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Love By Your Actions

March 20, 2015 by zgardener

Love By Your Actions

Did you know that the religious leaders of Jesus’ day had more than six hundred man-made laws they were required to obey? People couldn’t keep all those laws; it was impossible. Yet the rulers believed that those laws had to be obeyed in order to win God’s favor.

But Jesus summed up God’s law, scripture and prophesy with only two commands: “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor.” And he used a special all-encompassing word for love, a word that includes everyone. We are to love our neighbors, he said, even though they may have a different color skin, ethnic background, or language; even though they look different, walk differently, or act differently.

The Greek word for love that Jesus used implies action. It is not a passive word; it is an action word. We are to love by our actions. We are also to help our neighbors who are poor. The gospel of Christ has no meaning unless it is applied to those who are in need.

What will you do today to show God’s love by your actions?

Luke 10:27 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

Michael & Alison Smitherman
The Singing NetSurfers
I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing
praise to my God while I have my being.

If we say we love God and our neighbor, yet do not act on that love, we are but a “clanging gong, a noisome cymbal”. And who is our neighbor? They are the weak, downtrodden, despised and alienated. In short, it is everyone, but especially those in need, pain or those suffering discrimination, bias or separation. Yes, the wealthy, wise and beloved are also our neighbor and deserve our love. Yet Jesus said that we have helped or rejected Him by how we treat the “least among us” not the great among us.

So today, let us put our love into action toward those less fortunate than ourselves. Then the sound of our love will not be a clanging gong but a beautiful song. And, it will sound like a heavenly harp to the ears of those less fortunate ones who experience our love as it flows from us in our actions.

Acting on love,

Stan

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Fear–And Fear Not!

March 19, 2015 by zgardener

The Bible says, “Fear not”–“Fear not, for I am with thee” (Genesis 26:24 KJV). But the Bible also says, “Fear the Lord.” If God’s Word says, “Fear not,” and yet it also says, “Fear,” which does it mean? The answer is: both.

Fear is a twofold word. It refers to an emotion marked by dread and anxious concern. But it also means awe and wonder and profound reverence. The latter is the fear that inspires trust and confidence. The Bible calls us to have the latter kind of fear.

When we fear God, we don’t cringe before Him like a prisoner robbed of freedom by a ruthless dictator. Our fear causes us to trust God with respect and trust. It is a reverence that comes from seeing the majesty and holiness and power of our loving heavenly Father.

There is no shame in being afraid. We’re all afraid from time to time. But there’s an interesting paradox here, in that if we truly fear God with all our heart, then we have nothing to fear.

Deuteronomy 10:12 Now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to Love him?

Michael & Alison Smitherman
The Singing NetSurfers
I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing
praise to my God while I have my being.

This concept becomes very clear when we think of it in terms of our earthly father. In a healthy relationship we love and trust our father. We know he will do anything for our best good. We also know that he will watch over us to ensure we act according to his good purpose and rules. We also know he will hold us accountable and punish us when we break those good rules.

Thus we both love and respect (fear) our father. That respect goes with an expectation that we will be both protected held accountable. Therefore we do not have to fear for ourselves because our father is there. But we do know and respect (fear) his sure justice and punishment when we go astray. This too, is for our best good and not to hurt us.

In trust and reverence,

Z Gardener

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O Lord, Make Me Pure

March 18, 2015 by zgardener

 
St. Augustine was one of the greatest theologians who ever lived. But before he surrendered his heart and his life to Christ, he was a wicked young man, and his besetting sin was lust.
 
When he was first convicted of his sin, Augustine prayed, “O Lord, make me pure–but not yet.” Only when he prayed, “Now, Lord, now. Do it now, Lord,” was he forgiven and cleansed.
 
Augustine was converted to Christ, and God made him pure. Sixteen hundred years ago Augustine started following Jesus, and he changed the direction of Christianity as he called on people to rediscover the Scriptures and focus on Christ.
 
What besetting sin do you struggle with? Sin is often, if not always, the perversion of something good. In the midst of all our sinning, though, God is willing to forgive us, change us, and give us a new power to overcome that sin.
 
Are you praying “Make me pure–but not yet”? Maybe today is the day to say “Do it now, Lord. Now.”
 
1 John 1:9      If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
 
 
Michael & Alison Smitherman
The Singing NetSurfers
I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing
praise to my God while I have my being.
How many things do we need to be purified of, yet do not want to or feel we cannot give them up? The longer we delay our purification, the worse the need becomes to be cleansed. Whatever it is we fear to face, or dread releasing for our own good will be abundantly replaced with good if we let it go. If we cling to it, we will fall further into that from which we need to turn away. And, the more pain and suffering it will cause.
 
So today, let us ask God to purify us now, give us that which we need and free us from that yoke to which we are shackled. And fill us with the peace, strength, courage and will to be as God would have us be; his children in the garden he created.
 
Today is the day,
 
Z gardener

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LISTEN TO THE LOVE SONG

March 17, 2015 by zgardener

LISTEN TO THE LOVE SONG that I am continually singing to you. I take great delight in you. I rejoice over you with singing. The voices of the world are a cacophony of chaos, pulling you this way and that. Don’t listen to those voices; challenge them with My Word. Learn to take many breaks from the world, finding a place to be still in My Presence and listen to My voice.
 
There is immense hidden treasure to be found through listening to me. Though I pour out blessings upon you always, some of My richest blessings have to be actively sought. I love to reveal myself to you, and your seeking heart opens you up to receive more of My disclosure. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
 
Zephaniah 3:17      “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
 
 
Michael & Alison Smitherman
The Singing NetSurfers
I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing
praise to my God while I have my being.
 
 
When we truly hear God’s voice, it is as if the most beautiful and compelling music ever has reached our ears. It is so wonderful that we must follow it wherever it leads. We turn from our chosen path and seek the source of this essential sound. Whatever turns and paths we face, we must continue to seek the source of this mesmerizing tune.
 
It is as if all the love, joy, hope and peace we seek are embedded in this music, and as long as we can hear it, all those things flow freely through us. Yet, it can easily be drowned out by life’s other noise and distractions. Like the songbird’s joy, it can be lost unless we listen carefully and intentionally. 
 
So, let us fix that song in our hearts, turn our focus to it and live each day in the symphony of love that is Eden.
 
Can you hear it,
 
Z gardener

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LEARN TO LIVE

March 16, 2015 by zgardener

LEARN TO LIVE above your circumstances. This requires focused time with Me, the one who overcame the world. Trouble and distress are woven into the very fabric of this perishing world. Only My Life in you can empower you to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer.
 
As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine peace into your troubled mind and heart. Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances. You gain My perspective on your life, enabling you to distinguish between what is important and what is not. Rest in My Presence, receiving joy that no one can take away from you.
 
 
John 16:22     So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
 
 
Michael & Alison Smitherman
The Singing NetSurfers
I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing
praise to my God while I have my being.
Whatever is troubling us, hurting us or making us fearful is overcome by turning to God. This does not mean that the problem always evaporates. Many times it does, but there are many times that it persists. God’s promise is that he will give us that which we need to overcome it. And to overcome it with peace, joy and hope, not misery, fear or pain.
 
When we trust God, we rise above these things and live with a calm and clear perspective of the truly important things. We also rest in the sunshine of hope that God is always acting within our problems to bless us and make us into the people we were created to be.
 
Resting calm,
Z gardener

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WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT

March 13, 2015 by zgardener

As you take steps of faith, depending on Me, I will show you how much I can do for you. If you live your life too safely, you will never know the thrill of seeing Me work through you. When I gave you My Spirit, I empowered you to live beyond your natural ability and strength. That’s why it is so wrong to measure your energy level against the challenges ahead of you. The issue is not your strength but Mine, which is limitless. By walking close to Me, you can accomplish My purposes in My strength.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV       For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Galatians 5:25       Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

amduo@bellsouth.net

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

Just as the child who overcomes their fear and leaps into their father’s arms in the pool, we must make the spiritual leap of faith each day. When we see God’s arms and know he will catch us, then we are seeing God as the child sees its physical Father.

But how can we see something that clearly when we can not see it at all? We must look with our hearts and our souls. And we must look with our faith, which is the true belief in things unseen. The best way to improve our spiritual sight is to practice it in everything. When we accept our weakness and instead acknowledge God’s strength, then we see through God’s eyes, and God becomes as real as our earthly Father. And we see clearly his outstretched arms and know they will always catch us.

In his arms,

Z gardener

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YOU ARE MINE FOR ALL TIME

March 12, 2015 by zgardener

YOU ARE MINE FOR ALL TIME–and beyond time, into eternity. No power can deny you your inheritance in heaven. I want you to realize how utterly secure you are! Even if you falter as you journey through life, I will never let go of your hand.

Knowing that your future is absolutely assured can free you to live abundantly today. I have prepared this day for you with the most tender concern and attention to detail. Instead of approaching the day as a blank page that you need to fill up, try living it in a responsive mode: being on the lookout for all that I am doing. This sounds easy, but it requires a deep level of trust, based on the knowledge that My way is perfect.

Psalm 37:23-24      If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

amduo@bellsouth.net

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

How would you live if you knew with absolute certainty the statement above is true? What would you do differently today and every day? Why not put your faith to work and live today as if God were sitting next to you.  Live today knowing that nothing could happen that God wouldn’t turn to a blessing.

Well, it is true, and if we have faith and live according to that faith, we will prove to ourselves and everyone else that God is indeed in control, and that we can and should rejoice in all things. Then our lives will become the Eden that God created for us. And nothing, above or below can separate us from his love, peace and protection.

Being God’s,

Z gardener

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REST IN MY RADIANT PRESENCE

March 11, 2015 by zgardener

The world around you seems to spin faster and faster, till everything is a blur. Yet there is a cushion of calm at the center of your life, where you live in union with Me. Return to this soothing Center as often as you can, for this is where you are energized: filled with My Love, Joy, and Peace.

The world is a needy place; do not go there for sustenance. Instead, come to Me. Learn to depend on Me alone, and your weakness will become saturated with My Power. When you find your completeness in Me, you can help other people without using them to meet your own needs. Live in the Light of My Presence, and your light will shine brightly into the lives of others.

Galatians 5:22       But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

And this is very hard to accept, that the only thing we can totally trust is God. Every attribute of ourselves, every other human and every human contrivance will let us down and/or fall short of what we truly need. It is only through God that we can be sure to find true peace, comfort and power over all.

The good news is that all we have to do is stay in communion with God and to trust God enough to follow his will. Now this is also hard, but it absolutely certain to succeed. And that success will allow us to live in Eden with God in light, love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness and great power.

Resting radiantly,

Z gardener

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SOUL PROVIDER, SOUL COMFORTER

March 10, 2015 by zgardener

 

As long as Jesus is one of many options, he is no option.

As long as you can carry your burdens alone, you don’t need a burden bearer. As long as your situation brings you no grief, you will receive no comfort. And as long as you can take him or leave him, you might as well leave him, because he won’t be taken half-heartedly.

But when you mourn, when you get to the point of sorrow for your sins, when you admit that you have no other option but to case all your cares on him, and when there is truly no other name that you can call, then cast all your cares on him, for he is waiting in the midst of the storm.

Matthew 11:28      Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

In the midst of every storm, God is waiting to carry us through. We must look for him there, trust him and follow him to safe harbor. At every stage God will comfort us and provide for us if we let him.

Trusting him,

Z gardener

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REMOVING DOUBT

March 9, 2015 by zgardener

 
In Jesus’ day the washing of feet was a task reserved not just for servants but for the lowest of servants. Every circle has its pecking order, and the circle of household workers was no exception. The servant at the bottom of the totem pole was expected to be the one on his knees with the towel and basin.
 
In this case the one with the towel and basin is the King of the universe. Hands that shaped the stars now wash away filth. Fingers that formed mountains now massage toes. And the one before whom all nations will one day kneel now kneels before his disciples. Hours before his own death, Jesus’ concern is singular. He wants his disciples to know how much he loves them. More than removing dirt, Jesus is removing doubt.
 
Think of Jesus kneeling to wash away the filth of your life. What is your response to such love?
 
Luke 22:27     Who is more important: the one sitting at the table or the one serving? You think the one at the table is more important, but I am like a servant among you.
 
Michael & Alison Smitherman
The Singing NetSurfers
I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing
praise to my God while I have my being.
Who is more important? In the eyes of this world, the one being served is usually considered the important one. Yet, in the real world, the spiritual world, in God’s eyes, it is the servant who is important. When God himself chose a form to become human, it was in the guise of an humble servant, a carpenter of lowly birth; who was prophesied and who  became  God with us, to save us. 
 
He did not come as a king, a Pope, a war hero, a titan of industry, a football star or a celebrity. He passed up all the world has to offer the important people. He gave up everything this world treasures, even his life for his father’s children.  He could have had it all, but he chose to serve and to sacrifice. And it was he, the good servant who become the most important person in human history. 
 
He, God’s son, the Word who created us, became the human Jesus, the light of the world to bear our sins. He, who we tortured and crucified, God resurrected to save us. And it was He, who left God’s precious Holy Spirit in us to guide us, to counsel us and to advocate for us.
 
Today, let us take His path. Let us take up his cross of service and sacrifice. And may our Father in heaven give us ears to hear His spirit’s wise counsel, eyes to see His guidance, the courage to seek His will and the strength to live according to His advocacy.
 
One is happy to serve,
 
Z gardener

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