The Lord is so good with encouraging me. Yesterday's theme with the puppets of not being afraid was a reminder I needed. I know He already knows the outcome of this surgery but it is hard to not be fearful. Hugs from Mr. Jimmy and Eli were icing on the cake at the end of service. The picture and scrapbook for the last Sunday of Pastor Appreciation brought tears. Our church family has been so appreciative throughout this month but more importantly they have been appreciative ever since we moved in. Last night talking with a lady who visited the church yesterday for the first time encouraged me. Another encouraging time was my Momma saying she was feeling a little better. Spending a little time with my neighbor Grammy was also an encouragement as I shared prayer requests with her. She is an inspiration! At ninety-three she no longer drives so is in the house most days. She doesn't waste her much time but instead prays as she knits or crochets. To end the day with Doc's cousin posting on Facebook about me was another encouragement. He encourages me to keep going when I feel like I need to stop. My earthly Daddy was so good at doing that and now that he is no longer on this earth My Heavenly Father is doing it. I am so grateful for His encouragement! As I read I John 3 this morning verses eleven through twenty-four are about love and hatred. I do not understand how anyone could hate another person. One of the things I taught my boys when they were growing up was, 'You don't have to like them but you do have to love them with Jesus' love.' He loved us enough to die for us! That is a pretty deep love. He loves me enough to encourage me when He knows I need it. I need to love in the same way. I try to practice encouraging people but I know I miss some opportunities. It is amazing how days are flying. Some days I feel like it is time to go to bed right after I got up. I don't know where the days go. But then as I look back on them and see where He has lead me I am blessed. It is kind of like I need to do that from time to time since I no longer have a 'to do' list to mark things off and then have the sense of satisfaction of my progress. Once again, the Lord encourages me. These verses encourage me to give whatever I have in His love when I see one in need. Due to change of finances that is not always possible in the financial sense but I am learning to be creative. Last night having a neighbor over who was having a tough day with her little one while Daddy worked was a way I could encourage. She needed a break from being the only one with little guy. While Doc played with him she helped me with making treats. I was so grateful to be able to be here for her even if only in a small way. I was also grateful hearing Mr. Gavin say 'I love you' when they went home. Digging in my 'gift' tote and finding the perfect thing to give to someone to encourage them encourages me in a mighty way. My spirit is uplifted when I find something that I bought years ago that is perfect for someone today. Once again, I am forever grateful for His encouragement. As I go throughout this day I will remember verses twenty-three and twenty-four of this chapter. Most of all I will be encouraged throughout this day as He shows Himself through me.
Dear Jesus, Thank You for all the ways You encouraged me yesterday and for all the ways You will encourage me today! Lord, You know how I always try to get things accomplished that have gone by the wayside on my off week from school. You also know with surgery that won't happen this week. But then You also know what I am to do about the class that starts next week. I don't have quite enough to cover it and unsure of what to do. I have to make the decision today. I am asking for a sign from You on whether I do it or not. Please make it very clear. I also ask today for open doors to be You with this lady I am meeting with and for open doors with anyone else that I talk with today. I pray for our time with the children at Child Evangelism Fellowship to be blessed with You oozing out of us. Lord, I pray for Your healing touch upon my Momma and siblings. I pray for those in my little world that need a touch in their spiritual life. Fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You through me. Once again, thank You for being My Encourager! Amen.
Waking up at 12:59 out of a sound sleep was not what I wanted to do but then hearing the Lord's answer to my question of 'who do I need to pray for?' wasn't what I really wanted to hear either. It is so easy for me to pray for others but when it comes to praying for myself that is more difficult. I decided last night maybe if I start at the top of my body and pray down through it I could accomplish it better. Little did I know it would take me two hours to do so. Two hours. How in the world can a person pray for themselves for two hours? It was totally a God thing, that's for sure. I prayed for my brain to have more knowledge of Him. I prayed for God to reveal to me what to do about my next class. The finances are not totally there for it so I am struggling. Do I take a step of faith that He will open doors for me to be able to make the extra money to cover it before the bill is due? Do I take a break from class through this time of having surgery and the holidays? Part of me wants to take a break but then I keep feeling like I am not suppose to. I asked God to reveal to me what I was to do. I asked Him to open my ears up to His voice in a new way. I prayed for my eyes to be opened to more ways to cut expenses. I also prayed for my mouth to proclaim praises more. He reminded me of what Doc told me he heard in a sermon the other day. As we pray 'on earth as it is in heaven' that will come into being quicker if we praise God so He knows He is invited into our world. I asked Him to bless my words as I speak with people. I prayed for people to hear Him through me. I prayed for my heart to be cleansed of anything that was not of Him. I prayed for there to be no sign of nastiness inside it, even when I am feeling tired and ugly. I prayed for His love to ooze out of me in such a way there is no doubt He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of my life. Since I was praying for that area of my body I also prayed for my breast that will be cut on Wednesday. I prayed for His healing to go before the surgeon and remove anything that was not to be there. I prayed for His wisdom to be upon the surgeon and all involved in the surgery. I prayed for me to do whatever it takes for the recuperation time to go well. This time of my praying took longer than a lot of the others. It hit me this week how there is so much I want to accomplish over the next few weeks and yet I don't know how long my recuperation will take before I am back to 'normal.' I prayed for His peace to overtake my entire being when panic starts to set-in. I also prayed for the breastplate of righteousness from Ephesians 6 to be on me at all times. I prayed for my hands to be His hands. I prayed for Him to give me opportunities to love on people with His love. I asked Him to reveal to me new ways to love on them. I prayed for my hip/leg pain. I asked Him to reveal to me the purpose of it. I have been praying for it to go away but realized yesterday that it may have a purpose so I need to change my prayers. I prayed for my feet to take me to places He desires me to go. It is hard being in a new place where I know few people. I am thankful for the outgoing personality God gave me that makes me know no stranger but I also need His prompting in the process of talking with people. I am thankful for opportunities such as the other night where I took a pack of crackers over to a crying boy at the park only to find out his Momma is one the Lord has put in my path three times since August. I then asked Him to reveal to me anything else I needed to pray about for myself. I waited and listened. He told me, "You are my dear Daughter and I love you dearly. Rest in me." At that point I finally fell back asleep. I know there had to be more that I prayed to have it be two hours but this must be what I was suppose to remember. It was strange to pray for myself for so long but it also was a blessed time with my Heavenly Father. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the time of prayer during the night. Thank You for loving me enough to make me realize I am important to You. Father, fill me with more of You so people will see and hear You through me today. I pray for Your love to ooze out of me greatly. I praise You Father for all the ways You lavish Your love on me and I desire to pass it on. Cleanse me so nothing is between You and I so this can happen. Thank You for being My Heavenly Father. Amen.
Wow, God is so good! He once again took me to I John 2 this morning which talks about His love after He woke me singing "Multiplied" which also is about His love! Your love is like radiant diamonds Bursting inside us we cannot contain...
God of mercy sweet love of mine I have surrendered to Your design May this offering stretch across the skies And these Halleluiahs be multiplied!
Yes! Our praises to Him need to "be multiplied" no matter what circumstances we are going through. I am reminded of James 1:2-3 that tell us to be joyful through tough times because the Lord is using circumstances to grow our faith. I am reminded of Nehemiah 8:10 that tells me my strength comes in the joy of the Lord. I am reminded of the words of I Thessalonians 5:16-18..."Rejoice always,pray continually,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Rejoice...pray...be thankful...these are good words to live out each day. One might ask why or how can that happen when going through tough days. The answer is plain and simple in the last part of this verse. It is God's will that we stay focused on Him, lean upon His strength but most of all be in relationship with Him to where we can hear His voice on what to do each and every day. Jesus did not give up as He was ridiculed on this earth, tired, lonely, disappointed, etc. He kept on, keeping on with the empowerment of His Father. We need to do the same thing. Life may seem like it is falling apart but when we live in His will He has everything taken care of in His way. His love covers all the hurts and heartaches of this world. His love is greater than people turning away from us. His love is greater than cancer, diabetes, etc. His love is the answer. In order to have the answer in its fullness we must live a life surrendered to His will. We must be willing to go through tough times without giving up but instead go deeper with Him. We must be willing to raise up hallelujahs to Him at all times. Dear Jesus, Thank You for these reminders today. Father, You know the burdens I am carrying for different ones I am praying for. Most of all I ask that someone would go before them to open their eyes to You. Some of who I am praying for have never accepted You while others have but have not taken the step to be living in Your presence. Oh how my heart breaks for so many people. Lord, I also am praying for multiple physical issues. Cancer, unknown issues causing fevers, dementia, heart issues, diabetes...along with my own leg pain. Father, I loved what Doc heard in a sermon yesterday about how if we truly mean our prayers of 'on earth as it is in heaven' then we have to be worshiping You in a way that will invite You here. Oh Jesus, how I love living in Your presence but I want more of You to encompass my life. I desire more of You to ooze out of me. I was so grateful for the opportunity You gave me last night to once again talk with the young mother who You have put in my path for the third time. In the midst of hundreds of people last night You drew us together. That was no coincidence. That was definitely Your doing and I am grateful. I pray You will continue to give me such opportunities. Lord, I am not sure where You are leading me today or who I will talk to but I do know You are in the driver's seat. Thank You for being My Hallelujah! Amen.
I was reading I John 2 again this morning and felt both joy and sorrow in verses fifteen through seventeen. Joy because I know I have the love of the Father in me. I also know I do my best to have His love show through my words, actions and attitude. I know there are times, especially if I am tired or not feeling well, my attitude gets off-track. I don't like those times. They make me feel ugly. I am thankful those times are fewer and farther between than in days past. I have been praying against some nasty nerve pain in my hip and back these last few days. I pray not only for a physical healing from this pain but a renewal in my spirit so I keep Jesus' attitude and not allow the enemy to steal my joy. I love the reminder of joy my dear friend Marlene gave me a few years in the form of a wall hanging. I also am blessed as I read the picture of Romans 12:12 Cory and Tish gave me last year when I was going through my MS flair-up. Living in His presence is the key to living a life of joy. Saying 'yes' when the Lord asks you to do something so out of your comfort zone or off the wall is part of living in His presence. Biting your tongue and keeping your mouth shut when certain topics come up in conversation is part of living in His presence. Loving people who are so adamant on things that are against the Bible is part of living in His presence. Praying with people you don't know in public is part of living in His presence. Changing financial habits is part of living in His presence. These verses tell us that when we live as the world lives He will be squeezed out of our life by the ways of the world. That is where the sorrow comes into play. I am so sad to see people, even believers, who allow the things of this world to be in charge of their life instead of living in His freedom. So many people are kidding themselves that they are 'OK' when in fact the Lord is grieving over their circumstances. I truly believe many will be surprised when He returns and they are not with Him for eternity. Often I wonder if they will have time afterward to dwell on the way their calendar was filled with things other than God. I imagine they will regret spending money on 'stuff' instead of using it to further His Kingdom. We all have to live in the world without allowing it to consume us. God's will must come before the ways of the world in our life. The way for God's will to happen in our life is to love Him to the point of being consecrated to Him. That means allowing Him total control over every aspect of our life. There is no holding back no matter how much it 'hurts' or you question it. "This is not where I belong...Take this world and give me Jesus" needs to be on my minds at all times in order to live in the manner He desires of us.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminders of these verses this morning. Father, sometimes I wonder why You put me in places You do or why You have me do things You do. I am always reminded that You know what You are doing and I do not have to understand. There is freedom in living in Your presence. I pray for more believers to get to the end of themselves so You can live in and through them. Death of self is the most glorious thing to experience! Father, I pray for more of You to ooze out of me in ways people will know it is You. I pray for more of Your words to flow from my lips. Most especially, as I deal with this pain, I pray for Your attitude to be my attitude in a mighty way. Thank You Father for being My Everything. Amen.
John blesses my heart in these words from I John 2. They are a reminder God is constant in life. He can be our stability when we receive it. He can be our assurance when we allow it. He was there in the beginning and will be there in the end. He forgives our sins and loves on us in a way no one on this earth can do. He listens to us no matter what. He is never too tired or distracted to hear our voice. John was not talking about fathers in the world sense but was meaning ones who have wisdom through life's experiences. He is not speaking of just men but of all. The 'children' spoken of here are not necessarily young in age but young in their spiritual age. Both of these groups have Jesus yet they still struggle with the enemy in their lives. The key is we do not have to struggle. John uses the words 'have overcome' which means the victory has already been won! Jesus' death and resurrection allowed for that victory. We no longer have to sin because He gives us discernment in the choices we make. We have to go beyond salvation and into a consecrated life for Him. Then the victory of the cross will not be for naught. All believers need reminded of these words. We all need reminded that we are where we are today because of Jesus. We also can have confidence in our relationship with Him because He is constant. His faithfulness enables us to live life as He so desires of us. The only way we can love with His love is to be full of Him. Once we are full of Him we can accomplish all He desires of us. This morning I awoke to "Live It Well" and now realize why after reading these verses.
Life is short; I wanna live it well...One life, one story to tell (one love)
Dear Jesus, Thank You for these reminders this morning. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for caring for me so greatly. Lord, I pray You will continue to draw me deeper in my relationship with You. I pray great and mighty things will occur due to my faithfulness to You. Father, I pray for miracles to be seen. I pray for people to be healed not only in their physical bodies but most of all in their spiritual bodies. Fill me to overflowing with more of You. Direct my words, thoughts, actions and attitude today to be mirrored of Yours. Father, as I live out my life I want to be known as being 'constant' in my walk with You. Would You please enable me to fulfill that? Thank You Jesus for being My Constant. Amen.
I woke up this morning singing "Your love never fails, it never gives up..It never runs out on me..." I was crushed in thinking of people who do not know the Lord's love. There are so many people in this world who may have heard of Him but yet are not in relationship with Him. They are hurting so greatly but yet many do not even realize there is an answer for them. I love the beginning words of this song... Higher than the mountains that I face Stronger than the power of the grave Constant through the trial and the change One thing... Remains, yes One thing Remains. Sometimes people stray away from the Lord because they blame Him for their circumstances. God gives us free choice. That free choice can make us stray away from Him. The enemy is on the prowl looking for open doors into our lives to pull us away from God. We must be on guard at all time to stay strong in our spirit to not allow the enemy in. As I read I John 2 this morning I was reminded the day is coming where the Lord will return and we must be ready. He must remain in us at all times. His love must flow from us at all time. If we expect to live for eternity with Him, we must be willing to live for Him while on this earth. Verses fifteen through seventeen reads: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. I like the way Matthew Henry explains these verses: "The things of the world may be desired and possessed for the uses and purposes which God intended, and they are to be used by his grace, and to his glory; but believers must not seek or value them for those purposes to which sin abuses them. The world draws the heart from God; and the more the love of the world prevails, the more the love of God decays." In other words, we cannot be in complete submission to God and love with His love if we allow the world to take over our thoughts and actions. His love will remain forever yet this world we live in will not. Henry continues, "Unless this victory over the world is begun in the heart, a man has no root in himself, but will fall away, or at most remain an unfruitful professor. Yet these vanities are so alluring to the corruption in our hearts, that without constant watching and prayer, we cannot escape the world, or obtain victory over the god and prince of it." We must be obedient to the Lord and stay living in His presence in order to live with Him for eternity. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the reminders You have given me this morning. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. Lord, if there is anything in my life that is not of You I pray You will wipe it out in order for be to be who You desire me to be. I pray You will enable me to be strong in my faith and bold with my words. I pray You will fill me to overflowing with You so people will see and hear You through me. Father, I am not sure where You will lead me today but I do know I desire to be Your obedient servant in all that I do. Thank You for giving me that desire. Lord, would You please put someone in my path today that I can encourage through Your love? Thank You for my friend who You told me to pray for this morning. I am not happy she was having a tough morning but I am happy You used me to encourage her. Thank You for my friend You woke me up in the middle of the night to pray for. I pray her pain was lessened through my obedience. Lord, sometimes You allow me to know answers to my prayers and sometimes You do not. But either way it does not matter. I am blessed to be Your praying servant. Thank You for being My Constant. Amen.
As I was reading in I John this morning the Lord stopped me right at the beginning to ponder the first two verses. These verses show the love John had for those he wrote to. That love is the love of Christ. He is affectionate in his writing when he wrote, "My dear children..." That is exactly what the Lord wants to lavish on us...His affection. He also is wanting us to grasp what he has grasped about the Lord...He will forgive us of our sins IF we sin. I believe John was wanting us to realize we do not have to sin. This is a hard concept for most people to understand. But we truly do not have to blatantly sin. We may involuntarily sin by doing something such as hurting someone with our words and not realizing it. But we do not have to be intentional in sinning. The only way for this to be a part of one's life is they must be sanctified through and through. In other words, one must take on the mind of Christ and live in His presence, doing His will in order to not sin. Yesterday in children's Sunday school we talked about God living in our heart and what it meant. One made the statement, "I asked Jesus in my heart but how do I know He really lives there?" What a pleasure to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me in answering that question. As I reflect back on it, I'm not even completely sure what I said. I am confident it wasn't my words but instead they were from the Holy Spirit. I love the part in these verses that says we have an Advocate that will plead our case to our Heavenly Father. It is really cool to think about Jesus being our Advocate on the cross when He died for our sins and now He is our Advocate after His resurrection because He died for our sins. Dear Jesus, Thank You for yesterday and all of the ways You encouraged me! Thank You for bringing old friends to worship with us. Thank You for the love shown to us by our new friends. Thank You for the time of fellowship we had around the fire last night with neighbors. It was a full day and by the time I went to bed I was so ready but it was a blessed day. Lord, today is a new day. I am not sure where You will direct me or who will be in my path but I do know You are in control of this day. Father, fill me to overflowing so You are my words and actions. Most of all Father I pray You will be my attitude. Father, I am so grateful for the way You love on me and encourage me. I also am grateful and want to thank You for being My Advocate. Amen.
Where did yesterday go?!?!?!I realized coming home after 8PM I still needed to make some cookies or something for the ones coming to work this morning at the house. I also still needed to make a pot of soup. I was tired and my legs were hurting from shopping and I just wanted to go to bed. I also wanted to listen to Brother Dan on the livestream before going to sleep. It also hit me that I did not do my school work. I started to scold myself and then the Lord stopped me. Very clearly He told me He had blessed me with the day with my hubby. Of course, I told Him I was thankful for the day and appreciated Him blessing me with it. I then asked for a bit of energy to get the things accomplished that I needed to get done. He enabled me to make muffins but the soup and school work waited until today. As I listened to Brother Dan I was reminded of how my life use to be consumed with 'to do' lists. I sometimes had lists for my lists. I was shackled down by them. I felt I was a failure each and every day when everything was not accomplished on them. A few years ago, after hearing Brother Dan speak on living in His presence, I realized my 'to do' lists were not a part of His presence. I was not capable of doing His will to the fullest when I was tied to those lists. From that point forward the lists were only used for special occasions where I need to make sure I have everything for a church event or dinner. I received such freedom when I no longer was enslaved to the 'to do' list. I also realized so many more blessings by being ready to do His will at any time. Last night as I listened to Brother Dan I was reminded of a lot of things but the most important one was there is freedom in dying to things in our life that are not from Him. Woo hoo! Dear Jesus, Thank You for the reminders Brother Dan came last night. Thank You for the way You bless me through him. Thank You for the freedom You give through to me as I allow You to work in and through me. Thank You for our friends who worked hard at our home today. Thank You for the time Doc and I had together yesterday and for the peace You gave me in what to do and not do last night to prepare for this day. Father, fill me to overflowing with more of You so You ooze out of me in such a way people will know You are My King. Father, I praise Your Holy Name for all the blessings of this day. Thank You for being My Freedom. Amen.
I woke up this morning singing... Blessed be Your name....in the land that is plentiful.... Every blessing You pour out, I'll turn back to praise... Watching the Awakening on the internet was such a blessing. Hearing of all of those who experienced healing yesterday brought back the memory of February 4 all over again. Seeing Brother Dan gave me the Holy Spirit goose bumps. Not because of who he is as a man but because of what the Holy Spirit does through him. His words renewed my spirit last night in so many ways. Two verses in particular that stood out to me were John 16:23-24. I pondered on what he was preaching and thought about how I fell in line with it. When we ask, He knows our heart. Our petitions show Him whether we are asking in the Spirit or in the flesh. Many times I have asked for things in the flesh only to be disappointed in the outcome. I am not disappointed when I ask for something in the Spirit. That does not mean I am pleased with the result but it means when the result is different than I expect I am at peace with it. When we ask in His name, it shows we are dependent upon Him. We also have the comfort in knowing He is our Intercessor with God. He is our Access to heaven. Woo hoo! Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessing of technology which enabled us to watch the Awakening. Thank You for the many blessings of healing You performed through Your servants. I believe there were people not only healed in that place but also in their own homes as they watched and listened. Lord, continue that ministry today in a mighty way. I pray for those who received impartation yesterday to pass it on today and in the days to come. I pray for all of Your servants who are leading and speaking to be blessed in abundance. Lord, I also pray the same for myself in Your Name. Fill me to overflowing so You will ooze out of me in such a way that there is no doubt who You are in my life. Thank You Jesus for being My Access! Amen.
As I read through II Peter 3 again this morning, I stopped at verse eleven. I am amazed at how many times we are reminded in the Bible of the importance of living a holy life. We must not only believe in the Lord but we must live for Him. He set the example for us to follow in the way we live. When Jesus was on this earth, He did the work His Father gave Him to do. The Bible doesn't tell us He questioned it nor does it tell us He ever said 'no' to His Father. It only gives examples of Him serving over and over. It does not show that He complained but instead shows how He encouraged people. These verses encourage all to live a life of holiness each and every day. As we do that, we will be prepared at all time for His return. Matthew Henry states, "Those only who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, shall be admitted to dwell in this holy place." I believe it is going to take more than just being saved to get into heaven. It is going to take living a holy life...living in His presence day-in and day-out, doing His will. Henry continues, "Those, whose sins are pardoned, and their peace made with God, are the only safe and happy people; therefore follow after peace, and that with all men; follow after holiness as well as peace. Never expect to be found at that day of God in peace, if you are lazy and idle in this your day, in which we must finish the work given us to do. Only the diligent Christian will be the happy Christian in the day of the Lord." Wow! We must be diligent in our life with Him. In order to find true peace in Him we must live a life of holiness. How can we find true peace? The only way is by living a life consecrated to Him. That life looks crazy to those outside of His presence. It doesn't make sense as to why one does what they do. It also doesn't make sense how one can have peace in the midst of chaos. It all comes down to having the Holy Spirit reside in those who choose to be totally sanctified through and through. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the way You give me Your peace. Thank You for the way You enable me to work through things such as an upcoming surgery. Thank You for the way You guide my words and steps. Father, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit. I pray for nothing to stand in the way of me living in Your presence. I pray for more of You to ooze out of me. Oh Father, how I pray for more people to get to the end of themselves and to allow You full control over their lives. Lord, You know the obstacles in people's way of living such a life. I pray those obstacles away. I pray for a cleansing in hearts and an infilling of the Holy Spirit upon people. Father, bless my efforts today as I strive to do Your will. Keep my ears in tune to Your voice. Thank You Father for being My Goal. Amen.
I was reminded of Matthew 11:28-30 yesterday as I rested trying to get a headache to go away. These words were ones a friend gave me last week as I was resting from after having a biopsy. The anxiousness was hitting me hard as I awaited results. As I prayed and asked the Lord to calm my spirit He did but then it seemed like the anxiousness came back after a period of time. The weekend was tough at times but I felt His strength in me. When Monday rolled around and still no results, once again the anxiousness kicked in. I prayed for calmness and He gave it. In my humanness the anxiousness came upon me from time to time. Finally yesterday in hearing "no cancer" the tears of joy started. Then hearing 'but' I was once again anxious. In my humanness I understand taking something out that can easily turn to cancer. It was just hard to think about. All kinds of things went through my mind. When I asked when and was told "it's not an emergency but needs done within the next month" my first thought was 'if something isn't cancer than why so soon to get rid of it' then I told the doctor I want it out as soon as possible so I do not have to worry about it. Upon pondering over that appointment I am disappointed in myself. I tell people frequently 'don't worry...God has got this...' and here I am not 'practicing what I preach'! I go back to James 1:2-3 where we are told that when we go through trials we need to be joyful in knowing He is using these trials to grow our faith. It was no mistake the Lord took me back to these words this morning to bask in them. I am determined to accept His rest throughout these times. I am determined to not allow any open door for the enemy to steal my joy. There is no cancer! That in itself is a huge praise! When the schedule was open for next week and I asked for it the following week due to school and church, there was an opening. That is another praise! He is with me no matter what happens in this life and as I live my life for Him I know I will live with Him for eternity. That is another praise! I love this version of these verses. "...it might appear heavy at first, but it is perfectly fitted to your curves." Woo hoo! In my humanness this situation appeared too heavy for me to handle but then as He loved on me and brought His strength to me I realized this is just another way to stretch my faith. He knows 'my curves' and He knows what I need to be His faithful servant. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the comfort of Your word. Thank You for the knowledge that You are with me no matter what comes my way. Thank You for stretching my faith. Lord, fill me with more of You as I go throughout this day. Oh how I pray people will see You working in and through me! Lord, You answered my prayers with no cancer and now I ask for You to answer my prayers for a strengthening in my spirit as I go through this surgery. Empower me with Your spirit to stand against any fear. Thank You Jesus for being My Rest. Amen.
The Lord took me back to II Peter again this morning and stopped me at verse eight. As I read this verse I thought about how sometimes when I am waiting on something it seems like time drags on. There are other times where it seems like life is going by so fast. There are times it seems like the Lord will never return but then I stop and think about all of the lost people in the world and pray for more time. I see people who have never accepted Christ who need to be told about Him in a way they will listen. I also see people who are believers yet continue to live their life as if they are in charge instead of the Lord. They need to realize He put us on this earth to live holy lives instead of earthly lives. When that realization occurs, then we realize when there is a delay in something He knows about it. We no longer want something to happen in our time but instead seek His timing. God does not get in a hurry nor does He worry over when something will happen because He already knows when it will happen. We cannot see the end result but we can follow His example by not worrying and allowing Him to do what will be done when it will be done. I go back to Matthew 6:10..."on earth as it is in heaven." I do not believe there will be clocks in heaven. But instead we will bask in His Presence 24/7. We can live in His Presence while on this earth and be assured He is in control of all. I like what Matthew Henry says about this verse, "What men count slackness, is long-suffering, and that to us-ward; it is giving more time to his own people, to advance in knowledge and holiness, and in the exercise of faith and patience, to abound in good works, doing and suffering what they are called to, that they may bring glory to God." Amen! He has a reason for this time we are here and that is to fulfill His desires. Woo hoo! May it be so! Dear Jesus, Thank You for yesterday! Thank You for today! Thank You for tomorrow! Thank You for this time You have given me to fulfill the desires of Your heart! Father, I pray for the openness in my spirit to do just that. I pray for boldness in my words. Lord, this morning You brought back the words to the song I sang Sunday to remind me that You are in control of this day. "Jesus, I hold onto You...and You hold onto me." Whatever comes my way You already know about. I pray for opportunities to be You today to all I meet. I pray for strength in my spirit for whatever or whoever You put in my path. Lord, I also pray for my friend who had surgery yesterday to have physical strength. I know You did not wake me up at 1:59 to pray for her for no reason. I also pray for my friends who are going through a change of season in their ministry life. I pray You will continue to be their strength. Father, thank You for being My Anchor. Amen.
I woke up this morning with a friend on on my heart. I started praying for her and then I checked the date and realized today is her hip replacement surgery. God is so awesome in reminding me of such things to pray for. He also is awesome in the way He gives me opportunity to pray for people I don't even know. The other day I had a lady I had recently met who needed prayer. I knew as I talked with her I was going to pray for a healing in her body but then before I had the chance to pray with her she became emotional and told me her son was in drug rehab for the third time. I was blessed in praying with her and in giving her comfort that she is not alone. Prayer is an important part of my life and I am so grateful to be in His presence throughout the day, and even during the night, where I hear His voice. I am also grateful for when He knows my heart and I don't even have to voice my prayers. I am also grateful for His Word that I have to read and ponder. In II Peter 3:1 we are told to have "minds in a state of undistracted attention." How in the world did Peter ever think this is possible? There are so many distractions in our world. We have families, jobs, children's activities, church activities, health issues, etc. How are we suppose to have "minds in a state of undistracted attention"? Plain and simple. We must live a life of holiness. We must be consecrated to Him so He is not only our actions but our thoughts. He is the One who directs our every word and step. Yesterday we sang "Great Are You, God" and these words really hit me... It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise To You only
That is so awesome to think about....His breath is in our lungs! Woo hoo! When we live a life totally for Him, He is ready to work in and through us in some mighty ways. He goes before us and prepares hearts. He blesses people through us and at the same time blesses us. Dear Jesus, Thank You for blessing me in abundance over these last few days. Thank You for the opportunities You gave me to be You to others...praying with and for people, making cookies for the linemen, sharing about "Loads of Love" to some of our district family...so many ways You have used me as Your willing servant. Father, today is a new day in a new week. I must admit it is hard to believe it was four months today since we moved into our new place. Thank You for the love that has been shown to us! Thank You for the new friends we have made. Thank You for more neighbors we met last night on our walk. Lord, continue to guide our words and steps to further Your Kingdom. You have brought us here for a reason and I pray Your will be done here in Beaufort, SC. Thank You Jesus for being My Attention! Amen.
I woke up during the night a couple times singing...
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise, we pour out our
praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
Yes! He is the reason to be praised! No matter what we are going through on this earth, He is to be praised. He is to be praised through the physical storms of life like Hurricane Matthew. One might ask how He can be praised through the destruction of homes and the loss of life that many have seen through Matthew. It may not be easy but yet when one thinks about how He created us and He knows all then it becomes easier. He is our Hope in the midst of chaos. I told Doc yesterday if we didn't have 'storms' in our life, we would not rely on the Lord. We would feel like we didn't need Him. He knows we need things in life to make us aware of just how much we do need Him. King Nebuchadnezzar realized God was to be praised for keeping him through the 'storm' of life he went through with losing his mind. He realized God was greater than him and had never left him even through the distraction of losing his mind. He realized the importance of praising God no matter what. This realization opened his eyes to a new way of living. He humbled himself before God and learned the importance of praising Him. As I walked around a friend's home yesterday taking pictures of fallen trees the tears started. I cannot imagine having to deal with what they are dealing with. Later as this song came to my mind I was reminded that no matter what happens in life we must praise Him. I like the reminder of the words "we pour out our praise" because it gives me the word picture of not just saying Praise The Lord but perhaps even shouting it. There is great depth in the word 'pour'! Why should we do this? Plain and simple. He created us and is with us through all aspects of life. He is to be praised! Dear Jesus, I praise You for yesterday! I praise You for today! I praise You for tomorrow! I know You are with me no matter what happens and for that I am grateful! Lord, You know the things in my day and You also know the outcome. Once again, I am grateful knowing You are in control. Father, direct my words, my steps and most of all my attitude to be pleasing to You. May people see and hear You through me. Lord, I need Your strength in a mighty way today and I am thanking You in advance for it. Lord, be bold through me. Thank You Jesus for being My Praise! Amen.
