I Peter 1:8-9 - "Streets of Gold'

I woke up this morning to Need To Breathe's "Streets of Gold" going through my mind...

I want you to know
I'm leaving to let you go
And someday we'll walk upon
The streets of gold

I started praying for many who have lost a loved one over the last year or so. It seems like there are so many who have gone on from this earth. Some to disease, some to accidents, some to old age...all different things have taken them. The sad part is the friends and family who are left behind. Another sad part to dying is when someone doesn't believe and live for the Lord on this earth they won't live with Him for eternity. The exciting part is that when one leaves this earth knowing Jesus as their personal Savior they are living with Him for eternity. "The streets of gold" are exactly the streets I want to walk on. The desire of my heart is to live with Him for eternity. The way to accomplish that is by allowing Him to love on me, fill me with His love and in turn love on others with His love. The last part of this song packs so much meaning...

The trouble with love is that it comes to an end
I've got a feeling I'm gonna find you again
Just in a place where love can't die

The way we know love on this earth is not the way we will know it in heaven. We only get a glimpse of it here. When we are basking in His Presence in heaven, love will go even deeper than it ever could while on this earth. There will be no false love in heaven but instead only true love. There will be no fake love in heaven, only authentic love. Woo hoo! That is exciting to think about! The enemy tries to trick us here but he will not be in heaven. He tries to make people think people love them when in fact they are out to use them. Only Jesus' love is the true love. There is not room in a person's heart for Jesus' love and satan's hate. We must repent when we allow anything other than Jesus' love to show through in our words, actions or attitude. Jesus desires us to be His love to everyone in all situations. People that walk the streets of gold have walked His love out while on this earth. I think of my dear Betty who showed love to everyone. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, she is walking those streets of gold. I think of my Daddy who loved people in many tangible ways. Yep, I know he is walking them streets. I like to picture him loving on people there. The first chapter of I Peter talks about our future life in heaven. The gift God has prepared for us in heaven is something I sure do not want to miss out on. Everyone likes gifts. The gift of heaven for eternity is something we can only imagine but I am sure my imagination doesn't even begin to come up with what heaven truly is.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the promise of Your gift of eternal life! Thank You for filling me with Your love! Thank You for grace when I mess up and don't love as You desire! Lord, the sun is shining so pretty this morning but more importantly You are shining down on me. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see and hear You through me today. May Your love be my actions, words and attitude throughout this day. Father, I pray for those hurting from the loss of a loved one. I also pray for those going through last days with a loved one being with them on this earth. Lord, be so very real to them. Love on them in a deeper way today. Thank You Father for being My Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Amen.

James 1:2-4; Joshua 1:9 - "Say Amen"

These lyrics were going through my mind at 4:35AM and then again when I got up....

If there's anybody here who's found Him faithful
Anybody here who knows He's able
Say Amen
And if there's anybody here who's seen His power
Anybody here brought through the fire
Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Just Say AMEN!

The meaning of the word 'amen' is 'so be it'! 'So be it'...'so be it'...YES! I want to say those exact words to anything the Lord puts in my path! The song continues with...

Sometimes through the darkness, it's hard to see
So just be brave and follow where He leads
'Cause greater is the one who's in us, than he who's in the world
So child of God remember, the battle is the Lord's

YES! I know I can be brave because Jesus was brave while on this earth and He is the example for me to follow. I know I can be brave because I am His child. I know I can be brave because no matter what I go through on this earth my goal is eternity with Him. I know I can be brave because whatever battle I go through it is His. It reminds me of a verse my friend Crystal shared with me a few years ago. Joshua 1:9 reads, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Amen! These words encourage me to continue on being strong in my faith even in tough times. They remind me that no matter what people do or don't do I am not responsible for them. I am only responsible for me. They also enable me to live out James 1:2-4 and for that I am grateful.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the strength You provided yesterday and the rest You gave me last night. Thank You for the bright sunshine this morning that encourages me to stand in the Sonshine You will provide throughout this day. Thank You for the way You will fill me to overflowing with You and ooze out of my words, actions and attitude throughout this day. Thank You for the way You are going to enable me to get the mess with my medication worked out today. Thank You for being with some family members who are going through some tough days. Thank You for guiding my boys, their ladies and my grand babies today to know I love them but most importantly You love them. Thank You for taking my battles and winning! Thank You for being My Battle Fighter! Amen.

I Peter 1:15 - "If We're Honest"

My heart is so heavy this morning. Oh how I pray more believers would wake up and be the True Church. I pray for the believers who think they are living the way the Lord desires yet blatantly not living out His love to realize the desire of His heart. I pray for believers who are are talking the talk yet not walking the walk to have their eyes open to the consequences for their actions. I pray for the pastors who will go into the pulpit the morning and preach what the people want to hear instead of what the Lord desires them to say. I pray for the believers who will be hurt by the words and/or actions of others at church today to realize persecution will happen both in and out of the church. I pray for the believers who claim they 'aren't getting fed' where they are attending to realize they have to put into a body of believers in order to get anything out of it. I pray for the pastors who are being tormented by the enemy with lies that they are not being successful with their flock. I pray for people who have not accepted the Lord to not be waylaid by the actions of people who are not loving with His love. The key to living a life for Christ is His love. It will enable one to get their eyes off of self and live for Him. Selfishness is no longer a part of one's life who truly loves Him. 'I' is no longer the one to have their desires met when filled with His love. His desires for us is the only thing that come into play. His Voice is heard and followed when we fill the desires of His heart instead of our flesh. My heart breaks for so many believers who I see being torn down by the enemy all because of self. He has blinded them to what it takes to be a part of the True Church. He makes them believe salvation and 'book sanctification' is just fine when in fact it is not. There is a big difference between saying you are sanctified and truly living out a life in His Presence. The enemy has less a chance of gaining one's soul when they live in the Lord's Presence. But when people are living different than they say it gives the enemy an open door. When believers do not live out the Lord's love, the enemy has a blast causing havoc in their lives. This morning I have a heavy heart with seeing believers not live the way the Lord desires. I get frustrated with hearing them complain yet I cannot give the enemy an open door. I am responsible for me. I cannot change people but I can love on them and pray they will see what they are doing on this earth will impact their eternity. I am not judging them but I will continue to pray for them to die to self and live in His Spirit. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the day that is ahead. I pray for people to be in church not just because it is what they are suppose to do but because You have something in store for them. I pray for open ears and open hearts. Father, I pray for pastors who go into the pulpit this morning to have Your boldness. I pray they will not allow the enemy any open door in their preaching. I pray for those who have already decided to not go to church today to change their minds. I pray for ones who need to feel loved to find it within the True Church. Oh how I pray for more believers to die to self so they can be a part of the True Church. Lord, personally I pray for strength. My physical body feels like it can't go which in turn effects my mental body. I pray for strength in both but most of all I pray for strength in my spiritual body so I will not only hear Your voice today but be obedient in what I hear. Father, fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You through me today. Give me Your attitude as I see people live in their flesh instead of Your Spirit. Thank You Jesus for being My Everything. Amen.

James 1:2-4 - "Blessings"

Wow! God is so awesome! Thursday He told me to send a message to a friend I haven't talked to for awhile. The message was "have faith!" I had no idea what he was going through but I was obedient and sent it. I received this reply yesterday, "Thank you for your timely and meaningful text yesterday! I spent most of the day with my son Thursday and it was a blessing to receive your text and have the affirmation from you from the Lord in our behalf! May God continue to bless and keep you and Doc in His Divine care!" Their son has chosen a road that is not of the Lord and it breaks their hearts. The Lord knew they needed encouragement and I am so blessed He used me as the means to provide it. My faith was deepened through this experience and I know their faith was too. I love how the Lord works in and through me. I know it is because I live in His Presence where I not only hear His Voice but I am quick to be obedient to it. I continue to pray for so many friends with prodigals. I pray for their faith to grow stronger as they await the return of their prodigal. I pray for people around them to support them instead of tearing them down. I pray for the soul of their prodigal to be renewed by the Holy Spirit in a way they have never experienced before. Many of these prodigals were raised knowing Jesus' love yet have chosen to rebel against it. May His love shower down upon them in a way they no longer have the desire to rebel against Him. As I think of the prodigals on my list I am saddened to see husbands, fathers, sons and daughters. I am saddened to think of the pain their family is going through yet I am blessed in knowing these families will come out of their circumstances so much stronger in the Lord when they give their prodigal to the Lord. Not only must they give them to the Lord but then they must allow His timing to happen in the process. That is hard in the human flesh but once we live in His Spirit it becomes easier to trust in Him. Once again I go back to the words of James 1:2-4...

I love these words..."perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Woo hoo! What a wonderful ending to a trial! Knowing when we live out trials of this life in His Spirit we will live with Him for eternity is the icing on the cake! It amazes me how many prodigals on my list have succumbed to sexual sins. The enemy is running rampant in our world trying to entice people in so many ways but sexual sins seem to be the ones he succeeds in so many times. He finds ways to tempt and then goes after people. Sexuality is boasted in today's society through television, magazines, etc. The way many women dress boasts their body instead of being modest. Even clothing of little girls and teens boasts sexuality. Our society is in a sad state in this area and it breaks my heart. Many parents have made the decision to allow girls to choose their own clothing instead of being the adult in their relationship. This also breaks my heart. Those who believe in God need to stand-up for His principles. Believers need to be aware of the enemy so they can be strong against his attacks. The enemy is real and is after as many people as he can gather. He is happy when he gets believers to come over to his ways. He is especially happy when those believers are leaders  of the Church or their family members. Charles G. Finney wrote:

"Worldly desires, appetites, and feelings prevent true Christianity—the human will is, in a sense, enslaved by fleshly and worldly desires. It is therefore necessary for God to awaken people to a sense of guilt and danger and thus produce an opposite excitement or feeling and desire. This counter-feeling breaks the power of worldly desire and leaves the will free to obey God."

This way of thinking is not the way a lot of people believe today. More people must get to the point in their life where they are living in His will. When they do, they will hear His Voice and obey. It may take tough trials to get us to that point but in going through those trials we must be joyful in knowing our faith will deepen in the process. I use to think there was no way possible for joy and trials to be in the same sentence. Not anymore! I have experienced and been blessed by being joyful through C. I know my faith is stronger because of it. Woo hoo! The enemy did not win because I stood steadfast! I know my friends with prodigals will go deeper in their faith as they stand steadfast!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday! Thank You for today! Thank You for tomorrow! Lord, I don't know where all You will lead me to but I do know You will direct my path in the way You will be glorified through my words, actions and attitude. I pray for more of You to show through me throughout this day. I pray for my friends with prodigals to go deeper in their faith as they pray for their prodigals and await their return. I pray for the wives and parents who are hurting so badly to be blessed by You today in a way that shows them You are still with them. Bless them in abundance with Your love to flow through them toward their prodigals. Father, I can't imagine how the wives feel but I pray they can feel Your strength as they continue to love their husbands. Thank You for being My Director! Amen.

John 6:63-65 - "The Lion and The Lamb"

The Lord woke me in the middle of the night to ponder on what I heard Rob McCorkle teach last night on the nine manifestations found in I Corinthians 12. I've heard this teaching before but learned some new things last night. One of them was about the manifestation of tongues. The concept of tongues is taboo to many believers. I was raised with it not being something we believed in personally but saw it in other denominations when we went to revivals. I also remember one service as an adult where it was not done Biblically but was man-made even to the point of it being in the church bulletin. Rob taught there are four kinds of tongues found in the Bible...

1. I Corinthians 13:1 - tongues of angels; II Corinthians 12 - celestial tongues
2. Acts 2:4 - unlearned tongues (not unknown)
3. I Corinthians 14:2 - private love language with Papa; behind closed doors
4. Mark 16:17 - "new"; anointed; boldness

As I listened to Rob I was reminded of a couple things that have happened to me over the last couple of years. The most recent one was just this last weekend. I went into a store to make a return and the clerk told me she was deaf so she couldn't understand me. After the return was made I thanked her by using sign language. The thing is I was never taught sign language! When I got back in the truck, I asked Doc if what I did was for 'thank you' and he looked at me with a big smile and said it was. How did I know it? There is no explanation other than it was God giving me the way to communicate with someone. To me that falls in an Acts 2:4 type of tongue. Another one of these I can relate to is the one in Mark 16:17. It says, "These signs will accompany those who have believed; in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;" I have never been shy about speaking my mind but after a being in an impartation service with Dan Bohi I was empowered with a boldness unlike what I had ever experienced. Prior to that service my boldness came from my personality...my humanness. After that service my boldness came from the Holy Spirit. It was 'new' as described in Mark 16:17. The desire of my heart is to be more than just a believer. I want to be a participant of His super natural power. I want to share in doing His work of healing, miracles, etc. The only way to do that is to first love Him in a way that will enable me to love others as He does. Once I found that type of love and was filled with the Holy Spirit my life changed drastically. I found myself not questioning if it was Him directing me but instead was in a place I heard His voice and knew it was Him. Rob said, "If you are pursuing love and living in His Spirit, manifestation will happen." Amen! I continue to be amazed even though I shouldn't be surprised by anything He does through me. It has become my norm to hear Him tell me to do things that aren't 'normal' and I love it! Another thing Rob said that made so much sense was, "Even when we do something and it doesn't happen the way we want it to, when it is done in His love it will 'right'!" Wow! I had never thought about that but if I believe "Love never fails" then I will believe this! During the night when the Lord had me pondering these things He also gave me something else to ponder. There are many people who say they are sanctified and I think they believe they are because they are going on what they were taught by the Church as to what it means. They say they are 'surrendered' to Him in a book sort of way. When you see their lives, there is little to no fruit. Can one be sanctified with no fruit to show from them? I don't believe so. Can one be sanctified and yet blatantly not love with Jesus' love? I don't believe so. I am not judging them. I am just making an observation and from that observation I am praying for their eyes to be opened up to the Truth. I am praying they will allow the Holy Spirit to enable them to live as God desires. The Holy Spirit executes and implements the accomplishment of God's will in us. We must partner with Him in order to accomplish Romans 12:1-2. If we are going to be Christ-like, we must follow His example of having the manifestation of our Heavenly Father's power in us. While on this earth Jesus lived out His Father's power. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit to do miracles of all sorts and we need to do the same. An article on the internet on God's power reads:

The purpose of God’s power in our lives is to come alongside us and help us learn three things: 1) how to be sanctified, 2) how to partake of Christ’s Life, and 3) how to become those overcomers (faithful ones) who bear righteous fruit. Sanctification leads to partaking, partaking to overcoming, and overcoming to inheriting. God’s resurrection power accomplishes all three of these things. His power not only gives us a new spirit when we are born again, His power also produces a transformed life through the sanctification process (1 Peter 1:5).

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the teaching last night and for the reminders during the night. Father, You also reminded me of a family I knew growing up that didn't know You. I'm not sure why You reminded me of them when all of them have died except one and I'm not even in contact with her. Maybe it was to remind me to not allow opportunities to be passed by with ones I come in contact with now. I am grateful I have repented for my actions with them and You gave me a clean slate. I also am grateful for the way You continue to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and use me to be a beacon of light in my little world. Fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You through me today. Lord, thank You that yesterday was my last radiation. I pray for my strength to be rebuilt. I pray my tiredness will never be a distraction from what You desire of me to do. Lord, I am so thankful for the shattering of my old wineskin as Rob taught on last night. You are so awesome...so great...so wonderful! Your empowerment of Your Holy Spirit is where I desire to habitat! Thank You Jesus for being My Empowerment! Amen.

James 1:2-4 - "Battles"

When I woke in the middle of the night, the Lord had the words to "Battles" once again in my mind...

And surround me on every side
Your love is my armor I fear no evil.
Darkness runs from your light
So I won't be afraid, I won't be afraid

It is almost as if the enemy couldn't get me with other things and so he tried to get me with C. But he didn't win. I love the words..."Darkness runs from Your light..." Yes! The enemy could only find His light in me so he had to run away! Woo hoo! I am so thankful for the way the Lord has been with me through the testing, surgery and then the treatments. It still seems hard to believe that today is the last treatment. In some ways it seems like it was just yesterday that I started with #33. In other ways, it seems like it has been a long time. Although, it was just a little over three months ago that I had the biopsy and less than three months ago when I heard 'C' for the first time. That is so hard to believe because it seems like it has been so much longer than that. We've been in South Carolina a little over seven months now. To think of all that has and hasn't happened during that time is mind blowing. But the most important thing to remember is that God is in control of all of it and I am trusting Him through it all. Not only am I trusting Him but I am rejoicing in how He is using the circumstances to be glorified. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the day that is ahead with my final treatment. Thank You for answering my prayers that I would not have to have the decision about doing chemo, for the genetic testing coming back favorable so my children and grandchildren would not have to be tested, for the strength You gave me through the pain with the rawness and for being My Strength through each and every moment of the fatigue. Lord, You are so wonderful in giving me so many blessings through C. I thank You for the new friends I have made. I thank You for the opportunity to share You with so many over these last few months. Father, I pray You will continue to use me as a beacon of light in this community. Give me more of You. Give me more of a passion to be You to all I meet. Give me Your words, Your actions and most of all Your attitude as I love on people. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Desire To Glorify! Amen.

James 5:10-11 - "Battles"

These last few days have been tough not only on my physical body with this cold but also my emotional body. I go to treatment and end up coming home and going to bed. I am worn out from coughing. Yesterday and today both the Lord woke me up to the song "Battles" that The Afters sing. I am so blessed by these words...

You’re going before me and oceans are parting
You’re fighting my battles
When my feet are failing and my heart is shaking
You’re fighting my battles
Fighting my battles

The Lord has been with me these last twenty-three years with the battle with MS. I am grateful He has kept me with the relapsing-remittance type. Normally people with this type go into a more progressive type by this point in the disease. He has also been with me these last three months with the battle of C. It seems so much longer than three months! I do not understand how anyone can get through such battles without Him. We are reminded in the fifth chapter of James how Job stood up through tough battles in his life. He is one of many examples given to us in the Bible on what we need to do to stay strong in the Lord through tough days. I love the last part of verse eleven of this chapter where it reads, "...God cares, cares right down to the last detail." Yes! He does! I was reminded of this a few days ago as I talked with one about our move to Beaufort. I firmly believe part of the reason for our move was because of C. God knew I needed to be close to doctors and the Cancer Center. He knew Doc did not need to get a part-time job last fall when he desperately was looking. He took care of so many details that we wondered about yet trusted Him with. He was and continues to fight our battles. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for strength for the day ahead. Thank You for the knowledge that tomorrow will be my last treatment. Thank You for taking care of every little detail of my life. Father, fill me to overflowing with You as I go throughout this day. I pray every detail of this day will be blessed with You. Father, be my words...my actions...my attitude. Bless me in abundance as I bless others. Thank You Jesus for being My Detailer. Amen.

James 4:13 - "Washed By The Water"

I woke up this morning to these words going through my head...

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

I immediately thought of words I heard this weekend..."Jesus is enough!" What a great reminder! It does not matter what happens in this day. Jesus is enough! It does not matter what I get accomplished in this day. Jesus is enough! It does not matter if I end up going back to bed after my treatment. Jesus is enough! Yes! I can rest in that knowledge! Those three simple words are so powerful yet so comforting. As I live in His Spirit I know whatever happens is His will. That is also a comfort. From time to time my flesh gets in the way and I do something that is not on His agenda. It is important to not only recognize such times but repent for them. Even as we strive to be Christlike we still cannot be perfect as He was. Just as He was tempted, we will be tempted. The difference between us and Him is that we will give into temptation. I am grateful when He empowers me to not give into temptation but I also am grateful when He gives me the capability to recognize when I have. The enemy loves to trip us up and is upset when he doesn't accomplish that. When Jesus was tempted in the garden, satan tried three times to tempt Him. When he realized he was not going to succeed, what did he do? He left Him but not for good. In Luke 4 we read it was "temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity." When the enemy sees he can't get to us at one time, he leaves us alone for a time and then comes back again. Temptation is not sin. It is only when we give into temptation that sin occurs. When that happens, we must remember the Lord is ready to forgive us. All we have to do is confess.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace! Thank You for loving us even when we give into temptation! Thank You being Enough no matter what happens in this day! Thank You for the reminder from this song that my salvation in You is with me even through tough times. Lord, I'm not sure what today holds but I am sure that You are the One to hold it. I pray for boldness in my words as I go throughout this day. I pray for people to see and hear You instead of me in all I do. Thank You Jesus for being The Holder of My Days. Amen.

James 5:15-16 - "The Lion & The Lamb"

This was a weekend of firsts...

• first Pastor/Spouse Retreat on the SC District
• first stay at Dolly Parton's Dream More Resort
• first time leaving Mordecei home alone
• first time having a cold since moving to SC
• first time not opening up my laptop for a weekend
• meeting some people for the first time and starting friendships with many

What a blessing to listen to Dr. Jerry and Toni Porter this weekend. It was so refreshing for my spiritual body! My physical body was refreshed with lots of sleep and rest! My marital body was renewed with time of laughs, prayers and talking with my sweetie! I love what I took from the weekend...

• "Jesus is enough!"...even in times of loneliness
• "Jesus is Lord!"
• "Just because something is familiar it doesn't mean it can't be fresh!"
• "Satan fears the minister that lives in Christ's freedom with the disciplines that keep priorities in balance!"
• "God is more concerned in whom I become than in what I do for Him!"
• "Let God give you new, big dreams!"
• "God's highest goal for me is for me to be like Jesus!"
• "In living for God's pleasure I find my true identity!"
• "Holiness is a life-long love relationship with God and with each other as we grow in Christlikeness!"

I also was blessed with the reminder of John Wesley's favorite verses (James 5:15-16). As I sit here with my four-legged buddy cuddled up to me there is a storm outside but there is such peace in my spirit. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for all of the blessings from the weekend! Thank You for my dear friend Edie's wise words, "Friendships just kind of happen over time. Then some move and others come. Just let it happen." Those words enabled me to be at peace with the weekend in a mighty way. Lord, thank You for not allowing me to feel lonely in the midst of my new district. Thank You for the many who made me feel like I was part of the SC family. Father, I pray for my friends who lost their husband/father/grandfather this morning. I pray they will lean upon Your strength through the tough days ahead. I pray for their family to come together and be strengthened. I also pray for the one having a breast biopsy tomorrow. Lord, I also pray for those who lost loved ones from the tornadoes this weekend. I pray for Your will for our safety with the weather ahead this evening. I pray for You to be 'enough' for me as I complete these last four treatments this week. I pray for 'new, big dreams' in the days ahead. I pray for a freshness in 'something that is familiar' when it comes to my relationship with my husband. I pray for You to become more in me so people will see and hear You instead of me. Thank You Jesus for being My Lion & My Lamb! Amen.

James 3:17-18 - "Live It Well"

I don't like short nights of sleep but I am blessed when My Heavenly Father gives me opportunities to pray. When I woke at 3:40 and couldn't go back to sleep, I asked Him to give me people to pray for. I prayed for family members, church circumstances, friends and then He told me to pray for one young lady for 'protection for her soul.' I have not seen nor talked to her or her family for quite some time but the last I did she was serving the Lord. I don't like when situations come up like this in prayer but I am grateful He uses me as a prayer warrior. This morning my thoughts go to this day where we will be on the road for many hours. Not only did I pray for safety on the roads but also for Doc and I to draw closer together as we are on this road in life the Lord has us on. I prayed for us to continue to adjust to our 'new life' with so many aspects of our life changing in this last year. I prayed for the weekend ahead as it will be so different than what we have always known as we gather with our district family. I prayed for new relationships that we would begin and for relationships of the past to stay connected. "Life is short...I wanna live it well" came to my mind as I reflected on the past and looked to the future. No matter where the Lord directs me to go, no matter what He asks of me, no matter when He calls upon me....I want to live out His will. Sometimes that means being lonely. Sometimes living out His will means doing things that don't seem normal or even sometimes reasonable. I use to think it meant leaving your comfort zone but it seems He has expanded the boundaries to the point I no longer have a comfort zone to leave. He has enabled me to be 'comfortable' in doing anything He asks of me. I also prayed for others to come into relationship with Him in such a way. My prayers for others this morning included:

• a pastor and his family who are going through tough physical issues in his body
• a wife who is dealing with her husband having sexual identity issues
• one who is dealing with a terminally ill family member 
• my brother who is struggling physically
• the inauguration today...safety, unity, people to be Christ-like in their words and actions
• a young wife/mother who the Lord told me is 'discontent with life'
• a couple the Lord told me to pray to be 'content' in their marriage 
• two couples trying to get pregnant
• a missionary who is struggling with being away from her family
• a young girl struggling for breath
• Dan and Debbie Bohi who are separated so much while he is on the road; Craig & Connie Rench who are also separated while he is on the road; Jay & Judy Jellison
• Pastor Steve and Thais Ward as they prepare for retirement
• Shawnda and Ryan as their wedding day draws closer
• the neighbor girls with high fevers
• Harold and Rhonda who are looking for a home
• a couple who don't feel a part of their church family
• the pastor and his family who are preparing to move to a new church
• the young lady having eye surgery tomorrow
• everyone going through cancer treatments

The last few verses of the third chapter of James are entitled "Live Well, Live Wisely" in The Message. "Live well, live wisely, live humbly" are good words to live by. Being humble before the Lord is key for anyone who desires to live in His will. It seems like there are many who say they are sanctified yet are not living out the direction of verses seventeen and eighteen. How can one be living a life sold-out to the Lord and yet be in turmoil with their brothers and sisters? It just cannot happen. This is something that I see in many people and I pray their eyes will be opened. I pray they will realize if they truly want to live a holy life they must be Christ-like and love everyone with His love. It takes realizing it is not about the desires of your heart but rather the desires of His heart. He desires for us to be unified not divided. Oh how I pray for our country to be unified instead of divided as a new president goes into office today. Politics should not divide believers yet it is in so many ways. That saddens my heart. I can't imagine how the Lord feels over it.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the day that is ahead! Thank You for safe travels on the road and for a great time together with our District family. Lord, I prayed for so many after waking up. I pray You will bless my prayers. I also pray You will fill me with more of You so people will see and hear You instead of me throughout this day. Oh how I desire to live out Your will. I also pray for more people to have that same desire in their hearts. Thank You Jesus for being My Desire. Amen.

James 1:22; Acts 13:22 - "Ever Be"

"Your praise will ever be on my lips...ever be on my lips..." Yes! I will praise Him no matter what is going on in my life! I have been asked many times how I can praise Him through tough days. My response is "it's easy!" I have no reason to not praise Him but I have lots of reasons to praise Him. He took me back to James 1 this morning and stopped me at verse twenty-two....

God's word tells us over and over to praise Him. One of my favorite verses is I Peter 2:9. It tells me that I am special in God's eyes. He chose me! He called me out of sin into a life of holiness. For all those reasons I need to praise Him! The book of Hebrews tells us to praise God continually in 13:15. King David tells us over and over in the book of Psalm reasons to praise the Lord. He tells us in 71:23 that He rescued us. Therefore, we should praise Him. I love how David is described by Paul in Acts 13:22. He was telling the people about how God had taken the people out of Egypt and given them leaders. When Saul was no longer king, He raised up David as King. Paul quoted Him as saying, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will" (NASB). That is exactly how I want to be described by the Lord. I want to be known as a woman after His heart who will do His will. Woo hoo! As I do His will, I will praise Him!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this song and Scripture this morning. Lord, You know I am physically wore out and in pain yet I praise Your Holy Name for being alive! I praise You with my whole being! I praise You for the strength to continue on in this journey with C. I praise You for the opportunities You will place before me throughout this day to show Your love to others. I pray for more of You to show through my words, actions and attitude throughout this day. I pray for those who are hurting to find reason to praise You. I pray for those who are away from You to find You and praise You. Thank You Father for being My Praise Maker! Amen.

James 1:2-4 - "Live It Well"

"Life is short...I wanna live it well..." This song was going through my mind when the alarm went off this morning. Then on the way into town it came on the radio. Alrighty God, I get the message! I dropped Doc off for his 8:30 appointment and went to the store before going for my treatment. While in the store I received a call that treatment was cancelled due to the server being down. I was bummed at first but then thought I would just do some shopping to take care of the time until time to pick Doc up. I also started to grumble because I would not have had to get up so early if I would have known. The Lord checked me on that! Short time later another call came in to come in for treatment. Thank You Jesus! Little did I know I was on an emotional roller coaster this morning that was just starting. I rushed to get out of the store and get to the Cancer Center only to find out they were so far behind that I wouldn't be able to get my treatment, pick up Doc on-time and get him to his next appointment. Urgh! I left with a smile and told God that I didn't understand what was going on with this day but it was in His hands. I thought I had a half hour to wait on Doc only to have him walk out when I pulled in. I quickly called the Cancer Center to see if I could still get treatment and she said if I came right away. Back I went, Doc dropped me off so he could go to his next appointment and they took me right away. Afterward I had a hour and a half wait for Doc to get back. As I sat there, I thought God must have someone here for me to share Him with but no opportunity came about. So I started praying for workers, patients and family members who came and went. I don't know what His point was of this morning but I do know I am thankful that I can say I am living out my life in His will. I am thankful I did not get angry with this morning but instead was at peace in knowing He was in control. I think back on James 1:2-4 as I reflect on the morning. I chose joy instead of anger. Everyone has that choice to make when things don't go 'right'! No matter what, when you are living in His will things will go the way He desires. When obstacles come into my path, He takes care of them. For that, I am grateful.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being My Peace throughout this hectic morning. Thank You for giving me the privilege to pray for so many. Lord, this morning wore me out and today is Wednesday so there is still church tonight. I need an abundance of Your supernatural strength to come down upon me. I pray for more of You so people will see/hear You through me. I pray for a blessing upon the rest of this day. Thank You Jesus for being My Peace. Amen.

James 4:7-10 - "Thy Will"

This morning the Lord took me to chapter 4 of James and stopped me at verses seven through ten. He reminded me of how my journey with C is easier because I have submitted to Him. He also reminded me that as the days get harder I need to draw closer to Him. I need to trust Him in a whole new way. Verse ten in the NIV says to "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will life you up." Yes! That is the key. As I draw near to Him and allow Him to be greater than me, He will give me the strength for days like today. When I made the decision to get serious in my life of holiness, my relationship with Him went to a whole new level. I trust Him deeper today than in the past. I love Him more today than any other time in my life. I seek Him in a greater way than before. I know He is with me each and every moment and I praise His Holy Name for that knowledge. Can I 'do' today? Nope, not on my own strength. But praise God I don't live in my own strength! He lives in and through me! He is in control of every word that comes out of my mouth, every thought that goes through my mind and everything I do. He also is with me in my attitude. Oh how I desire to please Him in all I say and do. The only way to accomplish that is to be Kingdom Living. C will be dealt with and conquered through Kingdom Living. People may not understand the way I live and that's OK. The Lord is the only One I aim to please. He will deal with their attitudes and actions. I am not responsible for them. I am only responsible for myself and making sure I am living in His will.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for waking me to "Thy Will" this morning. Thank You for the strength You continue to provide in this journey of C. Father, I thought MS was hard but oh my it is a piece of cake compared to these days. Lord, I ask that the cream come today and that it relieves some of this pain. That is a selfish prayer and I am sorry for that. I just don't want this pain to be a distraction that will take my focus off of You. Lord, strengthen my focus. Give me more of Your Spirit today. Bless me with more of You so people will see and hear You instead of me today. Thank You for being My Focus. Amen.

James 1:19-21 - "Washed By The Water"

I woke up this morning to these words in "Washed By The Water"....

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

This song was written after a pastor (who is the father of brothers in the band) went through a tough time with someone in the church verbally tearing him down. One of the brothers said this about his father, "I just thought it was a cool thing that my dad kept his integrity throughout that whole situation." In this particular situation it was a father's own children looking at the response he gave to a nasty situation. But we must remember people are watching to see how we respond to words or situations. They want to see how we will react to adversity. Reactions say a lot for a person's faith. Will we depend upon the Lord or will we strike out with ways and words of the enemy. We live in an atmosphere of evil. We have to make the choice of either Kingdom living or not. It all comes down to that choice. We must remember as we go through trials on this earth that it is not the trial we must focus on but instead it is our faith in going through the trial. If we choose to react to a trial in a way that is not Christ-like, the enemy will win. Instead we need to go deeper in our faith and trust God. We cannot give into sin as a reaction. Instead we must realize we can grow in our faith through the trial. God does not give all the trials we go through but He will use them to make our faith stronger. In James 1:19-21 we are given instruction on how to deal with anger. Anger can lead to sin. Sin leads to death. Earlier in the chapter we are given instruction on how to deal with all trials. Trials lead to tests. The manner in which we react to those tests needs to be perseverance. Perseverance leads to maturity in Christ which leads to eternal life. In order to live eternally with our Heavenly Father we must...

• live out our faith during the trials of life
• say 'no' to sin and allow our Heavenly Father to work in and through us
• die to self

Many believers have accepted Him yet continue to hold onto the notion that sin is a part of life. It does not have to be. In I Peter 1:16 and different verses of Leviticus the Lord tells us, "Be holy, for I am holy." Christ did not sin while on this earth. He is the example we need to follow. Jesus didn't hang on the cross and blame His Father for the trial He was in. Instead He drew strength from His Father. We need to do the same thing as we go through trials on this earth. Instead of sinning in our thoughts and actions we need to embrace the trial and seek what He wants us to learn from it. I like how Matthew Henry describes it...

Verses 19-21 Instead of blaming God under our trials, let us open our ears and hearts to learn what he teaches by them. And if men would govern their tongues, they must govern their passions. The worst thing we can bring to any dispute, is anger. Here is an exhortation to lay apart, and to cast off as a filthy garment, all sinful practices. This must reach to sins of thought and affection, as well as of speech and practice; to every thing corrupt and sinful. We must yield ourselves to the word of God, with humble and teachable minds. Being willing to hear of our faults, taking it not only patiently, but thankfully. It is the design of the word of God to make us wise to salvation; and those who propose any mean or low ends in attending upon it, dishonour the gospel, and disappoint their own souls.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this song and study this morning. Father, I pray for more of You in me so that I can live a life pleasing to You. I pray for Your words, action and attitude to show through me today. Whatever is ahead, I pray I will react in Your way. Lord, sometimes words tear us down but we must always remember that Your love covers us. I love the words to this song that "Even when the rain falls...the flood starts rising...the storm comes, I am washed by the water." Woo hoo! Yes! I live these words out each and every day and am so grateful for that knowledge. Lord, take my faith deeper! Thank You Father for being My Water. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Thy Will"

What a night! I guess I shouldn't be surprised since it was a Saturday night but oh my. My conversation this morning with the Lord when it was time to get up...

ME: I can't do this...

GOD: Yes you can, Daughter. In my strength.

ME: Urgh...I can't...

GOD: Daughter!

ME: Sorry, God. I know...I know...Philippians 4:13...I can do all things through Your strength. But Father why did I have to be awake so much last night?

GOD: Just look at all of the ones you prayed for. Your prayers were heard and will be blessed.

ME: But Father couldn't You have heard those prayers during the day?

GOD: Daughter!

So this morning I will lean on His strength and bask in the knowledge that I prayed for many during the night...

• my husband...strength in every aspect of his life
• my boys and their ladies...to love each other unconditionally
• my grand babies to know I love them and miss them dearly
• my Momma for strength
• my brother who is suffering with cancer...I prayed for mercy and for his new wife
• my siblings to draw close to the Lord
• our church family...some who have been missing...some who are dealing with physical issues...some who are dealing with emotional baggage...some who are dealing with conviction
• the church building rehab costs we will receive tomorrow
• people in our area who don't have a church home
• my new neighbor who needs a good dose of Jesus...I pray he saw Him in me when I took him breakfast yesterday
• the sweet little one I snuggled with yesterday...I pray her and her brother will see Jesus through my love for them
• the family who are temporarily separated due to a new job for the husband
• the family who are adjusting to having Daddy back from deployment
• the Momma and her two babies who are adjusting to Daddy being deployed
• the young Momma who is dealing with her little guy's father who is not being a Daddy
• the newly engaged couple
• one awaiting MRI results
• the couple who are having issues with trusting one another
• the little guy recently diagnosed with leukemia as he started chemo; his family
• the one seeking God's will yet not letting go of blatant sin
• these next seven treatments...my cream to come in the mail...my pain to lessen

Dear Jesus,

As I go back over all who You had me pray for I realize there are many needs, especially spiritual ones. Father, I am sorry I was crabby. I am physically so drained this morning. But I will rely on Your strength. I ask that You not only just 'get me through this morning' but that You bless me in abundance through it. I pray for people to be in Sunday School and Church. I pray they aren't just there but that they are blessed through what they see or hear. I pray for people to leave their misconceived notions at home of what they want out of church and instead be open to You. Lord, I am not just praying this for our church but for all churches. I am praying there will be people wake up today and for the very first time seek out a church to attend. I also am praying for all my pastor friends to have boldness from the pulpit. Lord, take away distractions the enemy tries to put in their way by using people with issues/problems. Protect all pastors this morning and fill them to overflowing with more of You. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.

James 5:16 - "Magnify"

As I read James 5 this morning the Lord stopped me at verse sixteen. I thought about one I have been praying for that seems to not have her prayers being answered. She believes and has faith in God yet for some reason her prayers don't seem to be answered. God always answers our prayers but the answers are not always what we desire. The thing we must remember is His answers are always a part of His plan. In these verses it points out that we must be "living right with God" in order for our prayers "to be reckoned with." This is where the idea of living a life of holiness comes into play. When we live a life in the manner He desires, it still does not mean our prayers will always be answered in the way we expect them to be. But it does mean whenever He answers our prayers we will be content. He will give us the desires of His heart the closer we draw near to Him. We will understand the way He answers our prayers as we live out a life for Him. I did not choose to have C yet I am being blessed through the opportunities He is giving me through it. This is hard to comprehend unless one is living sold out to Him. One cannot be "whole and healed" unless they are living a life of holiness. People think they are 'ok' with just being saved but everyone needs to take the next step before they are truly living the life the Lord desires of them. It actually is plain and simple. Sin separates us from God. When we are living out a life based upon our own decisions desires, we are not living as He desires. Instead He wants us to allow Him to give us the desires of His heart to live out. Our prayers will change drastically when He is in control of every aspect of our life. Instead of praying for healing of a specific disease we will pray for Him to be glorified in the outcome. That doesn't mean we won't pray for a healing. It just means we will pray for a healing if it is a part of His plan. We ultimately will be healed in His time. That may mean on this earth or it may mean when we are given new bodies in heaven. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all of the blessings of yesterday. Thank You for the blessings ahead in this day. The day has already changed from what I thought it would look like and I am OK with that. I know Your plan is the best plan of all. I pray You will be glorified in my words, actions and attitude throughout this day. I pray You will fill me to overflowing with more of You so people see and hear You today through me. Lord, I do pray against this pain but as You already know my ultimate goal is for You to be glorified through me. Whatever it takes to win one to You or to open someones eyes to something You have for them...that is my prayer. Lord, I pray for my brother who is dealing with C in some nasty ways. May You be glorified in his situation. I also pray for others who are dealing with physical issues. May You become so real to them that there is no doubt they need to live a life of surrender to You. Thank You Jesus for being My Holiness. Amen.

James 1:2-4 - "Put Your Hand In The Hand"

Last night Doc started singing "Put Your Hand In The Hand" and I asked him where he heard it. I had the same song going through my head all day yesterday. He said he had no idea. When I told him I also had it, he asked if I had been humming it but I had not. We were not together much yesterday and didn't go anywhere together so it wasn't as if we had heard it somewhere. We knew then the Lord had given it to us but not sure why. We live a life for Christ. We follow His will as best as we can. I think the line, "Take a look at yourself and you can look at the others differently" is key to what happens when you strive to live a life of holiness. Jesus takes away the desire to be critical of others. He gives new eyes to those who strive to be Christ-like. Instead of questioning people's actions one only questions the Lord on how to deal with such actions. I pray if we have slipped somewhere the Lord will reveal it to us. If He is preparing us for something ahead, I pray we will be ready. No matter what, I know there was a reason for this song. When I woke up in pain during the night, I started praying. I wondered who the Lord would wake up to pray for me as He wakes me up often to pray for others. Then I thought to myself, "Well duh woman He woke you up!" So I started praying for myself even though I would prefer to pray for others. As I prayed, I cried out for Him to take the pain away. Once again He gave me James 1:2-4. Once again I was blessed in knowing He will be glorified through my pain. The pain I am experiencing is nothing compared to His pain while on this earth. I have been reminded of that so many times over these last two and a half months. His pain was for a purpose. My pain is for a purpose. God was glorified through His pain and I pray He will be glorified through mine. After praying for over an hour I woke Doc up and asked Him to pray that I could go back to sleep. The rest of the night was spent in and out of sleep but I was grateful for every bit I had. I know He will give me the strength for the day ahead and for that I am so grateful. I know I will have my hand in His as we walk the journey before me today and the days ahead.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday which was filled with so many blessings. Thank You for the time by the waterfront, coffee with a friend, rest time, time with the boys and Grammy and a walk with my honey. Father, today is a new day. I pray for opportunities to be You to all I meet. I pray for more of You so people will see and hear You instead of me today. Fill me to overflowing with You in my words, actions and attitude. Father, I also pray for many who are going through tough times with breast cancer. I pray for those who are undergoing tests for the possibility of it. I pray for those awaiting surgery to rid of it. I pray for those undergoing treatment for it. Lord, may You be their peace and their strength. May You be with those who hear the words, "We found cancer." Thank You Jesus for being My Peace and My Strength. Amen.

James 1:2-4 - "Oceans"

Yesterday as we were leaving for my treatment and then going on to the neurologist I said to Doc, "Wouldn't it be cool if the MRI showed no MS?!?!" That didn't happen but at least there are no new lesions. As I heard the report my first thought was of disappointment but then I thought about how blessed I am through the MS. I thought about how the oncologist told me I was 'lined up' with my treatments which means they are doing exactly what they are suppose to be doing. God is blessing me through these diseases in so many ways. These last few days have been very painful and yet He continues to bless me with...

• opportunities to be a beacon of light at the Cancer Center
• prayer warriors who pray for me continually and never tire of me asking for prayer
• a husband who even when he doesn't know what to do he continues to support me
• the reminder of James 1:2-4

When I was going through the MS diagnosis, He gave me Philippians 4:13 to hold onto. With C it has been James 1:2-4. It was interesting how He gave me II Timothy 1:7 to give different people yesterday. One going in for an elective surgery that was postponed, one going in for a MRI and one whose church burned to the ground all received that verse.  God gave me "Be still and know that I am God" to give another one. I wonder if these will be verses they will hold onto through their situations. I love when He gives me scripture to tell people. We all go through storms in life and we all have a choice to make on how we ride out the storms. We can choose God or we can choose the lies of the enemy. God will uphold where the enemy tears down. God will give eternal strength where the enemy gives only temporal strength. God is the answer. This morning He woke me to....

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

Oh how I know these words to be true. The storms of life can be accomplished so much easier with God in control. Some question why God allows storms to happen. If they didn't, we wouldn't need Him. If it were not for C, I wouldn't have the opportunities that have come my way. I am not going to miss a lot of the aspects of these treatments but I am going to miss my new friends I have met there. I am blessed with a great doctor, a wonderful nurse and awesome technicians! Life will definitely be different after they are completed. God has blessed me in abundance over the course of these treatments and I know He will continue to bless me as I complete the last nine. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for yesterday and all of the blessings You poured out on me. Thank You for knowing exactly what I need and providing. Thank You for the strength You provided for me not only physically but most importantly spiritually. Thank You for the day ahead and for all of the opportunities You will give me to be You to others. Fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You and not me in my words, action and attitude. Father, thank You so much for being My God. Amen.