Psalm 116 - "Gracious Tempest"

I am so thankful for the time God took me back into fellowship with Him after I strayed. His love, grace and mercy are the only reason I am where I am today. Had He not accepted me back I would still be living in a life of awful sin. Instead I am living a life of peace and blessings in His presence. Psalm 116 talks about how David confessed and lived with Him. There were three things David confessed to. One was his faith (vs 10). He praised God in his prayers (vs 12). We must do the same. We also must praise God on our lips so others can hear. Another thing David confessed was his fear (vs. 11). The more he went through, the more he grew weary. We must be careful of our words and actions when we become weary. I know I personally have to work on this hard so I do not let crabbiness show through no matter how I feel. My words can be blunt and my patience with people short if I do not stay prayed up in the situation.The third thing David confessed was his gratitude (vs 12). We can never 'repay' the Lord for all He does for us but we do need to have a spirit of thankfulness. People need to hear how He blesses us. It is not that we are bragging to make others feel bad. We are bragging on Him to make Him please Him. A few years ago I had a person tell me God blessed me more than them. After praying for right words and attitude I told them God blesses my obedience. Everyone has the same chance to be blessed by God. It is up to us to listen to His Voice and then be obedient to Him. It comes back to Him giving us free choice. My choice is to live in His presence. When they start living in His presence and being obedient to His Voice, their life would be blessed more. I also pointed out that they were being blessed but just either didn't see it or didn't proclaim it. I was grateful they took my words in the right way and pondered on them. Just as David resolved to offer up his praises to God, we need to do the same. He delivers us from the 'junk' of this world every day. That is a great thing to praise Him for! He saves us from the evil one and gives us eternal life. That is another great thing to praise Him for! When we call upon His name (vs 2, 13, 17), He listens. There are times He is the Only One who can or will listen to us. I absolutely love verses sixteen through nineteen. This is where I live. I am His servant, ready to do whatever He asks of me. Sometimes what He asks is simple while other times it is very hard. The move to South Carolina was a mixed bag. It was so hard to leave family and friends yet it was so easy to walk in obedience. I am so grateful for all we have accomplished since coming here. Overcoming many obstacles with a greater faith has not been easy but yet it is rewarding. No matter how many darts the enemy flies our way "I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it in the company with His people, In the place of worship, in God's house" as we build the Beaufort Church of the Nazarene.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for bringing me back into Your arms many years ago. Thank You for giving me the spirit of willingness to being obedient. Thank You for enabling me to hear Your Voice and follow it. Lord, You are so good! Thank You for the fourteen children and teens who were here last night being loved on with Your love. Thank You for the seeds that were planted into their hearts. Father, today is a new day and I pray You will enable me to plant seeds. I pray for lives to be touched by You through me. Lord, grow my faith to a new level today however You desire. That means whatever You desire of me, Lord. No matter how challenging, I am ready. Be my words, actions, attitude and focus throughout this day in a whole new way. I continue to pray for a healing in Doc's body. I pray for a miracle to happen in him so he no longer feels so miserable. Lord, be his strength today in whatever You give him to do. Thank You Jesus for being Our Empowerment. Amen.

Psalm 115 - "Not To Us"

Psalm 115 is full of richness of how we are to give God the glory no matter what. That means in 'good' days and 'tough' days. It means even when we do not feel like it. When we do, He enables us to get through tough times easier. He does not always take them away because if He did we would not think we need Him. He is the One to give glory to (vs. 1). We are not to give glory to anything but Him (vs. 2-8). We give Him glory when we trust Him. It is through this time His promises are fulfilled and we are blessed (vs. 9-15). When we glorify Him, He is blessed (vs. 16-8). A commentary reads about this Psalm, "Some think this psalm was penned upon occasion of some great distress and trouble that the church of God was in, when the enemies were in insolent and threatening, in which case the church does not so much pour out her complaint to God as place her confidence in God, and triumph in doing so; and with such a holy triumph we ought to sing this psalm." Woo hoo! Yes! We must put our confidence in Him and continue on keeping on our path with Him when the enemy comes knocking at our door.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for these words of encouragement today. Thank You for never leaving me. Thank You for my Momma's eye surgery going well this morning. I pray for her time of recuperation and healing to go well. I pray for people near her to check on her and encourage her. Lord, I pray for our time with the children and teens tonight. Please use us to be a beacon of light in their lives. I also pray for healing in my husband's body. Lord, be our words, attitude and actions during tough days to not only others but to each other. Thank You Jesus for being The One We Glorify. Amen.

Psalm 114 - "In Christ Alone"

Psalm 114 is a shortened version of what the Lord did for the Israelites. He brought them out of slavery (vs 1); He set up His tabernacle (vs 2); He opened up the Red Sea (vs 3, 5); He gave them the Ten Commandments (vs 4, 6, 7); and He provided water (vs 8). This Psalm shows His power and blessing upon them. The last words of Psalm 114 remind me of how He showed His power and blessing yesterday for us. It truly was a miracle in the way He provided our refrigerator. Thursday night when we realized the refrigerator was not working properly we were bummed. We prayed for God to allow it to be something easily fix. When the repairman told me the estimate of $900 to replace the compressor, I was once again bummed. I prayed over and over until Doc got home about the situation. I asked God to give us wisdom in the situation. I decided I would get the cheapest one they had in order to save money. When we went to Lowe's, Doc told me to get what I wanted and not get the cheapest. I didn't argue and picked out a bottom freezer one with the ice/water in the door. Thankfully they were having a sale along with 0% interest for a period of time. We told them our situation and the clerk talked to her manager. She came back with the news they would deliver it yesterday afternoon. We did the paperwork and left feeling like we did what we were suppose to do. Yesterday morning I received a phone call from them thinking they were setting up the delivery time. Instead they were calling to say they were unable to deliver it due to being understaffed. He explained if we would pick it up they would give us half off! I asked him to repeat what he said because I couldn't believe it! We called Jeff and he brought his trailer to us at church. When we went to pick it up, I first went to Customer Service because I wanted to make sure the half price was true. Sure enough it was. After getting the adjustment on the bill I went back to get it only to hear, "We have a little issue." The clerk went onto explain the computer showed three in stock of the one we purchased but they couldn't find any. He continued to explain they had a newer model that had taken the place of it. It had different lighting and seven door drawers instead of four. It also cost $100 more but if we were willing to take it they would take off that $100! Wow, God is good! What a blessing to have Mike and Larry meet us at the house to get it unloaded and get the old one out. Then God provided our neighbor Joshua to help us get the old one to the dump. Previously in the week He provided space in our neighbor Grammy's freezer so we didn't lose our meat. Wow, God is good! He is really good when it comes to the bottom line of this story! The $900 bill to repair the old fridge was astronomical for us but we knew we did not want to put that money into a fridge that may break again soon. He gave Doc wisdom in telling me to get the one I wanted since they truly did not have it in stock. He gave Lowe's a generous spirit when they didn't have the staff to deliver and then when they didn't have ours in stock. The bottom line for our new refrigerator is less than the $900 repair bill would have been plus we got a five year extended warranty on this one! Wow, He is good! Yesterday morning I was so blessed as I lead Praise and Worship. "Forever" He is faithful, strong and with us because...

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

Thursday I chose joy instead of grumbling and negative words. Friday I stood upon that choice. Today I am grateful for choosing Him instead of the enemy. I shared in Sunday School about how I feel like the enemy is sitting on one shoulder doing his best to bring me down while God is on the other shoulder encouraging me. Tough days make us stronger in our faith when we choose God over the enemy. As Doc preached yesterday, we must allow God to be in control of our whole life. A life lived in His presence is a life blessed by His presence.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday! Thank You for the blessings ahead in this day! Father, I praise You for the way You provided our refrigerator. I praise You for the way You encourage me every day. I praise You for enabling me to choose joy during tough days. I praise You for the way You are stretching my faith. Father, I pray You will be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. I pray for more of You to fill me up to overflowing so You ooze out of me. Father, I also pray for my friends who are going through a tough time. I praise You they are strong believers. I ask You wrap Your loving arms around them as they are dealing with financial concerns, relational issues in their family, an upcoming surgery that may show cancer...they have so much going on but Lord You are greater than any of their 'junk'! Woo hoo! Yes! You are even greater than C! I praise You for that! Be their strength! Thank You Jesus for being Our Miracle Maker! Amen.

Psalm 113 - "God, You Are My God"

As I read Psalm 113 I was reminded of a song I use to sing in Sunday School called "Praise Ye The Lord." We would see which side of the room could sing the loudest on the two parts. Or it would be a competition between the boys and the girls. Fun memories! I pray we are making similar memories with the children and teens on Tuesday nights. My prayer is that we are raising up boys and girls who will grow into godly men and women. Yesterday as I hugged one girl and told her we would miss her as she left for Texas tears came into her eyes. Oh how my heart breaks for these ones leaving us. I pray there will be Christian people in their new neighborhoods who will love on them with the love of Jesus. I pray for protection over them and for their time of adjustment to go smoothly. Her tears started my tears. As I watched the moving truck drive away I felt like a piece of me was going with it. The time we have invested into this family with Doc talking with the father, me talking with the mother and all the times of the children being in our home has been great. But was it enough? Were there seeds planted that will grow? Is the family unit stronger from our time together? I sure hope so. I know we try to do whatever the Lord puts before us in the way He desires but there are times where I feel like we are fighting the enemy so much we may not be as effective as we could be. Sometimes I feel like the fight against him is too much. The Lord is our strength and we must remember to allow Him to fight for us. This Psalm this morning reminds me to praise Him no matter what. I must remember that He is greater than anything the enemy throws our way. I also must remember God blesses every day in one way or another. His blessings are greater than the 'junk' of this world. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for blessing me so greatly! Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace! Father, my heart breaks for these two families who have moved. I pray the children and teens will be in a place where godly people will love on them with Your love. I pray protection over them, especially the teen girl. I pray for Your Mighty Hand to guide them. I pray the seeds we have planted will be nourished and grow. Father, I also pray for the day ahead. I pray for strength in Doc's body. I pray for You to flow from us. Be our words, actions and attitude throughout this day in a mighty way. Fill us to overflowing with more of You than we've ever had. Thank You Jesus for being Our Strength. Amen.

Psalm 112 - "Magnify"

I love the word picture Psalm 112 gives. It shows a life of one who is blessed in abundance as they are live a life for the Lord. He provides prosperity unlike what the world sees as being rich (vs 3). He gives comfort (vs 4) and wisdom (vs 5) to all who seek a life with Him. He gives stability (vs 6-8) to them and honors (vs 6, 9) them. In turn, when the enemy sees how nothing can stop one from living for Christ he will be "infuriated" with them. In verse ten in the Living Bible it says the enemy will "slink away" but I see him doing that only temporarily. He does not give up easily. He comes back over and over trying to get what the Lord has. How many times does the enemy keep coming back? I am not sure but I do know there have been multiple times he has shown his face in our lives over the last year. But we will not give up. We will not allow him to win. Why? Because our God is greater! We accept His comfort and wisdom. We accept his stability in this life of craziness. Nothing surprises God. He goes before us. My prayer is found in verse six...God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. Amen! That is exactly what I want to happen through my life. 

Surgery??? No problem...
Biosy??? No problem...
Another surgery??? No problem...
Cancer??? No problem...
Another surgery??? No problem...
Radiation??? No problem...
Possible heart attack??? No problem...
Death of a loved one??? No problem...
Unknown health issue??? No problem...
Refrigerator went out??? No problem...
How can these be 'no problem'? It is very simple. 'God's got this' is our mindset. We know He goes before us. We know He loves us and has His hands upon us. We know He is our strength. We also know He is our eternity.

Dear Jesus,
Once again I thank You for encouraging me this morning through Your Word. I thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings ahead in this day. I pray for Your empowerment over Doc this morning as he faces the stacks of mail and packages to be delivered. I pray You will enable him to overcome anything that tries to steal his joy. I pray You will be greater than the high temperature of this day. Lord, encourage his heart. I also pray You will empower me to do whatever You put in my path today. I know what I 'think' will happen but I want to be ready for anything You desire of me. I am singing these words today for both Doc and myself, Lord.

God be greater than the worries in my life
Be stronger than the weakness in my mind
Be louder let your glory come alive
Be magnified (2X)

Yes, Lord! Be magnified in a way that will show people who is in control of our lives. Father, be our words, actions, attitude and focus in a brand new way. Thank You for being Our Strength. Amen.

Psalm 111 - "You Raise Me Up"

I have a choice to make. I can choose to praise the Lord or I can choose to be grumpy and complain about things. I am making the choice to praise the Lord. Psalm 111 is my choice of words today...

I will not speak of all the negatives going on but I will speak the positives! It is going to be a beautiful day with sunshine and the Son shining down on us. Today will be filled with good things. It will be a day where the Lord uses us to be a beacon of light wherever He leads us. Today is His day and will be filled with Him. These words in Psalm 111 are full of the greatness of His works. They are full of His glory, His righteousness, His goodness, His power and His promises. I am claiming verse ten and will stand on the fear of God. I will be obedient to Him. This will be the best way to praise Him.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday. Thank You for the few hours Doc and I had to enjoy life. Father, I pray for him today as he does his route. I pray for it to go smooth and for little pain in his body. Lord, I pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to give him strength throughout today and tomorrow as he does his route. I pray for You to boldly speak through him as he preaches Sunday. Right now as he is casing I pray for him to feel Your empowerment in a mighty way. Be greater than the pain...be greater than any confusion...be greater than the enemy who is trying to make him doubt he can do this job. You provided it and I pray You will empower him to do it. I also pray for an empowerment for myself. I pray for joy to be on my lips throughout this day in a mighty way. Be my words, actions and attitude but especially be my Joy! Thank You Jesus for being The One We Praise. Amen.

Psalm 109:30-31 - "Praise You In This Storm"

There are times in life where one can become overwhelmed with the acts of others. It seems like people can be so mean with not only their words but sometimes their actions. We must remember the Lord never leaves us. He may allow things to happen to draw us closer to Him but He is still with us. When David wrote Psalm 109, it could have been when Saul was against him, his son rebelled against him or another time when he was going through trouble. No matter what the circumstance, David looked to God. This chapter is pretty explicit in expressing his desires for his enemy (vs 6-20). He asks God to help him through tough days (vs 21-29) and praises Him for being there with him (vs 30-31). The last two verses are the key to this whole chapter. When we go through days that seem like we cannot go on, we must realize God continues to be with us. We also must realize the need to continue to praise Him through the storms of life.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with the work that was accomplished at the building, the accomplishments in my school work, my time with Jimmy and Eli, a visit with friends who stopped over and Bible study at Mr. Fran's. It was a full and blessed day. I pray people heard and saw You in me. I pray the same for today. I also pray for those who are going through tough days. Lord, I pray they will praise You through whatever storm they are going through. I especially pray for my friend who is dealing with an issue with her adult son. I pray You will be very real to her and her husband in these days of uncertainty with their son. I also pray You will put someone in his life he will trust enough to confide in. Lord, You are greater than his circumstance. He knows that but he needs reminded of it. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Praise. Amen.

Psalm 108:12-13 - "My Help Comes From The Lord"

Yesterday I read something in one of my textbooks that stuck with me. "God creates human beings and asks them to do His work in His place and to love and live for all eternity showing His nature and love” (Cosgrove). That sums up our purpose on this earth so well. He "asks" us. He doesn't tell us we have to do anything. We have free choice. But those who choose to do His will live a totally different life than those who choose to live their own way of life. Once a person says 'yes' to everything the Lord asks of them life changes. They no longer make decisions without first asking Him for guidance. Their checkbook, calendar, possessions, family, etc. become His. It is weird how one thinks of everything as being theirs but in reality it always was His. One's way of thinking changes when He is in control. Instead of wanting possessions for oneself the desire to give to others is great. Instead of looking for ways to be satisfy self one looks on ways to satisfy others. It seems some get discouraged living such a life for Christ. Things don't always go right. There is dissension in
marriages and families. There are health or financial issues to deal with. Sometimes it seems like anything that can go wrong, does. Why? Because the enemy does not like when we live for Christ. That is why it is so important to stay in a relationship with Christ where we can hear His Voice. The last words of Psalm 108 show us how David cried out for help when he needed help against the enemy. We need to follow His example. One thing I have learned in crying out to the Lord for help is not to ask for my situation to go away. Instead I ask that He give me strength and wisdom as I deal with it. My desire is for Him to be glorified in the good and the bad things that happen in my life. I love when He wipes out the enemy but I really love it when non-believers acknowledge it!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday! Thank You for all the school work that was accomplished, keeping us safe from the tornado watch, our time with the children and teens, being with my Momma with her health issues...the list goes on and on! Thank You for the blessings ahead in this day. I pray for Your strength...physical, mental, emotional but most of all spiritual for this day. I pray You will be my words, actions, attitude and focus. Doc said I needed an attitude adjustment yesterday and I pray that is not the same today. Forgive me for being crabby and enable me not to be that way today. Lord, I especially pray for Chris' family as they go through these tough days with her death. Oh how I pray someone will find You in this time. Thank You Jesus for being My Help. Amen.

Psalm 107:28-31 - "Hold Me Jesus"

I woke up sining "Hold Me Jesus" and thought 'Wow, God, You always know exactly what I need!' I had a horrible dream last night. No, it was more like a nightmare. The thing that made me realize there is no way for it to come true is my Daddy was alive in it and we didn't live close to the beach but in the mountains.

So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf 
You have been King of my glory 
Won't You be my Prince of Peace

He is truly my Prince of Peace. I am so blessed to have peace in my spirit when there is anything but peace in life. I have peace when...

• my legs do not want to function due to MS
• my husband continues to have physical issues
• I get a call from a family member so far away with a hurt
• there seems like there won't be enough money to cover the bills
• I heard "Mrs Burrows, I am so sorry to tell you we did find cancer"

I have lived these situations out yet the Lord gave me peace. Why? How? Plain and simple. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of my life. He is in control of every aspect of my being. When I went through the last bout of MS with nine months of walking issues, there were times I wondered if that was my new way of life. But He reassured me to 'go deeper Daughter' in my relationship with Him. Sometimes I wonder if that nine months were in preparation for South Carolina. If I would not have gone through that time, maybe I would have 'kicked and screamed' and refused to leave Ohio. Maybe I would not have been obedient to His Voice in this move. Oh my! I don't ever want to be in that position!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the way You encourage me. Thank You for the way You give me peace in the midst of the storms of life. Lord, if there is anything that is not of You in my life please remove it. If there is anything I did not of you, forgive me. I pray for more of You to fill me up to overflowing so people will see/hear You in and through me today. Father, be with my neighbor having surgery today. I pray for not only a physical healing for her but a spiritual healing. I also pray for the family who lost their loved one to a sudden heart attack. Lord, I don't know where she was spiritually but I do know there are many family members lost. I pray something will happen from her death to bring them to You. Lord, there are so many people who need You in their lives. Some believe in You but have never turned their lives over to You fully. I pray for those who are unsaved and those who are not sanctified wholly to come into a relationship with You that will be life-changing. Thank You Jesus for being My Prince of Peace. Amen.

Psalm 107:1-9 - "Lord You Are Good"

God is so good! No matter what circumstances we go through on this earth He is good. Yesterday as the sweat was pouring off of me during Praise and Worship I was reminded that He provided every drop of sweat. If I were not sweating, then I may not be healthy enough to be there. Or it may be that I would not have a place to worship. If I were not sweating, it could be I was no longer alive. Although that would be glorious because I would no longer be dealing with the 'junk' of this world. As long as I am on this earth I need to not only praise Him but share Him with others. He didn't save me nor sanctify me wholly just to exist. He redeemed me to fill me up with more of Him so He will ooze out of every bit of my being. As I seek more of Him, He will fulfill my needs. He will fill up my tank and strengthen me. Matthew Henry words it: "Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, after God, the living God, and communion with him, shall be abundantly replenished with the goodness of his house both in grace and glory." In the NIV it says "He satisfies"...yes! 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder this morning from Psalm 107. Lord, I praise You for the relationship I have with You. I praise You for Your love, mercy and grace. Father, I praise You for the day that is ahead. I pray You will use me to be a beacon of light to anyone I talk to or meet. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see/hear You instead of me. Father, this morning my heart breaks for Chris' family. Lord, may You use her death to bring someone to You. I pray someone will be there to be You to them throughout these tough days. Lord, comfort them in a way they will found You. Thank You Jesus for being My Goodness. Amen.

Psalm 106:1 - "In Awe"

These words...of my...

Cause Your love is overwhelming
Your love is overwhelming
It's only You and me here
And Your love is overwhelming
Your love is overwhelming
I can barely breathe here
I'm living in awe
Cause You don't need me at all
But You couldn't love me more..

Yesterday was full of His presence in so many ways but especially in the way He answered prayers. He does not always answer in the way I desire but He always answers. I was disappointed in a situation yesterday morning but after it was over I realized how I prayed was not what was best for me. Many prayers were answered in the way I desired such as prayers for a light day with mail on Doc's route. When an urgent situation arose, I prayed and asked six others to pray. Within an hour those prayers were answered. Seven. The number of perfection. Seven people prayed in agreement and the Lord answered. Woo hoo! It is overwhelming to think about how much He loves us. "I'm living in awe" is so true yet I should not be surprised when He answers prayers. I should have faith He will and I do but yet there are still times I'm amazed. He is so good. We continually pray for Doc's pain to be alleviated yet it continues for an unknown reason. He knows the reason and we have faith He will reveal it. In our humanness we desire that revelation to be sooner than later but we cannot rush God. In His time He will either reveal the reason or take the pain away. I pray it does not take nine months as in my last MS exasperation. If it does, I pray for an extra dose of supernatural strength for both Doc and myself to deal with it day in and day out.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your great love! Thank You for answering prayers...even when they are not the way I pray or not in the timing I desire. Your will and Your timing is perfect. Lord, today is a day when bodies of believers will gather together to worship You. I pray for every pastor going into the pulpit this morning. I pray for the pastors on Sabbatical to have their cup filled today in a whole new way. I pray for strength for pastors who are feeling torn down. Fill them with a new dose of You today. Encourage their hearts. Lord, I pray You will be their words as they proclaim the Gospel. I pray against the enemy having any foothold in their lives today. Close their ears to negative comments and open them to positive ones. Wrap Your arms around them and enable them to feel Your strength. Oh Father how I pray for pastors today. I also pray for many Nazarene Churches who are having annual elections. Once again, I pray for Your will in these elections so Your Church can fulfill the Great Commission in a whole new way. Lord, would You please be my words, actions, focus and attitude today? Would You encourage my heart in a whole new way? Would You open my heart up to experience in a new way? Woo hoo! I am ready for this day! I am ready for anything the enemy throws our way because I know Your love is stronger! Thank You for being the One To Love Us. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Even If"

These words...oh my...

I know You're able
And I know You can
Save through the fire
With Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone

I feel like we go from one thing to another to another to another...I'm getting worn down but I refuse to allow the enemy to win. I refuse. On one hand I hope he hears that but on the other he attacks harder when he knows our weaknesses. I am really struggling with feeling weak but I must remember God is stronger. God is greater. God is mightier. He lives in us so therefore, we are strong in Him! He must really think we are strong to allow things to happen as they have. I guess maybe He needs us to be stronger but oh my.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with the pulpit, communion table and chairs given to us by a church. Thank You for the time I had to see my sister Linda and get some hugs. It amazes me (but it really shouldn't) how You orchestrate things such as that. Her and I being in the same area at the same time...wow! I still am amazed at how the one Sunday we will be in Ohio Ben is preaching. You are so good! Father, we are struggling and need Your strength in a mighty way. Doc needs Your strength as he does his route today. He needs not only physical but also mental, emotional and spiritual strength in abundance from You today. I need Your strength to continue on. I don't want us to just 'get through today' but I desire for us to be focused on You so we can be a beacon of light wherever You lead us. Fill us to overflowing with more of You. Be our words, attitude and focus. Lord, we want to say, "It is well with my soul." Thank You Jesus for being Our Strength. Amen.

Psalm 106:1-3 - "Home"

Every time I woke up during the night Chris Tomlin's song "Home" was going through my mind. Sometimes when I hear of a believer dying I am a little jealous. Days on this earth can be so hard. I am so grateful for the hope I have in my future with spending eternity with the Lord. 

I'm goin' home
Where the streets are golden
Every chain is broken
Oh I wanna go
Oh I wanna go
Home
Where every fear is gone
I'm in your open arms
Where I belong
Home


Yesterday as I visited a dear man in the hospital he kept saying over and over, "I'm finished." He talked of going to see his mother, father, and grandparents. He is so ready to be done on this earth. Praise the Lord he knows where he will spend eternity. In the past when I visited I would sing hymns for him and he would sing along. Not yesterday. He just closed his eyes and smiled but there was no singing out of him. At first that saddened me but then I thought about how I was being selfish to pray for him to stay. He is miserable in his physical body and has been for some time. He is 'finished' with fighting but the Lord continues to keep him here for a reason. Perhaps there is a nurse or doctor who needs to see the Lord in him. Or perhaps there is something he needs to take care of in his spirit. Only the Lord knows. I pray the Lord will be merciful in his situation. Later in the day when my ninety-four year old neighbor walked over with a thank you card once again I saw one who is tired of the aches and pains of life. She physically hurts all the time but she definitely doesn't hurt spiritually. She is such a prayer warrior and I know God put her in my life to encourage me. I feel bad I don't get to visit her as often as I use to but school takes up so much time these days. I am so grateful for her prayers. She no longer drives so is home a great portion of the time. She tells me, "I don't know why I'm still here but I guess I am needed. I can't do anything but pray." She sits on her couch hour after hour crocheting or knitting and praying. She makes hats for premies and lap blankets for shut-ins. What an example she gives me. Both of these dear people are ready to go 'home' but I know when their time comes I will have a great void in my life.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the time You gave me yesterday to be with Fred and Grammy. Thank You for the way You encourage me through them. Thank You for my time with Jimmy and Eli yesterday. Father, You are so awesome in filling my tank up with exactly what I need. I was so blessed to find out Ben is preaching the Sunday we are in Ohio. Then to find out I may see my sister for a short time today was the icing on the cake. You are so good! Lord, I pray for opportunities today to come in abundance for people to see/hear you through me. I pray for more of You to ooze out of me throughout this day. Lord, once again I pray against Doc's pain. I pray for him to have physical strength to do what needs done today with the trip to Rock Hill and tomorrow with doing his route. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Bless Us. Amen.

Psalm 105:43-45 - "What You Want"

The Lord woke me up to a song Tenth Avenue North sings called "What You Want" and it made me think about how I use to live. I was in bondage to lists. Sometimes I had a list for my list. I thought I was doing His will by being so efficient to get things done. I will always be grateful for the day He took that away from me. The freedom found that day is beyond comprehension. There is a part of this song that explains that freedom. It is because "...I am wired to let You lead"...God is the One who knows what we should do in our daily life. He is the One who we need to listen to and obey.  It is what He wants of us that should be our goal. The satisfaction of marking things off on a list as they are completed is nothing compared to the satisfaction found in a relationship with the Lord.

Oh, there's freedom in this surrender
I feel myself come alive
And the burden feels like a feather
When I let my agenda die

Woo hoo! Yes! Freedom! That is exactly what happened when I allowed Him to take over my 'list issue' and to lead me. I think the reason there is so much freedom in this way of life is because I don't have to make any decision on my own. I know He is the One in control and with that knowledge comes freedom. He speaks, I listen. I don't just listen but I also obey. My life is about Him and what He wants of me. As I read Psalm 105 again this morning I was blessed with the last few verses. He brought the people out of Egypt into Canaan after they experienced so much tragedy. Why? Because He kept His promise to them. He will keep His promise to all those who live a life of obedience to Him. He will put joy in hearts to those who follow His will. Even in tough days when it seems like one can't go on there will be joy. His joy. It is a joy that cannot be comprehended or explained by humans but it is a joy that is beyond anything this world can give.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the opportunities that are before me today. Thank You for the Bible study last night and all that was learned. Father, today is a new day. There are a lot of things You have given me to do today but I know You will bless me with other things too. May You keep me focused on You so I don't miss anything You give. May Your words, actions and attitude be mine today. May people see/hear You instead of me. Father, once again I pray against Doc's pain. Whatever You want to come from this, I pray it happens soon so he will be free from the pain. Whoever needs to learn something, so be it. Thank You Jesus for being My Freedom! Amen.

Psalm 46:10a; Psalm 105 - "Praise You In This Storm"

Psalm 105 is very clear on how we, the believer, should have for an attitude toward God. He has done, and will continue to do, so much for us as we seek Him. 

• We are to praise Him (verse 1)
• We are to pray to Him (verse 4)
• We must remember what He has done for us (verse 5)
• We must be joyful in Him (verse 3)
• We must proclaim His love (verse 1)

This morning as I read Psalm 105 I started thinking about how people look at how we live. Many times what they see determines if they want to follow the Lord or not. If we are negative and always crabby, why would they want to be a believer? We need to show His love through our words and actions. I am not saying life is a bed of roses BUT when there are tough days we should not complain but instead seek more of Him. His strength is the only thing to get us through tough days. The empowerment of the Holy Spirit is the only way to live. When doctors and testing don't have answers, we need to trust in the Lord to reveal things in His time. We, as humans, can get antsy in waiting but it is in the waiting room the greatest work can be done by the Lord. Our faith can go deeper, our trust can be fuller, our love can be multiplied...all as we wait. I go back to yesterday's verse...when we are still and wait on Him, He will be glorified in the greatest way.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You the testing Doc had yesterday no red flags. Father, his pain continues and his frustration grows with no answers. Lord, be glorified through his pain. I pray for your empowerment to come down upon him in a great way. Thank You for the witness he gave yesterday with the nurses. Thank You for loving us so greatly. Thank You for being our strength. Father, today is a new day. His pain continues but more importantly You continue to be our strength. Be our words, actions, attitude and focus throughout this day. You are such a blessing! Thank You for being The One We Praise! Amen.

Psalm 46:10a - "Still"

I was talking with a friend who is going through some tough days and was reminded of the importance of being still so we can hear from the Lord. Too many times we think we know what we need to do when in fact we don't. Sometimes we even think we know what the Lord wants but instead it is the enemy tricking us. It is only when we stop and allow the Lord to calm our spirits that we will hear His voice. When we are still, the enemy has no chance of causing chaos in our life. Instead the Lord has the opportunity to give calmness and wisdom. As we allow this to happen, He will be exalted just as the last part of Psalm 46:10 proclaims. My goal in life is for Him to be glorified through all I do. I know this it is not possible for Him to always be glorified through me but I also know when I strive to live a holy life He will be glorified more often than not. The more I reflect on Him, the more I will realize His greatness. The more I realize His greatness, the closer I will draw to Him.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being so great in my life. Thank You for the blessing yesterday with receiving Doc's insurance card. Thank You for the day that is ahead. I pray this procedure will give answers to the cause of His pain. I pray for opportunities to be You to others throughout this day. Lord, be my words, actions, attitude and focus throughout this day. I am bummed we can't do children and teen activities tonight. I pray You will be with them and let them know we love them. I pray they will not think we don't care since we can't have them tonight. Lord, protect them in a mighty way from the ways of the enemy that is prevalent in many of their homes. Father, I also pray for my friend who needs to hear from You in her situation. I pray You will enable her to "be still" so she can be engulfed with Your wisdom. Thank You for being My Stillness. Amen.

Psalm 105 - "My Deliverer"

Psalm 105 tells us not only are we to praise the Lord but we are to praise Him while we serve Him. The first seven verses tell us we are to seek His grace. Matthew Henry states it, "Seek to have his favor to eternity, therefore continue seeking it while living in this world; for He will not only be found, but He will reward those that diligently seek Him." Yes! As He we seek more of Him, He blesses us in ways beyond human understanding. The more we seek Him, the more we will know His will. The more we do His will, the more the enemy will attack. The strength of the Holy Spirit is the only way we will be able to continue on in life. As we go through attacks, our faith and love for the Lord will go deeper. One would think the enemy would realize that and back off but he doesn't. The Israelites were delivered from Egypt after going through some tough days. This Psalm reminds us of what we need to do in order to be delivered from our tough days. We have His Word to support us through such days. We also have the Lord to talk to and to be encouraged by. Just as the Israelites had a famine from physical food some today put themselves in a place of famine when they neglect to be in fellowship with Him. That occurs when one neglects to be in His Word or in prayer. The answer to such famine is to fill ourselves with being in His Word, praying and drawing near to Him. It also means surrendering our entire being to Him. He is ready for all to come into such relationship with Him. In Psalm 105 the deliverance of the Israelites was described in detail. When they prayed for sustenance, He provided. He gave them light in darkness to light their way. That is exactly what He desires to do for us today. He wants to set us free from the bondages of the enemy. He wants to provide for us everything we need to be His faithful servant. Matthew Henry writes:

"All the benefits bestowed on Israel as a nation, were shadows of spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in Christ Jesus. Having redeemed us with his blood, restored our souls to holiness, and set us at liberty from Satan's bondage, he guides and guards us all the way. He satisfies our souls with the bread of heaven, and the water of life from the Rock of salvation, and will bring us safely to heaven. He redeems his servants from all iniquity, and purifies them unto himself, to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

"Spiritual blessings" are exactly what I want to receive. I want to be known as "a peculiar" person. The desire of my heart is to fulfill the desire of His heart. In order to do that, I must be living a life of holiness. Then, and only then, will I hear His Voice and walk in obedience. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the words of Psalm 105 this morning that remind me of what I need to continue doing in order to walk in the path You so desire. Father, I pray for more of You to fill me so people will see and hear You in me. I pray for the desire of my heart to grow into more fiery than it has ever been. I pray for Your words, actions, attitude and focus to overcome my being. Deliver me from anything that is not of You. Fill me with everything that is of You. Strike down the enemy as he attacks and tries to get my focus off of You. Lord, thank You for the blessings of yesterday with the calls from the boys. Thank You for rest You provided. Father, help me not to feel 'behind' since I did not do school work yesterday. Enable me to focus today and accomplish what needs accomplished. Father, thank You for the prayers sent up yesterday for us by our Willard family. I pray for answers tomorrow with Doc's pain. Guide the doctors and give them wisdom. Thank You Jesus for being My Deliverer. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Strong Enough"

The Lord woke me today with these words from a song Matthew West sings going through my mind and I immediately started praying for some who are hurting badly.

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
I don't have to be strong enough
Strong enough

I am grateful I do not have to do life alone. I have the Lord to depend upon. I do not understand how people get through life without Him but I know there are many who do. Growing up I never realized how painful Mother's Day can be for some. I always thought it was a joyful day for all. I did not know there were some who dreaded today so bad they would stay away from people. The older I get, the more I see that hurt. My heart aches for many today and I pray they will have His strength to get through this day. I am grateful for my Momma and for the way the Lord blesses her. She has already buried two of her children and I know she aches for them. I know she aches to have the rest of us with her today but that is not possible. I also know she aches for the estranged relationships in our family. I am thankful she has the Lord's strength and will enjoy this day however the Lord sees fit. His strength is so evident in her life. Today I am praying for...

• ladies who have never been able to conceive or did and lost their baby
• those whose mother is no longer on this earth
• those who are estranged from their mother or children
• mommas who have buried their children
• those whose mother has a disease that has taken her memory and she no longer knows them
• those who were hurt by their mother
• those who deal with a mother who is addicted
• mommas who are dealing with a terminal illness with a child

I pray they will find the path of healing through the Lord. I pray they will find comfort in His Word. These Scripture are ones I like to share with those who are hurting...

Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Psalms 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 107:20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Isaiah 43:18 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.

Mark 11:23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Corinthians 13:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for all of the blessings of yesterday. I am tired and hurting. I need Your strength greatly in this day. I don't want to just get through it but I want to enjoy it and most of all glorify You through it. I pray today for my friend who called me last night to share her hurts with me. I hope our talk and my prayer helped her to be able to sleep. I also pray for the one who sent me a message last night. I prayer for peace over her family. Lord, there are so many hurting people in my little world. I pray they will be encouraged by You through me. Be my words, actions, attitude and focus. I pray I do not miss anything You put before me. Lord, bless me in abundance with more of You today. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.

Psalm 103:6 - "Eye of the Storm"

When the Lord woke me up for the second day in a row at 2:38AM, I wondered what the significance of the time was. I may never know but I do know everything He requests of me has a purpose and I am determined to fulfill it. There were only two situations He had me pray for and both were broken marriages. One is broken due to separation with a sudden death and the other with separation due to an estranged marriage. Both situations saddened my heart. He took me back to Psalm 103 and stopped me at verse six. This tells us to have hope when we go through devastating times such as the loss of a spouse. I cannot even begin to say I know how this young wife/mother feels with losing her husband in a car accident. In my humanness, I pray that is something I never have to go through but if it is what is needed for myself or someone else to draw nearer to the Lord then so be it. I would be so lonely without my husband and I cannot imagine life without him. But I do treasure each memory we make such as swinging at the waterfront watching the sunset last night. I can't see how after losing a spouse God could "make everything come out right" but I know He could and will for this young wife. He will be there for her and the children in the days ahead. He will guide her and enable her to make decisions as she depends upon Him. For that I am grateful. I also prayed for another wife who was served divorce papers this week. I prayed for the enemy to be squashed out of this situation and for the marriage to be restored. I prayed for souls to come into agreement with the Lord in the restoration of this marriage. In both of these situations He had me praying for financial concerns and for all involved to get to the point where they can praise Him once again. Matthew Henry writes about Psalm 103:6:

"The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are of oppressed. Our own personal obligations must not absorb our song; we must also magnify the Lord for his goodness to others. He does not leave the poor and needy to perish at the hands of their enemies, but interposes on their behalf, for he is the executor of the poor and the executioner of the cruel. When his people were in Egypt he heard their groanings and brought them forth, but he overthrew Pharaoh in the Red Sea. Man's injustice shall receive retribution at the hand of God. Mercy to his saints demands vengeance on their persecutors, and he will repay it. No blood of martyrs shall be shed in vain; no groans of confessors in prison shall be left without inquisition being made concerning them. All wrongs shall be righted, all the oppressed shall be avenged. Justice may at times leave the courts of man, but it abides upon the tribunal of God. For this every right-minded person will bless God. Were he careless of his creature's good, did he neglect the administration of justice, did he suffer high-handed oppressors finally to escape, we should have greater reason for trembling than rejoicing; it is not so, however, for our God is a God of justice, and by him actions are weighed; he will mete out his portion to the proud and make the tyrant bite the dust, -- yea, often he visits the haughty persecutor even in this life, so that 'the Lord is known by the judgments which he executeth.'"

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being a God who not only loves us so deeply but never leaves us. Thank You for giving hope in what appears to be hopeless situations. Lord, once again I pray for the two families who need to know You have not left them. I pray for the enemy to have no foothold in either of these families. Lord, I know there are many who are hurting with similar situations and I pray You will also be very real to them. Lord, give me Your words, actions, attitude and love. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will hear/see You instead of me. Thank You for the opportunities that are ahead of me this day. Thank You for each memory You give with my husband. Thank You for being My Hope. Amen.