Preparing for what is Dead

Luke 24:1-3 (NIV)

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

They brought spices to prepare the dead....What ever happened to the spices...I know it took time...maybe even their valuable resources to prepare?  Was all hope lost?

Hmmm....What do we bring to our dead situations....we waste time....we waste money...perhaps we bring something to mask the decay that is occurring...you know........we say things like......."it's ok" ......when we know that .....it is not ok....we've given up hope....we are ready to bury our dreams our calling perhaps....only to find when we arrive........the One who Gives Life......the One who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were....He has taken the situation and made it so that our Father in Heaven is Glorified....

The Life Giver has come and made it so that the only scent is the Beautiful Presence, the Sweet Smelling Aroma of Jesus.... He resurrects that which is dead and brings new life, just like in Abraham's life...a promise given to an old man....

I'm sure these women did not expect Jesus to be alive...they were surprised.....they left or maybe dropped...just outright forgot about the spices....no need to prepare the dead body of the Lord ......after all He, Jesus was alive...the Scripture says the angel said “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

Can it be that God speaks to us...tells us what he plans on doing with our lives (like Abraham) ...we wait....we wait some more... (Scriptures foretold that the Messiah would come...that he would save the people from their sins) ....then we begin to lose hope.....we say things like...maybe God really did not speak to me (Maybe there is no deliverance for God's people, maybe I can help God and .....here is Hagar)....perhaps I made it up...maybe he really does not want me to go to Africa...maybe he really has not equipped me to minister....maybe I'm not really called to teach, preach, can I really have an impact in this life for the Lord...etc. Then....as we prepare to bury our dreams & hopes...the Lord arrives...never late...His plan is perfect...the testimony then goes forth....and the Lord once again is glorified! We wait on you Lord....we will not prepare for a burial service but we anticipate a celebration...yes a celebration for life....a resurrection of what we presume is dead!  Revive us again.

God bless you!~Liz

www.lizrod.com

No Longer do I have to Peek Inside

John 15:15 (NIV)

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

This morning as it is my usual "routine", I began to pray on my ride to work. I began to thank the Lord for the new day, the clouds that will bring the rain for the vegetation, for health, my family, for a job...then I began to pray about the armor that the Lord speaks to us about in Ephesians. I began to reflect on all the pieces, the Helmet of Salvation, Shield of Faith, the Breastplate of Righteousness, etc. and I began to thank him...just thank him...for he has made provision for all I need in this life....he covers me with his Righteousness.....he equips me with Truth....His Spirit guides me....He speaks and directs me....than the Lord reminded me that I

no longer am outside the courts of the King....he has invited me in...he has clothed me rightly...and he bestows favor and calls me his daughter. No longer am I opposing the One which is Good for me...but He has called me to Himself...to enjoy the privilege of being Royalty....you know...we don't have to be outside any longer...we don't have to peak through the palace windows...we don't have to be afraid to approach the King.....He has equipped us for battle and He dressed us to dine with him....to dine with the King...wow....wow....His Righteousness....a breastplate and a royal robe!

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

I Love You Titi

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

I lost my dear Aunt Myrna (I call her Titi) on Sunday...and today because I could not be present in Puerto Rico...I am watching the wake via the Internet.  So this morning...as I watch....I was thinking....what goes through our mind when we go to a wake....you know...we look at the body...and we stand there...some kneel..... I have been at many wakes & viewings...it is out of respect we go to the casket and then we stay there a moment.  I know we are sad...we are grieving...perhaps we think about what could have been....we want more time with our love ones....we cry and maybe plead...but they are gone...all we have is memories.

We celebrate their home-going with the Lord.

Then I began to think....what happens when we are dead in our sin...you know..we have no relationship with the Lord...we have rejected his Son....I know I was there once....I wonder if God looked at my dead soul and stood over me.....I know he did not kneel...for it is I who will bow the knee to the Savior....He knows all about my life before I was even born....it is out of his love for me that he calls to me....He rejoices over me with singing his Word says...he too wants more time with me....he remembers mankind before they turned from him and disobeyed....He calls to us....He rejoices over that one soul that turns from death to life.....and He celebrates

our home-coming...with a feast....yes a feast for us.

Welcome home Titi....Welcome home!

What Must I do to be Saved?

Acts 16:22-32 (NIV)

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

I often wonder...how far will God go to reach you & me? Here we see that Paul was being used to spread the Gospel...but he allowed this child of his to suffer more...to suffer greatly that the Message of Hope may be heard. Paul is arrested, beaten and then he and Silas continue to

Worship the Lord. They were not so concerned at what happen to the "temporary body" they were in.  The Spirit of God gave them strength them...and they continued to honor the Lord.  God reached the jailer and the other prisoners....they heard the Message that the Lord of Heaven loved them, came to forgive their sin....and they responded. It is the simple Gospel Truth....he loves you and he loves me and he will do whatever it takes to reach us....and if you are a believer already....he will use you in any way He wants (if we allow him) so that he may reach others that have not heard....that the God of Heaven HE LOVES THEM....SO MUCH...THAT HE DIED FOR ALL OF US WHO HAVE DISOBEYED HIM......(ROMANS 3:9-11)

God bless you!~Liz

www.lizrod.com

Will not Leave Sin "Undealt" with

Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.  But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die. 2 Samuel 12:13-14 (NIV) 

Have you ever done wrong...sinned against God Almighty.  We know the answer is yes.

David commits adultery and then murders the woman's husband.....WHAT?...is this the same David that took care of the sheep....the same David that killed Goliath....David the King......David the Psalmist....YES....his first son dies and then God gives him another son, Solomon ...and the Lord uses him to built the temple.

Did David pull the wool over on the Lord's eye....NO....NO....nothing is hidden from the Lord......David's first son dies....the son conceived in adultery.....  When confronted by Nathan the Prophet....David's heart is broken.....broken and he is so sorry before the Lord over his sin........the Lord who knows us well and examines our hearts...looked right through and found true repentance.......

How about us......can we examine our lives.....what do we see.....is there something we are dealing with...something we can't even begin to tell the Lord.....the great and wonderful thing is...that God already knows....he waits for us to come to him......sometimes he even has to send a messenger to help us realize our trouble...our sin....He will not leave sin "undealt with".

God bless you!~Liz

www.lizrod.com

Discipline OUCH

Hebrews 12:4-13 (NIV)

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet,"so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Could it be that what we see as "trouble" or "difficulties"...be the discipline of God? Our God ultimately wants us to be changed...it's a process that seems to take forever....a lifetime if you will. As we hit those "walls" we might cry out and say "what did I do"....sometimes even say "the enemy of my soul is attacking me"....but could it be that God has allowed this for our benefit...for our correction. Often we won't change on our own...we won't leave the comfortable place of ministry we are in because we are content, it's easy...but he has required more and wants to take us to another place...another level of maturity .....we often won't leave those "things" that God hates...we want to do it our way.  But God LOVES US!!  He does not want to leave us stagnate, idle...he doesn't want us damaged as we walk on our own....he does not want us so comfortable doing what we do...that we no longer hear him...see him...need

him...or obey him......

If it brings the Father Glory...let it come.....change us.......move us....transform us...to your image oh Lord!

I pray you can see God moving in you...and submit to the Lord's guidance.

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Interruptions

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:13-21 (NIV)

It's interesting that every time I read the Word of God even a familiar passage as this something new "pops" out at me. Let's see, Jesus just lost his friend, cousin, forerunner to his ministry; not just any kind of death but beheaded. Jesus departs to a quiet place.

I believe as in other times he was going to the Father to pray, to talk. regain strength, and allow the Father to speak to him. BUT, what happens he gets "interrupted" and crowds of people surround him? 

Now, lets be honest what would we have done? We don't always take "interruptions" as appointments sent by God. So the Word says that Jesus had compassion. He begins to minister to the crowds when he himself is dealing with his own grief. THEN he proceeds to  feeds them, gives the crowd dinner (miraculously). I know there is more to this passage.  I pray that we would always be on the ALERT to see what "interruption" God is sending our way.

I pray we may be used by him to bring compassion, an ear to listen, a gentle word of encouragement, perhaps a shared cup of tea. 

MAYBE, God will use us to lay hands on the sick.  Just imagine our surprise when we take the interruptions as assignments from God.  We'll see God in the midst of it!

I still have much to learn.

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Lord Strengthen Your People

Ephesians 6:11-18 (NIV)

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

 Is your armor on?

We can't be in the battle (and we are) and expect results to be favorable if the armor is sitting on the shelve...tucked away in the draw or perhaps we only put on one piece...  The Word says...put on the full armor of God...and pray in all occasions!

Today I pray for you (and for me)......may God encourage you today with his Word.  May your mind continually be transformed to be more like Christ. May you fully understand the price paid for your salvation. I pray that your faith would continue to grow, that you would be witnesses to the miracles of Jesus.  I pray that you would hunger for the Word and know that nothing else satisfies, only Christ. Know that God has attributed his righteousness to you.

Stand in the truth and let us not be ashamed. Always be ready..ready to give an answer for the hope within you. May the Good Lord strengthen his people.

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

The Lord said, " Liz you know better.

Matthew 6:5-13 (NIV)

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the

synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have

received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.

This morning on my usual ride to work...I take that time to pray. Today I felt tired...perhaps overwhelmed somewhat and as I began to pray...it was as if I began to tell my Father all the things that I needed.

..Lord...can you please...Father...I need.... No sooner than the words came out of my mouth....quickly the Spirit of God said....not like that Liz....you know better....come..rest at my feet and begin to worship Me.... It's not that God is waiting on His throne to receive all his adoration before he will even open his ears to me...but its because he knows that not only does he deserve all glory, honor, & adoration from me....he knows that's how he made me...to worship him....he knows that as I begin to lift his name higher...that the cares of this world diminishes....I don't know how it happens..but something transpires...something supernatural and Peace comes in...truly He came into my car as I drove and began to cry and adore my Savior....then my petitions easily flowed and it was a beautiful melody...no longer a list of things for God to do for me.....but a time of being refreshed and perspective began to realigned itself...Glory to Jesus!

Sin & Snowflakes

Genesis 4:7 (NIV)

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is

crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Sin...like those little snowflakes...they seem pretty harmless.....but before you know it...you are in deeper that you thought.

God bless you!~Liz

www.lizrod.com

Happy New Decade

Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

....I heard the radio announcer say...ready for the  new decade?  Hmmm....the word decade just popped out at me....I don't remember the last time I heard the word.....so naturally I began to think...where was I ten years ago.....hmmm year 2000.....Y2K.....what has happened in the last ten years.....have I grown spiritually....am I reflecting Christ more than before...how am I expressing grace & mercy to those I encounter....I mean the list goes on...........those that have "fallen asleep".....I remembered that I lost my mother-in-law, my uncle, my cousin, my grandmother.....Now this is not depressing.....I do miss them...but you see I specifically remember my conversation with my uncle & my cousin whom both reached out at took a hold of God's greatest gift---JESUS.....receiving the Love of God...forgiveness for their sins....now absent from the body they were present with the Lord!  Those memories....that testimony is clear in my mind.

So...what will 2010 bring.....with much excitement I welcome this new decade...and wait and see what the Almighty will do....how he will continue to change and mold me...what encounters he will lead me to....and how I can shine the Light wherever he leads me......  With all my imperfections...with all my faults...God continues to love me...love you.....and can use us if we surrender to his will.....Happy New Decade!!

Self examination...it's good, trusting that God will continue to change us & work through us...

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com