Remember Humility

On Friday, December 20^th, 2018, I noticed pain in my mid back. The pain increased as the days went by and would move around, to underneath my rib. I began realizing that it most likely was a kidney stone because I'd had them in the past and usually too large to pass. Not getting much sleep for the next few days, I began praying each night to the LORD for healing. Speaking and Praying the Word! Sunday morning at Church, as I voiced my health concern to others, nobody seemed interested in praying for me. Sorry to be honest but most seemed more interested in “feeding their flesh” from the moment we arrived, till the time we left. By Sunday evening, I was in extreme pain and almost gave in to have my husband take me to the ER, but instead I continued to pray and cry.

When Monday morning came, my husband got up, to get ready for work. Before he left, he prayed for me and told me to start praying, “Lord Jesus Christ, Have Mercy on Me!”. So I began praying that all day. As the day went on, the pain began to slowly decrease until it was completely gone. Thank you, LORD!

That same day, I began reading Luke 17, about the 10 Lepers who Jesus had healed. Do you know what they spoke out to Jesus?!!?  “Jesus, Master! Have Mercy on Us!” Interesting, huh? I began studying and researching Scripture where others had prayed the same thing. To list a few Scriptures: Luke 18, Matthew 20 and Mark 10. Also Psalm 31:9-20, Psalm 57:1-6, Psalm 86:3 and Psalm 123:3-4 mentions it.

The Mercy Seat was a gold cover or lid with two Cherubims beaten out of the ends of it to cover and create the space into which God would appear. This gold cover was placed on the Ark of the Covenant (Ark of the Testimony), a gold covered wooden chest with lid cover described in Exodus as containing the two stone tablets of the 10 Commandments and the Rod of Aaron. (to symbolize God's given leadership and priesthood endowed with miraculous power during the plagues of Egypt that preceded the Exodus. In the teaching of the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was designed to be a symbol of the Presence of God in the midst of His People.

I know that we've been given authority to boldly speak His Word, but sometimes this message can be brought out in a way that people may tend to forget “humility”, and wishing bad upon those who wrong us instead of “forgive them, for they know not what they do” with a heart that Jesus had. We must be careful that we do not develop this arrogancy, that state of acting superior.

By praying, “Lord Jesus Christ, Have Mercy on Me”, not a bit of pride could ever be present. Through all of this, what the LORD whispered softly to my heart was … "Connie, Remember Humility".

Psalm 123:3-4 "Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud." 

May we never forget how very much in need we are of a Savior and Healer. May we never forget where He brought us from. May we continue to pray for those who are still there where we used to be.

Worship the LORD with me to this powerful song that the LORD place on my heart and always ….

Remember Humility.
Connie J. Schmoll

https://youtu.be/5mmOcpJE9HU

The Gates of Worship

Today's Reading: Psalm 100

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” - Psalm 100:4

Whether the gates of some cities were built for defensive or ceremonial purposes, they all represent the difference between being outside or inside certain areas of the city. Some are open; some are closed to all but a few.

The gates into the presence of God are always open. The familiar song of Psalm 100 is an invitation for the Israelites to enter into the presence of God through the temple gates. They were told to “shout for joy” and “come before him with joyful songs” (v. 1-2).  Shouting for joy was an appropriate expression when greeting a monarch in the ancient world. All the earth was to sing joyfully about God! The reason for this joyful noise was that God had given them their identity (v. 3). They entered the gates with praise and thanksgiving because of God's goodness and His steadfast and enduring love which continues through all generations (v. 4-5). Even when they forgot their identity and wandered away from Him, God remained faithful and still invited them to enter His presence.

The gates into God's presence is always open, inviting us to come and worship.

Will YOU enter in?

Remain Strong In Me, Reinforce Your Foundation!

In recent weeks, the Lord has been speaking a great deal to me about the importance of our foundation in Him. Although many of us are walking in His will over our lives, it is possible to neglect the intimacy required in our relationship with Him and therefore miss His reaffirming presence in our lives. He is our foundation in all things and we are called first to continue to build on what will allow us to stand firm when stepping out in His name.

Not too long ago I was reading a story about a couple working on a deck that seemed to be weakening at the core of it's foundation. I found myself moved by what was exposed as they ripped away the beautiful tough exterior. Underneath the durable surface, much of the framework used in building the foundation had rotted over time. What was meant to hold everything together had been neglected and it became weathered by the elements and storms it was exposed to. The decay of what was once strong had caused such a weakness that it crumbled with the lightest touch of their tools.

I was overwhelmed with what the heart of the Lord was speaking to me and what He wants so many of us to hear. As I continued to read, I heard Him say, "You must always remain strong in me. Reinforce your foundation before moving forward."

Personally for us, we've been there, attended here and there, believed this and refused to believe that, in a constant battle to keep deception out. Untruths constantly trying to creep into our lives from people we least expected.

A time comes when through all the chaos, one must take the time of rest, remain strong in Him and reinforce your foundation, walk exclusively by faith, trusting in everything He has taught you from His Word alone.

"Forever O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." Psalm 119:89

Be Fully Persuaded!

Romans 4:20-22 "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness "

If God has ever spoken to you about something:
-- Stagger not at the promise of God through unbelief
-- Be strong in faith, giving glory to God
-- Be fully persuaded that what He has promised, He will do!!

At the End of our Road is Christ!

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

With all the trials that we go through, this verse should comfort us. Before time began, God knew where we would be and what we would be doing. We are all handcrafted by God for good works. The most comforting thing about Ephesians 2:10 is that we don't have to fear the road that we have ahead of us, because Christ prepared it specifically for us to walk. Though the road may be treacherous and narrow, especially at the speed life has been going lately, at the end of it is Christ!! This is why in every situation that we encounter, we need to "acknowledge God" in it. Acknowledging God in every situation helps us incorporate trust in Him and He will direct our path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Glimmers of Light

John 1:5 "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

When we are going through trials, we tend to forget the promises that God has spoken to us. Don't let it happen! What God told you in the light, remember in the darkness! His Word is true during your time on the mountaintop and in the valley. Just keep praising and believing God. There is a reason you are in the valley...a lesson to be learned. Learn it, apply it to your life, and continue to grow in Him! And always be listening!

God does not leave you in the dark alone. He makes darkness his secret place. (Psalm 18:11) And there is always something to be learned. God is always speaking. Keep listening for His voice through “glimmers of light”. It only takes a glimmer of light to dissipate the darkness.

Those glimmers of light can come through many different ways. God knows you personally. Begin to listen and see the ways that He speaks to you. For example for me:

1. God Speaks Through His Word.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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."

Always stay in His Word during times of trial. When reading His Word, something always “jumps off the page” and pierces my heart, being exactly what I needed.

2. God Gives An Encouraging Word 

Psalm 119:103 "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

God speaks words of encouragement through other people. He can use them to minister to you or sometimes the person doesn't even know they are being used. They just say something that really brings revelation and comfort.

3. God Ministers Through A Song  (Songs of Deliverance) 

Psalm 32:7 "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah."

Keep praising God through the dark times. I have found many times where God brings just the right song that ministers to my heart bringing deliverance to my situation.

4. God Speaks Through Parables

Mark 4:2 "He taught us many things by parables."

I have found in my own personal life where God will use what He knows are my favorite things, to speak to me, teaching me lessons, through parables just as He did in His Word. For example, one of my favorite things is butterflies. Using the life of a butterfly along with some of my own personal experiences, through inspiration from God, I created the heart and purpose of a book I wrote and had published in 2004. 

He knows what we need, even before we ask!!  (Matthew 6:8)

What “glimmers of light” has God used to bring you out of a dark time?