May 25, 2013: Empty My Suitcase
Category: General
Posted by: IDF Minister
Psalms 51:1-19 (KJV)
1 have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Empty My Suitcase
When we look at our lives in view of what we carry around many times we are laden with guilt (an awareness of having done wrong or committed a crime accompanied by feelings of shame and regret), shame (a negative emotion that combines feelings of dishonor, unworthiness), and embarrassment), then we carry them around in a suitcase called Burdens.
I’m here to let you know that Father God wants those burdens and He wants you to throw away that suitcase. So my friends let’s empty your suitcase and cast your burdens on the Lord Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) – “Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.” In casting all your cares that’s personal cares, family cares, present cares as well as future ones, cares for yourself, your children, your church, everyone’s cares on the Lord
1 have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Empty My Suitcase
When we look at our lives in view of what we carry around many times we are laden with guilt (an awareness of having done wrong or committed a crime accompanied by feelings of shame and regret), shame (a negative emotion that combines feelings of dishonor, unworthiness), and embarrassment), then we carry them around in a suitcase called Burdens.
I’m here to let you know that Father God wants those burdens and He wants you to throw away that suitcase. So my friends let’s empty your suitcase and cast your burdens on the Lord Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) – “Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.” In casting all your cares that’s personal cares, family cares, present cares as well as future ones, cares for yourself, your children, your church, everyone’s cares on the Lord
May 13, 2013: A Mother's Heart
Category: General
Posted by: IDF Minister
Another Mother’s Day is upon us and for most, pleasant thoughts and cherished memories will caused us to reach out, give, share words and acts of kindness that only the love of a Mother could generate. Truly, there is no love on earth like the love of a Mother, especially a godly one, for she will go to no ends to provide, care and protect her child. Her understanding and patience, although only a tiny reflection of God’s understanding and patience, will last and never falter even when all others have walked away and given up. Through her unwavering faith and support, inspiration springs forth to do your best and to make Mother proud! The love of our Mothers, whether living or deceased, will live on as it is shared with one generation to another. Just as we are to share with our children all the great things God has done in our lives so that they will know and not forget, according to Deuteronomy 4:9-10, we too, must share the love received and learned so that generations to follow will know and not forget the love of a true Mother.
It would be a grave error to omit the fact that many have never had the pleasure of knowing or being raised by their Mother. Yet, they are grateful and love the person(s) in their life that stood in the place of Mother. For you see, the love of a Mother does not always come from a child’s birth mother, but from the one with a Mother’s heart.
For some, however, Mother’s day does not evoke thoughts of love, care, concern, and happy memories. Mother’s day is just another reminder of personal failures, disappointments and short-comings of others, especially the mothers in their lives. Mother’s Day is marred by rejection, feelings of not being wanted, being let down or of being treated unkindly. Perhaps there is anger and bitterness because your Mother was unable to provide the finer things in life because of unwise decisions and choices. Look into your Mother’s heart with spiritual eyes rather than the natural eyes. In an age when termination of pregnancy is readily available, she chose to give you life. Regardless of any other factors before or after your birth, you are alive and for that, you can be grateful to your Mother. See her heart as God sees ours, (1 Samuel 16:7). How we view things in the natural can cause us to have a faulty perception of truth.
Yes, there is pain and hurt, but it is time to let it go. What better time than Mother’s Day to forgive yourself and others so that you can be free to live in victory (Matthew 6:14-15)? Un-forgiveness only hurts and holds back the one who will not forgive. Let Mother’s Day be a day of new and fresh beginnings. Let Mother’s Day be the start of new life with others and with God through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
God Loves Us! So much so, that He sent His only son, Jesus, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). It is hoped that Mother’s Day be a reminder of a love and care that lasts eternally….God’s love. In God’s love, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, we can truly experience the love of a Mother’s Heart.
Minister Sheila Downs
It would be a grave error to omit the fact that many have never had the pleasure of knowing or being raised by their Mother. Yet, they are grateful and love the person(s) in their life that stood in the place of Mother. For you see, the love of a Mother does not always come from a child’s birth mother, but from the one with a Mother’s heart.
For some, however, Mother’s day does not evoke thoughts of love, care, concern, and happy memories. Mother’s day is just another reminder of personal failures, disappointments and short-comings of others, especially the mothers in their lives. Mother’s Day is marred by rejection, feelings of not being wanted, being let down or of being treated unkindly. Perhaps there is anger and bitterness because your Mother was unable to provide the finer things in life because of unwise decisions and choices. Look into your Mother’s heart with spiritual eyes rather than the natural eyes. In an age when termination of pregnancy is readily available, she chose to give you life. Regardless of any other factors before or after your birth, you are alive and for that, you can be grateful to your Mother. See her heart as God sees ours, (1 Samuel 16:7). How we view things in the natural can cause us to have a faulty perception of truth.
Yes, there is pain and hurt, but it is time to let it go. What better time than Mother’s Day to forgive yourself and others so that you can be free to live in victory (Matthew 6:14-15)? Un-forgiveness only hurts and holds back the one who will not forgive. Let Mother’s Day be a day of new and fresh beginnings. Let Mother’s Day be the start of new life with others and with God through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
God Loves Us! So much so, that He sent His only son, Jesus, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). It is hoped that Mother’s Day be a reminder of a love and care that lasts eternally….God’s love. In God’s love, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, we can truly experience the love of a Mother’s Heart.
Minister Sheila Downs
May 13, 2013: To Everything There is a Season
Category: General
Posted by: IDF Minister
Where is Spring? In light of unseasonable and sometimes unreasonable weather patterns, 2013 has shown us that things aren’t always as they seem! Old Man winter had decided to take it’s time to really show “himself” and even had a few folks doing the happy dance when Kansas experienced 60 and 70 degree weather in January! We had coats on one day and shorts on the next. I had to remind some that no matter how warm the temperatures got, the season was still winter! Like many, we eagerly awaited February 2nd for the infamous Groundhog, Puxatawney Phil of Pennsylvania, to forecast when Spring would arrive; 4 more weeks! Needless to say, 4 weeks and then some have passed and Spring officially arrived on March 21st and the temperatures have never been more frigid and snow and ice are everywhere!
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