What a joy to be in a full house! I love sitting around the table with five children talking all at once. It has been nice being with my Momms for over a week and now with Ben’s family. There is definitely no loneliness here! God has truly blessed me with this time. Spending time with Paul and Lizzy was a treasure as new memories were made. Seeing my sisters Mary and Sally along with spending time with friends brought joy to my heart. I go back to Psalm 37:4.Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.Truth! I love living in His presence as I strive to be obedient to His will. As I live out Proverbs 3:5-6 I know He is with me no matter what the circumstances may be.Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.Truth! Living for Him is not hard. Actually, life is easier when you live for Him because you don’t have to worry about decisions, finances, etc. Instead you bask in the knowledge He is in control. Woo hoo! As I watch the bills grow from my fall, I don’t fret but know God will provide exactly what is needed. As I travel with the COVID, I don’t fret but instead pray for His protection and know He will provide. As I pray, I pray expecting God to meet the many needs of people. Physical, mental, emotional, financial and most of all spiritual needs will all be met according to His will and in His timing. Woo hoo! I love living this life with Him. I am excited to live inexpectation(my word He gave me for 2021!) in the days ahead!
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for blessing me in abundance with this trip! Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for this houseful of children who are being raised to love You! Thank You for being with my Momma in these ‘tough’ days! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I pray I will glorify You through my words, actions, thoughts, and thoughts today. May I live inexpectation! May I please You in all I do. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Bless Me! Amen.
I have been asking God to give me a word for 2021. This morning He did. Expectation. Woo hoo! I was amazed as I read various verses God led me to with expectation how it was intertwined with hope. David asked the question in Psalm 39:7 in the Amplified Bible:
“And now, Lord, for what do I expectantly wait? My hope [my confident expectation] is in You."
I love how hope is described as my confident expectation! My mind is going to many places this morning on what I can expect and hope for in the coming year. The list is long in my humanness but I need to focus on what God desires. His way is the best way for me to live. Paul talked to the church of Philippi of how he desired to live. I need to follow his example. In Philippians 1:20 in the English Standard Version it reads:
As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
I desire to glorify God while on this earth through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. When I do, I know I will spend eternity with Him. I was reminded this morning that He knows what is ahead in 2021. He knew what was going to happen in 2020 and was with me every step of the way. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me He desires to give me a future and a hope. Proverbs 23:18 reads in the English Standard Version: Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. God is in control of today. He was in control of 2020 and will be in control of 2021. Woo hoo! All I have to do is allow him free reign of my life.
“Here the psalmist steps off the sand, and puts his foot on the rock. Happy is the man who can say to the Lord, ‘My hope is in thee.’” (Spurgeon)
My hope is in You: “That is life, in which desire and expectation are centered in God. Such life is of an entirely different quality from that in which desire and expectation are centered in self, in circumstances, or in men.” (Morgan)
Woo hoo! I will continue to have expectation as I continue to exercise hope in God. I am determined to have God more centered in 2021 than ever before. I am excited as 2020 ends and 2021 begins. I am expecting to see great things!
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for giving me the word expectation for 2021! Thank You for being with me through the 'tough' days of 2020! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You. May You be glorified through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a mighty way. I pray You will be proud of the way I live my life every day. Father, my prayer list is long with people and circumstances that break my heart. I pray most of all for those with spiritual needs to get to the end of themselves so You will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords of their life. Thank You Jesus for being My Center! Amen.
Mordecei loved pizza with his Daddy so his last supper was pizza with no limit to how much he wanted to eat.
Mordecei's 'baby' and paw print
My 'old man baby'....I miss you
December 29. My four-legged buddy's birthday. There will be no presents to open or doggy ice cream to eat. It is another 'first' to get through. He gave us such companionship for over eleven years and for that I am grateful. I was thinking this morning of Psalm 37:4. It reads in the ESV: Delight yourself in theLord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. God goes over and beyond in giving me the desires of my heart. Mordecei gave me such joy in his lifetime. He comforted me in times of grief, health issues, disappointments in life, etc. He was so sensitive, compassionate, and loving. He won my heart from the first time I saw him and was very social and loved by most people he met. He definitely knew what he wanted and most of the time 'bullied' until he got it. His last few months were difficult physically as he struggled with falls due to diminished eye sight. Emotionally he struggled with watching his daddy die and then helping me through the tough days after. I am so thankful for him being a part of my life. I have fond memories to reflect upon and be blessed. Doc and I talked often of how he fit into our family. He was easy going, loved to spend time going on adventures, and always a willing participant in ministry. VBS was always a highlight for him with getting to be around the children and getting to go to church. One of my favorite memories in ministry was sitting at the dining room table having coffee with a friend when Doc and I laid hands on him to pray. When we opened our eyes, Mordecei was sitting beside him with one paw on his leg. That was so cool and touched our friend greatly. Delight yourself in theLord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Yesterday was such a blessing with having Christmas with Paul, Lizzy, Miss Bella, and my Momma. It's so hard to be spread across so many states but when we do come together, it is so much fun. Laughing, talking, eating together, me and Miss Bella doing some crafts, looking through old pictures...the day was perfect! What a gift from God! I am one blessed lady! He woke me this morning to these words of It Is Well that Bethel sings...
Far be it for me to not believe Even when my eyes can't see And this mountain that's in front of me Will be thrown into the midst of the sea
Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You Through it all, through it all It is well Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You It is well, it is well
So let go my soul and trust in Him The waves and wind still know His name
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the eleven plus years of having Mordecei in my life! Thank You for all of the blessings over those years! Thank You for yesterday's gathering with Paul, Lizzy, Miss Bella, and my Momma! What a blessing to have time together. I love living out Psalm 37:4. Delight yourself in theLord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. You are so good at blessing me and I am thankful for every blessing. You made my trip happen: financially; providing people to transport me to and from airports; with technology so I continue with church; with the doctor moving my appointment; aligning my time in Ohio with Paul's time here...so many things. Praise Your Holy Name! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me. I desire for You to ooze out of me in a mighty way. May You be my words, actions, thoughts, and attitude throughout the day ahead! Thank You for the beautiful sunshine this morning but most of all thank You for Your Son Shining down on us! May You be greatly felt by all grieving but especially Brenda Pittenger and family; Dan and Pam Morris family; and Dan and Lynn Baker family. I pray Your peace over Brad Stacy with heart surgery today. Thank You for being My Blesser! Amen.
The Lord took me to Psalm 48 this morning. This is a song of victory. We can experience victories while on this earth when we allow God to live in and through us. He is a Victory Former for all who realize the words Moses said to the Israelites before he parted the Red Sea. Exodus 14:14. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. They realized a huge miracle when the water parted for them to gain safety. We can realize true victories in our own life as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. We can and willSee A Victory on this earth as He is allowed to be in total control of our lives.
There's power in the mighty name of Jesus Every war He wages He will win I'm not backing down from any giant 'Cause I know how this story ends Yes I know how this story ends
I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to you Lord
We do not face anything on this earth alone. He is with us every step of the way as we allow Him. He loves us greatly and desires us to live with Him. Matthew Henry wrote of this Psalm:
This God, who has now done such great things for us, is unchangeable in his love to us, and his care for us. If he is our God, he will lead and keep us even to the last. He will so guide us, as to set us above the reach of death, so that it shall not do us any real hurt. He will lead us to a life in which there shall be no more death.
Woo hoo! He loves us greatly! Matthew Henry writes of what we need to do in this life to show our love to Him.
Let our faith in the word of God be hereby confirmed. Let our hope of the stability of the church be encouraged. Let our minds be filled with good thoughts of God. All the streams of mercy that flow down to us, must be traced to the fountain of His loving-kindness.
We need to have faith. As we exercise our faith, we will experience His hope and His love. This reminds me of I Corinthians 13:13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. His love is the key to life. When we experience His love on this earth, we will experience His love for eternity.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder of how You are here giving us victory every day! Thank You for reminding me what it takes to receive victory! Thank You for taking my faith deeper so I realize hope! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! May You go before me today so I can realize victory in every situation put before me. I pray for those who are dealing with physical issues to lean into You. I pray for those with mental, emotional, and financial issues to allow You to be their Victory Maker, Most of all I pray for those who need a spiritual touch to put their faith in You. Thank You for being My Victory Maker! Amen.
The Lord woke me multiple times during the night to pray for pastors. He had me pray for those struggling in their ministry to allow Him to direct them. He brought Proverbs 3:5-6 to my mind as I prayed. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. The one time He had me praying for pastors who are feeling like they can't go on to remember all things are possible with Him. He reminded me of Exodus 14:14. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Another time He had me praying for those struggling in their physical bodies to remember He is with them. God wants us to succeed in life. It takes submission to His will for this to happen. He reminded me of the importance of II Timothy 1:7 for all of us to remember we are empowered by the Holy Spirit as we allow Him to be in control of our life. When I woke up, He told me to read Psalm 63. It reads in The Passion Translation:
O God of my life, I’m lovesick for you in this weary wilderness. I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more, with cravings in my heart that can’t be described. Such yearning grips my soul for you, my God! 2 I’m energized every time I enter your heavenly sanctuary to seek more of your power and drink in more of your glory. 3 For your tender mercies mean more to me than life itself. How I love and praise you, God! 4 Daily I will worship you passionately and with all my heart. My arms will wave to you like banners of praise. 5 I overflow with praise when I come before you, for the anointing of your presence satisfies me like nothing else. You are such a rich banquet of pleasure to my soul. 6–7 I lie awake each night thinking of you and reflecting on how you help me like a father. I sing through the night under your splendor-shadow, offering up to you my songs of delight and joy! 8 With passion I pursue and cling to you. Because I feel your grip on my life, I keep my soul close to your heart. 9 Those who plot to destroy me shall descend into the darkness of hell. 10 They will be consumed by their own evil and become nothing more than dust under our feet. 11 These liars will be silenced forever! But with the anointing of a king I will dance and rejoice along with all his lovers who trust in him.
King David wrote these words when he was in the wilderness running for his life from Absalom. Spurgeon wrote of this Psalm:
There was no desert in his heart, though there was a desert around him. We too may expect to be cast into rough places ere we go hence. In such seasons, may the Eternal Comforter abide with us, and cause us to bless the Lord at all times, making even the solitary place to become a temple for Jehovah.
The way David was able to worship God in this tough place is found in the first verse in the New King James Version. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You... He sought God when he first woke. It is so important to start our day in His Word, praying, and allowing Him to be over our day. We all need to put on the full armor of God as Paul wrote of in Ephesians 6 every day. I like what Matthew Henry wrote about this Psalm:
When faith and hope are most in exercise, the world appears a weary desert, and the believer longs for the joys of heaven, of which he has some foretastes in the ordinances of God upon earth.
"...faith and hope..". are key in our lives. We cannot experience hope without faith. We cannot experience His peace if we do not allow Him to be in control of our lives. We cannot share His love if we are not experiencing His love to the fullest ourselves. We must be living in His strength as Philippians 4:13 reads if we want to be successive in our spiritual life.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the privilege to pray for pastors throughout the night! Thank You for the richness of Scripture You brought before me! Thank You for continuing to be with me throughout these 'tough' days! Thank You for Your peace throughout this first Christmas season without my honey! Lord, once again I pray for pastors to feel Your strength. May we all experience the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our physical, mental, emotional, financial, and most of all our spiritual bodies. May those of us preaching today speak boldly with what You have given us. May You be glorified through us. Father, I pray You will calm the tingling in my face so it is not a distraction during the sermon this morning. Thank You Jesus for being My Empowerment! Amen.
Woo hoo! Today is my 'baby's' birthday! Thirty-six years ago, at this moment I was being wheeled into the operating room for a c-section. We were so excited to have him join our family. It was such a blessing when he was healed in the womb from having an open spine. We knew then God had great plans for him. After he was born, I started praying for his future wife and children. I prayed for him and his family to not only be in relationship with the Lord but to serve Him. They do this well. When Ben was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene, I cross-stitched him a picture with Jeremiah 29:11. This verse has been with me throughout his lifetime as I prayed for Him. God reminds me frequently when I pray for Ben that He is in control over every aspect of his life. This picture is from their visit in June. We knew Doc's time on this earth was getting short and was grateful for some 'last' visits with family. This actually was Doc's last visit to the beach. He so enjoyed watching the kids play in the water at Hunting Island, be amazed at the shells, and enjoy playing in the sand and water. That night he talked about how much fun he had watching them and prayed he would have more time with all of our grand babies. I am so thankful Ben and Emily planned to spend that last time with him as we made special memories. I also am thankful Ben is in relationship with God where he walks in obedience to His will. I remember when he was in high school and asked to sing for the Christmas play at church. He was totally out of his comfort zone but was a willing servant. There is one line in Joseph's Song I am reminded of as I think of Ben. Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours. That is how he and Emily live their lives. What an answer to prayer! I love to hear Ben preach and am grateful for every opportunity God gives me to do so. The closing on our home in South Carolina was delayed a week when we moved from Ohio. That was not a 'bad' thing because Ben preached that Sunday and we were blessed with being there. God is so good! I am reminded this morning of Psalm 37:4-6. It reads in The Passion Translation:
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Woo hoo! These words of King David are rich. They show us how to live the best life possible on this earth so we will spend eternity in heaven. Praise His Holy Name there is no doubt in my mind Ben. Emily, and the children are living this life. I am one proud Momma.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the privilege of being Ben's Momma! Thank You for the way he and Emily are raising their babies! Thank You for the call upon their lives! Lord, I pray You will continue to guide them on this earth so their eternity will be with You. I pray for cleansing in my soul. I pray for You to take anything not of You out of me and Your filling up of my spirit. May You shine brightly through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a new, different way. Father once again I pray for all who are hurting to find Your Peace. Thank You for giving me Your peace yesterday throughout my first Christmas without Doc! Thank You for all who encouraged me throughout the day! Thank You for Dan and Amy spending time with me and my Momma! Thank You for being My Heavenly Father! Amen.
How can a person's heart hurt so badly yet be full of joy? The only way is by living in the peace of God. He continues to bring special memories to my mind. As I looked out this morning and saw several inches of snow on the ground and it still snowing, I was reminded of another white Christmas. After a Christmas Eve in Willard we went home, got Mort, and took a walk in the snow looking at Christmas lights. I will never forget the year coming home from Tim's in blizzard conditions. We wondered if we would even make it home as bad as it was coming down. Christmas Day was normally spent just the two of us until Mort came along. He brought such joy to our hearts. He loved opening gifts, laying in front of the tree or fireplace, and cuddling as we watched Christmas movies. Such fond memories to reflect upon. I am so thankful for them. I know there are a lot of people who are alone today. Even though it is a Different Kind of Christmas we all need to remember He is the True Reason for the Season!
There's one less place set at the table One less gift under the tree And a brand new way to take their place inside of me I'm unwrapping all these memories Fighting back the tears It's just a different kind of Christmas this year
The tears are falling as I reflect over past Christmas days but I am grateful for every memory I have. I know God is with me and continues to give me exactly what I need to get through every day. Praise His Holy Name! I am going to lean upon II Timothy 1:7 today in a mighty way. He will give me His love and power to not just get through this day but to celebrate Him throughout the day. When the tears come, that will be fine. They are part of the healing process. When the memories come, they will be treasured. They are also part of the healing process. I am so grateful for all the ways God continues to heal me.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for coming to this earth to die for all of our sins! Thank You for tears and memories that are a part of the healing process as I have another 'first' without Doc! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You. May You be greater than the hurts of life. I am so grateful for friends who love on me so well and for the way You continue to encourage me through them. Lord, I pray for those hurting today to lean into You. I pray for little Russell to have deep breaths; little Karter as he is hospitalized; many who have lost loved ones this year including my family; couples who are separated; families in turmoil; and all struggling with this season. Lord, be greater. May we all realize Your love, strength, and empowerment in our physical, mental, emotional, financial, and most of all our spiritual lives. Thank You Jesus for being My Savior! Amen.
Christmas Eve. This day holds many memories. Some 'good' ones and some 'bad' ones. The best part of the memories is they all include Jesus. He is the Reason we celebrate. This year there are many who don't feel like celebrating. I know of some who didn't decorate as they usually do. Many families will not gather this year due to the COVID virus. Some have it and others are trying to prevent from getting it. I spoke with one friend last night who shared her normal gathering of forty will be four this year. Throughout my lifetime Christmas Eve was my family's gathering at Mom and Dad's house. My Daddy's last Christmas was different. We gathered at the church for dinner and fellowship and went to their house as individual families to see him. I'm so glad we did. I remember one year our celebration was cancelled due to Mom, Dad, Richard, and Sally all having the flu. That was disappointing but Jesus was still with us. After Doc became a lead pastor, we didn't always get to participate with our biological family but God blessed us with our church family. When we moved to Beaufort, the first Christmas was hard for many reasons. I was blessed with Ben doing a video call so everyone could talk to me. I was going through radiation treatments so there was no way to even try to go to Ohio. That was my brother Gene's last Christmas with us. I was so thankful for technology that day! I am thankful for dear friends who had us for Christmas dinner with being so far from our family. Last Christmas Doc and I talked about making the trip to Ohio. Ever since we moved south, we had made the trip in February to celebrate with family. We both knew in our hearts it would be his last Christmas on earth so we decided to celebrate with our family on Christmas. I am so thankful for that decision. I also am grateful for the gifts he bought for Adam, Paul, Ben, and Mr. Beckett the last time he went to Wal-Mart to walk before COVID hit. God is so good! This Christmas Eve is different for many including myself. There will be no family gathering. I no longer have my honey with me to celebrate, open gifts with, read the story of Jesus' birth together, etc. But what I do have is precious memories to reflect back on. I have the knowledge that Doc is celebrating with Jesus Himself. I also have the knowledge God is still in control and I must never forget it. There are so many hurting right now. I pray they will realize God is with them. He is with all of us in the 'good' times and the 'bad' times. He is with us no matter what. In order to experience Him to the fullest, we must accept Him and allow Him to not just be our King of Kings but also be our Lord of Lords. I am reminded of Love and The Outcome's songHe Is With Us...
We can trust our God He knows what He's doing Though it might hurt now We won't be ruined It might seem there's an ocean in between But He's holding onto you and me And He's never gonna leave, no He is with us, He is with us, always, always He is with us, He is with us, always, always He is with us, He is with us, always, always He is with us, He is with us, always Our God is with us
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love! Thank You for giving me opportunity to love on others with Your love! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me up with more of You. May Your words, actions, attitude, and thoughts flow from me throughout the day ahead. I pray blessings over Adam as he celebrates another year of life! Lord, my heart is heavy with so many going through 'tough' days. Oh, Jesus how I pray for You to come back. I know there are still many who need to accept You before that happens but life is overwhelming with so many people hurting. Deaths, illnesses, families in turmoil...my prayer list is pages long. I pray for all who are hurting to turn to You and receive Your peace in a mighty way. I ask for Your comfort to be with them. Lord, may Your peace come down upon all but I pray especially today for: Mary Lilley; Brenda Pittenger; Brad Stacy Family; Valerie Cook; Will and Sandy Perks; Dan and Pam Morris; Ben and Colleen; Raymond Helmick's Family; Sandi Stroud; those with COVID or have family members with it; and all who have lost a loved one and celebrating Christmas for the first time without them this year. May we all find Your peace. I also pray for families in turmoil for reconciliation and for prodigals to return. I pray for those who are struggling with this season to realize You are the True Reason for the season. Thank You for my conversations with friends yesterday! I am so thankful for today's technology that keeps us connected when we are separated by miles. Thank You for Bible study last night and for the way You are going to bless tonight's Christmas Eve service! Thank You for being My Reason to Celebrate! Amen.
Today is Christmas Eve Eve! Woo hoo! Last night's celebration at my home church was so inspiring. What a blessing to see people being ministered to in unique ways with COVID19! I was so inspired as a pastor to get more creative as I minister. Yesterday I was reminded of so many ways over the years Doc and I shared God's love. One friend talked about the big M&M pizza pan cookies I made at Christmas for each family in the church. I thought about the year I had a MS flair-up and couldn't bake my normal fifty dozen cookies to give away. My daughter-in-law Lizzy baked and brought me tons of cookies from North Carolina. She knew how important it was for me to be able to give. My Daddy struggled his last few years with not being able to buy 'his girls' a little gift at Christmas. I would watch for little pretties throughout the year that would be affordable for him to give. I will never forget the smile on his face as he gave them out. I remember the one year even getting him to help me make something. Our years of spending Christmas Day at the dinner and clothing give-away in Mansfield hold precious memories. I will never forget the pre-teen who found a suit complete with shirt and tie one year. He came proudly out to his grandmother who was raising him proclaiming "Look Grandma! I did get a gift for Christmas!" Seeing how God worked out making sure we had enough toys the year we gave them was awesome. The same with the toy distribution at Gateway in Mansfield. God has truly blessed me with so many memories. Last night when God put it on my heart to do a mini service on Christmas Eve I became so excited. I don't know why I had not considered it before. I know it won't be like any Christmas Eve services in the past with having it on-line but I pray people will be touched. I grew up with beautiful Christmas Eve services ending with everyone holding a candle as Silent Night flowed from us. I will never forget the first time Doc led Family Communion when we were between lead pastors at the Orrville Nazarene Church. It was in a rental facility we could nor decorate much but God was present. When we went to Willard and was in a beautiful building that was decorated so beautifully for Christmas, God was there. I remember the one year of being blessed with a mini concert by Doc, Adam, and Tim. I'm so thankful for the video clips from that night. I think one of my favorite Christmas Eve services was the one a man accepted Christ before taking communion. Woo hoo! Our first year in Beaufort we had communion in our home for Christmas Eve. The highlight of that night was having a recently deployed Marine who had just come home attend with his wife and boys. They have become like family to me. Christmas Eve will be different in many ways this year but the thing that will never change is that Jesus is the True Reason for the Season!
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday as I made new memories with my Momma! Thank You for goody trays we made for people! It is no wonder I desire to do such things since she has done them alley life, Thank you for the tree lighting service COVID style as we watched from our cars, sang along with the carols, and drank hot chocolate! Thank You for how John is leading my home church to be the hands and feet of Jesus! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me. I want to not just hear You but I want to walk in obedience to You. Thank You for directing me to do a mini Christmas Eve service in-line! I am so excited! Father, I continue to pray for many but especially for: Ben and Colleen; Dan and Pam; the Brad Stacy family; Cindy Helmick and her family, Raymond Helmick Family; little Karter; and my friend Chrissy. May God's peace come down upon all. Thank You Jesus for being My True Reason for the Season! Amen.
The Lord took me to Psalm 128 this morning. What an encouraging Scripture! I love this picture of Doc praying at the Wailing Wall on our trip to Israel. He definitely lived out Psalm 128. It reads in the The Passion Translation:
1 How joyous are those who love the Lord and bow low before God, ready to obey him! 2 Your reward will be prosperity, happiness, and well-being. 3 Your wife will bless your heart and home. Your children will bring you joy as they gather around your table. 4 Yes, this is God’s generous reward for those who love him. 5 May the Lord bless you out of his Zion-glory! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem throughout your lifetime. 6 And may you be surrounded by your grandchildren. Happiness to you! And happiness to Israel!
Doc received many blessings while on this earth but his greatest blessing was realized when he took his last breathe here. He experienced joy as he shared God with all he met. Though many would say he didn't experience prosperity in a worldly sense, he did in an eternal sense. His smile and laugh showed the happiness he experienced. I pray I blessed him while on this earth. I also pray he would be pleased with me since he left. Doc fought hard to stay here. It was not because he feared death but he didn't want to miss: making memories with me; watching our boys and their lady's live out their lives; see the grand babies grow up and have babies; and bring more people into relationship with Christ. He lived every day to the fullest for the Lord and for that I am grateful. Matthew Henry wrote of this Scripture:
If thou fear him and walk in his ways, all shall be well with thee while thou livest, better when thou diest, best of all in eternity.
Yes! Doc was so blessed while on this earth because he walked a life of obedience to His Heavenly Father. That walk assures me he is with God now. I pray for more people to get in right relationship with Him so they and their families can have that assurance.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Psalm 128 that encourages me greatly! Thank You for blessing me with almost thirty-one years of marriage with Doc! Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace that took us back into relationship with you! Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! I pray for You to ooze out of my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a new, different way, Father, my heart breaks for so many who are hurting. May You bring peace down upon: those with family issues; Mary Lilley as she awaits a medical procedure; many who recently lost loved ones (Darrel, Cassie, Ben & Colleen); Dan and Pam in the days they are experiencing; ones with family members or themselves with COVID; and many who continue to not be in relationship with You. Lord, use me to be an example of living in Your peace. Father, You know the hurts of my heart. You know the loneliness of not having Doc with me. You know the way the tears fall. Plain and simple. You know and You respond in the manner I need loved on. Thank You for the time yesterday with baking cookies with my Momma! Thank You for being My Assurance of Eternal Life! Amen.
God took me to Psalm 36 this morning. I love verses five and six in the New International Version. I have fond memories of sitting and listening to Doc play his guitar and singing Third Day's song Your Love Oh Lord that was written based on these verses.
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. 6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
The song continues...
And I will lift my voice To worship You, my King And I will find my strength In the shadow of Your wings
Yes! His strength is found when we seek Him. His love is described as exquisite in verse seven in the Message. In the sermon yesterday God had me preach about His extravagant love. Ephesians 5:1-2 reads in the Message:
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
We all can love with His exquisite, extravagant love when He lives in us. I had a conversation yesterday about how Doc and I love with God's love. They said people have the desire to live for the Lord when they see His love being lived out. We all are influencers in people's lives. We have the choice to make on whether we will be a 'good' influence or not. I like to think of it as a 'Godly' influence. I want to do my best to lead others to Christ. I want to see people come into relationship with Him, go deeper in their faith, and bring others into relationship with Him. Oh, how I wish more believers would have this mindset. Earth is not our home. We must have our eternal home on our mind at all time. I know Doc did and I know I strive to do the same.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the opportunity to preach yesterday! Thank You for the time with my Momma and friends! Thank You for Your Word that encourages me to keep on keepin' on! Father, cleanse me today so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! I'm so tired but I need You to be greater than the fatigue. I praise You for going before me and meeting my physical, mental, financial, emotional, and most of all my spiritual needs. Lord, this week ahead is going to be tough for many. I pray You will put them on people's hearts to make contact with them. I pray for those mourning to seek more of You as they reflect on good memories of past holidays with their loved ones. I pray those who are lonely to realize the joy they can receive by reaching out to others instead of thinking only of their own situations. Lord, I pray for the hungry to have food and the homeless to have shelter. Most of all I pray for believers to share Your exquisite, extravagant love! Thank You Father for being My Exquisite, Extravagant Love! Amen.
Yesterday was a day I didn't think would ever end. It was soooooo long. Thankfully I survived but I don't know that I shined brightly for God as I strive to do. I hope someone saw or heard Jesus in me. I know I did a whole lot of praying throughout the day, especially for people dealing with crabby people. I felt so bad for the elderly woman whose husband was verbally abusive to her. I wanted so bad to go over and hug her but I was afraid he would get worse if I did. I also prayed for: the young couple with a toddler and a newborn to have a good trip; the two pre teens who were headed home to feel God's love with their situation; the adult daughter caring for her fragile mother to have strength; the flight attendants and assistance givers to continue to have gentle spirits; the pilots and flight attendants to have continued strength after such a long day; and protection for all. Even though I was not able to talk with people I was still able to pray for them. I am so thankful God reminded me to pray. I was to the point where I just wanted to cry and was afraid I would start at any moment. He knew I needed to focus on others and not my own situation. Praise His Holy Name! I am so grateful to be in relationship with him! He is all I need. He is what will get me through the day ahead, He will remind me to stay focused on Him. He will keep II Timothy 1:7 in the forefront of my mind so I do not allow the enemy an open door with my tiredness. He will go before me to get everything set up for today's service. He will be here with me to stay calm if/when things go 'wrong' and remind me nothing surprises Him. Woo hoo! I am so grateful for that knowledge!
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual strength to get through yesterday! Thank You for the opportunity to pray for so many! Thank You for going before me today and shining bright through the sermon You gave me! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You show through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts in a new, different way. Lord, I miss Doc and Mordecei so much. Heal the hurts of my heart. You are greater than them. Empower me to lean more into You. I pray for all pastors to preach boldly what You gave them to preach. If they are not following You, I pray they will realize the need to do so. Thank You for being My Great I Am! Amen.
I am feeling a bit down today. Deaths, illnesses, losses...all of these things are discouraging. I am so thankful for the words of Psalm 2 that encourage me to trust Him. Matthew Henry wrote of these two verses...
Whatever we rejoice in, in this world, it must always be with trembling, because of the uncertainty of all things in it. To welcome Jesus Christ, and to submit to him, is our wisdom and interest. Henry concludes:Blessed will those be in the day of wrath, who, by trusting in Christ, have made him their Refuge.
I needed this reminder today. I must not stop trusting Him. I must not give up. I must not allow the 'junk' of this world to play havoc on my emotions. God is greater than anything that comes my way. He is greater than being tired of being tired. He is greater than loneliness. He is greater than the tears that fall. Plain and simple. He is greater! I am grateful for this knowledge. I know it. I believe it. I desire to live it out in my life.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for encouraging me so greatly! Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for going before me and giving Your wisdom with decisions that need made! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You. May You ooze out of my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a new, different way. Thank You for Ferreira's having me over last night for dinner! Father, continue to be with my family with another death. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Trust! Amen.
Throughout the night when I was awake God had the words to the song He Knows My Name going through my mind. What an encouragement!
He knows my name He knows my every thought He sees each tear that falls And He hears me when I call
I am so grateful for my relationship with the Lord! I am grateful He knows what I need before I need it. I am grateful He knows everything so I do not have to worry about anything. Plain and simple. I am grateful. As I reflect on what has happened over the last few months, I am in awe of the way He has brought me through some pretty tough days. As I think about the days ahead, I am thankful He is in control. Praise His Holy Name! I am thankful He knows My Name! Tommy Walker shared how an orphan came to him every day asking him if he knew his name. The orphan needed to know someone knew his name. This opened the door for Tommy to share how God knows our name. He wrote:
I get to share that story all over the world because there are so many people who feel so alone. Alone in their marriage and their family and their job…in their life! God just lets me remind people that in this moment He knows your name. He’ll never forget you, He’s seen every tear and every time you call, He hears you.
Yes! We need to share this with all we meet. There are so many lonely people in this world. Right now with COVID that number is multiplied. We all need reminded God loves us and knows us.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace! Thank You for giving me exactly what I need! Thank You for being everything to me! Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! May You shine brightly through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today! Lord be with all dealing with COVID. May You be their peace. May those who do not know You draw into relationship with You. Thank You for all the ways You love on me! Thank You for the reminder from this picture of the way You healed Ben in the womb! Thank You for being My Creator! Amen.
