May You Learn to Live Before You Die!

My grandma gave me a book for my birthday somewhere around age 27 give or take a year or two. On the inside of the book, she had written a message to me. “May you learn to live before you die, Love, Grandma Rosie.”

I cannot remember for the life of me what the book was, but I never forgot her words.

This morning I awoke and wondered what God had in store for me. Since my computer is down, I found my so called smart phone and opened my email account and searched for K-loves encouraging word of the day. When I opened it up, I read this;

Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live. ~ Psalm 119:144, NLT

When I read that, so many things flashed into me all at once. This is how I am led to write what I write. These flashes of insight are why even when I begin to doubt that this is my path, I remember the conversations God and I had about me writing one day and I know to my very core, this is what I am meant to do. I am a ghost writer for the greatest writer of all. He communicates things and ideas to me via the flashes and talking thoughts. It is my honor to share all he shares with me. I am blessed in doing so. I am humbled to be given such a task.

My wit, my patience, my kindness, my heart, everything that is good about me is due to Him in me. I absolutely love who I am in Him. When I walk on my own, things don’t often turn out quite so well. This is most obvious when you read my life story.

So back to the inscription my grandmother had written me. When I read it I was like; what? Live before I die? I’m living now. What does she mean?

I did not ask her outright that day. Instead, I pondered it over the years though. As I look back over my life and many of the things my grandmother has said to me I am sure that she was moved by the spirit to say them. I believe this to be the case because they have been one liners and they have been deep. Short, sweet and full of meaning. Often the spirit talks to me directly in such a fashion.

When I read that encouraging word, one of the things that flashed to me is that sin is death. When we chose to live outside of Gods laws, we often find ourselves deep in some kind of trouble that was brought on by our own doing. This kind of living is not living at all, it is simply surviving. Sure we are alive. We are breathing, moving, working or whatever but in all honesty we are not living at all.

We allow our actions to hold us in bondage. You see, it does not always feel good to walk outside of Gods laws. If you got real truthful with yourself, much of what you are doing when you are living outside of the law, does not make you proud. Meaning it is something you don’t want the entire world to know about. This is something the evil one relishes. As soon as you yourself are not proud of what you are doing, as soon as you begin to avoid certain people or places for fear others may see you ‘in the moment’, the devil has all he needs to begin shaming you into silence.

So, when King David says help me understand your laws so I may live, this is what he was talking about.

When you are on top of the world, doing what is right in all ways, you can stand proudly and you do. It is like the sun is beaming on you and life is good. It is abundantly good. Most of us have had one of those moments in our lifetime when everything was perfect and worry was not even a passing thought. We had nothing to worry about. We were on the right path.

On this earth it is so very easy to slide off of the right path, the narrow path, because so many temptations are lurking around every corner. Shame is a guilt that will chain you quickly. It truly is enough to keep one from their purpose in life.

If you are afraid of others discovering something from your past or present, you will not be near as bold about things. This is why it is best to come clean of everything. Leave the devil with nothing to shame you with. If you step forward and say; I did that and I did this and it did not feel good but it is part of my history, it is what it is. By doing this, those things lose their power over you. You will break the chains of slavery.

When you sin, you may not fully grasp in that moment that you have supplied the evil one with the tools he needs to enslave you into bondage. He will haunt you later in life with your shames. Don’t allow him that privilege. Don’t hand over that power. There is NO REASON to! Your heavenly father loves you so much; he provided you a way to freedom. He provided you with the law of liberty. Step out of the shadows and allow yourself to bask in the sun. Come follow the son of God and live an abundant life.

The birthday wish my grandma gave me approximately 17 years ago is the same prayer I say for all my brethren today. “May you learn to live before you die.”

My computer is in the hands of a friend. I do not yet know if it can be saved but I do now have in my email both of the chapters from book III that I feared may be lost. I still have 4 chapters to polish off to finish my book and I am certainly behind schedule at this point but I am not going to stress over any of it. This is Gods book. He put it on my heart to share with the world. It will hit the shelves right when it is supposed to.

Should I need a new computer, then a new one I will find this weekend! I hear there is a mighty storm headed our way. I wondered when I heard it was on its way for sure if it was perhaps going to be enough to allow me to stay home toasty warm and finish this third volume God put on my heart to write. We will see won’t we?

Father, today I come before you with such gratitude. As I read all of King David’s 119^th Psalm I found myself crying. I am so thankful that he too was willing to share all you put on his heart to share. His words and songs to you have lifted me so many times lately. I find him and his love for you very inspiring. To know that I am not alone in any way. To know that you love us regardless of anything we may do. It is such a gift to understand the depth of your love. I thank you for never giving up on me and for sending others my way to minister to me over the years. May I be a hand or foot for you as well. May my words lift and encourage and shine light into the darkest corners of the world. I have so much to be thankful for my Lord. Please fill my heart with your love so that I may reveal your glory to all I manage to touch in my lifetime. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, walks with God,

Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden

Where Is Your Focus?

Simple Sincere Singing & Seeking Sunday! Are you enjoying fellowship today? That is what my post was this Sunday on facebook . . . well minus the singing part but God loves to hear us singing praises so I found it fitting! I was going to add what a great day to focus on what is important but honestly every day is a great day for that! I try to keep my focus on God and what pleases him every moment of every day in ever situation. Doing so seems to keep the enemy at bay. Don't think it stops him in his tracks. No no no. Not him. He never stops looking for a way to steal your self control & peace, kill your Joy & Faith, and destroy your Love for God, yourself, and your brothers and sisters in Christ.

I love where I get my fellowship on Sunday. I have blogged on it before, but it is worth mentioning again. Here is the link for anyone who is looking for a bible study of sorts. Rusty teaches straight from it. We are doing the study in Hebrews right now. Past recordings are also available via this link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sunday-worship-at-pinheads . . . I think you'll have to copy and paste that into your browser. Sorry. I have never claimed to be a genius when it comes to stuff like that!

So Chapter 12 in the book of Hebrews is where we are at. However once again, where I thought I would start begins with the word therefore. I have been led to start back at chapter 11. I know this is what God planned for me to share today. I am getting better at recognizing the direction I am being pointed in. Please Father help me to get better at sharing what it is you long to share through me quicker! How awesome it would be had I asked where is your focus on facebook as you put on my heart. Out of fear I deleted it off as I didn't want to be attacked for saying Sunday is a good day to focus on you when all moments are a good time. For had I only listened and obeyed, that would have shown more so that you do indeed lead me to share what I share. I pray I follow your direction without pause as the days pass. In Jesus name I pray! Amen.

With that being said, let's get to this. I was right when I blogged earlier on how God trained me for my position before. I had joked that my talent was not that I was a great writer but rather that God gave me the talent of being able to type quickly so I could be more efficient at sharing what I heard as I heard it! You see, here I am again having to type a large section of God's Word to get to today's main topic and it's importance. To do so, I must start all the way back at chapter 11 in the book of Hebrews, starting with the opening sub heading: The Triumphs of Faith:

verse 1:   Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

verse 2:   For by it the men of old gained approval.

verse 3:   By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

verse 4:   By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

verse 5:   By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

verse 6:   And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and the He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

verse 7:   By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

verse 8:   By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 

verse 9:   By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;

verse 10:  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

verse 11:  By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 

verse 12:  Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.

verse 13: All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

verse 14: For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 

verse 15: And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.

verse 16:  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

verse 17: By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;

verse 18: it was he to whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED."

verse 19:  He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. 

verse 20:  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

verse 21: By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on top of his staff.

verse 22:  By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

verse 23: By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 

verse 24:  By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of the Pharaoh's daughter, 

verse 25: choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

verse 26:  considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

verse 27:  By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.

verse 28:  By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.

verse 29:  By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.

verse 30: By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

verse 31:  By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

verse 32: And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

verse 33:  who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 

verse 34:  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

verse 35: Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

verse 36:  and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

verse 37:  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

verse 39: And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,

verse 40:  because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

That brings us to Chapter 12: Jesus, the Example

verse 1:  Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

verse 2:  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

verse 3:  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I know many of us know a lot of the stories about the Old Testament hero's. In Hebrews, chapter 11, the author seems to be making a point of how Faith was the common stronghold for all of them. It was their faith that saw them through their battles. We all have battles. This is an excellent reason to build your relationship with your Heavenly Father and find your own faith in Him, for He is Faithful! It is your Faith that will carry you through the storms you are sure to face. Not a single child of God has an easy walk. This is why the author of Hebrews took the time to write about the Faith of everyone he mentioned.

Once establishing the results God's Faithful achieved, the author of Hebrews next suggests, with such proof, we must lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.

It is sin that separated you from your walk with God. The Father of Lies, Satan, will use every mistake you make against you. He will attempt to make you believe you are unworthy of God's love. He will trick you into believing you are a failure. He will lump upon your shoulders both shame and regret in an attempt to defeat you. In this life there is one thing you can be sure of; You dwell in the flesh. You will slip. Heck you may even fall and this is the warning:  Don't let your sin trap you into believing you are no longer worthy. Do not let your shame keep you from coming to the Father. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, for He endured the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider all He endured for you. Do not grow weary.

I know when I keep my focus on Jesus, it helps me handle myself better in stressful situations. Trust me, I am far from perfect with this. I have noticed a big change in the way I handle things though. I am slowly becoming a better parent. I am slowly becoming a better human being. Knowing Jesus better helps in every area of my life. If you are looking for more peace or joy I cannot think of a better teacher than Jesus.

So this Sunday's message was in a gist:; "Keeping your focus on Jesus will simplify life." Once you accept Jesus as your savior, you are saved. Your old heart is replaced with a righteous heart. You can't get any better than that. What you can do is improve upon what others see when they look at you. Allow them to see the Love of Jesus working through you. Allow them to witness the Glory of God. Share with them the message of Grace.

So, I end with this, "Get focused!"

Father, I come before you today singing praises. Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for your Grace. Nothing brings me greater joy than my relationship with you. Knowing you love me, you hear my prayers, and as you promised you are Faithful, allows me to live in a state of rest that only you can provide. I am blessed beyond measure. I ask today that you help me and my fellow brothers and sisters keep our focus on your son, Jesus. Help us daily to be humble enough to sing praises to you for all things. Work through me Father. I am your humble servant longing to be used by you. Use my story you are so beautifully telling through me to reach all your children who like me were deaf to the message of Grace. Use me Father to call more brothers and sisters home. Shine a light through me so bright that they can see that even with all my failures you welcomed me back home as you will also welcome them back home should they turn back to you. Cause countless lost to stumble upon my stories of answered prayers and deliverance from the jaws of death. Help them build their faith in You. And Father, those who have never known you, I pray they are introduced to you through the hands and feet of your son, Jesus. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.


Wendy, Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2013