SUCCESS

Sorry it's been so long. I work a regular job, you know, forty hours a week. I am at lunch at the moment. But, my Lord gave me something this morning that I really want to share. He is using my circumstances to open my eyes to many things in His word on a daily basis. I wish I could share it all. Maybe some day!

For now, I'm just going to share from my journal, the way He spoke it all to me. I don't have time to edit everything and make it flow like I usually do. Anyhow, here goes!!

What is success? It is NOT how many charts I can file in a day, how much data I can enter into a computer, or how fast I can work. My life is not measured in boxes of charts, piles of papers, or even the work of my hands. That is up to God. He tells us in Psalm 1 that he blesses all a righteous man puts his hands to. He will bless the work of my hands as I serve Him. Col. 3:23-25 says it best-Whatsoever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men. It goes on to say we receive our reward from our Lord for it is Christ we serve. BUT, if you do wrong you will receive for the wrong you have done: and there is no respect of persons with God.

So, how do I measure success as a child of God? How am I to measure my life? My life is to be measured out in love, grace and mercy. It is measured in the questions, "Who did I touch today? Who did I help? Forgive? Sacrifice for?

We are to sacrifice for one another. THAT is God's way. I see so many people trying to set trap, dig a pit, lay a snare for others who are brothers, sisters, co-workers, ones they don't like. It's sad!! All that buying into satan's lies. It's how he controls us. Like puppets on a string. He sends us into a feeding frenzy--one against the other. Dog eat dog. A knife in the back. People hurt. Tears fall. Revenge, deceit, heartbreak, distrust. It's a vicious cycle. VICIOUS! Galatians 5:15 tells us, "If you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed of one another. Verse 14 told us that the law is fulfilled in ONE word, only one word, even in this; THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. (PERIOD)

Who is my neighbor? A man asked this question of Jesus in Luke 10:29 which leads into the parable of the Good Samaritan. So I ask you, "Who is beside you? Around you? With you? Whose path have you crossed today?" These are your neighbors. Literally everybody you come into contact with.

So many people are walking around with bitterness choking them to death. The bitter root begins with a seed--a thought, an injustice, a cruel word spoken. How do you kill this seed before it becomes a tenacious, strangling vine? YOU FORGIVE! YOU let go. YOU let God have it. U-TURN the other cheek and allow God to turn it around for your good. Simply forgive.

The wonderful thing about forgiveness? It's never too late to forgive. Forgiveness will dig out the deepest bitter root. Then you plant Love in it's place. Love conquers. Love covers. God is Love. And He will fill you.

I also thought of people in the workplace not wanting to share important information with others. These are a clog in the system. This only brings death. Death to trust, friendship, relationship, and possibly even a company. What if the disciples of Jesus decided not to share the gospel? What if this awesome, most important, life-saving, soul redeeming piece of information was never shared? What if Truth never made it into the world? Where would we be? But sharing brings peace, wisdom, understanding, and unity.

You won't always get along with everybody, that's just not realistic. But, you can always seek out the good in others. When you do, you will find it. I told my Mom that when I started carrying around a camera to capture what I find interesting or beautiful, I always find beauty. Especially in places and things that I once didn't think were beautiful. The Bible promises that when you seek, you shall find.

My job is not my life. It is only a part of my life that sustains some of the things I want to do and have. It is also a means to give and help others. It has been given to me by the One who is my Sustainer. And all I do should glorify Him.

There was one other story in the Bible that God reminded me of. It is in the book of Esther. It's about a man named Haman who sought to hang an honest, righteous child of God named Mordecai. What happened? Haman ended up being hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. God is our Vindicator. We don't have to repay evil with evil.

I looked up the word success - it means- a desired outcome, attainment, achievement, gain. The moment I read the word gain, I thought of Mark 8:35-37. What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Every time we set out to do harm to someone else, whether it be their person, their reputation, their possessions or their job, we lose a piece of our own soul.

I pray this helps someone on their job to deal with difficult situations or people. Just remember, God has placed you where you are for a purpose. You may be the only light that those around you see. So---Go forth and shine!!

Have a Blessed Weekend
Peggy

REAL EYES

GOD HELP ME REALIZE ALL YOU ARE
GIVE ME REAL EYES TO SEE AFAR
TO SEEK FOR MERCY, LOVE, AND GRACE
TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF YOUR FACE
TO THINK ON ALL THINGS HONEST AND TRUE
JUST AND PURE, ALL THINGS OF YOU
WRAP ME IN YOUR THREE-FOLD CORD
FATHER, SPIRIT, YOUR SON-THE WORD
BIND ME TO YOU WITH BANDS OF LOVE
THEN POUR ME OUT AND FILL ME UP
DECREASE ALL THINGS THAT ARE OF ME
INCREASE THE THINGS THAT ARE OF THEE
I WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH
TO SHOW THIS WORLD MY GOD OF LOVE
LORD, I KNOW APART FROM YOU
THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO
BUT WITH YOU ALL IS POSSIBLE
I NEED YOUR SPIRIT TO THE FULL
LIFT ME, DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU
IN YOUR PRESENCE I'M TRANSFORMED, RENEWED
YOU GIVE ME REAL EYES SO THAT I CAN SEE
AND I REALIZE ALL YOU ARE TO ME

DWELLING IN HIM,
PEGGY

This Storm Called Life

I would like to begin by saying, "Happy New Year!"

I know it's been a while since I have posted here. The beginning of 2012 reminds me of the old saying for March, "In like a lion... and I am praying it goes ...out like a lamb." 2012 has come in like a lion, that's for sure! That old lion, satan, is seeking whom he may devour. But I praise God for the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! He reigns, Hallelujah! The phrase, "in like a lion" usually speaks of storms and wind. The enemy has tried to get me to run away from this violent storm I have found myself in. But, I have chosen to be like the eagle and instead of running from the storm I am facing, I am allowing it to lift me up closer to my God!

THIS STORM CALLED LIFE

As I face this storm called life
With all its worry and its strife
Sometimes I lose myself, it seems
All my hopes and all my dreams
The wave is big, the wave is high
I lift my eyes to God and cry
He hears my voice upon the wind
He turns His ear to me and then
He reaches down His nail scarred hand
He holds me up, He helps me stand
He chastises as He holds me near
Child of Mine, why did you fear
Remember, I am Love indeed
I will supply your every need
You are Mine, You are redeemed
Cast aside all unbelief
And every hindering weight that binds
Lay aside and leave behind
Lift your eyes and see My face
I am the prize for which you race
I am the wind beneath your wings
I am rejoicing in you as I sing
You are the apple of My eye
I hear even your faintest cry
I know your thoughts, I see your heart
I will never leave you nor depart
Don't be afraid of what you see
Deny yourself and trust in Me
Your faith will rise, your love will grow
I am Your God, be still and know
I reign throughout eternity  
Where I am, you are with Me

I am STILL
Dwelling in Him,
Peggy

The Gift Inside

Open up the gift inside
See Him there with Spirit eyes
Immanuel, the child King
Lift your voice, His praises sing
Risen Lord of glory and grace
Look in the mirror, see His face
Gaze deep into your eyes and know
His holy Seed within you grows
A shoot, a stem, a branch, a tree
He is the Vine, in Him we breathe
And live, and move, and have our being
Our Life, our Light, all darkness fleeing
From manger to the cross and death
He gives to us His righteousness
Redeemed and chosen, purchased, loved
He bought us with His own shed blood
He lived our life, now we live His
To love, to reach, to touch, to give
Lord of mercy, God of grace
My heart your home, come take your place
Cleanse this vessel, make it pure
You in me, I am secure
Empty me of self and pride
And any worldly thing inside
Remove the stuff that's not of You
Let Your Light come shining through
Your joy, Your hope, Your love, Your peace
So the world knows You dwell in me

If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. Hereby we know that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him.--1 John 4:12b-16  (KJV)

Dwelling in His Love,
Peggy

He Is With Us

I wanted to leave up the post with the Christmas poem until after Christmas, but I couldn't get this off my mind. WARNING---this is long! You may want to grab a Coke or a cup of coffee....and a cookie!!

Sunday after church my husband and I made a run to Walmart. He wanted to change out of his too warm sweater. We didn't have time to run home between services as our church Christmas play was that evening. So, he found a shirt he liked and we headed back.

As we pulled up to the traffic light exiting the parking lot, there was a man holding a sign that read, "Out of work-need help." I turned to my husband and asked, "Don't you think we should give him something?" He asked me, "What has the Lord told you?" To which I replied, "He didn't speak anything specific to me but His word says if someone is in need and we have it beside us that we are to give." (Matt. 5:42, 1 John 3:17)

I knew I only had one bill in my purse but I drew it out, rolled down the window and said, "Excuse me, sir." I held out the money to him. He looked at the money in my hand, took the few steps to the truck, received the money, he may have mumbled something, and returned to his spot in the median. The man never once looked at my face or smiled. I never saw his eyes. His focus was only on the money in my hand. I didn't feel any real gratitude from the man.

This has stayed with me the past few days.

When we give to someone we don't worry about what they will do with the money. As far as we are concerned that's between them and God. I learned a long time ago (from my Mom and Dad) that when someone is in need and you have it to give, you simply give. AND you don't expect anything in return. When we trust God as our source, He is the One who repays us, and we are blessed. I didn't say rich because that we are not. But God takes care of our needs.

I thought about that man at Walmart as I drove to work today. I wondered how many times we, as Christians, treat God in the same way. How many times do we look to His hand instead of seeking His face? Our Father hears our faintest cry, turns to us, reaches out and blesses us. How often do we receive His blessings and never even thank Him? The answer would be-Every. Single. Day. And every single day we wake up looking for the next blessing. Even if we don't look for them, they are there all around us.

I watched as the sun rose through the clouds and thought, "Every day is a precious gift that we unwrap as we move forward, step by step and breath by breath." Do we thank the One in Whom we live and move and have our being? The One Who gave us breath and continues to give us breath every moment of every day is worthy of our thanksgiving and our praise.

We may mumble a quick, "Thank You, Lord" under the breath He gave us, but do our actions show that gratitude? Really!? Do we worship Him in spirit and in truth? And do we love Him with ALL our heart, ALL our mind, ALL our strength, and ALL our might? Does every fiber of our created being desire to please our Maker? I wonder.

What if we truly believed Immanuel? What if we truly believed God is with us? Do we believe the reality
of His presence? Always! Do we live our lives, think our thoughts, do our works as if we believe this vital truth? HE IS WITH US!

We are His children, the sheep of His pasture, the apple of His eye, His chosen, His peculiar people, His beloved. He is our Provider, our Healer, our Deliverer, our Redeemer, our King, our Lord. Do we treat Him as such? If so, why do so many begin their day without acknowledging His very presence? HE IS WITH US! Why are there so many Christians who feed the body and not their soul? Why do so many enter the church on Sunday morning unprepared?

They take time to shower, brush their teeth, and fix their hair. Their clothes are the latest fashion. Make up, just right. The outside of the cup is fresh and clean. But the inside is empty, even dirty, maybe. They are unprepared. Worship begins and they stand there. Idle. Waiting. They wait for the waters to be troubled so then, maybe, they can jump in. BUT, someone else always gets there first. Or maybe, they don't want to be first, so they wait.

They want the outside temperature to be just right. They want someone else to "carry them" into the waters. They complain about the song, the music, the singers. They are harboring their pet sin (unforgiveness, criticism, jealousy, etc.) and they just can't seem to focus on the King today. They define their worship according to external circumstances or internal feelings. They have forgotten to be thankful, they forget the reality of His presence, and have forsaken the relationship of the heart.

A thankful heart, one that is in love, will always respond in worship and adoration.. Do we enter His gates with thanksgiving? If not, we cannot enter His courts with praise. People, it shows on the outside, more often than you think, where your heart is. God doesn't want lip service, He wants your heart. Many may be saying, "God looks on the heart and not the outward appearance." Yes, this is true! God was speaking of the difference between Saul and David. Actions speak louder than words! David worshipped God. David trusted God. David was obedient to God. David was all that Saul wasn't. Where is your heart? God sees!

Worship is much more than singing a song. It comes from a grateful heart. It puts our focus fully on Christ. It exalts Him and as we lift Him up He draws us to Himself. Worship is spiritual warfare! As God inhabits our praises, the yoke of the enemy is broken. When everyone is worshipping, we are in one accord and of one mind and Holy Spirit wind and fire is set loose in our midst. When we worship we are in unity with heaven and with one another. When we worship we become united in one with the God Who united us with Himself in the Person of Christ Jesus.

God came in the flesh. He still comes in the flesh; our flesh. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19) God is not peering down at us through some cosmic hole in the universe. No! HE IS WITH US. We, as His children, should act us such and reverence Him. Then we shall see Him moving in our midst and not before.

Today, I asked God to forgive me for my ingratitude. I asked Him to forgive me for the times I seek the blessing and not the precious face of the Blessor. I asked Him to forgive me when I take His gifts for granted. I asked Him to make me more aware of His presence every moment of every day. Will you join me in this prayer? Because--HE IS WITH US!

Unto Us

Every year my mother and I write Christmas poems. I send them out instead of the traditional Christmas card. Mom usually includes hers inside her cards. Today I'm sharing my poem with you. I wrote the poem but the words are God's!

For unto us a child is born
In a lowly manger in the dead of night
Unto us a Son is given
Whosoever believes in Him has everlasting life
The government shall be upon His shoulder
All power is given Him in heaven and earth
His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor
Immanuel God with us at His birth
He is the Almighty God
Who was wrapped in swaddling clothes
He is the Everlasting Father
Our Savior Christ the Lord
He is the Prince of Peace
The Creator of all things
The One the shepherds glorified
Of Whom the angels sing
The people that once walked in darkness
Have seen a great and glorious light
Those that dwell in the land of the shadow of death
Upon them has this Light brightly shined
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Who died upon the cross
Holy, spotless Lamb of God
Slain to save the lost
He triumphed over death and the grave
To reign forever more
By Him we enter in and are saved
Our Shepherd is the Door
He is the Son of God
Who was born the Son of Man
Who from the foundation of the world
Was salvation's plan
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lord's
He is coming back again
Glory to God in the highest and on earth
Peace, good will toward men

May you all have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas and may Christ Jesus be born afresh in your hearts! Still Dwelling in Him as He dwells in me.
Love and Blessings
Peggy

Wide Open

This morning my prayer was:

Lord, I want to live with my eyes wide open, I want to see what You see and to see others as You see them.

I want to live with my arms wide open, to embrace who You embrace and what You embrace.

I want to live with my heart wide open, to love who You love...unafraid.

I want to live with my life wide open, to reach the broken, hurting, needy, lost, poor....

I want to live with my ears wide open, to hear You when You speak as You tell me to
SEE
EMBRACE
LOVE
LIVE
REACH
AND
HEAR

I want to be like You!