or hesitant to follow into unknown areas, or when my knees are shaking because of the 'giants' I see;  I will trust in You. Thank You for Your promise never to leave me nor forsake me.  Give me courage I pray, in Jesus Name, A-men.  

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.  Surely, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  

God is With Me

Scripture 
Genesis 31:1-5  Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth.” And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me.

Observation 
Jacob overhears the complaint of the sons of Laban.  Jacob also sees Laban's countenance and reads the body language that reflects an attitude that Laban has with him - Jacob has lost favor with his father in law.  When Laban first met Jacob, he ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him into his house.  (Genesis 29:13)  But now, Jacob clearly sees a different face on Laban.  
The Lord speaks to Jacob and instructs and reassures him.   'You made a vow to Me, Jacob, at Bethel . . . remember?  It's time to go home - to return, and know that I am with you.' (Genesis 31:13)
Jacob meets his wives in the field with the flock - far from listening ears.  He knows no one else is out there tending the flock and it's a place of privacy.  He informs the wives about their father, something they were already aware of.  They too feel have felt used by their father for monetary gain.  

Application
Relationships with family and friends are ever-changing, but God, never changes or waivers in His love for us.  He says He loves me, will never leave me nor forsake me.  When others fail me or don't meet my expectations, or if I fail or offend them, I can always turn to God and know He promises to be with me.  The Lord is my helper, I will not fear.  What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:5-6)  "Though my father and mother forsake me - the Lord will hold me close." (Psalm 27:10)

Prayer
Father I can trust in You!  You will never abandon me!  Thank You for Your steadfast love and grace, Your great mercy and forgiveness, for Your promises and faithfulness.  In You I can put all my trust.  Thank You.  In Jesus Name, A-men.

Obey and Be Happy!

Scripture 
Genesis 4: 3-7  When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.

Observation 
Cain's offering of the fruit of the 'cursed' ground is refused by God.  Yet God in His love and mercy, speaks to Cain about his countenance - he's angry and his face is downcast.  God is addressing a heart attitude in Cain.  "If you do what is right Cain, you will be accepted - but if not . . . sin is waiting right at the door of your heart . . . sin desires to make you it's slave Cain.  But you have a choice here!  Do the right thing!  Rule over those thoughts of anger and sin.  Reel them in - do what you know is right!  You will be choosing life instead of death - your very countenance will change!  Just obey . . . and be happy!"  God is merciful and gives Cain an opportunity to choose life and obedience, but in the end, Cain lures his brother into the field and kills him. 

Application
The battle continues even still.  I can choose to 'obey and be happy' or give into sin that leads to death.  God gives us a free will - the choosing is ours.  There is a tremendous struggle that goes on between the flesh and the spirit, but thanks be to God that though I once was a slave to sin, I have learned to obey God, and have been set free from sin by the precious sacrifice of Jesus Christ my Savior.  God still comes and speaks to our hearts if sin is crouching at the door of our heart - and He makes a way for us . . . Beloved one, repent, obey, and be happy - to life everlasting!

Prayer
Father,  it's Your kindness that leads me to repentance.  Your mercies are new every morning.  You have made my heart glad and I overflow with joy and anticipation for the days ahead.  May Your Holy Spirit help me to discern between good and evil.  When my countenance changes and I'm thinking bad thoughts - help me to reel them in - to bring those thoughts captive in Jesus Name, A-men. 

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Breathe On Me Lord

Scripture
John 20:22-23 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Observation
After reading these verses this morning, I was reminded of the 'dry bones' in Ezekiel 37:1-14 . . . can these bones live?  Lord, You know.  I love verse Ezekiel 37:14 "I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life . . ."  Jesus breathes on His disciples, and they receive the Holy Spirit at His word.  Jesus Christ is Savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Healer, and the Soon Coming King! Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8  - a Bible verse displayed in Foursquare Churches around the world.  He's the same today - He still breathes on His followers and we can receive His Holy Spirit power!  Power to love, power to forgive!   

Application
I believe that God loves me, forgives me, and wants to empower me and bring life to areas of my life that are dead and lifeless. The breath of God gives hope, extends grace, love, forgiveness, and fruitfulness; and it's is mine for the asking.  Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.  

Prayer
Father, I ask that You would breathe on me, I need You.  Revive me, refresh, restore me, I pray.  Help me to forgive and not carry a grudge.  May I live my life in such a way that will bring glory to Your Name.    

The B I B L E

Scriptures 2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.  

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double edged sword it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  

Observation
The word of God, the B I B L E is God breathed, inspired by the Holy Spirit and powerful.  It teaches us the truth, revealing Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Jesus is the true and living God, God's Son.
Reading and meditating on God's word opens our eyes to areas we cannot see otherwise - where we are missing it.  It brings correction and not only corrects, but shows us the right things to do and tells us what is right and what is wrong.
God prepares us and equips us with His word to enable and empower us to do good works - good deeds.  He shows us  how to live life with others in ways that would honor Him.

Application
Read God's Word every day.  There are no substitutes.  Devotionals are ok and can even enhance our readings, but they are but leftovers of what someone else received from God.  Eat fresh manna every day where there are no worms or decay . . . 
Fresh bread!  Cool water!  The Word revives me, restores me, and refreshes me!  It is able to teach me, rebuke me, correct me, and train me in righteousness.  I will be throughly equipped for every good work when I read God's word and am filled with His Holy Spirit!  

Prayer
Father, I thank You for the Bible, Your Word.  When I hunger and thirst, when my heart and flesh cry out to You - fill me O living God, fill me and overflow me with Your love and power.  Ready me for what You have prepared for me today.  May I find Your Word alive and active in my life today.  Adjust my thoughts and attitudes and help me respond to Your corrections quickly without excuses.  In Jesus Name, A-men.