The Anchor Holds

This morning I found myself in Romans 7 & 8. How refreshing it is to know that even Paul struggled at times with knowing in his mind what was right but doing in his flesh what was wrong. The great thing is he learned that he did not have to stay in that battle because the power of the Holy Spirit of God was living inside of him. Living the Christian life is impossible without the transformation that is brought on by the renewing of the mind and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The more we follow the Spirits lead, the less power the flesh has over us. Dying to self is a lifetime battle. It’s like those sci-fi films where the “creature” is shot and falls “dead” only to have him begin to move and before you know it that “creature” is up and coming after you again. The great thing about being blood bought is that we have the “silver bullet” to kill the flesh. There is nothing “self” or flesh can do against the blood of Jesus. It was refreshing and encouraging to be reminded that the struggle is not hopeless, in fact, our hope is in Christ and our security is being grounded and anchored to the rock.

Then as I was driving to work the Lord took the Word and gave me a visual picture of what he was saying to me in my quiet time. I noticed a “road work” sign along the highway. It was all bent and the metal was mangled and it was lying on its side. It looked like it had battled the high winds and lost. As I continued down the road, there were 3 or 4 more just like the first one and then all of a sudden there stood one. It was the very same type of sign but it stood straight and tall as an arrow. It was so straight and tall that it really jumped out at me and of course, the Holy Spirit pointed it out as well. As I looked at the one that stood upright, the Holy Spirit asked me what made the difference. I looked and at the base of the sign there were 4 or 5 sand bags keeping it secure. The Holy Spirit said, “Debbie, it’s the anchor that holds, it’s being grounded and secured that makes the difference.” Without the Spirit of God ruling in us, leading and guiding us we would be just like those mangled, bent signs, lying on their side. Not only were they bent and beat up, the message they were meant to display was not even visible. The purpose of their existence had been rendered useless because they were not secure, they were not grounded and there was no anchor holding them and keeping them from being destroyed by “life’s” storms.

Romans 8:5, 6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

May God bless you BIG!!!
Debbie

Just a Witness or Actual Evidence?

I have begun to ask the Lord every day to give me a Word for the day. It might be a verse, a phrase or what ever He has that would be the central focus of my meditation through the day. This morning driving to work, listening to Adrian Rogers, the Lord gave me my “word” for the day. Pastor Rogers said “It’s okay to be a witness to what Jesus Christ has done but could your life be presented as evidence?” I began to ponder that question and saw myself in a court room. As I was standing there I began to see the difference between telling what I have heard or seen and being presented as the exhibit its self; exhibit A. Being the evidence is something totally different. It is good to be a witness of things heard and seen but to be an exhibit is to be the physical proof that gives substance to the words of a testimony. Not mere words but actual, hard core evidence that the witness account can be proven by the evidence presented in my life. The Lord began to show me how different it is for someone to point us out saying, “She says or believes this or that” versus someone pointing us out and saying, “She does this or that; she is this or that”. We all know that we are to be doers of the Word but in light of the question, could my life be presented as evidence? This morning, a sobering picture was presented. What evidence is there in my personal life that bears witness of what Jesus Christ can and will do in a “vessel” that has been yielded to Him? If all I have are scriptures memorized that tell what He has done and can do without a living example of what He has done in me then my knowledge of scripture is weak at best and could be determined to be hear say or just good words out of a good book. Both of which could and likely would be tossed out of a court room. However, the lost world can not deny a living testimony. With out being living evidence, I am reduced to a “form of godliness, denying the power thereof”. (2 Tim. 3:5)

Passage James 1:22-25: 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Passage I Peter 5:8: Be sober (alert), vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

My prayer in these last days is that we may be found guilty as accused when charged by the world and its system of being “living exhibits” of what Jesus Christ does and who He is. May our lives be the evidence that would dismiss the scoffers and doubters claims based on the overwhelming, undeniable proof presented by our daily walk.

Passage Romans 12:1:1 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

May God bless you BIG!!!
I love you my Sisters,
Debbie

What is a Heart String?

A "Heart String" is a little something that I want to share. It may be an inspirational thought, a poem or a word received while having a quiet time or in the midst of the hussle and bussle of my busy day. "Heart Strings" came about from experiences in which my Heavenly Father tugged on my "hearts string" to get my attention. I pray you enjoy them as much as I enjoy sharing them.