My Cup Runneth Over

Have ever filled your coffee cup so full that it started to overflow? What about filling an ice cream cone so high at a soft serve machine that it started to topple over?

Did you get a feeling of being overwhelmed and possibly upset or were you actually excited and maybe laugh?

What is your reaction to obstacles that take you off your path? In Pslams 23:5-6, scripture states: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." (KJV version)

How we react to things we didn't expect in our daily life actually effects blessings that are also headed our way. God's word says that He has prepared a table for you - EVEN in the presence of your enemies. That simply means no matter how terribly a person may treat you, no matter how hopeless a situation may appear - God has your back and is waiting right there for you. He has a full spread of blessings laid out right there. Total peace! But you MUST keep your eyes focused on Him. God wants your praise on Him because you are anointed with talents and gifts. When you focus on the situation or problem in front of you, you have taken your focus off of God and put it onto "that thing." How can a blessing possibly come to you when you aren't focused on God?

Try to think of God sending your blessing through an army of Angels. They are headed your way with that "answer" you've been waiting on. They are just about to approach your front door and then you stop looking at God, stop reading His word (the Bible) and you look back at the problem - > > BANG! < < - the Angels have to go back to God and wait on you once again to focus on Him.

The Good News is when you do keep your focus and praise on God and that blessing DOES get delivered to you, your spiritual level has increased - you have become closer to God. Your cup is now running over and that past feeling of being overwhelmed has turned into a feeling of joy, peace and the happiness in what God wants for you. At that point in your life you are able to "dwell in the house of the Lord forever" since you have succeeded in drawing closer to Him, understanding His word and living more like Christ.

Don't let the enemy steal your joy or praise. It's something he is after and the largest weapon you have against him.

Evidence

John 17:20-23 We as followers today need to be in this one heart and mind as Jesus prayed for His disciples in this prayer during His last hours spent with them.

How do we mature in oneness as Jesus states? One by practicing what we preach! Live out what we read and learn in our Bible continuing in communication with Christ through the Holy Spirit as He guides us in our daily tasks. Also through our love for one another by "getting dirty knees" as portayed by Jesus when He bowed down on His knees washing His disciples feet
 Jn 13:1-11 and completing with prayer for them as we read the 17th chapter!

So as we mature in oneness we give this godless world evidence that Jesus was sent to this earth to reveal God's being to  us, of who He is and what He does Jn 17:26 and that He (Jesus) and God our heavenly father loves us!

Polishing Rocks

Hiding behind a nearby door I watched my husband patiently explain the process of rock tumbling to our daughter Brianne. It’s a hobby that we revisit often at the Gilham residence because of the great teaching opportunity. What follows is a divinely inspired conversation between an earthly father and his child, in hopes that our spirits might be stirred as well. As explained by Brianne's father:
"you start out with this ugly rough and seemingly colorless rock, pretty much good for nothing" he said, grimacing as he rolled it around in his hand. (Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.) 
"You put the rock and several others with it into this drum then add some of this very course sand and clean water then seal the drum. (Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.)
Next you plug it in and tumble and spin the rocks in this first of what could be many steps".
“You must have patience because this first process takes a long time and it’s important we let the water and sand do it‘s job. (Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. )
It grinds out the major and most noticeable imperfection and begins to remove the ugly aggregate that encases the inner beauty". (Tit 3:3 -7 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. )
“Then what do we do when that's finished daddy?" she asked. He smiles and says "Then we get to open the drum and have a peek at what the sand and water has revealed, that will give us an idea of what kind of stone or gem was beneath the mire. But back into the water and sand again.” “Oh man again? when’s it gonna be finished?” (Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ) "Lastly we polish with the finest sand to a high shine, this makes even the most ordinary rock glisten and sparkle like a Gem." (2Co 5:17 -21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.)
"How blessed we are to be in the rock tumbler of our heavenly father with other fellow Christian rocks. It may be hard and a long process but my prayer is that if you are a child of God, that you will allow Him to sanctify you daily, refine and polish you with the water of His Word and the help of the Holy Spirit, that you may always be a precious gem in in His kingdom. MG

It Does A Body Good, Pass It On!

We've all heard the phrase before how a glass of milk can help a body to maintain good health. it helps build strong bones, it is fortified with vitamins and minerals to supply our body with the nutrients needed to promote good health!

How about our relationship with God? Knowing God, it "does the body good" your body. Being in good relations with God; praying, communicating, listening, studying, just spending time with God does our bodies Good! Jesus gives us the opportunity to express God's love, joy, peace, grace, & mercy towards others through the Holy Spirit Jn 14:26-27.

As we engage each other (communicate, help, consume food etc.) our relationship with God needs to show through our actions and verbal communitcation. We are the example! We are the "lifeline" to the world. If we damage the line by becoming too "pharisee" like in our mannerisms "dripping in spiritual pride" we might sever the connection between God and man! We have a purpose; to spread the gospel of Christ to all the earth, it will be very difficult if no one is listening! Love people! Have a forbearing spirit, think before you speak and listen, really listen to what people are saying to you. This is the passing it on part the goodness of God through you and me! 

So when you're enjoying life remember to express the relationship that God is instilling in you to others around you but in a loving and understanding way. "It Does A Body Good Pass It On"!