Category: November

Check it Out

On By Judy GlasserIn November2 Comments

The amount of lies we are told increased exponentially when the web became a major information source.  People quote things they read or heard from the web or TV like it is fact.November 27 2015 check it out

Without checking anything out, they believe this junk which causes incorrect, uninformed thinking which causes bad decisions.  Very bad decisions.  A lot of bad decisions.

Discernment is more important today than it ever has been.  We have to evaluate information before we believe it.  We need to consider the source and not emotionally connect to the sensationalism that initially catches our attention.

Let’s face it, it’s easier just to accept the stuff we hear when we agree with it and reject the things we don’t agree with.

We get lazy.

As a result, we end up believing a bunch of lies.

In Acts 10, we read that the Bereans were regarded as noble because they eagerly received Paul’s Good News and then examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.  As a result of this examination, many of them believed.

Their belief was based on understanding and evaluation.  They were wise in their discernment of the truth.

They checked it out before they believed.

What a great example for us to follow!

Please open our eyes, Abba Father.

A Lot of Seeds

On By Judy GlasserIn November4 Comments

It’s why we’re still here.  Why God hasn’t taken us home yet.  We’re here to plant seeds of God’s truth where ever we go each day.  With each person we talk with.

Any chance we get.November 22 2015 Lots of seeds

As we read about the exciting, exponential growth of the number of Christ-followers in Acts, what we’re seeing is the seeds that Jesus planted starting to sprout.

Lots of seeds.

Jesus had committed 3 years of his life to planting seeds of grace and truth and love.

And the stories had spread.

The seeds were watered by God.

And now, we start reading about the results.

In Acts 6, we read that a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.  The religious community was also turning toward the light.  These were the same people who yelled, “Crucify him.”

But the Truth had changed them.  The Holy Spirit had opened their eyes.

And the seeds sprouted.

As believers, we are commissioned to plant seeds in our sphere of influence.  Today and everyday.

Lots of seeds.

Please help us obey, Abba Father.

The Gift

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

We have the gift.

Before Jesus left this earth to go to heaven, he told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the gift that his Father had promised.

And we have it.November 20 2015 the gift

The gift of the Holy Spirit living within us –

  • opening our eyes to grace and truth in God’s word.
  • convicting us of sin so we can repent and turn away from it.
  • leading us in the paths God has planned for us.
  • helping us really know God.

And the Holy Spirit won’t leave us.

But we can avoid listening to him.

We can tune out his influence in our lives.

We can let our own voice and the voices of others drown him out.

These are all crooked paths leading to darkness.

OR

We can stop listening to all of the lies and negativity around us as we focus on the truth and love we read in God’s word.  When we’re listening, the Holy Spirit will lead us to the knowledge of God and will guide us in each step we take.

We can choose to honestly repent – plugging into the power of the Holy Spirit living within us to help us change.  To help us become more like Jesus.

We can step out of our comfort zones and let God use us for his purposes and for his glory.

We can let the Holy Spirit transform every part of our lives – starting with our thoughts.

These are all great choices that lead us into the light of Jesus.  Onto the path of the obedient and faithful.

We have to make these choices every day.

What are you choosing today?

I choose you, Lord.

 

 

Today in Paradise

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

Do believers go right to heaven or do we ‘sleep’ until Judgement day?

Jesus clears up this debate in one simple sentence to the thief on the cross.

“Today you will be with me in Paradise.”November 18 2015 Today in Paradise

Today.

There is no waiting.

We step out of this world right into the next.

Home.

With our Father in Heaven forever.

Whatever ends our life on earth is the same thing that begins our life in our eternal home.

God’s perspective of death on earth for a believer is so different from ours.  When our purpose on earth is fulfilled, he gets to bring us out of this world which includes pain and sadness and brokenness into his home of peace and love and completeness.

He gets to bring his child home.

Forever.

Amen!  Hallelujah!

Thanksgiving Prayer, 1 Corinthians

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

Thank you, Father, for the truth you have given us through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.Thanksgiving 2015

We are grateful for your son, Christ Jesus, who brought your grace into this world for each one of us when we believe.

We ask that you enrich our words and inhabit our thoughts with your wisdom.  Confirm your truth in our lives every day, dear Father.

We are grateful for the gift of your spirit living within us as we eagerly wait for Jesus’ return.  Please keep us firmly rooted in you, dear Father – all the way to the end of our purpose here on earth.

Thank you for your faithfulness to us, dear God.  Thank you for the personal relationship we have with you.

We are blessed!

Amen!  Hallelujah!

We Make It Too Hard

On By Judy GlasserIn November1 Comment

We get lost in the details and we lose sight of the big picture.

We want to follow God but we let obstacles get in our way.

We say we get confused because God doesn’t give us step-by-step instructions.

Do we really want to devote our lives to a god who gives us step-by-step instructions?

To a god who doesn’t work through each of us uniquely?  Personally?  Supernaturally?

We say we don’t have time.

Don’t get me started!  If I started listed all of the ways we waste time, there would be no end to the list.  Time is only an obstacle to our relationship with God if we let it be an obstacle.

“I don’t know how to follow God.”

Seriously?  There are buildings called Christian Book Stores that are filled with resources on how to follow God.  Amazon has a ton of resources that can be at your front door tomorrow.  Churches and Bible study groups are everywhere.

My Bible is my most valuable resource in learning to know and love God.  Today it is open to John 15, “I am the vine, you are the November 15 2015 we make it too hardbranches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.”

Remain.

Be still.

Be consistent.

Persevere.

Store up his words within us.

Call out for insight.

Cry aloud for understanding.

Search for God’s wisdom like it is hidden treasure.

When we commit to a serious relationship with God, he grows his fruit through us.  A lot of fruit.

Or, we can choose to do ‘nothing’ of value to God on our own.

God has made it very clear.

We have a choice to make every day.

We choose you, Abba Father.

Its Not Complicated

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

The night of his betrayal, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15.

How often do we say we love Jesus?

How often do we show that by keeping his commands?

It’s not complicated.

But it’s not easy.

Because we get in the way.November 14 2014 If you love me

What we want.

What we think.

When we truly put God first in our lives, it’s not nearly as hard.

Because he helps us.

And he keeps us on track.

He keeps our thoughts focused on where they need to be.

He helps us submit our desires and thinking to him.

And it all works.

The seven simple words of this verse changed my life.

I realized that, if I wanted to truly love Jesus, there were strings.

And I’m accountable to my Father God for those strings.

He wants me to obey him because that is the best thing for me.

It’s not complicated….

but it’s impossible without God in the middle.

Thank you, Abba Father.

Waste of Time

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

It’s a waste of time to try to figure out when Jesus is coming back.  Jesus tells us several times in the gospels to be prepared each day because no one knows the date and time he will return except for the Father.November 12 2015 a waste of time

Jesus directs us to keep watch.

To be ready.

There are no commands to try to interpret Revelations so we can point it out when all of the events are lining up.  He doesn’t tell us to critically watch world events so we can identify the third seal and the fourth seal.

I have actually had more than one person say to me that Jesus can’t come back yet because something they are interpreting in Revelations hasn’t happened yet.

Oh, really?!

I think Jesus meant it when he said it was not for us to know that date and time the Father has determined he will come back.

Our misinterpretations will not stop him from coming back today if that is what the Father has planned.

Jesus tells us not to focus on predicting when he will return.  He clearly commands us to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul and mind.  And love our neighbors as ourselves.

These are our priorities today.

We should always be prepared for Jesus’ return.  We do this by listening and obeying.

Everyday.

Because today could be the day.

Come, Lord Jesus.

 

How Much More

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

She knocked….Nove 7 2015 the persistent widow

and knocked……

and knocked….

on the door of an unjust judge.

Until he gave in and gave her justice.

How much more will our Father God, who loves us, give us when we ask?

How much more does he have waiting for us if we pray and never give up?

The parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18 changed my life.  It’s the answer to the question, “What am I supposed to do?” when I’m stuck.

When I’m frustrated.

When all of the wrong answers are swirling around in my head.

Now, when I’m in those situations, I remember the Persistent widow and it reminds me that God has all of the right answers.

I just need to ask.

And keep asking.

Believing that he will answer.

Believing that he will guide me in the next step.

The good path.

Believing that I am his chosen one and he has great plans for me.

And it’s true.

As I persist in seeking God…

asking….

believing….

he always answers.

Always.

Because he loves me and only wants the best for me.

When I have something big going on – something scary – something overwhelming….

I pray.

And I keep praying.

I have had some very memorable days which started in despair and fear and confusion but ended in peace with a plan and a smile because God answered my 200 prayers that day.

He didn’t change the situation.  He changed my thinking, my perspective, my goal.  He reminded me that he is in control.

He gave me just what I needed.

Thank you, Abba Father.

Set Free

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

” Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31.

Set free to love.November 5 2015 set free

Set free to live with purpose.

Set free because we know how this story ends.

Jesus is the Truth.

When we know the Truth, he sets us free.

Free from the lies.

Free from brokenness.

Free from emptiness.

Free from hopelessness.

We are free when we live in the truth of God the Father.

And he has written it out for us in his Word.

This is the truth he wants us to know and to meditate on and soak in.

His word is his revelation of himself to us.

So we can know him.

Because when we know him, we can hear him.

When we hear him, he can help us navigate through the land mines around us.

He can help us walk the good and straight paths that keep us close to him.

Because he loves us and desires a relationship with us.

“For God so loved the world.”

Thank you, Abba Father.