Archives for April 2011

GOD IS GOOD

April 19, 2011 By

by abazgrl (juanita weiss) at www.weissministries.com

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good” (Psalm 136:1 boldface added).
That is what the psalmist declares, and that is what we must believe if we are to serve Him — that God is GOOD.

I remember when teaching World Literature in high school, we read myths and stories from different cultures about the origin of the world. Most of the gods depicted in those stories were not omnipotent. One of them, for example, needed the help of animals to create the world. Most of the gods were not omniscient. One god could be tricked to get into a box and to have his opponent nail it shut so that he could not get out. Most were not benevolent — they were petty, mean, and spiteful. Some duped the humans they made, or sent wild animals to devour them, or used them as pawns — like chess pieces.

Only our God is good. Let’s establish this first — There is no other god, but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The psalmist stays, “All the gods of the nations are idols, but Yahweh created the heavens.” Then to trust Him or believe Him or to love Him or even to know Him, we must get past this one fundamental fact about God: HE IS GOOD!

I know. The world is a mess! The History of mankind is crazy! People are mean! Your house is in foreclosure. Your children are incorrigible! Your marriage is on the rocks! Your future looks bleak! AND you must get to the fact that GOD IS GOOD. His goodness is not predicated upon the things that are going on around us! He is good when everything is bad! He was always good and will always be good!

He gives us free will so that we can make choices — even the choice not to serve Him or to even believe that He is good! Amazing!

We have the only God who condescended to instill the essence of His goodness not only into human language but into human flesh. Then He subjected himself to the ills of these creatures He made so that they would know that He loved them. Then He died in their place so there would be no doubt and no obstacle to this love. Yes, indeed, God is good!

Whether his goodness is reflected in the bluegrass tunes of Don Moen, or the sweet, passionate voice of Kari Jobe, or the soulful, joyous melodies of Israel Houghton, they all declare the same thing: “GOD IS GOOD”! Enjoy the music:

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THE YEARNING OF THE BRIDEGROOM

April 17, 2011 By

“The Yearning of the Bridgegroom” by Abazgrl – www.weissministries.com

“God‘s desire for our worship is not the craving of an egotistical king, nor the demand of a celestial power broker. Rather, it is the yearning of a Bridegroom who wants us more than our deepest need to be wanted.“ This is what Steve Fry wrote on page 32 of his book Rekindled Flame: The Passionate Pursuit of God.

When I read it I was forever jolted. I want to be wanted. I want to be needed. Hence, I developed a co-dependent nature very early on in my life. I wanted people to like me. I wanted people to know that I was a good person, a good wife. I wanted them to need me, so I made all kinds of wrong choices hoping that people would need and want me. Thank God, I came face to face with the reality of my co-dependency being sourced by the enemy as a tool to keep me bound to people apart from my relationship with God.

As much as I wanted to be wanted and needed, the above quote by Fry seems to suggest that there is a deeper need beyond what I have even acknowledged. This need is so deeply entrenched in every fiber of my being. I need to be wanted and only God can fill that deep, unspoken, unrealized need the I have for Him. Thank you, Abba. I feel so safe giving that deep, vulnerable essence of me to You, Abba. You will never exploit it. As a matter of my fact, it is for my good to give it to You.  And it is so wonderful to know that I do not have to be motivated by seeking favor from people but just receiving the favor of a God who thinks I am amazing! Nice!

This is how Fry rounds off his thought: “A Lover whose pleasure is to give Himself away, and who has designed us to be like Himself–finding pleasure in giving ourselves away. But before we can give ourselves to others, we need to give ourselves to God by worshipping Him. And it is only as we give ourselves away in abandoned worship that we can ever know this God who gives Himself away.” AWESOME!

Enjoy this video of a song by Alberto & Kimberly Rivera with signing by Rachel Laughton, entitled “Royalty.” That’s how God considers us! After all, we are going to marry the King! Hallelujah!

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CHECK YOUR THOUGHTS

April 11, 2011 By

By Abazgrl — Weiss Ministries

“I cannot afford to have a thought in my head about myself that is not in God‘s heart about me.” — Bill Johnson

I don’t know about you, but based upon this amazing truth, I should be on my knees, repenting right now. And I do! I am! I have! When we are covered under the blood of Messiah, we are new creatures. I am so longer that degenerate creature I used to be. I am forgiven! I am seated with Messiah in heavenly places. I am redeemed. I am the righteousness of God in Messiah. I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise. I am a daughter of God! I am an overcomer . . . more than a conqueror. Not only me, but you are too. And the list goes on . . .

Here’s another truth that is just as convicting, but deeply healing:

“I cannot have my mind work against the will of God!” — Bill Johnson

That’s what happens when our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. Our minds work against the will of God in our lives. Do you understand what we have to do? While the Republicans and Democrats are arguing about who has won the battle over the budget and Planned Parenthood, we have people — yes even believers — whose homes are being foreclosed, who are being laid off, who have to debate between paying a bill or putting food on the table, who can’t afford the gas to get to work! Some are crumbling under the weight of their problems and they need US to tell them that God loves them . . . that the only sure footing in this world is Yeshua!

Father, forgive me for thinking that I was less than what you say I am. I repent! I take up this charge that you have given me to share your love with a dying world. I can only do it if I see myself the way you do. Help me to see myself and others with your eyes. In Yeshua’s Name. Amen.

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THE GRACE TO GIVE OUT GRACE

April 3, 2011 By

by ABAZGRL at Weiss Ministries

There is this song (can’t remember the name of the artist is or the name of the song), but there is a line in the song that goes like this:

“The thing I find most amazing than amazing grace is the chance to give it out!”

I absolutely loved it! Grace is unmerited favor, kindness that we do not deserve and never could earn, even in all our good works combined in a lifetime! We get this amazing grace because we are children of God.
Then God gives us even more amazing grace. He gives us the opportunity to give that grace to others. He gives us an opportunity to act like Him! AMAZING!
That’s what Yeshua wanted his disciples to know when he commissioned the 70 and then the 12 and gave them power over every demonic spirit. He wanted them to share the freedom that comes with that amazing grace to those who would receive. In essence he says to them, “You all have been blessed with amazing grace; now give it out! Be like Me! I give you the grace to give grace!”
Sometimes we get so frustrated with life’s journey:

  • the lady at the cash register who asked for your ID but not the man in front of you . . . don’t take offense. GIVE OUT AMAZING GRACE.
  • That person who takes the parking spot that you have been waiting for — GIVE OUT AMAZING GRACE.
  • That person who narrowly cuts you off in traffic–GIVE OUT AMAZING GRACE.
  • That boss who keeps slighting you . . . GIVE IT OUT!

The scenarios can go on and on . . . but the important part of this message is that you have THE GRACE TO GIVE OUT GRACE. I challenge you today to give out grace today. PS — the line that follows the above line in the song is : “maybe that’s what love is all about.”

Father, thank you for your amazing grace. I sit here and write this blog because of your grace. It is grace that I want to extend to others. We don’t even have to ask you for the grace to give out grace because we already have the grace to do it. Help us to appropriate that gift of grace today. We don’t have to muster it up! We don’t have to conjure it up! We don’t have to force it to happen. Help us to just walk in it, Father. And thank you for the ones that you will bring in our paths that we can extend grace to. In Yeshua’s Name. Amen.

CHALLENGE: Write back and share with us who you extended grace to this week and how.

MY SISTER HELPED ME TO FIND THE SONG AND THE VIDEO–Yay! HERE IT IS — “I’M NOT WHO I WAS” by Brandon Heath

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Filed Under: Inspirational Reflections, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,