Various Scripture - "Words"

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  Ephesians 4:29

In group last night we talked about cursing.  There are words that are acceptable in some cultures that aren't acceptable in others.  I looked up the definition of cursing and found "utter offensive words in anger or annoyance."  That led me to think about how some people use offensive words every day without thinking twice about it.  It's a habit for them.  But if I say someone is cursing when they say something that is not taking the Lord's name in vain am I judging them?  What about if I get upset for someone for a word they say in my presence?  Am I sinning in my attitude?  

To go one step further what about the words that we say that aren't cuss words yet they aren't uplifting others?  What about when we speak death instead of life to people?  What about when we complain instead of praise the Lord because we aren't happy with what is happening in our lives?  If a believer has negative words coming out of their mouths, why would a non-believer want to believe in the Lord?  

I want my words to be pleasing to the Lord.  The desire of my heart is to never hurt someone with my words.  Unfortunately, I am human and say things before I think.  It takes praying every morning for more of Him and less of me in order to have His words be more of my speech.  I also want my attitude to be pleasing to the Lord.  I can get a negative attitude when I listen to people speak negative things.  I need to pray against that.  I also need to pray against being judgmental.  As was said last night, "we are to judge the sin not the sinner."  

There are many commandments in the Bible that we need to adhere to.  One of them is found in the ten commandments.  Exodus 20:7a reads, Do not take the Lord's name in vain.  Whether it be that we actually say His name in vain or if we use a slang for His name it is still wrong.  Ouch!  How many times do I say "oh my gosh!" in a day's time?  When I see believers use "OMG" it bothers me.  Are others bothered when I say "oh my gosh"?  When I am in a public place and hear what I consider foul language, it upsets me.  But I have to be careful what I do with being upset.  If I get angry, then I am sinning.  If I speak against the one using foul language, then I am sinning.  

There are so many words used by people that are OK in one home and not OK in another.  I personally have a problem with a word many use that I feel is just as offensive as a word that is offensive to many others.  I don't understand why it's acceptable to many believers.  But it probably is because I was raised that the word it is slang for was the dirtiest word on the earth.  I will never forget when one of our pastors used the slang word from the pulpit.  I was very offended.  Was I wrong?  Was he wrong?

No matter what, we must watch what comes out of our mouth.  I tell the teens over and over, "junk in, junk out."  Whatever we put into our lives will flow out of them.  It is our responsibility to choose life, not death with not only our words but our actions.  Paul gives us the way to do this in Philippians 4:8…Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  When we keep our sight on the Lord, He will help us to live life and not death with both our words and our actions. 

Dear Jesus,
I pray Psalm 19:14 over myself this morning….May the words of mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

I pray Psalm 141:3 over myself this morning…Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the doors of my lips!

I pray Isaiah 55:10-11 over myself this morning…For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Thank You Jesus for being My Life!  Amen.

Galatians 6:2, 5; II Corinthians 1:8-11 - Praying For Others

I am so grateful for friends who pray for me…

...the ones who pray without even knowing what they are praying for but who know when I send a text saying "please pray" they need to pray.  The Lord knows and that's all that matters.

...the ones who pray for Doc and I each and every day because they know the demands of being pastors.

…the ones who are prompted by the Lord to pray for me and do.  Not only do they pray but they let me know they are praying.  It is so encouraging to know the Lord knows my needs.

I am so grateful when the Lord puts someone on my heart and I take the time to pray for them.  I know He is blessing them through me.  I also know He is blessing me with having the opportunity to pray for them.  Galatians 6:2 tells us to Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  I want to fulfill the law of Christ.  I want to give Him the desires of His heart.  Therefore, when the Holy Spirit prompts me to pray for someone I do.

In reading further in Galatians 6, verse five reminds me I do need to carry my own load.  That means I can't expect others to do all the praying for me but need to pray for myself.  I think sometimes it's easier to pray for others.  But when we pray for ourselves we have to be willing to listen to what He wants of us and then follow through with doing it.  II Corinthians 1:8-11 tells of the pressures that can only be handled through the prayers of others.

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Every believer has a responsibility to pray not only for themselves but also for others.  If we don't, then what does that say about our relationship with God?  Does it show that we don't really believe in Him?  Does it show that we don't trust Him?  Prayer is a crucial part in our spiritual lives.  Prayer is the key to our spiritual growth.  One thing we need to do is move from surface praying to deep-down praying.  We need to face battles head-on and pray with faith that the Lord is in control.

Another aspect to our prayers is to be specific when we know details.  Sometimes we don't know anything other than to prayer.  As we pray for them to see the Lord's will in their situation, the Lord will bless our prayers.  We need to go beyond praying for blessings over people and ask the Lord to give them victory in their circumstances.  So many times we pray for things to happen the way we think they should.  It's easy to pray for so-and-so to find a job yet what if the Lord has a lesson for them first?  We need to remember that Daniel wasn't taken out of the lion's den but was kept in it!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for these reminders about prayer.  I thank You for the one who prayed yesterday to the simple text "please pray" when we were going through such a rough time.  I thank You for the one who prayed and then sent me a text right before we started the funeral the other day.  I thank You for the one who told me her and her husband prayed for us this morning.  Father, life is in turmoil and changing right now but I know You will continue to be here for us with Your wisdom, Your strength and Your protection.  I thank You for having people who are willing to listen to You to pray for us.  Father, give them specifics in their prayers…we don't even know the specifics at times ourselves but You do and that's all that matters.  Thank You Lord for being My Lord of All.  Amen.

Proverbs 3:6; Isaiah 40:21 - It Was Worth It

Crashed computer…sound system not working…call from a worker who overslept…a mother falling apart as she came in the door…  This is how our day began at church yesterday.  I was feeling so defeated.  After I got back from picking up my Momma between Sunday School and church Doc found me and told me he needed me to pray for him because he was feeling so out-of-sorts with all going on.  My first thought was, "You need me to pray for you?!?!?!?  I need prayer myself."  We closed the office door and holding hands I prayed.  I had the greatest sense of peace wash over me as I prayed for it.  It was so encouraging.  I prayed if these things were from the Lord, then we would know His direction.  If they were from the enemy, I asked the Lord to squelch him before he did any damage.

Due to the computer crash when I went home to get Momma I picked up my laptop to use as the offering was counted.  As Doc started preaching I asked Karol if they could always hear him that loudly.  She chuckled and said "some times but not usually."  I was anxious to get done so I could hear his message.  When he opened up the altars for those who wanted to surrender to the Lord, three responded.  He called upon the pastors to come up and pray for them.  The Lord blessed me with the opportunity to pray for two very sweet ladies.  After we were done I glanced over and saw the men were still praying with one so I walked over and started praying too.  

The Lord tapped me on the shoulder and told me I needed to pray over the Mom and family that came in upset earlier.  I wasn't quite sure if I should go to her and pray privately or what and all of a sudden the Lord told me to speak to the congregation.  I don't know what I said but the next thing I know the family is at the altar and our church family were gathered around them praying.  It was an awesome time to experience.  It was kind of funny afterward when Doc told me he didn't know what was going on.  He said as they finished praying the next thing he knew I was preaching.  I told him I was doing as the Lord directed.

There was another one who listened as the Lord spoke to them.  One of the ladies shared with me last night how she had such a rough start getting to church.  First she overslept and she was suppose to be in with the children helping during the Sunday School time.  When she finally started out for church she realized she had forgot something and had to turn around and go back home.  When she finally got back on the road at 10:42 (service starts at 10:45), she thought "my goodness the devil is trying to keep me from church today."  After she went to the altar she says, "It was worth it."

That's how I feel about the day…"it was worth it."  Going through all of the things we went through was tough but "it was worth it."  Knowing at least three people's lives changed yesterday "it was worth it."  Being able to follow the Lord's direction with no idea of what I was doing would put a lot of people out of their comfort zone.  But "it was worth it."  I am so grateful to have experienced yesterday with my church family.  I pray those who were visiting will see exactly how our church cares for one another.  I pray for those who wanted to go to the altar but didn't to be able to talk to a pastor about what they are thinking from the sermon yesterday.  

Proverbs 3:6   In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.

In order for me to do as the Lord desired of me yesterday, I first had to be in relationship with Him.  I had to know Him in an intimate way.  The desires of His heart are the desires of my heart.  As I seek more of Him and less of me He is always on my mind and in my heart.  As I follow His lead, I allow His wisdom to be a part of me and His divine action to lead me.  Yesterday as I prayed for peace for us, I was asking for His wisdom to endure the things that were happening and also for the strength to do whatever we needed to do.    

Isaiah 40:21   Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether it be to the right or to the left.

God is here, walking beside us, urging us on to do His will.   When we don't know the right words to say, He gives them to us.  When we don't know the direction to go, He takes us there.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday…the "good" and the "bad" of the day.  I am so thankful for the knowledge that You are there for us 24/7.  I praise Your Holy Name that You have me in a place where not only do I hear You but I am obedient and listen to You.  You are so awesome Lord!  I love You so much and am so grateful for the way You guide my steps.  Thank You Father!  I praise Your Holy Name for being My Guide!  Amen.

II Peter 3:14-16 - "I Will Rise"

I am so grateful for the way the Lord continues to encourage me through days of ministering. So many hurting people…so many people who need the Lord.  The only way for people to know His peace is to be in relationship with Him.  I love the words to "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin.

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say, it is well

I think one of the things that happens so often in people's lives is the way the enemy keeps after them about their past.  The past is the past when we repent.  The Lord washes the past away.  Yes, there are times He brings things up to remind us of where we use to be and what He has done for us.  But the times of reminder that bring guilt or doubt are from the enemy not the Lord.  The Lord doesn't want to shame us or make us feel bad.  He wants to encourage us.  We have victory only through His blood that was shed on the cross for each of us.

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

I saw this picture this morning and thought it was appropriate for my writing today….

The Lord can't heal us when we don't allow Him into our life.  In order to have His peace we first must allow Him to forgive us.  One must also forgive themselves in order to walk down the path of healing.  While on this earth we can rise from the depths of sin when we accept all the Lord has for us.  Then when we are called to heaven we once again can "…rise on eagle's wings…"  

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagle's wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise

Both of those days will be days of celebration.  But the thing I continue to be reminded of over and over is that each and every day I wake up is a day of celebration with the Lord in control of my life.  Woo hoo!  I don't have to wait until I get to heaven to hear His Voice.  That is exciting!  It is also exciting to live in the knowledge that "I will rise when He calls my name…" whether here or there.  I am ready!  I am excited!  I feel like I am going to bust out of my skin this morning.  Woo hoo!

None know the day or time the Lord will return.  I want to live each and every day ready for Him.  II Peter 3:14-16 reads…

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;  and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,  as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.  II Peter 3:14-16 NKJV

Matthew Henry writes about this passage….

"Those, whose sins are pardoned, and their peace made with God, are the only safe and happy people; therefore follow after peace, and that with all men; follow after holiness as well as peace. Never expect to be found at that day of God in peace, if you are lazy and idle in this your day, in which we must finish the work given us to do. Only the diligent Christian will be the happy Christian in the day of the Lord. Our Lord will suddenly come to us, or shortly call us to him; and shall he find us idle? Learn to make a right use of the patience of our Lord, who as yet delays his coming."

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your Love, Your Mercy, Your Grace.  You are so awesome, Lord! Oh Father, how I pray for more people to come into relationship with You.  Please use me today to be You to others…please give me opportunities to share You with others.  Thank You Jesus for being My Savior!  Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Trading My Sorrows"

While in the shower this morning I started singing "Trading My Sorrows" with such an intensity.  Then it was just as though the Lord said, "That's what many have done this week."  Wow!  The week started off with finding out of a death and then another and another.  I remember when the second call came Doc said, "Well that's two so there will be one more."  (Old saying of deaths coming in threes.)  This morning the call for number six came in.  My first thought was "OK…two sets of three done."  Five minutes later I found out of number seven.  

When I think about the lyrics to this song, I am excited for the ones who died…

…for the ones who were suffering with a disease such as cancer, ALS, or alzheimer's…
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord

All of the ones who died said…
"Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord"
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord, Amen"

Each of the ones who passed who were believers can say…
"His joy comes with the morning…"  
Their morning was when they went to be with the Lord.  

We don't like to let go of people when they die but when we stop and think about it we can rejoice for them.  They are no longer in the pain they had on this earth.  They are no longer dealing with medication, doctors, testing, etc. that came with diseases.  I'm not quite sure what to say to the parents of the one pound baby who only lived a short time other than the Lord will love on their little girl and be there for their strength to get through this tough time.  Knowing she won't have to deal with the junk of this world can be a comfort but probably not while her death is so fresh in their lives.

I pray for all the family members as they are 
"...pressed but not crushed...Persecuted not abandoned...Struck down but not destroyed…"  
I pray for them to lean on the Lord for His Strength.  I pray they will not only read but believe Philippians 4:13…I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your Strength to get through tough days.  Thank You for loving us in such a mighty way.  Father, comfort those who are grieving.  Use Your servants to be there for them in exactly the way You desire.  Thank You Jesus for being My Strength.  Amen.

Psalm 51 - "Going Through The Motions"

Last night in our Worship small group one of the songs that came up was Matthew West's "Going Through the Motions."  The chorus is exactly how I feel…

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything
Instead of going through the motions?

Take me all the way (Take me all the way)

I don't wanna go through the motions

Woo hoo!  "…all consuming passion inside of me…"  Yes!  The passion I feel is for the Lord. To go even another step into that, the passion I feel is to be the Lord's servant.  I am thankful for the day that I said "But I know that I've gotta make a change; I don't care if I break; At least I'll be feeling something; 'Cause just okay is not enough."  I didn't like being lukewarm!  I didn't like having one foot in and one foot out in the relationship I had with the Lord.  Being in total surrender is the best place to be!

Psalm 51
1 Generous in love - God, give grace! Huge in mercy - wipe out my bad record. 2 Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. 3 I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down. 4 You're the One I've violated, and you've seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair. 5 I've been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born. 6 What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. 7 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. 8 Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. 9 Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. 10God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. 11 Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. 12 Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! 13 Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home. 14 Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. 15 Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with your praise. 16 Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. 17 I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice. 18 Make Zion the place you delight in, repair Jerusalem's broken-down walls. 19Then you'll get real worship from us, acts of worship small and large, Including all the bulls they can heave onto your altar!

This Psalm is one that excites me and gives me so much joy!  The Lord does just what it says when we come to Him instead of just going through the motions.  I love the part where it says, "Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing."  Woo hoo!  That's exactly what happens when we surrender to Him.  It takes a shattering of our spirit as in verse seventeen before we will totally surrender.  God has to be the center of our focus.  It can't be ourselves or even others but must be God.

Verse nineteen is the icing on the cake….."Then you'll get real worship from us, acts of worship small and large, including all the bulls they can heave onto your altar!"  "…real worship…" is only possible when we totally surrender to Him.  I remember the days of "going through the motions" and I also remember the days where I thought I was worshiping.  But nothing compares to the worship I have now that I am totally surrendered to Him.  Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, Your mercy and Your grace.  It is only through those things that I am where I am today.  Thank You for second chances.  I praise You Lord for bringing me to the point of totally surrender.  I love You so much Father!  Thank You for being The One I Worship!  Amen.

Psalm 36:5-12 - "Your Love Oh Lord"

Psalm 36:5-12

1 

5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
    you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
    thrown down, not able to rise!

This morning as I was praying I had a picture come to my mind that was a bit unsettling.  I was in the car taking my Momma for therapy and was hit broad sided.  Right away I prayed against that happening and thought of Psalm 36 where it talks about taking refuge in the shadow of His wings.  I love the comfort these words give.  Matthew Henry writes: "God's loving-kindness is precious to the saints. They put themselves under his protection, and then are safe and easy." As I think about that, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when bad things happen such as a car accident, the Lord is there to give me exactly what I need.  I pray against such things happening but I know God doesn't always stop such things because there are lessons to be learned throughout our life. 

Yesterday I was explaining to my six-year granddaughter how we learn from mistakes we make.  She asked me how and I used the example of me using a recipe to make pancakes and putting in too much milk which would make them runny.  When I mess up recipes, the next time I use them I do them correctly and the food turns out good.  I'm not sure if she understood completely but I know her little mind was pondering what I said.  

When mistakes are made, He is there to love us through them.  Verse ten of this passage gives direction for believers.  Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.   Matthew Henry writes:

"Gracious souls, though still desiring more of God, never desire more than God. The benefit of holy ordinances is sweet to a sanctified soul, and strengthening to the spiritual and Divine life. But full satisfaction is reserved for the future state. Their joys shall be constant. God not only works in them a gracious desire for these pleasures, but by his Spirit fills their souls with joy and peace in believing. He quickens whom he will; and whoever will, may come, and take from him of the waters of life freely. May we know, and love, and uprightly serve the Lord; then no proud enemy, on earth or from hell, shall separate us from his love. Faith calleth things that are not, as though they were. It carries us forward to the end of time; it shows us the Lord, on his throne of judgment; the empire of sin fallen to rise no more."

Woo hoo!  I definitely want to know, love and serve the Lord with everything I am.  As I live my life in this manner, I am blessed with joy and peace.  I also am blessed with the knowledge that my faith in this life on earth will enable me to spend eternity with the Lord.  That is some exciting knowledge to have!  It is also knowledge that I need to share every time the Lord gives me an opportunity to do so.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me, protecting me, and teaching me.  Father, as I start this day I pray for Your protection not only when we are in the car but throughout the day against anything that will be of harm against us.  I also pray for more joy and peace to flow from me for others to see.  Lord, thank You for My Refuge!  Amen.

Matthew 6:9-13 - Praying for the Lord's Will

The Lord woke me up in the middle of the night to talk to me about praying His Will.  When we pray for His Will we have to be ready to accept His Will whatever it may be.  That could include…

…losing a loved one
…going through a difficult time in your marriage
…a major health issue with a family member
…troubles in a close relationship
…change in circumstances such as new position at work or even a new job
…seeing a loved one go through trials in order to come to the end of their rope and accept the Lord

The list goes on and on.  But when you get right down to it we should always pray for His Will.  We should never manipulate circumstances that we have been praying about in order to get things accomplished the way we want them.  Matthew 6:9-13 gives us directly from the Lord how we should pray.

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

"Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven."  Plain and simple.  I think sometimes we forget this and go our own way.  We need to believe in the words of I John 5:14-15.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (NIV)

"…the confidence….if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."  When I think about having confidence, I think of boldness.  When we truly pray for His will, we need to speak with boldness.  My prayers do not include any going around the bush but rather are direct and concise.  I have confidence that He not only hears my prayers but He will answer my prayers.

His answer may not be what I thought it would be but I guarantee when I follow His answer I will be blessed as I walk in His Will.  Woo hoo!  That is so exciting!  I love the relationship I have with my Lord.  I love knowing He is always here for me.  That's the most important thing in my life.  Living in His Presence…communing with Him 24/7…no better place to be.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for these reminders of praying for Your Will.  I praise You Father for continuing to guide me in such a way that is so awesome for me to be a part of.  Father, for those who are praying for life changing decisions I pray they will be living in Your Will.  I pray they will listen and accept Your Will and not try to manipulate what You lay before them.  Father, I thank You once again for Your love, Your mercy and Your grace.  Thank You Jesus for being My Will.  Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - The One to Fulfill & Sustain Me

One of the most common issues I have with my MS is when my brain and mouth don't work together.   I know a lot of people have the same problem from time to time but when it's associated with MS it becomes more prominent when I'm overly tired or stressed.  Sometimes the things I say make some sort of sense while other times there is no correlation to the words that come out of my mouth.  There are also things that I always say wrong unless I stop and really concentrate on what I'm saying.  For instance, when Doc is going to mow the yard I always say he is going to run the sweeper.  Another thing is I always call the nursing home the funeral home.   My friends and family have quite a few laughs over what I say.  There are times when Doc just looks at me and after going through two or three words I finally find the right one and he shakes his head.  But through all of those times I am so grateful for not only a terrific husband who doesn't get mad at me for things I can't control but also for a Great God who helps me when I am called into the hospital to pray for people.  Sometimes the situations are very stressful.  Other times I am physically tired and struggling.  All the time the Lord is there with me.  The mile and a half between my house and the hospital is spent praying for Him to speak through me.  He hasn't failed me yet and I don't believe He will.

Today has been one of those days where the words came out wrong.  It's been a day of frustration in dealing on the phone and computer with different ones.  Part of that I think is because the weekend was tiring.  So what do I do about it?  I listen to my body and go rest.  I also pray to not be called in but if I do that the Lord will fill me with His Words.   Another thing I do is to remind myself of His promise to me…I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  (Philippians 4:13)

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for such an awesome day yesterday.  With it being the one year anniversary of my Daddy's death I wasn't quite sure how it would be.  But You blessed me in abundance and for that I'm grateful.  Thank You for the family and friends that were so instrumental in making the day what it was.  Thank You for a husband who supports me so greatly.  Thank You for my Momma having a good day.  Father, You are so awesome in all the ways You bless us.  Thank You Jesus for being The One To Fulfill and Sustain Me!  Amen.

Ephesians 2:14-18 - Roller Coaster of Emotions

Oh my goodness!  I feel like I've been on a roller coaster of emotions over the last few days.  Just as I don't like to ride real roller coasters I sure don't like the roller coaster I've been on.  But through it all I have been reminded the Lord is in control.  He is in control of not only the "good" stuff but also the "bad" stuff.  For this knowledge, I am sooooo grateful.

On this weekend when we are celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord, I am also celebrating His Peace that He gives me.  His Peace is only possible through His Death.  His Death broke down the dividing wall between my sin and His Perfection.  As I think about this, I get the Holy Spirit goosebumps.  Woo hoo!  The way I am able to have His Peace comes through walls of my own being broken down.  I first had to ask Him into my heart but even then I truly didn't have all of His Peace that was available to me.  It was only after I totally surrendered to Him that His Peace became so great in my life.  

I am reminded of the church sign saying:  "No God, No Peace; Know God, Know Peace."  It goes so much deeper than that.  You can know Him without having all of the peace that is available to you.  You have to life a life totally surrendered to Him in order to truly know His Peace.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.  
Ephesians 2:14-18

Oh my, did the emotions flow yesterday.  Not only through the "good" stuff but also during the "bad" stuff that happened.  Did that mean I didn't trust the Lord?  No.  It meant that I am a human being who God created to have emotions.  It's OK to cry. Tears are refreshing and healing.  But the tears didn't continue because I knew the Lord was in control.  

Dear Jesus,
I pray for more of You and less of me.  Father, I need an abundance of You today.  Please remind me of Your Strength that I have as I go throughout this day.  I praise You for the way You will direct my path.  Lord, I continue to pray for so many who also have been on an emotional roller coaster.  Most importantly I pray for them to know Your Peace.  Father, be so real to all of us today.  Thank You for being My Peace.  Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - Community Good Friday Walk Devotional

What I shared at our Community Good Friday Walk….

Twenty years ago I could not have...

• walked the walk we just did because I was not able to physically walk due to a MS diagnosis
• not only was I physically worn down but I was spiritually, mentally and emotionally worn

Over these twenty years I have learned...

• how to physically walk again through therapy
• how to lean upon the Lord’s strength to get me through not only the “good” days but also the “bad” days of living with a disease

The Lord gave me Philippians 4:13 twenty years ago and I’ve held onto it throughout the years.  He said, “Sheila you can do all things through me who gives you strength.”  He told me then that in order to physically walk again I would need to make sure my walk with Him was on track.  My physical therapy enabled me to go from the bed and wheelchair to using a walker to using a cane and finally on my own.  There have been times over these last twenty years where I have lost the capability to walk normally, talk normally, and even see normally.  But through it all the Lord continues to be My Strength.

A few years ago my walk with Him went a step closer as I started practicing living in His Presence.  Each and every day before my feet hit the floor I ask Him to guide my steps and to give me opportunity to be His servant.  I ask Him to fill me with more of Him and less of myself.  You might ask “Why?”  Because I want to continue to walk with Him in Glory when I leave this earth.  It is only because of what Our Heavenly Father did by sacrificing His Only Son that we are able to live today.  It is through His sacrifice that we can be His servants.  It is only through Jesus’ death and resurrection that we can walk with Him.  

I challenge each of you to take a closer walk with Him.  Draw closer to Him so that you can hear the desires of His heart for you.  

James 1:12 - "Blessings"

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

Yesterday was a day of blessing for my dear Momma.  She was given good news from the doctor that will allow her to only wear the hip brace for just bedtime and the wrist brace not at all. She has been through some tough days dealing with this bump in the road.  I am so thankful for her faith that enables her to continue on.  I woke up thinking about all she has been through over the years but especially in the last four years with caring for my Daddy for three years and then having him gone this last year.  Laura Story's song "Blessings" came to my lips.  I know she has and will continue to be blessed by the "…trials of this life…"  I also know she will continue to walk with the Lord no matter what comes her way.  His strength is her strength.  

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the achings of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for my Momma's faith in You that allows her to carry on without my Daddy.  Thank You for the example she gives to all of just what it means to be Your follower.  Father, I thank You for the good news yesterday for her at the doctor and for the way You are working everything out for the days ahead.  I praise You Father for not only the "Blessings" You have put into her life but for the "Blessings" You have put into my life.  It is through those "Blessings" that we draw closer to You.  Thank You Father for being My Blessing Maker.  Amen.