Author: Sherry Driskell Griffin

Read Time 5 Minutes

BILLY GRAHAM – AMERICA’S PASTOR TO THE WORLD

I am very troubled by some of the vicious posts I have seen in both secular media and in Christian circles regarding Billy Graham’s life and his eternal destiny.  I believe it is incumbent upon mature Christians to signal caution.  We should use this time, not to disparage a man of God and the errors he made, but to look to the faithfulness of God Himself.  My Faith is In Jesus Christ and His Faith.  I trust Him with my eternal soul and I also trust him with Judgement.

BILLY GRAHAM’S FINAL POST JUST HOURS BEFORE HIS DEATH

“If you went for a walk in the woods, but then decided to wander off the path, and found yourself surrounded by a thicket of thorns and poison ivy, who would you blame? Would you blame the person who built the path? No, of course not. Instead you’d blame yourself if you were honest, because you alone were responsible for wandering from the path.

In a far deeper way, this is what happens when we decide to leave God out of our lives. For a time, it may seem like wandering away from Him doesn’t make any difference; it may even seem easier and freer. But eventually it catches up with us—just as wandering off that path and into the thicket caught up with you.” — Billy Graham

Is this proof positive Billy Graham fell on his face in repentance for any misstatements and doctrinal errors he may have spoken? No, but if we had only the life of the Thief on the Cross at Jesus’ left as evidence we would know without question he is in hell. But, by the Grace of God we are allowed to know his final thoughts and conversation with our Lord and Savior and by this alone are we encouraged to know his life is covered by the Blood and He is with Jesus.

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV – (Bold and Underline Emphasis Mine)

²⁰ For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

State your opinion, if you feel certain you are led by Holy Spirit, and leave it alone. Anything beyond is gossip, slander and pride. We address a believer Biblically in person and with 2 witnesses in the assembly to which they are submitted. This is done to prevent their sin from infecting the rest of the body. For this reason only, I believe the stated opinions of his doctrinal misstatements are acceptable so others in the Body of Christ do not believe he was correct on all points. Once you go beyond correcting the misstatement for the record, it’s gossip and you’re dragging others into sin.

One only has been given authority to Judge and that is Jesus Christ. When we stand before Him at the BEMA we will stand on the foundation which is Jesus Christ and our Faith in His Blood and His Faith, not ours lest any should boast. When we sit down upon the throne of judgement in His stead, we become a Gold Star graduate of the Class of Pride taught by none other than Satan himself. More importantly, we invite others to study with us at the very feet of the Deceiver and cause them to sin as well.

Every Christian will stand at BEMA to be judged for the things done in the body. If we have built with wood, hay and stubble it will be burned up. But, if there is any Gold, Silver or Precious Stones it will have been built by the Grace and Power of God through His Holy Spirit in us and in spite of our own shortcomings and failures.

Matthew 12:33-37 ESV –

³³ “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. ³⁴ You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵ The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. ³⁶ I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, ³⁷ for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” 

A good tree produces good fruit.  It may occasionally produce a piece of rotten fruit, but the Gardener will prune the section and watch it flourish with new growth.  A rotten or dead tree cannot produce good fruit, for the Gardener will remove it and replace it with good stock.

THERE BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD GO I

I came to Christ as a very young girl and there have been times in my life when anyone inspecting the fruit in my life would have found it to be a very quick job indeed. However, He has always found me where I had wandered in my disobedience and wrong thinking and brought me back to him. He has pruned out the dead wood, grafted in sturdier stock and allowed me to flourish under His careful tending.

He did not do so because of who I am, but because of Who and What He is. He would never have allowed me to slip from this earth without bringing me back into His arms, for He is the Faithful One and it is in Him I boast.

I believe if anyone began sifting through my life and some of my comments they might have reason to suspect whether or not I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, I know any suspicions are simply not true. I have stumbled, like Peter, I have doubted like Thomas and I have railed like the prophets, but never has anyone, including myself, been able to remove me from my Father’s hand.

I trust not in what my flawed speaking may relate.  I trust not in what someone’s twisted interpretation of what I said might relate.  I trust in the Word of God and in Jesus Christ who redeemed me by His Precious Blood and in His own Word when He said, “Father I have not lost even one.”

Anne Graham Lotz Message at Her Father’s Funeral

Billy Graham’s last written message before his death spoke of leaving the path and the pain it causes. I attended one of his crusades after I was saved and my Spirit witnessed to me he was a Child of God and Brother in Christ. Some of his later statements spoke of doctrinal error, but then I am Saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ not by poorly articulated or ill conceived statements of understanding, even if in gross error. 

A life of abundant fruit speaks testifies loudly of Graham’s relationship with Christ.  While a person lives, instructed to inspect their lives for fruit to see “if they be of the faith.” We have no authority or right to judge the heart of a man and his final relationship with Christ or his eternal resting place.  Jesus Christ alone has been given all right to judge mankind.

John 5:22 ESV –

²² For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,

I am grateful I am so insignificant in this world no one will ever feel the need or liberty to sift through my life looking for garbage I intentionally, stupidly or inadvertently spoke for I am sure they could find it. Nonetheless, and despite my own stupidity and failings, I am His, I am Loved and I am going home when He is ready for me to do so and nothing anyone spews about me can change my eternal destiny.

Blessings in the Mighty Name of Jesus who is able to hold us close to Him and keep us to the Day, in spite of our weakness and ignorance. He is my Righteousness for I have none of my own. Blessings in the Mighty Name of Jesus and I praise God for all His Saints, warts and all.

Thanks for taking time for me . . . 

BLESSINGS,

Sherry Driskell Griffin

P. S. If this was a Blessing to you . . . be a Blessing and pass it along!

WHAT IS . . . THE BEST 

CHRISTIAN SITE . . . ON THE INTERNET 

OH . . . FOR THE LOVE OF BISCUITS . . . 

. . . IT’S . . . 

HEAVEN’S LIBRARY ONLINE (CLICK)

Read Time 9 Minutes

What is the River of Life? The River represents our journey through life flowing from our Creator and the Clean Life of the Mountain. When we leave the shelter of Jesus’ and His teaching, we become susceptible to the influences in the River and  the swamps and bogs to either side.  Time is short to swim for Jesus or return to His arms and safety . . . but there is only a short time remaining.

One morning recently the Holy Spirit gave me a Vision and Words of Knowledge regarding the current state of the Church and Religion.  You surely have been there, the moment just before waking when your mind is rested and your own brain hasn’t kicked in yet.  I find those are magnificent times for me to understand what Abba Father wants to convey while my own intellect doesn’t intrude.

Allow your mind to see as I recall the pictures . . .

It was as though all the earth stood before a great mountain with one impossibly beautiful peak in the center at True North.  This Mountain of God was covered with trees, lush meadows teeming with wildlife and capped with snow.  The promontory was surrounded on either side by scraggly, non-descript hills to the east and west with barren, lifeless landscape spilling down through muddy, debris strewn streams.

God’s mountain flowed forth sparkling blue water cascading down its slopes forming The River of Life directly from the Throne.  Its waters are the pure Word of God, revealing His Son and the Life conveyed in Scripture.  Jesus stands at the head of the River, for He is the Word and the Cleansing Water of life.  When His Church, His own Body is properly aligned with Him, and following the path He has laid out He breaks the force of the water, creating a wake of calm and protection as we follow Him.  In this fashion the River becomes a pure, cleansing flow when the outside influence is minimized or eliminated.  The water is invigorating, edifying and purifying but not destructive in His wake.  The current in the River outside His Presence is so strong one can be pushed downstream and over the falls by the flood without His protection.

Back in the craggy hills on either side of God’s Mountain, muddy creeks and polluted streams flow downward.  The hillsides are home to the old gods . . . the fallen angels, their pagan religions focused on the occult, and false doctrine filled with lies.  These gullies are full debris and rocks chugging down through the ravines into the ponds, creeks and canals along the river. There is no clean water here, only filth with flint-like rock and sediment from the lifeless landscape emptying into the stagnant pools on either side of the river.

I saw the ponds and pools on either side of the river formed by those seeking refuge from the river currents in their own lives.  They had moved away from the center, from Jesus and the Water of Life rather than toward Him.  Some knew of his protection, but saw freedom and lack of accountability as an opportunity and had moved away. They had struggled to keep their head above the water in the strong current of the rushing river, but no man can withstand such a deluge without Jesus and His Word.

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What they failed to understand is by moving away from the still waters around Him, they had ventured into the raging currents, true safety is only found in the Center of the River, the Purity of the Word and In His Shadow moving directly behind Him.   They had floundered toward shore, attempting to create their own version of the water of life . . . and a pathetic substitute it is.  What appeared to be solid ground, was only marsh, filled with quicksand, disease, danger and the religion of men fit for nothing more than the destruction of men’s souls.

The West side of the River was the bastion of western Religion and its man-made systems of control, with all its doctrinal differences, separations and quarreling.  Religion is Man’s effort to force God to conform to their desires and standards.  The first exercise in this foolishness resulted in the Tower of Babel, the confounding of the language and the dispersal of the Nations.

Each group had created their own separate pond and were no longer connected to the River.  They were still interconnected and even in close proximity to the River, but no longer part of the Main Body of Living Water.  Their water now came from the polluted streams and gullies of the rocky hillsides and from each other.  The debris from these hills coursed into their man-made pools, causing death, disease and spiritual adultery.

On the east side of the River were pools of the Eastern religions – Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and their offshoots.  The mixing was occurring on this side of the river as well.  These were perhaps more artfully arranged and certainly steeped in tradition. Yet, the stench of death was everywhere and pollution flowed in unchecked.  False doctrine, New Age and the Occult came rushing in with the pagan worship of old to contaminate the now stagnant waters.  There were elements of truth in all the pools, but those with the greatest deception were almost black in color.

Many of the people who now inhabited the backwaters had moved, bit by bit from the harbor of Jesus’ teaching and the safety of His wake and found themselves in the strong current with no ability to survive without Him.  They had floundered to apparant safety on the shore only to be dragged into deadly deception.  Rather than safety, they found Religion, Denial of the Pure Word, and Compromise with the Pagan and Occult.  Some sensed the spiritual deceit, but seemed unable to break free and return, while others were oblivious to the deception.  They remembered with longing the depth of Peace and Safety in the River beside Jesus.  If they could only return . . . 

A few had recognized things were not as they appeared, yet they feared the strong river current and the treacherous and uncomfortable journey to find Jesus.  The people near them who had been their friends, now seemed condemning . . . almost threatening.  They preferred to build ever more elaborate estuaries, creating  a name for themselves, enabling them to control and rule others, just as the leaders at Babel had done.

These Backwaters on both sides of the River offer no cleansing, but freely spread disease and contamination. Far from being a place of safety, they are a breeding ground for ever-increasing deception, apathy and fear based control.

Familiarity often breeds contempt . . . at other times it merely breeds more filth, deception and a mud pit deep enough to drown the human soul.   Many people hold on tightly to that which they have come to know . . . no matter how unfulfilling or lacking in nourishment for the Spirit.

The “leaders” assure anyone who considers fleeing for the purity of the River they must stay for they are “safe”.

They point to the great crowds of people, the long history of acceptance by many and even good works of charity being done.  Like the carnival barker they promise . . . Prosperity and Greatness is coming . . . Blessings are on the way . . . Qualify yourself . . . Scrub Harder at the Filth with the filthy water we dispense. Attend More Services, Work harder, Pray more, Tithe more, Feed the Homeless and Your Righteousness Will Come . . . You haven’t done Enough . . . It’s Your Fault . . . Keep Hanging On.

The East side of the river offers much the same encouragement, yet this side adds the seeming safety of more Rules, Commandments, Dietary Restrictions and the allure of the ancient.  The Occult underpinnings create a perfect environment for the Spirits of Old and their deception.  Asceticism, combined with sacrifice and a form of perverted godliness maintains the control so necessary for the deception to flourish.

The theory offered by both camps on either side of the River is to walk into the future by repeating the past with a few minor alterations.  Some, though certainly not all, admit Jesus is the Son of God, but require something more . . . as though His Work Was Not Enough. They appeal to Satan’s favorite weapon, the pride of self-sacrifice, and the personal ability and willingness to do what others are unable or unwilling to do.  Jesus plus YOU . . .  He needs your help . . . YOU can do this.

People from both sides of the River had begun to see through the façade and are challenging the wolf leaders.  They’ve begun to realize the beguiling surface covers evil, fetid water and certain destruction.

The First Great Question rings loudly in their own Spirit . . . “DO I HAVE THE COURAGE TO ESCAPE?“

Almost imperceptibly, a still small voice echos . . . a knowing more than a whisper – “YES, You do.  Truth exists in its pure form, BUT NOT HERE!  Come Out Of Her!”

As though in response, a Second Question thunders from their Mind – as though birthed straight from their Spirit, “IF I HAVE THE COURAGE TO SEEK GOD, WILL HE FIND ME“?

Once again . . . the whispered encouragement . . . YES, He Will . . . Always! Trust! Believe!  Step Out . . . He will Catch You!

I saw some who had made great progress.  They had come out of the stagnant ponds on both sides and were nearing the River.  They were beginning to break new canals, throwing baggage away as they pushed forward.

They looked at the river current and the piles of baggage remaining and realized the impossibility of the path ahead without casting aside the comfort of the known.  The mental and physical weights of religion and false doctrine they carried, their baggage, would never survive the current.  The essential work of the River . . . its purpose . . . is to cleanse . . . to sweep all pride and pretense away . . . Surrender . . . how daunting!

Some were at the water’s edge, but hesitant to plunge into the current and swim to Jesus.  Soon, many will realize the swim toward Him is assisted from On High . . . the struggle, after the awakening . . . is to remain in deceit and mediocrity!

Many remember with longing the clean water, peace and safety of Jesus and the quiet calm of the River behind Him.  They encourage others to jump in the river and trust Jesus to rescue them, for many on the banks had never seen The River, been cleansed or even introduced to Jesus personally.

A great number on the shoreline had a mental understanding and even agreement about Christ’ existence, but they had no personal relationship . . . they did not know Him! They believed the historical records, nothing more!  They had lived their whole life in the cesspools for that is where they were born.  They call themselves Christians . . . yet they have never known the cleansing Water of Life . . . and the Savior.

The crowds which once gave comfort, now smother and stifle joy, light and life.  The friends of old became mockers and scoffers, furious at any who would dare seek new light by leaving the pack.  The ridicule offered for any who dared believe there was more than the swamp was done to wound, hamstring their escape and maintain the company of others in misery!

The brave ones are beginning to awaken, they can smell the clean, clear air and water of the river . . . but they’ve lived in those backwaters their entire life and have no idea how to swim.  They are gripped with a Spirit of Fear, although they have seen others make it to Jesus, they’re not sure they have the courage or the strength. Oddly, they are more afraid of the ridicule of their “friends” than the river.  They love being part of the crowd who seems to have all the answers . . . even though they know they don’t!

I can see, in the vision, there is little time remaining for those who would brave the river and seek Jesus once more . . . or for the first time. The river is approaching a great waterfall and will soon scream over the rocks in fury into the rocks below and The Tribulation . . . the time of Jacob’s Trouble.  Those who would be saved from the coming wrath, MUST JUMP INTO THE ARMS OF JESUS NOW . . . NO MORE DELAY . . . there is VERY LITTLE TIME LEFT.

How can they be made to see?  One leap of faith, trusting in Jesus . . .  into the River of Life . . . and they would experience the Miracle . . . of His Arms, His Righteousness, His Cleansing . . . and Eternal Life.

Thanks for taking time for me . . . 

BLESSINGS,

Sherry Driskell Griffin

P. S. If this was a Blessing to you . . . be a Blessing and pass it along!

WHAT IS . . . THE BEST 

CHRISTIAN SITE . . . ON THE INTERNET 

OH . . . FOR THE LOVE OF BISCUITS . . . 

. . . IT’S . . . 

HEAVENSLIBRARY.ONLINE (CLICK)

Read Time 9 Minutes

Once again it’s the season of love, caring and kindness.  It feels so wonderful . . . we have a spring in our step . . . we think of our lives in review not only to enjoy the good times and adventures again, but also to seek areas in which we might improve.  The area of focus God is bringing to my attention this year is the lack of Thankfulness.

Once the Holy Spirit brings this issue to the forefront and you begin to study the repercussions of an unthankful heart, alarm bells should begin to go off.

Romans 1:21 Amp – Highlight and Underline Emphasis Mine

²¹ Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.

The startling point about the verse to me, was not that ingratitude is displeasing to God, but the result of which He so clearly outlines. The outcome is a primrose path to a place no one should want to go – futile and godless thinking with a darkened, senseless mind.

As a Mississippi girl, the first analogy that popped into my mind was a frog dropped into nice warm water.  Initially, he could easily just jump right out, but he was enjoying his swim so much while the temperature slowly climbed, he didn’t notice what was happening to him.  Before too long, he was overcome with his own leisure.

The minute we think we have God all figured out and everything under control, we’re swimming in a warm bath with no way out.  His ways are not our ways and the moment we begin to take God for granted we begin the trek to become futile and godless in our thinking and ultimately darkened in our minds.

God will not be taken for granted, ever.  Yet, many in America today, even in the Church, have enjoyed the blessings of God for so long we believe they are ours By Right . . . we believe we deserve them.

A former Google engineer has applied for 501C3 Non-Profit status for his new Church of Artificial Intelligence, called The Way of the Future.  Isn’t this just a perfect example of godless thinking and a senseless darkened mind?  Now, I recognize there are more than a few steps between failing to say, “Lord, I thank you for the food I am about to enjoy, the family around me and friends who love and care about me” to opening a Church of AI.  But, doesn’t futile thinking begin somewhere not completely obvious?

Praying about this and pondering it, I believe it begins with our failure to understand the difference between in and for.  I know you think it can’t be that simple, but it is.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV – Highlight and Underline Emphasis Mine

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Most of the folks I know, and I am thankful for every single one of you, have no problem giving thanks in your blessings.  The brand new, healthy grandbaby, the new house, the acceptance to college for the one you thought might never make it or the promotion at work all bring forth showers of praise and thanksgiving.

Where we often fall short is the day we’re stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire and a flat spare.  Especially difficult is the day of the cancer diagnosis or heart attack.  That’s the day most of us look up and say, “Why me, Lord.”  The Word didn’t change, the circumstances did.  We are still required to praise Him IN the circumstance, not FOR it.  Always the greatest example in scripture is Jesus.

Luke 22:19-20 KJV – Highlight and Underline Emphasis Mine

¹⁹ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

The passage is from the Lord’s supper, just prior to the Crucifixion and Jesus was giving thanks in the circumstance.  He was about to suffer the most ignominious death imaginable with brutal beatings and public shame beforehand, yet he gave thanks.  I am convinced He did not merely give thanks FOR the bread or the cup or what He was about to suffer.  He was giving us the clearest of examples of how to give Thanks IN a situation more horrendous than any we will ever face.  He explained the bread represented the breaking of His own body and the cup represented the spilling of His own blood, yet He gave thanks IN the circumstance which would bring about our redemption.

Matthew 11:25 ESV – Highlight and Underline Emphasis Mine

²⁵ At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;

The wisdom of man leads us to be thankful when things go our way and the perceived gain is evident for all to see.  Only the true revelation of God, the things hidden from the wise, allows us to see and recognize the greatest opportunities, the areas in which we are being refined.  Daily tribulation should cause us to draw closer to Him, to be more daily dependent upon His direction, if we simply choose to notice and do so.

The gems we fail to see are in the thorns, when we take the gifts and trials of life and the things of God for granted.  Nine of the ten lepers took their healing for granted.

Luke 17:11-19 ESV – Highlight and Underline Emphasis Mine

¹¹ On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance ¹³ and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” ¹⁴ When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. ¹⁵ Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; ¹⁶ and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸ Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

The lepers all stood at a distance, for their disease was so horrific and highly contagious they were not allowed to approach the citizenry.  Yet, Jesus saw their condition, was moved by their plight and healed them all.  Ten Lepers were healed and cleansed and, apparently, all except one were from Judea.  The one exception was the Samaritan, only half Jewish and despised by those of the Temple and even the other lepers.

Only the foreigner, the lowest of the lowly returned to give thanks.  His genuine gratitude is obvious, for he falls to the ground at Jesus feet to thank him.  Because his heart of thanks was evident, Jesus told him to rise and go, for his faith had made him well.  I believe the man received an additional blessing of salvation as well as healing, for he responded “in faith”.

The greatest lesson we can learn from the leper, is not only the blessings which come with thankfulness, but the infinite blessing which comes from true gratitude in situations others take for granted.

The measure of those who are the elect versus the ones chosen offers another cautionary tale.  All scripture tells us the Hebrews are the elect and nothing will change their status.  However, they have a personal responsibility and choice to accept or reject Messiah in gratitude. Israel’s leaders were not only ungrateful, they denied Jesus’ purpose and deity.  Many who will read this message, would not have the opportunity to know and follow our Savior, if not for their grievous error.  For this we should be Thankful for all eternity!  But, how often do we behave as the Judeans did, as though the blessing is our right?

The Syrophoenician woman asked for the bread of the children, a demon to be cast from her daughter, yet she was willing to beg for crumbs for her daughter.  Not once did she assume the help was her right or take for granted Jesus would respond.

Mark 7:25-30 – Highlight and Underline Emphasis Mine

²⁵ But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. ²⁶ Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. ²⁷ And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁸ But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” ²⁹ And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” ³⁰ And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

Can we even imagine her gratitude, her thankfulness?  She judged the heart of the Savior rightly, for He will never deny faith from any person. But, her heart of non-expectancy won His heart.

I saw recently one of the most egregious examples of the lack of thankfulness. Three Basketball Players from USC were in China and arrested for shoplifting.  The President obtained their release, yet one of the fathers spoke openly of his ingratitude and their entitlement to be released and even maintained they should have been returned on Air Force One.

This attitude, while recently a young man’s release was negotiated from a N. Korea prison and he died shortly after returning home from the torture he endured while imprisoned.  This attitude, while another young American has been in a Chinese jail for over a year with no hope on the horizon for release.  As egregious and inexplicable as the father’s response was, many in this country and the media agreed with his sentiment.

My point has absolutely nothing to do with politics.  My point is the evidence exhibited of an America where generations have been raised with a sense of entitlement and an attitude of ingratitude we have never seen before.  We saw a clear and present example of a society which has become futile and godless in their thinking and their senseless minds have been darkened.

If we are entitled to the blessings we enjoy, what do we have to be thankful for?  If we allow ourselves to move into the mental place of, “I deserve this”, “I am owed that”, “the benefit is my right because I am a human being”, it is no longer a blessing or a gift which will or should elicit thankfulness.

Many, even and perhaps especially in the Christian faith, believe because we do x, y, or z we “deserve” what we have or even more.  The thinking in your heart of what you deserve speaks to a failure to recognize the source.  Is it about you and what you “do” for Him or is it about God and His Magnanimous, Beneficent gifts to His children?

Thankfulness must be our own internal gauge, our method of reckoning our heart status.  It tells us where we are in our relationship first with God and then with others.  If we stop being thankful, we don’t give up our belief in the Virgin Birth, Jesus’ Death on the Cross or the Resurrection – we don’t lose our salvation, but we lose the closeness of dependency and reliance on the Savior.  We fall woefully short in sanctification and the return trip could be a very rocky one.

How is it possible to be thankful in the most difficult storms of life?  

Matthew 14:25-30 ESV – – Highlight and Underline Emphasis Mine

25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”

The disciples were certainly fearful for their life, there was no apparent good in the raging storm and yet in these circumstances they would be given the greatest gift of all.  First, they sought their source.  Then Peter walked on the water and all in the boat worshiped Jesus, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Our moments of walking on the water for Jesus come not from the top of the mountain, but from the valley, when we call to Him in fear, in despair and in praise and thankfulness . . .  and in every circumstance!

What does this mean in our everyday, walking around life?  Salvation and its accompanying blessings are given to those who Trust in Jesus Finished Work on the Cross as a gift.  It is not our right, nor do we deserve Him or His Blessings.   His Blood Atonement is a gift given freely and at the greatest cost imaginable.  Are we thankful?  Do our actions match our tearful, glowing testimony on Sunday morning or have our minds become darkened?

Do not forget to thank Him in all those difficult moments . . . for it is then you will learn to . . . Walk on the Water!

Thanks for taking time for me . . . 

BLESSINGS,

Sherry Driskell Griffin

P. S. If this was a Blessing to you . . . be a Blessing and pass it along!

WHAT IS . . . THE BEST 

CHRISTIAN SITE . . . ON THE INTERNET 

OH . . . FOR THE LOVE OF BISCUITS . . . 

. . . IT’S . . . 

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Read Time 8 Minutes

During the Christmas season, we are typically more sensitive to forgiveness than at any other time of year.  This is a time when the world in which we live celebrates the birth of our Savior, Jesus.  The difficult transition for me has been to honor the good Christmas brings while eliminating the bad. The uncontrolled spending, overindulging in food and drink and working yourself to the bone to create an atmosphere maintained for a very short period of time.  I believe it is the unrealistic expectations and wrong motives which set many people up for suicides, depression and family problems that spiral out of control this time of year.  We are attempting to create an atmosphere of Peace and Love which Yeshua taught, but without His Spirit, thus producing non-lasting and devastating results.  Once the presents are opened and the decorations are down we revert to our “old selves” and the temporary joy, peace and good will are gone leaving us with only a hollow emptiness and a mound of debt.  How do we remedy this?

Perhaps this year, while we’re in the midst of it and our hearts are temporarily opened to the love of Jesus, we could focus on Him and ask for His help to make the change permanent. We could ask Him to move the “feeling” of care for others to a “decision” to walk in His Way, to aid us in maintaining that spark of love and warmth in our hearts for those around us – family, friends and strangers.  We tend to be nicer to others this time of year,  perhaps we could ask Him to help us extend that behavior.

If we look at this time of year as a time to examine our hearts in the light of His expectations for our behavior, we will see where we’ve fallen short. With that awareness and an earnest desire to become more like the person He intended us to be, wouldn’t that be the greatest gift of all and the most lasting?  If we were to offer up the selfishness, pride, stubbornness, manipulation and bullying we are all guilty of – what a great gift of honor it would be for our Savior, our families and ourselves.  The only lasting gift is the gift of becoming more like the Son of God.

We certainly can’t do it on our own, but if we simply look up and cry from our heart, “Help Me, Jesus” you’d be amazed at how quickly and miraculously the change would come in our own conscience which is the voice of the Holy Spirit.  We all have so much baggage from our past – scars of hurt, disappointment, lack, failures and deceit.  We are so damaged, we feel the need for counseling and we are instructed this must be done by earthly professionals over an extended period of time – Not True.  We have immediate access to The Great Counselor – The Comforter.  This is a time of miracles, reach up, not out. Call to Him, ask Him to show Himself to you miraculously for He has encouraged us to test Him in these things.

Ask Him for the miracle of self-evaluation and correction performed by His Holy Spirit. You are then giving Him permission to identify to you alone, those things which are self-destructive, hurtful and not pleasing to Him or to ourselves.  Ask Him to help you be a better person, to set aside the sins and habits dragging each of us down.  He paid for every sin and every failing with His own blood, but we have to ask for His help. I know I am convicted to do this as a sacrificial offering to Him during the celebration of His Birth and I pray you will join me.

We always believe we have “forever” to search our hearts, to make peace with others and with our Creator.  Your Forever and My Forever could be today, only God knows.  This is the time of the year when we who have faith bring our offerings of love, peace, forgiveness and honor to Christ.  But, he also tells us if we have anything against another, if there is unforgiveness in our hearts, we should put our offering aside and go immediately to that person and “make it right” or our offering is worthless in His eyes.  We tend to skip over this part because its hard and we cling to our hurts as though they are a bandage, a salve or even an award to which we are entitled for what we’ve gone through.  His Word doesn’t say to forgive those who deserve it, none of us deserve it, but to forgive . . . EVERYONE . . . no matter what!

In searching our hearts for those we need to forgive or “release” from the debt they justly owe, we actually enable our own release from the burden.  We are the ones who are shackled by unforgiveness, not those who’ve committed the sin against us.  If we fail to forgive others, we cannot be forgiven – it’s that simple.  God doesn’t remove our Salvation because of unforgiveness, but does open the door for attacks from the enemy. Unforgiveness gives Satan a legal right of entry to sift and torment us because we are in disobedience. Some of us still hold unforgiveness against those who’ve already passed away – they have to be forgiven as well. When you forgive, you simply step aside and allow God to step in on your behalf.

When we forgive we do not excuse anyone for their actions and we certainly do not give permission for them to repeat or continue the behavior.  In some cases, it is not necessary to re-establish relationship with that person, it may not even be advisable, only God can guide you in this.  You are simply saying, “I know longer hold you accountable for the wrong done to me.  It’s between you and God now.”

Forgiveness is a process, not an event.  You may find you forgive one day and then find blame creeping back in. Don’t allow it, give it to Yeshua again and ask Him to help you no longer feel the affront.  You are now in alliance with the only one who can help you to take control of the situation, for you and for the offender . . . JESUS CHRIST!

For each of you, I know that I have offended you at some time and in some way and perhaps more than once.  I have failed to give you something you needed from me or I’ve offered something you did not want, I’ve been insensitive, selfish or uncaring.  I am genuinely sorry and ask for your forgiveness.  Be patient with me . . . God isn’t finished with me yet!

MY PRAYER TO THE FATHER

Father, I choose right now to forgive and release offenses – whether real or perceived – between my family, my friends and myself. I pray if there is something specific which I have said or done or failed to say or do which is causing a snare for any person You would bring it to my mind and understanding. I will go directly to the individual and seek reconciliation.  I choose to make this Christmas season about you, Father and the gift You gave of Your Son.  My increasing and growing relationship with You is the greatest gift I can give to those I love.

I pray specifically for each of my friends and family to experience a deeper, clearer relationship with You by the Holy Spirit. It is only in true relationship with you they can know lasting peace, love, prosperity of soul and eternal security.

I beseech you in the Name of Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus – who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, shed His Blood and died on a cross in payment for our sins and is coming again – our Savior and Lord.  Amen

Blessings to You All and may the Joy of the Lord Be Upon You and Within You –  Starting Now!

Thanks for taking time for me . . . 

BLESSINGS,

Sherry Driskell Griffin

P. S. If this was a Blessing to you . . . be a Blessing and pass it along!

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