Ohhhh, Christmas tree!It is January and my Christmas tree is still up.After a long day, I turn off all the lamps in the room, turn on the tree lights, light my candles and snuggle up to watch Fox news.
You might be thinking, Molly, tell me you don’t still have your tree up!I confess, I do.I have had a hard time letting go this year.I was so busy last year with so much to do, I didn’t even put one up, so this year has been a little hard for me to let it go.The days have rolled by and I still have not taken it down due to the fact I do not really want to.
As I was looking at the tree, it suddenly hit me- it occurred to me that just like this tree that has remained up for so long, there are a lot of us who carry around guilt, shame or unforgiveness for too long and have a hard time giving them up.When you turn to God, He tells you that He forgives you of past transgressions (sins) and He washes them away as far as the east is from the west.So, why then do we have such a hard time letting go of them?
This week I am purposing to take down the Christmas tree.But, notice that I AM PURPOSING to take it down.Make a choice with unforgiveness, wrongs that have been done to you or any other baggage that you carry around with you unpacking for all to see and hear about.Pack it up finally.
Just as others would look upon me as not being able to let go (for keeping my tree up for so long and me knowing I should have taken it down weeks ago), you also need to look upon what you are holding onto for far too long and let “it” go.Give it to God.You will actually feel a lot lighter and ready for what is to come instead of what has been.It is hard to move forward when you keep looking back.
By the way, I am listening to my Christmas CD as I write this!!
Happy New Year everyone!Thank you for the overwhelming response to our weekly blogs.You don’t know how much it means to me that someone is actually reading them.Years ago, there would be times of grrreeeat (if you can imagine Tony the tiger saying it) times of being downtrodden for various reasons.And I came to learn that I am only human and yes, I too, need a pat on the back occasionally.
I recall vividly going to God saying, “God, even bunny rabbits need a carrot sometimes to go a little further.”Then, just to make sure, in case He did not get it the first time (and wanting to get the final word in), I would throw in, “I just need a carrot to keep going.”
Well, you readers have given me those carrots and I really appreciate every one of them.My job is to get to others, one by one, the truth of what Jesus really died for.My intention is to explain this to you in a simple and clear way so you can get it.Evidently, it is working.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to write to me at the Island Gazette or email me with anything you would like to see explained and I will do the best I can through the Holy Spirit…as He guides.
By the way, I just finished my first semester at Liberty University (Theology studies); having made straight A’s so far.Finding out I was 56 years old and just beginning to attend college, someone remarked, “Well, Molly, what are you going to be when you grow up?”At first, I was kind of offended and then upon further reflection thought, No, you don’t understand.Now that I have matured by the power of the Holy Spirit working through me, I am now able to make a clear decision to get a degree.”
Thank each and every one of you….Christine, the kind man at Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Donna, and all of the rest of you who have helped to give me confidence to fulfill my destiny.May God richly bless you for your kindness.
How big is God?Through tangible, real life experiences that have occurred day in and day out for years now, I have come to realize that God is bigger than I will ever know.He is more than a “give me mine” kind of God and deserves our true devotion.
The moral of the Christmas Cat, Roscoe, is the fact that God says in His Word He knows the end from the beginning and out of every house in this city, I believe that angels led Roscoe specifically to Mrs. Grissom’s house.The Holy Spirit knew that she would search the lost and found section of the paper, eventually a phone call would be made to the owners (based on Mrs. Grissom’s insistence) and a great reunion celebration would occur.
This event reminded me that God knows every sparrow that falls to the ground.He knew that He would use Roscoe to glorify His Son, Jesus Christ, because Mrs. Grissom would tell me this story and I, in turn, would listen and end up writing a Christmas article on Roscoe.God knows that (most of the time) I can always find Jesus in real life circumstances.Can you say the same?
How glorious is a Father who even cares about a poor little fellow who was lost and then allowed him to find his way back home to the safety of his family at this season!And how much more the birth of Jesus Christ in a lowly manager 2000 years ago was necessary for us to truly live in the earth and be able find our way back home again when our days are done.If this isn’t a miracle of God’s unending love, mercy and special grace for us as His children, I don’t really know what is.
A miracle? Absolutely.And friends, that is how much God really does care.Won’t you turn your heart to Him this New Year and let Him bring you home again into His loving arms?If He remembers every sparrow and made time for Roscoe, then what in the world are you waiting for?
If you are a reader of our blogs you know what is presented is a good common sense approach about issues, not just hardcore biblical talk.We try not to get too preachy or knock you over the head with a bunch of “thall shalt nots.”
Do you really know what you say you stand for if it is in the name of God?Read below:
I read an article published in USA TODAY that says 60% of Americans cannot repeat half of the Ten Commandments. There was a TV host who asked his audience to name the apostles. NO ONE could name one of them. There was a survey done of students who enrolled in a religion class and 1/3 of them could not give these people/events in correct sequential order: Abraham, the OT (Old Testament) prophets, the death of Christ and Pentecost.
Approximately 20-25 million Bibles are sold in the US each year and about 92 percent of Americans own at least one Bible.Why then don’t people know more of what is contained between Genesis and Revelation (The first and last books of the Bible)?
All the people polled in these surveys were not non-Christians and that is what makes these reports sad.If we say we love God, we need to know more about Him; I include myself in that statement.
I also remember when I was in elementary school before we opened any school book; we recited the Lord’s Prayer…each and every day.
By the way, what does your Bible look like?Does it still look like you just bought it yesterday?
Take yours out because this is an open book test:
How many books are in the New Testament?In the Old?
Who are the two people who went to Heaven but did not die?
Last night, I tuned in to the largest Christian network in the world and what I heard was appalling.A man of God, who is a proclaimed prophet (and beware of those who label themselves), stood on the platform and stated that if you would give or sow your money in multiples of ten, as he counted upwards to astounding dollar amounts, that all of your family would be saved.He continued by interjecting that none of them would go to hell. What an ice-cold bucket of water in my face!
There was an individual named Johann Tetzel who went from town to town in the early 1500’s selling indulgences, which were authorized by Pope Leo X.After people gave money, they were given a piece of paper that stated their loved ones had been freed from purgatory.People gave their money because they did not know what the Word said about salvation due to no fault of their own.
After hearing this evangelist on TV, my soul grieved at the boldness of this man who actually defiled the Word of God in this manner.The bottom line is this: do not be deceived by allowing someone to tickle your ears, telling you things that cannot be backed up by the Word of God.These are big swelling words of false doctrines by false prophets who stand on worldwide stages and are very famous to millions of Christians.They know you have no clue (most of the time) what really is in the Word. This is a prime example of why you need to find out for yourselves what is in the Word of God.Do not be hoodwinked like the people all those centuries ago thinking what is in your pocketbook will save you.
Salvation is by faith not by works, lest any man should boast.You cannot buy a miracle and money will not set anyone free from hell.The Gospel is free to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ by faith.The handling of your money is something entirely different.
God help him.And help the network who is allowing this to be proclaimed.
Satan is moving (yes, in this 21st century) just as he did centuries ago.How in the world to you fight a centuries old demon?
Enticement with negative implications is one way to describe temptation.A lack of self-control is another.Desiring or wanting others’ lives, husbands, homes and cars can be described as lust.
However, at times (a wanting or desire) is placed on your heart due to the fact it is a destiny moment and needs to be followed through.But on the contrary, months and months of this unsettling inside of you is not from heaven. You should never be in a constant state of wanting.If Satan has you doing this he has got you just where he wants you.
I have been over 200 pounds four times in my life, so I speak from experience when I talk about temptation. Food was a big temptation for me but I have learned to recognize this fact now.The first major thing that had to be addressed for me to move forward was being delivered from a spirit of gluttony.After that occurred my learned behaviors and bad habits had to be dealt with which has been tough on my flesh.I am striving for excellence in this issue and will not give up.
Learning to walk in the power and the might of Christ can and will help you to be a winner.You can learn to be an overcomer in the areas of your life that cause you to go astray, such as lust and temptation, but it is going to take effort on your part.Then is it the anointing that will break the bondages and yokes to give you a fighting chance to be a winner— no matter what you feel you are defeated in.
Purchase your copy of The Stained Glass Window and learn how to get up and move forward from the things that are hindering you in this life!
What is lip service?To me, it is insincere talk passed off as the truth. I want to talk about giving true service and meaning to your lips.
Years ago, I wanted to do something mighty for God so I opened a business with $88.29.
The truth is, each morning I would faithfully stop at the corner Food Lion stocking up on antacid pills and cigarettes. The cashier finally asked me if I was alright.I had been feeling ill for some time.And I realized that just maybe, I was in over my head but my pride would not have admitted that fact to anyone. I accepted that I would have to see this commitment through. I was not going to run. To top it all off I had no health insurance so going to the doctor was not an option.
Taking the advice of customers who were nurses, coupled with speaking out the Word of God to heal me, I managed to keep going during this time even though I knew something was attacking my body.Sometimes I would repeat, by His stripes I am healed, for up to forty-five minutes until severe pains subsided.If I didn’t work there was no money.
However, due to exhaustion, I had to close the business after the second year. Two weeks after closing the front door I had to have emergency gallbladder surgery.The doctor had to pick my gallbladder out in pieces it was so gangrenous.But he said, “Something formed around your gallbladder that kept it from poisoning you to death.”Immediately, I knew that the living Word I had been speaking out over myself had worked.
The Word of God is alive and it is time to start learning it so you can use it to fight for yourself and family.Deposit it in your heart and by faith speak it out of your mouth and defeat the enemies that are trying to destroy you.
Jesus died for you and me for two big reasons. The first being salvation of our souls at death and the second to give us the authority to overcome evil.It is time to stop giving lip service to your deliverer.Life and death is in the power of the tongue.You need to learn how to use the mightiest weapon at your disposal to gain the victory in your life.
Look for more stories such as this in The Stained Glass Window
One thing I have seen that needs to be addressed is the fact that we all need to walk in our own shoes.WE have to learn to walk in what God has personally ordained for each one of us.
Do not want what someone else has got.You might see someone and think, I want to do what theyare doing. For example, I would see great and mighty men and women who were out preaching the Gospel of Christ, and I wanted to be them.
But, when I tried to put their shoes on, they were too tight, they really didn’t fit and at the end of the day I would cry out to the Father, “Help me, Jesus, they’re too tight!”My feet were sweaty, I had rubbed blisters on them and I finally discovered the last thing I wanted to do was put them on again the next day.
In order to fulfill God’s divine destiny for your life you have to seek God and get His will on what YOU should be doing.If He is slow in telling you (which is what I have witnessed), then keep going and keep showing Him that you are willing to work out His Word. What do I mean by this?Examples are, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them…” (Matthew 7:12) and “Judge not, lest ye be judged” (Matthew 7:1). The list goes on and on.“As you go along” He will start to unfold your specific path.You are a unique individual to the Father but if you are trying to wear someone else’s shoes, all you will end up with is pain and great frustration.Cinderella’s shoes were only meant for Cinderella.Remember when the wicked step-sister tried to shove her foot into one of them?
With any new pair of shoes, you will have to break them in so they fit you, but the more you wear them, the more comfortable they fit and you will discover you are walking in your shoes, not someone else’s.
You have to realize some are called to fund the Gospel, others are called to BE the Gospel and still others are called to preach and teach the Gospel.We all have different parts to play.Find out where your particular feet belong and place them under the bed God has designed just for you.
We just passed the Labor Day sales events.I can tell you that years ago, just the expectation of them got me all fired up and antsy.What could I buy? What was going to be on sale that I just had to have?The possibilities seemed endless.I could hardly wait for the end of summer to arrive...wishing time away.What was it I thought I had to have that could not wait?
Like it or not, impulse buying described me to a T.I didn’t realize there was another way.When the Holy Spirit started tearing me down in order to mold me, it hurt.It not only hurt emotionally but financially He placed me on the bottom rung of life.He had to change particular ways I did things and how I thought in order to show me how He wanted things done. Ouch!I couldn’t just go out and spend money just because I wanted something.I learned to pray FIRST when I wanted something, and then learned to shut up and listen for Him to speak.And by golly, He did and even told me where to buy a pair of Reebok tennis shoes for $13.00.
Get confirmation as to God’s will before you purchase anything.It is a divine inheritance as His child.Think God doesn’t care about the small stuff?Well, for the past fifteen years, as long as I was obedient and faithful to Him, He always got me an answer.He may not have given me exactly what I wanted (but it was close to it), or at times His answer was “no” because it was not the right time for me to receive what I had asked for.
God is not tied to holiday sales and when it’s truly God, it’s always a holiday sale.You won’t have to wait for Labor Day!
I have tried for years to actually place myself in others’ shoes so I could be compassionate, trying to understand their true feelings. When the Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson came out, I went to see it with about thirty other individuals from church.I sat right on the front row of the back section.This time was no different.When the beating and flogging part began to take place, I unconsciously began to weep.As the scourging progressively became more intense and brutal, I began to sob from a place deep within.I was not aware of how loud I had become and of the fact I couldn’t seem to stop. A woman who was sitting in the first row of the section in front of me (across the aisle) reached her arm back and patted me on the leg trying to comfort me while whispering, “It will be alright.”As I walked out of the theater alone that night, weakened in my heart over what He had done for me a voice calmly and lovingly stated, “It was as it was.”I drove myself home and repented for my behavior (again) for my complaining and attitude (again) for things I had done and for the sins I had committed against my Lord and Savior.
I resigned myself long ago to the fact that I didn’t have the cornerstone on Jesus, God Almighty and the Holy Spirit but that I could certainly try to become as I believed Christ would have me to.I take communion each morning and just recently, it dawned upon me that I was doing this “in remembrance of the Lord” and the horrible death He suffered for me.If I could just remember each time I took communion, the way I felt when I watched that movie that MY day wouldn’t seem so hard.Each day I carry with me Christ crucified which helps me gain a new perspective for that ONE day ahead of me.It is that ¼ shift turn in my thinking that has helped to spur me on.
Passion.When you are led by passion (His passion) everything else seems to dim in the light of it.
