When You Have NO-THING to Live For

Saw this little video today, and felt led to share it with you.  It's just a  little over 2 minutes long, but very powerful.  

Going through life, trying to live for "this" or "that," or trying to "accomplish this or that," but not living FOR God, will cause us to come up empty everytime.

We may even feel like there's 'nothing' left to live for.  That's just it, my friend; we are not to live for any THING, but FOR a Person, and that Person is God. 

When you feel you have nothing else to live for, it's time to turn to GOD.  He will give you a purpose for living.   He will give you Himself.

"You may have no power to do it...

but if you surrender to Christ,

He'll give you the power."

"Time will decide if you will not,

and time always decides against you."

Just Look at My Hands

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.   I Peter 2:24

Well, as I sit here waiting for yet another load of clothes to wash, I am extremely thankful for the fact that our washer/pipe problem has been fixed! Yee-HAW! (can you believe I'm actually EXCITED to be able to do laundry again? Me neither! But, as they say, "this (happy-to-do-laundry-feeling) TOO shall pass!") LOL

If you haven't read yesterday's blog, ("Pressure Washin'") you may want to read it, or at least the "Breaking News" Part at the very end. Today's blog picks up from that.   What did you think when you read the part that said: Local 'Plumber and Son, Co.' left with a final statement: "It's just a shock that anything could GO DOWN!" Son added, "Yeah, when my dad said it was clogged with junk, he was NOT KIDDING! Just look at my hands!" As soon as I read that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes! "LOOK, Tammi!  The SON added.....'LOOK AT MY HANDS!' Did you catch that?" I thought of Jesus, God's only uniquely born Son. I could imagine, our home's clogged main pipeline as a spiritual lesson.

When we're born, our hearts are totally clogged. Not with cholesterol. (or at least I HOPE they aren't.) But our SPIRITUAL hearts are clogged by sin. Of course water could not flow through our clogged pipes. Same with us---if we are clogged up by sin---the Living Water can not flow through us. So, what did our Father have to do? Before the foundation of time, He decided, along with the Son, to "fix" our problem.

God chose him as your ransom long before the world began,
but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

I Peter 1:20 (NLT)

"Yes, Son, they have a problem. We are the only One Who can fix this." Now, in my home's plumbing situation, my husband directed our son in what needed to be done, what tools to get, etc.  The planner was the dad.  The son followed through.  But isn't it amazing that my little boy would say "Mom! Dad was NOT KIDDING when he said the pipe was clogged up with junk! JUST LOOK AT MY HANDS!" ?  Oh my word. 

P R I C E L E S S!



Clogged Pipes~~a few $ Measly Dollars $
Spiritual Lesson to appreciate the redemptive work of the Son of God~~
P R I C E L E S S!



Our Lord and Savior, the Holy Son of God, came to earth and did the work for us.  He made a way for His Living Water to flow through us. Now~~today, did I turn on the water in my house and let it flow????????????? You better believe it! In fact, laundry's going, even as we "speak." But what good would all that work have been IF I had not chosen to take FULL ADVANTAGE OF IT!?!?!? I mean, after all, the Son has said, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.."And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet." (Luke 24: 39, 40)

Are the pipes in your heart completely clogged by sin?    Do you need to call a "Spiritual Plumber" to remove the gunk and filth of sin from the pipes in your heart so that His Living Water can freely flow within?  Behold the Hands and Feet of our Savior. He's reaching out to Y O U.  What can He do for you? He's already done the major work ... all you have to do is "pick up the phone" and call Him (pray) and accept what He has done, by believing in HIM, receiving Him as your Savior, and repenting of your sin.

Note: That word is Repenting, not Repeating of your sin. In order to keep from REPEATING your sin: Let His Living Water flow FREELY through you, so that you can in turn, be a blessing to someone else by recommending the Best Spiritual Father/Son "Heart-Plumber" around! And THE BEST PART IS-- (drum roll). . .

He's already paid for it! IN FULL, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Need Proof??  All you have to do is

"Just look at His hands."

Thank You Father for seeing a desperate need in our lives. . . for reaching out and coming down to us to get all dirty and grimy, completely covered by our nasty, yucky sin! Thank You, dear sweet Son of God, Jesus, for being my Savior.  I pray if there is anyone out there suffering from clogged arteries in their spiritual heart, please cause a big back up somewhere, so they'll know they need to seek help. I can personally guarantee that You are the best! Why should they settle for less? Dear Holy Spirit, flow freely through me....and if ever there's a small build-up, help me remember to call on my Heavenly Father to do a follow-up exam! Thank You for letting a sweet little boy speak those five simple words, 'Just look at my hands' today. And Thank You for reminding me of the nasty but necessary work you did for me and for all the world around me!

I know You depend on the word of mouth recommendations---so give me courage to spread the Word of Your Wonderful Cleansing, Heart Opening, Eye Opening, Life Changing,

Eternal-Life-Giving Work!    In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

And the Father replied....."This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17

The Six-Panel Door

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  John 10:9

This morning, before my feet even hit the floor, I began to look around, trying to focus on "the day ahead."  I noticed the same old familiar six-panel bedroom door...opened, as usual..leading into the hallway, which leads into our dining room.

Then...I saw the door....with its familiar six panels.  Only this time, there it was, staring me in the face...the six panels, as I'm sure you've noticed before, are in the shape of a cross.  Hmmm.  I couldn't help but think of our Lord, and the cruel cross He bled and died from...for you and for me.   And how His Word says, "I am the door."   The door that leads to what?    Oh my....the Gateway that leads to heaven, eternity with the Holy Triune God---Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

But look at the image again.  Do you see it?   Towards the bottom of the door, there is yet another cross.. looking as if it were a reflection of the top one.  Makes me think of what we've been talking about for a while now...the death of the Savior, His resurrection, and yet we must let Him rise again, from OUR HEARTS, by the death of our flesh (or sinful nature.)  There's the symbol for the second, reflective cross on the six-panel door.  We are of course, to be reflections of Him anyway, right?  Oh my.

So, back to my particular six-panel door.    Go through it, and you'll be in the hallway which leads to my dining room.  Ah....a gathering place to enjoy food and fellowship!   This is what Jesus means when He says He is the DOOR, the Gateway....the sheep go in and out of this to graze, sip on Living Water, to rest and be restored, to follow their Shepherd, while listening to His voice, feasting on His Word..basking in His Son-Light. 

Jesus really is the only Way to enjoy the presence of God.  We must GO THROUGH Him in order to "get to" God...or to be restored to a RIGHT relationship with the Triune God.   In the process of walking with Him, feasting on Him, dying to self, we become a true reflection of the Savior, who defeated sin and death for all.

I think from now on I shall never look at my regular old six-panel door the same. 

Thank You, dear Jesus, for being The Door, the One and Only Door, for us to find access to our Heavenly Father, fellowship with You, our Savior, and strength and power through Your Holy Spirit!   Thank You for dying on the cross, and for defeating sin and death for me..for us!   Help me, help US, to share with others the free access we have been given through YOU, the Door, the Way, and may others never look at a door without remembering YOU and what You have done for us!   We love You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--The Divine Triune God. 

In Jesus' Name we pray..Amen.

Going Deeper, "In Deed"

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5;8,9

Today's blog entry is picking up from yesterdays, in which I was discussing the fact that it was Good Friday, and it was a Good Friday, in deed!  In DEED, meaning by the "something" that took place on that very day many many years ago, we can honestly say that it is a GOOD day, indeed and in deed-- Christ's deed---His sacrificial death on the cruel cross of Calvary for all mankind.

When looking up the word "deed," I found two different meanings. Yesterday's entry referred to deed meaning "something that is done." And boy! Was something EVER DONE!?! Done, completed, FINISHED! The work of our redemption by Christ's shed blood on the cross---Definitely DONE! He declared it when He said, "It is finished!" (It's DONE!)

But let's look into the other meaning of deed: "a signed and usually sealed legal instrument in writing used to grant a right." Well, I couldn't help but think of the song "Written in Red." It talks about God's love being written for us in "red"---by the shed blood of the Lamb of God. This of course is just a song depicting God's love for us being written in the precious blood of the Lamb. Just imagine the words "I Love You" written in red---by the blood of the Lamb. What a love letter!

It is a Good Friday, In Deed

"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." I Peter 2:24

A good friend sent me an email this morning, just checking in to see how I was doing on this "Good, no GREAT Friday." In my response to her, I closed with "it is a Good Friday indeed...." Then....it hit me..."It is a Good Friday indeed and IN DEED!" Yes!

I just "googled" the word "Deed" and what I found caused a HUGE LIGHT BULB to "go off" in my heart! Look at the first entry I found: A deed is "a signed and usually sealed legal instrument in writing used to grant a right." However...I found it very interesting to look at the definition of deed, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: "something that is done." Can't you see how they BOTH TIE into to the wonderful meaning of TODAY being Good Friday?

Word-Check

Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? John 18:23

Today's thought is primarily for those of us who are God's children. We've been born into His family through accepting His gift of salvation through Jesus, and more than likely we are familiar with His promises found in Scripture. Maybe we can even quote some great promises verbatim. I wonder though, when the first sign of trouble comes along, is our faith shaken? All of a sudden, if the precious promises of God have not taken a deep root within our hearts, our faith rapidly deteriorates.

Oh...my.  I can look back and say, "Yes, this is true of my past experiences. . . (and if I'm honest, there may be times in the future when I find my faith to be too small.)

Have you ever had an experience that brought you so low, that when others around you tried to encourage you with God's promises, that you have outwardly expressed your doubts? God is listening. He is not pleased when He hears us filling the atmosphere around us with our doubts of His sovereignty.

Malachi 3:13 reveals our Father's inward feelings towards our outward expression of doubt and fear. He says, "Your words have been stout (harsh) against me. Yet ye say, 'What have we spoken so much against thee?'" Verse 14 reveals His answer: Basically He says, "You have said it's of no use to serve me. . .look at everyone around me that has no trials, has "been blessed with ease and comfort in this life."  Did you ever stop to think that whenever we talk, just in passing, no matter how minute the comment may be, that our Lord is listening, and taking notes?  Did I say notes? Yes...Look at verse 16: "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." He is writing down what we are saying about Him. Whoah.

Let's don't diminish our "opinion" of God..or our impression of Him.  Do not try to contain the Uncontainable with your "plastic" circumstances (trials.)

When I read John 18:23, the Holy Spirit paused my thoughts..."dwell on that." Then He began to tie everything together: Jesus is the Word. He promises to meet our need in every situation, no matter how big our problem may be! (Phil. 4:19) He promises to comfort the broken-hearted and to save those with a crushed spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

Now, look at John 18:23 again..."If I have spoken evil..." His promises are God's SPOKEN Word to us. Who of us could ever say that anything that came forth from Our Lord's mouth was ever evil? None of us could because He spoke the Truth. He IS Truth.

He seems to be challenging us to take Him at His Word! "Tell me if I have spoken evil!" BUT, look at the rest of the verse! "But if (I have spoken) well, WHY SMITEST thou me?" God says our verbal (and inward) expression of DOUBTING His promises, are "Harsh!" "Why smitest thou me?" Could it be that we are smiting our Lord whenever we doubt Him and have the nerve to EXPRESS our doubts??? It seems like it to me.

Checkpoint: Have you doubted Him today? Let me encourage you to take Him as His Word. He honors His Word above His name! Do not try to contain Him, the Uncontainable, within your circumstances. NOTHING is too big for Him to turn around for your good and His glory.

Dear Father, please forgive us of how we talk, even within the confines of our home. Help us to remember You ARE listening. When we doubt You, because of our lack of faith, You are not pleased. Don't You grow weary of our inability to SEE You (And TRUST YOU) for Who You are? Help us to please You by the way we present You (and our faith IN YOU) to others around us. Do a "Word-Check" on our discussions, and check us if we are speaking anything but the Truth, which is YOUR Word. Thank You for Your Divine Enabling to get us this far in our journey with You. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

Just Look at My Hands

Who his own
self bare our
 sins in his own body on the tree,

that we, being
dead to sins,
should live unto
righteousness:

by whose stripes
ye were healed.

I Peter 2:24

Well, as I sit here waiting for yet another load of clothes to wash, I am extremely thankful for the fact that our washer/pipe problem has been fixed!  Yee-HAW!  (can you believe I'm actually EXCITED to be able to do laundry again?  Me neither!  But, as they say, "this (happy-to-do-laundry-feeling) TOO shall pass!")  LOL

If you haven't read yesterday's blog, you may want to read it, or at least the "Breaking News" Part at the very end.  Today's blog picks up from that.  

What do you think when you read the part that said:  Local 'Plumber and Son, Co.' left with a final statement: "It's just a shock that anything could GO DOWN!"  Son added, "Yeah, when my dad said it was clogged with junk, he was NOT KIDDING! Just look at my hands!"   As soon as I read that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes!   "LOOK, Tammi!~~~'the SON added.....'LOOK AT MY HANDS!'  Did you catch that?"   I thought of Jesus, God's only uniquely born Son.    I could imagine, our clogged main pipeline as a spiritual lesson. 

Pressure Washin'

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:26, 27

Ever had one of those days when you just wonder "what else in the world could go wrong?" Pressure here, pressure there, pressure everywhere... except where it needs to be---like a tire!?!? LOL Anyway, yes, we've all had those days when it just seems as if we can't take it any longer. Just when you feel the walls closing in, He's got His eyes on you..He knows how much pressure you can take.

Remember from an earlier post I had written about our dark times are always a time to listen ? ?   Sometimes, trials and tests will come --->from every direction<---  and it does seem like it's just too much. But remember, He's going to teach us a lesson in this storm if we'll only be quiet and listen patiently for His voice.

Well, this week has been "loads" of fun. . .and I do mean LOADS. . .of laundry! For some reason my washer is putting out so much water during its drain cycles that the old slow pipes just can't handle the outflow. So in order to get a load done, I have to stand there, and "patiently" watch and listen for the washer to drain. As it's draining, I can hear the water quickly rising in that pipe. When I DO finally see the water begin to peak I immediately push the "STOP" button. I have to press STOP on the washer--just to give the pipe time to drain . . then I pull "start" and let the tub drain, then stop. You get the picture. It takes a long time. And it's not really fun either. If I don't do this, the garage will be flooded!

So what is it that You are trying to teach me in THIS situation, Lord? Well..."ask and ye shall receive..." LOL He showed me something pretty neat:

He added a "P.S."

If you read the previous blog, you're aware that the Lord gave me an opportunity to speak today to my church family regarding the darkness of depression and discouragement in a Christian's life.   In yesterday's blog are the notes from what He gave me to share. 

Even though I knew this message was definitely from Him for someone else, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing.  I talked with the Lord about this... "Lord, yes, this may lift up the spirit of someone in church, but what about lifting YOU UP?  I want to lift YOU UP, Lord."    Well, as I was drying my hair last night, just before one in the morning, and going over the thoughts for today, the Lord gently "tapped me on the shoulder" and said, "I've got a little 'P.S.' I'd like to add."  And that's when He told me, "I too have had a veil of darkness pulled over Me...while on the cross at Calvary.  Our Father pulled the veil of darkness over Me too.  But this was even darker, and deeper than any one else will ever have to experience."  And that's when He began to really show me that whenever He deals with us, His motivation is ALWAYS IN LOVE. . .even His rebuke or discipline is always motivated by His love for us.   But, when Christ was on the cross, and our Heavenly Father pulled that veil of darkness over Him, Christ did not experience the Love of God... NO!  He experienced the WRATH of God....something that we will never have to experience.  THANK YOU, FATHER!!  THANK YOU, JESUS!  THANK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT, FOR REVEALING THIS TO ME!

"No Good"

With the Super Bowl being just a week ago, and a son who finished playing his first season of football, it comes as no suprise to me that terms like "Touchdown," "Fourth and Ten," and "No Good!" are still fresh in my mind.  But what in the world do these terms have to do with being a Christian? 

Of course, we all know we're running a race....Hebrews 12:1 reminds us of that---Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.   The object of football is to make as many touchdowns as your team can...Get the most points on the scoreboard.  Play to WIN, not just FINISH.  Everyone finishes...but only one team WINS.