My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire

“Risikili” – Part 1 - My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire

 (Read it, study it, know it, live it.) 

Have you discovered God’s plan for your life? Do you even believe He has a special plan just for you? 

Consider these passages of Scripture: 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”  (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s plan for each of us is good. We can count on that. That’s not to say, it’s easy. But it’s guaranteed to be good. 

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) How can we find the right path among so many? 

 

 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  (Psalm 119:105)

 

God’s Word, the Bible, can light the way and show us the right path to take. 

 

 

 

 

 The Word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

We can hid nothing from God. We may as well do things His way. Dare we think we know better than He what’s best for us? 

 

Knowledge of the above scriptures should be enough to compel us to faithfully and diligently read, study, know, and live the Word of God. After all, this Word of God, your/my Bible, is the representation of Jesus that we can literally hold in our hands, press to our hearts, and see with our earthly eyes.  

In its pages, we come to know our Creator. The better we know Him, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the greater our desire to do things His way and walk the path He designed for us. Yes, He has a plan! 

God told Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5) 

Knowledge of Scripture is not enough. If it were, more followers of Christ would be spiritually mature and walking in great faith and a joy-filled abundant life. If most Christians are familiar with these words and have even memorized them, but are still not hungry enough to be diligent to truly study God’s Word, then what is the problem?  What is lacking?   

I believe that a missing link is the fact that many believers seem to be apathetic toward God’s Word and the things of God in general. Often we are just more concerned with the things of this world.  

Another missing link is revelation.  People need revelation knowledge− that is revelation understanding− of the fact that God’s wonderful Word is life to our bones− that it holds the keys to finding and living the abundant life that Jesus told us is there for us when He said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10b   

Revelation understanding comes when we allow the Holy Spirit, Who indwells every born-again follower of Christ, to help us and teach us. We must acknowledge His presence and ask Him to be our guide. We do this through prayer. We should periodically ask ourselves, “What’s going on in my prayer life?” 

Would you agree that many Christians are not living out abundant life? On the other hand, take a close look at those who are, even those who live amongst serious trials. By the way, this has nothing to do with money or social standing. 

The abundant life that Christ wants to give us is a life lived to its maximum. I want to “max out” my life here on earth.  Do you?  I want to fulfill my greatest potential and to have my greatest success in all aspects of my life that is possible for me to have. Bet you do too. I believe my desire is not unique.

 

I know that I’ve often lived in mediocrity and have fallen short of my best, which is God’s best for me. Because of that, I am sure that I’ve missed out on blessings and accomplishments that God had planned for me. The following is a poem I wrote several years ago on this thought: 

Beyond Myself 

Beyond myself  --  God's Word is true.

He teaches me my whole life through.

Though life brings trials, toils, and snares,

Beyond myself, I cast my cares. 

I say, "But human's all I am"

He says, "You're more than just a man."

I have excuses for my short comings.

He says, "With Me, you quit your slummings!" 

Mediocrity has been my ride.

"Just get by." has been my pride.

But Jesus said to come up higher.

My plan for you  --  your heart's desire. 

"But, Jesus, how can I do so?

I'm only human, that you know.

My weaknesses, my faults, my doubts!

Go figure, Lord, what I'm about!" 

"Am I a man that I should lie?

My Word is Truth, so don't be shy.

I shed my blood that you could be

Beyond yourself and be set free!"

© Connie Wohlford - June 22, 2000 

We need to repent of not living life to its fullest− which, by the way, is living out God’s plan and not our own puny plan or even someone else’s plan for me or you. Speaking of which, that someone else includes Satan. He has a plan for me and for you as well. And it’s not good and it’s not abundant. His plan is for our destruction and for each of us to adversely affect others on our way down.    

We’ll continue this thought next post. For now, it’s time to pray. Is it time to repent of trying to push through our own agenda? Maybe it’s time to ask God His opinion− better yet, His plan. After a few minutes of prayer, I suggest we each read some verses or chapters of Scripture. If you don’t know where to begin, start with those mentioned above and see what comes before & after in your Bible. We will likely find a hint or two regarding His special plan. God bless you as you seek God’s path. 

My readers and I would be blessed to learn of some ways God’s Word has been a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Comment if you’d like to share. Thanks. 

 

Risikili! – read it, study it, know it, live it!

 “Risikili” – Introduction

(Read it, study it, know it, live it.)

 

 

 

Do you own a Bible? If so, do you read it? When? Why? Do you read a Bible on line? What does it mean to you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why does the Apostle Paul call it a sword?

 

 

 

Today I want to begin a series of blog posts expressing, at least in part, the value of God’s Word, The Holy Bible, as I see it− and more importantly, as God sees it.

I stated in my introductory post for this blog, that I plan to have variety. And the main reason I blog is that I want to share my passion for God and His Word, the Bible. That same passion led me to write some children’s books because I want my grandchildren to know and love God and His Word. Now that I’ve self-published the books others are enjoying and learn from the stories.  (If you would like information about my books, please e-mail me > author@conniewohlford.com.) 

In this blog series, I call “Risikili,” I’ll include some of my own thoughts as well as those of a few Bible scholars who certainly express their thoughts with much greater eloquence than I.

I must admit that one purpose for blogging for me is to satisfy my need to release some of the pressure that builds up from the fire in my belly regarding the unspeakable value of the Word of God in the life of a Christian. This fire is then mixed with a frustration from observing that many believers seem to be apathetic toward God’s Holy Book even though it was given to us by our own Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe. This apathy results in men and women profaning that which is holy− their own Bibles. In other words, declaring God’s Word a common thing, unimportant to daily life and marginalizing any aspirations toward holiness and abundant living.

Keep in mind that I am talking about Christians− those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ. Yes, I said ourselves. At times, I've been guilty of not respecting God’s Word as I should and, with God’s help, I’m making strides in the right direction. 

I do hope people will tune in to this blog regularly and be inspired and encouraged about the Bible and the golden nuggets in Its pages. (If you’re interested in receiving updates on new posts, please “Subscribe” and type in your e-mail address in the provided space above my picture on the upper right hand side of this blog page.)  

These posts will by no means be exhaustive− that would be pretty impossible. For the world cannot contain the words, chapters and books that would express the totality of the value of God’s written Word to mankind. I desire for myself and others that we will Risikili! – read it, study it, know it, live it! 

I welcome your comments. In talking with others followers of Jesus, I know that many share my same passion about our Lord and His Scripture.

 

 

My post next week will be titled, “My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire.” I do hope you’ll stop by. If that title sounds familiar it might be because you read the poem in my post of March 19, 2015.   

If you will, please tell us (in the Comment section below) your favorite scripture passage. Thanks and God bless you today!

 

 

 

 

Thanks, but I’ll pass on the Mother’s Day corsage.

Thanks, but I’ll pass on the Mother’s Day corsage.

It’s been nearly three years since Mama went to Heaven. Ya, know, I miss her in so many ways. It surprises me sometimes when I do a simple thing and think, “Mama taught me this.”    

I could go through the long list of usual Mama-taught things, like being honesty, fairness, cleanliness, good manners, kindness, and so on.

As a Christian, she (along with Daddy) taught my brothers and me to love God, believe in Jesus, study my Bible, tithe, give to missions, help to pour, comfort the bereaved, visit the sick and lonely, be hospitable, be generous, and other things that would please God and demonstrate faith. She didn’t use many words to teach us these godly practices. She taught more by example.

Rudy & Edith Edwards, my parents

As I said, she used few words but all the things listed above, plus more, she and Daddy exemplified with joy and selflessness. All my growing-up years Mama worked outside the home but somehow found time to teach Sunday School, have the visiting missionaries and evangelists over for dinner, visit anyone in the family or our church who was in the hospital, take food to  shut-ins, and attend her kids sports, school, and church events.
But the little things that are a part of my every day, cause me to miss her the most. Just the other day as I picked lilacs, tears filled my eyes− she always had such beautiful, fragrant lilacs.

I think of her every time I add a pinch of salt into cake icing or any confection, even though the recipe doesn’t call for it. I hear her say, “It’s a flavor enhancer. Just a little will enhance the flavor.” (It really does.)
In the early spring when my hyacinth bloom, their fragrance fills the room and my thoughts. She seemed to enjoy saying that word− “hyacinth.”

I think of her when I deadhead my iris and even see her pinching any dead blossoms I may have missed. She was duty-bound to purge the spent blossoms if there were any to be found.

Edith Burcham Edwards

When my peonies bloom she comes to mind because she dug up part of hers to give me some starts for our own yard. I hold back tears as I cut a bouquet and wonder why my blossoms never seem to be as big as hers.

Occasionally I use cloth napkins just because. I finally realized it’s because it reminds me of Mama getting them out for special company and special occasions. I even still have the ones we used when I was a little girl.

On Mother’s Day at church, she would be given a white carnation corsage and I was always given a pink one. She explained that we had different colors because her mother was dead and mine was still living. I would look at her white courage and grieve on the inside, for that little 9 year old girl whose Mama had died. I could not imagine it.



 

                                       

I don’t wear a corsage on Mother’s Day any more. I really can’t bear the thought of wearing a white one. On a happy note− Mama and I will have some catching up to do when I join her in Heaven someday and I’ll finally get to meet my Grandma Ethel. I know Grandma Ethel is proud of the godly woman her little girl became.





Mama & Me
 
What are things you remember and/or love about your mama? −Maybe some things she taught you?

 

 





 

 

The news is bad− but wait!

The news is bad− but wait!

 

For my blog post today, I am sharing a Facebook post written by my friend, June Evans, (with her permission).  June, a minister and conference speaker, has a weekly Facebook post she calls, “Written Wisdom from Mama June.”  Her posts are always insightful and spiritually uplifting.  And yes, full of godly wisdom. Learn more about June at the end of this post.

 

When I read her post last week, I thought, “This is something I need to hear and that everyone should read and take to heart.”

 

 

It seems that lately, every time I turn around, I hear bad or sad news about someone close to me or someone close to my loved ones. Do you feel the same way? 

Friends and family members have been diagnosed with terrible illnesses.  Some have even died.  Someone’s baby is fighting for her life.  My grandson had to have 3 pins put into his pinky finger− (How is it even big enough to hold 3 pins?).  My friend’s granddaughter was seriously injured in a car crash.  This is but a hand full from the long list of misfortunes happening in and around my own little world.  And it doesn’t mention the awful news we hear on the News each day!  I have a feeling, I’m not the only one bombarded with news we’d rather not hear.  

So let’s take a moment to read June’s words of instructive biblical wisdom.  And let’s allow God’s truths to encourage, comfort, and strengthen us all.  Take it away, June:                

Written wisdom from Mama June: When things are not going your way, and all reports are bad you must handle yourself with wisdom. You can "shoot yourself in the foot" and abort God's work. You, not God, are the key to a good outcome.

How to handle yourself in bad times:

1) Stay focused on what God has told you. Do not let the bad be your focus.

2) Give God the last word. A bad report today is not the last word.

3) Believe that there is more going for you than against you. The power of God works for you. What is greater than that?

4) Control bad, negative emotions. It is better to laugh than to cry, to praise than to complain.

5) Know that things are going your way even if it does not seem they are. The work of God is not always evident.

 6) God is not the least bit worried or stressed about your situations. If He is not, why are you?

 Rather than be bothered, stressed, or sleepless why not just relax and start expecting your miracle? Expecting a miracle is a very good way to handle your problems. And you will enjoy life a lot more.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

June Evans is described as a “uniquely anointed as a Bible Teacher.”  She and husband, Gene, have ministered together across the globe preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus Christ, through their ministry called “Meet the Believers.” Though retired from many years of pastoring a church, they continue as effective workers in God’s Kingdom.  Also, June is the Pastoral Advisor to Women of the Word, a non-denominational, non-profit organization focused on teaching women biblical principles and their application in daily life.

June’s Facebook page address is: https://www.facebook.com/june.c.evans.35?fref=ts

Thank you, June, for allowing me to share your FB post on my blog today.

I Promised You A Recipe!

I Promised You A Recipe!

As I described in my initial Blog on March 19, 2015, God’s Word – Our Destiny focuses primarily on God’s Word.  I also stated, “I’ll blog about LIFE. You know --- family, personal experiences, personal relationships, Bible, church, Bible study, travel, cooking, and so on.” After all the Word of God is an integral part of our lives.

SO--- I did indeed promise that I would occasionally include a recipe in my blog posts and since yesterday was TAX DAY, we should relax and think of something fun and yummy.  [I suppose that if you’re still scrambling to get your income tax return to Uncle Sam, you’ll not make muffins today, nor reading this post for that matter.  Bless your heart!  Let’s pause for a word of prayer for all the tardy tax tenders.]

But for those of you who are breathing a sigh of relief, with fingers crossed hoping you got it right and won’t be audited, let’s make some Blueberry Banana Muffins.  This is my very favorite muffin recipe and you should feel blessed that I’m willing to share it with you. 

I must tell you that as often as possible, I enjoy cooking with my grandchildren.  Now that they’re older, we don’t do it much because they’re busy with church activities, homework, sports, and such.  But when they were little--- really quite little--- we cooked together lots and lots.  I’ll throw in a photo here and there for proof. 

I not only want to show you how cute my grands are, I want to encourage you to cook with the children in your life.  Cooking with my grandchildren is one of the best things I’ve ever done to build relationship with each of them.   

 

This picture needs a caption, so let’s have a contest! Whoever comes up with the best caption wins a copy of my book, You’re A What?!, postage paid to anywhere in the continental U.S.
To enter the contest, simply write your caption in the “Comment” box below and specify, “Caption,” (so we'll know it's not a comment).  There will be 1 winner selected by my capable team.




 Here's the prize!

   

 

                        

 

 

    

  Now for the yummy stuff … 

Blueberry Banana Muffins

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup butter, softened

¼ cup buttermilk*  

2 eggs                                   

1 tsp. vanilla                       

4 medium ripe bananas, mashed

2/3 cup butter, softened 

1 cup whole wheat flour 

1 cup plain flour

¾ tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. salt

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (thawed)

 

Have all ingredients at room temperature. This helps your muffins to have good volume.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In large mixer bowl, combine sugar, butter, buttermilk, eggs & vanilla.  Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.   Add bananas and continue beating until well mixed.  Add flours, baking soda and salt.  Beat at low speed until moistened.  Do not over-mix!

By hand, stir in blueberries. Spoon into greased or paper-lined muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick, inserted in center, comes out clean.  Remove from pan & cool. Yield 20 medium muffins.

Option – For loaf bread, bake in a greased and floured 9x13 baking pan for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

*Many people don’t keep buttermilk on hand or prefer not to buy a quart when all they need is ¼ cup.  So--- Make your own! – For ¼ cup buttermilk, as called for in this recipe, put 2 tsp. vinegar in a measuring cup and add milk up to the ¼ cup mark.  Let that stand for about 5 minutes and use this in place of buttermilk.  My mother taught me this trick when I was a teenager and I’ve used it many times in many different recipes.

 

Enjoying their Banana Blueberry Muffins

 

We told our little guy in this photo that the muffins already had jelly in them since he won't touch a berry of any variety. It worked!

 

Okay, so these are Chocolate Cupcakes  --  close enough--- Right?

 

I'd rather not remember ...

 

I’d rather not remember …

For today’s post, I’m referring to my notes from a lesson my pastor, Harold Adams, taught last night at our prayer service.  Hence, credit for much of the content goes to him. Thank you, Pastor Hal.

If you’re a follower of Christ, like me you’re probably grateful that all your sins have been forgiven and are separated from you --- as far as the east is from the west.  We were reminded of that great blessing a few days ago as we celebrated Easter.

 

Since those who are redeemed have been washed clean from all sin, why would Paul tell the believers in Ephesus to remember their lives before they came to Christ?  See what he writes in Ephesians 2:1-3, reminding them of their past sinful lives and how they used to conduct themselves in sinful behaviors.

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." 

Personally I don’t like to think about who I was and many of the things I did prior to my decision to live for Jesus.  I have occasions when those memories come up in my mine and I try to purge them as quickly as possible.  But as Paul told the house church in Ephesus, those unpleasant memories can serve a good purpose.  We then see that verse 4 starts out with the glorious two words, “But God.” 

Paul said, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-6

As Paul eloquently demonstrated, it is beneficial for us to recall where God has brought us from.  It keeps us humble, renews our gratitude, and reminds us of His amazing grace.     

AND it helps us see unredeemed people in a non-judgmental light.  Before we were saved, we were dead in our trespassed just as they are.  Oh, our sins were not all the same sins, but our nature was the same disobedient nature.  In our own unique ways, we followed after Satan, just like they do.

So when we look at a person who’s not a follower of Christ and are disgusted or angered by their behavior, we should remember that we were once on the same wrong path.  Instead of having contempt for the sinner, we should mourn and grieve for them.  They’re dead men (and women) walking and they don’t even know it---- just like we once were.

The only reason we’re not the same as they is because of, “But God.”  God’s great love for you and me begat His great mercy, which begat His great grace, which begat Jesus’ redemptive work, which begat our salvation.

Just like all other sinners, we were the subjects of God’s wrath.  But because Christ Jesus bore that wrath in our places, we who were dead, have been made alive.  Herein is the most beautiful picture of love and grace.

Let’s ask God to help us see non-Christians through His eyes.  He loves them the same as He loves us and Jesus bore their sins just as He did ours.  He wants them in His family and we should too.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9