FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION

Ever had a storm come up very suddenly and you find yourself unprepared for the storm? Yes, me too!! You know those times when it is pouring down rain and you just remembered you left your umbrella in the car! There are storms that arise because of our own misguided actions, then there are the storms that the enemy will bring into our lives; when we did not expect it. Yet, through all of these storms a testing of our faith will occur.

Battling storms will require us to remain steadfast, planted on a firm foundation, or as an old fisherman's quote "Better make sure you batten down the hatches." Storms are never pleasant, and often bring us feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and despair. There have been times when I really felt like I would drown if Jesus did not reach down and pull me to safety. At times when I felt this way the enemy would be shouting into my ear "Give up, Nothing will change, You don't matter to anyone, Lay down and die!" Even typing these words fills me with pain, remembering the times when Satan spoke these words into my mind, then I for a brief moment believed his lies and wept desiring death rather than the storm.

Looking at the word: Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus had just finished feeding 5,000 and as He sent the people away He told His disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side. Then He went up on the mountain to be by Himself and pray, here He looks out and sees the boat in the middle of the sea.

Matthew 14:24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Matthew 14:31-33 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him (Peter), and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly, You are the Son of God."

Our Christian life is a walk of faith, yet, when we find ourselves in the storms of life, we often find ourselves doubting where God is. Faith will grow, as we are stretched beyond where we were to the next level, and in that stretch will come a test that will at times appear like storms.

Remember Abraham, God had promised him a son, a son that would be born in his old age to him and his wife Sarah. We know that after Issac was born time past and God instructed Abraham to take his son, his promised son and offer him as a sacrifice. We can read that Genesis 22:1-18, we know that this is a picture of the time when God, Himself, will give His Son Jesus Christ as our sacrifice, in fact the ram caught in the bush is a picture of Jesus as our sacrifice, our substitute. But lets look at the following scriptures:

Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Issac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of who it was said; "In Issac your seed shall be called." concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

You see from the time Abraham was 75 years of age until his extremely old age, God was preparing him for this test. Our walk with Jesus through each valley, to the top of the mountain has been to prepare us for the testing of our faith, no matter how it may come. Each time God reveals a deeper revelation to us and we begin to walk in that deeper revelation a test will come. Yet God never wants us to fail, He always prepares us for what is coming, and He sustains us in the middle of it. The incarnation of Jesus Christ was the fourth man in the furnace with the three Hebrew men in Daniel chapter 3. When they came out they did not even have the stench of smoke on their clothing.

I am writing this because too often I have felt like a failure, even when I saw the test coming I viewed it as a storm and reacted to the drama verses responding in peace and faith. I am sure we can all agree we have been there more times than we would like to remember. But God will not allow us to be failures, we have been built to outlast the storm, and to pass the test. And as I have learned, we get the privilege of taking the test over and over until we pass it.

Just a reminder seeking an on-line bible study that you can work on from home? Check out www.lindgroberts.com. This takes you to the front page and on the left are different studies, the one we are working on now is "Are You Willing?" and we are looking at Abraham.

JESUS IS OUR HEALER, THAT HAS NOT CHANGED

When I think about miracles and why the church of today is not experiencing a great movement of miracles of healing and deliverance; I remember what the word of God tells us.

1. God is still God He does not change

2. Jesus is still Jesus He does not change

3. Holy Spirit is still His Holy Spirit He does not change.

So I have to ask what has changed? The answer is simple, the Church, the Bride of Christ we have changed.

No longer do most of the modern day churches preach and teach on the miracles of Christ Jesus given to the church by His Holy Spirit. People have begun to see this as a thing of the past and not part of the present. The enemy has deceived the church and lulled us into sleep. Even now people are being healed of cancer, heart disease, and many more as the church prays for them. Yet, within the walls of the church people are being prayed over and leave the same as they walked in. So let us see why:

In Matthew 13:53-58 we are told that Jesus went into His own town among His own people and He was unable to do many mighty works. What in the world could stop the Son of God from healing, delivering and casting out demons. Look at verse 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Unbelief not only in individuals but with the church can stop the mighty works of God. In this case a whole town except for a few were unable to be touched by Jesus because of the unbelief within the people.

Mark 5:35-43 Here we have an account of Jairus and his daughter. While Jairus was getting Jesus to bring Him to his home word came that his daughter had died. In verse 36 Jesus spoke these words to Jairus "Do not be afraid only believe." When they reached the home in verse 40 listen to what was said "And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and whose who were with Him, (Peter, James and John) and He entered where the child was lying." In the next verse we see He took her by the hand spoke to her and she awoke from the dead. What we see here is that before Jesus spoke life back into this child He removed unbelief from the house.

Go with me to Acts 9:36-41 A lady of faith by the name of Dorcas had died, she had ministered as a seamstress to the widows and was loved by all. Peter comes and look what he does in verse 40 "But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up" Notice once again those who may have been of unbelief were put out of the room. then Peter prayed and she rose from the dead.

Continue with me to Acts 19: 11-12 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the disease left them and the evil spirits went out of them  Can we go a little farther?

Acts 5:15-16 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits and they were all healed.

 

Remember it is the anointing in the lives of Paul and Peter that brought the healing, not by their name or by their power, but by the name and the power of Jesus Christ.

 

2 Kings 13:21 So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders, and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha (a prophet of God) and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.

In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 we are given a list of the Gifts of the Spirit, these are gifts that are only given to the believer at the moving of the Holy Spirit. Among these gifts is one by the name of "Healing".

No one person has the power to heal, that is given only unto Jesus our Lord and Savior. So how can someone have the gift of healing? It is the anointing of the Holy Spirit in and on that person. The anointing was so strong on Elisha that even after his death as soon as a dead man touched him life was restored. Sure there are many who fake healing, many who lift up their own name and declare themselves to be a healer, but they will receive their reward. Let us always understand that no healing can come unless the power of Jesus Christ touches the one in need of healing. Yet, unbelief will hinder what God desires to do in someone's life. Let our unbelief never be a stumbling block for someone else.

 I believe that hurting hearts need healing more than anything. If the physical ailment is healed and the heart remains damaged, then the healing is not complete. Jesus desires to touch our hearts and heal our hurt, whether it is someone that has hurt us or the church has hurt us, until we deal with the hurt and forgive the offender then we will be always carrying that hurt into the next relationship and into the next church. It is baggage that needs to laid at the foot of the cross.

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Just some thoughts I have been pondering lately. Looking for a bible study check out www.lindagroberts.com

Be blessed.

WHAT WILL THEY REMEMBER ABOUT US

We all desire to leave a legacy behind, something that our family and our friends will remember about us when we are gone. Yet, what will they remember? I look at my own children and wonder will they remember how much I love them, how much I love Jesus, or will they remember all of my mistakes, the times when I lost my temper, or taught them the wrong things? I look at my sister and see how for years now, her memory has been slipping away to Alzheimer disease, and so desperately I try to look beyond this a see who she used to be. I remember laughing, trips, sharing the word of God with one another, in fact she is the very one who lead me to Jesus Christ, for that one thing is enough to always be grateful. She has always supported me and loved me and yes corrected me.

These things have been on my mind as I have been reflecting on the lesson for the children in the morning. It is found in Acts 9:36-43 it is the account of a lady, much loved and appreciated, by the name of Dorcas who found herself sick and died. Look at her legacy:

Acts 9:36b,39-41 This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 39. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise, And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

God had placed in Dorcas' life the ability to sew, then He gifted her to be a server one who would use her God given skills and ability to bless others. These people whom she had cared for the widows, loved and respected her, they were grieving that she was no longer with them. Then God heard their cries, He heard Peter's prayer, and He responded and He raised Dorcas from death. What a legacy she had left for others to see, and now see how God received the glory and reading on in verse 42 many believed and were saved when they heard how God raised Dorcas up from the dead,

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them

 

 

I remember Queen Esther and how her legacy was to save the nation of Israel. So many more mentioned over and over again in the scriptures whose legacy continues even today. 

 

 

Esther 4:14b and 16b Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 16b and if I perish, I perish!

 

 

The words spoken to her about her purpose in the kingdom and her response back to it, is the step of faith that saved a nation.

We are all created to be what Jesus has called us to be, we all have been given abilities, gifts and callings on our lives that we may do the good works that He has prepared for us. So what Legacy are we leaving for the next generation to see in us?

Perhaps, as humans we focus too much on we think people should be doing, what we think people should be like, look like and act like, instead we need to be focusing on who Jesus has said they are, what He says they need to be doing!!

For my sister, her legacy to me is very personal, she shared her faith and I received salvation, I choose to remember her love for Jesus, for her family, for our mother and for me.

But what my own family sees in me, I pray they see Jesus Christ living in me and through me. My legacy for the next generation is still in the process. So I pray that I will be who Jesus has called me to be and that I will share my faith with others. Desiring to please God the Father more than myself, using the abilities, gifts and callings He has placed on my life to glorify Him and to help others.

Just some thoughts this morning.

SATAN YOU CAN'T HAVE MY VICTORY

Approximately two years ago during a study on the fear of God by Francis Chan, God revealed to me that I had an unhealthy fear of Him when I was a child. God only revealed this much to me at that time and I immediately stored it somewhere in my subconscious. Then last Wednesday July16,2014 after listening to a message on "balance", God took me back to that unhealthy fear, so let me take you back with me.

I was not raised in church and my earliest memories of church came at the age of 8, these memories were shadowed by the fact that my father was dying and when I was 9 my father died. It was here at this moment fear of God came on me, it was such a fear of Him and the power He had over life and death (let me say right here, no one ever talked to me about death, about what happens when someone dies) this power that God has was what I perceived in me. So after the funeral, I announced to my mother "I will not go back to church again". Unfortunately she also chose not to go back to church. When I was 12 my cousin invited me to a revival at her church, so I said I would go. At the close of the service they asked that if anyone would like to share some testimony to come on up. So being the shy 12 year old that I was, I got in line to speak. When I reached the pulpit here is what I said "I hate God, He killed my daddy and I am afraid He is going to kill me" Wonder how that went over? It would be 15 more years before I would meet God's grace and embrace His love that was extended to me through the cross. It was here that balance would come, the unhealthy fear that had tormented me for 18 years and had pushed me away from God, now became a healthy fear that pulled me to Him. Again God was only revealing a little at a time. Because He was preparing me for Sunday's message.

Sunday morning July 20,2014 our message continued on Victory and how God will take us back to our greatest defeat to move us forward from it. As I sat there listening, my life past before my eyes, I saw what I had written above, and I went on to see that when I was 38 and my marriage was falling apart just like the child of 9 I declared from my mouth "I hate God, I will not go back to church, God has forsaken me". As I sat there I realized that God was taking me back to show me the moment of my first defeat at 9, and how even after I was saved, active in church and bible study, that defeat was repeated when my world fell apart again. It would be 12 more years before I would find myself in the arms of a forgiving Father. As I sat there and listened to the message, I heard the voice of God speak into my spirit "I have taken you back to your defeat to show you, that will not happen to you again, because now your faith is as strong as a mountain." Well, praise God lesson learned. But God was not finished yet.

Monday July 21,2014

Reading in 1John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world---our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

and then to Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him (the accuser mentioned in verse 10) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

It seems that through out my life Satan has attempted to destroy me by destroying my faith. I remember when I came back to Jesus I prayed "Lord, let my life be a testimony that will bring You glory" and then I wondered why so much has happened that would shake my faith. God has shown me, that I have sought Him throughout these last 16 years more than any other time in my life. Because I have sought after Him, though my faith has been tested, though my faith has been shaken, though I have wept, shouted and wanted to give up. My faith in my Lord, my God has remained and has grown. Victory is mine because I have overcome the wicked one, by the blood of the Lamb and by my testimony. I know that I will continue to be tested and tempted and have moments of a shaking of my faith, but when God spoke to me Sunday morning His promise; then I knew that my faith has been settled and though everything around me fall and crumble my faith will remain because the one who gave me His promise is faithful to keep His promise.

I have pursued and I have waited to hear the voice of my God speak to me that I now have the victory I had so longed for.  Never again will I turn away from pursuing my Lord. Just so you know 3 days after I wrote this and spoke this, I received a phone call that took away more of my income ( a storm to test my faith). Ha! Satan you can't have my VICTORY!!!

If you are in search of an on-line bible study check out www.lindagroberts.com a lot of different studies on the website, look to the left and choose one you may like, the current one is The Thread of Hope.

JUST STOP AND WAIT

For the past few days, I have felt like I was standing still, not going anywhere. It sometimes would be called a "dry place" a place where I don't know what God desires for me to do next, a place where Jesus has said "wait", just "rest" here awhile. I have been on quiet a journey; a journey of mountain tops, and low valleys, a journey that has made me laugh with the joy of the Lord and a place that has made me weep in despair. Lets just say that waiting and resting are not easy for me. Yet, as I have been writing this and reading His word, there is no doubt that is exactly what He wants me to do. We all need to have the times of waiting and resting to prepare us for the next phase of our journey. Hear the word I read this morning:

To set the stage this is the passage of the experience of the "Transfiguration on the Mount" found in Luke 9:28-36 I am only going to write a portion of this.

Luke 9:33-36 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah---not knowing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying This is My beloved Son, Hear Him! When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

Peter knew he needed to do something with what he saw and heard, and on his own he decided building three tabernacles to honor them would be a good thing to do. How often do we decide what is the best thing that needs to be done to give God the glory, and yet it is not what God wants us to be doing. Oh it may not be a bad thing, yet the purpose that God has for us is not being fulfilled when we on our own decide how we are to bring Him glory. immediately after Peter said this the Glory of God appeared in the Cloud and God the Father said "Hear Him!" You see everything that Jesus did was only as God the Father revealed it to Him.

John 6:19-20 Then Jesus answered and said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

Many times Jesus had to withdraw and be by Himself, just He and God, a place to rest, a place to be in the presence of His Father. Yet, we or maybe just me, seem to think we do not need this place of rest, and we do. When God spoke "Hear Him" it also spoke to me, it is saying do not move, do not attempt to fulfill a purpose I haven't given you. Wait on the instructions that Jesus is to give me, before I move one more step.

Sometimes, God says it is time to stop doing something He had previously instructed us to do, times when He begins to prune some things from our life so that we can grow more. Then at times He will say keep doing what you are doing, be diligent to continue with the last thing I have given you to do. Consider Noah he was diligent to complete the task he had been given for 120 years.

For me personally, I believe I am in the place where my Lord is saying: "Sit here awhile, don't run ahead of Me, what I have for you to do is far better than what you can accomplish without Me." So I will sit, and wait, and listen and I will be prepared for when He speaks "I Move".

Hope my daily walk with God helps someone in their daily walk.

Be blessed and may God be glorified in all you do.

TRUSTING IN JESUS, EVERY MOMENT, WITH EVERY DECISION

A decision has been reached!! I am officially moving on Saturday May 31. It has been a long two months, yet God's grace has been all sufficient. A small house came available for me, that was just the right price, no damage deposit, the landlord would mow the yard, and would keep the utilities in his name so it would save me transfer fees. But the house just didn't measure up to my standards, hmmmm. Everyone I sought advise from, except my daughter Amy, said don't do it if you don't think you will like it and be happy there. I sought the Lord and over and over in my spirit all I heard was Proverbs 3:5-6. Then I got the word that the landlord's wife would want a damage deposit, and the door just slammed shut, and I said thank you Jesus.

Then a few days later the woman called apologized and said she would not charge me a damage deposit. Door opened and I said get thee behind me Satan. This door was closed. (laughing now)

The Holy Spirit kept saying Proverbs 3:5-6 over and over to me. Then on Sunday our message was from 1Kings 22:1-19, it was about King Ahab and how he only wanted to seek the advise from those who would answer with the words he wanted to hear. When a man of God spoke the truth to him, it angered him because the truth was not what he wanted to hear. Immediately I was quickened in my spirit, that the truth was I desired for people to tell me what I wanted to hear about the house. Only Amy spoke the truth to me, and I did not like it.

I asked the Lord to show me what I was to learn in Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Here is what I saw in these verses: Would I trust in Jesus or would I seek my own understanding instead of allowing His wisdom to penetrate and give me the understanding I needed for this next step of my journey. You see in the natural we look at all around us and we think that is not His best for me, but just as there are times when we can be right in the center of God's will and it may not appear to others or even to ourselves that we are where we are suppose to be, consider Joseph and the years he spent in slavery and in prison it didn't appear that he was in God's will, yet he was. Sometimes I will go back and read some notes from previous sermons and read this: "The transition from one place to another will cause us to carry a heavy load and place us in a valley of decision." Another piece of the puzzle for the journey I am on. Here is what the Lord showed me:

My valley of decision was more than whether or not I rented this little house, it was whether I trusted Jesus, that He had His best for me, though it may not appear the be the best by my standards it didn't mean that it wasn't exactly where I needed to be. I recalled this scripture:

Revelation 3:8.......See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;........

That verse became a reality for me when the door was open, then it was shut, and praise God He opened it again. So I considered where I was to live, where God wanted to place me and I said yes I want to rent this little house.

Looking for an online bible study check out www.lindagroberts.com 

JUST A LITTLE TESTIMONY

April 5,2014

Been reflecting back and seeing the movement of God, as He has been changing me and shaping me for His glory.

So I will begin with a word that was spoken at church approximately a year ago. In the message my pastor said "Everyone wants to see the glory of God, yet do you know what you are asking for?" I thought not really but I am fixing to find out. He went on to say "When God reveals His glory, He will reveal more of you, and He will reveal more of Himself". So I began to pray; regularly, Lord I want to see Your glory, reveal more of me and reveal more of You. Little by little He would do just that. Then approximately nine weeks ago our church began a series entitled: "From Death to Life". It has turned into a life changing series for me, and a series where God revealed His glory to me, I would see more that was in me that needed to die and to be buried, and He began to allow me the privilege of experiencing Him in a fresh and new way.

Most who know me, understand that I love the Lord very much, and know that I desire to walk in a close relationship with Him. But I still have life struggles, and everyday I struggle with just living, making an income, paying bills, etc. There are times when I think "I'm not going to make it" "It is never going to get better". As I was sharing this one evening with my pastors, my pastor looked at me an said "You are looking at your job as your provider and not Jesus". Needless to say, a little self-righteous indignation rose up inside me, and I thought (but didn't say) "I know that Jesus is my Provider". But at the same time The Holy Spirit said "He is right". I went home that night and asked for forgiveness, repented by aligning my mind with the Word, I began to study the covenant relationship I have with Jesus Christ. And I began to ask Him to let me experience Him as my Provider. Let me say that God honors your prayers, when you pray from your heart and desire to understand yourself and Him, as you journey through this life to fulfill the destiny He has for you.

Three weeks later, came a shift in my life. To get out from under a particular struggle I had with paying the rent where I was living, meant I had to break my lease and move. I began to realize that was what I needed to do because God had said in my heart "You will have victory in this, but you must obey what I say" So I spoke to the office, turned in my notice, and began to pack. Yet, I had no place to go. My church is located at the entrance to the community of Clinton and for several years I had been praying for the community. Several months ago the Lord had spoke to my spirit and said "I am placing you in the community you have been praying for". But at that time I believed it would be at a later date. To be completely honest, I have no desire to live in Clinton. I am definitely a city girl (laughing). But if God says that is where He is putting me then I am willing to go.

But there was and is no where to go. I have a budget that I must stay within and nothing at this time is available, where I am lead to go. Other possibilities have been offered, yet they are not in my price range, or not in the area I believe God says to go to. So my furniture is in storage, and I came to stay with my daughter and her family, until God opens the right door. Instinct says run out and find a place any place, just some place to have yourself and your belongings together. Yet, I have determined to not settle for my less out of fear and stay ready to receive God's best for me.

My biggest concern with staying with my daughter was that I would be in her and her family's way, that I would interfere with their life and they would interfere with mine. It has been six days, and all is well. Praying God's peace with me and them. I think for me it has been the biggest adjustment, I have lived alone for years, no noise at the house, stuff done the way I wanted it and when I wanted it. Now here I am with my daughter and her husband three kids and a dog they had a cat but he must be gone because I haven't seen or heard him. I must remember to ask what happened to the cat. Definitely different from what I am used to.

So that brings me to something else I have been praying, (I really didn't have a clear understanding of). One Sunday my pastor said "Keeping Jesus in our focus will cause us to be creative and stop reacting to life and life will begin to respond to us" I had the reacting part down pat, I knew exactly what that meant, since I did it a lot. So I began to speak and to pray "Lord teach me not to react to everything that comes my way and let life begin to respond to me". Then about a week into this I realized I didn't have a clear understanding of what it meant to have life respond to you. So I approached my pastor and asked him what did that mean, after all I was praying it. To simply put it "When I am faced with a situation either I can react to the situation or I can allow the peace of God to be released in me and the situation, and then I will see it from a different perspective and not react." Now those are not his exact words but that is how I received it to my understanding.

So where am I in this journey "From Death to Life"? Jesus is allowing me the privilege and the opportunity of experiencing Him as my Provider and my Provision. He is teaching me to listen and obey His voice. I have had several opportunities to react, yet I have chosen His peace and joy. You see God is moving me, yet the enemy has sent several distractions to me to get me off course and get my focus off of Jesus, yet I recognized his tactics. I am praying that while I am staying with my daughter that the light of Jesus will be seen in me and that I will not be the reason for another mother-in-law joke with my son-in-law. I hope that I will be a help and not a bother to my daughter. And I hope to enjoy my children and grandchildren during my stay.

What is this new life, this resurrected life look like? Let's just say that the resurrected life indwells me and has since I was born again. The anointing power that raised Jesus from the dead is in me. And as I live this life in Christ I walk in that power. This enables me to live in such a way, that Jesus is seen in me and not Linda seen, it allows my circumstances not to hold me as a hostage, binding me to them. It releases freedom in Jesus and then the chains fall off. I may still face many battles in this life, yet the battles are already won, all I have to do is keep Jesus as my focus and walk in His peace, lifting Him up, continue the upward call on my life. I have the victory already the biggest lie the enemy can convince us of is that he still has power over us. Wherever He places me the anointing of the Holy Spirit will penetrate the atmosphere and both myself and others around me will be changed not by me but by the presence of Jesus Christ in the room. A lot more to share on this subject but will wait until the bible study. This is just an update of where I am in my walk with Jesus.

Remaining steadfast on this journey.

Check out the on-line bible study and begin the journey From Death to Life at www.lindagroberts.com

JESUS IS ENOUGH

I am sitting here looking around at the boxes I have packed (to move) seeing my home is disarray and thinking Lord what is happening? I have moved many times, but each time I have had a place to move to, a home waiting on me to fix up, put my stuff where I want it, enjoy my new surroundings. Yet, this time it is different, I have no home to go to, no place to arrange my beloved stuff, no place that I can enjoy and know I am home.

What has brought me to this moment in time? I had begun to pray "Lord forgive me if I have not really seen You as my provider and my provision, my desire Lord is experience you as my provider and my provision." Three weeks later I find myself about to be homeless.

It is one thing to know that Jesus is enough, that Jesus is your provider, your provision, your protector and it is another to experience Him as these things. I had experienced Jesus as my protector on many occasions and now I am about to experience Him as my provider, my provision. All of this is to increase my faith and to prepare me for the destiny He has planned for me.

The word tells us that we walk by faith and not by sight, do you believe that? I do, yet if I can see where I am going is it faith? When the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant went to cross the Jordon River when did the sea part, before or after they got wet? When Noah built the Ark, there was no water, never had rained, he had no idea what a flood was, but by faith he obeyed God and the Word that was spoken to him and he and his family were saved. The word tells us that without faith we cannot please God. So if I desire to please God I ask for my faith to be increased. Asking this will place you in positions that exercise your faith. In other words, your faith will be stretched, think of how you work out and stretch your muscles, to increase my faith it has to be worked and used in many different situations, situations that will require my faith to be activated.

So now I am being stretched, Jesus is showing me who He is and allowing me the privilege of experiencing Him. That is if I don't waiver, don't give up though times may be hard I will see the reality of my faith. For I also know that the word says I am not abandoned nor forsaken, that I am loved and secure in Him, His word is real and His word is true. I am not a victim I am victorious.

So you don't get to feeling sorrow for me, until God opens a door of His choosing I will be staying at my daughter's home, I have said I don't know who I feel sorry for;

me or her, and then decided it would be her husband. (smiling)

God has His best for me and I will not settle for less out of desperation, and fear. My faith in who He is will encourage me and sustain me during this time. All of this has come about from a series of messages my church is doing entitled "From Death to Life" last week I began to do a bible study based on these messages as the Lord directs me in this. Hope you can join me for this life changing study at www.lindagroberts.com

Be blessed and remain steadfast

MY VIEW FROM THE GRAVE

Are you wondering about the title? Well I would like for you to come with me on a journey I have been on for a few weeks, a journey that will move me upward in the call of God on my life. It is the journey of sanctification. Sanctification is a life time process that transforms us from who we were to who He desires for us to be.

At the time of salvation a transformation from the old man to the new man takes place. Death to the old will bring a resurrection of the new. God brings the death and the resurrection, yet we are to bury the old and keep it buried. 

Romans 6:4-12 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

The problem most Christians find is that they continue to allow the old man (old nature) to rise up out of the grave and have rule in their lives. The dying process is a daily process not a once in a lifetime, or once a week or once a month.

Luke 9:23-24 Then He said to them all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

This self-denial is what we call “crucifying self, or dying to self” it is surrendering our will, our wants, our desires, our ways to His will, His wants, His desires, and His ways.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

There comes a time when God will speak to us the need to let go of old ways, old thinking and even old teachings, even ministries we are involved in,  these may not be bad things yet they are ways, thinking and teachings that may be hindering us from moving forward to the next level in our walk with Him. Our walk or I like to use the term journey is always moving forward and upward, as Paul says in Philippians.

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

When God reveals an area that needs to be buried and placed in the grave, we are to respond in obedience and place it in the grave. In the grave is where you will find the place of surrender, yet, not without a struggle. As God began to reveal to me that I had a stronghold, a mindset that I needed to let go of, first of all I entered into denial, I just couldn’t believe I actually had that way of thinking it was a thinking that has held me in bondage for years, throughout the years He has revealed little by little of a mindset that was not allowing me victory; a victory I so desired. When I agreed with my Lord that this was an area that needed to change and to be placed in the grave now that was me acting in obedience. Now here you find me in the grave and suddenly I find myself in a battle to get out of the grave. Spiritual warfare now begins, the enemy will begin to send thoughts to give you a counter offer; for me the thought he kept sending was: “you would be better off continuing to do what and how you have been doing things, because the other way is too uncertain.” It is the uncertainty that will get you every time. Uncertainty brings fear, and we know that fear is the opposite of faith, it also brings doubt, doubting that you are really hearing God correctly. My pastor had a message the other Wednesday night and in the message he said “Some would rather stay in their suffering because at least they understood their suffering.” That would be me; though I was suffering greatly, continuing to do things as I had been was better than the uncertain future. So here I am in the grave engaged in warfare, now comes the wrestling. I begin to wrestle with myself and to wrestle with God, wrestling with myself was exhausting, it was wanting to do as God directed and at the same time wanting to hang on to the last bit of control. Wrestling with God is that time of saying “Help me let go, help me to obey and surrender completely, I don’t want to and I want to, bless me God because I need you.”

So it was God was asking me to do something that I really didn’t want to do. Something that took humility, something that left me without a crutch, something that I believed if He asked me to do would be the very thing I needed to do that would help me in the journey and out of my suffering. So I did it, and I saw the last shovel of dirt poured over my grave. I felt immediate rest and peace; the burden of the decision was done. Then in two days the thing I was supposed to do and did was destroyed. It looked like I had heard wrong, but I knew that I hadn’t.

So now you find in the grave in a time of reflecting, this is the time of resting in the position I am in and allowing the Holy Spirit to feed me with previous messages from the word and remembering scriptures and people that we were given examples of; that I would need to continue remaining at rest and peace. I began to remember these words: “Obedience is the key that unlocks your destiny, obedience is the key to doing the Father’s will, obedience to the Father puts us in the position to fight the giant (like David), obedience unlocks and keeps us.” And these words: “Between the dream and the destiny there is always development (character development). Walking in covenant does not always look like we are blessed and does not eliminate suffering, is not passive and it requires perseverance.” (Joseph) So here I am realizing that when God asked me to do what He did,was Him wanting obedience from me, Him desiring me to be surrendered to His will, His way. It was not about changing the circumstance it was about changing me in the circumstance.

So here I lay, 6ft under, dirt piled over me, my circumstance hasn’t changed, in fact you might look and say it has gotten worse (imagine that). Do you realize that when you are in this yielded, surrendered position you have only one view to look at, and that is looking UP. I look up from where I lay and I have the hope and the assurance that what has died and what has been buried will one day arise in the resurrection power of Christ Jesus my Lord. So here has been my grave experience, here is the place I find myself, allowing the Holy Spirit to make the necessary changes in me for the next phase of my journey. More to come.

Reminder to check out the bible study web site at www.lindagroberts.com

LET GO AND LET GOD

After listening to some recent messages at my church, I began to reflect, and pray about why I believe the way I do and why I respond the way I do. Just another moment in my journey with Jesus.

If you are a Christian then you understand that at salvation you are a new creation, in fact in 2Corinthians 2:17 it says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. The question I am asking you and one the Lord revealed to me is "What did you think salvation was going to be like?" I never gave it a lot of thought until I began to pray "Lord reveal to me any preconceived ideas that would keep me from moving forward?" He began to show me that when I was saved in 1974 I had this preconceived idea that life was going to be wonderful, my husband would be saved and everything would be heavenly. Never for one minute did I see that thought coming, never understood that I even would think that way. But it does explain why when it didn't look like what I expected; how quickly Satan was able to tempt me into giving up. I gave up on my marriage, I gave up on myself, and I gave up on God. So what is it you may have thought salvation was going to look like? I recently wrote this phrase," I changed but life around me didn't. " Without seeing change in those around me I quickly became discouraged, depressed and divorced. I had to come to the place that I had to surrender my thinking on salvation and how it would look over to God and allow Him to show me how to walk by faith. Twenty four years would pass before I would do this. And even now I ask Him is this preconceived idea affecting me today? I laid that idea (one I wasn't even aware of) down on the altar and allowed His consuming fire to consume it.

Next question; "What preconceived idea do you have about the dream or ministry God has placed you in?" Early in my new beginning of being a Christian, I had this dream of sharing Jesus with multitudes of people all over the world. Yet, as I got older and older I truly didn't see how this would ever come to pass, who was I to have such a wonderful ministry? So I just buried the dream, then every now and then it would come back up and I would think "Lord could this really be?" Then I would bury it believing there was no way I would ever be traveling the world sharing Jesus. Then over the last year God began to move in certain areas of ministry that I became involved in, but it never looked like what my idea of how it would look would be. Here is how it looked, The Lord prompted me to first of all begin a blog, next some time later He prompted me to begin an on-line bible study, a short time after this He prompted me to begin a facebook page called "We Support Jesus Christ". Never thought much about any connection to my dream, until one day I realized I was reaching people around the world and all over the USA. Then I realized the dream that I did not understand how could happen, had become a reality. When I surrendered my idea of how it should be done and allowed God to have it His way, then I had let go and let God.

I recently went back and read Ezekiel 37 in this chapter the Lord had taken Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones, now I know and realize that the Lord is speaking of Israel, but we can also see how it speaks to us individually. The Lord asked Ezekiel can these bones live and then He told Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones and speak breath into them. I love verse 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together bone to bone. Go ahead and read verse 8-10. All of us have dreams we thought were dead, relationships that we thought were beyond repair, some may think that their relationship with God cannot be fixed, bad finances, bad doctor reports. But the word says to speak life in those areas, we are told in Proverbs 18:21 that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Begin to seek God and begin to speak His word which is life over yourself, over your finances, over your family, your business, your dream, and your ministries. Lay all these things down before the throne of God and surrender your idea, your control, your way, your will and say as our Lord Jesus said in the Garden "Not my will but your will be done". Now watch the breathe of God breath life into everything you thought was over, allow Him to resurrect it His way, and watch the dead come to life.

Next question "What preconceived idea do you have about church?" Why isn't church going in on Sunday, listening to some singing, taking up an offering, prayer, a message, an invitation oops it's noon got to go, don't need to stay for an invitation been saved, I'm ok. Then gone again until next Sunday. You have to admit a lot, I mean a lot of people think this way. Yet this is not church!! Church is never about the walls in a building, it is about being the people that God wants His people to be. Corporate worship is gathering together, and is such a necessary element in a Christian's life. The church is the body of Christ, we should be the church whether we are at Walmart, in our home, at work the same as in the building. Everything about us should speak to people, not just our words, but our behavior, it should say I follow Jesus, and He is in me, leading and directing me. But most who say they are Christians look, sound and act like the world. In Luke 9:23 we see that Jesus tells His followers that in order to follow Him they must deny themselves and pick up their cross and follow Him. This denying self is merely this, laying down in surrender my desires, my pleasures, my will, my way, my agendas, my plans, and on and on, and say 'Lord not my way not my will, but Your way and Your will.' This must be done daily. Once we let go of us we will now be letting God.

 Surrendered life will allow people to see more of Jesus and less of me. It involves digging a little deeper. None of this is new for me, yet, all of it is being learned on a deeper level. Just another part of my journey,

The on-line bible study is www.lindagroberts.com we are studying the Book of Ruth right now

MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND A NEW BEGINNING

I just want to talk today, is that okay?  A new year has begun 2014, I have been reflecting on this past year, seeing all that my God has done for me. And I am so thankful that I began a journey with Jesus. The journey is always one of faith, step by step. Just like when the priest were crossing the Jordan and they were carrying the Ark of the Covenant the water did not begin to part until they had stepped into the water. One man from each tribe was designated to remove a stone from the place where the priest stood bearing the Ark, they were to carry the stone to the other side and there they made a memorial to remember what God had done for them that day.

There have been days this past year when I would cry out to God and say "Lord where are You?" then there would be days when I would say "There You are Lord, I see You!" In all of these days 365 of them, God has brought me through every rough spot, it may have been a struggle, a time when I did not understand why I would have to go through this. But in spite of all the struggles, all the tears. This one thing I knew, God was with me and He was preparing me for the next part of our journey, 2014. With each struggle in this life I am being shaped to fulfill the destiny God has planned and purposed for me. I am being transformed little by little, shaped and fashioned into His design, His plan. This is not exclusive just to me, God has a divine plan for His children and His church. The problem rest in the fact that most are just living life and giving no thought to what God has for them.

Sometime ago I knew I wanted to change I didn't want to be the person I used to be, I didn't want to just live life saved, I wanted to experience the very presence of God in my life. I wanted to make a difference in my family, friends, church and community. I never want people to see me, I want people to see Jesus in me. When that becomes your desire, the enemy will begin to attack and attack. He will attempt to discourage, distract, and destroy you and your God given destiny.

So it was in 2013, growing in my prayer life, growing in wearing my garments of praise, growing in my faith. Oh though I have not attained I still press forward to a higher calling (taken from the words of Paul).

Now today is January 7, 2014 and I have begun to write a book. I believe that God is directing and leading me to write, yet how it will be published is beyond my knowledge. But I do know this when God leads and I follow by faith the path will be made straight and God has already made a way for this to happen. A great year is ahead, my church has embarked on the God given vision that the Lord has given to our pastors, I know that salvation will come into my family, I know that I will be moving from where I am to where I need to be.  I have placed my faith in One person His name is Jesus and where He goes I go. His indwelling Holy Spirit is my guide I am committed to listening to His voice and to following His directions. Obedience to walk in faith and as I obey and walk He will give me understanding.

Just an update in my daily walk. The title of my book is "The Thread of Hope"

If you are interested in an on-line bible study check out www.lindagroberts.com