Faith

“the word of the truth. . . the gospel. . . brings forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth” (Col. 1:5-6) Did you know that everything about the gospel speaks of increase and empowers people to prosper? At the same time, everything about Satan and the corruption of the world tends toward loss, separation and poverty. The spirit of control in many governments seeks to separate people from abundance, creativity, personal freedom and personal responsibility. Many religions do the same. Religions of ‘sovereignty’ make man a pawn and victim of a mysterious God who controls all things. Religions of legalism pronounce curses on any behavior or activity that is outside the boundaries of their creed, thus empowering guilt to steal, kill and destroy the life of the believer.

My two sisters and I rode along the road, to our other sister’s house. They had met me at Kirbyville. We then rode together to Evadale. There, we would visit with our other sister and eat together. Fall leaves adorned the trees along the road. We exclaimed, over their beauty. It was a perfect day.

When I think I've turned a page to a new chapter in my life, I realize there is nothing new in life. I'm referring to pain.

The heart of the Father is revealed in the ministry of the Son. The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19) The evidence that someone has a true relationship with God is seen in their love, compassion and the desire to lift people up. The first things I look for from one who is a believer are joy, kindness, and compassion. Those who are focused on criticism, finding fault and judging others are not representing Jesus. That is the work of the “accuser of the brethren”. Sadly, I have known many who are more adept at accusing than they are at showing compassion, loving and forgiving. When you see someone who is sick, do you immediately assume they are reaping what they’ve sowed, or is your heart stirred to bring healing? And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Mt. 14:14) Those who are lost and hurting are the product of a fallen world, abuse, lack of knowledge, guilt and hopelessness. When our first reaction is to judge and find fault, we can know that we aren’t in fellowship with the Father. Let’s refresh our hearts in the love of God. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

I had already written this column; when a strange thing happened. I stepped out on my front porch and saw a new wind chimes set. I had been out, all day. So, I don’t know who brought it. But, thank you. It’s beautiful!

Old habits sometimes die hard. We often live from “muscle memory” and have done certain things for the same way for so long that when a new option or product is available that is much more effective, we still seem to reach out for the old way of doing the task.

I needed to run some errands. I was used to planning ahead. So someone else, could do them, for me. Then, I realized that; I have my car, now. I had been having problems with it, for months and months. It was such a relief, to have it running, again. As I drove, to do my chores, I felt like a bird, out of a cage.