Revised Letter to God

Revised Letter to God

A few days ago I published my letter to God but left so much out that I need to say.  Below is an updated and much longer letter.

Dear God,

     I am weak and lacking in so many ways, yet you are the great Creator of my days.  

     Strength of character was molded into Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego.  Help me too, in faith, to grow.  As you protected Daniel in the fiery furnace, thank you for protecting me, showing your love, full and earnest.  As you closed the mouth of the lion when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, thank you for my protected predestined fate as I walk, selfish-hearted, here among men.

     Lord, I am in some ways like Jonah, not instantly obedient as was Noah.  But Lord, Jonah received, from you, second chances.  So please rescue me from the sinful weight of my circumstances.   As Noah was obedient, bestow in me that same ingredient. 

     Like Samson, I have serious flaws, enough I am sure to give you pause. Strengthen me Lord.  Make me confident in your provision, as was Abraham; knowing that you will provide, as only you can, for this poor straying lamb.

     Lord!  Give me endurance as strong as Job's, sustaining me in your blood-stained robe.  I fear to ask for Job's patience, but let it replace my complacence, giving action to your Word and persevering with shield and sword. 

    Please give me even more perseverance like Paul's as he traveled for your cause, always humble without self-applause.  Help me remain a loyal servant, as did Paul, though he was confined to prison but always preaching, teaching that you, the great I Am, is risen.  Thank you that I am, as Paul was, loved and forgiven.

     Let me be, Lord, a woman dedicated and loyal as in the example of Ruth.  Always let me show forth honesty and truth.  When in harm's way or striving to make a decision, let me do as Ester, seeking your face morning, noon, and night so you may guide me into the light. 

     Lord, I know this letter is getting long, but I don't want my life going wrong.  Please bear with me as I endeavor to lift the blinders from my eyes and truly see.

     Please don't let me follow in the footsteps of Judas's betrayal or Peter's denial.  Keep me true to you through earthly trial.

     I pray you protect me from evil as you did Lot.  Let me give it all I've got, not looking back as I flee from evil as did his wife, ignoring the instructions which would bless my life.  I pray that I am not defiant, willing to grow in faith, a faith as strong as David's when he defeated Goliath. the giant.  I pray for the right words to say when wrongs are apparent like you gave the right words to Moses and Aaron. 

     Lord all the people I have mentioned were broken with character flaws in some way, but you used them for mighty deeds in their day.  Use me too, Lord.  Strengthen in me your Word. 

     Finally Lord, I know Satan is going to and fro, not wanting me to grow.  Keep his wicked, godlessness from my door so my sinful ways are less than they have been before.  Put wings beneath my feet to avoid his deceit.

     I thank you for my new name.  Just as you changed the names of Sarah, Jacob, and Abraham, I lift my voice saying, Lord, here I am.  I thank you for my name change though I am not worthy because of my shame.  Yet, I am proud to be called Christian and Child of God as I venture into my predestined mission.      

     I bow before you, Lord, thanking you for your love in spite of what's I've done, for only you know my work and, though flawed and marred, it has only, daily, just begun. 

                                                Your Child, 

                                                 Mary Nell

Tomorrow

   Tomorrow

     I love quotes.  Some have several meaning which can be applied to life.  For instance, in The Love Story, there was a quote, "Love means never having to say you're sorry."  This is a little unrealistic.  Sure there are a few people who have so much unconditional love they will overlook your blunders, but, the fact remains, their feelings may have been really hurt.  If we hurt people, especially those we love and those who love us, we should be mature enough to rise above our pride and say, "I am sorry."  Even with God's unconditional love, He requires that we ask forgiveness.
     Still there is another quote which comes to mind that can go two ways.  In Gone with The Wind, Vivian Leigh (Scarlett OHara) said, "After all tomorrow is another day."  Knowing we have tomorrow may indeed put our mind to rest in that we are given time to remedy some of our problems and mistakes.  As Sue Krebs states, "As the day ends, put your worries to rest. Tomorrow is another day, filled with hope, potential, and promise."  However, what if we don't have tomorrow?  What if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, and there is no tomorrow?  Will you have missed the chance to enter  into the gates of Heaven?
   

Letter to God

Letter to God

Dear God,

     I am weak and lacking in so many ways, yet you are the great Creator of my days.  

     Strength of character was molded into Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego.  Help me too, in faith, to grow.  As you protected Daniel in the fiery furnace, thank you for protecting me, showing your love, full and earnest.  As you closed the mouth of the lion when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, thank you for my protected predestined fate as I walk, selfish-hearted, here among men.

     Lord, I am in some ways like Jonah, not instantly obedient as was Noah.  But Lord, Jonah received, from you, second chances.  So please rescue me from the sinful weight of my circumstances.   As Noah was obedient, bestow in me that same ingredient. 

     Like Samson, I have serious flaws, enough I am sure to give you pause.  Strengthen me Lord.  Make me confident in your provision, as was Abraham; knowing that you will provide, as only you can, for this poor straying lamb.

     Lord!  Give me endurance as strong as Job's, sustaining me in your blood-stained robe.  I fear to ask for Job's patience, but let it replace my complacence, giving action to your Word and persevering with shield and sword. 
    Please give me even more perseverance like Paul's as he traveled for your cause, always humble without self-applause.  Help me remain a loyal servant, as did Paul, though he was confined to prison but always preaching, teaching that you, the great I Am, is risen.  Thank you that I am, as Paul was, loved and forgiven.

     Let me be, Lord, a woman dedicated and loyal as in the example of Ruth.  Always let me show forth honesty and truth.  When in harm's way or striving to make a decision, let me do as Ester, seeking your face morning, noon, and night so you may guide me into the light. 

     I bow before you, Lord, thanking you for your love in spite of what's I've done, for only you know my work and, though flawed and marred, it has only, daily, just begun. 

                                                Your Child, 
                                                 Mary  

Ask and Receive!

     I believe we all wonder why God does not always answer our prayers.  Why? He tells us in scripture if we ask using His name He will answer us.  However, there is a "but" here.  Looking closely at John 14:13 He explains that whatever we ask should glorify the Father.  Is what we are asking for really being asked in order to glorify God or just to satisfy our own selfish desires?   

John 14:13(KJV) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:13(NLT) You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.

A Christian

   A Christian

      What is the definition of a Christian?  Merriam-Webster defines it as one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
     Wikipedia says there is a wide range of beliefs and practices found across the world among those who call themselves Christian.  Denominations and sects disagree on a common definition of Christianity because some denominations do not acknowledge certain religious practices.
     The Bible refers to a Christian in a few verses of the Bible.  In Acts 11:26, "...And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
     I believe Christians are those who profess belief in Jesus Christ, and they attempt, as much as possible in their fleshy state, to adhere to the character of Christ.  We know that good works do not make us acceptable to God.  Christians are acceptable because we believe in His Son and in His death for us.  Christians (believers) are acceptable through God's grace, His free gift to us.
     However, could there be a difference between a proclaimed Christian and a Person of God? For example:
      Proclaimed Christian
I say I love you                       
I go to Church.                         
I am offended
I help those in needs               
I look at your outward beauty     
I read the Word 
I pray for needs and for others   
   
       Person of God
I say I love you, but I love God more
I go to Church but most of all, I give God glory
I am offended but I forgive you
I help those in need and lift them up before God in prayer
I look at your inward beauty
I read the Word and obey it
I pray for needs and for others and give God praise and thankfulness

Oh, that we, as Christians, would strive to be People of God and "let others see Jesus in us."

Water to Wine

  Water to Wine
       Jesus gave us many parables in the Bible which illustrated a spiritual lesson.  This morning as I was reading in the Book of John, I wondered why Jesus' very first miracle was the changing of water to wine.  What point was He making?  I did some research and found several opinions, one of which I tended to agree with.  Then I developed a few thoughts of my own. 

     Now, I have never made wine and really do not know the process, but I do understand that the grapes have to be broken down in order to start the fermenting process which leads to a fine tasting wine. 

     Therefore, my theory is that Jesus may have been pointing to either one of two things.  First, the breaking of the grapes into wine may have symbolized that He would become broken, beaten, and placed on the cross in order to take our sins upon Himself so that we, believers in Christ, could be redeemed (fermented ) and made adopted children into His family. 

     Secondly, we sinners, are broken down much as the wine grapes.  Christ takes us, as sinners, forgives us when we ask, and we then develop over time into stronger characters for Christ.  Our fermenting takes time.  We must accept Christ as the very Son of God, knowing that He died for our sins.  As we delve into His Word, learning more about Him, our fermenting becomes finer with age. 

     Some commentators tell us the barrels which were filled with water may have been those used by the people to wash with.  If so, maybe the barrels (us) were dirty and then cleansed (with forgiveness of our sins) and made "white as snow" ... a fine wine indeed.

     Of course to become finer with age, I cannot leave out what we must learn, and that is the fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,..."