Love is one of the most overused and misunderstood words in our vocabulary. We say we love someone and act lovingly toward them until they do something we don't like. We attach out love to our feelings when love should be an amendment to out feelings. Love is what steps in when you don't feel like it.
When you need a break but don't feel you deserve it, in love steps in, even Jesus rested. When you have been hurt by others or even yourself and can't forgive, love steps in and shows grace, that's what Jesus did when He died. When your too tired, broke, or scared to give anymore, love intervenes.Your relationship with God is not measured by your religion or the things you say or do it is measured by your capacity to love when Gods definition supersedes yours.
1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Who is Christ?
Who is Christ? We are!
1 Corinthians 12:27 "Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it." If we look at verses 12-26 we see how vital each part of the body is, "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it".
You have a function in Christ's body, you were created to operate in a way that only you can. Salvation isn't just about accepting Jesus as lord of your life, it's about you accepting your role in Christ body through Gods word living and abiding in you. 1 Peter 1:23 says, " For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,through the living and enduring word of God.Not only is God's word alive in you it is enduring or permanent. 1 John 4:17 says, "...as He is, so are we in this world." Whoever Jesus is, we are. We can perform miracles, speak life, teach, heal, and transform the world around us! According to 1 Corinthians 6:15 our bodies are members of Christ it states, "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!" We seem to have this idea that when we do something wrong God is right there with us looking over our shoulder watching us when in fact he is in us we are using Christ to commit our sin! Verse 17 of the same chapter says, "But He who unites himself with The Lord is one with him in sprint." When you are saved you become one with Jesus in spirit, you cannot choose to separate from Jesus when you want to appease the flesh. 1 Corinthians 12:15 says, " If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?" You cannot choose to no longer be apart of the body of Christ because you want to do or be something that is not in agreement with the rest of the body of Christ. Nothing you do effects just you and your Christian walk, it effects the body of Christ as a whole.Which is why its very important to have unity. Recognizing that though we may look and function differently we are apart of the same body operating toward the same goal.
John 17:20-23 says, "20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will[e] believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." Unity is the state of being united or joined as a whole its an agreement between people or groups. It is important for us as the body of Christ to be unified because it shows the world that God sent Jesus. Satan will do all he can to disrupt unity and he does this by drawing our attention to surface issues so we cannot address the root of the issue. For example, gay, lesbian and transgender rights. The church is focusing on how a change in laws may effect their environment rather than changing their environment by addressing the deeper issue.
There is a group of people out there who believe the church does not love them but the church is a reflection of Gods love which means there is a group of people feeling unloved by God. Imagine a head saying I love you, come to me, I have so many things to show you and teach you. I know you are hurting and I can heal you, but the body is pushing these people away,hitting and turning away from these people. I am not saying that laws are not important they are and you should vote however God leads you. Imagine opening your arms and seeing these people and any others that are not in the body of Christ the way God does; broken, hurt, sick just like all of us were. Laws aren't going to change peoples actions and feelings but the love of God can.Jesus did not come to change man, He came to redeem man. Through that love, that redemption, man could not help but change. He came to give us life not to point out that we were dead.
Gossip is another thing that comes in the way of unity. It is so easy to see someones faults. We, especially women, watch others and address their surface issues by spreading our irrelevant opinions instead of addressing the root issue which is and always will be a hurt or offense. Luke 17:1 says, "Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!" We will be offended and when offenses come we need to forgive quickly but we need to be very mindful of the offenses that come through us and be as quick to rectify them. We have heard many times about people leaving the church because of an offense or people not wanting to turn their hearts to God because they believe Christians are hypocrites. We need to ignore the surface and address the root because that's what Jesus did when he died for us. Again, complete unity is how we show the world that God sent Jesus. The only way to become unified is to function within the purpose.
Isaiah 61:1-4 tells us exactly what Jesus came to do. As the body of Christ we are now responsible for these task until He returns. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives,and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God;to comfort all who mourn,to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes,the oil of joy for mourning,the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;that they may be called trees of righteousness,the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations,and they shall repair the ruined cities,the desolations of many generations."
This is a lot for one person, auxiliary, or church to do so why do we try to do it all? God's intended this be done by the body of Christ, by all of us collectively. God has given us each as individuals, auxiliaries, and churches a specific function within the body and it is so important that we operate in our gifts. This is the only way we will fulfill our collective purpose, and in operating at our highest capacity not only will lives be changed but souls will be saved! The eye cannot function as an ear and the foot will never be a neck so we need to stop comparing people by their functions. Now some things do not function as they should, for example there may be something in the eye, the hand many need to hold up a mirror in order to remove the obstruction. This should only be done in love and in an attempt to get the eye to function at its highest potential.
You may wonder, how do I know a person, auxiliary or church is really in the body of Christ? This is where you pray for discernment. Your prayer should not be that God bring to your attention all that is wrong but that He allows you to see His children according to their function in the ultimate purpose of executing God's will. If you are praying for discernment and still aren't sure then act in love. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 "[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Father,
Thank you so much for creating us for a specific function within the body of Christ. Thank you for sending Jesus to die so we may become one with you. Forgive us for not always operating in our function, for trying to change our role or the roles of those around us. Forgive us for not always recognizing you in others and seeing the surface issues rather than the root issues. Reveal to us father the roots of the issues we face on a daily basis so we may handle them with love. Replace our judgement with compassion and give us a deep seeded desire for unity among your people. Help us to see through your eyes and to be purposeful about being your hands and feet we love you. Amen
If you want to become a part of the body of Christ or you are a part of the body but are unsure of your function; even if you just have a prayer request please email me at leeanahjames@yahoo.com.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Manna in the Wilderness
Exodus 16:15 (NKJV) So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat."
My last post talked about being in the wilderness so this time lets talk about manna (bread from heaven). The wilderness comes with its own set of issues, for the Israelites one of the issues was thirst and hunger. They were so distraught and hungry forgetting the God that brought them out of bondage would surely provide their current needs, they didn't trust God.
Sometimes God allows us to be in a place that requires us to trust Him more than we have before. A place where we need His manna. I say allow because James 1:13 reminds us that God does not cause bad things to happen to us but He does allow it.
Manna takes on different forms for different people; for some your manna may be finances, healing, encouragement etc. Exodus 16:16 explains that each man took however much or little he needed verse 18 let's us know it was just enough. See no matter how big or small your problem is you can take what you need from God in order to handle it.
I'm not saying don't plan, save, and work hard but when you have done all there is and it's still not enough, look back on where God has brought you from and trust that He can and will provide more than enough to get you through. Also realize this is only a season.
James 1:2 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
God is working on something in you. I find you are often attacked where your strength lies. If your finances are always attacked and you are following Gods principles of giving and saving then God is growing your faith concerning finances. The same can be said for health, education, and relationships. The best way to grow muscle us to feed it and exercise it.
Let me share my manna story with you. While pregnant with my daughter Summer I was placed on bed rest for months due to the threat of pre-term labor. Everything worked out just fine. I even had an amazing childbirth experience and she was a beautiful full term baby girl; now I am pregnant with my son. During a routine blood draw doctors found an elevated white blood count and myelocytes in my blood. Either alone would not be a concern however both at the same time are, so my doctor decided to run more test. I waited for weeks confident my doctor would call me back ruling out cancer and informing me that visits to his office would no longer be required. The test did not come back with better results as expected, the results came back with almost the same; which raised alarm and is cause for more testing. I am in a place waiting for my manna. I understand a few things about this situation. There is something special about the first born, attacks on children in my family have happened at lease one every generation and in every case God has provided manna. I also understand that I am in the wilderness in my life and its not meant to be a comfortable place but an in between place.
Please be encouraged as you wait for your promise that God will provide for you. I suggest you create a blessing jar, sit down and write out the things God has delivered you from and the manna He has already provided this will help you in your wait for the promise.
Father,
Thank you for coming through. We don't always understand why things happen the way they do but help us trust you by reminding us of your goodness. Thank you in advance for the manna and for the promises we are working toward. In Jesus name, Amen
My last post talked about being in the wilderness so this time lets talk about manna (bread from heaven). The wilderness comes with its own set of issues, for the Israelites one of the issues was thirst and hunger. They were so distraught and hungry forgetting the God that brought them out of bondage would surely provide their current needs, they didn't trust God.
Sometimes God allows us to be in a place that requires us to trust Him more than we have before. A place where we need His manna. I say allow because James 1:13 reminds us that God does not cause bad things to happen to us but He does allow it.
Manna takes on different forms for different people; for some your manna may be finances, healing, encouragement etc. Exodus 16:16 explains that each man took however much or little he needed verse 18 let's us know it was just enough. See no matter how big or small your problem is you can take what you need from God in order to handle it.
I'm not saying don't plan, save, and work hard but when you have done all there is and it's still not enough, look back on where God has brought you from and trust that He can and will provide more than enough to get you through. Also realize this is only a season.
James 1:2 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
God is working on something in you. I find you are often attacked where your strength lies. If your finances are always attacked and you are following Gods principles of giving and saving then God is growing your faith concerning finances. The same can be said for health, education, and relationships. The best way to grow muscle us to feed it and exercise it.
Let me share my manna story with you. While pregnant with my daughter Summer I was placed on bed rest for months due to the threat of pre-term labor. Everything worked out just fine. I even had an amazing childbirth experience and she was a beautiful full term baby girl; now I am pregnant with my son. During a routine blood draw doctors found an elevated white blood count and myelocytes in my blood. Either alone would not be a concern however both at the same time are, so my doctor decided to run more test. I waited for weeks confident my doctor would call me back ruling out cancer and informing me that visits to his office would no longer be required. The test did not come back with better results as expected, the results came back with almost the same; which raised alarm and is cause for more testing. I am in a place waiting for my manna. I understand a few things about this situation. There is something special about the first born, attacks on children in my family have happened at lease one every generation and in every case God has provided manna. I also understand that I am in the wilderness in my life and its not meant to be a comfortable place but an in between place.
Please be encouraged as you wait for your promise that God will provide for you. I suggest you create a blessing jar, sit down and write out the things God has delivered you from and the manna He has already provided this will help you in your wait for the promise.
Father,
Thank you for coming through. We don't always understand why things happen the way they do but help us trust you by reminding us of your goodness. Thank you in advance for the manna and for the promises we are working toward. In Jesus name, Amen
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Getting Comfortable in the Wilderness
Recently my family and I have had a big move, not once but twice in a matter of months. In the midst of it all we found out were expecting out second child. We are in a new state, where we don't know anyone. We're alone in unfamiliar territory. We are in the wilderness.
This morning I woke up thinking about the Israelites. God moved them from a place of captivity to a place of freedom. Though they were enslaved in Egypt they knew what to expect, they grew accustomed to a lifestyle of bondage. When the Israelites were freed from captivity they were given a promise. With that promise they were given freedom but because the freedom didn't look like the promise they complained.
I realized that we need to learn to get comfortable in the wilderness. The wilderness is vast and dry but its full of resource and assurance. Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:11 to be content in whatever situation we are in. Get comfortable; knowing that God is working on your promise.
We miss our friends, church, even our neighbors but we are now getting about the business of getting comfortable. I have no idea how long we will be here or what's in store, I do know this is not the promise but there is freedom in this place.
Father,
Thank you for breaking the chains of bondage and bringing us into this place of freedom. Though we aren't yet in the promise we know we have freedom in you to grow, hope, heal, and rest confidant you will provide all our needs. We thank you for open doors of favor and we will work to maximize this season so when we see our promise complete with its giants we will be rested and confident in our ability to take what's ours.
Amen
This morning I woke up thinking about the Israelites. God moved them from a place of captivity to a place of freedom. Though they were enslaved in Egypt they knew what to expect, they grew accustomed to a lifestyle of bondage. When the Israelites were freed from captivity they were given a promise. With that promise they were given freedom but because the freedom didn't look like the promise they complained.
I realized that we need to learn to get comfortable in the wilderness. The wilderness is vast and dry but its full of resource and assurance. Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:11 to be content in whatever situation we are in. Get comfortable; knowing that God is working on your promise.
We miss our friends, church, even our neighbors but we are now getting about the business of getting comfortable. I have no idea how long we will be here or what's in store, I do know this is not the promise but there is freedom in this place.
Father,
Thank you for breaking the chains of bondage and bringing us into this place of freedom. Though we aren't yet in the promise we know we have freedom in you to grow, hope, heal, and rest confidant you will provide all our needs. We thank you for open doors of favor and we will work to maximize this season so when we see our promise complete with its giants we will be rested and confident in our ability to take what's ours.
Amen
Monday, September 3, 2012
Vision
Sometimes we find ourselves frustrated we look at our current circumstance and long for change. Sometimes we have no idea how or when to take the steps toward change if you have ever felt this way your not alone. (KJV) Proverbs 29:18 Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he. I believe God has given each of his children a specific purpose. He has designed us to have our own thoughts, needs, and desires that can only be nurtured, fulfilled and sustained by his beautiful love. He has a plan for you! You are not a mistake! If we don't focus on Gods vision for our lives, we instead focus on our past. Good or bad its a distraction and before long we look up and rather than living Gods vision for our lives, years have passed and were in the same situation.
Some may say, "I don't know Gods vision for my life." I charge you to pray and ask him. You don't have to be super spiritual you can literally say, "Hey God, I have no idea what you have in store for me, but I want to believe you have a plan for my life. I'm sorry for doing things my way, it's not working. I understand you have made me for a purpose please show me what it is." Let your heart lead you from there. God wants to have real conversations with you, He is not just passing through. (KJV) Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Sometimes we know Gods vision for our lives but we feel discouraged and so far from our dreams. I feel this way often and have to remind myself of Joseph. He was in a pit, sold into slavery, set up, and thrown into jail all before his dream was realized! So we need to stand strong, holding on to Gods vision for our lives knowing that it will come to past.
(NLT) Habakkuk 2:3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Father,
Thank you for designing us to do great things. Thank you for taking the time to have a plan for each one of our lives. Move our hearts to submit to your plan because we know that you know us even better than we know ourselves. Give us wisdom, patience and discernment, and please give us vision for our careers, families, education, marriages, finances and health. In Jesus name, amen.
Some may say, "I don't know Gods vision for my life." I charge you to pray and ask him. You don't have to be super spiritual you can literally say, "Hey God, I have no idea what you have in store for me, but I want to believe you have a plan for my life. I'm sorry for doing things my way, it's not working. I understand you have made me for a purpose please show me what it is." Let your heart lead you from there. God wants to have real conversations with you, He is not just passing through. (KJV) Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Sometimes we know Gods vision for our lives but we feel discouraged and so far from our dreams. I feel this way often and have to remind myself of Joseph. He was in a pit, sold into slavery, set up, and thrown into jail all before his dream was realized! So we need to stand strong, holding on to Gods vision for our lives knowing that it will come to past.
(NLT) Habakkuk 2:3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Father,
Thank you for designing us to do great things. Thank you for taking the time to have a plan for each one of our lives. Move our hearts to submit to your plan because we know that you know us even better than we know ourselves. Give us wisdom, patience and discernment, and please give us vision for our careers, families, education, marriages, finances and health. In Jesus name, amen.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Receiving Gods Best
When I was a little girl my grandmother and I were out running errands. She told me that once we were finished, I could get a happy meal from McDonalds. Once we finished we went to Red Lobster. I was livid! I wanted a happy meal! Clearly Ref Lobster was the better choice.
Sometimes in life we want something so badly, we don't stop to realize we are living Gods best. Your spouse that's getting on your nerves is Gods best for you, the job that you hate, is Gods best for you, the spouse your waiting on is Gods best for you.
Rather than fighting so hard against where you currently are in love, life, work and ministry take a moment to look at where you are you may see your current circumstance is a result of Gods best for you.
God,
Thank you for giving us your best. Sometimes where we are doesn't look like we imagined it to be, or feel how we expect it to but we know that all things work together for our good. Father, we don't want the fast and easy when what you have for us is quality and takes time to develop. We apologize for trying to create what we think you have in store for us rather than trust your perfect will. Thank you for giving us your best, working your best in us, and preparing us to receive your best. In Jesus name.
Amen
Sometimes in life we want something so badly, we don't stop to realize we are living Gods best. Your spouse that's getting on your nerves is Gods best for you, the job that you hate, is Gods best for you, the spouse your waiting on is Gods best for you.
Rather than fighting so hard against where you currently are in love, life, work and ministry take a moment to look at where you are you may see your current circumstance is a result of Gods best for you.
God,
Thank you for giving us your best. Sometimes where we are doesn't look like we imagined it to be, or feel how we expect it to but we know that all things work together for our good. Father, we don't want the fast and easy when what you have for us is quality and takes time to develop. We apologize for trying to create what we think you have in store for us rather than trust your perfect will. Thank you for giving us your best, working your best in us, and preparing us to receive your best. In Jesus name.
Amen
Thursday, June 7, 2012
What Christianity Isn't
Being a Christian isn't about what you don't do. It's not a list of rules saying: don't curse, don't lie, don't steal, don't cheat or don't kill. It's not about lifting your hands at the right time or shouting, "amen" when the preacher speaks.
Being a Christian is about complete freedom. Freedom to go before the God of heaven and earth and to have a relationship with Him. As a result, you may not curse or at least not as often. You won't lie or steal (or maybe less frequently) and you will not be as inclined to commit murder. If the preaching gets really good you might even lift your hands and let out a shout.
Christianity is honoring the sacrifice Christ made by accepting Him into our hearts and lives so we can have a relationship with God the father and be empowered by His Holy Spirit. As a result of your relationship with Him you change because you don't want anything to come between He and you or between He and anyone else.
Here are a few scriptures for you. 1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
Father,
Thank you for the freedom we have in you. Help us not to focus on the things we shouldn't do but to focus instead on strengthening our relationship with you knowing that through constant fellowship with you and meditation on your word, all things that are not like you will fall away from our lives. Thank you for you word. Thank you for your son, Jesus. Amen
Being a Christian is about complete freedom. Freedom to go before the God of heaven and earth and to have a relationship with Him. As a result, you may not curse or at least not as often. You won't lie or steal (or maybe less frequently) and you will not be as inclined to commit murder. If the preaching gets really good you might even lift your hands and let out a shout.
Christianity is honoring the sacrifice Christ made by accepting Him into our hearts and lives so we can have a relationship with God the father and be empowered by His Holy Spirit. As a result of your relationship with Him you change because you don't want anything to come between He and you or between He and anyone else.
Here are a few scriptures for you. 1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
Father,
Thank you for the freedom we have in you. Help us not to focus on the things we shouldn't do but to focus instead on strengthening our relationship with you knowing that through constant fellowship with you and meditation on your word, all things that are not like you will fall away from our lives. Thank you for you word. Thank you for your son, Jesus. Amen
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