The People are without Excuse!

Good morning to all on this last Sunday in August. Waine and I just returned from Jamaica. We were there for 1 week with Tracy, Kai and Hailie. Freddie was unable to come because of an expired passport.  It was good to spend time with Tracy and get to know her on a different level. The babies insisted we say prayer before each meal; this simple act melted my heart each time we held their little hands and let the love of God flow through us. On the way home, the Montego Bay Southwest ticket counter noticed that Kai's passport had expired on July 1. God only knows how he was able to travel to Jamaica on an expired passport. Waine and I were in Kingston and felt powerless to help. We went to the American Embassy in Kingston to try and work things through and it appeared that it would take a minimum of 3 business days to get Kai a new passport. As it was already Wednesday, close of business, that meant the earliest Kai was going to be able to get a new passport would be Monday. I started to pray earnestly that God would make a way for Kai to get back to the US on the appointed day.  I left it in God's hands as the time to departure ticked away. Long story sort, Tracy was given 3 boarding passes to come home. When you need God to act and take care of a problem, He just comes through. We had only 2 hours to solve this problem--the earthly way would have taken 3 days which we were prepared to do. Waine was prepared to go to Montego Bay and stay with Tracy and the kids until Monday but I believe that my prayer, my faith gave God the opportunity to shower blessings. This is how prayer works. Thee is nothing special about my prayers, God can do anything BUT He needs a pathway through which to work. That is our faith. In small things and big things Faith and Prayer allows God's mercies and blessing to flow through. Hallelujah! A small story that demonstrates God's BIG love.

We have finished Acts and I am pushing through to Paul's letters from Rome. Romans 1 verses 1 - 32,  "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—  the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding His Son, who as to His earthly life was a descendant of David, and Who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for His name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.  To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.  I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.  I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” 

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.  Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,  slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Amen and may God add a blessing to reading and hearing of His Word.

I am not sure that it can get any plainer than this! Paul is making it clear that when you have heard the Gospel of the Good News--the salvation that is provided and is available through the sacrifice made by Christ, you are without excuse when the judgment comes. God has made it clear that the ONLY way back to Him is through Christ. That when we don't take that step, we not only miss out on being with Him through eternity but we begin to suffer here on earth and become depraved. We are given over to sin which leads to a life of ENVY, MURDER, STRIFE, DECEIT, MALICE, GOSSIP, SLANDERING, GOD-HATING, INSOLENCE, ARROGANCE AND BOASTFULNESS. Any of this sound familiar. It pretty much describes the world we live in. These are the qualities of a world that has traveled far from God. A world that is on a time clock to self destruct. You need no further evidence!

Paul also talks about homosexuality being a by product of the depravity of sin. This is the scriptural support that homosexuality is not normal. It is not the way of God. God intended that Man and woman be with each other to love Him and one another. A by product of this love is the procreation and continuation of the Human Race. If you ever wondered if homosexuality if nurture versus nature, you now have scriptural evidence that IT IS NOT NATURE. God never intended for men to be with men or women to be with women in a sexual way, which is why quite frankly he made penis' to fit into vaginas and vaginas to be connected to a uterus with fallopian tubes. It is called the act of creation.....And God CREATED, Genesis 1. God CREATES! Anything contrary to this is of Satan who destroys. Does God hate people who practice homosexuality? No He loves all of us but hates sin. Will God prevent people who practice homosexuality from being saved? No because they have the same chance as all sinners to be saved by GRACE. Will Christians still practice homosexuality? Do Christians still lie, cheat, and deceive? Yes, we all sin daily HOWEVER as we mature in the Spirit of God, we begin to leave our childish ways behind us. As we grow in Faith our tendencies toward sin become less and less. Each of us work through our childishness with God.

None of us who have heard the Gospel will have an excuse when we come before God. Our main job is to love God with all of our hearts, mind and soul and then to love one another JUST AS GOD LOVES US. This love will enable others to come to know and trust the God that I serve! To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you!

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

Stephanie



With All Boldness and Without Hindrance!

Good morning to all on this glorious August Sunday. Waine and I are in Thomaston. We spent last weekend in Orlando with Freddie, Tracy, Kai and Hailie to celebrate Kai's 6th birthday.  I spent Saturday night at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital with Kai after an appendectomy. I felt powerless to help him when I knew he would have to be operated on, so Freddie, Kai and I held hands and prayed right before he went into the OR. I know Kai will remember that moment during his life and God will use that moment to remind my dear grandson of the Power of Prayer.

I am continuing my journey in Acts 28: 1-30, " Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.  There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. 

 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days.  From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.  When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. 

Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.  The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people.  For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you.  But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.” 

They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”  For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" Amen and may God add a Blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

How many of us are like the Jews? We hear but do not understand. We see but never perceive. I have given these two concepts a lot of thought.  I have been in the church all my life. My father insisted on it. He made us go to Sunday School and Church ever week. Now keep in my that my father married a woman who was reared in the Buddhist tradition. My mother, who is Japanese,  prayed and offered fresh tea to the picture of her deceased mother daily. I can remember my mother making green tea every morning and offering my grandmother a fresh cup. I asked he once why she would offer tea to a picture that couldn't drink it and she told me that there was a physical life and a spiritual life and both were important. My mother stated that her mother, though deceased, would not be honored if her daughter did not perform this ritual. My mother gave her life to Christ when she was in her 40's and yet she kept up this tradition.

What  Paul was doing in this young ministry was spreading the Good News that Christ died so that all of our sins could be forgiven and he did it in a setting that did not attack the rituals of the people he was witnessing to. Look at the situation in Malta. He was bit by a viper. The people on the island immediately reverted to their rituals that said 'Good people were saved from calamity and Bad people became victims to it. The people of Malta were anxious to help these travels that were stranded by the storm because THEY SURVIVED the storm but then were eager to judge Paul because he was bit by a viper. What Paul demonstrated was that when you are called by God you are neither hindered or defeated by the physical obstacles in front of you. God is a Spirit and only deals in the spiritual realm which is part of the Gospel of the dispensation. Neither the Storm or the Viper would stand I the way of God's Plan for Paul.

God's plan was that Paul bring the Good News to the Gentiles and used the circumstances of the rituals of the Jews to propel the Gospel to Rome. The unbelieving Jews who were so caught up in rituals and doctrine that they refused to accept Christ and His Message. They could not wrap their minds around that message of Christ that we are not saved by works but by the Blood of the Lamb. There are many "Christians" that are trapped in rituals. They think that if they read their Bible daily, if they watch and read religious programs; if they talk about Jesus, that their lives will change. These folk have not embraced the Power of God because their lives are not tapped into the fundamental message of Jesus. If it not by WORKS that we begin our life of abundance it is by faith.

My husband often remarks that "You are one of God's chosen. He (God) favors you." What I keep telling my husband is that God favors anyone, that through faith lives a life of boldness without hindrance! Hallelujah. My faith is the size of a mustard seed and I work that faith daily. I remind myself that I am more than a conqueror in every aspect of my life when I apply my faith. We are all God's Chosen when we accept Christ. We become God's Favored when we live in faith and not in fear.  To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to Serve Him. To serve Him is to love you.

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

Stephanie



When God Has a Plan For You, Nothing Can Stand Against It!

Good morning from Thomaston, Georgia. No rain this weekend and temperatures in the 90's. I am on call so have to stick around the house. Kai's birthday is coming up on the 31st. Can't believe this little man is 6 years old. I can still remember burping him, his first steps, his sleeping in my arm pit which was his favorite place to sleep. If you are blessed you get to see time marching on. Waine and I closed on our second building for ZOe-Barnesville on July 24th. God's blessings are chasing us down!

I am continuing my journey in Acts 27 verses 1-44 "When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. 

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” 

On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away. Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely. Amen and may God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

I had never read this chapter or account before. I have never heard anyone preach about it either. What struck me is 1) Paul's faith and 2) God use of circumstances to lead other to Him. We just need to get out of the way. God wanted Paul to stand before Caesar and in this way give Paul a wider audience to whom the Gospel could be preached. Remember Caesar was the ruler of most of the free world at that time. There were many ways God could have done this, however He always works through people and the context of their lives. Christianity was so new--following the Inner Voice of the Holy Spirit was a concept that had hitherto not been experienced by the people Paul was preaching to. The Jews only new the power of keeping the law and the Gentiles had their pagan practices. The Power of God through Christ was a belief system that was in its infancy and God was going to work through Paul and his circumstances to spread the Gospel.

God does have themes for His faithful. The "ram in the bush" is ever present. He protects His chosen from calamity by providing natural circumstances of assistance. When Abraham was going to sacrifice Issac, God provided him a ram caught in the bush. When the soldiers were going to kill Paul, God provided the Centurion who said no. When you are in God's Will, like Paul, relax and eat. You don't have to worry. The storms will come, the waves of life circumstances will come, your "ship" may run aground, but there will always be daylight if you keep your faith. Its during these times that our faith is tested and God will never forget you or forsake you. Waine and I are living examples of surviving the storms and waves of life, to experience the Favor of God. He wants to bless all of us through our faithfulness and through our faith! We started ZOe with 12 patients on our first day and we closed this week having served 527! God's blessings are chasing us down. We now are able to provide employment for 26 families! Who would have thought that on our 1st day. God's love is so Powerful and overwhelming. Hallelujah!

To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. 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



How Long Does It Take to Become A Christian?

Good morning to all on this wonderful Sunday morning. Waine celebrated his birthday on Friday. I actually think we have been celebrating all weekend. My birthday was last weekend and Freddie, Kai and Hailie came down to celebrate with me. Many things have happened since my last blog entry. We were able to purchase the building that our Thomaston practice is in. Aleron completed the purchase of the Atlanta house and our offer for the property to move the Barnesville practice to, was accepted. I think we are scheduled to close in a couple of weeks. Thank you all for your prayers for us. Continue to send them our way. God is a Good God and continues to bless us and you.

I am continuing my journey in Acts, chapter 26 verses 1-32 " Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.  Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.  On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.  I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 

So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to His own people and to the Gentiles. At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.  The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Amen and may God a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

God always brings Good out of the evil intent of men! The Pharisees and Sadducees that wanted Paul dead actually ending up spreading the Gospel of Truth to even a larger group of people, even the Jewish King. King Agrippa's question, "Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" says it all. The King had been listening to Paul and was being convicted by the Holy Spirit--I am sure the king had heard of all the converts that were accepting Christ as Savior and was not ignorant to Paul or his ministry. However, when the king was confronted with the challenge to turn from his own sin and turn to God, he could not humble himself to accept Christ as Lord. The King's question shows you the mind-set of the Jews. Since they were caught up in the Mosaic Laws, where they were commanded to live in a certain way by obeying laws, the king couldn't imagine that salvation was so easy. That's the key to salvation. It is free and easy! The hardest part is the FIRST step of faith when you humble yourself before the Cross of Jesus and then accept His forgiveness for your sins. Once you do that the Holy Spirit dwells in you and begins the work of transformation that allows others to see The Light--The Candle of faith. Our job at that point is just to let the Light Shine.

It is just that easy and for many just that hard. They can't imagine that they are not in control of their own destinies. They can't imagine that it only takes, faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains. This life for Christ is not hard at all--as I grow in my own faith the hardest challenge is just to leave my cares and burdens with Him and get out of the way. When problems come, I don't have to waste time trying to fix them. I only need to 1) take them to Jesus (the act of faith), 2) believe that Jesus will take care of my problems, 3) live as if my prayers have been answered, and 4) not take back the problem from the feet of Jesus when I think He is taking too long.  God's plans are not based on us--His plans will go forward despite of us--His desire is for us to be part of the process through our faith. That is all we have to bring to the table--our Faith. It allows God then to work miracles in us and through us.

When God put it is our hearts to establish ZOe, there was no earthly way to be successful. This meant that Waine and I had to rely on the promises of God DAILY. We had to pray for patients, we had to pray over staff, we had to pray for income to meet the obligations of the practice. We had to pray over every aspect of the practice, Hallelujah! Even as I write this blog entry, I was bothered by a couple things concerning the practice and this profession of my faith brought clear thinking to me. When I finish with this entry I am going on my knees and leave these items at the foot of the Cross of Jesus and will trust that God will bring us through. Even though ZOe is up and running, He wants me to trust Him with the small and the large decisions that are made. ZOe continues to be God's BLESSING to me and my family. ZOe started as a thought and a prayer and continues to humble me. God isn't finished with me yet. He continues to do great thing for me and through me. Yes it is just that easy to be a Christian and easier yet to be the son or daughter that God intended when we humble ourselves at the Throne of Grace daily.

To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. 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

What is Everyone So Afraid Of?

Good morning to all on this Tuesday morning July 8, 2014. My mother, Hisako, was born on this day in 1923. She would have been 91 today but was called home many years ago. I have very fond memories of my mother which is how she lives on. She lives on in the lives of her children and grand children which is the measure of our worth as mothers. Waine and I were attending the funeral of his 1st cousin Carlin in Dallas over the weekend. She died very suddenly on June 25, 2014. She awoke like she did every day, went on the treadmill and then died. She at the moment saw and crossed the River Jordan like all of us will. 100% of us will have that moment and when we do, we should all be sure that our crossing will be with Jesus, the Lamb whose blood buys us safe passage. Death is a very sure thing as is life with God through Christ. We have to choose wisely while we have the chance.

I am continuing my journey in Acts 25, verses 1-27 "Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.” After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them. Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!” 

A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.  When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.” 

The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.  But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.” Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

At first I wasn't going to post this chapter because "it was just a story" of Paul's imprisonment. I got to thinking then why is it in the Bible. Why did God chose to include this chapter so that I could read it on July 8, 2014. Paul is JUST DOING HIS JOB--He is preaching the Good News that Christ lived, He died and then ......................He lived again. The Jews were so angry with him (Paul) they sought to kill him over this simple message. Paul represented the mirror through which the Jews and now the Romans would have to see themselves. The Jews in their haste to kill Paul made it possible for the Roman High Court and command to hear the gospel of Christ. Without meaning to, the Jews were helping Paul spread the Gospel. Hallelujah! When the scriptures tell us that God brings Good out of everything, even evil intent, you should remember this chapter in the Acts of the New Testament. When you are falsely accused for God's sake, you don't have to fear because your faithfulness will withstand all the fiery darts of the devil. when you feel besieged by what people may say or do, take heart for the Good Work that God has begun in you and through you, will come to completion. No one said our journey would be easy; in fact if they persecuted Jesus who knew no sin, we should count it joy that we are presecuted when we in faith, exercise our faith. Hallelujah. This chapter has given me lot's of perspective. The victory in this life has nothing to do with out effort--just our faith. Words are powerful and the profession of our faith though Words is the most powerful. That is what satan is afraid of. He puts obstacles and threats in our way so that we will be quiet--at those moments we need to shout louder that Jesus is Christ. Christ is the Redeemer and the Redeemer liveth so that all can come to God through Him. Jesus is the Way Maker.

No matter where you find yourself today, do not be afraid. The same God that delivered Paul will deliver you. God loves all of us the same. He loves us with Passion and Compassion. He withholds nothing from us. We block our blessings through sin and un-belief. The simple and yet hardest thing is just to believe. What are you afraid of? What are you holding on to? Let it go and trust the Hand of God to lead you.

To know Him is to love Him. To Love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. 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

Have a Little Walk with Jesus!

Good morning to all on this last Monday of June 2014 and last day of June 2014. Waine and I were in Thomaston this weekend and went to service in Atlanta yesterday. The church had an outdoor service. It was very hot but actually the sentiment was great. Taking Christ to the masses. Tomorrow marks a Great Day for ZOe. We are buying the building we have been in for 2 years. We close tomorrow so continue to pray for us. Praise be to God for all the Great things He has done and continues to do in our lives.

I am continuing my journey in Acts chapter 24 verses 1 - 27, "Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.” The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. 

“After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’” Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison." Amen and may God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

These Jewish elders were just plain bullies. They were used to having their way and wanted to make sure that Paul was not around to upset the apple cart. They had no shame in lying or paying bribes as evident in the passage above that talks about Felix bringing Paul back several times hoping to be bribed. Bullies have one and only one focus--their needs. The sermon at our church yesterday centered on another bully, King Nebuchadnezzar who built a graven image of himself and commanded all who saw it to bow down to it. The three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not obey this order, even though they had been promoted and advised the king in his household. When the king heard this from other Jews jealous of the three Hebrew boys the king ordered them to come forth and bow down to the graven likeness of himself. The three Hebrew boys replied in Daniel 3 verses 16 - 18 ^"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”  The rest of the story is well known. The three Hebrew boys with shackled, the furnace was turned up 7 times hotter than usual so much so that the soldiers who put the three Hebrew boys in the furnace were burned and died. Shadrach. Meshach and Abednego were met in the furnace by Jesus! They had a little talk and walk with Jesus in the midst of the turmoil created by the sin of man. Not a hair on their head was touched. They didn't even smell of smoke. They walked out of the "hell" created by man unscathed, because of their faith!

The ultimate "bully" is Satan. He threatens us daily with calamity if we don't bow down to him. All I can say is Don't Do It. Remain faithful and have a little walk with Jesus. You may find yourself in the heat of battle. You may find yourself somewhere you dreaded going. You may find yourself in the very situation you prayed to be delivered from. Don't worry you will find Christ in all situations you find yourself in because He will never abandon you nor forsake you. Have a little walk with Jesus and tell Him all about your troubles, He will deliver you just like He delivered those three (3) Hebrew boys. Hallelujah. Never lose faith for He alone is worthy to be praised.

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