About Me
- jamescruse
- Bartlett, Tennessee, United States
- I think one familiar short, yet most powerful statement a believer can say is "I’m “Walking by Faith”. At my age, I have been through countless storms, some small and some big. Nonetheless , my faith continues to carry me through. This is my life’s testimony. The world wants you to believe that there is something wrong with a life like mine because I've gone through and I’m still going through. They want you to believe that if you have what the Jones’s have then you are living a fulfilled life. Pretty funny, huh? Well, I walk by faith, and I know I’m God’s best. That should be fulfilling enough, and God is still completing me as I happily tell my story about how more complete my life is. As you walk by faith, you will be strengthened. You need to understand that challenges are merely new opportunities for you to reach your greatness. Finally, know that your life will truly be blessed when everything that you touch will provide you with a blessed life and no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. "Whatever I go through, whatever happens, "Either Way I Win"; whether God heals me here on earth, or heals me by calling me home to be with Him, "Either Way I Win"!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Protection
"Now get yourselves ready. I'm sending my Angel ahead of you to guard you in your travels, to lead you to the place that I've prepared. Pay close attention to him. Obey him. Don't go against him. He won't put up with your rebellions because he's acting on my authority. But if you obey him and do everything I tell you, I'll be an enemy to your enemies, I'll fight those who fight you. When my Angel goes ahead of you and leads you to the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, I'll clear the country of them. So don't worship or serve their gods; don't do anything they do because I'm going to wipe them right off the face of the Earth and smash their sacred phallic pillars to bits. (Exodus 23:20-24) (MSG)
Now this is protection with a promise for His people. God said He would do it through the ministry of angels. Children of Israel went into the Promised Land as recorded in the Book of Joshua, they went up against the very people they had to drive out, and it was Jericho. The city of Jericho was surrounded by a wall so wide that six chariots could race side by side on top.
God told Joshua, "I want you to march around that wall once every day for seven days. On the seventh day I want you to march around it seven times and then blow the trumpet, and the walls will fall down." (Joshua 6:3-5)
But how did the walls fall down flat? When the people obeyed God and did what He said to do, He knocked the walls down. The angel that took them into the land to drive out the Amorites, Hittites, and the other "-ites" who were there. That land didn't belong to those "-ites", and God sent an angel to fight the battle for the children of Israel.
Scriptures tells us that those who were under the Old Covenant do not have a better covenant that we do under the New Covenant. Whatever they had in the Old Covenant, we have it in the New Covenant and more (Hebrews 8:6). Angels that fought those battles for God's people in the Old Covenant and knocked down walls will fight battles and knock down walls in our covenant, too.
God said, "I'll send that angel to go in front of you. I'll send that angel to be with you. And I'll send that angel to take you into the place that's prepared for you, and he will fight for you."
Angels were involved in helping the children of Israel get back what the devil had stolen, and they will do the same for us today.
Now this is protection with a promise for His people. God said He would do it through the ministry of angels. Children of Israel went into the Promised Land as recorded in the Book of Joshua, they went up against the very people they had to drive out, and it was Jericho. The city of Jericho was surrounded by a wall so wide that six chariots could race side by side on top.
God told Joshua, "I want you to march around that wall once every day for seven days. On the seventh day I want you to march around it seven times and then blow the trumpet, and the walls will fall down." (Joshua 6:3-5)
But how did the walls fall down flat? When the people obeyed God and did what He said to do, He knocked the walls down. The angel that took them into the land to drive out the Amorites, Hittites, and the other "-ites" who were there. That land didn't belong to those "-ites", and God sent an angel to fight the battle for the children of Israel.
Scriptures tells us that those who were under the Old Covenant do not have a better covenant that we do under the New Covenant. Whatever they had in the Old Covenant, we have it in the New Covenant and more (Hebrews 8:6). Angels that fought those battles for God's people in the Old Covenant and knocked down walls will fight battles and knock down walls in our covenant, too.
God said, "I'll send that angel to go in front of you. I'll send that angel to be with you. And I'll send that angel to take you into the place that's prepared for you, and he will fight for you."
Angels were involved in helping the children of Israel get back what the devil had stolen, and they will do the same for us today.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Make me Cry
Sitting in my office at home, Listening to Aretha Franklins rendition of “ Bitter Sweet Love”
I think about beauty and God comes to mind,
The Power Of God and the Beauty Of Holiness
Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you -- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? Exodus 15:11 (NIV)
One late summer's day, it took me awhile to get home because traffic was stalled along the way, on account of an air show. The "Blue Angels" were swooping around in the sky. Traffic line-ups were everywhere, of course! All eyes were looking up.
In the midst of a oohs and awes, there was a thrilling performance by the Blue Angels. I could imagine the co-ordination of the pilots at the controls of those F-16 aircraft.
As I was looking up at what man is capable of, into my car flew a beautiful tangerine-and-black butterfly. It flew around a bit, and at one point gently touched my cheek! Then away it went into the air.
This delicate, beautiful, little creature -- one of God's amazing little aircraft -- is capable of flying thousands of miles up in the sky. Requiring no fuel, butterflies are noiseless except for a tiny whisper of a wing in flight.
I looked up in wonder at the Blue Angels, and gazed in awe at the butterfly in all its beautiful complexity and simplicity.
These thoughts brought the title into view: the power of God and the beauty of holiness!
Sitting in this traffic jam could have brought frustration; rather, I was caught up in amazing acrobatics, of the aircraft and thought on the wonder of the butterfly, so gentle, so fragile, like a whisper, and, in contrast, the roaring power of those jet engines above.
So it is with God, when He reaches down to me. He beholds the beauty, the gentle touch and the power He uses in our lives. He comes in different ways, massages our minds when we need comfort, heals our heart when we endure pain, and soothes our soul with His many promises, and gives us the power to achieve victory. Jesus makes me cry. Amen.
I think about beauty and God comes to mind,
The Power Of God and the Beauty Of Holiness
Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you -- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? Exodus 15:11 (NIV)
One late summer's day, it took me awhile to get home because traffic was stalled along the way, on account of an air show. The "Blue Angels" were swooping around in the sky. Traffic line-ups were everywhere, of course! All eyes were looking up.
In the midst of a oohs and awes, there was a thrilling performance by the Blue Angels. I could imagine the co-ordination of the pilots at the controls of those F-16 aircraft.
As I was looking up at what man is capable of, into my car flew a beautiful tangerine-and-black butterfly. It flew around a bit, and at one point gently touched my cheek! Then away it went into the air.
This delicate, beautiful, little creature -- one of God's amazing little aircraft -- is capable of flying thousands of miles up in the sky. Requiring no fuel, butterflies are noiseless except for a tiny whisper of a wing in flight.
I looked up in wonder at the Blue Angels, and gazed in awe at the butterfly in all its beautiful complexity and simplicity.
These thoughts brought the title into view: the power of God and the beauty of holiness!
Sitting in this traffic jam could have brought frustration; rather, I was caught up in amazing acrobatics, of the aircraft and thought on the wonder of the butterfly, so gentle, so fragile, like a whisper, and, in contrast, the roaring power of those jet engines above.
So it is with God, when He reaches down to me. He beholds the beauty, the gentle touch and the power He uses in our lives. He comes in different ways, massages our minds when we need comfort, heals our heart when we endure pain, and soothes our soul with His many promises, and gives us the power to achieve victory. Jesus makes me cry. Amen.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
God Responds to Your Prayer
A couple of things about prayer that will amaze you: First God listens to you when you pray. "Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."(Mk 11:22-25 MSG). You may not have any power anywhere else, but when you pray God listens. Next We seldom pray, period. We have the greatest privilege imaginable - access to the most powerful credit card of the entire Universe -- yet we rarely use it. And our lack of prayer surprises God.
Through the prophet Ezekiel He lamented: "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one. So I'll empty out my wrath on them, burn them to a crisp with my hot anger, serve them with the consequences of all they've done. Decree of God, the Master."(Eze 22:30,31 MSG). When it was evident that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed, Abraham didn't rush to warn the cities. No, he "Abraham stood in GOD's path, blocking his way.”(Gen 18:22 MSG). God said the golden calf justified a nationwide death penalty for Israel; Moses interceded for the country to God and saved them. The MSG translation of Exodus 32:11-13." Moses tried to calm his GOD down. He said, "Why, GOD, would you lose your temper with your people? Why, you brought them out of Egypt in a tremendous demonstration of power and strength. Why let the Egyptians say, 'He had it in for them—he brought them out so he could kill them in the mountains, wipe them right off the face of the Earth.' Stop your anger. Think twice about bringing evil against your people! Think of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants to whom you gave your word, telling them 'I will give you many children, as many as the stars in the sky, and I'll give this land to your children as their land forever.)An inconspicuous priest by the name of Phinehas pleaded God not to send the plague, and it was done. “stood up and pled their case
and the plague was stopped.”(Ps 106:30 MSG)
You say "Why place such a high priority on prayer?" It is simple. When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works! Powerful, not powerless, you might have missed it. Scripture attaches breathtaking power to prayer. "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."(Mt 18:19-20MSG). Does any other activity promise such results, or action? “I’ll be there”. Does God call us to preach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? No, but He said "pray without ceasing. It’s the relationship that saves relationships.
Through the prophet Ezekiel He lamented: "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one. So I'll empty out my wrath on them, burn them to a crisp with my hot anger, serve them with the consequences of all they've done. Decree of God, the Master."(Eze 22:30,31 MSG). When it was evident that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed, Abraham didn't rush to warn the cities. No, he "Abraham stood in GOD's path, blocking his way.”(Gen 18:22 MSG). God said the golden calf justified a nationwide death penalty for Israel; Moses interceded for the country to God and saved them. The MSG translation of Exodus 32:11-13." Moses tried to calm his GOD down. He said, "Why, GOD, would you lose your temper with your people? Why, you brought them out of Egypt in a tremendous demonstration of power and strength. Why let the Egyptians say, 'He had it in for them—he brought them out so he could kill them in the mountains, wipe them right off the face of the Earth.' Stop your anger. Think twice about bringing evil against your people! Think of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants to whom you gave your word, telling them 'I will give you many children, as many as the stars in the sky, and I'll give this land to your children as their land forever.)An inconspicuous priest by the name of Phinehas pleaded God not to send the plague, and it was done. “stood up and pled their case
and the plague was stopped.”(Ps 106:30 MSG)
You say "Why place such a high priority on prayer?" It is simple. When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works! Powerful, not powerless, you might have missed it. Scripture attaches breathtaking power to prayer. "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."(Mt 18:19-20MSG). Does any other activity promise such results, or action? “I’ll be there”. Does God call us to preach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? No, but He said "pray without ceasing. It’s the relationship that saves relationships.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Are you Praying?
"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 MSG) Or what you might hear,”Pray without ceasing”. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV)
Prayer should not be a one way conversation where you do all the talking or a ritual where we have to say things in the right order, or a chore like brushing our teeth before bed.
Jesus directs you to understand how to pray like this."Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace" (Math 6:6 MSG).or When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you. “When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask.” (Math 6. 6-8 CEV)
Many people don’t pray for what seams to have little to do with the realities of life. They think of it like ladies and gentlemen please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance or the National Anthem at a game: done in order for an opening, done for the people but nothing to do with what happens on the field afterwards. Some people treat prayer like a lucky charm you pull it out and rub when things are tough: How about personal sayings, "A prayer a day keeps the devil away." Paul writes, "Pray without ceasing." That doesn't sound like something you do once in a while, or just during a crisis.
Try inserting the word breathe for the word pray: "breathe without ceasing" - doesn't that sound better for you? We don't breathe only when we feel like it. Or decide, "I'm not into breathing today," and stop breathing. Or get upset and say, "I’m not getting any where with this. I'm not doing it any more." No, we cling to the breath in our bodies because its life. So, just as breathing is a natural part of your life, prayer is an indispensable part of spiritual life. Without it you die spiritually. So, how's your prayer life?
Prayer should not be a one way conversation where you do all the talking or a ritual where we have to say things in the right order, or a chore like brushing our teeth before bed.
Jesus directs you to understand how to pray like this."Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace" (Math 6:6 MSG).or When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you. “When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask.” (Math 6. 6-8 CEV)
Many people don’t pray for what seams to have little to do with the realities of life. They think of it like ladies and gentlemen please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance or the National Anthem at a game: done in order for an opening, done for the people but nothing to do with what happens on the field afterwards. Some people treat prayer like a lucky charm you pull it out and rub when things are tough: How about personal sayings, "A prayer a day keeps the devil away." Paul writes, "Pray without ceasing." That doesn't sound like something you do once in a while, or just during a crisis.
Try inserting the word breathe for the word pray: "breathe without ceasing" - doesn't that sound better for you? We don't breathe only when we feel like it. Or decide, "I'm not into breathing today," and stop breathing. Or get upset and say, "I’m not getting any where with this. I'm not doing it any more." No, we cling to the breath in our bodies because its life. So, just as breathing is a natural part of your life, prayer is an indispensable part of spiritual life. Without it you die spiritually. So, how's your prayer life?
Monday, October 24, 2011
Who are you?
The night before Jesus was crucified He was celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples. We traditionally call this the Last Supper. Jesus knew this would be the last time He would eat with His disciples; He knew in just one more day He would be hung on a cross to die.
Knowing He only had a few short hours remaining with this select group, Jesus used His time to leave a lasting impression of what it meant to truly follow Him.
John 13:3-5
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him."
Without using words, Jesus gave perhaps His greatest sermon. Jesus was absolutely secure in who He was and where He was going: "He had come from God and was returning to God." But He was not proud or arrogant in His security. He didn't use His position to force others to submit or demand they satisfy His needs; instead, His secure position allowed Him to be completely humble and serve His disciples by washing their feet.
Our Heavenly Father desires for us to have this same level of security in Him. He wants us to KNOW we are His children and where we will spend eternity. Jesus came to set us free, and we are to walk in this secure freedom. But rather than using our freedom to arrogantly strut according to our own desires, a secure freedom should give us the necessary confidence to humbly serve without being offended; "do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13).
Being a follower of Jesus Christ means, first and foremost, that we love the Lord with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). But next, it means we are to love, serve, and "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21). Knowing where we will spend eternity, and keeping our eyes set on this eternal perspective, allows us to focus more on the needs and concerns of others (Philippians 2:3-4). It allows us to use our gifts for their intended purpose; "use whatever gifts received to serve others" (1 Peter 4:10). My earthly needs become few when I have a clear picture of my eternal home.
Let's learn to live as Jesus lived: in fellowship with our Heavenly Father, with absolute assurance of who we are in Christ, with confidence of our eternal destiny, and with the complete abandoned humility of a free and secure servant.
Knowing He only had a few short hours remaining with this select group, Jesus used His time to leave a lasting impression of what it meant to truly follow Him.
John 13:3-5
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him."
Without using words, Jesus gave perhaps His greatest sermon. Jesus was absolutely secure in who He was and where He was going: "He had come from God and was returning to God." But He was not proud or arrogant in His security. He didn't use His position to force others to submit or demand they satisfy His needs; instead, His secure position allowed Him to be completely humble and serve His disciples by washing their feet.
Our Heavenly Father desires for us to have this same level of security in Him. He wants us to KNOW we are His children and where we will spend eternity. Jesus came to set us free, and we are to walk in this secure freedom. But rather than using our freedom to arrogantly strut according to our own desires, a secure freedom should give us the necessary confidence to humbly serve without being offended; "do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13).
Being a follower of Jesus Christ means, first and foremost, that we love the Lord with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). But next, it means we are to love, serve, and "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21). Knowing where we will spend eternity, and keeping our eyes set on this eternal perspective, allows us to focus more on the needs and concerns of others (Philippians 2:3-4). It allows us to use our gifts for their intended purpose; "use whatever gifts received to serve others" (1 Peter 4:10). My earthly needs become few when I have a clear picture of my eternal home.
Let's learn to live as Jesus lived: in fellowship with our Heavenly Father, with absolute assurance of who we are in Christ, with confidence of our eternal destiny, and with the complete abandoned humility of a free and secure servant.
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