Connie Bumbalough

6 yrs

“Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:5-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Before I became radical - that is where I lived! It was dry; parched! It was wilderness; there was no life; all around me was death. I knew of God, and I said the right words, but I was not obedient to His Commandments. I did what I wanted; rebelling against authority. I did what was right in my eyes. My existence was plagued with struggle after struggle to make ends meet. No joy; no peace; momentary happiness was quickly replaced by despair. I was in continual torment, not calmed by drugs.

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:7-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is where I now live. I have peace and around me is life! Prospering is the norm and it's only because I am submitted to God and walk in obedience to His Word! I seek Him first; His will is my desire. I got there through repentance.

I began reading my Bible and He opened my eyes; He showed me my heart. I saw the sin hiding there and was ashamed. I was at the end of my rope and had tried everything the world had to offer. I figured I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by surrendering to God!

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9-10‬ ‭KJV

It was easy to confess and repent of the big "barroom" sins; it was the hidden, acceptable sins that I had to be made aware of; bitterness, judgments, fear and worry (which is unbelief), grumbling and complaining, gossiping, doubt, anger. Those, with the sin of unforgiveness, were so stuffed down in my heart they had become a part of me. That is the wickedness! That is the hardness that God has to break up; to tenderize our heart to make it pliable for Him to use.

We all say, "He knows my heart!" but few know their own! We think we are okay, but our words betray us.

You can't fake fruit!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew‬ ‭12:37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We can speak "churchy" words, but when the heat is on; when we are not paying attention; our heart will expose itself with words of doubt, anger, gossip, fear, not to mention profanity and slander. We aren't even aware; because of pride we want to believe we are good.

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Have I got it all together? No, and I'm the first to tell you! I have to walk in repentance daily. I blow it regularly, but He is quick to forgive me, for He is faithful even when I am not!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I am so thankful that a friend pointed me in the right direction! I am forever grateful that God opened my eyes to see the Truth; that He opened my ears to hear Him calling me out of darkness; and that He brought me to repentance. I am His “hook, line and sinker.” I love being radical.

I love being His servant.

Even so - MARANATHA!
From 8/5/18

If you would like a copy of the cd that God used to reach me; PM me your address and we'll send it to you free of charge. We will even pay the postage.

6 yrs

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I don't know how many times a day, I quote these two verses.

It's so easy, when all of our plans fail, to become discouraged; so easy throw up our hands and quit. So easy to stop short just before success. It's so easy to see how futile our efforts, when we've exhausted all avenues and every door has been shut in our face.

At the end of our rope; a very good place to be, in fact just where God wants us!

Isn't it sad, "when all else fails", we try God? Why is He the last ditch effort for us? Why is it considered a weakness to consult Him before making a decision? I actually had one man say to me, "God is too busy for my little needs!"

When you are in a relationship with someone you are familiar with the details in their life. The more you "know" the closer you are! If they are on your "speed dial" or "favorites", then they are the first you turn to, in any situation!

That's where God wants to be; where He should be for everyone who is called by His Name.

First; without fail!

That only happens when there is TRUST!

Can you "trust" God?

Do you have "history" where you can encourage yourself, when the devil says, "where is your God now?"

Most associate getting what you "want" or "your own way" in a situation, as being able to trust in God; however we don't see the big picture, but God does. And like a good Father, He doesn't give us what we want, but what's best for us. Most times it takes hindsight for us to appreciate His intervention when we are on the wrong road.

Often times the worse thing that happens to us, is actually the best thing that could happen; when put in God's hands!

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” ‭Genesis‬ ‭50:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we get to the place where we surrender our messed up life to The Creator of The Universe, then He does what He does best; He creates beauty! Hope is His result! Peace His byproduct! It's hard to imagine what chaos and catastrophe will look like (when you are sitting in that darkness), but when He shines His light, it changes everything. He and only He can set things right!

So have you gotten to that point of surrender?

Are your ready to throw up your hands?

Then what are you waiting for?

Cry out to God, with all of your heart; holding nothing back, and tell Him, "I give up!"

*Pray: LORD, I confess that I have been blinded by my rebellion and received lies from the enemy. I have felt secure in my sins, but the covers have been jerked off of me and I sit here naked and transparent before You. I repent and turn from my sins and plead for Your mercy and grace. LORD be my first love. Soften my cold, hard heart. Please give me ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart that wants only to please You. I confess I have been pleasing myself and have only given You token amounts of obedience. LORD wash me, cleanse me, change me, so that I will walk in Your kind of love. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, message me and we'll send you some CDs at no cost, that will help you grow in The LORD. We'll even pay the postage.

You are welcome! ❤️

Even so - MARANATHA!
From 4/19/17

* Prayer adapted from:
"The Unpardonable Sin"

6 yrs

The Peril Of False Teaching

“Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return? Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭8:4-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

THIS is where we are today.

“they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done?”

Compromise! We are in the world, but the world should not be in us; but it is. We have made excuses, we have winked our eyes. We refuse to deal with our sin and so we get comfortable with it, embrace it and make excuses. Like children whining to their parents: "Well everybody else is doing it!" We are indistinguishable from the unbelievers! We are not set apart. We are not a peculiar people, we are the same. We "talk the talk, but we do not walk the walk"! We are hypocrites and the world knows it.

“How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them? Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.” Jeremiah‬ ‭8:8-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Our leaders; from the largest denominational mega church to the smallest assembly; you shepherd -where is your heart? Do you get on your face and cry out to God to bless your flock, then get up and compromise The Word of God in your own life? Excusing yourself and your family, because it's easier that way, and anyway, "God understands", "He knows your heart", after all "He is a God of love".

“For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭8:11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We are held to a higher standard! Our desire to be used of God, is not enough.

As our country, because of our fallen leaders, is floundering, so is the church.

Revival starts in our own heart, and spreads outward. If we examine our own heart and then look at our family and determine we are all "okay" with God; we are deceived!

The hypocrisy in words preached and lives lived will be addressed from the likes of me, on up! God is no respecter of persons. Let's be quick to examine, confess, and repent!

Let's seek The Truth and set the standard high! Extend mercy and grace where needed, but never compromise with sin. The cross made the way for us, but we have to get on it, or we, like the world, are just looking at it from afar, and THAT won't get us to heaven!

Even so - MARANATHA!
From 6/20/14

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

6 yrs

Hey David, I hope you can help me. I keep getting friend requests from women that I don’t think really want to be my friend. When I go to hit the “x” it hits friend. Then i have to go to their page and “unfriend” them. I’ve just tried blocking them but that doesn’t remove them from the friend request icon. How can I remove them without stopping legit friend requests?
Quite frustrating. I’m sure my profile pic is the reason I’m getting the requests. The pic of my brother and I hugging is rather confusing and to whose page it is. ?

6 yrs

“Wash you, make you clean;
put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes;
cease to do evil;
Learn to do well;
seek judgment,
relieve the oppressed,
judge the fatherless,
plead for the widow.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1:16-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We love verse 18!

The promise of the stain of our sins being cleansed!

It sounds almost too good to be true! But our God is a big God and He loves us! Right? We can't do it - He does it for us! Right?

The above list, that He says we must do, is short and doable. It doesn't require much on our part - right? (At least the last two) Then God does the rest! Right?

No one reads the next verse.

“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:” Isaiah‬ ‭1:19‬ ‭KJV

Verse 19 is the game changer!
Short, sweet, to the point!

Are we - willing and obedient?

Willing to do what?

Willing to obey?

Well that depends!

Obey what?

Humble yourself: that would indeed make you willing. But we take Pride in our pride! To obey would mean laying aside our pride. Hmmmmmmm!

Will we obey the commandments we don't like? The uncomfortable ones; the ones we read over or around, like they aren't there? Like how we have done verse 19? The ones that say Repent, Forgive, Confess one to another, Judge not, Love.

You know when God says to do something it is not a "suggestion". Just because it wasn't itemized in the big Ten, doesn't make it less of a Commandment.

Verse 19 does show, we have a choice. Just like everything else, He tells us to do, we either choose to comply or not! Oh and it helps if we obey with a joyful heart, but He will honor our obedience, just for the sake of obeying!

Willingness makes it easier! Wanting to please The Father produces a willing heart! His desires become our desires. Obedience like breathing; involuntary! He says forgive, instead of arguing, we purpose in our heart to live and walk in forgiveness; all to please Him!

Oh, I almost overlooked verse 20!

“But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Very serious!

So choose to be willing and obedient!

Don't pray, "Lord help me to be willing!" It's a choice. Your choice! You choose to be willing!

My prayer today: Father, I repent for my lack of willingness to obey Your Word, in the past! I choose, today, to lay down my will and be obedient! Show me the areas in my life that I have not submitted to you, and I will be quick to comply! I desire to do Your will! In Jesus precious, precious name I pray!

Even so - MARANATHA!
From 7/24/14