Monthly Archives: June 2012

06/27/12

Psalm 67 A Song for Stringed Instruments

GOD has Blessed us with a new Spring and Summer. The winter was a mild one compared to previous years and it is time to think about gardens and beautiful flower displays. This will be a year of tremendous produce if we will plant the seeds and allow God to grow the plants and produce the harvest. Then it is up to us to reap the benefits and share with others.

Psalm 67

For the Director of Music—with Stringed Instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—[b]
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

3 May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
5 May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.

6 The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
7 May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

06/22/12

The Joy and Pain of Gardening…By Chaelwest

 The Joy and Pain of Gardening
There is this crazy urge that I get each Spring when the first crocuses peek out of bed, and the daffodils put on their bonnets–it is called, in my vernacular, time to dig. Whether it is digging into the black dirt with my toes, or grabbing a shovel and digging holes, or using a tiller to turn the soil over for planting–It truly doesn’t matter because the urge is simply to dig-dig-dig.

Along with this urge comes a need to plant baby flowers and vegetables in the hope of watching them grow into fruit producers and bloomers of the garden variety. Before this can be accomplished, however, there are many steps toward this luxurious goal. No pain no gain.

As I am no longer in the ‘bloom’ of youth, each year it becomes harder and harder to perform the gardening tasks necessary to say that I have had a wonderful, productive season.  I used to be able to kneel and pat those little suckers right into place with no aching aftereffects, but now Mr. Arthur shows up almost immediately after I have patted the last little plant and put them to bed. Ibuprofen to the rescue!!! I guess if I weren”t so driven I would simply let the garden do the natural thing. It would overgrow itself quickly and what a tangled mess I would have.

Since it is human to want to control everything and everybody around you, lest there be any surprises, I struggle year after year to reach the same gardening goals of  twenty years ago. I want little pansies to smile at me while giant sunflowers tower over the fence and protect the borders. I long to see Jack command his pulpit while begonias beguile me with their constant beauty and variety. The shrubs and bushes offer summer glamour while fruit trees, maples, and oak offer bountiful shade.

I am a sensory person. I enjoy textures and myriad colors around me. Nothing is more sensory than touching the fleshy petal of a Day Lily or an Iris. The beauty that is the rose family is absolutely breathtaking–domestic or wild. The variety of colors  is mind-boggling–giving me a glimpse into the rainbows of Heaven. Will there be gardens there to plant and explore?

There is great joy in watching the tomatoes grow and ripen on the vine. Cucumber’s yellow flowers team with the golden orange of the melon flowers. Such a lovely scene. The greens of the foliage form a wonderful contrast to the bursts of color that speak of fruit to come.

My garden always makes me think of the responsibility of parenting. The little seeds that we are given to water and nourish grow quickly. If we give them good food then we will yield a plenteous harvest with strong seed toward the next generation. Will it be easy? No. Just as the garden in my yard takes careful tending in order to grow–so do my children. My difficulty is that I am like ‘The Old Lady Who lived In A Shoe’– I have so many children in my heart that I don’t know what to do. At home and abroad, they take careful tending each day. An earnest prayer here and some encouragement there–a shake of the head when I see them making some of the same mistakes that I made in my own youth; panic when I see that they are going to follow their own chosen path making wise or unwise choices along the journey and disregarding my loving advice. 

I will continue to tend my gardens and the mixed bed of joy and sorrow will be mine to lie upon. Prayerfully, hopefully, the flowers of my heart will someday bloom with beauty and wisdom. I will then hold them close and kiss the dew from their faces.

credit: charlene @charlenesattic.com

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Charlene Kirst
06/14/12

Israel Houghton: ‘Moving Forward’ with Lyrics

Moving Forward  from “Power of One”  by Israel Houghton

(1st verse)

What a moment
You have brought me to
Such a freedom I have found in You
You’re the Healer
Who makes all things new
Yeah yeah yeah

~Bridge~

I’m not going back
I’m moving ahead
Here to declare to You
My past is over in You
All things are made new
Surrendered my life to Christ
I’m moving, moving forward

(2nd verse)

You have risen
With all power in Your hands
You have given me
A second chance

Hallelujah hallelujah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

(back to bridge)

~Chorus~

You make all things new
Yes
You make all things new
And I will follow You
Forward

*copyrighted by Sony Music Entertainment
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Uploaded by: Riverasinger7

Charlene’s Source: youtube

06/14/12

Thoughts On Life by Chaelwest

 

Thoughts On Life

 

Life is not always what it may appear to be. There are times when our perceptions are truly off kilter, and we struggle to understand how we did not or could not see or anticipate the events that color our lives. Our comfort zones are built around absolutes in our existence–things, people, and institutions that we hope will always be there to hold us up and to form a foundation beneath us.

 

This hope is not always realized. Time is a master of change, and change can bring discomfort. The most reliable course of action is to accept the fact that change does come into our lives and those things which we have relied on to set and maintain our course can sometimes be blown into another sea.

 

Setting our sails for a straight course can prove to be hazardous. The winds of change can blow and cause the bow to swing to another point on the compass. This change of direction can be good or bad depending upon the destination to which the compass is leading. It is up to us as the passengers to decide whether or not to approach the captain with a petition to return to the original course, or to accept the new direction and the challenges it may bring.

 

Change is inevitable. How we react to change is the variable. We can face challenges head-on and defeat them through sheer force of will, or we can use a gentler approach and allow change to lead us to greener pastures, and better opportunities. When the door closes on one endeavor, look for the new door that is before you. Face your challenges, gather your resources, and forge something new.

 

credit: chaelwest@charlene’sattic

 

This entry was posted in My Look at the World and tagged change, discomfort, growth, new horizons.

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Charlene Kirst
06/5/12

June 5, 2012 The Tempting In The Wilderness Parts 1 & 2 Matthew 4 Expounded

What Is The Purpose of Temptation, Testing, and Trial?

 

Part 1

 

Temptation, Testing and Trial are gifts from GOD placed in your life to help you to mature and to give you solid foundation for the implementation of GOD’s work. As GOD tested His son in the wilderness–he also tests us, his sons and daughters, in our own wilderness–the wilderness of life. Since the Fall, even with the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ to provide salvation, mankind tends to follow the beat of the wrong drummer. This results in wrong decisions, mistakes, and an unclear path through the wilderness. While seeking to focus on the correct path–there will be numerous trials to endure, and temptations of every sort will be placed in front of you by the Tempter to trip you and make you fall. It is up to you to seek direction from GOD to order your steps and to keep you on the right path once it is gained.

 

Now, supposing that you are a willing worker for Christ–discerning His will for your life and the special vision that He placed inside of you many years ago. This vision was shared by your partner in ministry, and even though time has passed since the prophecy came forth–time did not invalidate the prophecy; people invalidate prophecy.

 

How is this Done?

 

Prophecy is timeless. GOD determines the season of fulfillment based upon our growth and understanding. Many times we are called to support another’s vision for a season. This is good in the sight of GOD, but there comes a moment when you realize that the vision placed on your heart-line so long ago is starting to give birth. This vision may have been thwarted at some point or perhaps the laborers were too few or too immature.and the vision faded for a season. Whatever the reason for the delay–this is where you now stand.

 

Obviously this becomes subject to interpretation, especially on the part of those whom you have labored with and for through many years. They would rather have you support their vision as all things do point to GOD. I agree that this is logical, however, even within the realm of visions, there is not one vision or visionary, except Christ, who reigns over all. GOD can plant seeds in many of His servants, water them, then watch them either stagnate, sprout and die,  or sprout and flourish. Read ‘Parable of The Sower’ Mark 4: 1-32.

 

The timing of fruition or produce is in the food and provision. Spiritual food is different from physical food. Physical food is designed to feed the cells of the body; to nourish and stimulate more growth of our physical shell–because that is what the body is. The physical acts as a repository (a place where non-material things are placed or stored) for our spiritual being, and, if we are saved, the home of the Holy Spirit, for He is within us. Spiritual food has a different natural make-up and function. Spiritual food is designed by our Creator to feed our souls and spirits, and without this spiritual food, we are doomed to die from lack of nourishment. A baby fed with physical food but denied physical touch and comfort of their spirit will die. Jesus said, “it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD.’   Matthew 4: 4

 

Seeking GOD at this time of prophetic revealment is crucial. The noise of living can crowd GOD’s voice out and make it difficult to hear. Sadly, we can become so busy that we are performing works, not Kingdom building.

 

Part 2

 

How Do We Seek?

 

The Holy Bible is our inspirational guide. It was written by GOD’s Holy Spirit through divinely inspired men. If we seek GOD’s Word where He may be found our understanding will be Blessed and we will have the spiritual necessities to press into GOD’s Holy Spirit and thus His saving work. Only through His leading are we able to transcend the ways of this world and emerge victorious on the other side. The present world weighs us down with the cares and anxieties of life. No longer is life simply work, church, and home–our present lives are full of temptations from a vast amount of sources. The entertainment industry bombards our homes and resources as we purchase Computers, TVs , DVDs, Blu-Ray, CDs,  and any other technology and its support technology presented to the masses. Large portions of our income are absorbed into this field alone. Mankind loves to be entertained, but with that entertainment comes influence that, if not discerned and checked, will result in backsliding and spiritual loss.

 

I recall being told as a child that a Christian should not be seen going into a bar or a house of ill-repute (brothel). As I have progressed spiritually and in my Christian understanding, I realize that those brave souls who do venture into such places with the intent of trying to rescue the lost, do so only in the strength of their convictions. They emerge unscathed only through the support and intervention of The Holy Spirit who keeps their minds and bodies free from temptation. This is accomplished through prayer and supplication before GOD prior to entering the establishment. Asking Jesus to be with you as your Intercessor and The Holy Spirit as your Guide and Comforter will enable you to enter places that would swallow you whole in your own strength.

 

It is only through seeking the Trinity that we can overcome the temptations ever-present in this world. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work as three-in-one to help us to be overcomers.  Galatians 5: 16-25 NIV states:

 

“So I say, live by The Spirit , and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy; fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of GOD.

But the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by The Spirit, let us keep in step with The Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other”.

 

 Jesus came to earth for many reasons, primarily to bring salvation and redemption for mankind–but He also came to gve us example of what to do and what not to do. He taught the way to overcome temptation by example. Jesus showed us the way to deal with the devil and his works by living a blameless life that enabled Him to call upon GOD’s Spirit to endure and to accomplish the work. We should be inspired by Jesus’  example–it is the only example that will ensure eternal life. We gain heaven not through the law of man but by the law of The Spirit. Romans 8: 1-4 NIV says:

 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

 

Go In Christ and if tempted know that GOD the Father, GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Spirit are with you and will bear you up.  Rev. Charlene

 

All scripture quotes retrieved from the world-wide web [www.biblegateway.com] and the Zondervan Publishing House NIV Version 1984 

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Charlene Kirst
06/4/12

Matthew 4: The Tempting In The Wilderness

New International Version (NIV)

Matthew 4

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

   “‘He will command his angels concerning you,
   and they will lift you up in their hands,
   so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

 11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jesus Begins to Preach

 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
   the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
   Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness
   have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
   a light has dawned.”[f]

 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20At once they left their nets and followed him.

 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Heals the Sick

 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[g]Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Footnotes:
  1. Matthew 4:1 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested.
  2. Matthew 4:4 Deut. 8:3
  3. Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11,12
  4. Matthew 4:7 Deut. 6:16
  5. Matthew 4:10 Deut. 6:13
  6. Matthew 4:16 Isaiah 9:1,2
  7. Matthew 4:25 That is, the Ten Cities

Source: retrieved from www.Bible gateway .com on April 17, 2012.

This entry was posted in Our Studies, Rev. Charlene’s Teachings, Scripture Expounded, Scripture to Share,Women UHW Curriculum and tagged , , , , , , by admin.