Transformation

Upon reading an encouraging blog of a friend, I decided to concentrate on this passage he mentioned from Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis:

The real Son of God is at your side. He is beginning to turn you into the same kind of thing as Himself. He is beginning...to turn the tin soldier into a live man. The part of you that does not like it is the part that is still tin...Put it right out of your head the idea that these are only fancy ways of saying that Christians are to read what Christ said and try to carry it out - as a man may read what Plato or Marx said and try to carry it out. They mean something much more than that. They mean that a real Person, Christ, here and now, in that very room where you are saying your prayers, is doing things to you...It is a living Man, still as much a man as you, and still as much God as He was when he created the world, really coming and interfering with your very self; killing the old natural self in you and replacing it with the kind of self He has.

Pretty awesome. I want this. I want to let Him do this to me. I need give of myself to Him. I want to sing:

I'm to far from where I started
And too close to where I'm going,
To think of ever turning around;
For my eyes are fixed on Jesus
And I love this narrow way,
This old world holds no attraction,
I'm Heaven bound.

Jesus, I need you. I need you to help me to give more of myself to you. I cannot hold to anything of this world; it is all worthless. I want to build treasures in Heaven and to spend eternity with you and I ask that you transform me to be more like you! Help me and encourage me on this: My time here on earth is just a passing; I am here only to serve my purpose you have for me. What greater reward is there than to spend eternity with you? Thank you for what you have done for me though I deserve none of it. Amen.

Faith

It is faith. Faith is what makes you right with God. I know I am right with God. Why? Because I simply believe in God, in who He says He is, and in what He says He will do.

It's hard to understand sometimes, especially when you don't know the facts or details. We can't see the whole picture, but I'm glad I don't have too. It would be to difficult!

My church attendance, tithing, and adhering to standards of holiness aren't what makes me right with God, it is my relationship with Him, my faith in Him.

It is proved here: And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith. (Genesis 15:6 NLT)

Father in Heaven, I pray that you will be with me as I begin a new week. I ask you to walk with me in my journey of healing and to help me increase my faith in you by showing me your miraculous works. Amen!

God answers a prayer

This morning, after I settled into bed, I began to pray for a few things. One was my house. I had been told by a Mr. Grimes, the one who wrote up the rental contract for the family living in my house, that he has a few interested buyers for my house. I had emailed him the night before:

Hello Jim,

I have recieved my last payment from the Gambles. It was only half for the last half of February. They also left a very nice note. I am sorry that it didn't work out for them.

I understand that Woodrow is working with you on finding a buyer for the home. I am glad that you are being proactive in this. Just let me know what you need at any time. I plan on moving back into the house temporarily for insurance purposes and for however long needed til a buyer buys the home.

Looking forward to hearing from you and meeting with you and the interested buyers.
Have a great weekend.

Stanley Lashley Jr

Well, that is what I wrote. After I finished my prayers, I rolled over and tried to sleep. My mind wouldn't let me. Thinking too much. I finally turned over, picked up my phone and checked my email. There was a response from Mr. Grimes:

HI Stanley

It just so happens, I met with some buyers last night and they are going over to look at the house this weekend. Hopefully you do not have to move in.

Respectfully Deputy James Grimes

Praise God! I was not really wanting to keep the house for another few months even though it could mean that I would have my own space for a while. I am just praying that the buyers are interested and will buy the house!

The power of prayer is still very effective. Try it if you don't do it as I Thess. 5:17 NLT says to do it, "Never stop praying."

Prayer!! It works!!

Yeah, we all know we need to pray, but do we do it enough?? Even for the smallest things? Or just when we mess up, we turn to God then? Nay. I Thess. 5:17 NLT "Never stop praying."

It's only been a couple days now but it is the first thing I do when I wake. It is what I do while I shower. It is what I do when I wash dishes. I try to make a habit of simply just communicating with God. If communication is the most important thing in our human relationships, why not make it the ultimate in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ??

I feel more peaceful in my heart, even when things aren't so peaceful on the outside, the world. I want the joy. I desire true joy and I will get it!!

I specifically asked the Lord to help me with my frustration and anger issues. I seem to run low on tolerance for these two. I need to bring these under control and allow an outlet for these. The outlet is prayer and God. Give your troubles and frustrations to Him, He is a great buffer. Psalm 37:8 NLT says "Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper--it only leads to harm."

Lord, I pray that you will be with me. I ask you to help me keep my temper in control and to help me realize that I have no control over most situations and that all is in your control! Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Radical and healing

Radical. Change. Radical change. I'm ready for it. I will go through with it. I will lean on Jesus for power. I had a recent talk with someone and that person pointed me in a direction that was sure to help me to start some healing. I had asked Jesus for healing and I am thankful that He has started me on that path. I cannot and will not let go of Him. I will resist the one and only Satan and he will flee from me. May God be with me as I begin this journey. Pray for me brothers and sisters in Christ.

Re-committment

I am in need of re-committing myself to the good Lord. I have drifted away, indeed. I am feeling lost, wanting to be found. He will find me and draw me closer. Did He not leave behind the ninety and nine, just to find that one which had gone astray?
Re-kindling the fire! What a joy it is to watch a fire that has almost died down, seemingly dead, but, alas! When the poker does agitate the settled ashes, the glow shall be found. The glow is needed to re-kindle a fire bright and strong, but only if small sticks of faith were added, then branches of belief, and finally branches of humility. The fire will warm one's heart and when one allows it, the warmth will be shared with others. It all feels good and wonderful.

Proverbs.

I've never been so intensely interested in reading Proverbs. I wonder how many people read Proverbs daily in addition to their daily devotions or Bible reading.

Proverbs**
can be read over and over again and it only gets better every time you read it. Daily instruction to daily living for God. A pathway to gaining wisdom and understanding which in turn helps you to understand God more and exactly why Solomon told God he wanted wisdom when asked what he wanted. Solomon must have wanted a knowledge of God, to understand God better, and to live the life God wanted him to live. A very successful, prosperous, and blessed life! God gave Solomon just that.

Now, don't forget; Solomon, being human, fell. So, read Proverbs, study it, and APPLY it to your life. Ask God to help you, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide you. You cannot live a life of wisdom and understanding alone; you must have God to help you. You must be humble. Get rid of pride. Its a very hard thing to do. Getting rid of pride is like grating parmesan cheese with a very fine grater, expecting it to erode quickly. But it can be done.

Begin with a fear. A respectful, reverent fear of the Lord. Love Him. God is love. His love will flow through you and you in turn will love others.