Thinking - The Beginning.

Good morning to all on this beautiful Sunday morning. Waine and I are in Thomaston today! A shout out to all the Dad's. Happy Father's Day. My last post was on May 1st. We have been running around trying to get our new site up and running. The opening day is tomorrow so please keep your prayers coming. It is all in God's timing so when God's gives you a vision he also gives you provision, so I have no worries. This is God's project and as Waine and I continue to be faithful to His plan and vision we will be blessed--we will enjoy God's ZOe for our lives. I am going to embark on a study of Genesis. Most people call the book of Genesis, the creation story. It can also be considered the Book of Opportunities. All of us, as Christians are provided Opportunities to exercise our will to be aligned with that of the Father. So where do we go wrong. I want to find out. Thanks for joining me.

Genesis 1-31 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so.  God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters He called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years,  and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so.  God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.  God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”  And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.  God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them;  male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. " Amen and may God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

And God saw that it was Good! What strikes me about this passage is the recurring themes of:

1. God having a thought.
2. God speaking the thought and bringing the thought to life with form.
3. God evaluating the results of His thoughts.
4. God judging that His thought was Good.
5. God concluding that thought on a good note.

Talk about speaking Truth to Power! In every instance in this chapter God had a thought. He probably had many thoughts on each day, however His thinking was methodical and always had a good purpose. He didn't just speak, He spoke and His Words had creative power. He then evaluated His thinking and speaking and judged that both were good.

I have heard many theologians, many Christians speak of this concept of "what a man or woman thinks, so is that person who then will bring things to past". What God was thinking was born out of love. He was in a CREATIVE mood. I have no doubt there were many universes ahead of our; there were beings called angles; there were many galaxies with stars, moon, suns. There was the essence of life in God and out of this essence One Day the First Earth Day, He created something other than the Heavens and called it Earth. Hallelujah. God saw fit to create "Earth" and in so doing did not want it to remain formless and void so set to work on the next succeeding 5 days to create the Earth as we know it.

On days 2-5 He began to organize everything that Man would need to be sustainable. He created the atmosphere  and populated it with heavenly bodies to give us sustenance both during the day and during the night. God then populated Earth with plants that not only maintained our atmosphere, the plants provided nutrients for what came later--animals of all varieties that lived on the land and sea. God saw all this working well and called it GOOD. God didn't move to the next phase until He saw it was good.

He then created US. He made sure we had all we needed before He created us. He gave us dominion over all He created prior to the 6th day because He loved us. He didn't say we had partial control. God gave us complete control. Now if you reflect on this concept of complete control,  when does someone give you complete control. When they trust you unconditionally! God knows  no other way to love us other than unconditionally and through that unconditional love, God created Earth not for Himself but for US!

What kind of love is that? He didn't have stinking thinking--He had powerful, uplifting, creative thinking. I have been searching for that creative, unconditional thinking lately. I have had it in the past and know when I am in sync with God's thinking.  I have been mired in challenges that I have had to face daily. I have been mired because of my THINKING and on this day I have seen it has been my thinking and not my circumstances. Instead of speaking truth to power I have been trying to resolve these problems myself. Creating my own timing and not relenting to God's timing. When I am not aligned with God, chaos reigns and that is allowing Satan to rule. God, has demonstrated in this chapter that He is a God of order and God of Good. He delights when we are in sync with Him and can say with us "IT Is Good". Hallelujah. God and chaos cannot exist in the same space and time. If chaos is present it is because God has been excluded from the throne in your life by your free will.

If your day is not ordered today. If you feel you are in chaos, then go  back to the beginning and evaluate your thinking. Turn your attention to God and allow His thinking to take over. Just be quiet and if you don't know what to say or do, just keep saying "God you are Love and you are Good. Thank you for the Goodness in  my Life and thank you that Good things that will happen to me and for me today!" Amen and Amen.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! You are Blessed today. Experience the ZOe of God.

Stephanie



Seek Truth--Not Myths! Fight the Good Fight and Finish the Race!

Good morning to all on this first Sunday in May. Waine and I are in Thomaston, GA. I couldn't believe that I didn't enter my Spiritual Journey in March. My walk has increased in determination. My faith has been tested which is a good thing. Like Elijah with his great victory with the agent of Baal, I think March has been my "cave". But just as God called out Elijah, so too have I been called out to walk the talk Trust and Believe for God and He only is the author and finisher of my story. Hallelujah. No man, woman or evil doer will write my story. Only God. So what God has placed His hand too will prevail. Amen

I am continuing my journey with Paul with his last letter to Timothy. II Timothy 4 verses 1 -22 "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His Kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. 

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 

Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.  But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His Heavenly Kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all." Amen. May God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

Fight the Good Fight, Keep Your Head Up and Finish the Race! Paul's message was directly for me today! My faith lead Waine and I to Thomaston, Georgia in 2011. I promised God in the back road of Louisiana in 2011, driving from Baton Rouge to Greenville, that I would toil in the "Fields" of His choosing, which as it turns out was located in Thomaston. I remember the road I was on when I made this promise, I remember I was listening to a tape by Crefelo Dollar which talked about the ZOe available for Christians, I remember pulling off the road and praying the prayer of commitment. 

On the 1st Monday of April 2012, God, Waine and I opened ZOe Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Health in Thomaston, Georgia. On my first day I saw 8 patients in the rented building we now own. I walked around that building 8 times, praying as Joshua did around the walls of Jericho so that any walls that Satan had affecting our success would be removed. The patients began to come and we now have over 2,000 patients who have selected ZOe Pediatrics as their Medical Home.

We opened ZOe Pediatrics - Barnesville, Georgia in November 2012 in a rented Suite from Upson Regional Medical Center. We now own our Building in Barnesville and our patients enjoy a wonderful practice.

In April 2014, we opened ZOe Pediatrics - Columbus, Georgia. We have quickly overgrown the 7 exam rooms in our rented building so God lead us to open another site in Columbus with 20 exam rooms. We own this new building and will move into in by June 15, 2016. God parted the waters for us to find this location, buy this location and find the staff to run this location.

So why am I sharing this story. With every decision, I openly talked about God's plan for ZOe. When meeting hospital officials who asked me why our practice was called ZOe, I was able to witness to them and talk about this story. I have been bold every step of the way and have seen with my own eyes God parting the waters of defeat and obstacles. I have had  my Elijah moments too, when I want to flee into a cave after my  mountain top experiences BECAUSE I TAKE MY EYES OFF JESUS and focus on the waves.  God never promised us Blue Skies and Smooth Sailing. He promised us a Boat, Jesus and a Rainbow! Hallelujah!

My experience is not unique to Christians. If you find yourself on your Emmaus Road, have faith because God goes before you. He desires your obedience and your faith. He doesn't need us but God DESIRES us to be in a relationship with Him by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus. He desires us to be a WITNESS for HIM. He desires all to come to a knowledge of Him through Christ so that satan can be defeated and we can live with God through Christ in the Eden of Heaven. Order has been and will be restored for us. We will walk with God as He intended in a Garden called Eden.

If God can use someone as flawed as me just imagine what He can do with you. Be blessed TODAY. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Stephanie

Defeat Confusion Through Prayer

Good morning to all on this 1st Sunday in March. I was reviewing my entries and I couldn't believe that I didn't post in February. God has been so good to Waine and I; we celebrate daily His work in our lives. We are not traveling this week and are at home. March still has cold weather although it can get up to the mid-60's during the day. We closed on our new building last Monday so a new chapter will start for ZOe. Continue to keep us in your prayers as we forge ahead in God's planning.

I am continuing my journey in 1 Timothy 2 verses 1 - 15 "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.  

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.  A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.  But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety."










Timothy is urging the young church in Ephesus to pray for change and when praying, pray with Thankfulness in their heart "as if their prayers were already answered". Remember the young "church" wanted to be rid of Roman rule and their pagan lifestyle. They wanted to have the ability to worship in the style of this religion called Christianity without hassle, which is what they were subjected to. Timothy is admonishing them to PRAY for change and in so doing pray for the government that was in power in Ephesus. The Jews still had Kings, Sadducees and  Pharisees and the Gentiles still had the Roman power structure. Timothy was urging all young Christians to pray for the people in power and in praying bring about change. This message is so true today. As we watch what is unfolding in the Presidential race we ALL should be praying for our country. To see adults think and say outrageous things about minorities and the less fortunate, and use as an excuse the frustration of whites who feel their power base has been eroded, is really for me a sign that evil is rampant in the United States. The "filter" of humanity is completely missing in some of the comments that are coming from the Republican field. As Christians we have to be in prayer to defeat Satan and his minions -- as Timothy admonished "we are to lift our hands and pray".






Timothy is also giving the young church in Ephesus some guidance as to how to conduct themselves as Christians. Remember his audience are folk who were practicing pagan religions. As young Christians they were being taught how to live a moral life so that they could be a witness to those in Ephesus who had not yet converted to Christianity. Even today as Christians, we are to set ourselves apart from the morality of the world, so that others can come to know Christ through us. This is my struggle daily especially as it relates to anger. I am to suppress my anger and reactions so that the love of Christ can come through me to others. If my first inclination is to tell someone off when they offend me, then I am no better that those folk on national TV running for the Republican nomination. I am to conduct myself in Quite Confidence because I know that my Redeemer lives. I need not be  afraid because I know who is in charge; God through the sacrifice of Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit.




Likewise as a Christian wife, I am to be submissive to my husband. When Waine reads this I am sure he will think I surely have missed the lesson in submissiveness. In all candor, I strive to be submissive as my husband's wife. I conduct myself in a manner that is befitting my status as his wife. I have forsaken all others and cleave only unto him. In matters that concern our family his word is the last word. As most of you know Waine and I are also in business together. As business partners I am not submissive to him in all things. We are equals with respect to decision making for ZOe and my husband defers to me on matters that are clinical and matters that affect our practice. He is a confident man and it shows as he does not allow his ego needs to interfere with the growing of the practice. Waine demonstrates his love for me daily in this regard and I don't take it for granted.




The words that Timothy has for women are a little hard for me understand. I do agree that sin entered Eden through Eve's lack of obedience and that God's punishment was exacted on both Adam and Eve for their lack of faithfulness. I don't believer however that God doesn't use women in positions of authority in the church and in the world. A good example of Joyce Meyer. God has blessed her ministry and blessed many people through her preaching. Dave Meyer is an integral part of the ministry but it is Joyce that God anointed to preach. She is truly teaching men every day so I am not sure if what Timothy was teaching was true in the context of his time only. Be in prayer about this passage and it is through prayer we will gain clarity.




Bottom line message today is that Prayer will change everything and being clarity out of confusion. Be in prayer for our nation and for each other. Experience the Power of God through prayer as you navigate this day.




Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.




Stephanie

God's Work is Faith! His Forgiveness is Grace!!

Happy New Year 2016 to everyone. Waine and I are in Thomaston and enjoying the few days off that we have had. It is nice and quiet and restful. I actually slept to 7 AM this morning which is rare these days. The weather has been in the 70's for most of the last 2 weeks. It also rained everyday for 2 weeks and so the plants don't know what to do. They are trying to bloom but not doing a good job of it. I can't believe that I have been posting since Mother's Day weekend 2009. That's remarkable to me.  We have finished Thessalonians and I am moving on to 1 Timothy verses 1-20..

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,  To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.  The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,  for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which He entrusted to me. 

 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,  holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.  Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme."  Amen and may God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a young minister in Ephesus, to remind him how to teach the young church members in Ephesus. Everyone at the time were "young" Christians either learning how to live through Faith as opposed to the law (Jews) or how to live through Faith and not through paganism (Gentiles). Learning to live with God through Christ requires all of us to shed all those old beliefs of Right and Wrong and turn our hearts and minds to God through Christ. We have to change our way of thinking because as Christ states "As a man or woman thinks SO IS HE OR SHE". Paul is reminding Timothy to help the early Christians of Ephesus to CHANGE THEIR THINKING!

As Christians we should remember that WE ARE ALL SINNERS SAVED BY GRACE AND GRACE ALONE. It is not by works should any man boast. God has been dealing with mankind for a long time. He knows us coming and going. He knows how shallow we are as humans. How sin has made us wicked, immoral and judgmental. Those qualities have to be crucified daily until the Fruits of the Spirit become the norm in our lives.

I have a problem with ANGER. I am never slow to anger HOWEVER I am now in a position that I have to practice daily, becoming slow to anger. I daily have at least 100 chances every day to exercise my Faith and not my anger and IT IS HARD. I can't just tell people what I think or feel concerning their mistakes because then I wouldn't have any staff  or patients. I have to let the mercy and love of God shine through and let me tell you I am not there yet. I have recognized though that I have a problem in this area and now I can let God through Christ correct this problem. I do not have the power to correct it myself and I recognize that Satan uses this weakness in me daily.

The Good News is that God loves me despite this fault and the many others I have. When I focus on that I am humbled and no longer angry. I think I have found the meaning of "take the pole out of my eye first before I focus on the thorn in the eye of my brother or sister". I also know when I am able to give my anger to God daily, I will move on from this phase in my life to another phase of my development before I am called home. The blessing in all of this is that Christ never leaves my side as I carry each of my crosses to the Throne of God through Grace and are able to leave them there. Hallelujah! God loves me just the way I am. He also loves you Just the Way you are and wants you to love yourselves "just the way you are".

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Happy New Year.

Stephanie

Stay in God's Love and Christ's Perseverance!

Good morning to all on this Sunday before Christmas. All is well in the East Coast Kong household.  I am getting over both bronchitis and conjunctivitis that has had me at 70% capacity for over 2 weeks. I finally had a night's sleep without coughing. Freddie and his family are sailing to Mexico on their Christmas trip and Waine. Aleron and I are planning on going to Orlando to see the babies during Christmas. God is good and in His Heaven and all is right with the world.

I am continuing my journey in Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians 3: verses 1-18. His last letter reads, " As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.  But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.  For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.  For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”  We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.  And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer. 

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.  I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

Wow! This chapter is an answer to prayer. I have had a heavy burden for some of my employees who bristle at working. Some of them are believers AND they believe they should not have to work AND be cared for by me. They bristle against admonition to work honestly for the wage they are paid. They profess with their mouth to know Christ yet their idleness is not a reflection of God's principles as outlined by Paul in this chapter. As Paul says here they are disruptive and negative in their thinking during the week but pew jumping, tongue clucking Christians on Sunday. I have had a heavy heart for them. My impression of all Christians is that we should be hardworking and generous and not idle or lazy. I am genuinely confused when you confront idle and disruptive Christians that they can literally look you in the  face and say "I am doing the best I can". What ever happened to I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me?

I am rebuking Satan on their behalf. The devil is a liar. I profoundly believe that Christians are to be victorious not because of our works BUT because of God's love and the Perseverance of Christ. It took unearthly courageous and conviction for Christ to become sin so that I might live with God. What profound Love!  Hallelujah! In being my brother's keeper I do not condone the behavior of idle Christians however I can rebuke Satan on their behalf. God does not desire that any Christian live in despair--we are to live in abundance 1st from and in our hearts and then in this physical world. We are to live like the child of the King--victorious in all aspects of our lives.

If this day does not find you in abundance of heart, soul, mind and body then turn your face to God through Christ such that the devil can be rebuked and the Holy Spirit can guide you BACK to your true life. Don't buy the hype of despair and disruption. Christ was born, lived and died so that we might live life and more abundantly. Stay in the love of God and Christ's Perseverance.

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Stephanie

 

Don't Believe he Hype!

Good  morning to all on this beautiful Sunday in December. We are having record warm weather in Georgia. It was in the low 70's yesterday. Waine is able to play golf with short sleeved shirts. I trust everyone had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. Freddie and his family and Aleron were in Thomaston with us and Freddie made the entire dinner. It was delicious of course. I heard this radio article during Thanksgiving week about celebrating "Friendsgiving Day". There are folk out there who would rather be with friends than family. I thought that was odd. How do you create lasting memories with folk that are not your family? Warts and all my family is my tribe and I am grateful for them.

I am continuing my journey in second Thessalonians 2 verses 1-17, "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters,  not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 

 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the One who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie  and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. 

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.  He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." Amen and may God Add a blessing to the reading and hearing of  His Word.

Paul  was encouraging these young Christians NOT to be deceived that the raptured had taken place. Satan's counter attack on the young church was to spread rumors that Christ had already come to claim His church and therefore the "eternal" life of "Grace" through "Mercy" had already taken place. Not so! Satan is the great deceiver--the great "confuser" that takes portions of the truth to distort the Truth. For instance, God created the family from 1 man and 1 woman. We now live in an age where people would have you believe that the family can be composed of 1 man and 1 man, 1 woman and 1 woman, who then should have legal rights. Laws are being written to uphold an alternative family structure which in essence means that society is negating the Family as created by God to uphold a family created by man. This is the work of Satan and Satan alone whose entire existence is predicated on destroying the order created by God. Don't believe the hype!

As Christians it is our job to spread the Truth. I don't know why a man desires other men or women desires other women. I don't involve myself with  that debate. All I know is what God teaches in His Word. Sodom was destroyed because of their sinfulness and debauchery --one of the hallmarks of which was the lust of men after other men. When nature is turned on itself then you know that sin abounds. I believe firmly that when the order of life as God intended is upended then sin is in play. I see many Christians trying to compromise their view of homosexuality, Hollywood is trying to make us believe that it is ok if love is in play. That's when we need to go back to the basics--the Word of God. The truth is that we are all sinners saved by Grace AND we all need to repent and let the Love of God change us from the sin nature we are born with to the spiritual nature that comes through the sacrifice of Jesus for us. Don't believe the hype! God hates sin--He loves us as sinners and as sinners we are to repent and CHANGE.

As we move into this Advent Season, let's remember the REASON for the Season and proclaim the Gospel of Christ to all men and women. It is our job to present and the Holy Spirit's job to convict. We are to love all with the Love of God. Do something to defeat Satan today. Let the Love of God cover you and cover others.

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Stephanie

Encouragement through Good Deeds and Words

Good morning to all on this 1st Sunday in November. Its almost been a month since I last posted however God has been working with me and on me for the last 30 days to ensure I learn to live abundantly and live to reflect His love for me and for others through me. Nothing replaces the attention we pay to the details of our lives. It is so self intuitive however, we cannot leave the growth we need to do to others. We must address the areas of our lives that require attention on a daily basis. Thank God that He doesn't take His eye off the sparrow or on those that love Him and are called according to Hid purpose. Thank God that He keeps His eye on me. Please pray for traveling mercies for Waine as he travels to Jamaica next week. Join me in praying that God's protective hedge continues to be around him during his travels.

I am continuing my journey in the 2nd book of Thessalonians verses 1-17, "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.  Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,  and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. 

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. " Amen and may God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

 In Proverbs 23:7 Solomon writes ...As a man (or woman) thinks, so is he or she....". What is in our minds will be translated into words and deeds. If we have evil thoughts it will be translated into destructive behavior and ultimately the destruction of our lives. The Bible teaches that Satan roams this earth seeking to devour every soul that is not protected. Christ, through Christians, seeks to protect every soul and it all starts with our thinking, then our word and ultimately our deeds.

One lesson that became very cogent this week is that my thinking not only affects me it also affects those around me --no so much through my actions but more through the spirit of enmity or grace that that emanates through my thinking. Our thinking affects the atmosphere around us. It will affect it without the utterance of a single word. If you are thinking positively then everything around you becomes positive. If you are thinking negatively then chaos will rein supreme. I never saw this as clearly as I saw this week!

As Christians we are to be "uplifters". We are to be "encouragers". Yes we are to admonish folk to surrender their lives to Christ but it is not so much with words but more so through our thinking, our gifts of love and the strength of our unwavering faith. This allows the Holy Spirit to do His work and bring others to God through Christ.  To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love others. I never saw this as clearly as I do today.

Now may the  Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May  the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Stephanie