Month: January 2018

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – Peace

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Here’s something amazing to think about. This is a powerful promise from Jesus for you and I.

Jesus gave us His peace and not peace like the world gives. His peace is NOT like peace that comes from those moments when while we are in the world we have money in the bank, our boss is happy, the family.is doing well, the doors are flying open, etc. No not that kind of peace but the very peace that Jesus had from His Father as He walked out a life of perfection, persecution, sacrifice, trouble, pain, grief, betrayal, and even for a moment, death.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:4‬

You can face anything because He overcame all ( it is written! Right there in 1 John 4:4 ) and what’s more than overcoming, you can have peace in the process. That doesn’t mean shelter from the pain of the process. The process of being molded by the gentle hands of a potter but an assurance of peace in the middle of the process to know it’s for our good and to make us more like Jesus.

I am meditating on this this morning. I am not alone.  You are not alone. Sometimes it feels that way and alone we have a hard time holding on to our peace. But the peace of God…You have the peace of God, even that which was given from heaven to Christ Jesus, available to you. Ask and you shall receive. I HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR PEACE and my request come up void.

Let this peace rule your heart so that no matter what you encounter in life, your response is not governed by fear, panic or frustration but by clarity and sweet unexplained calm, strength and reliance on Jesus for direction.

Peace is a promise. A promise that is ours! Forget not His benefits (Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits ~ Psalm 103:2)

For it is written….John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Peace, peace God’s peace coming down from the Father above..

Jesus is the Prince of Peace! So ASK and it shall be given! We won’t be denied so I am asking for me and I am asking for you…in Jesus Name. Amen!!!

Posted in Bible teaching

Things That Displease God

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Took this off a friend’s timeline. It’s worth my time to read, ponder, and remember.

In Case You Didn’t Know…

💎 Turning people against one another is DISCORD…
💎 Doing evil things to people on purpose is MALICE…
💎 Wanting something that someone else has is ENVY…
💎 Telling someone that your going to do something and finding every reason to not to do it and leaving them in a bad place because of what you said…
Your heart is not right…
💎 Telling other folks business to other folks is GOSSIP…
💎 Rejoicing in the pain or fall of another person is SPITEFUL…
💎 Playing with people’s mind and emotions is MANIPULATION…
💎 Saying someone did or said something that they didn’t is LYING…
💎 Gaining someone’s trust and then using it to hurt them is BETRAYAL…
💎 Spreading an accusation against someone without proof is SLANDER…
💎 Saying you saw or heard something that you didn’t, is FALSE WITNESS…
💎 Being angry because you see someone else, with what you desire is JEALOUSY…
💎 Search your own heart as you stand/speak/ lead before others as an example
💎 Because guess what… ALL of the above DISPLEASES God!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – 1/18/2018

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

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When love is the motive, sacrifice is never measured or mentioned.  – Unknown

Daily Scripture

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ~ Philippians 2:5-8

Study

While the theme of the first chapter of the book of Philippians is Jesus Christ first, the subject of chapter 2 is others next. The verses above, are a portion of Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi and that specific instruction and encouragement to be servants and have submissive minds.

Paul talks about being humble.

Humble: not proud or arrogant; modest; having a feeling of insignificance; low in rank, importance, status, quality; to lower in condition, importance or dignity.

So what does it mean to be a humble person; to have humility? The humble person is not one who thinks ill of himself, but one who doesn’t think of himself at all. The truly humble person knows himself and accepts himself and yields himself in obedience to Jesus to be a servant – for the Glory of God and the good of others.

In verse 5-6 above we see a humble man’s eyes and mind are turned off of himself and onto others. He sees the needs of others, and he thinks of others. He has the mind of Christ, and his attitude proves it.

In verse 7 we see that thinking of others, he also serves others. It is not just good words he speaks, but his actions follow with true service. Paul was a servant, but his example and our most excellent example is Jesus.

Jesus thought of others and became a servant. The Bible says that He made Himself of no reputation. He emptied Himself and laid aside His own attributes as God. He became human in a sinless physical body, and He used that body to be a servant…meeting the needs of others all the way to the cross where He willingly died for others.

Jesus was a servant, and He was humble. His service cost. The genuinely humble man will naturally pay the price to serve others because their mind is on others and not themselves. Many people are willing to help if it cost nothing, but if there is a price, they lose interest. In verse 8 we see Jesus became “obedient unto death.”

Meditation

Jesus didn’t avoid sacrifice and neither should I. My attitude as I walk through this Christian life should be one of willing submission for the glory of God and the good of others. If paying a price will honor Jesus and help others, I should willingly pay it. Will there be suffering? Very likely…but I do believe the test of the submissive mind of Christ is not how much I am willing to take in terms of suffering but how eager I am to give in terms of sacrifice.

One of the interesting things about this Christian life is that the more we give, the more we receive; the more we sacrifice, the more God will bless.

I will close out with two quotes I read today:

When love is the motive, sacrifice is never measured or mentioned.  – Unknown

Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing. – J.H. Jowett

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come before you today and declare that You are wonderful and magnificent and all knowing and YOU are the Lord of me. I declare that You are supreme and You are the great I AM! You alone Lord. Father, I come before You today having blown it again in so many ways. Did I have the mind of Christ today? Not when I compare it to Your Holy Word. Father, forgive me for allowing my mind to wander and to get caught up in trivial things and imaginations. Help me, Father, to keep my focus on You and Your Word and Your will. Help me to see You when I see others and help me to step up and be a servant. Help me to be one so willingly that it is just the outflow of my heart because of my relationship with You. Help me to know You and love You more and more and as I work and serve may YOUR LOVE and Your Presence be my strength and my only drive.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!!!

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts. ~ Haggai 2:4

A Little Something Extra

The New Testament is full of all kind of instruction in how to live with one another.  Here are just a few:

  • Prefer one another      Romans 12:10
  • Edify one another        1 Thessalonians 5:11
  • Bear one another’s burdens       Galatians 6:2
  • Don’t judge one another       Romans 14:13
  • Rather admonish one another       Romans 15:14
  • Serve one another       1 Peter 4:10
Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – 1/15/2018

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

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Daily Scripture

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ~Matthew 5:14-16

Study

Light of the world – You are the light of the world. You are the instrument which God chooses to make use of to illuminate the minds of men; as He uses the sun to brighten the earth.  The sun makes objects visible, shows their form, their nature, their beauty, their deformities.

City that is set on a hill – Many of the cities of Judea were placed on the sides of mountains and could be seen from afar. The city was visible, and Jesus told his disciples that they were like that. Our actions are not hidden for the eyes of the world are on us. We are seen by believers and unbelievers and so our lives ought to be holy, harmless, and undefiled. The Christian life is something set high, and we cannot arrive without pain: while it separates us from the earth and carries us nearer heaven – our relationship with Jesus places us in view of the world.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. – John 8:12

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. – Psalm 119:105

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. – Acts 13:47

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. – Ephesians 5:7-14

Meditation

Jesus doesn’t just say that He is the light of the world. With Him alive in us, we are the light of the world too. We don’t have to back down or shy away from our faith. Declaring the goodness of God, we’ve seen in our lives puts Him on display for those that have yet to place their faith in Him.

A light shining in the darkness cannot be ignored. When we shout our praise, God is glorified, and people take notice. We aren’t just called to show His light, though. We are called to share it with the world.

I found it interesting to be reminded that in and of itself darkness does not exist. Darkness is the absence of light. Light has so much power that when it is on darkness must leave. Let there be light! Darkness must flee.

Wherever the Word comes, the light comes, and the darkness has to flee. I suppose then if you are sick of the darkness surrounding your life speak the Word – out loud, boldly, and persistently – until the darkness flees.

Prayer

Lord, today I thank You that You are the Light. I thank You that anything of me that is good comes directly from You and is solely because of my relationship with You. Holy Spirit, I ask that You shine Your light on any area of my life that needs change to be in Your perfect will. I ask for the grace to make any, and all changes and I ask You to remind me to keep my eyes only on You as I walk this journey. If I stumble, help me to get up quickly and look to You before I look or listen to others. Lord, I thank You for setting my feet on solid ground and giving me shepherds that love You first and foremost and love the sheep that You have placed into their flock. I ask You Jesus to touch my shepherds and give them health, divine blessings, and increased wisdom and revelation. Help them always to be confident of the walk and the Words that you anoint them to share. Help us as their flock to love and honor and follow the vision that You have placed in their hearts. Help me, Jesus, also to stay in places of prayer and the Word so that I may KNOW You. I ask this all in Jesus precious and holy Name. Amen! I love you so much, Jesus.

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – 1/12/2018

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

My Daily Scripture - 1/12/2018

Daily Scripture

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. ~ Matthew 5:9

Study

Peace – non-warring condition; a state of mutual harmony; freedom from civil commotion and violence; freedom from dissension; freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession; a state of tranquility or serenity; silence; stillness.

Peacemaker – a person, group, or nation that tries to make peace by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight.

Reconcile – to cause (a person) to accept or be resigned to something; to win over; cause to become amicable; to settle; to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent; to restore.

The Greek word translated “peacemaker” is used in only one other place in the New Testament, in a slightly different way. Colossians 1:19-20 says, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven.”

Jesus laid down His life to make peace between God and sinners, and when we carry that message of peace to others, we are peacemakers. God delights in those who reconcile others to Himself—those who bring the gospel are “beautiful” (Isaiah 52:7). God “reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Those who bring reconciliation to broken relationships are carrying on the work of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Those who give of themselves as Jesus did in order that others may know God are called “blessed.” There is no real peace apart from a relationship with God. What may masquerade as worldly peace is merely a temporary lull in chaos. True peace is found only in a restored relationship with God. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked’” (Isaiah 48:22).

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. -Psalm 46:10

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

Meditation

The children of God can bring the peace of knowing Him to others. A person must have a real and abiding relationship with God before they can help someone else to know Him. Those who witness for Jesus Christ, share their faith with their friends, and serve others in the name of Jesus are the ambassadors for peace. As an ambassador, they bring the message of God’s peace to the world as “peacemakers.” Truly these are the “children of God.”

Prayer

Father God, I come before you this morning and ask You to help me to be one that reconciles others to You. Help me to live in peace through Jesus and to walk intentionally seeking to bring reconciliation to others. Help me to be bold in witnessing and showing love in all ways always. Help me to be at peace and look like peace in this chaotic world, and to do what I am called to do – to help not only bring people to You but to do my part in teaching all nations of You. I ask this in Jesus Name. Amen. I love You so much, Jesus ❤️

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – 1/11/2018

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Daily Scripture 1/11/2018

I’ve cried a thousand tears and think I’m done, then one more slips out…

Daily Scripture

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. ~ Matthew 5:8

Study

Pure – clean, blameless, unstained from guilt.

The word comes from the Greek word katharos and can refer specifically to that which is purified by fire or pruning.

The only way to be pure at heart is to accept Jesus into your heart and ask Him to do the cleansing work. Those who are truly pure are those who have been declared innocent because of the work of Jesus.

Your heart is something physical, but here it is the spiritual center of your being. It is where thoughts, desires, sense of purpose, will, understanding, and character reside. So, to be pure in heart means to be blameless in who we actually are.

Being pure in heart means having a heart after God. A pure heart has no hypocrisy, no guile, no hidden motives. Purity is that quality which seeks to see the best in others. The Bible says: “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled, and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus‬ ‭1:15-16‬‬‬) The pure heart is marked by transparency and an uncompromising desire to please God in all things. It is more than an external purity of behavior; it is an internal purity of the soul.

Meditation

Not many words, just tears. I am in a place of mourning. A place where I’ve cried a thousand tears and think I’m done, then one more slips out and down my face. I sit up and shape up hoping no one sees and they don’t. But God doesn’t even need the tears to know, He knows the heart. He knows every tear and every source and every destination. He knows because He’s the one that brought me here.

Prayer

Please help me, Lord! Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) In Jesus Name. Amen!!!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – 1/10/2018

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Daily Scripture 1/10/2018

Daily Scripture

 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ~ Matthew 5:7

Study

Obtain – get, acquire, or secure (something).

Obtain, was adopted into English in the 15th century, coming to us via Anglo-French from the Latin obtinēre, meaning “to take hold of.” “Obtinēre” was formed by the combination of ob, meaning “in the way,” and the verb tenēre, meaning “to hold.”

Mercy – Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.  lenient or compassionate treatment; a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion.

—–

To be merciful is to show forgiveness and compassion to those in need. Jesus frequently spoke of this trait. In the Lord’s Prayer, He says “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) In Matthew 9:13 Jesus instructs the Pharisees, “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus often showed mercy to those He came across.  Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 4:1 that his ministry was given to him by God’s mercy. (Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not). He also saw his salvation as an act of God’s mercy: Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Our salvation is called an act of God’s mercy in Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. And as Peter said in 1 Peter 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

We too, as God’s children, have received and should reflect His mercy to those that cross our paths. When we are merciful, we look like Jesus and are blessed.

—–

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? – Micah 6:8

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. – Proverbs 21:21

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new very morning: great is thy faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23

Meditation

Before I was saved, I could not understand the meanings of grace and mercy, no matter how many times it was explained. Finally, after I was filled with the Spirit, the Holy Ghost taught me and finally…I got it!

  • Grace = Receiving something that you DON’T deserve.
  • Mercy = NOT receiving something that you DO deserve. (punishment, condemnation, etc.)
  • God’s mercy is shown by His withholding of my just punishment.
  • As a child of God, I should be a reflection of Him, giving others the same mercy He extends daily to me.

Prayer

Father, I thank You today for Your Word which feeds me, encourages me, and corrects me. I thank You for your mercies and that they are new every morning. I thank You that Your compassions do not fail. EVER. Lord, I come to you today in need of help here. My heart and mind are troubled, and I know that is not You will. So I need to let my heart focus on good things when I am at rest, and I need my mind to line up with Your Word.  It is not easy.  My world and people around me sometimes give great reason to be frustrated, but I know that is a response to my flesh.  I want Your heart for people and the issues they bring.  I want Your heart that loves and loves mercy. I want to follow after it and release mercy and blessing to people in every situation.  Strengthen my heart today to be merciful in not only my deeds and my words but also in my heart and mind when I am at rest. Thank you, Father, that I have no doubt it is done, and I only need surrender because I know it is Your will that I am merciful and that Your mercy is my first and natural reaction. Help me to surrender…In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.