WHAT WILL YOU GIVE HIM?
By Mary Gardner
December 2012
Once again it is the Christmas season; a season of giving and receiving. We purchase gifts and give them to our family and those close to us.
I sometimes wonder how God feels about this time of the year. He sent His only Son to be born for us and then went to the cross so we could live eternally; all out of love for us. I wonder how He feels when His children celebrate His Son’s birth, but don’t feel a responsibility to give back by offering a gift to Him. We get so busy “doing”, going along with the status quo of the world and without meaning to, we leave Him out.
I believe His heart’s desire is that His children remember Him; His life and sacrifice for us. We need to take a moment and ask His Holy Spirit that dwells within us, what can we give Him (of ourselves) that will bless Him. We need to respond to His love by giving a deeper part of ourselves to Him. And it needs to be something that costs us something—that’s what is valuable to His heart to further His Kingdom, prepare His Church, His Bride. What a precious gift of love!
Personally, I know my gift this year is spending more time with Him, in the Word and just communing with Him. How will we know the heart of someone if we don’t spend time in their presence communicating with each other?
I believe it blesses Him when we make “room” in our hearts to honor Him with the gift of our whole heart; nothing held back. God certainly did not hold back anything from us when He gave us His precious Son, Jesus.
Let’s take time to consider Him, in particular, this year; and ask, “What would You require of me this year, Lord. What gift can I give you? It is yours!”
Father God, we offer a special gift to You and ask that You deepen our relationship with You. Go deeper that we might have the heart of our King. We humbly bow before You and present ourselves at Your feet. Be glorified in us and be exalted in our lives like never before. Amen
This is a chorus that expresses that gift:
Let this Christmas be Christ in me
The love of God sent down for the world to see
Let the grace you’ve shown be evident in me
Let this Christmas be Christ in m
O Christ in me, the hope of glory
More precious than the gifts beneath the tre
For the lights and gifts will fade
But Your word will remai
And the greatest gift of all is a life that’s been redeemed.
Chorus by Toby Baxley Hear it hear: http://youtu.be/5JaqDcSoTTE
What Are You Thinking?
By Mary Gardner
Our minds are filled with thoughts daily and even while we are sleeping. The enemy has access to our minds, which makes it a battleground for us. He knows us well—our hopes, dreams, our weaknesses, our wounds. He knows just where to “hit” us with his propaganda in order to stir up our anger, unworthiness, or anything he can to upset us. If we agree with the thoughts he brings, we have set ourselves up for fear, anxiety, jealousy, and unforgiveness ultimately leading to unbelief.
The enemy wants to distract us away from God and into ourselves. The word says “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5, NKJV).
We must discern our thoughts and bring them captive; asking God to give us wisdom to do that rightly. Otherwise, we set ourselves up for a fall. We are children of the King and Jesus died to free us from the things that would bind us and hurt us and make us feel less than a child of God. He wants us to live free of accusations of the enemy; to love our brothers and sisters and be one with them. The enemy would attempt to divide you with thoughts of judgment. Isaiah 55:8-9 states “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways”, says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
We must put on the mind of Christ daily. Proverbs says, if we commit our works to the Lord; our thoughts will be established. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. If indeed our mind is sound in Jesus, then why do we allow the enemy to come in and steal our peace? He is a thief who comes to steal and destroy. Psalms says that His truth shall be our shield and buckler. If we walk in His way, in His truth, it will protect us from the lies the enemy.
Let us remember when the enemy stalks about and brings thoughts that don’t line up with God; that we would stop, capture that thought and see it in the light of God’s word before we agree with it. We need to be sure to see the enemy’s motive and ours as well. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and He will. If you have peace about the thought in question, it is God. If it brings negative emotion, it is the enemy. “Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:10-11, NKJV).
By Mary Gardner
Our minds are filled with thoughts daily and even while we are sleeping. The enemy has access to our minds, which makes it a battleground for us. He knows us well—our hopes, dreams, our weaknesses, our wounds. He knows just where to “hit” us with his propaganda in order to stir up our anger, unworthiness, or anything he can to upset us. If we agree with the thoughts he brings, we have set ourselves up for fear, anxiety, jealousy, and unforgiveness ultimately leading to unbelief.
The enemy wants to distract us away from God and into ourselves. The word says “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5, NKJV).
We must discern our thoughts and bring them captive; asking God to give us wisdom to do that rightly. Otherwise, we set ourselves up for a fall. We are children of the King and Jesus died to free us from the things that would bind us and hurt us and make us feel less than a child of God. He wants us to live free of accusations of the enemy; to love our brothers and sisters and be one with them. The enemy would attempt to divide you with thoughts of judgment. Isaiah 55:8-9 states “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways”, says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
We must put on the mind of Christ daily. Proverbs says, if we commit our works to the Lord; our thoughts will be established. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. If indeed our mind is sound in Jesus, then why do we allow the enemy to come in and steal our peace? He is a thief who comes to steal and destroy. Psalms says that His truth shall be our shield and buckler. If we walk in His way, in His truth, it will protect us from the lies the enemy.
Let us remember when the enemy stalks about and brings thoughts that don’t line up with God; that we would stop, capture that thought and see it in the light of God’s word before we agree with it. We need to be sure to see the enemy’s motive and ours as well. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and He will. If you have peace about the thought in question, it is God. If it brings negative emotion, it is the enemy. “Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:10-11, NKJV).
Do You Really Believe?
Mary Gardner
June 2012
The Bible says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7,8; NKJV). In these times of difficulty economically, financially, physically, etc., do we really believe that He will move on our behalf? Do we have faith that He will rescue us—in time?
I believe in the days to come, we will have to face that question and walk through the fire with absolute unwavering faith; one that will stand strong through the fires of adversity, knowing that He is standing with us and will bring us through.
How many times have we read the scripture and agreed with it, believing it and then when the fire gets too hot, we take it back into our own hands. We are impatient; we want the answer now and have really set aside the word and our faith to resolve it ourselves. I believe we have all been guilty of this. It’s almost like we say, “Lord, we’ll take it from here.”
I’m reminded of the song, “Only believe, only believe, all things are possible, only believe”. Do we want our best or His best. His ways are higher than ours. His wisdom is much wiser than ours. We need to yield to Him in everything even when we don’t understand His ways. We must believe His word and give Him permission to do what is best for us. He may not always be in a hurry to answer us, but He is never late.
The reason I chose to write on this subject is because He asked me that very question, “Do you really believe?” I said, “of course I believe”. He said, then believe every word that I have written. If I said it, it is true; you can depend on it. I Am the I Am. I cannot lie. I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life, only believe”.
I think of the scriptures that speak of how he feeds the birds, clothes the lilies, so we should not worry or be anxious about what to eat or what to wear, because He loves us much more than those. We are His precious children. How about the verse that says He forgives and forgets our sins. Our tendency is to remember them, ‘dig them up’ in our minds and look at them again and again. Philippians 3:13-14 says “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching toward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
God wants us to take Him at His word. “For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts the intents of the heart” (Heb.4: 12). He says that His word never returns to us void; for it accomplishes what it says.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4: 16). And finally I Thessalonians 5:24 says, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” Each one of us needs to honestly settle this question: “Do we really believe?”
Begin to ask the Holy Spirit to confirm and strengthen your faith that it would rise up and become strong, trusting and believing in His word.
We need to follow the words of this song and stand on His promises to us..
Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages let His praises ring!
Glory in the highest I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of Christ my Savior
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail
By the living word of God I shall prevail
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fail
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all
Standing on the promises of God.
By K. Carter & N. Johnson
(Scripture quotes in this message are from the New King James Version)
*************************************************************************
All Of My Hope Is In You
By Mary Gardner
May 2012
Many of us are in need of hope today with the economic times, job uncertainty, financial strain, sickness and disease. It is difficult to balance and maintain our sanity and still stay close to the Father at the same time. Your heart is crying out for a hope that will comfort and sustain you; the shelter of the Most High!
Do you remember the movie Star Wars? When Princess Leia, speaks through R2-D2 (droid) to Obi-Wan (Jedi Knight) and says “Obi-Wan, please help us; you are our only hope”. I remember sitting in that theater and thinking of the spiritual meaning of that statement for those of us who love and follow Jesus. He truly is our only hope. Proverbs 13:12 says “Hope deferred makes our heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life”. The word also says we will be blessed if we trust in the Lord and hope in Him (Jer.17: 7). “But a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” How encouraging are those words!
We must take courage, be strong, and know He will be victorious in our lives in every area of need. Psalms 31:24 says, “Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all of you who hope in the Lord.” He is Alpha and the Omega, and knows the beginning and the end. He is our God, the Victor, our Champion, our Knight in Shining Armor, our God in whom we trust.
Know in your heart and mind that He hears the cry of your heart today. Choose to come under the shelter of His wings, in that secret place and let Him hold you, protect, comfort and strengthen you. Remember the words of this chorus:
My life is in You, Lord;
My strength is in You Lord;
My hope is in You Lord, in You, it’s in You
I will praise you with all of my life
I will praise you with all of my strength
With all of my life, with all of my strength
All of my hope is in You!
He truly is our only hope in this world. Psalms 71:5 says “For You are my hope, O Lord God, you are my trust from my youth….by You, I have been upheld from my birth . . .” How precious is that verse—we have been upheld from birth by His hand. Surely then, we can trust He will uphold and keep us today and every day. He promises never to leave or forsake us; an ever-present helper in times of our need.
Lord, we want to dwell under the shadow of Your wings, in the shelter of the Most High and commune with You. Show us Your heart on the things that concern us. Give us ears to hear and a heart that trusts You. Strengthen our hearts that sometimes grow weak from the battle. Let us not be ashamed of our hope. You are our only hope!
May the words of this hymn encourage you:
Be not dismayed whate’er betide
God will take care of you
Beneath His wings of love abide
God will take care of you.
God will take care of you
Through every day, o’er all the way
He will take care of you
God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when your heart doth fail,
God will take care of you
When dangers fierce your path assail
God will take care of you.
All you may need, He will provide
God will take care of you
Nothing you ask will be denied
God will take care of you
No matter what may be the test
God will take care of you
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.
by W. Stillman Martin
“NOW MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING THAT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT” ( Romans 15:30). Amen.
Mary Gardner
June 2012
The Bible says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7,8; NKJV). In these times of difficulty economically, financially, physically, etc., do we really believe that He will move on our behalf? Do we have faith that He will rescue us—in time?
I believe in the days to come, we will have to face that question and walk through the fire with absolute unwavering faith; one that will stand strong through the fires of adversity, knowing that He is standing with us and will bring us through.
How many times have we read the scripture and agreed with it, believing it and then when the fire gets too hot, we take it back into our own hands. We are impatient; we want the answer now and have really set aside the word and our faith to resolve it ourselves. I believe we have all been guilty of this. It’s almost like we say, “Lord, we’ll take it from here.”
I’m reminded of the song, “Only believe, only believe, all things are possible, only believe”. Do we want our best or His best. His ways are higher than ours. His wisdom is much wiser than ours. We need to yield to Him in everything even when we don’t understand His ways. We must believe His word and give Him permission to do what is best for us. He may not always be in a hurry to answer us, but He is never late.
The reason I chose to write on this subject is because He asked me that very question, “Do you really believe?” I said, “of course I believe”. He said, then believe every word that I have written. If I said it, it is true; you can depend on it. I Am the I Am. I cannot lie. I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life, only believe”.
I think of the scriptures that speak of how he feeds the birds, clothes the lilies, so we should not worry or be anxious about what to eat or what to wear, because He loves us much more than those. We are His precious children. How about the verse that says He forgives and forgets our sins. Our tendency is to remember them, ‘dig them up’ in our minds and look at them again and again. Philippians 3:13-14 says “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching toward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
God wants us to take Him at His word. “For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts the intents of the heart” (Heb.4: 12). He says that His word never returns to us void; for it accomplishes what it says.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4: 16). And finally I Thessalonians 5:24 says, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” Each one of us needs to honestly settle this question: “Do we really believe?”
Begin to ask the Holy Spirit to confirm and strengthen your faith that it would rise up and become strong, trusting and believing in His word.
We need to follow the words of this song and stand on His promises to us..
Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages let His praises ring!
Glory in the highest I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of Christ my Savior
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail
By the living word of God I shall prevail
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fail
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all
Standing on the promises of God.
By K. Carter & N. Johnson
(Scripture quotes in this message are from the New King James Version)
*************************************************************************
All Of My Hope Is In You
By Mary Gardner
May 2012
Many of us are in need of hope today with the economic times, job uncertainty, financial strain, sickness and disease. It is difficult to balance and maintain our sanity and still stay close to the Father at the same time. Your heart is crying out for a hope that will comfort and sustain you; the shelter of the Most High!
Do you remember the movie Star Wars? When Princess Leia, speaks through R2-D2 (droid) to Obi-Wan (Jedi Knight) and says “Obi-Wan, please help us; you are our only hope”. I remember sitting in that theater and thinking of the spiritual meaning of that statement for those of us who love and follow Jesus. He truly is our only hope. Proverbs 13:12 says “Hope deferred makes our heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life”. The word also says we will be blessed if we trust in the Lord and hope in Him (Jer.17: 7). “But a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” How encouraging are those words!
We must take courage, be strong, and know He will be victorious in our lives in every area of need. Psalms 31:24 says, “Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all of you who hope in the Lord.” He is Alpha and the Omega, and knows the beginning and the end. He is our God, the Victor, our Champion, our Knight in Shining Armor, our God in whom we trust.
Know in your heart and mind that He hears the cry of your heart today. Choose to come under the shelter of His wings, in that secret place and let Him hold you, protect, comfort and strengthen you. Remember the words of this chorus:
My life is in You, Lord;
My strength is in You Lord;
My hope is in You Lord, in You, it’s in You
I will praise you with all of my life
I will praise you with all of my strength
With all of my life, with all of my strength
All of my hope is in You!
He truly is our only hope in this world. Psalms 71:5 says “For You are my hope, O Lord God, you are my trust from my youth….by You, I have been upheld from my birth . . .” How precious is that verse—we have been upheld from birth by His hand. Surely then, we can trust He will uphold and keep us today and every day. He promises never to leave or forsake us; an ever-present helper in times of our need.
Lord, we want to dwell under the shadow of Your wings, in the shelter of the Most High and commune with You. Show us Your heart on the things that concern us. Give us ears to hear and a heart that trusts You. Strengthen our hearts that sometimes grow weak from the battle. Let us not be ashamed of our hope. You are our only hope!
May the words of this hymn encourage you:
Be not dismayed whate’er betide
God will take care of you
Beneath His wings of love abide
God will take care of you.
God will take care of you
Through every day, o’er all the way
He will take care of you
God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when your heart doth fail,
God will take care of you
When dangers fierce your path assail
God will take care of you.
All you may need, He will provide
God will take care of you
Nothing you ask will be denied
God will take care of you
No matter what may be the test
God will take care of you
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.
by W. Stillman Martin
“NOW MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING THAT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT” ( Romans 15:30). Amen.
