Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi – written in 2015

A light house does not blow fog horns but it only shines.  

When I read the above I thought of our walk as Christians.  Does our life reflect the light  of Jesus.  St Mark 4:21: and he said unto them, is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?  A candle beams its flickering light so we may find our way in the dark as does the Lighthouse.  As Christians we should let our light shine & walk in the light of Christ.  We need not blow fog horns but just shine & let the Holy Spirit beam through us.  Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord……i grew up in a very legalistic religion & if we did have a little light, it was totally blown out with dos & don’ts & lots of fear. 1 John 4:7: Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God….10: herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us & sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4 is filled with scriptures of love.  The pendulum swings both ways but should be in balance.  I guess my desire is not to be a fog horn but a flickering light for our Lord.

Just a thought by coppi

Grace is a gift most of us don’t know how to receive. We’ve been so inundated with the earthly systems of give-and-get and work-and-earn that grace is a concept few ever fully grasp. Yet it’s grace alone that has the power to transform lives. (Craig Denison)

“When thinking of what grace is in the Bible, it can be easiest to sum it up with the words of author Paul Zahl: “Grace is unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.”

“Grace gives us a new life which is not condemned by God. Through God’s grace we are forgiven, transforming our thinking, resulting in the renewal of our mind and heart. Through grace we live the kind of life that God would like every one of His children to experience.”

It was very hard for me to understand the Grace of God. “Me, yes me and you, don’t have to work to receive His love and redemption “. It’s a free gift. I have worked hard most of my life to earn love and acceptance. I worked hard for the love and acceptance of people as well as God. God loves me and I don’t have to do anything but accept His love and forgiveness – that’s too easy when I was programmed another way. I would read and re-read passages in the Bible on Grace especially Romans 8. Then I would read scriptures on God’s love and forgiveness. I really don’t have to live in a monastery and be a monk – all God wants from me is to love Him and listen to His guidance of wisdom and enjoy this beautiful creation He created and the people He puts in my life. “It’s grace alone that has the power to transform lives” – God transforms my life ….I don’t have to. I only have to be willing to let Him do the work.

Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi

I read the following in Mornings with Jesus by JuliaAttaway:

• Jesus died on the cross (so my life would be easier).
   
• Jesus died on the cross (to end suffering).
   
• Jesus died on the cross (so I can be happy).
   
• Jesus died on the cross, and I love and serve Him (so nothing really bad is ever going to happen to me).
   
• Jesus died on the cross, and I want to follow His ways (so I will always know what He wants me to do next).
   
• Jesus died on the cross, and I will take up my cross to follow Him (and then the problem will pass and everything will be good again

Now as I look at the cross, i will try and remember all it represents and what Jesus did for me…..even when I feel the world is tumbling down around me.  

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”

Acts 12:5-7 KJV

“And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.”

Acts 12:12-16 KJV

I was talking to my very good friends, Ralph & Di, when Ralph mentioned above scriptures  regarding when Peter was in jail and his dear friends were together praying for him to be released from prison.  And, when Peter was released and went to where his friends were gathered praying, they didn’t believe it was him.  We laughed because we related to the group huddled together praying and how astonished they were when God answered their prayers.  I don’t think I have shut the door in anyone’s face but I have felt more comfortable on my knees praying than when I heard my prayers were answered.  I was/am so totally blessed & overwhelmed of the mighty force of prayer that i could/can only utter “thank you Jesus”or “praise the Lord”.  As you have heard me say before, I think when we get to heaven we will regret we have not prayed more.  The old saying “If you build it, it will come”….I like to add in prayer “if you build it in prayer, it will come”.  Remember Coppi answered prayer is like any other gift it has to be received.

Just a thought by copp – written in 2018

“You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.”

2 Corinthians 4:5-8 NLT

As I was reading above scripture today, I thought about how Paul and all the other Apostles of Jesus suffered to the extent of despair and wondered why and how they would and could feel that way. First and foremost when they met Him they had an awakening in their soul and decided nothing in this world could measure up to what they found in Him – love, peace, joy, and a reason to live.  They found life and were willing to die for what they found.  But, as Paul stated in above scripture, “We are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves”.  Yes, they were pressed on every side, but not crushed because they knew the power within them and all they had to do was turn it over to Him and trust in that power,  This weekend is Easter.  And, all Christianity is hinged on a single event. No other topic has intrigued or disturbed people more. Some deny it, explaining with fervency that it was impossible. But those who believe in its power are given hope and life. This event is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions of the world. No other human was ever raised from the dead and still lives today, except the Son of God, Jesus Christ. His resurrection is a pivotal truth at the very heart of the entire message of redemption and salvation”.  For, myself, I haven chosen to believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection because, to me, life would be void and empty without Him.  

“The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them.”

We are like snowflakes.  “Snowflakes can symbolize joy, delicacy, clarity, and transformation. But their most important symbolic meaning is that of uniqueness because every snowflake is different.”

It’s very hard to be me, because, speaking for myself, I am/was a people pleaser.  I desire to be liked/loved.  But true happiness is, I found, is being me – different, yes, but being comfortable in my own skin is what makes me happy.  Being me, the one God fearfully and wonderful made (Ps 139) took a lot of years to become.  The world is full of people – different opinions, different cultures, different physically, different-different.  I don’t want to twist you in my image and I don’t want to you to twist me in your image.  Love looks beyond differences-love looks at “you”, a very special snowflake who is in a world of many differences.  Be you….love you.  You are wonderfully and fearfully made.

“I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17:4-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

““I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17:20-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Revelation 13:8 says that Jesus, the Lamb of God, was “slain from the creation of the world” (NIV). Before the sin was committed, Jesus was the planned sacrifice. Before the veil separated God and man, Jesus was the bridge that would tear it. 

Way before time a plan was designed & implemented by God the Father, Jesus His Son, and The Holy Spirit to reveal the function of the pattern’s design by them way before the world was and was to become.  Jesus became the lamb slain before the creation of time & The Holy Spirit became our comforter & guide on this earth until the model was completed, and we are called back to the glory shared before the world begun.  The scriptures from Genesis to Revelation reveal this beautiful mosaic being full filled and woven in the pattern designed by the three in one.  And, that excites me!

Just a thought by coppi

God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do. Learn to pray. It’s easy and it’s so good for your soul.” Chris Pratt said when he accepted the Generation Award.

I can remember saying “Are you real, Jesus” when I was going through the valley of much sorrow. If God loved me why did I have to go through all this. I didn’t understand. No, I wish not to experience any of those difficulties again, but as I look back, I can see where I gained confidence, strength, and what was important to me and what was not. I learned to stop and smell the roses and not be on a race track anymore. I wanted to be a human being – not a human doing. I wanted to know more about the promises and truth of God’s word. It’s still a desire of mine and even though I have not discovered all I wanted to, I don’t think I will until I stand before Him, Jesus, and then and only then will I be complete in his garment of love.

Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi
I read the following this morning by Sheila Walsh – it’s something I try to do before I start the day. Why? Because I find if I start the day with God, my day is better.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,�My love will fall and fail, but God’s love never will.��for I have placed my trust in you.�The psalmist is very intentional here: trusting God is an act of the will.��Show me the way I should go,�I pray, “Show me, Father, which way I should go today.”��for to you I entrust my life.�I say, “My life is Yours, Lord, and I trust You with everything.”
Then I pray these simple words:
“Good morning, Lord! I don’t know where You are going today, but wherever You’re going, I’m comin’ with You!”��A good way to start the day every single day is to declare the Word of God and thank Him for it.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. – Psalm 92:2�

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:2‬ ‭

Enough said…..

A prayer for healing. I found this prayer in one of my deceased husband’s Bible.  This would be a prayer he would pray.

LORD,

You invited all who are burdened to come to You.

Allow your healing hand to heal me.

Touch my soul with your compassion for others.

Touch my heart with your courage

   and infinite love for all.

Touch my mind with your wisdom,

    that my mouth may always proclaim your praise.

Teach me to reach out to You in my need.

Help me to lead others to You by my example.

Most loving Heart of Jesus,

     bring me health in body and spirit

     so that I may serve You with all my strength.

Touch gently this life which You have created.

                                                               Amen

Priests of the Scared Heart

just a thought by coppi