Various Verses in John - "I Am"

“I am” sayings - ...Jesus speaks with authority and dignity as God...

1. “I am the bread of life” (6:35)
2. “I am the light of the world (8:12)
3. “I am the gate for the sheep (10:7)
4. “I am the good shepherd (10:11)
5. “I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25)
6. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (14:6)
7. “I am the true vine” (15:1)

When I think of the saying I am, I think of Crowder's song "I Am"…

I am
Holding on to You
I am
Holding on to You
In the middle of the storm
I am holding on 
I am 

I am so grateful that Jesus is my I Am.  I am grateful for the love and mercy He shows to be each and every day.  I am also grateful for the way He puts people in my life who encourage me, prayer for me and support me in so many different ways.  Most of all I am grateful He is my Good Shepherd who leads me.  Right now as I deal with what I call "junk" He is giving me the prayer support of friends.  I'm at a point where I don't know how to pray except for to prayer for His will and peace upon me as I seek answers.  I had a friend tell me this morning that "waiting is the hardest part" and boy is that ever true.  I want answers now…LOL.  "I" is the important word in this sentence.  Evidently the Lord has other plans…He has a lesson to be learned…or a plan on how to work out this "junk"…whatever, it is in His hands.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for all of the ways You show Your love, grace and mercy to me.  I pray for more of You and less of me so that I can react to things as this "junk" in a better way.  Lord, I pray for the family I was with last night.  Father, give them an added dose of Your strength today.  I praise You for the birth yesterday and the surgery on the newborn that went well.  I praise You for the continued improvement in the 2 yr old I've been praying for.  Lord, there are so many physical bodies that need healed but most importantly I am praying for a healing in the spiritual bodies that need You so greatly.  Thank You Jesus for being My I Am.  Amen.

Galatians 6:1-10 - "Before The Morning"

What a night of dreaming.  Every time I woke up from the dream I would pray for the person I was dreaming about.  They are a person who I don't have much contact with but I know they aren't living with the Lord.  They know Him. They just refuse to live for Him.  They have gone through some pretty tough stuff in the last year yet continue to hold onto being the king of their life.  

It's really weird because yesterday someone posted something on Facebook and immediately Josh Wilson's song "Before The Morning" came to me to share with them.  I didn't think about that song anymore the rest of the day but then this morning I woke up singing it.

The Lord took me to the first ten verses of Galatians 6….

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Oh my…I don't see a way that I can personally bring this person I dreamed about into relationship with the Lord but I can take him before the Lord in prayer.  Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  He is deceiving himself in thinking he doesn't need the Lord.  My heart breaks for his family who are strong believers.  They see his actions and are hurt deeply. But we can't give up him or any others who are lost in their spiritual life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  It may seem like we are not getting anywhere with people who need to come into relationship with the Lord.  But we need to believe and not give up. 

Come on you've gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the dark before the morning
Before the morning

It seems weird that the Lord gave me this song with this situation because the song seems to be more of a song for someone going through tough times.  But then as I think about it I am to Carry each other's burdens… so I am here to pray for this one to find "…the morning…" before their time on this earth is gone. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me!  Thank You for using me as Your servant!  Father, more of You and less of me is the only way I can serve You in the way You desire.  Lord, I do pray for this one who was in my dreams all night long.  Father, I know You put some pretty tough stuff before them and they didn't budge toward You.  I don't understand why they didn't see You in the midst of the pain of deaths.  I don't understand why they don't turn to You when their life isn't going on a very smooth path.  Yet I know You have put them on my heart for a reason.  Lord, would You put someone before them that will say or do something to draw them to You?  They have so much potential to touch so many others who don't believe in You.  Father, I pray for them to soon be able to say,  "It's just the dark before the morning…"  Thank You Jesus for being My Morning!  Amen.

Psalm 29 - "Beautiful Day"

Getting up at 6AM and having to get my body to function isn't much fun.  But I was so blessed by the Lord giving me Jamie Grace's song "Beautiful Day" in my heart.  It may not be what I consider beautiful weather-wise BUT it is a beautiful day in the Lord.

Cause I can't let a day go
Can't let a day go by
Without thanking you for the joy that you bring to my life

I praise His Holy Name for the way He gives me joy and peace even through "junk" of this life.  I praise Him for loving me and blessing me.  I pray for more believers to find joy and peace that only He can supply.

I've got no need to worry, I've got no room for doubt
No matter what's coming at meYou'll always be the beautiful I sing about 

Psalm 29

1 Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
    Sirion] like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
    with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
    the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
    and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
    the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Hearing the voice of the Lord is critical for one to have His peace and joy.  Sometimes it's easy to hear while other times He gives us a waiting time to hear His answer.  Verse eleven is the key to this waiting time.  The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.  When we allow His strength to enable us to wait on His answer, we will truly have His peace.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your joy and peace.  Thank You for enabling me to hear Your voice.  Lord, I pray for more believers to have the capability to hear You.  Thank You for the strength You will give my spiritual and physical body today.  Lord, more of You and less of me is the desire of my heart.  Thank You for giving me more of You so that I may be a more effective servant.  I praise You for being my Beautiful!  Amen.

John 16:33; Rev. 3:10-12; Various - "Overcomer"

In studying Revelation I came across some neat tidbits of information.  John 16:33 is the root verse to overcoming and the promises the Lord has for us. Jesus was an Overcomer and He is the example for us to follow.  He didn't give up when the going got tough but instead continued in fulfilling His Father's will.  When the going gets tough for us, we need to seek the Lord and do His will.  

I did some digging into what an "overcomer" is in the Christian life.  I like the words of Charles Ryrie:

"An overcomer is not someone who has some special power in the Christian life or someone who has learned some secret of victory.  John himself defined an overcomer as a belier in Christ.  Furthermore, while the failure to overcome may be an indication of false profession, the fact a believer does not overcome the struggles of life, does not automatically prove they are not true Christians."

The promises the Lord gives us in His word encourage us, kindle our love for Him and give us the desire to be obedient to His will.  When we follow Him with a surrendered life, we will receive special blessings for our faithful service and our lives of faith.  We will receive His peace.

I have talked to many people who question me on how I can be peaceful when living with a disease, having health issues with family members, going through deaths, etc.  My answer is simple…His peace.  He has blessed me with His peace because I live a life for Him 24/7.  He is my Foundation (I Corinthians 3).  His Spirit lives in and through me.  I have my eye on the bigger prize…

10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.  Rev. 3:10-12

These verses are full of His promises to all believers who live a life for him.  The promise of eternal life is priceless!  Woo hoo!  He wants to enable each of us to be an overcomer.  I love the words to Mandisa's song "Overcomer"….

Everybody's been down
Hit the bottom, hit the ground
Oh, you're not alone
Just take a breath, don't forget
Hang on to His promises
He wants You to know...
You're an overcomer
Yes, there are times when we feel like we can't go through another thing.  But His book is full of promises that tell us we aren't alone.  He never leaves us.  I found this list of scripture that I thought was useful in times when we feel like He has left us.  He never leaves us…it is us who leave Him.

Here are 10 Scriptural references to the promise that God will never forsake or abandon you and me!

1  Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; "He will never leave you nor forsake you."

2  Deuteronomy 31:8, The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

3  Joshua 1:5, No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."

4  1Kings 8:57, "May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may He never leave us nor forsake us."

5 1Chronicles 28:20, David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."

6  Psalms 37:28, For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. "They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;"

7  Psalms 94:14 "For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance."

8  Isaiah 41:17  "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them."

9  Isaiah 42:16  "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."

10  Hebrews 13:5  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all the promises You not only give through Your word but You also give to me in my life.  I am so blessed to be living a surrendered life with You.  The blessing of peace You gave me when I surrendered is by far the most precious gift I have ever received.  Lord, I pray for more of You in my life so I may share You in a greater way with others.  I pray for more believers to come into a totally surrendered life with You.  I personally know that is the only way to have true peace.  Lord, thank You for taking me down the path of being an "Overcomer" in this life on earth so I can spend life with You in eternity.  Thank You Jesus for being my Promise Maker.  Amen.

Daniel 12:4 - "More of You"

Yesterday was such a day of blessing despite the fact that it didn’t go as I planned.  LOL!  Love that...”I planned!”  The Lord had other plans.  My plans were to go to Orrville to celebrate my Momma’s birthday but then the snow hit.  So instead the day was spent on school and church stuff.  But that wasn’t the ‘important’ stuff I accomplished!  The Lord blessed me with...

• Praying over the phone with an old friend who has a family member in critical condition.
• Praying over the phone with a friend who was going through some physical issues and then late last night going to the ER with them.
• Sending words of encouragement and prayers to a friend with her Daddy with a severe medical condition.
• Sending words of encouragement and prayers to a friend with a tough situation with family members.
• Sending words of encouragement and prayers to a friend going through severe marital issues.
• Encouraged many people with my writing about the Lord waking me up to “He Knows My Name.”

As I reflect back on yesterday, I am feeling very blessed.  I was blessed with being able to stay in my jammies all day in the warmth of my home instead of having to go out in the cold. When I did get a call from a friend to go to the ER, at least I wasn't snuggled in my warm bed yet!  As I was ending my day, I was blessed with these words by Lisa TerKeurst...

Here's an encouraging word for someone tonight - don’t think you’re not doing what God called you to do just because things don’t seem as glamorous as you thought they would be.  If you are a woman who honors God right where you are, you are in ministry. Keep being obedient, keep looking for the next open door of opportunity, and above all else hold closely to our Lord.

Amen!  I pray I do honor God with all that I do whether it be in my home or out in the world.  I told a friend today we are so blessed with today’s technology.  It wasn’t all that many years ago that when we needed someone to pray with us it would be days for a letter to get to someone for them to know it.  Or we would have to pay for a long distance phone call to share a prayer request.  Not today.  Now all we have to do is post it on Facebook or send an email/text and people are immediately praying.  

Doc has been preaching about end times and has referenced Daniel 12:4 many times.  But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end.  Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.  Oh my, has knowledge increased with the internet!  I truly believe we are getting closer to the end of time as we know it.  I am sooooo ready to be out of pain...I am soooo ready to be in His presence 24/7...I am soooo ready to sit at the feet of Jesus in a way that I can’t even begin to imagine...woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

This morning I am praying/singing “More of You” by Colton Dixon.  I pray these words...

More of You ...Less of me
Make me who I'm meant to be
You're all I want all I need 
You're everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my king...God I choose 
More of You...Less of me

Thank You Jesus for the opportunities You will give me today to be You to others.  Lead my steps...guide my words... Thank You for being My King.  Amen.

John 10:3 -"He Knows My Name"

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.  John 10:3

Woo hoo!  I love when the Lord wakes me up with a song!  Today's was "He Knows My Name" that Francesca Battistelli sings.  I love these words…

I'm not meant to just stay quiet
I'm meant to be a lion
I'll roar beyond a song
With every moment that I've got
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

These words encourage me to continue doing what I'm doing.  They encourage me to do as the Lord directs me.  "You saw my heart…And made…Something out of nothing."  When the Lord accepted me back to relationship with Him, He blessed me in abundance.  Once again when He called me to be a Medical Chaplain I was so blessed.  I keep thinking about yesterday's sermon.  When Doc asked how many people took the spiritual gifts test and was surprised by the results, I chuckled.  I definitely wasn't expecting the results I received.  It's funny because I had taken it before a few different times over the years and always received the same results.  It's been awhile since I took it and the results truly show the way the Lord is leading me.  What a blessing to be serving the Lord!  

"He Knows My Name" is a song that makes me feel loved and accepted.  I love these words…

I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh…

Living a life for the Lord is rewarding but more importantly it's a life of contentment.  Living in His presence where I hear His voice is one that is also rewarding.  Knowing He loves me and is directly every moment in my days is the best way to live.  I am praying for more believers to find this life.  I pray believers will go beyond salvation to the point of being sold out to Him.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for this song this morning that encourages me so greatly.  Thank You for reminding me of Your love.  Lord, You are so awesome.  Father, more of You and less of me is my plea.  I know as You become greater in me I will be able to be more effective for You.  I love that not only do I hear Your voice but You also hear mine.  Father, I pray for people who are living their life just coasting along with being happy with their salvation to dig in deeper and be fully sanctified for You.  Lord, speak to them so they can hear.  I also pray for those who aren't in relationship with You.  I pray someone will say or do something so they may find You.  Lord, continue to use me as the willing servant I am.  Thank You for being My Gatekeeper.  Amen.

I Peter 4:1-11 - "You Are God Alone"

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.  7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.    I Peter 4:1-11

I woke up this morning to the song "You Are God Alone" and felt so blessed.  This morning was one of those days where it would have been so much easier to stay in instead of trying to get my body to function.  I went back to bed after my shower and seriously thought about just staying there.  Then the Lord brought these words to my mind...

And right now, in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne and you are God alone

Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That's what You are

Then Doc asked if I was OK but I didn't respond because I didn't want to be a whiner.  As I lay there, I thought do I push myself or do I give in?  Do I get up and put a smile on my face and pretend like everything is just fine?  Immediately this thought came to my mind and I do believe it was the Lord pushing me to get up and get moving.  It was, "I am Claude McHenry's daughter…so many times he kept moving when he didn't feel like it so I need to get up."  Once again the words to this song went through my mind…

And right now, in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne and you are God alone

I went to church…I didn't put a forced smile on my face but at least I was "nice"…LOL.  Sunday school was a bit interesting because I kept losing my place as we read the scripture but we made it through.  During praise and worship I was struggling and began to cry but then the Lord reminded of words from the song He gave me this morning…

You're the only God who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God that's just the way it is

I couldn't praise Him the way I normally do nor the way He deserves but He was OK with things just the way they were.  I am so grateful for an understanding Father.  

I was so blessed with some words Doc gave in his sermon.  He was preaching about how the Lord gives us gifts that we need to make sure and unwrap.  I know when he shared I Peter 4:11 he was talking about how we need to depend upon the Lord's strength as we use our gifts but because of the morning I was having I thought about how the Lord strengthens me through the days that seem so tough. Doc said, "Plug into His power…plug into His strength."  He shared ways we can plug into His power and strength are through being in His word, praying and living for the Lord.  Wow…was I glad I made the effort to go to church.  Had I not, I would have missed these words.  I Peter 4:11b reads, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  Praise the Lord for these words this morning that encouraged my heart!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for all of the ways You encouraged me today.  The song, the reminder of my Daddy, the words in Doc's sermon and the hug from Betty.  Lord, You are so awesome.  Thank You, thank You, thank You!  Praise Your Holy Name!!!!  Lord, today has been full of prayer requests for physical issues for many different people.  Please touch them in whatever Your will is for them.  I pray for…

• The two year old who has went through another surgery today...Lord, Your strength in his little body is needed...I also pray for his family as they go through this trial.
• The elderly woman who fell out of bed….Lord, touch her…be with her family.
• My Great Uncle who was taken to the hospital with pneumonia…Father, he has lived a long life and I pray for Your mercy…be with his family.
• The man who is starting with forty days of treatments to try to save his foot…Father, touch not only his physical body but also his spiritual body…give strength to his family.
• The family who lost a loved one today…draw close to them, Father.
• The retired pastor who fell and broke his neck…Lord, give wisdom to the doctors about surgery…give him clarity in his thoughts as he deals with Alzheimer's along with this injury…put people there for his family to help them through this tough time.

Lord, thank You for the one healed this morning as Doc prayed and anointed her.  Father, thank You for being my strength through this day.  Lord, I know You know the big plan for me and I praise You for using me as Your servant.  Father, more of You and less of me is the only way I can fill the desires of Your heart.  Thank You for being My Strength.  Amen.

Proverbs 31; Job 29 - Virtuous Woman

I saw this picture and wondered what Job 29 says so I looked it up.  A Job 29 man is one who has a spirit of wisdom and is tender.  Matthew Henry writes:

“All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honoring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride.”

I went to avirtuouswoman.org and found this list of ten virtues of a Proverbs 31 woman:

When I strive to live the life of a virtuous woman, I will be the type of woman my husband needs for his wife.  But in reading and thinking about being a virtuous woman I get overwhelmed.  I was grateful to see this picture…

...now that I do each and every day!  As I go back over the ten virtues of a Proverbs 31 woman I see that...

1. I serve God with all of my being having faith that His will is what I follow.
2. I serve my husband by loving him and being his helpmate.
3. I raised my boys to love the Lord and pray for them, their ladies and their children.
4. I strive to take care of not only my spiritual body but also my physical body.
5. I have a servant heart for all that I meet.
6. I am blessed with being in a marriage where the Lord is in control of our finances and blesses our efforts.
7. I am willing to do whatever tasks the Lord puts before me.
8. I strive for people to feel comfortable in our home.
9. I start my day asking the Lord to fill me with more of Him and less of me so that I won’t miss any opportunity He puts before me.
10. I am blessed by the worth the Lord has put into my heart.  It is through that worth that my inner beauty shows for the Lord.

Dear Jesus,

I praise You for bringing these scripture to me this morning.  I praise You for my husband who loves me and takes care of me.  I praise You for my marriage being built upon You.  I praise You for having a husband who seeks Your will.  Lord, more of You and less of me is the only way I can strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman.  I am so grateful for this reminder this morning that a Proverbs 31 woman is not one that is perfect  but one that lives to serve out Your purpose in her life.  Woo hoo!  That gives such freedom!  Thank You Jesus for being My Will.  Amen.