Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Strong Enough"

The last three mornings I have woke up to singing Matthew West's "Strong Enough" and then have heard it multiple times on KLOVE.  I am so grateful for the knowledge the Lord has given me that I don't have to be strong, no matter what I'm going through.  His strength is all I need.  I'm so thankful for the point where I gave up doing what I wanted to do or thought I needed to do and surrendered to Him total control of my life.  Woo hoo!  Such freedom in this life.  Such freedom in brokenness.  

I pray for more believers to come to the point of being broken.  My prayers are for more people to have the freedom I have found.  Freedom to live the life He so desires of each of us.  Freedom to know whatever I do is in His will.  

Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  The key to these verses is the word "all."  

n. noun

1. The whole of one's fortune, resources, or energy; everything one has.
   The brave defenders gave their all.

pron.

1. The entire or total number, amount, or quantity; totality.
   All of us are sick. All that I have is yours.
2. Everyone; everything.
   justice for all.

Not part of your heart or part of your ways but all of your heart and all of your ways.  Only then will we be in His will.  When we give Him our all His will is our will.  I can't imagine living in these days without being in total surrender to the Lord.  My life would be so much harder if I were still trying to do everything on my own strength and in my own way.  I am so grateful for His strength and His will.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for directing all of my paths.  Thank You for giving me the knowledge of how to live a surrendered life.  Father, You are so awesome in the ways You show Your love to me by entrusting me with opportunities to be You to others.  Thank You Jesus for being My All.  Amen.

Romans 8:18-30 - "Best Days"

I woke up early this morning with Lincoln Brewster's "Best Days" going through my head.  The chorus is exactly how I feel…

Oh I receive
Everything that You're doing in me
And I believe
That the rest of my life
Will be the best of my life
I know You're coming back for me
Yes I know You're coming back for me
I'm living for eternity
And I know that the rest of my life
Will be the best days of my life

This song seals the things I live for.  I am determined to live for the Lord in a way that I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I will live in eternity with Him.  I also am determined to live for Him in a way where I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, He will be blessed as I live my life for Him.  "And I know my hope and my future are found in You" are definite words I believe.

Many in the world would look at my life and wonder how I could agree that these are "the best days of my life".  I have a debilitating disease.  We aren't rich as far as money goes.  There are struggles within relationships within my family.  My calendar nor my checkbook belong to me.  

Things that matter to the world don't matter to me.  Plain and simple.  The Lord knows my MS.  Whenever it is time to kick in I will have His strength to fight it.  Money isn't everything and a lot of times just causes more headaches for people.  Relationships will heal when people surrender to the Lord and listen to His guidance.  The Lord is the only one we should please.  Not people.  When He asks something of us, we should be ready with our time and our money.

Romans 8:18-30...

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

No matter what I go through on this earth my faithfulness to the Lord is what matters.  He will bless me through the suffering that I endure.  His strength is always there for me.  Verse twenty-six means so much to me.   In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  I definitely don't always know what is best but I know the Holy Spirit will guide and direct me in the right way.  Verse twenty-eight is a promise I hold onto each and every day.  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  I praise His Holy Name for this promise!


Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this song this morning.  I praise Your Holy Name for loving me enough to die on the cross for me.  I thank You, Father, for blessing me in abundance as I go throughout my days.  Lord, I do believe these are the "Best Days" of my life because I know I am living in Your Presence.  Father, continue to enable me to do Your Will.  I pray for a renewing in my spirit when it wavers.  I pray for more of You and less of me to show through.  I pray for all areas of my life to be totally committed to you.  Not only my MS, calendar and checkbook but also relationships within my family.  Lord, thank You for calling me into a life of total surrender to You.  Thank You Jesus for being My Controller.  Amen.

Mark 10:45; Philippians 1:4 & 2:5 - "I Give You My Heart"

3:47 AM….eyes open and I hear from the Lord…

LORD:  PRAY!

ME:  For who or what?

LORD:  PRAY! 

ME:  OK but wouldn't it make more sense if You gave me some details?

LORD:  PRAY! 

So I prayed.  I started praying for specific people who I know are going through some tough stuff physically.  Then my prayers led into people going through some tough stuff in relationships, specifically as they deal with loved ones who are addicted.  I still don't know who the Lord wanted me to pray for but I know I was obedient in that I prayed.  

After praying I began to wonder about the purpose of the middle of the night prayer times.  I mean, as a human being, I think it would make more sense if He told me who or what to pray for.  Maybe it's not about specific people or instances at all.  Maybe it's to see if I will be obedient in the middle of the night.  Maybe some day He will reveal it to me and maybe not.  I know one thing for sure is that I will be obedient to Him.  I know nothing the Lord does should take me by surprise but I am always amazed when I wake up refreshed even after having my sleep interrupted.  

I love the song "I Give You My Heart" because it's exactly how I feel about my relationship with the Lord.  It came to my heart this morning and when I got to the part "Every breath that I take, every moment I'm awake; Lord, have Your way in me" I had to chuckle.  He has His way with me not just when "I'm awake.." but also when He wakes me up.  

The desire of my heart is to have obedience like Abraham.  I want God to know He can ask me to do anything and I will be willing to do it.  Abraham knew God wouldn't ask him to do anything that wasn't needed.  When God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, he was a willing servant.  God didn't have any intention of killing Isaac.  All He wanted to see was if Abraham was obedient.  Is that what He is doing when He wakes me up at night to pray and doesn't give me specifics?  Is He just wanting to see if I am a willing servant?  

In order to be a willing servant, I first must make sure self has died.  I must have a servant heart who is willing to serve instead of being served.  In Mark 10:45 Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Paul goes on to tell us in Philippians 1:4, Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but the interests of others as well.  In order to be a willing servant, we must look to others before ourselves.  Jesus was the perfect example for us to follow.  Philippians 2:5 reads You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.  I must have the right attitude in order to be His servant.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for giving me the example to follow of what a servant heart is all about.  Thank You for giving me opportunities to be obedient to You.  Father, I pray for many opportunities to come before me today.  Lord, enable me to have Your words flow from my mouth.  Empower my attitude to be as Yours.  Father, "Lord, have Your way in me.." is what I have on my heart.  Thank You Father for being The One I Obey.  Amen.

Jeremiah 15:19; II Corinthians 10:13-16 - Influence

You are to influence them; do not let them influence you!  Jeremiah 15:19 NLT

…the area of influence God assigned to us is to reach you…But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you.  II Corinthians 10:13-16 ESV

As I was listening to Doc's message this morning, I wondered how I was doing in the area of stewardship of influence.  Am I making a difference in this world?  Is the influence I leave with people good or bad?  How am I in the seven streams of influence in my little world?

1. The Church
2. Government
3. Art & Entertainment
4. Education
5. Business
6. Media
7. Family

A couple other questions that came to my mind were, "Am I being the salt in this world?  Am I enhancing my area of the world?"  I loved the word picture Doc gave when he asked, "If you were a light, what kind of light would you be?"  Would I be considered one that is dim or one that is bright?  Do I allow circumstances or people to dim my light?  I sure hope not.

In order to be doing what the Lord calls us to do, we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  Obedience must be foremost on our minds.  If it isn't, we will miss out on so many blessings.  I was thinking about how when the Holy Spirit prompts me to do something and I don't do it I am always disappointed afterwards.  There have been times where He prompted and I hesitated but those times are few and far between.  I've realized the importance of obedience.  

It seems funny….no that's not the right word.  I shouldn't be surprised about how the Lord blessed me today after hearing this sermon.  As I was pondering about my influence on others someone shared with me about how they asked a person who is dealing with cancer if anyone had ever asked them about accepting the Lord.  Their reply was, "Yes, Sheila has."  Woo hoo!  When you pray with someone in the hospital, you pray they are sincere but in the back of your mind you wonder.  There is no wondering with this lady.  She allowed me to pray with her…she accepted the Lord…she knows where she will spend eternity.  What a blessing!

Dear Jesus, 

Thank You for the words You gave Doc this morning to share with us.  Thank You for the reminders of just how important it is to be a good influence.  Thank You also for the reminder of the one who accepted You.  Thank You Lord for guiding my steps and my words to do Your Will.  I praise You, Father, for being My Influence!  Amen.

Matthew 25:21; Revelation 3:16 - Holiness

Sanctification…total surrender…living a life of holiness…these words had been so heavy on my heart these last couple of weeks.  It seems like there is such an urgency in them.  I do believe our time on this earth is drawing nearer.  That's exciting for those who know and live for the Lord but it's sad for those who don't.  Which is worse?  Not being a believer or being a believer who hasn't totally surrendered to the Lord?  I'm glad I don't have to worry about that question.  I'm blessed in knowing I will hear the Lord say to me, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'  (Matthew 25:21)

This morning I am praying for so many people who are believers yet are living one foot in the world and one foot with the Lord.  I'm not being judgmental.  Things can be observed that make it be known.  The craziness instead of peace that comes along with total surrender is so very real in their lives.  The unhappiness that flows from them instead of joy is another key of just how miserable they really are.  But in order to have His joy and His peace they first must totally surrender and that is something many don't want to do.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for burning holiness into my mind and heart.  Lord, I'm praying for those who are living half in the world and half for You.  I pray their eyes will be opened before it's too late for them to live with You in eternity.  I think of the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:16.  (So, because you are lukewarm---neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.)  I pray people will stop being lukewarm in their relationship with You and realize eternity is worth so much more than their checkbook…their calendar…anything of this world.  Father, thank You for being My Holiness.  Amen.

Philippians 4:12-13 - Total Surrender=A Life of Contentment

I woke up this morning early and started praying for a couple people that are so unhappy with where life has them right now.  Actually, as I was praying the Lord reminded me they have been unhappy for many years.  When I look at their circumstances, I see them financially taken care of but the old saying that "money can't buy happiness" shows through in them.  

One definition of happiness is:

Full Definition of HAPPINESS

1

obsolete :  good fortune :  prosperity

2

a :  a state of well-being and contentment :  joy

b :  a pleasurable or satisfying experience

The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:12, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  The secret Paul found to contentment is found in the following verse.   I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  

In order to live with the Lord's strength we first have to be in relationship with Him.  In order to be in relationship with Him, we have to accept Him.  But it goes deeper than just accepting Him if we want to have contentment.  It takes dying to self and allowing Him full control of our lives.  As I was praying for these two people I was reminded they've taken the first step by accepting Him but they haven't taken the surrender step with their relationship with Him.

In the worldly realm, complete surrender to the Lord doesn't look like much fun.  Complete surrender to Him means allowing Him our checkbook (ouch!), our calendar (double ouch!), our time to do as He wants of us and not necessarily what we desire to do (triple ouch!).  But I can testify that total surrender means peace.  It means contentment.  It means satisfaction in knowing no matter what I do, I am in His Will.

I asked the Lord what I can do to make a difference in these two people's lives.  His reply, "Pray."  That's easy to do but I sure do wish I could do more.  DUH!  Do more?!?!?  Prayer is the greatest and most effective thing I can do.  

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for contentment!  Lord, even when life gets tough I know Your strength is here for me and I praise You for that knowledge!  I pray for contentment for more believers.  I pray for more unbelievers to come into relationship with You.  Lord, direct my steps.  Direct my words.  Direct everything that happens in this day.  I praise You for loving me enough to take care of me in a way that is incomprehensible to the world.  Thank You Jesus for being My Contentment!  Amen.

Galatians 2:20 - Dying to Self

"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)

Self....if we don't die out to it daily we will be miserable and everyone around us will be too.  The Apostle Paul tells us that in order to live a holy life we must die to self.  I'm thankful for sanctification and for being in a church that preaches/teaches it.

But how do we handle living with others who don't practice it?  The answer should be easy...we allow  The Lord to work on them.  It's just like when we see someone who isn't saved.  We can't save them.  Only The Lord can.  But we do need to pray for them and plant seeds with them whenever possible.

As I deal with a difficult person, I am reminded of something I remember telling my boys when they were growing up.  You don't have to like people that are ugly but you do have to love them with Jesus' love.  I'm also reminded of the saying, "Hurting people, hurt people."  When ugliness shows through in a person, it's because they are hurting themselves.  It still doesn't make sense how people can blatantly hurt those who they supposably love but once again I am not suppose to understand everything.  If The Lord chooses for me to understand, He will give me the understanding.

Dear Jesus,
As I begin another day, I pray for more of You and less of me to come through.  I pray for Your understanding to flow through me.  I ask for Your words to be on my lips and Your attitude to be in my heart.  Lord, I want to be sanctified through and through in a mighty way.  The desire of my heart is for people to see You in and through me.  Lord, bless me in abundance today with physical strength, mental strength, emotional strength and most importantly spiritual strength.  I am emptying myself and asking You to fill me to overflowing.  Thank You Jesus for being My Sanctifier!  Amen

Galatians 5:1 - "King of Glory"

4:30 AM….eyes popped open and the Lord says, "Pray for Tyler."  So I started praying for this young man who I am not even sure if I've met him before but I know his family.  He is finishing up the Teen Challenge Program and needs prayer for where to go from here.  The last I heard he didn't want to return to his hometown, which is probably the best decision he could ever make.  I've seen so many people come back to Willard after going through a rehab only to fall right back into the addiction they were battling.

This morning I prayed for…

…mental, emotional and physical strength for him but most importantly for spiritual strength
…a continual leaning upon the Lord for His wisdom
…his family as they continue to support him

I then started singing Third Day's song "King of Glory"… I pray Tyler will know the Lord is his "King of Glory" and will be there for him to get through the tough days ahead.  I also pray for others I know who are battling addiction.  So many people…so many addictions…so much of the enemy having control over lives.  We all have struggles and the enemy knows our weaknesses.  We need to adhere to Galatians 5:1 and look to the Lord for freedom.  

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Addiction is a form of slavery that can only be broken through total surrender to the Lord.  His strength is the only thing to get us through tough stuff.  I've never been addicted to drugs or alcohol so I don't know exactly how people feel but I have dealt with other addictions.  I know the only way to overcome them is to totally surrender to the Lord.

Dear Jesus,
I pray for Tyler to have Your Strength and Your Wisdom in the days ahead.  Lord, bless him mightily.  Father, I pray for his family to draw closer to you as they support him.  Thank You Jesus for this opportunity to pray for this one I don't even know.  I praise You for being The One I Am Surrendered To.  Amen.

Matthew 16:21-28 - "Lord, I Need You"

Yesterday's corporate praise and worship was so awesome.  People were worshipping the Lord by singing, raising their hands, crying, shouting, saying "Amen"…so many different ways.  It was strange in the fact we weren't in our normal mode of music with Adavee gone.  As I was thinking about it last night I wondered if it was that we, as human beings, need a change now and then.  Of course, we would probably never admit to liking change.  LOL  

I loved all the songs chosen but really love singing "Lord, I Need You" by Matt Maher.  I love the reminder that this song gives me…

…I find rest when I bow before Him
…He is the One to guide me
…I need Him at all times
…His grace is there for me
…I have freedom in a life of total surrender

I praise His Holy Name for these reminders.   I also praise His Holy Name for loving me in such a way that I have peace.  "Lord, I Need You" are the words upon my lips today.  I need to draw closer to the Lord in order to know where my feet will take me today.  I need more of Him in order to have His words flow from my lips.  I need to live in total surrender each and every day so that I can live in His Presence.  Woo hoo!  That's where I want to be…in His Presence.  No matter where He leads, I will follow.  No matter what He asks of me, I will do. 

In order to see Jesus when I leave this earth, I must follow Him.  Not only must I follow Him but I must be willing to step out of my comfort zone to be Him to others.  When He was talking about His own death in Matthew 16:21-28, He told His disciples that if they truly wanted to follow Him they first must get rid of self.  We must die daily to self in order to be a Christ follower.  Unfortunately, there are so many believers who don't have the desire to do this.  Many want to go to church on Sunday morning and be done.  Or they want to pick and choose what they want to do of what the Lord asks of them.  I'm sad for them.  They are missing so much freedom when they don't live a totally surrendered life for Him.  I don't have to worry about what will happen in the days ahead or what the Lord will ask of me because I have freedom in knowing He is in control.  I don't have to wonder if I will see Jesus when I leave this earth because I know I live a surrendered life.

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. 28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for corporate worship yesterday.  Thank You for the reminders of Your great love that I saw yesterday.  Father, today is a new day.  I desire it to be a day filled with You.  I want more of You and less of self to show through me today.  Father, I am standing on the chorus to this song today.  "Lord, I need You, oh I need You; Every hour I need you; My one defense, my righteousness; Oh God, how I need You."  Thank You Jesus for being The One In Control of My Day.  Amen.

Philippians 4:13; II Timothy 1:7 - "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)"

I am so blessed by the way the Lord goes before me, knowing what I will need in the days ahead...

The vacation in March when it wasn't our normal vacationing time.  
The picture from Paul, Lizzy and Bella for Christmas that hangs right outside our bedroom door.  Each time I walk past it I am reminded "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  (Philippians 4:13)  
The texts from people out of the blue telling me they are praying for me just at the time that I need encouraged.  
The encouragement cards that come in the mail when life is tough.  

I am so blessed in my relationship with the Lord.  I can't even imagine how people get through life without Him.  The peace that He gives is beyond measure.  When life becomes overwhelming, He is there as My Rock.

This morning I am singing Chris Tomlin's "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)" and knowing the lyrics are exactly how I feel.  What a blessing to know "The God of angel armies is always by my side."  The chorus goes:

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

When I believe and stand on these words, I am knocking the enemy down from placing fear in my life.  When I say II Timothy 1:7 "God did not give me a spirit that makes me afraid but instead gave me a spirit of power, love and self-control", I knock the enemy down.  He doesn't like when we claim the words of the Lord.  

Verse 1:

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear?

Verse 2:

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield
Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear?

I have nothing to fear because I believe the Lord is all I need.  He is there at all times for me and His strength is perfect.  Sometimes I need an added dose of physical strength. Sometimes it's that I need more emotional or mental strength.  There are times my spiritual tank needs a fill-up.  He is there to fill me no matter what aspect of my life needs filled up.  Woo hoo!  I am not in this alone.  Praise His Holy Name!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for these reminders this morning.  Thank You for bringing this song to my heart today.  Father, I refuse to allow fear to creep into my being.  If I even allow one itsy-little bit come in, the enemy will get a foothold.  I praise You, Father, for giving me the insight to know this.  I praise You for giving me exactly what I need each and every moment of my day.  Thank You Jesus for being My "God of Angel Armies"…Amen.

My Victory - "Alive In Us"

Yesterday was one of those mornings where I truly didn't think I could go.  It took all I had to just get one foot in front of the other.  Had it not been a Sunday it would have been a couch/bed morning.  So much to do…no physical, mental or emotional strength to do anything.  I knew I needed to pray yet I didn't even know where to begin in my prayers.  So what is a girl to do in such a circumstance?  Well, of course, ask others to pray.  I sent a text to a sister in Christ asking for prayer.  Within minutes I had a text from another sister in Christ telling me she was praying for Doc and I.  I thought, "Wow, God.  You are so faithful to me."

I will admit I was glad for the morning to be over.  Not only would all of the craziness of people being sick and not being at church to do their ministry, computers not working, sound equipment acting up and the list could go on and on but I would be able to go home and crash on the couch.  We were blessed with friends for lunch and then as they were leaving some family came to visit.  Throughout the afternoon I was at peace and I know it was because of the prayers of people who believe in the power of prayer.

The Lord's Word tells us in Galatians 6:2, Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  I am so grateful for all of my brothers and sisters who are praying for us not only during this time of transition in our home but for our ministry.  I am blessed to know that people are praying for us in a way that we are protected from things we don't even know about.  Prayer warriors are doing the work of the Lord as they pray.  There are so many hurting people in my little world…so many prayers I send up for people to be saved before they spend eternity in hell. 

The Lord Himself said in Luke 11:28, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”  We, as Christians, are blessed with having His Word to read….to soak in…to follow.  The Bible isn't just a book to be read one day a week or whenever we feel the need.  It comes to life as we read it.  We can learn something from it each and every time we pick it up.

I had the opportunity to sing with our praise team yesterday and was blessed by the words of the song "Alive In Us."  "The enemy is under Your feet; We are free; We are free…"  Woo hoo!  YES!  We have freedom through the Lord.  We have the power to stomp the enemy down when he comes knocking at our door.  We a blessed people because of the love of God.  The chorus says it all…

You rose from death to victory
You reign in life
Oh majesty
Your name be high and lifted up
Jesus, Jesus alive in us
Jesus, Jesus alive in us

It is only through the love of Jesus that we are here today.  When He died on the cross, our sins were forgiven.  When He rose from the grave, it gave us victory.  When He lives in and through us, we are empowered to have victory over the enemy and also empowered to hear His voice.  Not only can we hear His voice but we can listen to what He says when we are in tune with Him.  It all goes back to living for Him 24/7.  We can't make any decisions unless they are of Him if we want to live in His Presence.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for reminding me yesterday of the support I have from my Christian sisters and brothers.  Thank You for giving me what I needed to not only get through the day yesterday but to enjoy it.  Father, I want to be blessed as in Luke 11:28.  I want to adhere to Galatians 6:2 in a way that people will know when I say I am praying for them, I truly am.  Lord, I don't' know what You have planned for me today but I sure do hope it is full of blessings and opportunities to be You to others.  Thank You for being My Victory!  Amen.

I John 4:7-21; Romans 8:28 - "Your Love Never Fails"

The Lord woke me up both yesterday and today singing "Your Love Never Fails" and I am so blessed as I reminded that "Nothing can separate" me from the love of My Heavenly Father.  His mercy is there when I make mistakes.  I was reminded last night in group that I need to die to self daily just as Paul did.  Self cannot get in the way of my relationship with the Lord.  I have to be focused on Him in order to be in full relationship with Him.

I John 4:7-21 reads…

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

I love verse seventeen…This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment:  In this world we are like Jesus.  When i stop and think about completeness in my own life, I know it came through my total surrender to the Lord.  When I began to love on Him in such a way that I gave up self, completeness happened.  When I gave up my to-do list and my agenda and allowed Him to guide my steps, I became more aware of His love for me.  His love didn't change but I did.  His love had always been there for me, I just had never fully grasped it.  

No matter what I go through...no matter where I am on this earth...no matter who is with me…His love is a constant in my life.  I am blessed in the knowledge of Romans 8:28.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for reminding me of Your love for me.  I praise You, Father, that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that "Your Love Never Fails."  I praise You, for always being with me.  I praise You, for loving me enough to give me mercy and grace when needed.  I praise You for being The One Who Loves Me Unconditionally!  Amen.

Colossians 3:23-24 - The Only One

I am reading the book "It Had to Be You" and came upon this…

"These past few days, I’ve been singing ‘Amazing Grace’ over and over again, realizing for the first time in years just how much I need that grace he’s been singing about. Never realized how much till the past few days.” “Oh?” D.J. stepped back and gave me a curious look. “Yes. I need God’s grace, but I need to grace myself sometimes too. I think I’ve been too hard on myself. Been running in performance mode to prove my worth— to myself and others. But this week I had a reality check. God wants me to stop and smell the roses. To enjoy the people in my world and to remember how much more important they are than the projects. To thank him every day for my health and to take better care of myself.”

Thompson, Janice (2010-05-01). It Had to Be You (Weddings by Bella Book #3): A Novel (p. 314). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

So many times we get caught up in trying to please others to the point where we may crash not only physically but also spiritually.  I remember when we first came to Willard I was trying to do everything everyone wanted of me.  It worked for a while but with traveling back and forth to Orrville five days a week it didn't work for long.  The Lord gave me Colossians 3:23-24.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

It was one of the hardest things for me to learn but I finally put it into practice that the Lord is the Only One I need to please.  He is the Only One that will determine my eternity.  Therefore, He is the Only One that I need to answer to.  I still need to be accountable to certain people but I make sure He is the One who directs my steps.  I no longer make a to-do list each and every day because I allow Him to lead me in what needs done.

As life has recently went through some changes, I've had to back away from some things.  It has only been after praying about things that I know what I need to say "no" to and what I need to continue doing.  I have such a peace in my decisions.  I know that peace comes through my listening to the Lord.  

I looked up the definition of the word grace and found many but am blessed by these…

a :  unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

b :  a virtue coming from God

c :  a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

I am so thankful for grace from the Lord.  But I am also thankful for the way He has directed my path to be able to understand the importance of allowing Him total control of my life including teaching me to not be too hard on myself.  I am human and I will make mistakes.  But mistakes are not what mold me.  People are not what mold me.  Only the Lord is the One to mold me.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the knowledge You have opened my eyes to.  Thank You for loving me enough to put me into this relationship with You.  Father, I pray You will open more eyes to this way of living.  I pray for more believers to seek You in a deeper way.  I pray You will become who You need to be in people's lives.  I also pray people will get off of the roller coaster of life that seems to go on and on and allow You to take them into Your Presence.  Thank You Jesus for being My Only One!  Amen.

Psalm 46:10 - My Sacred Source

What a privilege I had this morning as I took part in the Blessing of Hands for Nurses at Mercy.  I was blessed as I blessed.  This is a picture of the table in the front of the room with the beautiful, fragrant lilacs along with the oil and the bell.  

I loved how the senses were brought out during this time…

Sight…seeing this beautiful presentation
Hearing…having the bell rung three times at the opening
Touch…having the oil put on their hands
Smell…the scent of the oil and of the lilacs

The prayers before the actual blessing were instrumental in getting all to praise the Lord as our Sacred Source.  I loved how Sister Diane worked the core values of Mercy into the prayers.  Compassion…Excellence…Human Dignity…Justice…Sacredness of Life…Service.  

As I blessed the nurses, I was moved as one began to have tears flow.  I paused so I didn't cry myself.  It was during that time the Lord spoke to me and gave me some different words to  bless her with.  I thought afterward just how much we can hear His Voice when we pause and listen.  

In between the times of blessing I did some visits.  As I was praying with one, I paused and the Lord spoke to me.  He told me to pray for the lost in this one's family so I did.  My first thought was that it wasn't a typical thing to pray for one in the hospital but I try to always listen to the Lord.  When my prayer was complete, I looked into his eyes and there were tears.  He said, "I pray every day for unsaved family members.  Thank you."  Woo hoo!  Thank You Jesus for not only speaking to me but making sure I was obedient to Your Holy Spirit.  

Another one I prayed with is anxious that her cancer has returned.  I prayed Psalm 46:10 over her…Be still and know that I am God.  She seemed to be more peaceful after my time with her.  I am so grateful she knows the Lord's strength to lean upon.  As I was later talking with Sister Diane she shared with me that this scripture was in her morning prayer time.  She also shared with me how at a retreat they broke it up each day.  I want to not only do more study on this particular verse but also want to do the same with other verses.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am…
Be still and know...
Be still…
Be…

Dear Jesus,
As I think about You being My Sacred Source, I get a word picture of something being plugged into a source of power.  You most definitely fill me when I am plugged into You.  It is only through Your empowerment that I am doing what I do today.  Thank You for blessing me as I blessed others.  Thank You for giving me new insight to a way of studying Your Word.  Father, You are so awesome in the ways You shower us with Your love!  Thank You Jesus for being My Sacred Source!  Amen.