The Lord's Supper

The ministry of Christ began with the miracle of water turning to wine. At the end, prior to be taken in the Garden, he gave the instructions for Communion and stated He would not drink of the cup again until the fulfillment of His Father's Kingdom; in other words the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. He put great emphasis on the meaning of the bread and the wine and asked us to partake of it often in remembrance of Him. The depth and importance of the Lord's Supper was again stated in Corinthians 11 by Paul.

The weight and severity of taking Communion with the wrong heart is important for all believers to know so here is the scripture. I believe it is something we should all read and meditate on prior to going to our services where communion will be served. God bless you and keep you.

I Corinthians 11:27-32

"Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgement. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned by the world."

Time to Change the Script

A conditioned answer is not always a true one. For example, someone may see you in the store and greet you with, "Hi, how are you?" Usually the expected and given response is, "Fine, thanks. How are you?" With each expected greeting and salutation, people are forced to lie about how they may really feel. From birth, we are told not to cry, be angry or frustrated but to smile, say "please," "thank you," and "hi, how are you." Manners. They have the potential of being the polite poison that leads a person into despair or depression. They are the accomplice to masks and destroyer of opportunities for empathy, sympathy,  a caring or loving touch.

The Bible teaches that we are in the world not of it. We are taught to be truthful; meaning don't lie. As believers we are supposed to be the most real, transparent people on the planet. But as long as everyone is "fine, thanks," we have little opportunity to "be" love. We have got to get off the script and be completely real with those who do not know Christ and those who do. Those who do not know Christ will bear witness to the fruit of joy and peace when (by the world's standards) we should not have it. Those who do know Christ can partner with us in prayer, encourage us to press on and cheer for us when we make it through the storms and trials of life.

The challenge for the day is to be honest or allow someone to be honest with you. Our cues can no longer come from the curtains of society. They need to come from Christ. We are on the stage called the world. Every line we deliver should be dripping with the wisdom of God, anointed by the Holy Spirit and backed by His word. Manners are nice, but being meaningful is powerful.

How's Your Run

I had an absolute blast yesterday with some of my friends. We decided to go walking and running to get some exercise on the trail. We reached a water station and ran into one of my friend's fiancee, Jorge. Now... this guy is the real deal. He is an athlete. Four of us girls come to the water station and we are laughing and having a good time; not really serious about the work out. Roxanne's fiancee notices that none of us have broke a sweat and challenges us to run the rest of the trail. "Hey," he says in a coach like manner, "We should all reach the mopac bridge at the same time."

DANNNNGGGG!!! So, we all start makin' excuses of why we won't meet Jorge at the same time he would get there. So, he takes off one direction and we take off. Okay. As soon as Jorge is out of sight we start walking. We are having fun with each other and talking and laughing; just having a great girl time. We decide to start running when we get to the bridge. I'm thinking good plan. Jorge will at least see we ran. Before we get to the bridge, guess who is standing there on the side of the trail looking at us disappointedly? You got it, Jorge. BUSTED!! 

This scenario reminds me of how we run our race when we feel the Lord is not watching. We have a tendency to forget that His eye is on us ALL... THE .... TIME!! Unlike Jorge, the Lord is omnipresent and sees all things.  So, how's your race this morning? Do you just have the outfit on or have you broke a sweat? If others saw you on the trail would they see a true runner or a poser? The Lord has called to run the race of the gospel until he calls us home. That takes perserverance and endurance. Run your race knowing that our Coach is present. His eyes are locked on wanting you to do and finish well. Like Jorge, at the end He will be at His water station waiting to reward you with a job well done.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Working with young children is the most humbling position I have ever worked in. There is nothing like getting instruction from a two-year-old that is wise and correct. Even more astonishing is their ability to mimic and imitate everything they see in others around them. They are like sponges taking everything in they can hold and then ringing it back out. Learning by watching is their way acquiring much information.

No wonder the Lord said that whoever harms these little ones it is better that millstone be place around his neck and he be cast into the sea. We have to be careful as leaders and teachers in action. The babes in Christ are watching and taking in everything done, not said. We have to be diligent examples of the Word of faith not just for the unbeliever, but for those who have just come to the Lord.

As we walk before the Lord, we should do so in fear and trembling of Him, being careful to avoid even the appearance of evil. Keeping wisdom around us will help us with this endeavor. Discipleship and mentoring are important to spiritual growth. Having an accountability partner will give you prayer support, correction and praise. The eye of the Lord is on us, but there are eyes of others watching our example as well. Let's walk in indignation to hypocracy so that other's can grow with the full knowledge of what it is to live for the Lord. If they see what to do, I believe most will do it.

We Know the End

You guys!! I watched this awesome movie last night starring Denzel Washington called, "Unstoppable." It was so intense I found myself many times holding my breath. My muscles were tense and my eyes were glued to the screen. Basically, it was about a runaway train that needed to be stopped before derailing at a curve that would cause mass devastation. Well, of course, the train is stopped. And we knew the end would be a happy one.

My husband and talked about how crazy it was that we were on pins and needles even though we knew the outcome. We constantly wondered what would happen next. Questions came one after the other? How will they stop it? Oh, is this going to work? Oh, maybe that will work? What did the owner say? Then later we would find out after each step.

This is exactly how the life of a believer is. We have to take one step at a time. Nothing is rolled out in detail as we go a long. But, Glory to God, we know the end. We have faith and a hope in the return of our Lord and know that He will be victorious. However, I am amazed at how stressed I get about each step and details. I am one of those people that likes to know everything... in advance. So my challenge for us today is to rest in the fact that the Lord is the writer of the film and has worked out all the details. He is the author and finisher of all things. What He starts, He will finish. Even though we don't know everything, we do know the end of the story. And it is a happy, wonderful and glorious ending.

The Destroyer, Doubt

When Jesus went into a house to heal a sick girl, He kicked everyone out except for a couple of the disciples before the healing took place. In Nazareth, the Bible tells us that Jesus did not see many healings and miracles because of the lack of faith there. Looking at the Word, there is a clear distinction between the fruit of faith and the fruit of doubt.

So, here are a few questions. What if people are not healed due to a low measure of faith, either on the recipient's side or the minister's side? Jesus instructed his disciples to teach everything that He taught them to the world. One of those things was acts of healing. Are we going to be held accountable for this at the Throne of Grace? Is the excuse, "Well it is not God's will..." when someone is not healed really the true reason or did we blame shift our lack of faith onto the Father?

In the Word, Jesus pointed out faith and even assisted with the unbelief of a parent wanting his child healed. So, faith is definately an eliment. I believe that if we focus on belief and study God's Word with a pure heart we will unlock the answers to the above questions. At any rate I challenge myself and other believers to practice faith and destroy the works of doubt and unbelief. And who knows what will happen; maybe even a miracle.

Sharpening A Countenance

Before the romantic love that leads to marriage is established, it is formed and tested by the love given to and received from family first and then friends. People need to be able to maintain and retain long lasting friendships and deal with the turmoils of family drama with love, before entering into the covenant relationship of love. One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of a friend." Second to it is John 15:13,  "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

Are you looking for true love? Are you waiting for a person to come in your life that will be a blessing of a mutual understanding of doing life together to the point of sacrifice? Then watch for those who are good friends. Look for a person who has long term friendships that have stood the test of time and trial. Choose one who understands and has the friendship of Christ aiming to follow his example in love.

My prayer is that everyone have a blessed Valentine's Day. And, remember that there is no love away from God. We are only able to find and receive love because of Him.

"Beloved let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He that does not love, does not know God, for God is love." I John 4:7-8

That Ugly "C" Word.... Cancer

The most difficult thing I went through with my family was experiencing the death of my Aunt Sharon. It was so, so awful.  It was so shocking and awful because she was the first close relative to die; and the first to die under 90 years old on my mom's side. If I did not have the Lord, I don't know how I would have made it. But He took me through the valley of the shadow of death. He helped me and my family embrace her going Home to Him. We were sad, grieved, utterly heart broken, and afraid. But the Lord came in and taught to fear not and His peace came with thoughts that we would miss her, but definately see her again.

Can I just say this? Cancer... SUCKS!!! My God! What a disease? My God.... Well my aunt was diagnosed with cancer, went through treatment and the Lord was good. After some time she went into remission. Seven years later, in December of 2004, the cancer came back; full blown. The doctors gave her months to live. The Lord was kind again and refuted that months expectation with 2 years. I wanted her to live longer. I fought in prayer and believed God for another miracle. When she was days away from death I made up my mind to operate the gift of healing. I bought an airline ticket and told my Uncle Eric that I was coming to raise her out of the bed. On Sunday, the day before my flight, my uncle called, "She's gone."

Ooooo.. I was HOT mad at God. I couldn't believe that He allowed it. And, I (get that, I) was on the way to save the day. What was He thinking? Really. What was I thinking? I don't know why I enter in conversations with God that make me an equal with Him. But He has the most interesting way of lovingly, correcting me. When I got to where she was laying, I tell you the truth... I crossed the threshold and felt the overwhelming peace of God. It was like He was saying, "She is with Me, she is Home."

I was still hurt, I was still grieved and even today, now while I write.. shed tears over her loss. Death hurts. It sucks. And, I believe it's because it was something that was not put in the DNA of man in the Garden. We were never meant to experience death and separation. Hallelujah for the cross and the promise of the resurrection of the dead! My aunt was a godly, God fearing woman. A pillar of our faith in the family. And, I will see her again. That is our peace; our hope when it comes to loss by death.

If you have a loved one who is dying. I am with you. I know what it feels like. I understand. Be encouraged and hold onto Jesus. He will pull you through. He will help in the hard times. He is there, right there with you. And as believers we are assurred. We have nothing to fear. If God brings them home, we will see them again. God bless you.

Holes in the Story

My life has taken me on different trails, with different characters in different cities, states and nations. Interestingly, when I share snibbits of my life story with people, the snibbits do not make sense or seem contradictory to other snibbits I have shared. For example, I may share about experiences in India as a missionary and then later knowledge on fashion modeling and later connection to people in the political arena. Oh! And then my life as a bus driver. Questions real in the minds of the hearers on how I could have these experiences and characters in my sphere of influence. "You said you modeled, how is it that you were in college? Wait, I thought you drove a bus in Missouri, how did you even get to Austin?" Information given to the person doesn't make sense. Doubt creeps in about the validity of the information shared. This is what happens when people try to analyze a life with snibbits instead of the whole story. You need all the pieces to the puzzle to see the whole picture. Two or three pieces can't even begin to reveal the artwork and the pieces you have may not fit together.

Another story that causes debate, doubt and questions of contradiction is the Word of God; the Bible. I believe it's because there are only snibbits that people have. A few verses are read. The Bible is flipped through instead of being read through. It may be put on a shelf instead of the contents put in the heart. Then the questions, "It says to discipline your children, but it says spare the rod and spoil your child. That's a contradiction!" or "The Bible says God is love, but there is suffering in the world. And, I don't believe a loving God would allow it." This is a side note, but I will be addressing suffereing next week. Anyway, snibbits or pieces of the Word of God can bring confusion. That's why you have to read the whole thing. My mom told me, "You have to read it like any other book; from cover to cover."

You may be saying, "Lisa, I am a believer and I am not confused. I haven't read the Bible cover to cover, but I trust the Word is true and not contradictory." That is awesome!! However, as believers (myself included) we should read the Bible from cover to cover to be ready to give an answer to those we come across who are confused or see contradictions. I can't count how many times an unbeliever knew enough scripture to keep God out and I was left standing not knowing enough to bring clarity. Ephesians 6 teaches to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We can't hand a helmet of salvation to someone if our sword is rusty and with no tip to stab the stronghold over the soul. So, let's challenge each other to know God's Word and read the whole story and study it. This will empower us to replace the holey story with THE Holy story.

God's Property

"Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm."

I Chronicles 16:22

Brother, Sister... are you afflicted? Has someone put their hands on you? Are there people around you that have decided to bring harm to you in any way; be it by words or hands? If so, start praying for them. Because they have decided to mess with Him and His plan. We are talking about the One who spoke and the world was formed. We are talking about the One who split the Red Sea. We are talking about the One who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

The above verse from Chronicles is applicable to anyone who has decided to make Jesus Lord and enrolled in the Army of God. God has annointed us; and by putting on Christ we carry with us all that Jesus had. All of it. His annointing, His power, His favor and His authority. So as you walk in your calling and obedience to what the Lord has told you to do, don't worry about the afflictors. The Lord is already on the move. He will deal with them. Like Hammer sang in his song, "God's Property," the Lord will shake them from you commanding, "Don't touch this!"  Uh-oh, Uhhh Oh, Uh-Uh, OH!  : )

No Way!! I'm My Mom

Well... it's happened. I have become my mother. I swore I would never say the things she said or require the same things of my children that she did. And, here I am finding, myself spewing the same commands, rules, boundaries and expectations to my stepson. "Do your homework," "this is not your house, it is a residence provided for you by the  Lord until you get your own," "Because I said so," "Go to bed," "Get up," "Take out the trash," "Clean your room," "I am not responsible for your friends. I am responsible for you." Outside of the above statements I have heard myself recite almost word for word disortations on life to my stepson, Jacob. I was like, "Lord! Seriously?! Come on! I swore I would not be like this." I know in my heart that my discipline is correct. Everything my mom taught and told me was truth. I was fortunate to have a wise mom. And, I am not alone in that.

Proverbs 31 is known among believers for the passage on the "Wife of Noble Character." In various versions of the Bible she is called the virtuous woman or excellent wife. This proverb are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle learned from his mother. In this oracle, King Lemuel recites other words of advice his mother gave him. She taught him to stay away from drinking much wine, how to rule, how to treat the needy, poor and those who cannot help themselves.

I know it's not mother's day, but a mom somewhere out there needs to here this today. To the mom's who fear the Lord and acknowledge that our children are gifts from God, know that He chose you to be the parent of your children. The wisdom you have is supposed to be passed on. We have the priviledge of partnering with God to equip our children to be part of His magnificent tapestry. So, as you spew and endure the rolling of the eyes, shrugging of shoulders, stomps out of the room, tears of disagreement and talking back; your words will stick. And you will witness the manifestation of Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

A Simple Truth

For God so loved the world

that He gave His only begotten Son.

So that whosoever believeth in Him,

shall not perish

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

This is the most amazing truth that exists. A Holy God, sends His son for all. Acceptance of this truth is all anyone needs to do in order to embark on and grab hold of the eternal life. So, why is it so hard to grasp or believe? It is so simple. Unfortunately, the flesh along with the efforts of the enemy have turned this simple truth into complexity bringing unbelief.

As believers we are challenged to reflect Christ. To put on His character so others will see that He is. In a few months we will be celebrating our Savior's resurrection. Between now and then I am challenged and I challenge you to exhibit this truth in your surroundings. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you aid in being a beacon of this truth. As we do this, daily, we will be blessed to be what someone else was to us.