From His Heart

[Judy Harder]

LOOKING UP TO THE GOD
WHO LOVES ME!


When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him?  And  the son of man, that you care for him?  Psalm 8:3-4

When I was in college at the University of Texas, I used to go to the library at night to study.  As I would walk home to my dorm at 11:00 p.m. or so, I would look up into the night sky and think about the greatness of God.  I felt so small compared to the vastness of the universe.  I would say with David, "Wow, Lord.  Who am I that you would care for me or even give me a thought?  You are so awesome, and I am so insignificant."

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER

God is so much greater than our minds could ever comprehend.  He created all that we see, all that the highest powered telescopes can reveal, just by the power of His Word.  He simply spoke it all into existence.  Universes drip off His fingertips. 

The Bible says that God is so "off the charts" glorious and majestic that He even has to humble Himself to behold the things in heaven (Ps. 113:6).  Did you catch that?  Every time God looks around HEAVEN, it is a humbling experience for Him.  Now that is glory to the nth degree!  WOW!   

And here is the even more amazing part: this same, infinite God is crazy in love with you and me.  We matter to Him.  He thinks about us all the time.  His thoughts toward you and me outnumber the sand on the seashore (Ps. 139:18).  How cool is that?!!

WHY DOES GOD LOVE US?

Why does God love you and me so much?  Why did He send His Son to die such a horrible death for us on the cross?  It is not because you and I are so wonderful; it is because God is so wonderful (Deut. 7:6-9).  The Scripture clearly tells us "God is love" (1 John 4:.  Love is a BIG part of His nature.     

God chose to love us regardless of who we are or what we do.  Because it was a choice of God, it is not dependent on you and me.  Talk about getting off the performance-based acceptance train!  Here is truth to put in your heart: There is nothing you can do to get God to love you any more than He already does, and there is nothing you can do to get God to love you any less than He already does.  HE JUST LOVES YOU!   

Our job is to receive His love and rejoice in His love.  Obedience to His commands comes when you realize that everything God tells us to do or not to do is for our greatest good.  The God who loves me tells me "yes" to some things and "no" to other things.  His commandments are not given to deprive me; they are given to bless me because every one of them is given in love.     

HOMEWORK

Tonight, go outside and look up into the starry sky.  Consider His heavens.  Consider how great He is.  Then remember that the awesome God who made all that you see knows your name.  He knows your circumstances.  He knows your victories and your struggles.  He knows everything there is to know about you, and He loves you still. 

Share you hopes, dreams, worries and fears with Him.  Tell Him that you love Him.  Cast all your cares upon Him because He really does cares for you!  He will work in the heart of those who will look to Him.

Love,

[Judy Harder]

Friday, August 28, 2009   


WHAT DOES GOD LOOK LIKE TO YOU?


Have you ever seen THE WIZARD OF OZ?  That movie was produced in 1939, and it still captivates viewers of all ages as they travel with Dorothy and company down the Yellow Brick Road to see the great and powerful Oz. 

When they finally get a meeting with the Wizard, they find him to be very ill-tempered, mean and cruel.  He is a being full of fire and rage.  He insults them, yells at them, bullies them and scares them half to death, especially the Cowardly Lion who literally faints from terror before Oz. 

Do you see it?  In that movie, Oz is a representation of God.  The negative way Oz is depicted in that initial encounter with Dorothy and the gang is the same way so many people understand God.  The picture they have hanging in their minds about God looks like this: 


God: He is mean, angry, and always upset with me.  He thinks I am a burden and a loser.  He is not someone I can get close to, share with, or really have a personal relationship with.  I must walk on eggshells whenever I am around God.  He is someone I need to be afraid of and stay away from.               


WHAT A LIE!!!

God is not the angry Wizard from Oz.  He is the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son.    When the foul-smelling, father-disgracing prodigal finally returns home in humility and brokenness, the true God does not berate him and heap guilt and condemnation on his head.  He does not spit on him and cast him out as the Wizard of Oz would surely do.   

The true God runs to him, embraces him, kisses him, forgives him, and receives him with great joy!  He puts a robe on his back, a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  And if that were not enough, he then throws a party for his returning son!  He kills the fattened calf (not the scrawny chicken) because there is to be a BIG CELEBRATION as the Father rejoices in the return of His son. 
     
DO YOU NEED TO HANG A NEW PICTURE?

Who does God look more like to you: the angry Wizard of Oz or the loving Father of the Prodigal?  Could it be that one of the big reasons you find it so hard to share your heart and life with God is because of your negative, warped view of God?  Don't you think it is time to hang the real picture of God in the halls of your mind? 

Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (Jn. 8:32).   Without a doubt, the greatest truth you could ever learn is the truth about the person of God.  As A. W. Tozer once said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." 

Remember God's own words to Moses concerning Himself:

Then the Lord passed by in front of him [Moses] and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.  And Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship. 
Exodus 34:5-8

WOW!!  What a friend we have in Jesus!  Don't believe the devil's lies concerning God.  He is the best friend a person could ever have, and He wants to be your best friend and wrap His strong arms of love, forgiveness and grace around you today!

Love,
`

[Judy Harder]

DO YOU HAVE PEACE?


Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:6-7


One of my favorite jokes goes like this:  The boss walks into the staff meeting.  The company is losing money, and the employees are fearful of their jobs.  As a result, morale is at an all-time low.  The boss tells his managers that he is upset that the morale is so low, and he is determined to fix it. 

"What we need around this office is humor," he emphatically states.  "Humor will lift the morale!" 

He turns to the sales manager and says, "Humor: let's start with you.  Knock. Knock."

The sales manager answers sheepishly, "Who's there?"

"Not you anymore," the boss replies. 

Lots of people today are living in fear and anxiety.  Their hearts are not at peace.  They are living like the deep sea diver who got the message on his headset, "Come up quick, the ship is sinking!"  What do you do with that news?

ARE YOU LIVING TODAY WITHOUT PEACE?

Did you know that peace is the birthright of every believer in Jesus?  God wants you to have peace, His perfect peace, no matter how bleak, black and foreboding your circumstances may be. 

The Scripture in Philippians tells us that we are to take our needs, our fears, and our circumstances to the Lord in prayer.  We are to cast our burden on Him, and trust Him to sustain us.  You see, when we really trust Him, He brings His peace in our hearts, regardless of the raging storm. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE THE PEACE OF GOD?

It means that you know God is going to take care of you and see you through.  It means that you are not worried about an uncertain future because you know God is the One who holds your future, and He will not let you go or let you crash and burn.           

Let me illustrate: in January of 2006, my favorite team, The Texas Longhorns, played the USC Trojans for the 2005 National Championship of College Football.  The game was a nail-bitter deluxe.  The anxiety and trepidation I felt watching that game was off the charts as UT was behind nearly the entire game.  How awesome it was to see Vince Young and the Longhorns prevail in the closing seconds with a fourth down and five play that enabled them to walk off the field as National Champs! 

Last week, I watched that same game on DVD.  This time, there was no anxiety.  When it was fourth down with just a few seconds remaining and UT was down by five points, I was relaxed as I could be.  I knew how the game ended.  We won!!   

KNOWING THAT YOU WIN BRINGS PEACE

The peace of God comes when you truly believe the victory is already yours in Jesus Christ.  Of course you will face trials and problems, but you are not going under, you are going over in Jesus name!  He WILL see you through as you trust Him. 

According to Philippians 4:6-7, peace that surpasses comprehension is simply a prayer away.  Will you lift up that anxiety-filled problem to the Lord and trust Him with it?  Will you thank Him for the fourth down and five situation you are facing?  It is nothing more than an opportunity for God to work a great miracle in your life.

Love,
`

[Judy Harder]

ARE YOU A SCARCITY THINKER?


My grandparents lived during The Great Depression.  Times were indeed tough, and paying jobs were hard to find.  Frugality was the word of the day and the need of the hour. 

My grandmother loved to tell the story about finding enough change in the cushions of her couch to buy some liver from the butcher shop so she could feed my grandfather, my mom and herself.  Since she only had a paltry amount of change, she could only purchase a very small amount of liver.  The butcher innocently asked her, "Is this for a cat?"  "Actually," she replied, "it's for three cats."           

No doubt, The Great Depression was a very hard time for lots and lots of people.  One of the distinguishing marks of that era was a scarcity mentality.  The people trying to make it in the 1930's were dealing with such poverty and lack that they were forced to hold onto their pennies with all their might.  They were conditioned to think "scarcity" because their circumstances indicated provision was scarce, spotty and uncertain. 

NO GREAT DEPRESSIONS IN HEAVEN!

Did you know that many Christians are scarcity thinkers?  They tend to dream small, plan small and pray small because they live in the land of little. and lack . and not enough.  They tend to hoard the resources and blessings God has given them because they think there may not be any more coming their way.  They tend to ask God for a little and not for a lot because, after all, WHO IN THE WORLD EVEN HAS A LOT?  Answer: GOD DOES!           

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Ephesians 3:20-21: "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory..." This passage teaches me that God is a BIG God who can do not only more than I ask or think. but "exceeding abundantly" more! 

THINK ABUNDANCE

As children of God, we need to throw out the scarcity thinking and start to think abundance!  We need to pray BIG. and believe God for BIG things because He is able, more than able to do far more than we could ever even imagine!

Do you remember the story of the great crowd following Jesus who needed something to eat?  There were 5000 men, plus women and children.  When you add them all together, there were probably 15,000 or more mouths to feed.  The disciples wanted to send the hungry crowd away, but Jesus said, "You give them something to eat." 

They were flabbergasted at that request.  How could they possibly feed that many people?  When they did find some food, it was so small and meager it seemed laughable to even bring it to the Master's attention - five small biscuits and two sardine-type fish.  It was a bare-bones lunch for a small boy.  "What are these for so many," they asked? 

But Jesus took that little, skimpy lunch, and He blessed it, broke it, and fed the entire crowd until they were all sated and satisfied.  He then had the disciples gather up the leftovers. and they gathered 12 baskets full of fish and bread!  WOW, 12 baskets!!! 

Listen, my friend, God is NOT the God of adequacy, He is the God of abundance!!!  There is nothing too difficult for Him.  Quit believing Him for little, and start believing Him for much!  Scarcity thinkers receive enough liver for three cats. but abundance thinkers, people who really believe God for God-sized miracles, get filet mignon that hangs off the plate. 

Regardless of the enormity of your need today, God is more than able. and He delights in doing "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think."  The choice is yours: Will you believe Him for little or for lots?

Love,
`

[Judy Harder]

CAN YOU SAY "I'M SORRY"?

"If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."
Matthew 5:23-24

There was an article in the paper a few weeks ago about a former Dallas City Council member who was indicted for embezzling $20,000 in public funds.  He was caught red handed with ample evidence to prove his wrongdoing.  His own attorney told the jury in his closing arguments that the former city official "may be guilty of a state theft charge, but he's not guilty of a federal crime."  Amazingly, this convicted former city official when asked by the judge to publicly apologize and admit to the crime, he adamantly refused.  He chose a month in prison over an apology.  WOW!   

EATING HUMBLE PIE

What is this man's problem?  P-R-I-D-E... plan and simple.  Obviously, what this man did was wrong, yet his rotten pride keeps him from humbling himself and making things right.  He would rather spend a month in jail than eat a slice of humble pie.  How sad.

Did you know there are three things a prideful person has great difficulty in saying?

            1. I was wrong.
            2. I am sorry.
            3. I need your forgiveness. 

Can you say those things to others when you mess up with your friends, family, neighbors and work associates?  Can you say those things to God when you sin?  Being a good apologizer (confessing and repenting) is critical if you want to be a dynamic Christian.   

About three years ago, I had a disagreement with a friend.  The meeting got tense... and both of us were wrong in our responses.  A few hours after the meeting, the Lord convicted me of my part of the wrong.  I knew I needed to get things right.  I called this person and basically said, "I was wrong.  I am sorry.  I need your forgiveness."  Although this person never reciprocated (he did not think he did anything wrong), my heart and conscience were clear before God.  I had certainly blown it... but I chose to take responsibility for my sin and failure and make amends with the one I offended. 

YOUR LIFE?

Is there someone you have hurt by your attitude, actions, or words that you have never apologized to?  Have you been trying to justify your pride and stubbornness, even though, deep down, you know that God wants you to humble yourself and get things right?   

I would be lying if I said apologizing is not hard to do.  Eating humble pie is not our favorite thing.  But, like bad tasting medicine going down, it sure makes you feel better once it hits your system. 

Search your heart (Ps. 139:23-24).  Is there a person with whom you need to make amends?  Don't delay.  A close, satisfying walk with God depends upon you and me getting things right with people we have wronged.  Trust God.  Push through the fear and pride.  Open your mouth in apology... and watch God do a great work in and through you. 

Love,

[Judy Harder]

Friday, September 25, 2009

What Is Playing In Your Head?

Have you ever gotten a song stuck in your head that you can't seem to get out?  A while back, we sang a congregational song at church that was not my favorite.  Unfortunately, I had trouble getting that particular song out of my head.  Every time I turned around, I could hear it drone on inside my brain.  It was like eating something that disagrees with you. and tasting it all day long.  Yuk!  I had to make a concerted effort to change the station. 

Did you know we all have "songs" playing inside our head?  For many it is a negative song, a song that fills the heart with worry, despair, and discouragement.  It is a song that thinks the worst in every circumstance - "I just know this test report will show I have cancer. I just know I'm going to lose my job. I just know my car is going to break down on this road trip. I just know my marriage will never get better. I just know those people aren't going to like me. I just I'm going to fail and bad things are coming my way." 

Do you have a negative song playing in your head today?  God's word to you is simply this:  CHANGE THE STATION!!!!  Some of you have been on the devil's station far too long.  It is time to tune into God. 

YOUR NEW STATION

What plays on the God station?  Words of truth. words of faith. words of praise. words that build up and encourage, not tear down and destroy.  Philippians 4:8 tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." 

Let me encourage you to memorize a new "song" for your internal radio station.  Turn it on every morning and let it play throughout the day:

"God really does love me. And He has a wonderful plan for my life.  He is for me and not against me.  He even works all the bad things in my life together for good.  He is with me always and will never leave me nor forsake me.  My sins are all forgiven.  My eternal destiny is secure.  My day-to-day future is as bright as the promises of God for I am a super conqueror in Jesus Christ, and He has marvelous things He wants to accomplish in and through me this day!" 

My friend, if you will train your mind to practice Philippians 4:8, you will be amazed at how your grumbling will turn to gratitude, your complaining will turn to praise, and your worry will turn to excitement and expectation of a miracle.  Truly, you and I are what we think . so think on the truth of God and see His truth set you free!

Love,
`

[Judy Harder]

Will The Real God Please Stand Up?


Years ago there was a show on television called TO TELL THE TRUTH.  It was a game show where three people would answers questions from the celebrity panel of judges.  One of the three had done something noteworthy.  The other two tried to deceive the panel into thinking they were "the one."  At the close of the program, the host would say, "Would the real __________ please stand up?"  Often the judges were shocked at who the real "one" was. 

ON MOUNT CARMEL

This same situation occurred on Mount Carmel thousands of years ago.  The prophet Elijah squared off with the 450 prophets of Baal.  They had a contest to show the people who the real God was and is.  The prophets of Baal, the imposter god, went first.  They called on their god for hours, but to no avail.  He did not answer by fire as the contest required.  Elijah began to mock them saying, "Perhaps your god is in the bathroom relieving himself!"  (I am not making that up.  Read it for yourself in 1 Kings 18.)

When it was Elijah's turn, God had him pour water all over the altar he had constructed.  The altar, the wood, the stones and the sacrifice were all drenched with water to the point that water was pooled all around the altar.  When Elijah called on the true God, the fire fell from heaven and licked up the water, the wood, the stones, the sacrifice and even the dust!  It was an incredible display of who the real God was and is.  The people replied in amazement, "The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God" (1 Kings 18:39).   

SEPTEMBER 25th

Today in Washington, many Muslims will gather to call on their god, Allah.  They are claiming America for Islam.  While abhorrent, it is a STRONG wake up call to Christians that we had better start calling on the true God, Yahweh, before it is too late. 

Make no mistake about it, Allah is not Yahweh.  Allah has no son, but the true God has a Son named Jesus who gave His life for us on the cross and rose again from the dead.  The true God is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  The true God is the One who has the whole universe in His hands.  He created everything, controls everything and sustains everything by His power. 

Don't get fooled by an imposter.  And don't think all is lost because we are in the minority as Christians.  One plus God makes a majority!!  Elijah was one lone prophet against 450, but the true God gave the victory.  Baal is NOT God, and neither is Allah.  There is but One God, and His name is the LORD (YHWH).  Call on His name today.  Stand in the gap for America.  God will answer as His children PRAY! 

PRAYER SIGNS

Let me encourage you to get a yard sign (PRAYER AMERICA'S ONLY HOPE) and let your witness be seen and heard in your neighborhood. The sign comes with a metal stake to anchor it to the ground. 

Love,

[Judy Harder]

THE FEAR OF THE FUTURE

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we
will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains
slip into the heart of the sea. 
Psalm 46:1-2

The current economic situation in America has many people fearing the future and playing the "what if" game: 

What if the stock market totally collapses? 
What if my company goes under?
What if I lose my job?
What if my retirement money vanishes away in the stock market?
What if I lose my house?
What if we plunge into a depression?
What if my worst fears come to reality? 

What are we to do when the fear of the future grips our heart and threatens to drown our soul in worry?  We are to "remember the LORD who is great and awesome!" (Nehemiah 4:14).

Remember that God is our refuge.  He is a mighty fortress in the midst of great storms.  He is the strong tower that we can run into and be safe.  While the economy changes... and presidents change... and governments change... and kingdoms come and go... HE NEVER CHANGES.  He is faithful and true.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  You can count on the Lord to ALWAYS be your refuge and strength. 
Remember that God is our help.  Have you noticed the great tendency people have to leave God out of their lives?  This tendency is clearly seen during times of prosperity.  So God uses trouble to bring us back to Him.  When we are in trouble, we see how woefully inadequate we are.  We see how desperately we need Him.  And God is gracious to hear our prayer in our time of need... and help us.  He is present right now to help you IF you will turn all your life and problems over to Him. 
Remember that God is in control.  Psalm 46:10 tells us, "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth."  "Cease striving" literally means to let go and relax.  You and I are not in charge, God is.  The God who loves us and works all things together for our good and His glory is in control.  SO RELAX AND TRUST HIM.
Psalm 20:7 says, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."  Don't put your trust in your money... or in our military... our in some political party.  Put your trust in God!! 

As we get closer to the second coming of Christ, difficult times will come.  The Lord told us it would be so (see 2 Tim. 3).  I personally believe that the god of America is money... and the true God is going to show us how that false god (money) cannot deliver and is not able.  Of course we need money and material things in order to live... but make sure to keep your eyes and your trust on the giver, not the gift.   

God will take care of His children.  He will shelter those who take refuge in Him.  He will help those who look to Him.  He says to us today, "MY CHILD, DO NOT FEAR.  I AM WITH YOU.  I LOVE YOU.  I AM IN CHARGE.  AND I HAVE EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL.  SO YOUR JOB IS TO SIMPLY LET GO, RELAX AND TRUST ME." 

If you are struggling with the fear of the future... or know someone who is, click here and listen to a recent message I gave on this very subject.  I believe it will bless and encourage your heart in these frightening days.
Love,

Jeff Schreve
Pastor
www.fromhisheart.org
jeff@fromhisheart.org

[Judy Harder]

October 16, 2009   

Unfinished Business

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:6

When I was a kid growing up, I would often go to the store with my mom.  While she was shopping, I was looking at the toys.  The model airplanes and cars always looked so cool.  On several occasions, I coaxed her into buying me one of these models. 

As soon as I would get home with a new model, I would start to work on it.  I was so excited and so gung ho.  However, I rarely finished any model I began.  I would get about halfway through, bog down in the details and lose interest.  During those growing up years, I threw away many half-finished model cars and planes.   

GOD NEVER GIVES UP

Isn't it great to know that God never loses interest in us?  He never gets tired or bored with us and puts us back in the box unfinished and undone.  Once He begins a good work in us, He sees it through to completion and perfection. 

When I was 17 years old, I received Christ as my Savior and Lord.  Jesus began a good work in me that day, and He will not stop the work until I am made perfect, just like Jesus.  The children's song says it best:

He's still working on me,
To make me what I ought to be. 
Took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. 
How loving and patient He must be. 
He's still working on me. 

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

Has He begun a good work in you?  Have you really opened your heart to Him?  Is He really living inside you?  Are you really under His construction?

If so, praise Him for His commitment to complete you, perfect you, and make you like Christ. 

If not, receive Him today and let Him the Lord of the universe be the Lord of you.

Love,

[Judy Harder]

From His Heart - Week of October 23

A Heart For God

The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people.  1 Samuel 13:14


When I was a freshman at U.T., I began to study my Bible.  As I did, I fell in love with the stories of David.  He was an amazing person - strong, handsome, courageous, wise, tough and tender.  While he possessed so many great attributes, the one thing that really set him apart was his heart.  He is the only one in the Bible described as "a man after God's own heart."     

GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART

God sees past the outward appearance.  He sees down into the heart.  The reason He chose David to lead His people was because of David's heart.  What was his heart like? 

1. He had a passionate heart.  David loved God sincerely and supremely.  He did not play at his worship.  He really had a desire in his heart to walk with God and please God.  His heart was completely His.  (Psalm 103)   

2. He had a humble heart.  David never lost sight of the fact that he was nothing and God was everything.  He never started believing his own press clippings.  He knew all his success came from God.  (2 Samuel 7:18)     

3. He had a dependent heart.  David depended on God, not himself.  He sought God early and often throughout the day.  (Psalm 63)

4. He had a grateful heart.  David gave praise and thanks to God regardless of His circumstances.  He knew God was worthy of praise even if everything seemed to be falling apart around him.  (Psalm 34)

5. He had a repentant heart.  When He sinned, He came to God with genuine repentance and sought the Lord's forgiveness.  (Psalm 51)     

HOW ABOUT YOUR HEART?

How does your heart look to God?  What does He see when He looks into you?  Are you moving in the right direction in these all-important heart areas?  Do you need some spiritual surgery?

God wants YOU to be a person after His own heart.  In order for this to happen, you must confess any sins and ask Him to soften you and change you on the inside.  Spend time with the Lord each day.  Talk to Him openly and honestly from your heart.  Share your burdens with Him, seek His face and obey Him. 

Jesus wants to be your closest friend on the planet.  His hand is extended to you.  Will you take it?

Love,