Wednesday, August 21, 2013

I can't get no satisfaction

Surely you have heard the song by Mick Jagger which conveys his feelings of dissatisfaction through the words in his song.

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction

Cause I try and I try and I try 
and I can't get no, I can't get no

When I'm drivin' in my car
And that man comes on the radio
He's tellin' me more and more a
bout some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
I can't get no, oh no no no
Hey hey hey, that's what I say

We have so many things to desire in this world! Yet, with all the 'getting' we are still not satisfied.  What is the missing ingredient to fill us continually with the happiness of life we crave?

The Word suggests that we can decide on true life fulfillment.

Why spend money on what is not food? Why work for what does not satisfy you?

 Listen carefully to Me. Then you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the richest food there is.Listen and come to Me. Pay attention to Me.  Then you will 
live. 
I will make a covenant with you that will last forever. I will give you My faithful love.
Isaiah 55:2-3 NIRV

On what terms is happiness offered to us?  On the basis of making the choice to not only listen to, but also in choosing to come to Him as your answer. We cannot find satisfaction anywhere but in knowing Him.  It does not matter what substitute you may search for to fill the longing, after it is attained, there is an emptiness that follows.
  
"All the wealth and pleasure in the world will not yield solid comfort and content to the should.  They do not satisfy even the appetites of the body; for all is vanity and vexation.  Let the disappointments we meet with the world, help to drive us to Christ, and to seek for satisfaction in  Him only." Matthew Henry


Will you make the choice today to listen and come to Him so you will know true satisfaction?



Friday, August 9, 2013

Prisoner?

My brother John is behind bars.  Is he a prisoner?  


Is it possible that there are two types of prisons?  One behind bars and one without bars?

Though not confined behind the bars of a correctional institute, many may find themselves in a prison in their life...a prison of selfishness, laziness, alcohol, drugs, etc.  I believe many are in internal prisons, barred up in the thoughts of their minds, unable to escape.  And though from the outside, it may seem that life if fine...they suffer in an inward turmoil.  Is this prison not sometimes more confining than the the state of a prison with bars, security & fences?    

There is a way of escape to true freedom that surpasses anything that man could possibly strum up.  There is a freedom from self that is so freeing like a weight that has been lifted off the shoulders! 

This freedom can only be found by accepting the One who gave His life for each one of us that we could find and know eternal life through Him, Jesus.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  John 8:32, 36 NKJV

Please hear my heart, as I speak from one who knows a family member behind bars, as well as myself who was once a prisoner to darkness.  I understand and know that true freedom can be found in Christ. 

Here is part of a letter I received from my brother John today.  John told me that Jesus is his best friend, who truly understands him (as of April 2013).  I feel his experience will reveal that, though he is still behind bars, he is a free man.

You know, before I came to the Lord, I thought I knew everything there was to know, and had all the answers.  Well, the Lord proved me wrong and I am so glad for that because the Lord teaches me something new every day.  And what's so good about it is He teaches me things about myself whether they are good or bad.  That's what I like about the Lord is He doesn't hold anything back because He wants us to learn everything we can about Him. 

Do you want to know this freedom - the freedom to be and know the real you?  You can!  It is found in a relationship with the One who created you. Accept that He paid the price on the cross for your sins, and allow Him to come into your heart and set you free from the prison cell!  It is said in scripture about Jesus...

The Lord has anointed me to tell the good news to poor people.  He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts have been broken.  He has sent me to announce freedom for those who have been captured.  He wants me to set prisoners free from their dark prisons.  Isaiah 61:1 NIRV


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Saturday, August 3, 2013

the letter ended...


home is wherever you are.  

This was the end of a beautiful love letter from my husband to me.  I wondered...did he literally mean home was any place 'I' was, and not a physical home?  

Over the years, I have come to better understand that home is where your heart is (given to).   

What does home mean to you?  Is it a place or a person?  People long to be at home; your home is whatever place you long to be.  Home is a place of rest, security….of love.  

While reading the scrippys (His Word), I began to see that Jesus wants to make His home with us, in our hearts.  He wants us to know His friendship and love so that no matter where we are, we will be at home! This takes place through our covenant (like a marriage) with Him.   

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey My teaching.  My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."  John 14:23 NIV

Do you want to know Him?  Open the door of your heart.  He is one open door away :)

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 NIV

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