IF…

How does a VITAL CHURCH grow?

It becomes LIFE to ALL.

“WHEN Christ who IS our life. (Colossians 3:4)… then you shall also appear with Him in all glory.”

“Vital” means LIFE.

“If” we truly are born again, Christ IS our life.

I sincerely and without no disrespect say “If” because God says this.

It’s NOT automatic- this ‘salvation’ or ‘born again’ experience I’m referring to.

Something actually happens in the spiritual realm to our spirits, we become a brand new, never before existed, created spirit. (1 Corinthians 5:17).

Just because we believe in God, and have knowledge that Jesus is God’s Son- doesn’t mean we have been born again, or saved.

Just because we go to church, doesn’t make us a Christian, no more than going to McDonald’s makes you a Bic Mac! God’s gift of salvation is 100% FREE, but cost God EVERYTHING.

But He doesn’t force it on us- it’s been offered, and is waiting for each of us to individually receive it, to receive Christ, who IS the gift of eternal life; as our individual Master, Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Healer, Provider, OUR LIFE!!!

Date to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus!

It’s conditional, based on each of our individual choice.

He is The Way, The Truth, and THE LIFE.

First thing first responders do upon the scene of an accident is ‘check your vitals.’ They are determining whether or not there is LIFE in us.

Life is a gift, and as believers, CHRIST is our life, and His GIFT of life is to be shared and multiplied. God is a God of increase.

Friends, we all have goals, and most include financial goals. And this is good. But what good is it to gain the whole world and lose our souls??? (Mark 8:36/Matthew 16:26)

As CHRISTians, our main financial goals in life is not to pack away as much wealth as we can FOR OURSELF; but to be able to give without end to those in need all over the world. To spread the gospel into all the world cost money.

The purpose of wealth is NOT to hoard it to ourselves.

I don’t want money for myself. I want it so that I am give it away, so that I can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, give drink to the thirsty- bless those in need, IN THE NAME OF JESUS. To bring JESUS to all I meet and ‘GO’ to find, seek and save the lost…

I’m not talking about those capable of helping themselves but don’t., or those trapped in addiction spending every donated dollar on their habit- they need help., too, but a different type of help. For those- I love them and pray for them to receive revelation of God’s presence, power and indescribable gift!

I speak LIFE over them, and plead the blood of Jesus over them. In their presence I speak ‘Jesus.’ ‘JESUS!’ At the name of Jesus, the demons tremble and every knee must bow. And His power is released! (James 2:19/Philippians 2:11/ Luke 10:17/ Mark 16:17-17)

I’m talking about the majority of our world struggling to find clean water to drink; food to eat, shelter- who need our answer, their answer, JESUS.

We must go TO THEM, and TELL THEM. We must SHOW THEM. We must CARE for them, and LOVE them, like the Jesus we confess.

This and this only is why I desire money. I desire what I can do with it for the Kingdoms sake.

This is why I give what I have. And to keep on giving what I have. It’s not a one time done. check off list thing. It’s GODS WAY.

This is why I am passionate about being part of “THE CHURCH”, (not ‘a’ church) and seek a ‘vital’ church (THE BODY OF CHRIST) who gets this!!!

Faith ACTS. It doesn’t sit still. It doesn’t remain in one place, content, like a ‘fat baby.’ I remember back in my singing days, singing an Amy Grant song called ‘Fat Baby.’ It’s time to resurrect this song, folks!!! It’s TIME FOR A GREAT AWAKENING!!! RISE UP!!! Get busy!!!

Here’s the lyrics- read them. Let them get deposited in your spirit. Are YOU a fat baby???

“🎼I know a man, maybe you know him, too

You never can tell; he might even be you

He knelt at the altar, and that was the end

He’s saved, and that’s all that matters to him

His spiritual tummy, it can’t take too much

One day a week, he gets a spiritual lunch

On Sunday, he puts on his spiritual best

And gives his language a spiritual rest

He’s just a faaa…

He’s just a fat little baby!

Wa, wa, waaaaa…

He wants his bottle, and he don’t mean maybe

He sampled solid foods once or twice

But he says doctrine leaves him cold as ice

Ba, ba, ba, ba…ba, ba…ba, ba!

He’s been baptized, sanctified, redeemed by the blood

But his daily devotions are stuck in the mud

He knows the books of the Bible and John 3:16

He’s got the biggest King James you’ve ever seen!

I’ve always wondered if he’ll grow up someday

He’s momma’s boy, and he likes it that way

If you happen to see him, tell him I said,

“He’ll never grow, if he never gets fed”

He’s just a fat, fat, fat, fat, fat, fa-at, fat…

Fat, Fat, Fat, Fat, Fat, Fa-at, Fat…

Fat, Fat, Fat, Fat, Fat, Fat, Fatttt…

Baby…🎼”

Don’t wait until you have ‘enough of the wealth’ YOU think is enough to start giving- you’ll never become a giver if you wait. Start now. Learn to sacrifice now. Become a giver now.

You have to give by faith, with your heart, with what you have now.

Trust God.

Hey, ALL of the earth is the Lords and the fullness therein. ALL belongs to God… we are only stewards of what He has entrusted us with.

Are we being faithful with it? Are we holding onto it with stingy fingers, even more tightly when the Holy Spirit touches our hearts to give, then we don’t?

Or are we trusting God with EVERY area of our life, including our finances? Are we???

God will take your gift, and will supernaturally multiply it; and will increase your ability to gain more; once your heart lines up with His.

The value of something is determined by what one is willing to pay.

God’s determined our value, ALL of mankind’s value, even in our imperfect condition, was the life of His only Son.

God is a giver. He held nothing back.

We are to follow His example, if indeed He is in us… we are made in His image. We are made to multiply, to increase.

Let’s give all we can selflessly, and see our world changed.

All of the worlds poverty, starvation, need- is solvable through the Christ who is in us…

‘IF’ we would but learn to see people as HE sees people…

‘IF’ we would but learn to love people as HE loves people…

‘IF’ we TRULY would obey and do what HE instructed us to do-we will see in God’s Word WHO we are in Christ, WHOSE we are in Christ, and WHO WE ARE CONNECTED TO IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Our body is the ‘new’ temple the Holy Spirit dwells in, if we are truly born again. Our body IS the ‘house’ that our spirit, and God’s Spirit IN OUR SPIRIT, contains.

May ALL our eyes open to this truth!!! May HIS Holy Fire consume us, and His passion ignite us!!!

“Now ALL who believed were together, and had ALL things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among ALL, as anyone had need…”

‘IF’ we truly desire to be obedient and to become THE church, THE bride of Christ, we need to do what He has instructed us to do, then we will be the vital “church” that grows!

This is how we will know- read what is written, when Peter was with the rest of the other apostles (followers of Christ, who were ALREADY BORN AGAIN):

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent. And let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you SHALL RECEIVE the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the PROMISE is to you AND TO YOUR CHILDREN, AND TO ALL WHO ARE AFAR OFF, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

“Then THOSE WHO GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD… So continuing daily with ONE ACCORD in the temple, and breaking of bread from house to house, they are their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with ALL the people. AND THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY THISE WHO WERE BEING SAVED.”

(Acts 2:37-47)

How did YOU dress today?

Many times, over the years of receiving invitations to attend a variety of events, the question has come up ‘what is the dress requirements?’ Or ‘how are we expected to dress?’

I’ve even had friends ask me personally, ‘what are you planning on wearing?’

And this is all well and good.

We certainly dont want to be out of order or draw unnecessary attention to ourselves-especially negative attention.

And let’s face it- most of us just want to fit in.

Right?

If we are going to a child’s soccer game, we ladies wouldn’t wear a fancy dress with heels, nor would men show up in suits and ties.

No- more likely, we’d wear shorts and a t-shirt, flip flops or tennis shoes…

But- changing the scenario, if we are invited to a wedding, we wouldn’t show up wearing shorts and t-shirts, flip flops or tennis shoes!

Instead, we ladies would absolutely wear a nice dress with heels, and men would wear suits and ties!

Knowing what to wear matters.

There are all appropriate ways of how we should dress in the natural… but God has a more profound dress code for us as believers…

He’s showing us the expected SPIRITUAL dress code in scriptures…

And it requires a whole new lifestyle wardrobe change.

God has filled up our spiritual closet with a clothing style that is timeless…

God’s fashion choice of clothing will never go out of style!

Choose from the wardrobe God has given you:

Compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.

Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense…

And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.

It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

Colossians 3:12-14 MSG

God DEFINITELY allows -turns!

Who DOESN’T want a life that is abundantly whole, healed, put-together and full of delight???

I don’t think any of us decided when we were little children ‘when I grow up, I want to be miserable, broke, busted and disgusted!’ Right???

Yet for some of us, our lives have somehow gotten off course.

We find ourselves trapped, not the way we envisioned it to be, stuck.

Any of you find yourselves asking these questions or expressing these thoughts:

• How in the world did this HAPPEN?
• This surely wasn’t what I wanted.
• What am I going to do?
• Where did I go wrong?
• What did I do to deserve this?

Whoa!!! Hold on, friends! You’re not alone!

And I have good news! No matter how lost you are, there’s always a way to get back in track!

God truly does allow u-turns!

Have any of y’all besides me gotten lost while traveling? Anyone else take the wrong turn before?

Let me share one true experience I had… my family STILL teases me about it!

One year, my family were traveling by car from

Virginia to Iowa, and eventually, Wisconsin for a family reunion…my husband, myself, and our three children.

I was telling them of this amazing multi-story shopping mall, with an indoor amusement park, called ‘The Mall of America’ that I visited briefly with my mother when we had a layover at the airport in-between flights… it was in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Yeah, I know this NOW… but THEN? I got it wrong. WAY wrong. Using the paper maps, I rerouted our trip, to go through INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA…. thinking that was where it was.

But of course, the nearer we got- we were not seeing signs to the Mall of America!!! I kept telling the kids ‘keep looking! It’s across the street from the airport! We can’t miss it- it’s huge!!!’

Finally, we pulled up to an airport hotel and asked the concierge ‘we must have taken a wrong turn, sir. Could you tell us which exit is for the Mall of America?’

Oh, his face expression was priceless! He broke into a belly gut laugh!!! I couldn’t figure out what was so funny until he told me-

‘Mam, you’re in INDIANAPOLIS. The Mall of America is in MINNEAPOLIS. You’re in the wrong state! You’re about 590 miles away!’

Crushed! I was embarrassed, and crushed., as I quickly realized my children were going to be disappointed… Thankfully, I’m married to THE most patient man. We added a few extra days to our trip, and sure enough- we made it to the Mall of America!

The kids got to play in the big Lego’s store, and ride the roller coaster and other rides in the in door amusement park. Fun memories were made after all- but the biggest one laughed about now, was the wrong turn!

We can laugh at our mistakes, when we confront them with grace… and learn from them-and correct them.

God wants us to live an abundant life. He knows we will make mistakes. He’s there to help ya through them. And He’s there to help us get back on track.

Just as in my story, in life- we make ‘wrong turns.’ If we are focused on the right directions, and following them, we won’t end up where we need to end up.

Adjustments must be made, and a little extra time has to be spent to get back on track- but with God, and godly people in our life- it’s absolutely doable!

Real life is abundant, pure, a gift!

Eternally good.

This can only be obtained when we listen AND DO what God’s voice is telling us what to do!

Listen!

There are two voices competing for our attention-

God’s, and Satan’s.

One is good, and wants only good for us-

The other is bad, and wants only bad for us.

We choose.

• We choose which voice to listen to…
• We choose which voice to obey…
• We choose which life to live…

A life designed by God, reaching our potential and call He has planned for us-serving Him all of our days with the goal of having an abundant life well lived, meaningful…

Or a live planned by the evil one, Satan, full of struggles, deception, ungodliness, falling short, unfulfilled, no real purpose- no real peace, with his goal to kill, steal and destroy us.

When my children were small, we’d sing this song:

‘🎶 Oh be careful little eyes what you see! Oh be careful little ears what you hear! 🎶. For the Father up above is looking down with love, oh be 🎶 careful little eyes what you see! Oh be careful 🎶little ears what you hear!’

There’s so much wisdom in this simple tune.

Satan is the little ‘g’ god of this world.

God said, as Christians, we are in this world, but not OF this world.

God has said it- He has given us eyes to see, and ears to hear.

He has told us:

‘Above all else…Guard your heart. For everything you do flows from it.’ (Proverbs 4:23)

Actually- God loves us so much He has given us instructions for living a life right!

Proverbs 4:20- 27

‘My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to My Words.

Do not let them out of your sight,

Keep them within your heart;

For they are life to those who find them and healing & health to all their body.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

Watch the path of your feet and let all your ways be established.

Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.’

See! God has given us a road map to navigate successfully through this life, in His Word! He’s also given us His voice, the Holy Spirit… AND- He’s given us the most amazing G.P.S. ‘God’s Precious Son.’

Without God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ, we are lost, off track, heading in the wrong direction.

It’s time for a u-turn!

If you resonate with this, if you’re feeling tugs in your heart, then the Lord is beckoning you to Him.

Pray this simple prayer and mean it in your heart:

‘Dear Heavenly Father,

I’m lost. I’ve been wandering around through my life, made a few wrong turns, and can’t seem to find my way back to you.

Help me, Lord! I see now from these scriptures that I haven’t guarded my heart…I haven’t paid attention to Your Words. I have let them out of my sight… please forgive me!

I choose to return to You, dear God. I will listen. Speak to me. Show me. Guide me. Lead me. I am Yours. In Jesus Name, Amen.’

If you’ve prayed this prayer, there’s thousands of angels in Heaven right this very moment cheering and celebrating your decision!!!

We encourage you to get into a good, bible teaching church., so that you can restart your Christian life with other believers to help disciple you.

We’d love to hear from you and to know of your decision! God bless you!

You can contact us through our website link here:

Website for iamjesusgal ministries

Hope.

All throughout the winter, I have been driving past this tree on my way to and from work.

Always captures my attention…

This tree has a lesson. So does this empty fruit basket.

It’s been speaking to my soul. And yes, trees can speak.

We read about Jesus speaking to the fig tree in Mark 11… it spoke back to Him, in obedience. It heard what He said, and did what He said.

Regarding THIS tree-and THIS empty basket…

Most specifically the little fruit basket sitting as if it’s waiting. It has been speaking to me.

A lot.

It is a symbol of hope and of new life.

When we look at things that seem lifeless and hopeless, the more we let our gaze dwell there unchecked, we grew weary and depressed.

This image paints a different picture to focus on-if only we have eyes to see and ears to hear…

The tree branches are empty.. there’s no sign of life…

There’s a hint of life however on the bottom, of the green grass starting to grow… but the symbol of hope here is in the empty bucket waiting at the bottom… it’s a sign that good things will come in the future.

I believe this is a message to encourage somebody.

Are you facing a hopeless situation?

Anyone feeling as if life will never come again the way you want it to?

God has different seasons in our life for a reason.

While we learn to wait on God, let’s purpose to trust Him!

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrew 11:1),

Based on the true uncompromised Word of God!

We need to learn to be obedient and to do what God says to do, in order to get the results God says we can have.

“call those things that are not as though they are!” (Romans 4:17)

God is a speaking Spirit!

He spoke everything into existence and to this day there are new galaxies still being created based on His original command to exist!

“Words are powerful! Words can be our salvation and words can be our damnation.” (Matthew 12:33 MSG)

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue!” (Proverbs 18:21)

What are we saying?

What are we declaring?

What are we confessing?

We need to learn to look adversity directly into its face and declare our victory!

Like this little basket sitting at the foot of this barren tree, waiting for the right season of fruit to come-anticipating…

let’s “trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on to our own understanding- in all our ways acknowledge Him and let Him direct our steps!” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lets look with eyes of faith! And speak into our future right now the expected end!

Be encouraged, dear loved ones- hope never disappoints!

Do JUSTICE

God commands us to ‘do justice‘, to ‘seek justice‘, to ‘bring justice‘- what then, IS ‘justice?’

Many might think it’s involving civil law, letting the law, police and courts resolve an issue.

But when God tells us to do something, shouldn’t it be important that we know what He means?

JUSTICE.

The Bible warns that “evil men do not understand justice” (Proverbs 28:5).

This word ‘justice’ keeps coming up.

“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern” (Proverbs 29:7)

Justice in its simplest form, means to set things right. Yet, how do we know what is right? Who defines “right”?

Therein lies the problem. The world has its definition, and God has His.

How we determine our understanding of this word, ‘justice‘ will lead to our acting on this word-which illustrates ‘whom’ we serve.

Micah 6:8 (ESV) “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Right away at first glance, we see the word JUST. Only God is just. He is holy, loving, compassionate, and a just God-a God of justice.

He is all about restoration, putting things back as right things that were wronged.

As followers of Christ, the answer is simple. Our sense of justice is instilled in us by our Creator God. He is loving, kind, and merciful and also righteous, holy, and just.

Biblical justice is the enactment of God’s nature. It means confronting evil and making right that which is wrong.

The more we hear the voice of God-by reading His Word, and talking with Him in prayer, the closer we walk with Him.

We learn His ways.

“The Rock, His work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he,” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

The more time we spend with Him, we learn of His character. The more we learn of His character the more we learn what to do- by His example.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you,” (Psalm 89:14).

Driven by the compassion of Christ, we pursue injustice to bring about justice– to right the wrongs of evil.

God has given us the command to ‘do justice‘.

When we see someone in need- who is hungry, in need of clothing, IN NEED OF JESUS- we are to ‘do justice.’

When we ‘see’, and know to do, but do not ‘do’, we are adding to the injustice, and disobeying our God.

Isaiah 1:17 (ESV) “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”

The problem of poverty and homelessness is not the governments responsibility, but the Church’s. God has called US as His followers, to distribute to those in need.

When are we going to line up to His Word, Church?

Do justice.

In closing, I will share an excerpt from ‘Generous Justice by Timothy Keller’.

At the end of this excerpt, I’ll add in our website link and way to contribute to a global vision the Lord has given us. If you’d like to become part of the solution to helping homelessness and poverty, to ‘do justice‘ we would be grateful.

‘In the Scripture, gifts to the poor are called “acts of righteousness,” as in Matthew 6:1-2.

Not giving generously, then, is not stinginess but unrighteousness, a violation of God’s law.

In the book of Job, we see Job call every failure to help the poor a sin, offensive to God’s splendor (Job 31:23) and deserving of judgment and punishment (v. 28).

Remarkably, Job is asserting that it would be a sin against God to think of his goods as belonging to himself alone.

To not “share his bread” and his assets with the poor would be unrighteous, a sin against God, and therefore by definition a violation of God’s justice.’

(‘Generous Justice by Timothy Keller, Riverhead Books a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.’ https://relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/what-biblical-justice)

If you are compelled to do justice and get involved, we invite you to learn more of our ministry, Helping The Homeless, a 501 (C) 3 non profit.

We believe we have the blueprint to change the face of homelessness and less fortunate one person at a time. Pastor Wendy, Founder

Helping The Homeless Ministry website

(on website, click on ‘giving’ then before finalizing, add comment ‘Camp Restoration Fund’)