I am feeling very grateful this morning for all of the blessings the Lord has given me. He is so awesome in showering me with His favor time after time. I also am feeling very hopeful in many areas of my life right now. In the midst of the chaos of boxes everywhere He gives me peace. While the tears continue to fall from time to time He gives me hope through His promises. Yesterday was Jeremiah 29:11. Today His promise comes to me through Romans 8:28...
Yes! This is an awesome promise that I am holding close to my heart as I go throughout this day. The 'last-minute' jitters are kicking in as the time draws nearer for leaving. I am so tired of hearing "we are not going to have enough room in the moving truck"...urgh! We have sold tons of stuff, thrown away tons of stuff and I don't know what else to do. It is in God's hands. If there is something else we need to sell or trash, we need His direction. If there is something we need to do to ensure we can get all of our stuff to South Carolina, we need wisdom on that. This picture of me journaling in Israel proves He takes care of all of the details when we surrender to Him. He provided finances and energy for that trip. He will provide what is needed for this move. Those words can sometimes be easier said than done but I am believing and standing on them. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the promises of Your Word. Thank You for loving me so deeply. Thank You for the ways You provided for yesterday and the ways You will provide for today. Lord, direct my energies today to do as You desire. My physical body is so tired and I need Your strength to empower me to do what is necessary for this day. I pray for more of You. I need Your supernatural empowerment to overtake me. I praise You for the hope and peace You have given me and will continue to instill in me. Thank You Jesus for being My Foundation. Amen.
Why do I cry so much when I am at peace with doing God's will? I am blaming God for this one. He is the One who created me to be emotion! That is my story and I am sticking to it! LOL. Seriously though the weekend was hard to get through emotionally. So many 'last times' make me cry. I try to remember what Doc said about if I am crying I will miss something good. Easier said than done when you walk into a conversation with your two oldest grandchildren and their Papa discussing the move. Easier said than done when you start to say 'goodbye' to your baby and the memory of saying 'goodbye' when he was left at MVNU for the first time comes into your mind. Easier said than done when you are trying to stay strong and not cry while your Momma is falling apart as she leaves. Easier said than done. I go back to blaming God for all the tears because He created me but I also am joyous in knowing His promises...
God is not taking us to South Carolina not to fail or to be miserable. He has great plans to bless us. He will provide time with family as He sees we need it. My grand babies are so precious to me and it will definitely be different to be so far away from them. But it is not impossible to spend time with them. If we would have resisted His will, they would not have been blessed through us. It is only when one lives in His presence, listening to His voice and following His direction that they can be at peace in life. I am so grateful for His peace! Even in the midst of the breakdowns of crying, His peace is in me. Praise His Holy Name! Dear Jesus, Thank You for this day that is ahead! Thank You for the yesterdays gone by and the tomorrows yet to come! Father, You blessed me in abundance this weekend with Momma being here! Thank You for her and would You please wrap Your arms around her so she feels Your peace? Thank You for the time with Ben, Emily, Miss Evelyn, Mr Beckett, Miss Annabel and Miss Clementine! I pray continued blessings over them as they strive to walk in Your will. Thank You for those in our Willard Naz family who struggling with this transition. I pray for those who are ignoring me to realize this is Your will, not a choice we just decided on our own. Lord, fill me to overflowing so I can be more like You. Be my words and my actions to all I come in contact with today. Father, You are so awesome in all the ways You support me! Thank You for being My Creator. Amen.
The Lord woke me up with these song lyrics gong through my mind...
You are loved If your heart's in a thousand pieces If you're lost and you're far from reason Just look up, know you are loved Just look up, and know you are loved When it feels like somethings missing If it hurts but you can't find healing Just look up, know you are loved Just look up, know you are loved. ooh
Woo hoo! I am so thankful to Jesus for the reminder of His love! His love is what is getting me through all of the 'last times' of things. Yesterday was my 'last time' of going to get my Momma to bring her to Willard. It was also the 'last time' for shopping at Audrey's Attic. Last night was my 'last time' of meeting with the Willard Sunday School board. 'Last times' make me emotional and the Lord knows exactly what I need. He knows I was encouraged by the dear lady in Audrey's Attic who talked to me about Beaufort. He knows I was encouraged to find out of a couple Orrville people who live in Beaufort. He knows I was encouraged by the words of my Willard Naz family. He knows exactly what I need. I think that it why He gave me this song this morning. You dont have to prove yourself Don't try to be someone else
These words are exactly what I needed to hear. I am who God created me to be. Yes that means I am emotional but if I cry then I must need to cry. If I miss an opportunity He puts before me, I am sorry and He forgives me. In my school writing yesterday I came upon the definition for 'opportunity' and found this: “a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something” (oxforddictionary.com). Yes! When God puts an opportunity before us, we have the choice of either accepting it which will please Him or rejecting it. When we reject an opportunity from God, I can't even imagine how He feels. When we reject it because of fear of the unknown, I think it makes Him sad that we do not have faith that He will enable us to accomplish it. I don't have to prove myself but I do need to be in relationship with Him so I know when He puts opportunities before me. I like this statement in one of my lectures this week. “God is looking for strong leaders who do not fear postmodernism but see it as perhaps the most incredible opportunity ever given by the hand of God” (Redmond). I am praying as He gives me opportunities I will know of them and accomplish them. I also am praying for my Willard Naz family who are being faced with many 'opportunities' right now. I pray they are listening to the Lord and not just doing something because no one else will but instead will do ministry because the Lord directs them that direction. I also am praying for my Beaufort Naz family as they await our arrival. I pray they will love on us with God's love in a way that will enable us during the time of transition to hear from the Lord. I pray we will bask in His presence and listen to Him with clarity. I am fearful in the chaos of these days that I will miss an 'opportunity' from the Lord and I don't want to do that. The desire of my heart is to live out Romans 15:32 as we go to Beaufort...
Dear Jesus,
Thank You once again for Romans 15 where You have encouraged me so greatly through the words of Paul. Thank You for loving me so greatly! Lord, may I be in tune to You today so I do not miss any opportunity You put before me. Fill me with more of You so I will know Your will. I continue to pray for a healing in Doc's neck...give him what he needs to be relieved of his pain. Father, thank You for this time with my Momma being here. Thank You for the safety on the roads yesterday. Thank You for the boxes that were picked up and packed yesterday. Thank You more items sold. Lord, thank You for continuing to be so very real in each and every step of this journey. Thank You Lord for being My Greatest Encourager. Amen.
The Lord has settled me in Romans 15 this last few days. This morning he stopped me at verse seventeen. This verse is exactly how I feel about my relationship with Him. I am so blessed in knowing He directs every aspect of my life. He is the One I follow. He is the One I listen to. Plain and simple, He is the One. He brought to my mind the song "Forever Reign" this morning.... Oh, I’m running to Your arms, I’m running to Your arms The riches of Your love Will always be enough Nothing compares to Your embrace Light of the world forever reign Yes! He is who I run to! In this song it says He is good, He is hope, He is peace, He is life, He is more, He is Lord, He is God...Amen! He is everything to me! Oh how I pray for those who are not in relationship with Him to find Him. How I pray for those who know Him but are still holding onto 'things' that are not allowing them to totally surrender to Him. My heart breaks to see people struggle day-in and day-out all because they do not know His peace. Dear Jesus, Thank You for being the One I glorify! Thank You for being the One I am surrendered to. Thank You for yesterday! Thank You for today! Thank You for tomorrow! You are so awesome in the way You love on me! Father, I pray today You will fill me to overflowing with more of You. I pray for there to be no doubt in people's minds that You are in control of my life as they see and hear You through me. Lord, I pray for protection today as I travel. I pray for Your healing touch to be upon whatever is going on in Doc's neck. I pray for my ribs to quit hurting. Lord, we need Your healing touch upon our bodies. Father, please do not allow our physical issues take our focus off of You. Thank You Jesus for being My Forever Reign. Amen.
Once again the Lord took me to Romans 15 this morning. This time he stopped me at verse thirteen. I am so grateful for the way He encourages me. There is no doubt He knows what we need, sometimes even before we know we need it. He is my Hope! He does fill me with His joy! His peace is my peace! I pray every day that He will fill me to overflowing with more of Him! I also pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to be upon me! Woo hoo! Thank You Jesus! Today is a new day! I know what I 'think' will happen in this day but most importantly I am ready for whatever He desires to happen in my day. He is the One in control. As I live through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit I will be physically, mentally, emotionally and most of all spiritually capable of being Jesus to those I meet throughout this day. He also reminded me of the lyrics to "Move" that Mercy Me sings... I just might bend but I won't break As long as I can see your face
This is the key to getting through these days with everything going on. I must stay focused on Him. I am not in this alone. He is My Strength! When the enemy tries to make me fearful of things that lie ahead, I will stand on II Timothy 1:7. God did not give me a spirit that makes me afraid but He gave me a spirit of power, love and self-control. When I feel like I can't go on, I will stand on Deuteronomy 31:8. The Lord goes before me and with me; He will never leave me nor forsake me. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. When I hurt in my physical body, can't get my thoughts and brain to work together, and feel like I can't go on, I will stand upon the promise of Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Dear Jesus, Thank You for yesterday! Thank You for the completion of my class project! Thank You for Doc's church office getting packed up with the help of Sharon! Thank You for the way You gave strength throughout the day! Today is a new day and I pray for more of Your supernatural power to engulf my being! I pray for Your words to be my words to all I come in contact with today! I pray for Your attitude to me my attitude. Lord, when I start to get crabby please remind me that is not of You. I pray for a physical touch upon my body with the pain I am having. I pray for the reminder of these verses throughout this day when the enemy tries to make me fearful, lonely or discouragement. Father, I also pray for Doc to have a better day today physically. Lord, please let this stone pass so his pain will be over. I pray for his neck and shoulders to be loose today so there is no pain. Father, touch him as he prepares his sermon today. Most of all I pray for more of You for both of us. Thank You Jesus for being My Empowerment! Amen.
The Lord woke me up to these words this morning and I was immediately blessed in knowing I have 'been there, done that' and thankful to be beyond it! 'Cause all You've ever wanted, All You've ever wanted All You've ever wanted was my heart Freedom's arms are open, My chains have all been broken Relentless love has called me from the start All You wanted was my heart
Praise the Lord for His redemptive love! Praise Him for the way He never gives up on us! Praise Him for the way He uses people to wake us up! Praise the Lord for Paul's words in Romans 15! Praise the Lord for His word that encourages us! Praise the Lord for the hope we find in others! Romans 15 tells us that when we have His attitude, we can be an encouragement to others. This song reminded me of some who need encouraged right now due to circumstances in their lives. Some of the circumstances are ones they created while others are ones they had no choice in. No matter what, God has called me to encourage them. He has called me to have His attitude. The way for that to happen is to be surrendered to Him so I know His will. According to Matthew Henry, like-mindedness is a gift from the Lord. He writes, "Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion." Yes! The Lord has reminded me this morning of the task set before me. He also has reminded me on how to best complete that task. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the reminders of this morning! Thank You for loving me enough to use me to love on others! Thank You for entrusting me with this great task! Father, I am asking for more of You in me so people will see and hear You through me. I am praying for an abundance of Your love to ooze out of me. Lord, I don't know who all I will come in contact with today but I pray You will use me to be a blessing to all. Lord, I pray for those who are need encouraged to have someone go before them today and make a difference in their life. May they have someone be You to them today in a mighty way. Thank You Jesus for being My Redemption! Amen.
By the time I fell into bed last night I was drained physically, mentally and emotionally. I was being a crabby pants with having pain in my legs and being so tired. The day was too full with activity and emotions. I told Mordecei I would be sitting with him on the love seat for the day to work on school work but that did not happen. Instead the time sitting was limited to a few hours and then life took off. Since I will be driving the truck and trailer when we move I 'practiced' yesterday driving to run errands in Norwalk and Clyde. Praise God it went well but I sure need to do a lot of praying before starting the 750 mile trek. Selling the old truck was emotional. That sounds so stupid to say and I don't understand why it was emotional but it was. Visits from old friends throughout the day brought about emotions as we talked of great memories. Visits from new friends were sprinkled into the day too. As I climbed into bed, I checked my email and the tears fell as this song was sent to me by a dear friend.
Wow! This is just what I needed to end my day. What an encouragement these words are to me! I know He is with me through things like this that happen. I also know we are walking where He is leading. There is no doubt in that because of the way He continues to provide exactly what we need. I love the words, "...at the beginning and not the end..." Yes! It truly is the beginning of a new journey. The journey we have been on for the last fifteen years has been blessed by God. The new journey that has started is also being blessed by Him. Woo hoo!
It's a journey you must travel Where He leads you He'll help you to be strong He has taught you and now He's brought you To a place where He wants you to move on
CHORUS Here you stand at the beginning and not the end Here you stand and with our blessing we will send you And though it's hard we will extend to you a smile
We will cherish all these memories And we'll always hold a place for you inside The Lord has planned it, we understand it Still, we find it hard to say the word, "goodbye" I was reading in Romans 15 this morning and was struck by what Paul wrote in the last few verses. Paul's work had come to an end in that area and he was headed to Spain to visit there. He asked them to pray for him to be accepted as he traveled to spend time with them. The desire of his heart was to not be drained when he finally got to them. These words hit me in our present circumstances. I am so tired in pretty much every aspect of my being. The Lord provides strength each day which I am so grateful for but I do not want to get to South Carolina wiped out. If I do, the enemy will have an open door and I refuse to let that happen. I like the words of Matthew Henry about these verse... All our joy depends upon the will of God. Let us be earnest in prayer with and for each other, that for Christ's sake, and by the love of the Holy Spirit, great blessings may come upon the souls of Christians, and the labours of ministers.
Yes! I am going to pray for and ask others to pray specifically for blessings to be upon our efforts. These next couple of weeks while we are here in Willard I will pray for blessings to be upon those we minister to. As we begin our new journey, I will pray for blessings to be upon our new group God has called us to love on. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the old and the new. Thank You for Deb sharing this song with me just at the time I needed it the most. Thank You for the ways You provided for us yesterday...physically, mentally, emotionally, financially and most of all spiritually. Lord, You are so awesome! You are so great! You are so loving! Father, today is a new day. My body is exhausted. I pray for Your healing touch upon my legs and for rest today. Father, I also pray for Your direction as I complete my final school project for this class. Lord, most of all I pray for opportunities to be You to others today. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see and hear You through me. May Your love be what people feel through me. Thank You Jesus for being My Greatest Encourager! Amen.
The Lord took me back to Proverbs 16 today. I read it through in various versions but in The Living Bible He stopped me at verse fifteen. As I pondered on it, I thought of yesterday.
I was so tired and not sure how I was going to get my mouth to work with my brain to teach the teens in Sunday School. He favored me with Adavee needing them to get ready for the cook-out.
When I heard Brian practicing the special, I fell to pieces. He favored me with sitting and listening to "You Make Me Brave" as I prayed for strength for the day.
In giving my annual report orally I started to fall apart and cry. He favored me with the reminder of these words, "During my nine months of going deeper the Lord revealed to me that I am called to be a Shepherd. I did not understand that at first because I am not ‘the’ pastor. But I soon realized I am your pastor in a different sense of the word. I love you, I do life with you, I comfort you, I encourage you and yes, I shepherd you. The Lord is expanding my life to include a new group of people to love on but know you will forever be in my heart and in my prayers."
When Brian started singing "Friends" for us once again I started to cry but when our church family circled us and sang, I fell apart. He favored me with my husband being stronger and telling me I was going to miss a blessing.
I am normally one of the last ones to eat at a church function. My role as servant is to serve. It felt weird to be the first in line and not to clean-up afterwards. He favored me not only with those things but most importantly He favored me with seeing others being servants.
He favored me with having people come yesterday to be a part of our day. What a blessing to see Childers from Maryland, the Pittenger Ladies, Janice and the kids and Betty! He also favored me with having many of our church family with us yesterday.
Pastor James said yesterday was a day to celebrate and the tears should be saved for in two weeks on our final day at the Willard Church. I don't think he must have been looking my way because I sure struggled with crying yesterday. But the Lord reminded me this morning there is much to celebrate as I ponder over the last fifteen years. There is also much to celebrate as the Willard Church looks ahead to the future and as we look ahead to our future with our Beaufort Church. We have made many friends here in Willard and that is why the tears flow easily. It is hard to leave people we have done life with over the last fifteen years. Yesterday a couple who we did their wedding last year brought new life into this world. Those are the kind of things that develop friendships. In Doc's report he told the people to think of us as missionaries that they are sending out. We will always be a part of their family but just in a different part of the country. I like that idea!
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday! Thank You for today! Thank You for tomorrow! You are so awesome in the way You encourage me. Father, these are tough days for many as we prepare to leave. I pray You will bless them in abundance with Your peace. I also pray for more of You in me so I can have Your strength through these days. I was so hoping to sleep in today and when that didn't happen I started to get crabby. I am so tired. Lord, I don't want to be crabby. I don't want to cry. I want to bask in Your presence and be You to all I come in contact with today. Would You please fill me to overflowing so that will happen? Would You bless me in abundance with more of You oozing out of me? Thank You Jesus for continuing to be My Strength. Amen.
I had this conversation with the Lord before going to bed last night... Me: Lord, I am so tired...I can't continue...I am at the end of my rope (yep, I was lamenting/whining/crying...whatever it is called!) Lord: Daughter, you are correct. You cannot continue on in your own strength but you can continue on in My strength. Me: I know, Lord. But I am so physically, mentally and emotionally drained. I can't continue doing what I'm doing. Lord: Where is your faith, Daughter? You know I am your strength. Grasp that knowledge and move forward. I have given you your marching orders and will enable you to complete them. Me: Thank you for the encouragement! I was woke up at 4:23 through a text from a friend...."The Lord has awakened me tonight to pray for fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit and His fire upon you." Wow! That was awesome to receive! It cemented the whole aspect that the Lord continues to be the One in control of my life. How exciting to know He woke someone hundreds of miles away to pray for Doc and I! That also was cool to think about because when I am 750 miles away from 'home' my prayers will still go up for family and friends. I will no longer be able to pray when Life Flight goes over the house here in Willard but I can still pray for my friends at the hospital as the Lord brings them to my mind. Tenth Avenue North sings a song "Worn" that comes to my mind this morning...
This is how I feel....
I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing
Even before the day begins
Yeah, I’m worn
This is what I am doing....
I know I need to lift my eyes up
But I'm too weak
Life just won’t let up
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left
This is what the Lord will do...
Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the words of encouragement this morning! Thank You for the text at 4:23! Thank You for the way You will provide physical, mental and emotional strength throughout this day. I do not want to just get through this day but I want to enjoy this day. The desire of my heart is for people to see and hear You through me. Fill me to overflowing with more of You, Father. Love on me in abundance so I can love on others. Thank You for being My Greatest Encourager! Amen.
Today has been an emotional yet blessed day. Watching items be sold that I have had for many years was hard yet the Lord gave me peace through reminding me of these verses throughout the day...
These things are just that...things. They are not even a fraction of important as my relationship with the Lord. It does not matter how much 'stuff' I have if I don't have the Lord in control of my life. I am so grateful for the way He continues to open doors for this move. If He weren't opening doors, I would probably tend to doubt what we are doing like the people who have voiced their opinion in the matter. Thankfully He has reminded me He is the Only One I need to listen to. He encourages me when the tears start to fall. He strengthens me when I feel like I cannot go any further. He loves me when I feel like my tank is empty. If I had a dollar for every time I said, "I can do this!" in these last few weeks I would be a rich lady. I know whatever lies ahead is nothing compared to the power of the Lord. Nothing surprises Him. He will provide the finances for even the unplanned things that come up because He already knows about them...nothing is a surprise to Him. Dear Jesus, Thank You for all the ways You encourage me! Thank You for my friends who stopped by today to say 'goodbye' to us. Lord, You are just so awesome in the way You continue to uplift me! Thank You! Father, I am mentally wore out yet You gave me what I needed to make final revisions on my research paper and get it posted. I am physically wore out and am grateful for the money You provided for supper to be delivered. I am emotionally wore out and feel like I have no more tears to cry yet You encourage me with Scripture. Father, I pray for a supernatural dose of You to be in me. I pray for people to see and hear You through me. I pray for more of You! Thank You Jesus for being My Treasure! Amen.
The Lord woke me up singing these words from "Diamonds" sung by Hawk Nelson... He's making diamonds, diamonds Making diamonds out of dust He is refining in his timing He's making diamonds out of us Immediately I started praying for different people going through tough times...
the man having surgery this morning who doesn't have a personal relationship with the Lord
the woman who is feeling betrayed
the children who are being pulled from their home to be moved in Mommy and her boyfriend
the man who is struggling with the thought of his teen daughter moving in with her mother
the parents who are dealing with rebellion with their teen
the family whose love one is on life support in order to have organs harvested for transplant
the wife who continues to harbor bitterness against her ex-husband for his betrayal
the pastor who is feeling restless in his ministry
There are so many hurting people in my little world. My heart breaks for them but especially breaks for those who do not have a personal relationship with the Lord. They have no hope without Him. Their anger and bitterness grows deep seeds. When that happens, the enemy has a blast going deeper and deeper into their being. Actually, the enemy really enjoys when a believer allows anger and bitterness to take root. He sees that as an open door into them. We all have a choice to make. We can take the tough times and grow closer to the Lord or we can give the enemy an open door. God gave us the freedom for free choice for a reason. His desire is for us to grow closer to Him through trials instead of giving into the enemy.
He took me back to Proverbs 16 and had me ponder on verse twenty. This verse cemented in my mind the idea that when we trust God through difficult times He will be our strength. He will guide our decisions. One of the most important things to remember is to be Jesus throughout the difficult times. Instead of allowing the enemy an open door by lashing out in anger we need to lash out in Jesus' love. That is easier said than done but is possible when we surrender to His will. We need to remember to have faith for the impossible not just the possible!
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the privilege to pray for these ones today. Thank You for loving us so greatly that You bring people to our minds to pray for. Thank You for yesterday for the day of prayer for my NCO family. Lord, bless all of the prayers that went up for NCO yesterday. Heal hurts in those who are hurting...love on ones that need loved on in a mighty way...open ears and hearts so when You speak people will hear. Father, today is a new day ahead. I pray for an abundance of You to ooze out of me. I'm not sure where You will take me today or to whom I will touch but I pray whoever sees or hears me will know You are in me. Fill me to overflowing with more of You. Father, I pray an enriching in Doc's being today. I pray for better blood work results for his physical body. I pray for refinement in his thoughts as he completes the sermon You have placed on his heart. I pray for energy in his body and spirit. Lord, bless him in abundance as he ministers this morning at the hospital. Give him boldness in his words. Thank You Jesus for being The One We Trust. Amen.
The Lord woke me up this morning with the words to Mandisa's "Stronger" going through my head... This is gonna make you stronger Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger Believe me, this is gonna make you Stronger
I sure don't feel very strong right now. In fact, I feel like I am falling apart. Actually, I am falling apart emotionally. But then the rest of the song came to my mind and I was blessed in knowing it will be alright because it is His will that we are going through all of this.
'Cause if He started this work in your life He will be faithful to complete it If only you believe it He knows how much it hurts And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this
When the waves are taking you under Hold on just a little bit longer He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger The pain ain't gonna last forever In time it's gonna get better Believe me This is gonna make you stronger
I don't understand how the 'pain' of saying goodbye will get better but I have to trust Him that He will enable me to get through these tough days. He created me with the emotions I have so it is no surprise that I hurt to the point of tears. He loves me and would never do anything to hurt me. He is not moving us to hurt us but rather to grow us. He is not moving us to make us fearful but rather to enable us to depend upon Him in a whole new way. He is not moving us because He doesn't love us but rather because He loves us so deeply. He is not moving us to cause problems in the Willard Church but rather to enable them to grow to a whole new level. "This is gonna make you stronger" is for all involved in our situation...us, our family, our friends, the Willard Church, our District and the Beaufort Church.
This morning He drew me to Proverbs 16. There is so much richness in this chapter but He took my focus onto verse two. Wow, God! You are so good! We were content where we were but You saw we were needed somewhere else. We were comfortable in doing what we have been doing for the last fifteen years but You saw we needed a challenge. We were happy living near family but You saw we needed to depend more upon You. We were blessed with our financial situation but You saw we needed to be stretched so our faith and trust in You would go deeper.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the way You encourage me so greatly! Thank You for Your love that encompasses me so much! Father, You are so awesome! You are so great! I want to be more like You. Would You please fill me to overflowing with Yourself today so people will see and hear You through me? Would You give me Your boldness in my love? I pray for those who are hurting emotionally over our move including myself. Would You fill us with Your peace? Would You enable us to feel Your loving arms wrapped around us when the tears start to fall? Father when I am emotional it drains my physical tank. Of course, You already know that but I just need an infilling of You in every aspect of my being for today and the days ahead. As I work on school work today I pray for clearness in my thinking. Enable me to rest in Your strength today. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Probe Me. Amen.
The Lord woke me with these words this morning to a song that Natalie Grant sings.... There's nothing too dirty that You can't make worthy You wash me in mercy I am clean. There's nothing too dirty that You can't make worthy You wash me in mercy I am clean.
Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice Your blood flowed red and made me white My dirty rags are purified I am clean
Wow! What a blessing for this reminder! His love, mercy and grace are the only thing that can cleanse us. If it were not for Jesus dying on the cross, our cleansing could not happen. I love the words "My dirty rags are purified..." Yes! He purifies us! He cleanses us! He makes us whole! Woo hoo! I was so thankful yesterday for the words from Dr. Berke when I thanked him for all he has done for me over the last twenty-two years. "Thank you for all you have done for me!" I am not sure of what those words meant but I do know many times he has told me my faith is what gets me through tough times with MS. He has watched me come through some pretty tough times leaning on the Lord's strength. I believe that is where his statement came from. There's richness in his statement as he is a Jew. I pray my life will continue to effect his life as he reflects back on our time together. I am so grateful for the way the Lord uses me for His purposes. Dear Jesus, Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace that enables me to be a tool for You to use as You desire. Thank You for all that Dr. Berke has done for me over these years. I pray You will go before me and direct me to my new neurologist. I also pray for my blood count to increase so there would not be anything that would have to be done. But if Your will is to have it that way to reveal something, so be it. Lord I am tired in my physical and emotional body and the day ahead is full. Would You give me an added dose of You to accomplish what You desire of me? Would You fill me to overflowing with You so I do not get crabby in my tiredness? Would You crank up my joy so I can live this day in a good attitude? I guess I am asking a lot but I know nothing is impossible with You! Thank You for being The One To Clean Me! Amen.
My first thought this morning was "I can't do this" and the Lord quickly reminded me "Yes you can, on My strength not Your own." Alrighty then...today is a day even a 'normal' person would cringe at but with being physically, mentally and emotionally drained I am nowhere close to 'normal'! I am grateful for my friend who prayed over me last night and for my new friends who called us. The Lord knows what we need and He provides. I am grateful for Doc's sermon yesterday for Pentecost. It was exciting to have 25+ people seeking sanctification. It was also exciting when I heard the story of what happened in the men's Sunday school class. It was definitely a sign from the Holy Spirit for the container of forks to crash right at the moment Doc was telling them in order for even a saved person to be at peace they must surrender to the Lord and be sanctified. The Spirit was so real in the service yesterday. As Doc said, that is one of the reasons it is hard to leave. It is as though the Holy Spirit got ahold of people which in turn made a milestone in the church and now we are called to leave. The bold faith Doc preached about yesterday is where we are living. But I never want to stop where we are. I want to go even deeper. I pray for my Willard church family to continue what the Holy Spirit has started. I pray for my Beaufort church family to be hungry for more. I feel like I am living on a teeter-toter. I am praying and loving on people in both churches. I look to the past and reflect upon all the ways we did life with our Willard family and am blessed. I look to the future and dream of ways we will do life with our Beaufort family and am blessed. But in the midst of reflection and dreaming I have to do life in the moment and that is where it is hard. School, last meetings to wrap-up ministries, packing, time to meet with friends for 'one more time,' garage sale, last doctor appointments here....the list goes on and on yet I struggle with energy, crying and thinking. Someone told me the other day "this too shall pass"....praise God for that reminder! When we get moved, I may 'die' for a few days just to get caught back up. I am so grateful for the healing in my body that enables me to do what I am doing. God is so good! I am also grateful for the way the Lord continues to open doors which confirm this step of faith. As fears start to creep into my mind, I am reminded of a quote by Bernadette Devlin....
The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you. To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.
I praise His Holy Name for this truth. I also praise His Holy Name for a godly husband who listens to God and leads me down the same path. In his sermon yesterday Doc said something about how when you look into someone's eyes, you know their heart. He continued that when we focus on Jesus we will know what. He desires of us. That is so true. The deeper my walk goes with Him, the more I hear from Him and know His will. Last night my friend shared how her co-worker made mention that she is crying out to the Lord more throughout the day. This co-worker is not a believer but I pray she will see Jesus in my friend and one day soon realize she needs him in her life.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday...for today...and for tomorrow! Thank You for Your strength You provide in abundance! Thank You for friends who listen when You send them to encourage me! Thank You for giving me a hunger and thirst for more of You! Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for blessing me so greatly! Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that is at work in many lives in the Willard Church. Father, today is a day full of traveling many miles and seeing many people. Would You please fill me with more of You so people see and hear You through me? Would You give me an abundance of Your love that will ooze out of me for people? Give me boldness in all I do. Thank You Jesus for being My More! Amen.
"You are loved..." Praise the Lord for the depth of these words! I love when He gives me a song in the mornings to set the day off on the right foot. The day ahead is another crazy one. It amazes me how many things can be in the same day. These words are ones I am holding onto today... We're not made to be superheroes, Photoshopped, all size zeroes We're a light not expected But not quite perfected yet. Look up see the sun is shining There's hope on a new horizon Calling you, calling... Yes! I am not a superhero but I do have His strength to enable me to do what He desires. Nothing more, nothing less. His desires are my desires. I will stay focused on that and He will provide exactly what I need for these days. Once again He reminded me of Proverbs 31:25...
It was so cool yesterday how He favored us in so many ways. The house appraisal, the business at the title office, the quickness of getting Doc's medicine, selling furniture...over and over He showed us His favor. One of the biggest joys of my day was us laughing together! I did not get one box packed yesterday but I had fun in the midst of our chaos with being with my husband and laughing. I am so grateful we were able to laugh at the craziness instead of yelling or fighting. Woo hoo! That was definitely God's favor being shown on us. Dear Jesus, Thank You for yesterday and for the day ahead. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace that enables us to walk in the doors You continue to open for us. Lord, You are so awesome in the way You brought laughter into our day yesterday. I pray for more of the same today. Father, as we minister in different ways today I pray You will ooze out of us. Fill us to overflowing with more of You so people will see and hear You through us. Thank You Jesus for being My Filler. Amen.
Yesterday was one of those days when you finally get to the end of it and look back you wonder how you survived. It is then you see how Jesus was with you throughout all of the craziness. The words to "Breathe" were the first thing I thought of this morning. As I was singing them I realized two or three times when I got in the truck yesterday this song came on the radio. That was definitely a God thing. When I asked at Wal-Mart if they had any individual donuts, the clerk explained the baker called off so another baker was still working on them. Then she proceeded to ask what kind I was interested in. I said it didn't matter I just wanted one and to surprise me. My surprise was when she brought me my favorite kind from there! Yep, I thanked God for even that little thing He orchestrated. Praying with Kelly after my massage was God's way of encouraging me. Coming across one of my favorite pictures of my Daddy when I was packing was a God thing. Praying with a newly widowed lady in the parking lot of Sav-a-Lot was a God thing. Hearing my Momma testify to witnessing to a young Jewish man was a God thing. When there was an emergency at the vet and Mordecei wasn't taken to surgery until after 2, I figured he would end up spending the night but he came home. Praise God for another blessing! The day had been so chaotic that Doc was unable to go with me. I was concerned with getting him up into the truck but he jumped right in. Yep, that was a God thing. When I went to pay the surgery bill, it was fifty cents less than the estimate. That was a God thing...He blessed us by answering our financial prayers. Having the roll-top desk get sold and picked up before I even advertised it was a God thing that was another answer to financial prayers. After I picked Mordecei up from surgery I had to stop three times because of his bloody drool. The one time I was blessed by God pointing my eyes into the direction of these flowers/weeds/whatever they are. It was amazing how there were thistles growing in the middle of them. Who knows, maybe the flowers themselves are weeds but God made them beautiful no matter what they are. After seeing them as I continued driving there were tons of them in the fields I had not paid attention to before. God said, "Look at what I do with something people see as unimportant. I make beauty. Do not let anyone go before you who feels unimportant. Your task is to make people feel important and beautiful." Wow, God sure was busy yesterday in my life yesterday! I go back to the chorus of "Breathe" and laugh a little...
Breathe, just breathe Come and rest at My feet And be, just be Chaos calls but all you really need Is to just breathe Once again I am reminded of Proverbs 31:25. He is My Strength in the chaos we are living in right now. He showed me yesterday just how much that statement means. He loves me. He is not going to allow me to fall but instead is encouraging me to continue on with the path He has set before me. He already knows the finances. He already knows the timing. He already knows every little aspect of the days ahead. Woo hoo! That gives me freedom to not worry but instead to be at peace in the chaos. Praise His Holy Name!
Dear Jesus, Thank You seems so inadequate for all the ways You blessed me yesterday! Lord, thank You for being so very real. I also want to thank You for closing my mouth at times when frustration was so great as Doc and I were working through printer issues. I praise You for him and ask for an added blessing of peace and strength to be over him as we continue through this chaos. I won't ask for the chaos to be taken away because as I saw yesterday the chaos is where my biggest blessings are found. I do pray for strength to continue in my physical, mental and emotional beings. As I started to panic yesterday over the garage sale next week it was if I could feel Your arms around me telling me to allow You to have control over the sale. It is Yours. You know every little thing that needs to be in the sale, how much is needed to come from the sale and when I am to get prepared for the sale. It is Yours and for that I am truly thankful. Father, bless my day today with You going before me. Be my words and attitude. May people see You shine through me in a glorious way today. Woo hoo! I am so excited for this day! Thank You Jesus for being My Biggest Encourager! Amen.
There are so many hurting people in this world. The Lord woke me up singing Casting Crowns "Just Be Held" and the tears began flowing and I prayed for...
the grandmother concerned over the home life of her granddaughter
the fathers who lost his wife's and are faced with raising their children on their own
the wife who is dealing with her husband having side effects to prescriptions
the mommy that is dealing with her son's cancer coming out of remission
the family who need closure to the death of a loved one without having a body
the man in excruciating pain with a broken back
the man awaiting cervical surgery
the one dealing day-in and day-out with the effects of cancer in her life
the women dealing with pain in various areas of their bodies from falls
the man who feels like a failure in his job
the men dealing with health issues related to diabetes
several I know who are graduating to make decisions based on what the Lord desires of them
the one who is struggling to make the 'right decision' as far as their career goes
the mom who has made some recent decisions based upon what the world wants
the woman who is allowing bitterness to eat her away and it is effecting her children
Oh how I pray they will know the Lord is near. I pray they will realize people are praying for them. I pray there will be someone in their life to be Jesus to them. These lyrics say it all...
If your eyes are on the storm you'll wonder if I love you still But if your eyes are on the cross you'll know I always have and I always will
And not a tear is wasted In time, you'll understand I'm painting beauty with the ashes Your life is in My hands
So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held Just be held
Yes! When we focus on Him through tough times, His presence is made known clearly to us. May these ones I am praying for know Him intimately so they can have His peace. I think of the Scripture the Lord most recently gave me...
No matter what lies ahead in our life when we are surrendered to Him life will be a lot easier to handle. We will not be living in our own strength but rather in His strength. That is where we find perfect peace!
Dear Jesus,
I pray You will bless my prayers today by drawing closer to those I prayed for. Lord, speak to them through people they will listen to. Some know You, some are in relationship with You and others have never accepted You into their hearts. Father, become so real to all of these ones. I also pray for You to use me today to encourage those I come in contact with. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see/hear You through me. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Hold Me. Amen.
