Let your light shine

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:1-9


I too want to testify.....surely the True Light has come to illuminate those dark areas in our lives that need change & transformation; areas that rebel against the Mighty One of Israel. He has come with mercy & grace to save the souls of men. Crucified, died, buried and rose again in victory! He has deposited His Spirit within us to enable us to shine in this dark world. Shine and bring illumination to those that walk in darkness that they too may know the Love of God.



During Tropical Storm Irene my household lost electricity. It left us dependent on candles. Incredibly, when you light a candle even a small candle, even a tiny flicker...that light begins to illuminate a path allowing us to walk without tripping or falling...it allowed us to see obstacles in the way. It also lets others around me know that I carried the "light". The illumination comes from the Light not from me. Now...I know this...but God reminded me of who we are again....who I am.


I am an ambassador of Christ bringing the Good News wherever he sends me...allowing the
Light of Christ to shine through me. The Word say he has made his light shine in our hearts (2 Corinthians 4:6). It doesn't matter whether you think you can impact a life or not...it's the Light within you....so go...obey and share the Good News! Go ahead....let your light shine before men! (Matthew 5:16)



God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Told Fear to Get Out

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV)

This Tuesday as I was going to church the sky before me was beautiful. There were dark clouds with a ray of brilliant white coming through; surrounding these clouds were other cumulus clouds; you see a storm had just passed and the sun was trying to shine through even as the evening was arriving.

I began to meditate on 1 Thess. 4, where it speaks about the voice of the archangel with the trumpet call of God announcing the the Lord's entrance. For a brief moment there was fear in my heart. So I asked the Lord, "why am I sensing fear"? I believe the enemy of our soul sometimes tries to overshadow the Truth of God. The end of time, I'm sure will be something remarkable, leaving us probably without speech, perhaps trembling. I'm just thinking about me....I know my mind can not truly understand that entire truth...but it will be remarkable.

So why the fear? In this world death is always portrayed at gruesome, the final end, hope ceasing, sadness, a ripping of life that we can not get back; questions rise and we think there are no answers. Oh, let there be no mistake, it will be a time of celebration and sadness. The end of time truly will be a day of reckoning.

BUT, the Mighty Word of God says, that the dead in Christ will rise; rise to what? It's an eternal life, a passing from death to life (John 5:24). Jesus has come to impart life, life everlasting; a renewed-life to be lived forever in the Presence of God. He is always calling, always trying to reach the one who doubts he exists, the one who rejects his Word, the one who counts on his "good works", the one who has been deceived and blinded by the Enemy of our souls. He'll do whatever it takes, giving us opportunity to respond to His love. I know I did, He is my Savior! Jesus continues to reach out to us, the Word reads, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1

So, I told Fear, you must leave this car, I'm on my way to worship my God, the Redeemer of my Soul, who has promised me eternal life with Him. Glory to God! Our hope is in Christ and Christ alone. The Word says, in the same manner he left, he will return, (Acts 1). Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Meet Mercy & Grace

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with
Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. -Ephesians 2:4-5

On Thursday, July 14th, after the death of my beautiful kitty Bunny....my husband & I decided to adopt two kittens. So we arrive at the shelter....our hearts melted at the site of these two balls of
yellow, orange & white fur....two kittens...both sisters....we picked them up, squeezed them...of
course I began to cry....it was very emotional for me.

I already had names picked out for them. The two kittens would be named Mercy & Grace. So..as
I am looking at these balls of fur...I tell my husband, they look so much alike...I can't even tell them
apart....how am I going to distinguish them....I mean...Mercy isn't Grace and Grace isn't Mercy. As a disciple of the Lord, I often use the words mercy & grace...sometimes interchangeably. Even
though they are similar, there is a difference....I've heard it described like this mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is often described as unmerited favor, God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it.

Mercy & grace is what we find at the cross. The Word says that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us --John 3:16....those that rejected him....those that spat on his face..those that crucified him....those that reject him even today...reject the beautiful, flawless plan of God to call mankind to himself....we find mercy & grace there. The Father sent the Son so that he would pay for my sin; my punishment --he took it! I was not punished for my sin, but instead Christ has taken the punishment for me. In his grace he has saved me....even when we were dead in our trespasses, he made us alive together with Christ—it is by grace you have been saved— Ephesians 2:5

The All Knowing God....He has entered time....clothe himself in flesh....took the beating....took my
punishment...was crucified ...and then rose from the grave...He has extended mercy & grace to me.
It's something that I received and at times I still don't fully understand the magnitude of what Jesus
has done for me....it's indescribable!

Thank you for allowing me to share the simplicities of my life & the awesomeness of my
Lord with you!

To my "Be Inspired" friends.....meet Mercy & Grace....my two new "furry" family
members.

They look identical....but at a closer look they are different :)

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Sadness has gripped my heart

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; 
the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid
bare. Peter 3:10

My heart is sad. These emotions, the Lord has given them to me. I have lost my
pet...my kitty cat..her name is Bunny.

She has been part of my life for 22 years...almost as long as I have had my son...almost
as long as I have been married....almost as long as I have been saved. It's hard...it's difficult....but I know in this world death is something that comes to everything... God comforts me...even in this....made me take a closer look at Death one more time.....
The Lord is my Friend that sticks close....

I thank the Lord for giving me this kitty cat as I have ventured through this life so far....she has been a good companion...a good pet...she often sat at on me bed as I read the Word of God aloud....her & I....hearing the Word......All that God has given me has been good!

So in my brokenness....I once again take a look at death......that enemy "Death" that often tries to intimidate, to make us afraid of the future....this enemy that comes to steal & destroy...this enemy of my soul has been conquered. (When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:13-15)

Everything has been created by God...Genesis tells us this. One thing the Lord has taught me...I was lost in sin....apart from Him...and about 22 years ago, He reached out to me in His Mercy & Grace and redeemed my soul....I needed redemption...and the Redeemer purchased my soul. Death is an appointment that will be kept by everyone....while we who are made in the image of God still have breath......I say......call to the One that chases after us....He is the Lover of our Soul, the Redeemer for
mankind! Let the One who disarmed the powers & authorities that desire to keep us from the Lord.....let Him, Jesus, who has paid the price to conquer death...let him be the Redeemer, he is the only one who's payment for us....counted...the only One who has loved us....to the point of death....Death has been conquered. Yes...I hurt....yes...I'll miss my kitty, Bunny....I'm just being real..... But as worshiper of the Most High God....my desire is to always...in everything glorify
God.....I bring you the Good News....Jesus has come for mankind....He paid the price.... Let Death not be a threat to you anymore...the victory has been won.

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

How are you doing?

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together
in perfect unity. Colossians 3:5-14

The Apostle Paul is speaking to Christians. Incredibly he writes about putting to death what belongs
to your earthly nature...and then he writes "But now"...hmmm...is as if to say..there's more...be
careful...let's examine ourselves....we are not done...don't be deceived. It's clear from the Scripture
what leads to death and what leads to life, what is born from wickedness and what is born of the
Spirit.

Christians are to walk in a manner that represents the Holy One well. Our character should not
bring disgrace to God and harm to ourselves. From Scripture we can recognize how we are
walking....are we dealing with anger that leads to sin...are we having fits of rage....do our hearts lean
toward malice...that cruel tainting of the heart? Take it off...take it off like you would do a filthy
garment. The Word says clothe yourself...we are to take action...it won't happen by itself....clothe
yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience.

Feel defeated, unable to shake that which binds you...the Spirit of God will help us....call on the
Name of the Lord and be honest....Lord I can't seem to shake this...Lord anger has a gripped on my
heart, my mouth, my tongue, that small member of my body is ruling and ruining me. Help me!!
Open the Good Book, the Word of God and call on Jesus for help...he is in the business of rescuing
those who want to be rescued! It's an incredible transformation that begins with God. I know that to
be true :) HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com