Intentionally Making Our Home-Sweet Part 1: The Peace of Christ

No graphics in this. Just a message from the heart to send, as a foundation for what the Lord leads to follow. We can Intentionally Make Our Home-Sweet...but we must start at the beginning.

There is no true peace without Christ.

We cannot rightly minister to others without ourselves being in right standing with God. Not if we really want to touch the part of them that matters: their heart.

In Christ we are assured the following:

The peace of forgiven sin - The Living Word, The Word Made Flesh. Christ in us the hope of glory.

The peace of knowing that no matter what happens in this world, our Father God is a Steadfast Rock that will never change.

The peace of knowing that when we have come to the end of it all, and are utterly spent, that the Father's Everlasting Arms are open and reaching to draw us in to His embrace.

The peace of the Written Word, the Love Letter, written to us. His truth, His instruction, His promises, His revelations, His light, His Saving Grace.

We can set about making every physical, outward thing beautiful and orderly; nothing out of place. Many succeed at this. Yet, inside, there is naught but an unhappy and troubled heart. A heart full of fear, anger and bitterness. A mind that is discontented, envious, set upon the things of this world and not that which is eternal.

The Christ Follower is to live with a mind set on things above, not on things of the earth where everything will fade and decay and moth can destroy and thief can steal.  The mind that is set upon Christ is focused on eternity and how today, the present, will glorify Him eternally.

We must come to the place of fearing God, which is the beginning of wisdom. To understand the purpose and plan of your place in His eternity. To finally know it's not up to 'me', but up to Him, that allows such rest, peace, and comfort to our soul. This cannot be purchased, manipulated, manufactured, nor fabricated.

God's plan of Salvation, through His Son, The Savior, Christ Jesus, is unbelievable to those who have not tasted and seen that the Lord is good. Sadly, they are blinded to everything He has to offer.

On the other hand, to those who have turned their eyes upon Jesus, cannot deny the joy of receiving His Gift, His Life, His cleansing and the infilling of His Spirit. His presence fills every void space inside us. This is the Door, the Entrance to the Kingdom. That Divine Love floods our soul with rest from every thing that gives us struggle, conquering it as we surrender our will to His.

This fruit does not come unless the heart and life are fully surrendered. This fruit will only grow properly from a branch that is connected to the Vine, Christ.

This world is passing away. The comforts of this world, this life, are not the end. What will happen if our only source of comfort is in our possessions?  What would we do when our possessions rust, decay or come to ruin?

First and foremost, we must have that heart relationship with our Heavenly Father, through Christ. Only a surrendered heart can bring peace to others. Only a surrendered heart can bring life to others. Only a surrendered heart can bring unselfish, true love to others.

We are called as followers of Christ, Who is The Way, The Truth and The Life, to deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Him. Our lives should reflect the Kingdom of God. Is the reflection of Christ's beauty clear in our lives? Will those who look to us to see Him, see Him clearly?

And so, finally, how does this affect my home?

A heart at peace with it's Savior will reflect all that comes from the Savior, no matter where we are or how we are being poured out for His glory. Every circumstance and situation must reflect His peace. If it is yet a struggle, spend time with Him and sort it out. Remember what was said previously, we are on a journey. It is a walk taken one step at a time. Be willing and let him work.

Our homes should also be a reflection of every fruit of God's Spirit. In like manner, as the Spirit is poured into us, His vessels, we are then to be poured out to others.

It only makes sense that if we are filled to overflowing, we have more than enough to give to others.This infilling comes as we spend deliberate time with the Lord. What a joy that each day He will give us fresh manna, not only to sustain ourselves, but to nourish others as well.

When all is said and done, it is always about others. We know what this world is about, let us strive to show those who come into our homes and lives that we have been feasting on Heavenly Manna, and we have more than enough to share.

The Kingdom of God is within you. Since we are Christ's, it is possible to show the world what living in the Kingdom is like now. Not one sweet morning when this life is over.

Ask Father where to start. First in your heart, and then in your home. Empty your heart of clutter, and then set about to rid your home as well. The heart must precede the home.

A fresh start is a good thing and we know that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights who does not change like shifting shadows!

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that those who read this reminder will take the time to consider what is written, take it to the Lord and set things in order in their hearts first, as the first stepping stone on this wonderful journey you have set before us, your people. Provide fresh manna for us and those you put in our paths. Thank you. In Christ Name. 

Series: Intentionally Making Your Home-Sweet

It has been my observation that life does not always afford circumstances that are blissful. In fact, it seems to be the opposite. I have come to find that Home-Sweet Living does not  simply fall into place, rather it must be intentional.

The times we live in do not tend toward the fruit of the Spirit. On the contrary, this world's fruit is death according to God's Word.

With all the worries, fears, pressures and opportunities for anxiety today, there is an even greater need to bring a peaceful atmosphere into our homes, to make them a sanctuary of God's love. A refuge that guards against the world and the cares of this present age that try to weigh us down.

A home where love reigns. A dwelling where confusion is not allowed to enter. Not just a wooden or brick and mortar box that holds our belongings, but a sanctuary where our families, friends and even we, ourselves, can find rest, away from the stresses of everyday life.

In upcoming posts, I shall attempt to point out some areas where our homes and lives can be just that. True peace does not come upon entering a building, a house...or any physical place on this earth. True peace comes from the Savior. It is a heart attitude.  A heart posture and a heart-home. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world must dwell, abide, in our heart-home. If you have not allowed the Father, the Savior and the Holy Spirit to make their abode in you, as God's temple, there will be no true peace, no matter how tight a ship you run. This is of utmost importance. This must be the first place to have peace, so it can flow from Him to you to others.

As followers of Christ, we, in faith, are able to ask our beloved Father for wisdom, according to James 1:5-6. I have put this to the test and found it to be true on all accounts, in every situation. Bottom line, without Christ, we can do nothing! It is all vanity to believe we can bear the fruit of righteousness ourselves, apart from Christ. It won't work! It shall fail!

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5

The deceiver would have us believe that there are areas of our lives that God is not concerned about. That some things are so small that they are not necessary to take to the Throne of Grace. This is a lie from the enemy of our soul! According to Psalm 139, God's thoughts toward us outnumber the grains of the sand. Selah! If that is the case, then the minutest, most miniscule thing, is on His mind, toward us. His eye is on the sparrow, so I know He watches me! He is for us! He wants us to succeed in order to bring glory to His name! If God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? No one!!!

Once we understand we need wisdom, we must make asking for wisdom a priority. As home-makers/home-keepers, it is proper to go to God and ask for that wisdom from above. We must know how He desires us to minister to those He places in our lives. Ask for a Word, a Scripture, a starting point, a point of launch, and when you have it, write it down, print it out and hang it here and there in your home as a reminder of your mission from the Lord. Be mindful of those points of communication from the Lord to you, according to His Word. Always according to His Word.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

You are not a 'bother' to God Almighty. Nothing is too trivial for His infinite power, wisdom, or patience.

Today, go to Him and lay down every burden, every struggle, every work in our own effort, and ask Him where to begin in your Intentional Home-Sweet Journey.

He will not disappoint you. Listen. Obey. Begin to walk in faith in the areas He is showing you! I will be on this journey too. We can encourage one another along the way!

I'd love to hear back from you. What word of encouraging Scripture has the Lord given you as a promise and a reminder to set you walking on the path to intentionally make your Home-Sweet?

Remember as you go: Life is a journey, it is a walk. Nothing happens overnight. Each day we can apply God's Infinite Wisdom to keep us on His path.

Father God, please bless the reader as they humbly ask for wisdom from above, Your wisdom. Guide them in their home-sweet journey and cause them to glorify You as they seek to do so in their lives and the lives of those you bring to them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Ponderings

The month of January, for me, has always set me to thought. A brand new year with new opportunities. A clean slate. Times of refreshing and new beginnings.

The shorter winter days mean more indoor time for me. There is more time for indoor projects. Garden thoughts begin to stir. Thoughts of how to make better things happen with our livestock and birds.

I have set some goals for myself. Goals that will lead me in a new direction. I am happy for that.

I have set my new goals with you in mind. I am thankful for those of you who take the time to read my posts. I would like the time you come to visit to focus more on you and not so much on me anymore. I would like to offer some things to help you bring more focus on your home and the atmosphere you create, whether you are at home alone or in a house filled with people.

I would like to share some creative home-making projects. Inspiring you in filling your home with thoughtful things to bless those who live there or come for a visit or those whom the Lord impresses upon your heart to bless.

 

Making home doesn't take a lot of money, nor does it take fanciful items. Making home takes love, and out of that love can come a home where others can bask in the presence of the Lord Jesus, who right now has gone to make a home for us, that we may be where He is.

 

Let us follow the path of our Creator, and fill our homes with love, because love never fails.

My prayer is that we would spend time at the feet of our Dear Savior and learn how He would have us reflect His love in the home He has blessed us with, be it ever so humble.

Persecution in Pakistan

I met a sister in Christ tonight.

She is a refugee, in Thailand.

She is going to mail her testimony to me.

She is 22 years old.

She asked for help.

She is so young.

Young and married.

Living in a building with about 50 families.

They have needs, but remain faithful to Christ.

And Christ will be faithful to them.

I cannot say her name. But our Lord knows it, and He is El Shaddai!

She said I could tell you about her. 

I will share more as I learn more.

Lord, protect my new Sister/friend and her husband and all those who have fled persecution from Pakistan and now dwell together in Thailand. Please keep them strong in their most holy faith. Encourage them by your Spirit and let them bless their enemies and pray for them. Send help to them Father. In Christ Jesus' Mighty Name! 

Amen

Sunday Meditations for April 6th, 2014

Today I'd like to post a message by one of my favorite evangelists, preachers, teachers and prophets. He was also a prayer warrior. Leonard Ravenhill. He's very challenging. This message is only one of many to be listened to. Be blessed.

Sunday Sermon: Staying Silent in a Perilous Time

In light of some of the things going on around this country this week, I thought I'd share a good message by Carter Conlon. This week we saw one who was not afraid to speak the truth of God's Word, when push comes to shove, would I be as brave? Would you?

Jesus said a time is coming called The Great Tribulation. Do you think this is a time when all the earth is eager to hear God's truths? Would you 'Dare To Be A Daniel'...as the song says? How about a Jeremiah? People back then, and people now do not understand that speaking the truth is love!

I share this as food for thought. The time is coming when those who follow the god of this world will gnash their teeth when they hear God's Word in the same way they did at the stoning of Steven. Will you be able to say, as he did, "Lord, hold this not to their charge" as they were stoning him?

This is a posture check. What is your posture in the face of the things that are coming upon the earth? Are you seeking the One who gives grace or are you flip/flopping in the form of 'christianity' that the world follows?

So the pious will be tried

Here on earth,

That their faith be found

Pure, genuine, and purified,

But after this short time, 

They will rejoice forever

With unspeakable joy.

Ausbund, Song 124 Verse 8 

(Amish Hymn Book)

http://www.homecomers.org/mirror/poems.htm

More Thoughts On Where This Is Going...LONG!!!

 

I was jotting down some random thoughts blasting through my head the other morning. They woke me up and I had to get up and write them down quickly...lest I lose them all. Can anyone relate? I tell you the truth, if I don't write down my thoughts as soon as possible...they're gone.

I've been reading a Reader's Digest Condensed Version of "Pioneer Women: Voices From The Kansas Frontier" by Joanna L. Stratton. It's been on my bookshelf for years, along with others I intend to read soon. Books I collected and placed on my shelf over the years because I like learning about the frontier days and the history they keep, and I thought I might write a story someday...maybe I still will, who knows?

There is yet another reason I like these books. The women's stories in them hold knowledge that has been forgotten or ignored or passed off by many as outdated, yet I believe we are seeing a revival these past few years among more and more women desiring to know the old ways of doing things. Not to mention the 'sense' that we should know these things, which I believe is God-given, Holy Spirit inspired. Although...we are more precious than the sparrows and God will take care of us through whatever comes.

I think about modern day people living that way too. So very many blogs with men and women sharing their wealth of knowledge with anyone who cares to read their latest post. Most enjoyable to me! It seems I cannot keep up with all there is to take in!

So, I am trying to compile thoughts about just what to share on here.Just where I want to go with this blog.

Jesus said things toward the end will become increasingly troublesome, violent and there will be an intense shaking of all that can be shaken. Is it wrong to have a plan to weather the coming storms?

I enjoy reading all the happy blog posts of people who do not seem concerned about any current events or things/signs on the earth. Things seem to go along as they always do for them. Happy Blog Land is nice, fun and definitely takes your mind from 'reality' for a while. Yet, the overshadowing reality is that things are going to get increasingly worse as time goes on. This is scriptural, but we are not without hope!

The Lord Jesus Christ is the world's only hope. He is the only way God has made to overcome this world and the issues that we face that are so compounded over time. Jesus said we would have tribulation in this world, but to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. There is much comfort in that! What a Savior! I thought I'd add that we should not, we must not, get so wrapped up in the times and preparing for the approaching hard times that we forget to shine Christ's light to this lost and dying world. This would be a very grave tragedy.

With that said, in light of the times we are in, and what I read, there really is a sort of preparation among many people in the (ahem) 'civilized' world.  This 'global' thing coming, has been predicted in God's Word  and it.is.not.good.  Why in America are we 'prepping'? Is it because we have lived soft lives up to this point? Maybe. I guess in other countries they already live a bit more hand to mouth. Will they be any more ready when the man of sin comes along? What will life for the world be like then? For the believer? We do have some glimpses in Scripture...the world will adore him and the believers will be completely shattered. That's what I read.

How long will we be able to live peaceably in this land of ours? We are supposed to be praying for our leaders that we may be able to live peaceably, loving the Lord. Times are changing. They are. I know it's a hard reality...but persecution is coming. I just wonder how long we have until that day comes when the American world as we know it, bows their knee to the man of sin. Major deception has been predicted by Christ, I pray that we may escape the things that are coming!

If we are still hanging on here, of course waiting for the Day of the Lord, when He will come for His own...that Wonderful Day...if we are still here (there will be those who are alive and remain until His coming...they will be taken up after the dead in Christ rise first...)...if we are still here, what must we know to maintain any kind of day to day living? It's hard to imagine, and hard to know what skills to learn so you have the survival know-how when you do NOT receive the 'mark' and cannot buy or sell. If maintaining a life is even possible. If we are not all hiding, or stuck in some kind of communal-type work house or camp community. Who knows? There are many, many speculations out there. And from what I read in history...many believers in the past lived lives fleeing, hiding and dying a martyrs death!

So, with all that said...and believe me, this is always swishing around my gray matter...to not be too self-reliant...because we must be Father, Son and Holy Spirit reliant...what good skills are important? What basic skills and tools do we as Papas and Mamas and keepers at home and husbands need to know to do what we have to do?

In reading this book, "Pioneer Women", I see that a lot of women did not really want to give up their nice homes for sites unseen to start all over again. But they followed their husbands anyway. Such were the times and I think there is much to be learned in that lesson right there. How many women would let their husbands decide such a major decision like that and simply follow along? These women were following their husbands into unknown land, knowing there would be much hard work to come. Most times it was much harder than they could imagine. Yet, from what I'm reading, they made the best of it, rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Yes, some did cry, some cried hard when they saw what they were up against. But they soon dried their tears and just did the next thing.

Sometimes along the way they had to give up sentimental items to lighten the wagon. Just left them along the trail. When they got to where they would settle, they were without a lot that they had thought important to bring along. But they did the best with what they had. They were creative and innovative. They soon caught their husband's vision and came alongside him as a helpmeet and supported him.

There were even times when just after starting out, a husband would die. I don't know how many widows gave up and went home, but the stories I'm reading, they stayed on and picked up where their husband's left off and ran successful farms.

My question is: Do we, as 'modern' women, have the capability of doing the same? Of not complaining in hardship? Of supporting our husband's vision and coming alongside him as a true helpmeet, trusting God to work out the details?

Could we run a farm? Could we run it successfully and knowingly AND benefit from the fruit of our labors? Could we run the family business if necessary? Do we have the necessary skills? Do we have the knowledge, the ingenuity, the enterprising minds? I think the Proverbs 31 woman could have.

Could we handle doing everything without electric? Could we keep order in a home with mud walls and dirt floors? Would we complain? Would we be able to be kind to strangers? As far as I can tell, a lot of this prepper mentality makes everyone suspect and instead of going the second mile and giving your cloak AND your tunic...shooting them comes first...then, if they live, ask questions. What's that about LOVE? What's that about LOVING YOUR ENEMIES? What would Jesus do? Just sayin'...

There are so many things to know, to learn, to force ourselves to do. Right now I am thinking, for instance...if something were to happen and my husband was not here to cut a chicken throat for food...could I do it? I have always relied on him for that awful task...but could I do it? What do I know about electric? Nothing. Plumbing? Nada. My water well? Nope. These are all things that I grew up and have lived thinking it's 'the man's job'. Not good if we had a problem. Of course there's always the thought that none of that would matter at that point.

This is just stuff I'm throwing out there...maybe no one else thinks about these things. I might be the only one that thinks this way. That's fine...but if not, I'll keep reading books and blogs and posting and sharing what I'm learning just in case I'm not the only one.

Any thoughts out there?

Father, In Jesus Name I come and ask that our hearts be not troubled, nor afraid. We put our hope and trust in you. Lead us in truth, help us to know what to do and how far to go in these times we live in. We know that we are born for such a time as this. Lord, I ask that whatever I share be a blessing and help my sisters draw nearer and nearer to You. You are our source of wisdom, and we have only to ask and you will give it liberally to us and without reproach. Thank you for being our strength and present help in time of need. Amen

Praise God as you seek Him for wisdom and skills you can use for His glory in your Home-Sweet as we see the time of His return coming nearer and nearer.

A Few Changes...

Hello Dears!

Over the next few days, I plan to make some changes here, so if things look funny or different, it's not your computer, it's me changing things around a bit. I'm learning some codes and things and over time hope to improve the overall look of this blog.

In the meantime, here is a poem to ponder:

Be Strong

Be Strong!

We are not here to play, to dream, to drift,

We have hard work to do, and loads to lift;

Shun not the struggle-face it; 'tis God's gift.

Be Strong!

Say not, "The days are evil, who's to blame?"

And fold the hands and acquiesce-oh shame!

Stand up, speak out, and bravely in Christ's Name!

Be Strong!

It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong,

How hard the battle goes, the day how long;

Faint not-fight on! To-morrow comes the song!

Maltbie Davenport Babcock.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

Oh Lord, strengthen us by Thy might. Let us not say 'we' did anything, but by the power of Thy Holy Spirit. Deliver us from evil, Oh Lord. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, On Earth As It Is In Heaven. Help us to put on the armor Thou hast provided and when we are weak, help us to remember Thou art strong! Thy strength is made perfect in weakness. Make us vessels fit for Thy use! In Jesus Chris's Name, Amen.

Seek the Lord and see what great things He will do when you lay down your own life for His glory!