News!

- I have been playing around with the look of my blog - trying out new things and possibly deleting my pages. I have yet to decide. Let me know what you think by voting on the poll!

- Starting tomorrow, I am going to be posting an encouraging saying, quote, or verse either daily, every other day, or weekly. Again, I have yet to decide. I guess it depends on how many I can find that truly speak to the heart.

- I thank any and all of you for the prayers you have spoken in my behalf (for those of you that know my predicament). It is still up in the air...we have about 1-2 weeks to make a decision. I have no doubt that God can and will work a miracle as long as my will is His. There is still an earthly opposition that is keeping me from stepping out. Should I just step out in faith that God will work?
          * for any of you that are curious as to what I may be talking about (my struggle), feel free to email me! (baileymuller@gmail.com) Even if it's just to chat and/or get to know a new friend. (:

~ Avoid looking forward or backward and try to keep looking upward! ~

Submit and Resist

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you...Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:7, 8

          When trying to learn a new piece on the piano, I practice diligently and am careful I play each note correctly. As my skills improve and memorization kicks in, I push my music aside and play by ear. After a while, the composition is added to my playlist and  is no longer practiced as meticulously as before. Sometimes I notice myself getting lazy with my preformance. When I play the song and hear a wrong note, occasionally I will try playing the piece again until I hit the right key (rarely pulling out the music to see what the correct note is), but sometimes I will skip over it like nothing happened; when doing so, I allow myself to accept the error and the next time I play I tend to make the same mistake. As I practice the piece from time-to-time that missed note will still be there but as time progesses, I recognize the blunder as part of the music.

         As with practicing, our spiritual life is the same way. When God convicts us of a particular sin in our life that we need to master, we tend to work hard to overcome it and resist the temptation to do wicked. God pricks our heart so often that we then have a desire to change in order to rid ourselves of that transgression. Sometimes, however, we slip; we fall into that old way. When we realize it, we go to God for help and forgiveness, but occasionally we forget about it. In doing so, we make it easier to transgress the next time over. From there it is a downward spiral unless we straighten ourselves from the get-go.

          It is my solemn prayer that you and I will not harden our hearts to our slips. When we recognize we did something incredibly wrong in the eyes of the Lord, we need to completely surrender self and earnestly ask God to forgive us and to help us conquer that which we keep falling into. Just like I know I need to fix my blunders on the piano, I also know I need to watch my gaffe in my life.

The GREATEST Encouragement!

“The LORD said to Moses, "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites… Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." Numbers 13:1a, 30-31
 
As we face life, we can be overwhelmed by its giant obstacles or be inspired by its giant opportunities. Challenges and uncertainties tend to corrode our confidence. It is in the face of the unknown that we can move forward by faith, or backward in disbelief. What giant obstacles are you facing? How can your obstacles be converted into opportunities? Obstacles are stepping stones for obedient feet to follow.

Therefore, stay focused with aggressive patience and you will eventually see some obstacles dissolve while others are transformed into treasures. Possibly a financial opportunity is looming large but it seems like an intimidating obstacle. If so, stay true to your integrity by not selectively suspending your core values for much needed results. Instead, remain faithful to wise stewardship and honesty. The right results will follow at the right time. Trust God to use scary giants for His glory.

God orchestrates giant opportunities for His greater good. He told Moses that He was giving His children the promised land; all they had to do was show up and receive His gift. Giant opportunities often require faith, planning, perseverance, and hard work, buy sometimes the reward of obedience and trust in the Lord is enough. So how are you facing the giants in your life; as obstacles or opportunities?

Leaders look and pray for opportunities, exploring them with energy and enthusiasm. Your relentless leadership inspires your family, friends, and work associates to remain faithful and not freak out. Therefore, take the opportunity the Lord has given you. Difficult days and economic challenges are great opportunities for God to get the glory. So be aggressive, increase your efforts, actively pursue heaven with prayer, and by faith receive what your Savior Jesus has already given you. Go after the giant opportunities with gusto and with grace.

The Bible says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NASB).

God can literally do ANYTHING!

With our willing availability and His infinite ability, God can literally do anything. It is not our battle but His. When we face our giants, don't they look intimidating? When I'm in the middle of my trial and see it's perplexity...I am undoubtably afraid! But then I look at God and his enormity and realize the battle is already His. When David saw Goliath was he afraid? No! Because he knew what God had already promised. David did not have the sharpest blade nor the strongest armour. With sling and stone he  ran straight to that giant and with one stone in the forehead, he cam tumbling down. Could David himself have defeated Goliath? Never...but with God, anything is possible.
My life may not be easy. It may have a lot of uncertainties, giants, and opponents, but my God stands ever higher and is my Rock and sure defense. Thank you Lord Jesus!! 

The Living Dead?

     A rich widow had a fine harden, but the birds in the springtime kept eating the fruit and the vegetables. Her gardener told her to have a carpenter make a frame that could be dressed like a person.
     "Dress it in bright-coloured clothes," he said, "and the garments will flap around in the winds and scare the birds away."
     So the widow had a carpenter make her a scarecrow and she dressed it in a bright, loose blouse and a skirt that could sway in the wind.
     The scarecrow seemed to help, but one night there was a bad storm. The scarecrow was knocked over in the gale and washed away in the flood. It came to rest near the edge of a lake some distance away.
     The villagers saw it and hurried to tell the priest.
     "A saint!" everyone exclaimed. "Probably a miraculous saint that can cure our ills."
     The scarecrow was duly installed in a chapel of the church, and miracles began to take place - at least so the people thought.
     Then the rich widow became sick. She went to the medicine men, but they didn't help her. Hearing of a miraculous saint in a nearby town, she decided to visit it. She had her horse hitched to her carriage and went with her daughter to the village. First she visited the priest and asked about the new saint. Yes, he assured her, some cures had been effected. After giving him a generous donation, she and her daughter went with him to the church. He drew aside the curtain in the little chapel, and she knelt before the saint and began to repeat prayers. Presently her daughter nudged her.
     "Mama, doesn't this saint's clothing look like our scarecrow's dress?"
     The mother raised her head and opened her eyes wide.
     "My scarecrow!" she cried and, rising, left the church never to return.
     After the story, Pedro taught the people from the Bible, showing them that the dead do not turn to ghosts after they die, but rather return to the earth.
---Taken from the novel A Man Called Pedro by Barbara Westphal.

A Simple Prayer For My Mom

Now dear Lord as [I] pray, take [my] heart and mind far away from the stress of the world all around to Your throne where grace does abound. May [my] life be transformed by Your light, may [my] soul be refreshed from above. At this moment, let people everywhere join [me] now as [I] come to You in prayer.

My mom and I - It is my fervent prayer
that I will be able to see her give her life to the Lord.
I love her and I don't want to see
her miss out on all the treasures and happiness
God has in store.

Lord, You know my struggles and the hardships I'm facing. You can see the [people] that are making life on earth difficult for me. I pray, Lord God, that You will forgive [their] transgressions. [They] don't realize the pain [they] are afflicting because [they] are blinded with sin. Open [their] eyes to Your peace and never ending love. Soften [their] hearts to feel the gentle pricking of Your tender hand. Reveal to [them] the hurt [they] are bringing to others. I want to see [them] surrender [their] lives to You and I know the divine power of prayer. Thank you God for hearing this prayer by your humble servant.

Your Daughter,
Bailey


When you are discouraged and everything seems to be bringing you down, my good friend gave me great encouragement.

---When you can't stand...kneel

Eternally Burning In Hell?

In order for anyone to study the destiny of the wicked from God's Holy Word and get a correct understanding of it, one must begin with the fact that the law of love is the very foundation of His government. All of God's actions toward the people He has created originate from that premise. Thus it is impossible to believe in the doctrine of eternal torment.
Although the great monarch of the universe is a God of love, at the same time He is a God of justice. While the element of love controls His being, we must never forget that those who reject His love, His infinite sacrifice made in the death of His Son on Calvary, will have condemned themselves. They bear the guilt of rejecting the Spirit of Grace.

So what about the accounts in the Bible such as 'eternal fire', 'everlasting punishment', and 'the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever'?
Many persons misunderstand the meaning of the word punishment. They define it as conscious suffering and believe that when the senses no longer perceive any affliction, it ceases to be punishment...For instance, why is the sentence of death recognized as the greatest punishment? It is not because the pain involved is more intense, for some forms of torture such as whipping produce more pain that decapitation or hanging. But we consider it as the greatest punishment because it is the most lasting. It deprives its victim at once of all the relations and blessings of life, and we estimate its length by the life the person would have enjoyed. So it is, when death from which there is to be no release is administered, that is to say, no resurrection. That punishment is everlasting, or eternal. The second death deprives the sinner of the bright and ceaseless years of eternity. And just as the life of the redeemed is everlasting, so is the loss, or the punishment, or the wicked.

Hebrews 6:2 speaks of eternal judgement. Not a judgement eternally going forward, but one that, having once passed upon all men, is irreversible in its decision and eternal in its effects.
In Jude 1:7 we are told that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha suffer "the punishment of eternal fire". The apostle Peter tells us that God turned 'the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes...making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly' (2 Peter 2:6)

All taken from the book: A Trip Into The Supernatural by: Roger J. Morneau
-The book is an account of his life with spirits and how he came to know and surrender himself to Christ in a matter of one week. An incredible book that I recommend!

What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops!?

Enjoying the rain that
pleasantly downpoured while
I was running (:

Today, God has been so good to me!! (Not that He hasn't been equally good any other time). I have been on a high for God all day. I can't wipe the smile from my face and the joy swelling inside me.
I've been reading many books recently while at work about the struggles and hardships some Christians have to endure. One such book is "I Will Die Free" written by Noble Alexander. It informs of the intense hardships, beatings, and even tortures I can't quite put into words! All the while he kept with his worships with God and brought others to Him! I STRONGLY recommend this book to ANYONE!
As these books have been speaking to my heart..I've desired more in my relationship with God. Today, I read once more the verse 2 Corinthians 5:17. If any man be in Christ he is a new creation; the old has passed away behold the new has come. God wants me to change my attitude when I face trials. Instead of getting upset and be downcast, I need to have peace in my heart. When people ridcule and put me down, I need to put a smile on my face. You never know who's watching and as the quote goes, "you never know who's 'falling in love' with your smile".

GOD IS SO GOOD! It can never be said too often or too frequently!

I have been going to the gym for a few months now and can feel the difference in my stamina and endurance. Before and after work I walk to work and home again; this evening I decided to run! From work I started my journey (this trip home takes about a 40 minute brisk walk). While passing my past checkpoint of my record running distance I looked at the blackening clouds in the sky. Sweat was running down my face and I wished a sprinkle would come down to cool me off. Running up my 2nd and longest hill I stopped at the top to catch my breath and sprinkles came from the sky. Ahh! God blessed me!! I smiled as I ran up my 3rd and steepest hill and as I ran into my backyard it began to pour!! Two things that made me jump off the walls: I ran all the way home! And I was blessed with rain. (:
Let this be a fact that I was barely able to run down a street that was maybe 150ft before without panting and loosing my breath.

God blesses us so many ways during the day. Let us take time to think about all the ways God has blessed us today. (:

Three More To go



You've got three more to go, yeah, you're on the right road.
Don't give up! Just keep going!
I want you to know though the road may seem long,
and the struggles too hard...
Don't give up! Keep holding on!
Soon you'll be home.

 This is the chorus of a song that my friend Randy Folkenberg wrote. I first heard it on his soundcloud page and it really spoke to me.
No matter what I'm facing...I know that God doesn't want me to give up. He has called me to stand strong because the end is coming. Soon we who love Him and eagerly follow His teachings will be home in heaven with our Father!

(This song may have different meanings to others, but that's what it meant to me.)

(:

Summer Thoughts!

It has officially been summer for about 2 weeks now. The weather has treated me very kindly except for the sun; apparently it enjoys burning my skin a lobster-red colour. I am all moved into my mom's “new house” (quotations around it because we rent; we call things of this nature ‘brand-used’). I have a full-time job now and am enjoying the sense of responsibility. Most importantly, God has been teaching me so much lately! I am becoming more aware of the changes I need to make in my life. Too many times I view myself as better off than those around me. God must favour me more because I don’t drink, smoke, go to parties, or listen to putrid music. God must love me because I read the Bible every day and don’t swear. I find that these thoughts are chaining me down, keeping me from growing more in my walk with the Lord. Think about it for a second…if I am viewing myself as so high and exalted, why would I need to strive to be more like Jesus? I am already good enough, right? NO! Good enough shouldn’t even be in my vocabulary.

Jesus doesn’t look at our “overall goodness”. Look at it this way: there’s a man who murders your mother. He comes before the judge and the judge looks at his records. This judge sees that the man helped an older person across the street and went to the nursing home to visit the elderly the day before. He then looks at the man and says, “You are innocent because of the good you did. Go free.” Would this judge be considered a good judge? (This analogy was first brought to my attention in the movie Courageous). This judge would be considered unfair, but Bible says that God is just and fair in all ways. He looks at the heart. Would God then let me be in his kingdom because I did a few righteous things in my life, or does he look at the bad as well?

 Is my heart in tune with where God wants it to be? Am I letting my pride and self-centered personality take the best of me? Am I willing, right now, to surrender myself to Him once more?

Every day I need to surrender myself to God. I need to die to self daily; only then will my life be more pleasing to my Lord; only then will I be able to live as a witness to those in my sphere of influence. There are so many people that are close to me that I want to be with me in Heaven. My closest relatives have yet to fully surrender themselves to the Lord. I can’t nag and prod, poking them with a stick. I can’t dump fertilizer, water, and heaps of soil in expectance that their seed will grow in abundance. That will choke the seed and destroy any future hopes I have. I need to live a lifestyle that demonstrates what I believe. Before I can be a witness in my life to those around me, I need to know God as my best friend and my closest ally. How can I draw people to Him if I don’t know Him that well myself? God willing He will transform my life. All it takes is prayer and submission.