II Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 10 - "Jesus, Take The Wheel"

Sometimes life can be so overwhelming even when you are living with God as your Pilot. The turbulence can be so great at times that you feel like you are going to crash. There are times of delay that really are not delay but are times of waiting on God's time for a situation. There is never Pilot error but instead times when we, as the co-pilot, take the wheel and make mistakes. There are people throughout our time on these earth to assist us when we have a need just as a flight attendant assists travelers. There are others who come into our life that we can minister to and ones to minister to us just as there are fellow travelers on planes. At times, there are people who try to highjack planes just as there are people who try to tear our belief system apart. Just as a plane needs to refuel and have regular maintenance to keep going in tip-top shape, we need to stay in God's presence, read His Word, pray, and exercise our faith to stay tuned up with God. When times of turbulence come our way, we need to remember to follow the emergency guidelines and not panic. I was thinking this morning about the saying 'it takes a village to raise a child.' In that same sense, it takes our whole being and interaction with God and others to live a life for Him. We must understand we cannot live our life alone but instead need to depend upon Him to open doors for us to have interaction with others. That is one of the reasons it is so important to be a part of a corporate body of believers. We need one another. We need to learn from others. We need to experience life with others. We need for people to see how we deal with situations in life. We also need to be accountable to others. It hurts my heart to hear people say they 'don't need to go to church to be a Christian.' I use to agree with that statement but do not any longer. In Hebrews 10, Paul wrote of the perseverance of walking in our faith. In verses twenty four and twenty five it reads:

 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

There are many who call themselves Christians yet they are not following God. They are allowing the world to take over their calendar, checkbook, etc. These ways are taking them out of 'good' habits and replacing them with 'bad' ones. I prayed a long time last night before going to sleep for pastors. I prayed for...

• those who are saying what people want to hear instead of what God gives them to wake up before people die and go to hell.
• pastors who are all about numbers to realize that will not get them nor their people into heaven.
• people on the 'fringe' of a church to give themselves completely to God and allow Him to use them for further His Kingdom.
• pastors who are physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially drained to seek God's will before they become spiritually drained.
• pastors to quit being afraid of what people will think or who will leave the church if they do or say something God has told them to stand upon II Timothy 1:7 in His empowerment. If God gives us something to do or say, He will not allow us to fail.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege to pray for pastors! Thank You for the call You have put on the lives of Your sons and daughters. Father, I pray once again for my pastor. I pray You will empower Doc with Your supernatural strength not just to be able to preach today but to feel strong in You. I pray against his stomach issues that are not allowing him to eat. I pray Your mighty hand will heal Him sooner than later on this earth. Lord, cleanse us both so You can fill us with more of Your empowerment. I pray for a physical touch on Brad as he awaits a pacemaker tomorrow; a renewal in David as he is on Sabbatical; Steve with Peggy's cancer; and so many more pastors who need Your touch. Lord, Your servants need You in a powerful way. Those who will be in the pulpit today need Your empowerment to preach what You desire and not necessarily what they desire. I pray for more of Your servants to walk in Your ways, sold out to You. I pray for more of them to allow You to take the wheel of their flight while on this earth. Thank You Father for being My Pilot! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 91 - "Scars"

Yesterday the song "Scars" was playing and my mind started wandering. There is a part that goes...

I can see, I can see
How You delivered me
In Your hands, In Your feet
I found my victory
I can see, I can see
How You delivered me
In Your hands, In Your feet
I found my victory

I'm thankful for Your scars
'Cause without them I wouldn't know Your hear
And with my life I'll tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful

Yes! God has delivered me so many times. I have emotional scars and physical scars. They both can be considered spiritual scars. 

• I have many emotional scars. The teasing I received when I was young because I was so fat makes me be more aware of those who struggle with their weight. Hearing the kids on the bus say to my sister and I, "Oh look! Baby whale and Momma whale are going home" will stay with me for the rest of my life. It also will remind me how bad words hurt. That would have been over fifty years ago yet I can hear it just like it was yesterday. Going through a divorce and feeling like I was no longer loved was another emotional scar I have. If I did not have that scar, I would not be able to minister to people who are experiencing the same. Going through the death of my earthly Daddy left emotional scars but I am thankful to know he is with my Heavenly Daddy. This is another scar that enables me to minister to people.

• I have physical scars from my c-sections and breast cancer. Those physical scars are also spiritual scars because I drew closer to God through them. He blessed me with my boys who made me a Mommy. When I see that scar, I think of how He blessed me on the day Paul was born with the most beautiful snowfall. This made me feel so special because He knew I loved it. It also made me feel special because it made me think of how He was blanketing the earth with His beauty just as He was blanketing me as a new Mommy. He brought us both through Paul's birth alive and I knew it was only through His hand of protection. When I was told I needed to abort Ben because he was going to be born with an open spine, people all over the world prayed and a month later the sonogram was fine. I heard "oh the technician must have made a mistake"...."oh it must have been just a shadow..." No, it was God. When he was born with a scar on his back that showed he was going to be born with an open spine, my spiritual life soared! The physical scar from my breast cancer reminds me of His love that saw us through those tough days. It also reminds me to pray for those who have cancer. The physical scars produced fear in my being but God gave me peace and strength to not just survive those times but to thrive through them. 

All of life produces scars. But the most important scars to remember are those Jesus had after being hung on the cross. The holes in His hands and feet were the scars that saved my life. They are the scars that heal any and all scars I have. As the song says, they deliver me. They show His love for me. They are my victory! I go back to those last verses of Psalm 91 and praise Him for His words showered upon me every day but especially on days of "scars"!

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for my "scars" that grew and continue to grow my faith! Thank You for taking 'bad' experiences and using them for Your glory! Father, I pray You will cleanse me so You can fill me today with more of You. I pray You will love on others through me today in a new, different way. Father, I am begging You to give Doc a better day today. The treatment this week was so hard on him. May today be a better day for him. May he feel Your presence so greatly. Lord, would You also help me to use my time wisely today? Would You help me to accomplish things instead of just laying around? There is so much to do and when I have a 'free' day I feel like I do not accomplish anything. If the accomplishment for the day is to rest, then give me the mindset to do so. Father, thank You for the friend who provided the gift card to get what Doc needed. What a blessing! Thank You for Chris who mowed our yard! Another blessing You have given us! Thank You for our friends who were in town this week and gave us the groceries they didn't use! Another blessing! May You bless each one of them in abundance for the way they were obedient to You! Thank You Jesus for being Our Victory! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 91 - "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

God is so good! He is faithful in being with us no matter what our circumstances. After being up during the night with Doc sick as I laid back down these words were in my heart...

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Yes! He is faithful even in times like what we are going through right now. He is faithful with His love and encouragement. He is faithful in providing exactly what we need, when we need it. He knew I needed this reminder during the night and again this morning as I am so tired. One of the verses goes...

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

His presence is exactly where I need to live, especially on days like today. His presence is where I find His strength. It is where an unexplainable peace is found. His presence is where His strength is found in abundance. It is where His hope is found for such things such as Doc's pancreatic cancer. This morning, once again, I am standing on Psalm 91. Verses 14-16 in The Message are ones I will carry with me throughout this day...

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
    “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
    if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
    I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
    give you a long drink of salvation!”

I will trust Him with the day ahead. I know He will give me physical, mental, emotional, financial, and most of all spiritual strength to walk in His will. He will protect me from the evil one as I stay in His presence. He will love on me with so much love people will see/hear Him instead of me. Why? Because He is faithful and is blessed when we are faithful.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the day ahead where I am going to see Your empowerment in such a great way! Thank You for cleansing me this morning so this is possible! Thank You for being faithful! Thank You for going before me and protecting me! Oh Father, I pray for Doc to feel Your empowerment today as he continues this battle. I pray You will heal him on this earth sooner than later. I pray You will enable him to feel Your strength in every aspect of his being. Father, open our eyes and heart to more of You. Thank You for the way You bless us in abundance even through nights like last night. Thank You for being Our Faithful Father! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 91 - "Forgiven"

 

Last night was a tough night for Doc with having multiple effects from the chemo treatment he had yesterday. I felt so helpless with not being able to help him with his pain and agony. I was awake multiple times with him and prayed for him each time to have relief. This is the hardest thing I have ever gone through. After the treatment we prayed with the nurse. When she found out I had gone through breast cancer, she said she didn't know how we did it. I told her it was only through God. She remarked she didn't know how people got through life without Him. I have said that many times. If I didn't have Him, I wouldn't survive. Throughout the night when I was awake these words from the song "Forgiven" that Crowder sings were going through my mind...

God, I fall down to my knees
with a hammer in my hand
You look at me, arms open
Forgiven! Forgiven!
Child there is freedom from all of it
Say goodbye to every sin
You are forgiven!

Yes! The freedom Crowder sings of in this song is only available to those who accept Him into their hearts and live for Him. Jesus died for all of us. His death wiped away all our sins. He didn't just die on the cross but three days later He rose again and lives! Woo hoo! I loved it Tuesday night when I was playing Bible trivia with the children and teens and asked the question 'Why did Jesus die on the cross?' One of the teens gave an answer about Him dying for our sins. Little six year old Gavin piped up and said, 'Ms. Sheila he didn't stay dead. He rose up from the grave.' Woo hoo! I love what they take in and remember. I remember when Gavin was three and a half and talking to me about the Bible. His Momma was teaching him then about it. I believe that is one of the reasons he knows so much now. He has a solid foundation. I am so grateful for parents who realize the importance of giving their children that. I am grateful for parents who want nothing to do with church yet send their children to Activity Night with us. I am grateful for the way the children and teens are sponges in learning. I also am grateful for Rhonda who cooks for Tuesday night, Carrie and Chris who help us, Krista and Tiffany who provide food when asked, and for the way God provides open doors for this ministry. Many children have accepted the Lord through the efforts of all of us. When we realized Doc was not going to be able to drive the church bus, it was hard to think about this ministry being stopped. I am so grateful we have been able to keep it going even though it is in a different way. I am grateful for the way God has opened the door for our church to be represented in the apartment complex besides the monthly cook-out. I am grateful for the way parents have brought those who used to be picked up by the bus. It amazes me how God continues to bless us in ministry. I know it shouldn't but it does. He brought us to Beaufort, South Carolina to make a difference and I believe we have done so and will continue to do so. He has given us peace throughout many obstacles that have come our way. Just as this song says, "there is freedom" in living for Him. I want all to experience such freedom. Not everyone is open to God. I was taken aback yesterday when I asked a lady if I could pray for her since she was in such pain and distress and she told me 'no!' But the story did not stop there. I went back to my seat and prayed silently for her and the nurse. She immediately settled down. A little while later the nurse came over to me and thanked me. She asked if I prayed for the lady even though she refused me and I told her I had. She said she could tell because the lady had calmed down so drastically. God was seen in that situation. Woo hoo! Perhaps that is why we are at the infusion center. Perhaps God needed His presence to be known and knew we would walk in obedience to Him. I asked God before going over to the lady and it was no surprise to Him that she said no. He knew that would not stop me from praying. He knew He would be seen even though there was no outward praying. Plain and simple, He knew. Woo hoo! Yesterday morning when I prayed for Him to cleanse me so I could be filled with Him, I also prayed for Him to be my words, actions, and attitude. He forgave me through the cleansing and filled me. If I would not have prayed in that manner, I may not have seen that opportunity for Him to be seen through me. Some think being one to walk in obedience puts constraints on your life. It is just the opposite. Walking in obedience to God gives freedom that can only be found when we die to self and allow Him to work in and through us. Woo hoo! It allows you to walk without fear but instead with His strength and wisdom (II Timothy 1:7). Yesterday if I would not have been walking in obedience to Him, I would have been crushed when the lady told me 'no' to praying with her. Instead I walked backed to my chair and prayed silently with confidence. The last verses of Psalm 91 come to my mind this morning...

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love that constantly showers me with more of You. Thank You for yesterday that was full of opportunities to have You ooze out of me. Father, I am physically tired and have a long day ahead. Would You come down upon me and fill me with more of You? Would You cleanse me so You can fill me so people will see/hear You instead of me? Would You give me an extra dose of Your supernatural power to not just get through this day but to thrive? Lord, I pray for Doc to have less effects from the chemo today. I pray You will be an encouragement to Him. I pray You will empower him to rest in You. Lord, He needs a miracle. I don't know if You are going to provide it through these treatments or miraculously but however it is would you please do it sooner than later. Open him up to whatever You have in store for him. I also pray for my Momma who is undergoing tests today and Sharon's Momma who needs a physical touch. I also pray for my friend with marital problems to have Your strength as she gives tough love. Thank You Jesus for being Our Salvation! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 91 - "What A Friend"

Yesterday a song Matt Maher sings called "What A Friend" was going through my head all day long. He sings about how we all have trials, temptations, heart break, isolation, fears, worries, sorrow, and devastation in our life. But only those who are in relationship with the Lord have the knowledge that...

But we can lay our burdens down
Lay our burdens down

No more betrayal
For He is faithful
He fills me up and my cup runneth over
No more betrayal
For He is faithful
How He has proven it over and over

What a friend we have in Jesus
East to west my sins are gone
I see grace on every horizon
And forever and ever His heart is my home

We not only have to 'lay our burdens down' but we must also walk away from them instead of picking them up and continue to carry them. This is hard to do in our humanness but it is not impossible. The line 'no more betrayal' struck me until I pondered about it. The enemy betrays us, God is faithful. The enemy will throw our past and our circumstances into our face to cause us to doubt. But God will not do such tactics. God is faithful to be beside us through the valleys and on the mountaintop. The enemy will attack us in the valleys and make us feel even worse. He will attack us on the mountaintop and cause us to have doubts about every little thing. The enemy can show up in places that are so unsuspecting. He can work through people who call themselves our friend. But Jesus is always a friend. The key to be able to discern people and situations is to live in the Spirit. There is clarity in such a life. Yes, there will be times where fear creeps into our life but it is not a crippling fear like those have who are not in relationship with Him. There is a peace found in hard situations that can only be found through Him. There is a reason God has me continuing to be in Psalm 91. It is entitled "Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God" in the NKJV version. This safety is where I desire to live. Once again I am standing on the first two verses of this chapter as we go to Doc's third chemo treatment.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day! Thank You for Doc having the strength to go to children/teen activities last night! Thank You for the conversation Rhonda and I had with the young couple! Thank You for the work getting done at the building! Lord, You are so awesome! Your love is so great! Lord, I want to share Your love with all I meet today. The only way that can happen is for me to have a pure heart. Would You cleanse me so You can fill me? Would You put Your words, actions, and attitude in me and ooze out of me today? Would You be so great that people will see/hear You instead of me today? Father, during the night You had me praying for Mommy's with new babies and ones who are expecting. Would You bless each one of these Mommy's today in a new, different way? I prayed they would have the desire in their heart to bring their children up knowing You. May it be so. Emma, Haley, Cassie, Kaitlin, Ashley, Amy, and Caroline. May each one of them realize You are their strength...physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and most of all spiritually. Thank You Jesus for being My Friend! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 91 - "Look Up Child"

I was awake for quite awhile during the night after only being asleep for a couple hours. I prayed and prayed for different people who were going through tough times. After feeling like I could not pray anymore the Lord brought the words to a song Lauren Daigle to my mind...

Oh I, I-I-I, I hear You say
I hear You say

Look up child, hey
Look up child, hey
Look up child, hey
Look up child, hey
Look up…

All we ever have to do is look to the Lord for His wisdom, guidance, and most of all His love. When we do, we will have His peace. That does not mean we won't go through tough days because it is through such times our faith will grow the most. In our human state, doubts creep in which cause fear. We begin to wonder if our circumstances will ever change. Our thoughts turn to our death on this earth. Sometimes we wonder if people will ever change in the way they act toward us. There are times we wonder if our heart will ever quit breaking over people's words or actions. There are times we wonder how we will ever be able to carry on living with the way things are in our life. Sometimes changes are so hard to take. The death of one, infertility, illness in a loved one or in our own body, addiction of a family member, blatant sin of people...the list goes on and on. What we must remember is God is always there for us. He is always ready to love on us when we allow Him. In II Timothy 1:7 we are encouraged to not give into fear because it is not from Him. He gave us a spirit of power, love, and sound mind. But in order to exercise these attributes given to us in their fullest capability we must live in His presence. This way of living in described in Psalm 91. It includes: living in His presence (vs 1); trusting Him (vs 2); not be fearful (vs 5); allow Him to be our refuge (vs 9); love Him (vs 14); pray to Him (vs 15); and accept Him (vs 16). This is the only way to live. It is the only way one can live life in the fullest. God desires all of us. He desires us to look to Him not only in tough times but in good times. He desires to use us to love on others. When life is going along good, some have no need for Him. Some will only cry out to Him when life gets hard. But He desires all to live for Him at all time. Some think that is too hard but I cannot imagine not living for Him. I can't imagine getting through life without Him. Life would be so difficult without His love, strength, empowerment, encouragement...the list goes on and on. I am grateful to know I am living to be as Christ-like as possible. Jesus gave us the best example of how to live to please our Heavenly Father. He walked the road of obedience to the point of death for Him. We need to have the same way of life. Sometimes what He asks of us may seem like we are going to die. Sometimes it may seem like the impossible. But if God calls us to do something He is right there with us. If we are called to speak to someone about Him, He will provide the words. If He calls us to go somewhere that doesn't make sense, He will provide not only the means for it to happen but the desire in our heart to make it be pleasing in our spirit. He does not expect us to be miserable but sometimes we have to go through miserable stuff for us or others to go deeper with Him. Sometimes He calls us to do something that will not only stretch our spiritual body but may also stretch our physical, emotional, or financial being. Sometimes we want to throw up our hands and give up to what He has put before us. But we cannot give up. If we do, He will be disappointed and hurt. He does not like the enemy to win any more than we do. Instead we must do as Psalm 91:1 says and live "in the shelter of the Most high...rest in the shadow of the Almighty." In my humanness, I want to sit and cry. In my humanness, I want to allow the thoughts the enemy is trying to put into my mind tear me apart. But in my spiritual being I will rest in Him. I will allow Him to work in and through me. I will continue to encourage Doc to fight with God's strength. I will not fret over anything. I will continue to seek God's wisdom with decisions that must be made. I will strive to not allow my emotions to be in control but instead allow God to provide what I need each and every day. It is hard to watch the suffering that goes along with cancer. If I could, I would take it on myself instead of watching him go through it. But God is with us and I must never forget that. All I have to do is "Look Up Child"...woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Once again I am in awe of the way You encourage me through Your Word and through music. I love You so much and want to live as You have called me to. I know that means I need to be cleansed so I come before You this morning asking You to take anything out of me that is a hindrance in our relationship. I ask for You to feel me to overflowing so You can ooze out of me in a way people will desire the same. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. Lord, I pray for Doc to be encouraged today. I pray how ever that can happen to happen. I pray for Your loving arms to be felt around him as he continues this battle. Lord, may Your physical healing on this earth come sooner than later. May You be glorified through his healing. May people come into  relationship with You through his healing. Father, I also pray for the family You had me praying for during the night. I have not had contact with them for a long time yet I know You had me praying for them for a reason. May they be unified as a family and go deeper in their walk with You. I also pray for ones going through times with physical ailments. I pray "on earth as it is in heaven" for them as there is no disease in heaven.  My Momma, Dale, Mike, Patti, Mike, Paula, my pastor friend with cancer, Grammy, John, Sharon's Momma...the list goes on and on. I pray for my friend Shirley with her loss. I pray for Little Richie and his family with their news yesterday. I pray for my friend with many things going on in her life to not give up on You. Father, we do not understand 'why' but we do know You are in control of these situations. May You be so close to all. May You bless each one as You become more real to them in their present circumstances. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Look To! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 91 - "Speak Life"

Psalm 91 encourages me in so many ways. This morning as I was reading it God stopped me at verse eight. It reads, You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. I had to think about this verse a little bit. He is talking about those who live in His protective cover will see judgment upon those who choose the ways of the evil one. Charles Spurgeon wrote, "The sight of God's judgments softens the heart, excites a solemn awe, creates gratitude, and so stirs up the deepest kind of adoration." We must keep our eyes open at all time to see what God has for us. This will include lessons we can learn from others...both right and wrong ones. It will also include us realizing the importance of staying aligned with God's will for our life. Spurgeon refers to God as a "moral ruler over the sons of men, who sooner or later rewards the ungodly with due punishment." There are many people in this world who do not want anyone ruling over them. Some have a chip on their shoulder about someone being in that position. I am grateful for God being the One to rule over my life. This knowledge gives me strength. It gives me a reason to live. It gives me peace in the midst of the storms of life. It empowers me to not be fearful but instead to stand firm in my faith as I walk the road of obedience to Him. As I ponder upon God being a "moral ruler" I get the picture of a ruler with twelve inches on it. The end where it begins represents when we accept Jesus into our hearts. The other end where it ends represents when our earthly bodies are glorified with Christ. We have the choice to make on where we are in between those two numbers. He gives us free choice. We can stay at the measurement of salvation or we can move up to being sanctified and eventually glorified. Throughout life we may find that we slip down on where we are measured but God never turns His back on us. Instead He encourages us to move forward. One way to do this is to keep our ears open to His Voice. The only way this can happen is to stay in relationship with Him. The times we slip are times we go off on our own and do not walk in obedience to Him. They are times that seem so innocent yet can be so deadly. When we start allowing the enemy to guide us instead of God, we will no longer have the privilege to live in His presence. That does not mean we can't get back into such living because God gives us grace to do so. But it takes keeping our eyes on Him. We must stay focused on Him to live fully in Him. It hurts my heart to see people struggling. I just want to 'fix' things. But if God does not direct me to do something I cannot do it. If I am not given His blessing on what I do, it is not of Him. Sometimes that means watching people struggle over and over. The 'fix' is Christ being in the center of their life. Just as a drug addict can't wait for their next 'fix' a follower of Christ needs to have the same attitude. I know I can't start my day without being in His Word and talking with Him. I guess I can say He is my 'Fix' in life. That is a good Addiction to have and one that will bring me life and not death! It is with great joy to hear people testify on how He is working in their life. It seems like testimonies are not heard often but they need to be. Instead of all the 'bad' stuff of life, we need to talk about the 'good' stuff He brings into our lives. We need to speak words of life and not death. The enemy cannot be everywhere but when he is in the position to hear words of death, he will use them against us. This morning I have the lyrics to a song Toby Mac sings going through my mind...

So speak life, speak life.
To the deadest darkest night.
Speak life, speak life.
When the sun won't shine and you don't know why.
Look into the eyes of the broken-hearted;
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope,
You speak love, you speak...
You speak life, you speak life.

Yes! We must speak life not only for ourselves but for all around us. As I think about Psalm 91:8, I think about how His words given through me can save people from the punishment of hell. That is a pretty powerful thought. His words through me can make the difference of people going to heaven or to hell. Wow! I need to get better at this. I need to listen closer to Him so I can be speaking more for Him. I was thinking about how much easier it is to preach a sermon, write a blog, etc. than it is to go up to someone the Lord tells me to share Him with. I need to speak more often to people He puts before me so it becomes easier. I know door-knocking, handing out tracts at the park, etc. is not the best way to share God. I also know the best way to share Him is by taking the opportunity when He presents it. I must get better at doing this. All who say they live for Him must get better at it. The more He is shared, the less evilness will be prevalent in our world. That is the answer. Sharing God with others when He prompts and in the manner He desires. Woo hoo! Having open eyes and ears and most of all an open heart to living a life of obedience. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the revelation You gave me through one little verse of Psalm 91 today. Thank You for loving me so greatly that You do not throw me aside if I miss an opportunity You put before me but instead forgive me and give me another chance. Thank You for cleansing me this morning so You can fill me with more of You. Thank You for the opportunities You will put before me today to show Your love to others. Lord, may You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. May people see/hear You ooze out of me in a different, new  way. Father, I pray for Doc to be encouraged today to continue this hard road he is on. May You bless Him extra today. May You heal Him sooner than later. Father, thank You for the weekend of rest for me. Thank You for all who encouraged us over the last few days. Doc having the strength to preach; Rhonda and Nora with food; Thompson's who took us out for dinner, prayed with us, and spoke words of encouragement over us; and Joshua who took our trash to the dump. You encourage us in so many ways and for that we are grateful. Lord, this morning I am praying for: those who do not know You to come into relationship with You; those who are in relationship with You yet are floundering back and forth between allowing You total control and themselves to be control; and those who are seeking You to be in control of all they say and do. Father, keep my focus on You today so I can take every opportunity You present to me to be You to others. Thank You for being My Addiction! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 91 - "Healer"

Last night I was at a friend's house who had four dogs. I had all one on each side of me during the storm, one on the back of the couch at my neck, and the fourth one laying at my feet. The thunder, lightning and heavy rain scared them and they sought me for protection. I kept telling them there was nothing to be afraid of, I was there and would keep them safe. This made me think about how my Heavenly Daddy is there for me during the storms of life. I cling to Him for safety. At one time, one doggy buried himself under the blanket on the couch so his eyes were covered. Sometimes I do something similar. I go to bed and close my eyes to forget the storm around me. During the night God woke me once to pray for pastors. He had me pray specifically for those going through storms to lean into Him and not give up. He had me pray for them to not be afraid of what was happening nor the end result because He was protecting them.

• Doc who is going through the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
• Steve with his wife's cancer worsening.
• A pastor friend who has battled cancer for a few years.
• A pastor who is not currently in the pulpit and seeking God's will.
• Tony who isn't in a storm but is in transition between churches.
• A pastor who will be combining two congregations.
• Greg who is in the first month of combining two congregations as he continues to transition.
• Pastors who are looking to move from one church to another.
• Pastors who are seeking their first church.
• Pastors who are dealing with the loss of people in their congregations and feeling the financial decline from such losses.
• Pastors who have been given a vision from God that the congregation is fighting against.

There are so many situations in the life of a pastor that many people have no clue about. There are a lot of people that think about what they are going to do today or perhaps the coming week. Pastors need to be thinking and praying about not only the day or week ahead but the year ahead. It is only a little over six months until Christmas. Many pastors have already been praying and planning for what God has planned for it. There are many who have a three-year plan for their church. It is not their plan but it is the Lord's plan. They must be flexible and not get ahead of God but instead allow Him to direct it as it plays out. It is an exciting life to lead when you depend upon God. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the only way to live such a life comes by trusting Him. He will lead and direct you as You walk in His will. That means not doing what man desires but instead doing what God desires. Sometimes that does not make sense but the outcome is perfect when it is His will. The first thirteen verses of Psalm 91 shows how God protects us when we live such a life.

You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

We have nothing to fear when we live a life sold out to Him. We do not have to worry about finances, health issues, family issues, church issues, etc. All we have to do is lean into Him and receive His strength and wisdom. Woo hoo! He is our Protector from not only the ways of the evil one but from ourselves. There are times we forget to lean into Him or we don't take the time to spend time with Him yet He is there to guard us no matter what. The 'deadly hazards' spoken of in this passage can be people, circumstances, etc. But He is there to shield us. When we stay in His arms, we are 'perfectly safe' from all harm. That does not mean it won't come into our life. It means we can stand in His strength through such circumstances. This weekend has been a time of physical rest. I feel so much stronger emotionally and spiritually because of the rest I have received. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, God is going to heal Doc while he is on this earth. I know He is going to empower him to get through the tough days ahead until that healing happens. That knowledge is enough to get me through the tough days too. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for being the One to empower me to stand against all that comes against me! Thank You for being my Shelter in the times of storms of life. Father, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me to be who You have called me to be. I pray for You to be greater than me. I pray for people to see/hear You instead of me throughout this day. Lord, I pray for all pastors to have the same desire in their heart. I pray for Doc to have Your strength today as he preaches. I pray for Steve who is carrying such a heavy burden for Peggy to have your supernatural strength as he preaches. I pray for a continuation of strength in my pastor friend with cancer and one who is currently between churches. I pray for Tony who is in transition; one combining two congregations; Greg who has combined two congregations; those seeking their first church; those with losses of people which means loss of income in their church; and those You've given a vision that the people will not embrace. May all of these men and women feel Your supernatural empowerment today. Father, thank You for the privilege to pray for pastors. Thank You for being the healing balm on their hurts. Thank You for being My Healer. Amen.