Another Chance To Do What?

I just finished watching a tv program in which a man (Prophet) gave some encouraging words about America. In a nut shell, things will look bad for the next months but God is working in America to give us another opportunity. This is not too hard for me to believe. Even though I have not felt encouraged about our country for a long time. I believe if we are to receive another chance it will not be for our own profit. It will be for the profit of others. If we are to receive another chance it will be the opportunity to give it all! We are like the rich young man who came to Jesus and proclaimed that he had done all to keep the commandments since he was a child. Jesus told him "Well done". The Bible says that Jesus Loved him. The young ruler was invited to come and be the Savior's disciple. Jesus said, you lack one thing, go and sell all that you have and come and follow me.

I believe that this is the word for this generation of Americans.

This is it.

This is the time.

This is the call.

Give it all!

In the first century the early Christians sold all that they owned and had all things in common. This sounds so strange to us today in a nation where we are so independent and self reliant. But, the reality was that in just a few short years they were going to loose all that they had. In 70 A.D. Jerusalem was sacked and the Jews and the Christians were dispersed into other nations. They became missionaries wether they wanted to or not. We live with such a high standard of living in this country. even those of us who think we live a very modest to low income life earn the top 1% of the worlds wealth. http://www.globalrichlist.com/

I'm not posting this to proclaim that I have arrived and have succeeded in achieving this call. On the contrary, I am posting this because this is what my husband and I are hearing! We need to get out of debt and be free to go and do what ever he asks us to do. He has never revoked the call to "GO" and it was not only given to those first apostles and Christians. We have ears, let us hear the call also. I am praying "Lord, have mercy on me!

Where Does the Prince of Peace Abide?

I got an afternoon alone today! I don't mean to sound so happy but I really have been needing some time alone with myself and my thoughts. My Mom passed away May 28th. That has been a whole month and I don't feel like I have had the time to really think about her and how much I miss her. Oh, I have all day at home like so many other mom's out there but I haven't had the personal time where I can sit and reflect and I might add cry.

I have had a remarkable Mother and a remarkable relationship with her. As I have mentioned before, I became a widow at the age of 21 with two little boys under 5. My Mom and Dad were a tremendous blessing to me and my kids. We went on vacations together, went to church together, went camping together, told stories, prayed, laughed, took communion together, read our Bibles together. I home schooled the boys and we all had so much fun together. Always together.

I don't ever remember a sharp word, a manipulative action, an "I told you so". I can remember my Mom so many times saying "there are not very many families that could get along good enough to live together like this." She was right. Mom and Dad's farm always felt so peaceful. Other people said it many times when they came by to visit or stopped in on business. We had home Bible studies and prayer meetings and the Lord's presence always was felt. I don't believe that God's Spirit just showed up but I know that He abode there. They gave Him a place to abide. There was no strife, no back biting, no gossip. There were no lies, no anger, no doubting. I never felt the need to bicker or be resentful.

So, now I wonder, does God want to abide in my home? I know that we are the temple of God but when we order our lives according to His will then His peace will be upon our homes as well. And I believe that visitors will feel the presence of God when they step upon the literal ground that belongs to God. My parent's home was a witness of this truth. The Apostle Paul said that when you come into someone's house you are to bring the peace of God with you and if they won't receive it then you are to take it with you when you leave. With so much strife and turmoil in this world and in this country a home with true peace is a rare thing. This is my prayer: Dear Lord, make my life a testimony of your glory and let Your peace abide in my home as it does in my heart. Help me to conduct my household with honor fitting of your name and let the words of my mouth be pleasing to you. Let me be an example to my children like my Mother and Father were to me. Oh, Prince of Peace reign here in my home as you did in theirs.