Showing posts with label Ruth Lopez Whitfield. Show all posts

Monday, December 17, 2018

How to Let Your Christmas Joy Come Completely From Holy Spirit - RUTH LOPEZ WHITFIELD CHARISMA NEWS

How to Let Your Christmas Joy Come Completely From Holy Spirit

8:00PM EST 12/16/2018 RUTH LOPEZ WHITFIELD CHARISMA NEWS

It's that time again. What Andy Williams and other classic singers crooned to be "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Malls and stores are filled with holiday decorations, music, assorted Santas, endless sales people wooing you to buy their products and scrumptious smells of holiday food. But is it really the most wonderful time of the year?

I watched and listened as a guest on the Fox News channel said she hated the season, and especially the Christmas carols. You see, what brings joy to one is an irritant to another. She said it reminded her and others as well of what they don't have. Seeing the happy faces of family and friends getting together just emphasizes the loneliness many feel during the holiday season. Jewelry stores show people with that special someone giving and receiving the gift that lasts forever—diamonds. What if you are one who is away from loved ones and comes home after work to an empty apartment? It's lonely.

Everyone around you seems to be having a wonderful time, but you are left with the realization that you are missing out somehow. The sadness seems unbearable. We trained ourselves in this society to look for happiness in the wrong places. We look to what we have or receive and when that doesn't do it we look for that special someone to make us happy.

Joy is not found in the season, and fulfillment doesn't come because it's a certain time of year. People searching for it there end up being disappointed and disillusioned.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

When I was a young child, I was taught, like many children, that Christmas Eve was special because Santa was coming and would leave me my heart's desire. I remember looking out of my bedroom window to the sky to see if I could get a glimpse of Santa, his sleigh and reindeer. I was told I had to fall asleep so that he would come. I may not have been the most obedient child, but that night, I was extra good. Christmas morning came, and I bounded out of bed to see what Santa brought me. I loved Santa. I adored him. After all, he loved me whether I was bad or good, because he left me presents. The most important part of Christmas was Santa and the presents. That is still true for some people.

The worse part was the story of baby Jesus. Anything having to do with Jesus was dark green, grey and brown. Santa was red, white, glittery and joyous. Jesus was so sad. He was born in a smelly stable because there was no room at the inn. Then Herod ordered babies killed, and Mary and Joseph fled with Jesus to Egypt for protection. How could God let this happen? God knew everything but still let that happen. As a child, my adoration went to Santa, not God. I did not see or feel God's love, but I did feel Santa's.

So deep was my faith that when some classmates of a different faith said that there was no Santa, I fought them tooth and nail. I organized my fellow Santa believers, and war broke out in our second-grade classroom. Our teacher came to our defense and assured everyone that Santa was indeed real. Even at that young age, I fought for what I believed (a characteristic that remains with me at the ripe old age of 78).

When I met the Lord as my Lord and Savior and grew in intimacy with Him, I grieved over my childhood adoration. It was sincere, but it was misplaced. I struggled for years with whether anything I had been taught was really true. Is the Bible true? Is Jesus real? Does God really love us so much that He sent His Son to pay the price for our sin? I realize that not all children respond the way I did, but it made me extra cautious during the Christmas season when sharing holiday traditions with my children. I made sure we emphasized God's gift to the world, and differentiated between fantasy fun and God's truth.

For many, it's been a rough year. They have lost jobs, homes and loved ones. After all, we live in turbulent times. We never know what will happen from one day to the next. But we can trust in these truths: God remains faithful, and His Word is true.

You'll not find joy in a season, in things, in people or in a person. That only comes in the Holy Spirit. He alone will bring total fulfillment, satisfaction and joy. Whether it's the holiday season, winter or tax season, God has provided us with one who will never leave us or forsake us and who will fulfill every desire of our heart. This Christmas, look up and thank God for His indescribable gift because you won't find joy in anything but Him.

Prayer Power for the Week of Dec. 17, 2018

This week as Christmas approaches, ask the Lord to order your steps so that you don't become overwhelmed by what needs to be done. Make sure you set your priorities to take time for Him first, then step by step, do what He requires each day. Continue to pray for revival, for directions in how to be a blessing to others during this time, and for our leaders. Remember our military, our allies and Israel. Read: Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Galatians 4:4.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

AMAZING CHRISTMAS DEALS: (1) Buy A Set, Get A Set FREE on all Life in the Spirit Bundles. (2) Save 30%-60% on all Tote Bag plus Book Bundles. (3) Save 50% off Select Bibles plus receive a Free Gift. Visit the Charisma Store to view all our specials. U.S Residents always get FREE Shipping!

Help Charisma stay strong for years to come as we report on life in the Spirit. Become an integral part of Charisma’s work by joining Charisma Media Partners. Click here to keep us strong!

Monday, February 8, 2016

Are You Looking for Love in the Right Places? - RUTH LOPEZ WHITFIELD CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Where are you looking for love? (iStock photo )

Are You Looking for Love in the Right Places?

Hardly a day goes by that I don't see a TV commercial advertising a site where you can meet Mr. or Mrs. Right. Some cater to young singles, others to the more mature and still others to those of like faith or ethnic background.

I know of a few couples that actually met and courted their spouse online and have successful marriages. I'm not sure of the percentage of failed ones.

Valentine's Day is coming up, and we are bombarded with hearts, flowers, decorations, candy and sweet recipes. Restaurants and jewelry stores gear up for what will be a busy and lucrative time, while children exchange "Valentines" in school or other functions, and even "Charlie Brown" gets in on the act with a TV special.

Invariably there will be the surprise proposal with man on bended knee being photographed as he pops the question to his intended amid sighs of "Aw" and cheers from onlookers.

For some, it's an exciting time and, for others, not so much. There are those who may not hear the words "I love you" or "Be My Valentine," and for them it may be a very long and tedious day.

All of us are born with a need for love and acceptance. God made us this way. Studies show that babies who are held and loved do far better than those who are not.

Because of this innate need, many of us spend our lives looking for love—sometimes in all the wrong places. We want to belong, to be part of something or someone. We seek acceptance and a sense of belonging wherever we go.

Being driven by this need can cause all kinds of problems. It might lead us to cling to our children, smothering rather than loving them and stifling their growth and development. Or it might tempt us to live in a fantasy world, dreaming of a knight in shining armor who will fill the void in our lives.

This need may cause us to look to others for affirmation: family members, friends, co-workers and so on. We rely on their esteem to convince ourselves we are worthy of esteem.

The truth is that as Christians, we are already fully accepted in the Beloved. We are members of God's family, precious daughters and sons of the King who are totally and unconditionally loved!

There isn't anything we can do to earn this love and acceptance. Jesus assures us, "All whom the Father gives Me will come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will never cast out" (John 6:37, MEV). We are secure in Him.

We have no need to look for satisfaction anywhere else. Yet there were times I had sought affirmation from others—and felt unloved and rejected when I didn't receive it. Has that ever happened to you?

When I asked the Lord about my actions and responses, He said: "Whenever you look to others for love or acceptance, you will be disappointed. You are already loved; you are already accepted by Me. Come to Me and receive your fill, then you will be able to be a giver of love. Share My love with others rather than looking to receive it from them. As you give, you will receive because you will reap what you sow. Accept others even as I have accepted and continue to accept you—not because you're perfect but because I love you and count you worthy of the price of My blood. You are a gift to me, bought and cherished. Cherish others as I cherish you. Love others as I love you."

Wow! That gave me a new perspective, and it was very liberating. Because I am already accepted and loved beyond measure, I don't need others to love me. I can love them without any expectation of reciprocity. I can release them to be who they are without placing demands upon them.

I can set them free not to do something for me just because I did something for them. In fact, Jesus told us it is better for us to invite those to dinner who can't repay us. What He meant is that we actually receive a greater reward when we do something for people who can't or don't pay us back—it is a greater indicator of our love.

Make a decision today to stop looking for love in all the wrong places and find it in God. Then you will be a vessel through which His love can flow out to others. Receive it from Him that you may give it out—and watch how you reap what you sow!

Prayer Power for the Week of Feb. 7, 2016

As you pray this week, embrace God's unconditional love for you, let it fill you heart, express it back to Him and share it with others. Ask Him to direct your steps to those who desperately need to know they are loved so that you can be a vessel of reconciliation and acceptance. Pray for those struggling through personal and economic loss as well as the ravages of winter weather. Continue to pray for worldwide revival and the soon return of our Lord. Lift up our nation and its leaders, the upcoming elections, more laborers for His harvest fields, Israel and the persecuted church (Jer. 31:3; John 6:37; 1 John 1:4; 1 John 4:19).

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive it by email.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Unlocking the Power of a Jesus-Focused Life by Ruth Lopez Whitfield

Want to receive PowerUP! by email each week? Sign up here

Unlocking the Power of a Jesus-Focused Life

(lusi/rgbstock.com)

A few years ago, while stepping down off the back patio at a friend’s house, I lost my footing, twisted my ankle and fell. As a result, I found myself face down on a brick walkway, grateful that I had hurt only my ankle.

Although the area began to swell, I didn’t think the injury would be much of a deterrent to my activities. After all, it was only a simple sprain, and I expected my ankle to continue to function as usual.

However, what I thought was a simple sprain proved to be not only painful but also very inconvenient. The ankle affected the foot, and the foot affected my entire body. Since I could place no weight on it, the rest of my body had to make up for what the right foot could no longer do.

I was never really aware of this foot until it could no longer function without pain. I had taken walking pain-free for granted. Even after I injured it, I thought, “This isn’t going to hinder me. I’m going about my business as usual.”

I thought wrong!

Whereas previously I could walk from one place to another independently, I now had to lean on something or someone else and hobble to my destination. In addition, when I wasn’t hobbling, I had to elevate the foot to keep the swelling down. I was out of balance and my mobility was greatly curtailed.

It’s funny that I was never conscious of the foot until it demanded attention. Now even simple activities were tedious. It took the strength of a gymnast just to perform routine tasks in the bathroom!

I had not realized how much I depended on that foot until it was out of commission. Then what I had never taken notice of before became my focus.

I am not by nature a patient person. So when an obstacle over which I had no control came into my path, I didn’t react well. I wasn’t happy to discover my limitations!

But I knew there must be a lesson in it somewhere. So I prayed, “OK. What is it, Lord?”

After reflecting, I realized that what had happened to me is a natural picture of a spiritual truth. When we are focused on something in the distance, we can become careless. We think we are standing on solid ground, but unless we are conscious of where we step, we can fall.

Also, when part of the body is hurt and cannot function, as it should, we are no longer able to ignore that part; we must tend to it. In addition, the other parts must compensate for the lack. This is difficult because they are unaccustomed to the strain. All of them must learn to adjust.

The body of Christ functions the same way. As believers, we can be intensely focused on something “out there” and lose sight of whether we are standing on solid ground and our steps are ordered by the Lord (see Ps.37:23).

Although the apostle Peter warns us to be vigilant and watchful of the danger the enemy can put in our way (see 1 Pet. 5:8), we sometimes ignore the admonition if things are going well, and we tend to focus on the bigger picture while overlooking little things.

When we focus on the wrong things, we lose our balance, fall, get injured, and need help and time to heal. The other members must not only come to our rescue but also take up the slack for the vacuum we leave, adding to the weight the whole body must carry.

The wrong focus is the crux of the problem. When we focus on something in the distance—such as ministry, career, future plans—and lose sight of our immediate surroundings—family, finances, relationships—we may not see the danger close at hand, and we can fall. Paul the apostle warns: “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

We need to be vigilant and careful about how we walk this life of faith. Let’s stay close to the Lord and allow Him to order our steps!

PRAYER POWER FOR THE WEEK OF 02/24/2014

This week ask the Lord to direct your focus so that you are aware of the little things that may cause you to trip in your spiritual walk. As you pray for the nations remember to include your own nation and community. Pray for the local authorities and educators in your area. Pray that God would raise up godly leaders in each of these areas. Continue to pray for the president’s protection and that he have godly wisdom in all his dealings. Pray for our governmental, national, local and spiritual leaders. Remember Israel, the Middle East, our military and the persecuted church around the world. Ask God for more laborers for His already ripe harvest field. 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Pet.5:8; Ps. 37:23.

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive CHARISMA MAGAZINE by email.

Contents List

Monday, December 17, 2018