SIGNS FROM ABOVE

~The WORD IS ALIVE~

Been out of touch for a week or so....Back to posting again.

This is one of my favorite Casting Crowns songs.  "The WORD is ALIVE"...so true. Today was one of those days that I had some higher spiritual moments with God speaking to me through a friend and a stranger today. Late this afternoon, a co-worker (and Sister in Christ) of mine spoke so straight through to me speaking God's Word and Will for me. I was like WOW...How does she know God is calling me to do exactly this? And, how does she know I need to "get in position" so I CAN do what He is calling me to do. The Holy Spirit revealed this to her through spiritual discernment and wisdom and God's Word.

Yes, God's Word is most definitely ALIVE. I am so happy that God has blessed me with this new wonderful friend. Just the type of Christian friend we all need in our life. Someone who earnestly seeks God's wisdom and also shares the wisdom God has revealed to them with you. God's Word does cut through all the darkness and His truth will not ever ever pass away. Isn't it wonderful that our Father, our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit gave us the WORD. Its so precious and its worth is more valuable than the world and all the riches in it and beyond. There is nothing else on this Earth or in this Universe more valuable or more worthy of seeking and desiring than God's Word.

I  must admit the Bible was rather a mysterious book to me growing up. I knew it was something special and I did revere it. Yet, I didn't have the same reverence to it as I do now. The Bible is God's WORD to us. I can't explain in words how it feels to read and meditate on His Word now. I enjoy studying and reading and meditating the Word and praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the deeper truths within His Word and the simple truths I so blatantly miss or refuse to see. Or see but ignore. 

Yes, today has been an amazing day. I met a total stranger today who is a Christian Sister. Immediately, we felt a bond. She shared with me some very personal experiences she has gone through in her life. And, instantly, I knew it was the Spirit speaking to me in ways that are relatable to my own life. And, through our brief yet very intimate conversation, the Spirit was revealing to me those areas of my life where I need to submit to God, totally surrender and obey Him and fully allow Him to work in my life to cleanse me of all, heal me of all and restore me so I can "get in position" to do His Will for me. Thank you Lord for a very blessed and beautiful day filled with direction messages you gave to me today through two very special Christian women. I hear you, Lord. I do. Help me listen. Help me follow through. Help me be obedient to Your Word and Your Truth. Amen. ~ cj patterson

Hebrews 4:12 ~ "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Psalm 119:81 ~ "My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word."

Psalm 119:89 ~ "Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."

Matthew 24:35 ~ "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

~New Life~

Recieved a wonderful devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley, the other day regarding the wonderful gift God bestows on those who believe in Christ as their Savior, the precious Holy Spirit and how the Spirit breathes new life into believers...Awesome message...~cj patterson

June 4, 2009
The Holy Spirit--Giving New Life 
Romans 6:3-11

"Lord, I have really messed up my life. I wish I could just start over." Have you ever felt this way? Maybe you are even wondering if life is worth living. Well, I have some bad news and some good news. First, you cannot change your past--it is firmly set in history. However, you can start over, no matter where you are right now.

The Holy Spirit specializes in giving new life. All who have believed in Christ and trusted in Him for salvation have His Spirit dwelling within them. New life begins immediately for all who choose to accept His offer of the forgiveness of their sins. There is no more condemnation, and they are set free to begin living for Christ.

How easy life would be if that were the only fresh start we'd ever need. But our old sinful tendencies--which the Bible calls "the flesh"--are not removed at salvation. Throughout life, there will be times when we will need to go back and make things right.

The Spirit is ever present, empowering us to say no to the flesh and yes to Christ. Stop and consider the strength of the One who lives within you. He has all the power of almighty God, who raised Jesus from the dead (Rom. 8:11). Is your situation more difficult than a resurrection?

By setting your mind on the things of the Spirit and living under His authority, you can put to death the sinful actions and habits that have made a mess of your life. The Lord wants to set you free from addicting pleasures and drives that lead only to pain and heartache. Begin today by letting the Holy Spirit lead you into new life.

~My Friend~

I am on a Casting Crowns kick...Their music is just wonderful and beyond words.  They are just about all me and my girls listen to driving back and forth in the car. This song I think we all can relate to...We all have friends that the Lord has put on our heart to pray over or help in some way or possibly even guide them to the Lord. I can think of several friends that I have had over the years that have gone through major life struggles. Some have sought the Lord during their difficult times while others have not and have fallen deeper and deeper into despair and internal and external strifes of life.

When I hear this song, I also think of myself and my own personal struggles and journey to the Lord and Truth. I am so thankful for my friends, family, and people I don't even know who have prayed for me during my lifetime and lifted me up to the Lord. I know who some of them are and I am sure there are some I don't know. Thank you to my Christian friends who have been so good to me and caring to me. Some have simply and quietly prayed for me. Some have given me good counsel. Some have just simply listened with a kind and gentle ear. What a wonderful blessing it is to have friends who care for you not only in this life but care for you and your eternal life beyond this world. 

I dedicate this song to a few of my special friends out there who are going through some tough times right now. The Lord knows who they are. I lift them up to you, Lord.  They are safe in Your Hands and Your Hands alone...And, I also lift myself up to You. I have done all I know to do and there is a way that seems so right to me, but You know where that leads...Take my Life and lift me up into Your Hands forever and ever and ever...Amen  ~ cj patterson

Psalm 31:4-5 "Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth."

Proverbs 27:9 ~ "Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
   and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel."

~Slow Fade~

Here is another awesome song entitled "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns. I think anyone can relate to this song in some way. This song was theme song to the movie Fireproof. If you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend it to anyone out there whether, you are single, married, separated or divorce. The principles apply to everyone who loves. The LOVE DARE book is an applicable tool that was used in the book to deliver the message of the movie and of God's Love and Will for us in marriage and life.  This is an awesome book for couples or anyone really. As my husband says, this book should be a requirement to read and follow prior to ever getting married as part of a rite of passage before saying "I do".  It puts the true meaning of LOVE into a sharper and more eternal perspective. And, I speak this from personal knowledge and application. More to come on my own personal experiences with this movie and book at a later date. For now, enjoy the video and song....which is ever so true no matter who you are or where you are in life..."It's a slow fade when you give yourself away...."  ~ cj patterson

And below is a devotional that goes along with this theme...I recieved this from my Christian resources this past week. ~ cj

June 2, 2009

Soul Mates by Rachel Olsen

 "People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall." Proverbs 10:9 (NLT)

Devotion: Earlier this spring a friend contacted me needing to share something going on in her life. She is a Christian who suddenly found herself in desperate need of clarity and support. She was falling into an emotional affair. A former boyfriend contacted her out of the blue. At first it was a fun blast from the past to hear his voice and find out what he was up to. But it didn't take long before he confessed he had been thinking about her, missing her. She is single and has been at peace with that ...until his words stirred up feelings of loneliness and longings for affection. He is married with children. He told her his marriage wasn't doing well, and hinted that he longed to be with her again. Sure enough, feelings of attraction bubbled to the surface of her heart. My friend said she and this man had not reconnected face-to-face, but they were reconnecting voice-to-voice, mind-to-mind, and heart-to-heart with the computer or phone. Have you ever had the feeling someone else is really meant to be your soul mate? That "soul mate" notion can cause a lot of damage, because once someone pledges themselves to another in marriage before God, they essentially become soul mates. "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together" (Mark 10:7b-9, NLT).

Christians may be more likely to engage in emotional affairs, thinking that it doesn't really count as sin if there is no skin. "The defining characteristic of an affair is not whether there is sex involved, but the concealment that surrounds it and the fact that someone is being betrayed," says Dr. Jill Hubbard in her book The Secrets Women Keep. Years ago I witnessed a woman begin an emotional affair with a man she "had more in common with" than her husband. Never mind the fact that she had her school-aged children in common with her husband. She was eventually confronted by members of her church, but did not end the relationship. She is divorced today. Listen, we have to be honest with ourselves and with God. Jesus said we can commit adultery in our minds (Matthew 5:28); we can also commit an affair in our hearts. Plus, an emotional affair is often just the beginning stages of a physical one.

My friend struggling with this is single, but the man she's falling for is not. This isn't just a "married women's issue." We all have to guard our hearts. The Bible says they are the wellspring of our lives. If you are in some type of affair now, I urge you to end it. Stop feeding that addiction. Run quickly from sexual immorality. Change your phone number, your email address and your daily routine if necessary to avoid him. Thankfully, my friend stopped speaking with her temptation. If you are not entangled in this presently, guard yourself from falling into the trap. Be alert to slippery slopes. Don't go trolling the internet to check on past loves. Beware of confiding anything too personal, especially your marriage woes, to members of the opposite sex - find a female friend or counselor to talk to instead. Have an accountability partner periodically ask you how you're doing in this area. And if you are married, invest in your marriage. Finally, let's turn our attention to the One who is Love (1 John 4:8) and who knows our hearts better than anyone else can. Let's draw near to Christ who is truly our souls' mate. We can safely satisfy our hearts in His.

Dear Lord, strengthen myself and my friends to do what is right. And help me keep pure - mind, heart, body and soul. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources: Do You Know Your Soul's Mate -- the One you were made for?

Confessions of an Adulterous Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz

Torn Asunder: Recovering From an Extramartial Affair by Dave Carder

For more on the topic of emotional affairs, visit Rachel's blog today.

Application Steps: Read Jesus' words to a woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11.

Invest in your marriage -- the Love Dare is a helpful resource for this.

Reflections: Am I guarding my heart? What is the current intimacy level in my marriage? In my relationship with God?

Power Verses: Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (NIV)

Hebrews 10:22, "Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." (NLT)

~EAST from the WEST~

Psalm 103:12 ~ "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

The first time I heard this song, I just cried and cried.  I could just identify with this song so much. I was so moved by this song and the truth within it.  This is an amazing song by Casting Crowns, "East from the West".  Based upon the Grace of our God and Our Savior.  I can not fully comprehend nor will I ever comprehend just how far the East is from the West...but I thank the Lord so much that He has forgiven me of all my transgressions and removed them from me that far for all eternity. There are no words to express such a gratitude and thanksgiving for that one truth and one gift from or God and Christ Jesus. Not to mention the infinite number of other truths and gifts that result in that one truth, that one gift from God.

Thank you Lord for your Grace, your Gift, your Sacrifice for me. Make your Grace real to me that I may have the slightest inkling and insight into Your Love and Mercy you have for me so that I am drawn closer and closer to You, that I may come to know You more and more each passing day.  (1 John 2:3-5)

Enjoy the song and video. Found it on YouTube...Thank you Casting Crowns for this beautiful song that all Christians can relate too and thank you for all of your terrific music...If you aren't familiar with this Christian Group, you need to be. They are amazingly talented and are ministering to Christians through their music in a very relatable and beautiful way. Awesome!!! Highly recommend this group!!!! ~ cj patterson

~L O V E Exists~

Below is another devotional from Dr. Stanley. I am just so happy to receive these messages and share these messages on Hope. Hope is what we hang on to when we feel like sometimes we are barely hanging on by a thread or the demands of life and the experiences and trials that life brings, weigh us down, leaving us feeling like we have no Hope. And this is always how its going to be.  Without Hope, in my opinion, life would be pretty hard to cope with and in some cases I would imagine it could become pretty miserable and almost unbearable for some, knowing what some of us go through in our lives. I thank God that He has given me and all believers, an unfailing and eternal Hope in Him. It is a Hope that will never fail any of us who put our faith and trust in Him.  Our reason for Hope in Him is because of His love. His Love is what gives us hope and what proves to us that He exists and that LOVE exists. Without His love, we would not exist. God is LOVE and therefore we were created from His love and we love because of His love. And, therein lies our hope. Where there is LOVE, there is always HOPE.

1 John 4:16~ "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."

1 John 4:19 ~ "We love because he first loved us."

~ by cj patterson

note: image found on photobucket

May 29, 2009
God's Love: Our Reason for Hope 
1 John 4:7-10

Without a sense of purpose, there is no hope. But the Lord created each person for a reason: to love God and be loved by Him. He pursues us and does everything in His infinite power to reveal Himself. The Lord wants each person to understand who He is and respond in worship and devotion.

God's love is personal. Christianity stands out among world religions because our God desires a personal relationship with every man, woman, and child. His care and concern aren't limited to just one population group; He loves every individual specifically and desires regular, intimate conversation with each one.

God's love is unconditional. It's who He is (1 John 4:8) rather than simply something He does. Nothing about your character or behavior can make Him love you less or more. Nor are His care and concern limited, because He is infinite and eternal.

God's love is available to everyone. It is inexhaustible and reaches across every boundary that man can set up against Him. The Lord does not have favorites, but He does have intimates. These are His followers who are willing to spend time with Him, talking and listening, walking in obedience, and desiring to know and love Him with their whole heart. His wants all of us to choose this kind of relationship with Him.

The Father doesn't just say He loves you; He proved it by giving His Son as a sacrifice for your sins. Those who haven't trusted in the Savior can go through life oblivious to the divine blessing of His unconditional care and concern. What a waste it would be to live as though unloved when God's infinite, eternal love is offered to you. 

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org
and
click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

~Our Restorer~

1 Peter 5:10 ~ "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

Below is another devotional from Dr. Stanley. A continuation of our "hope" in our Father and our Savior, Christ.  Not only is He our hope, but He is our restorer of our lost hopes and dreams.  He restores us with eternal blessings and uses our trials, sufferings, failures, and tribulations for good and a purpose to fulfill His plan for those of us who have our hope in Him and our trust and belief in Him. I love this whole theme. It really has been a blessing to receive these messages from Dr. Stanley.  I often look at my failures with heart break and sometimes even disgust. Thank God, that even in my failures or weakenesses that He is ultimately using these to bring me closer to Him and to bring me closer to fullfilling His ultimate will and plan for my life.  He is my restorer and has the supernatural power to restore me to the "joy of my salvation" in Christ and the power to "sustain me" and "make me strong" and provide me with a "willing spirit" to walk in His way and "make my way perfect".

Psalm 51:12 ~ "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

Psalm 18:32 ~ "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.'

Philippians 4:12-13 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

~ by cj patterson

May 28, 2009
The Restorer of Lost Hopes 
Romans 5:1-5

Not only is Christ the source of genuine hope; He is also the restorer of lost hope. Unless we're vigilant in guarding our perspective, many situations can erode opti-mism and trust. Biblical principles are the best defense against such discouragement.

Unchanging difficult circumstances can cause despair and rob life of meaning, but Romans 5:1-5 tells us that God has a much different view about the value of trials.We are eager for our Father to just fix the problem or relieve the suffering, but He has an eternal goal in mind. His purpose in trials is to produce proven character in us, which will result in hope, not disappointment.

Personal failure is another thief of hope. Sometimes discouragement is caused by a failure to meet our own expectations. This may be evidence that we have trusted in our own abilities and plans rather than in the Lord. Remember that "our adequacy is from God" (2 Cor. 3:5).

At other times we might lose hope because, despite all our efforts, we cannot live a victorious Christian life. Old flesh patterns may seem to be winning the battle. But just as the failure originates within us, so does the solution--with the indwelling Holy Spirit. If we surrender to His authority and live in dependence upon Him, He will begin to transform us from the inside out.

Hopelessness is a miserable trap that blinds a believer from seeing the Lord. The only way out is to deliberately focus on Christ through praise, prayer, and Scripture. This is probably the last thing a discouraged person wants to do, but hope awaits those who are willing to see life from God's perspective. 

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org
and
click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

~H O P E~

H - He's

O - Our

P - Promsie

E - for Eternity

Below is a devotional from Dr. Stanley presenting how our hope in our God and our Lord Jesus is an eternal hope and promise that will never fail us no matter what the present or future holds.  His promise for us is an everlasting and heavenly one...Not an earthly or perishable one.

Psalm 39:6-7 "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain;  he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. 'But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.' "

Romans 8:23-25 ~ "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

~ cj patterson

May 27, 2009
The Source of Hope 
1 Peter 1:3-9

Hope can be defined as the desire for something good and the expectation of receiving it. Jesus Christ is the only genuine source of hope, because He alone knows what is best and has the sovereignty and power to secure its fulfillment. All other hopes are grounded on the shifting sands of circumstances beyond our control.

Each of us has expectations for the future, but these often pertain only to this earthly life. Christ promises us the "living hope" of an imperishable inheritance in heaven. Everyday desires will all fade away, but our home in heaven is eternal. This is our ultimate security and anchor when the storms of life are severe.

But how do we endure times of trial right now? Heaven can seem so far away when pain is present and there's no relief in sight. Hope anticipates a change of circumstances for the better.

And what about times when our situation is not improving--then, what is God doing that is "better"? Peter tells us He is refining our faith, which will result in praise and glory when Jesus returns. This is more valuable to us than gold or even relief from our distress. What a paradox! The difficulties which cause us to lose hope are the tools the Lord uses to increase our faith and hope in Him.

Christ promises us hope not only for eternity, but also for this life. Those times that God does not deliver us from difficulty, we can be sure He is doing a greater work within us. When we finally reach our eternal home, we'll recognize the immeasurable value of the faith He produced in us as we kept our hope in Him. 

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org
and
click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace