Psalm 91:4 - "Hold Onto Me"

I had a hard time going to sleep last night and then was awake throughout the night. So much on my mind. I prayed and asked God to stop my thinking process so I could sleep. I asked Him for wisdom for decisions that need made. He is so, so good at providing exactly what I need. Throughout the night when I was awake and again this morning Lauren Daigle's song "Hold Onto Me" has been on my mind. This song reminds me no matter what season I am in life He is there holding me. Praise His Holy Name!

When I start to break in desperation
Underneath the weight of expectation
Hold on to me
Hold on to me

Hold on to me when it's too dark to see You
When I am sure I have reached the end
Hold on to me when I forget I need You
When I let go, hold me again

I could rest here in Your arms forever
'Cause I know nobody loves me better
Hold on to me

I do not know how people survive life without God. How do people get through 'tough' days without His strength? How do they get through 'good' days without realizing He is the Creator of such days? How do people make 'tough' decisions in life without His wisdom? I would be lost without my God. Literally and figuratively. I would be headed to hell if I did not walk with Him in my daily life. I pray for more people to get into relationship with Him so they will not go to hell when they leave this earth. I need to get better at sharing Him so more people can realize His love. All believers need to get better at sharing Him. 

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the opportunity to be with my Momma for a doctor appointment yesterday! Thank You for a fun date night with Rickey! Chinese buffet and a bit of window shopping. What a perfect date! Thank You for my walk yesterday morning in the beauty of Your creation and for Pam bringing me my peanut butter cream stick from Michael's! You spoil me through people so much! I'm so excited to see friends from Willard today! I couldn't believe Carol made me peach jam that I can take home since I'm driving and not flying. God, You are so good to me! Cleanse me so You can make be better at who You desire me to be. May You ooze out of my words, actions, thoughts, and attitude today in a mighty way. I pray Your loving arms be wrapped around many going through 'tough' days. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Dan; Mandy and her family as they adjust to their 'new' life without their Momma; Gay and Doug; my classmate Jack; Chrissy; Gary Rupert; Little Ivy's family; Pottenger Family; and so many others. Thank You for Ben Simon going back to work today. I pray Your protection over him. Lord, be greater than the hurts of life. Thank You for being My Holder! Amen.

Matthew 21:21-22 - "Yes He Can"

I woke up during the night and again this morning thinking and praying for some dear friends who are starting the journey of treatments for C. I remember the days with both myself and Doc as we started the journey. There is so much anticipation as you go to both oncologists. You are bombarded with a ton of information and by the end of the appointments you are numb. You feel like you will never get through the days ahead but praise God He is there at all time. He puts people in your path to encourage you and gives you exactly what you need. I remember waking up the day after those appointments and thinking 'Lord, take me home now.' But He didn't. Instead He loved me through the time. He gave me opportunity to share His love with technicians, doctors, nurses, and other patients. I think one of key things in the journey with C is to stay focused on Him. As you do, you will not think of your own problems but more so see what others are going through. We can never give up but instead need to live as He desires. The song "Yes He Can" is on my mind this morning. He can do anything. I was talking with a man last night who has a loved one in Hospice with leukemia. He said unless he gets a miracle his days on earth are numbered. Thankfully he is a believer and will receive a new body when he leaves this earth. That gives comfort when our loved ones leave us. But what about people who are not in relationship with the Lord? How do people get through losing a loved one that was not a believer? We have to pray at some point in time in their life they accepted Christ. Even if it were in their last moments. We have to pray someone, some time said something to make a difference in their spiritual life. It is so hard when you have loved ones who refuse Him. We just have to keep praying for them and loving them with His love. We can never give up hoping for a change in their spiritual life. 

Sometimes I wonder, is He faithful?
Does He see me in my trouble?
Does He understand?
Sometimes I question if He’s able
Can He rescue, can He save me
Again and again?
But when I look back

Did He move every mountain? Did He part every sea?
Yes He did, so yes He can, oh
Did He defeat the darkness? Did He deliver me?
Yes He did, so yes He can

Jesus' words in Matthew 21 are words that can be taken out of context but they are also words that have great meaning. Verses twenty-one and twenty-two read in the New Living Translation: Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” God hears and answers all our prayers. We just need to remember they will be answered in His time in the best way for us. He desires to bless us through 'good' days and 'tough' days. He desires to love on us through all of our days. We must have faith in Him and know He will give us what is best for us. Healing may happen on this earth and it may happen in heaven but it will happen. Sometimes healing comes instantaneously, sometimes it comes through doctors and medicine, and sometimes it comes through death. No matter what avenue He chooses He is with us every step of the journey we are on.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the safe travels yesterday, spending time with Crystal and Joy, my car getting fixed, and the privilege to make dinner for my Momma and Rickey! Thank You for the walk Rickey and I took after dinner! I was so tired but knew I mentally needed to get one in. Thank You for the beautiful sunshine this morning! Burrrrr, I did not pack the right clothes for temps in the seventies. Lord, I pray for the homeless in my hometown to be safe with the heat advisory in effect. I also pray for those without working AC's to be safe. The weather is  so hard for so many. I pray Your strength to be with: my friends with oncologist appointments today; my Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Dan; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Chrissy; Sharon Sebolt; Melanie; the family of the man in Hospice with leukemia; the Pottenger family; Carrie and Chris; Carletta; Mandy Sampson and her family; Norma; Little Ivy's family; and so many others. Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You ooze out of my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a mighty way. Thank You for being My Mountain Mover! Amen.

Philippians 4:4 - "Again I Say Rejoice"

Wow, God! You are so, so good in blessing me! Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m really awake. Spending time with Ben, Emily, and the kids is always such fun! We always pack so much into our time together and yesterday was no exception. Pool date, pizza date, ice cream date, and a movie date! Woo hoo! “Grandma Sheila, Grandma Sheila…” are words I never tire of hearing. My lovable Mr. Weston hugging me and saying, “Grandma Sheila I missed you today” when I first got here and throughout the time together was priceless. Miss Clementine saying, “Grandma you always bring the best presents” warmed my heart. It does not take much money to make children feel loved. I was so blessed in how God works. At the last moment I put a nerf football in Mr. Beckett’s gift bag only to find out his upcoming birthday party is a football theme! Wow, God! Snuggling with Miss Annabelle during the movie last night filled my emotional tank up to overflowing. My first granddaughter, Miss Evelyn, makes me so proud. It’s so hard to believe she is thirteen with how mature she is. God reminded me last night she is the age Ben and Emily were when they first met. I will admit that thought brought a quickness to my heart. I was so blessed yesterday as the four older children sang a song for me. They are all so gifted and are blessed to have such great parents. I also was blessed when Ben tried on a jacket Doc wore for church and the children picked out favorite baseball caps from Papa Doc. My heart is full. As I wait on the noise of their chatter to begin this morning, I am praying blessings over them. I pray for God to continue to give Ben and Emily wisdom as they raise my grand babies. I also pray for God’s love to continue to shine brightly through them. I’m sure not every day is full of a bunch of fun stuff as yesterday but every day is full of God and He is what we all need to focus on in the ‘good’ and the ‘tough’ days. Paul’s words in Philippians 4:4 remind us to rejoice ALWAYS. Not just when things are going good but ALWAYS. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for this time with Ben, Emily, and the kids! I love doing life with them! Thank You for blessing me with the message of my car being ready to pick up! I pray for direction on finding someone who can take me to get it today. Thank You for continuing to give me safe travels! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You ooze out of my words, actions, words, and attitude. May You continue to be what I need to be who You have called me to be. Lord, may I remember to ALWAYS rejoice in the ‘good’ days and the ‘tough’ days. I pray the same for many going through ‘tough’ times in life. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Dan; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Melanie; Sharon Sebolt; Gary Rupert; Rodney Lindsey with the death of his father; Joanne recuperating from surgery; a friend’s ninety-three year old mother who has been referred to a specialist; Mandy Sampson and her family; and so many others. I pray for Rickey to have safe travels today. Thank You for the encouragement he gives me every day! Thank You for being My Joy! Amen.

Psalm 146:1-2 - "Scars In Heaven"

I took an emotional trip down memory lane yesterday. As I drove through the Glenville area I thought about times I enjoyed being there to see family. Of course, there was also some unpleasant times like when my uncle made the swinging bridge sway as I walked across it as a little girl and the time I had to go over the hill in the dark to go to the bathroom because there were no bathrooms 'on the curvy road'! I was sad to see my grandparents home no longer there. Of course, I haven't been there for so long so it may have been gone for years. I was hoping my cousin would be selling vegetables in the grocery store parking lot but they weren't there yesterday. The day itself was emotional with plans being changed due to little Weston being sick, trying to find a dealership to fix my car, seeing my Momma, etc. I was blessed Rickey was available to pick me up at the dealership. Oh my what fun we had laughing about him getting lost in Akron. I was so afraid he would be mad at me and was pleasantly surprised he laughed it off. What a blessing he is in my life! God is so good with blessing me. It was such a blessing to have His peace when disappoint came with changes in my plans. God always knows what is best for us. One of the things I did coming through West Virginia was stopped and put flowers on my sister's grave. I often wonder why she had to be murdered. Why did God not protect her from death at such a young age? But then I think about maybe her death was protection for her. Maybe He was protecting her from something in the future. I know where she is and am thankful for that knowledge. I often wonder what life would have been like if she were still here. I know we would have been close even though we were ten years apart. I know she would have been someone I could talk to and seek advice from because she loved the Lord with her whole heart. Yesterday as I pulled out of the cemetery the song "Scars In Heaven" came on the radio. Of course, the tears started flowing. 

I know the road you walked was anything but easy
You picked up your share of scars along the way
Oh, but now you're standing in the sun, you've fought your fight and your race is run
The pain is all a million miles away

The only scars in heaven, they won't belong to me and you
There'll be no such thing as broken and all the old will be made new
And the thought that makes me smile now even as the tears fall down
Is that the only scars in heaven are on the hands that hold you now

Naomi went through so much in her short twenty-one years on this earth. Seizures from epilepsy, marital issues, living in multiple states before Richard was three years old, and then being murdered. I remember sitting in church and seeing her with a big ole smile on her face as she sang in the choir. She loved to sing for the Lord. I also remember her sweetness in her spirit. Oh how I wish she were here to see where I am today. I think she would be proud of me. I only had her in my life for ten years but I still feel a connection to her.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for all the ways You blessed me yesterday! Thank You for safe travels, a dealership to take my car to, Rickey being able to pick me up since they did not have a loaner car, seeing my Momma, and especially my trip down memory lane! You bless me in abundance! Lord, I pray continued prayers for the day ahead. May You continue to be with me and guide me. May You cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You ooze out of my words, actions, thoughts, and attitude. May people see/hear You instead of me. Lord, may You be peace in the midst of the storms of life for so many. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Ben and Colleen; Dan; Pete and Delores; Chrissy; Carol; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt; Melanie; Little Ivy's family; Jack Rose; and so many others. Lord, be greater than the hurts of life. Thank You for being with Tisha's Daddy for his surgery! Thank You for being My Pilot! Amen.

Psalm 16:11 - "Thrive"

Wow, God! What an awesome day You gave me yesterday! Safe travels, getting through Charlotte and the VA tunnels without any problems, listening to the books of Ephesians and Philippians, meeting my on-line friend Angie, having dinner with my friend Libby…woo hoo! You are so good at blessing me. A highlight of the day was standing in the pulpit that ‘Uncle Buddy Robinson’ preached from in 1924! He inspires me to pray for God to give me strength to do what He has called me today. Many laugh at his daily prayer but for me it shows how we all need to live.

 

“Oh Lord, give me a backbone as big as a sawlog, ribs like the sleepers under the church floor, put iron shoes on me and galvanized breeches, give me a rhinoceros hide for a skin, and hang a wagonload of determination up in the gable-end of my soul, and help me to sign the contract to fight the devil as long as I’ve got a fist and bit him as long as I have a tooth, then gum him till I die. All this I ask for Christ’s sake. Amen.”

 

People affectionately called him ‘Uncle Buddy’ because he was loved by all. Many found the Lord through him. These two traits are ones I desire in my own life. I love to hear children who I babysit or are in the church call me ‘Granny Sheila’ because it is a term of endearment. I also love to reflect back on people’s lives who I feel like I made a difference in. A friend died this week after a battle with lung disease. We had many talks in person and then over the phone and computer after I moved from Ohio. I am so thankful I know where she went when she left this earth. It hurts my heart that she is gone but it warms my heart with the knowledge God used me in her life. That is what life is all about. Doing His will. I am so thankful to be where I am in life where I not only hear Him but I desire to walk in obedience to Him. I don’t want to just survive every day but I desire to thrive through them.

 

So, living water flowing through

God, we thirst for more of You

Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire

Just to know You and to make You known

We lift Your name on high

Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide

We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives

It’s time for us to more than just survive

We were made to thrive

 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with safe travels, meeting Angie in person, seeing the beauty of Your creation here in her little world, having dinner with my friend Libby…the day was full of blessings! One of my greatest blessings is having Rickey in my life. Thank You for him and the way he blesses me! Lord, thank You for peace when my plans were changed! You are such a good, good Daddy! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You be my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a mighty way. I pray for continued safe travels, an open appointment to get my car fixed; and opportunities to love with Your love. I pray Your peace over many going through tough days. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Melanie; Mary Lilley; Mandy Sampson and her family; Sharon Sebolt; Gary Rupert; Jack and Paula; Little Ivy’s family; a young man dealing with addiction and another young man in rehab for anger issues; Gay and Doug; Pottenger Family; and a lady with a fall; and many others. Thank You for the good doctor appointment for Chrissy yesterday! I pray continued healing over her. I pray Beth is feeling better now that she is back in California and I pray blessings over the Appalachia Work and Witness Team. Thank You Jesus for being My Living Water! Amen.

Philippians 2:1-11 - "Symphony"

I woke up this morning thinking about ‘who am I?’ or more specifically ‘who do I favor?’ I have traits of my earthly parents but I especially want to have traits of my Heavenly Daddy. I am thankful to be raised with parents who loved the Lord and were not ashamed to share His love with others. They knew how to love others so well when there was a need. I have fond memories of dropping off homemade vegetable soup to someone sick, going to calling hours for people we didn’t even know, taking groceries to people in need, etc. That was what life growing up was all about. We were not rich by the world’s standards but we were rich in God. The traits instilled in me are ones I pray I instilled in my children and they will instill in their children. Life is not a bed of roses but is so much better when God is the focus. Yesterday’s service with eight children to bless made me smile. I love having children come to church so they can learn about God. I also loved seeing them being loved on by the people. Ms. Carol is drawn to children and such a blessing to our church. Having the privilege to teach children’s Sunday School once a month is one I cherish. I love adults but I do miss teaching children. If I were not raised in the environment I was raised, my life would be so different. I would not have God’s love instilled in me as I do. I don’t know where I would be in life but I do know there is a great possibility I would not be in relationship with God to the degree I am in. I also am grateful for the thirty plus years with Doc where he showed me how to love with God’s love. He taught me how to look beyond people’s present to the potential of their future. We all have baggage from the past but we don’t have to keep carrying it around. God wants to free us from the ‘junk’ of life. He wants to free us from what happened in our past and what is happening in our present so we can live for Him in our future. This morning He woke me to a song called Symphony. These words touch my heart… 

And even in the madness
There is peace
Drowning out the voices
all around me
Through all of this chaos
You are writing a symphony
A symphony...

Tune my heart to Your beat

Let me be Your melody

Even when I cannot see

But You orchestrate it…

 

God desires to orchestrate our life. He desires to work in and through us so people will realize His love. When I think about a piece of music, I know there are many hours put into its creation to make it be what it was meant to be. God put time and thought into creating each one of us so we can be who He desires us to be. I am so thankful for the way He loves me. I do not know how people live without Him in their life. I need to get better at sharing Him so more people will realize His love.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for yesterday which was a long day but a blessed one! Thank You for those who came to celebrate my ordination, for safe travels, and time with Joe and Val! You are so good at providing exactly what I need. Thank You for Rickey encouraging me so greatly! I pray blessings upon his day today as he teaches. Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You ooze out of my thoughts, actions, words, and attitude in a mighty way. Lord, help me to love more so people will come into Your love. I pray for those going through tough days to experience Your peace. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Dan; Steve; Pete and Delores; Mandy Sampson and her family; Melanie; Sharon Sebolt; Pottenger Family; Gay and Doug; Little Ivy's family; a young man dealing with addiction; another young man in rehab for anger management; and so many others. Lord, be greater than the hurts of life. I pray for Chrissy's appointment to go well today, continued safety with my travels, and for opportunities to love on people. I also pray for Alex as he is in training this week. Thank You for Bob and Beth having a safe trip back to California! Thank You Jesus for being My Symphony Composer! Amen.

II Timothy 4:2-4 - "Yes He Can"

Yesterday was a day full of many emotions. There were so many times when I thought the tears were going to flow but they didn't. God is so good to be with us every moment of the day providing us with exactly what we need. He provided His...

• wisdom with decisions with car repair.
• peace when the question of 'where will the money come from?' came into my mind
• protection from a serious accident
• strength to get everything done that needed accomplished
• encouragement from Rickey to help me through the day
• joy in my spirit as I watched Marion eat out
• love for me to share with others

Yesterday as I waited for my car I read the District pastor's reports. I wrote down the name of each church and pastor along with prayer requests. What a blessing to pray for other pastors! Last night before falling asleep, once during the night, and again this morning I prayed for pastors to speak boldly what He gives us to preach today. I prayed for those hearing to be receptive to His Word. I love preaching from the crafting of the sermon through the delivery. I love knowing I am sharing what He desires. Oh how I pray for more people to have the desire in their heart to allow Him to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of their life. When we get to the end of ourselves and allow Him to be in charge, we are blessed in abundance. I am reminded this morning of a song Cain sings called "Yes He Can" and am blessed to know the truth of these words. No matter what we are up against He will do what is best for us. Perhaps He will not take us out of difficult situations right away because there is a lesson for us to learn. Perhaps it is we need to lean into Him instead of manipulating situations the way we think we want them. We must remember God knows what is best for us and will provide accordingly. We also must remember as Dr. Busic said, "We are not God!" 

Did He move every mountain? Did He part every sea?
Yes He did, so yes He can, oh
Did He defeat the darkness? Did He deliver me?
Yes He did, so yes He can

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for all the ways You provided yesterday and the way You shared Your love through me! Thank You for the accomplishments of the day, Your wisdom, protection, strength, joy, love, peace, and encouragement! Thank You my time taking Marion out for lunch! Once again, You knew what I needed and provided. Thank You for Rickey who encouraged me greatly throughout the day with all that was going on! Thank You for the opportunities You gave me to love on people! I pray especially for the friend of our waitress who is dealing with depression to have someone come into her life that will speak life over her. I also pray for those involved in the car accident and the family of the one murdered to have people surround them with Your love. Thank You for Gary and Cindy caring for Chrissy! I pray for others going through 'tough' days to have people around them who will shower them with Your love. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Dan; Pete and Delores; Mary Lilley; Melanie; Sharon Sebolt; my friend with work issues; a family with a son battling addiction; a young man in rehab for anger management; a friend battling mental health issues; Cathy Coe; and so many others. Lord, be greater than the hurts of life. I also pray for safety for Alex, Tim, and their co-workers. Lord, may all pastors preach what You desire today. May we all be empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in Your will. Thank You Jesus for being My Mountain Mover! Amen.

Matthew 19:26, 17:20; Philippians 4:13; Luke 1:45 - "Rattles"

I woke up this morning to the song "Rattles" going through my head. This song reminds me of a time where I felt like God was doing a great thing in me to 'bring me back to life' so to speak. He did some miraculous things in my physical, mental, emotional, and financial bodies but the greatest change He made was in my spiritual body. Chris Brown from Elevation Worship wrote of this song:

Our song RATTLE! is about a resurrection. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet has a vision of a valley that’s filled with dry bones and God tells him to do something crazy. He says “prophesy to those bones that they can live again”…and he does it…and an army gets up off the valley floor! You know the truth is for all of us that life isn’t lived always on the mountaintops. Sometimes we’re in a valley staring at disappointment, facing a hopeless situation. But can I just remind you today that we’ve got a God who has proven over and over again that miracles are not a problem for Him. Resurrection is what He does and who He is. I hope RATTLE! gets your heart racing with expectation and the faith to believe for greater things…for impossible things in Jesus’ name.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 19:26, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13 we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. I love the words of Luke 1:45 with the story of Elizabeth and Mary. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! Woo hoo! When we believe, we will receive. The more we allow God to work in and through us, the more we will receive blessings. I am not talking about financial blessings although those will occur. I am talking about blessings incomprehensible to the world. I stand upon Jesus' words in Matthew 17:20. There is nothing I couldn't do with God! Woo hoo! Last week's sermon challenge was to personalize and repeat these words. The more we say something, the more it will become our way of life. When I realized nothing is impossible with God, I was blessed in abundance. Anything of God's will is possible. Anything He desires of us is possible. All we have to do is live in His presence where we not only hear Him but we walk in obedience to Him. That is where I desire to live and how I desire for more people to live. The words to this song have such truth to them.

My God is able to save
And deliver and heal
And restore anything that He wants to
Just ask the man
Who was thrown
On the bones of Elisha
If there's anything that He can't do
Just ask the stone
That was rolled
At the tomb in the garden
What happens when God says to move
I feel Him moving it now

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the opportunities to love with Your love You gave me yesterday and for the ones ahead today! Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for the blessing yesterday of being at the beach with Kayla, Cait, and the kids! I have so much to do but You showed me what I needed to do and for that I am grateful. Thank You for the day ahead which is another busy day! I pray for nothing to take my focus off of You so I can do Your business. Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. Shine brightly through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. Father, I pray for many going through 'tough' days to realize nothing is impossible with You. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Dan; Ben and Colleen; Aunt Joann; Pete and Delores; Chrissy; Melanie; Sharon Sebolt; Jack and Paula; Mary Lilley; a young man dealing with addiction; a young man in rehab for anger issues; Nada with upcoming surgery; Jack Rose as he continues his road to restored health; Little Ivy's family; Jed and Jenn; Pottenger Family; Carrie and Chris; Gay and Doug;  and so many others. Lord be greater than the hurts of life. Thank You for the one who had surgery yesterday to remove cancer; for me getting only a warning even thought I deserved a ticket last night; and for the way You are going to either stop the tingling in my face or empower me to not let it take my focus off of You! I praise You for who You are in my life and for the way You have restored me! I praise You for bringing Rickey into my life who encourages me so greatly! I praise You for tomorrow's sermon and the way You are going to work in and through it! You are greatly to be praise and I am so grateful for that knowledge! Thank You for being My Resurrection! Amen.

Romans 15 - "Battle Belongs"

I woke up this morning to the words to a song Phil Wickham sings called "Battle Belongs" and was blessed in knowing how much truth is in these words.

When all I see is the battle
You see my victory
When all I see is the mountain
You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow
Your love surrounds me
There's nothing to fear now
For I am safe with You

So when I fight I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I'll sing through the night
Oh God the battle belongs to You

God desires us to have victory over the enemy. He desires us to lean into Him for His wisdom and His strength. Sometimes when obstacles come before us they are from the enemy but sometimes God puts them before us to grow our faith. He gives us free will to make decisions. When we make such decisions for Him, He will bless us in abundance with His presence and His peace. This morning He also took me back to Romans 15. He had me read about how we are to live to bring others to Him. Verse two reads in The Passion Translation, Our goal must be to empower others to do what is right and good for them, and to bring them into spiritual maturity. This should be all believers goal in life. I love verse four. Whatever was written beforehand is meant to instruct us in how to live. The Scriptures impart to us encouragement and inspiration so that we can live in hope and endure all things. This goes along with the July sermon series on Psalm 119. It is so important that we are in His Word daily. The wisdom we gain from His Word is priceless. Verse five calls God the Source of Great Endurance and Comfort. That He is! Praise His Holy Name! I am so blessed with the way He loves on me! I am so grateful for the wisdom and direction He gives me. I see people struggling who do not depend upon Him and it makes me sad. A life with Him is not a bed of roses but it is so much easier when He is directing it. When life doesn't make sense, it is easier to continue on with His peace. 

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the opportunities You gave me yesterday to love with Your love and the ones ahead today! Thank You for Marion going to therapy fairly easily and having less pain! Thank You for Alison finally signing papers for her new home! Thank You for calls with Rickey that encourage me so much! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You ooze out of my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a mighty way. May people see/hear You instead of me. Father, I continue to pray for many going through tough days. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Dan; Ben and Colleen; Dee with the loss of her sister; Sharon Sebolt; Melanie; Chrissy; Norma; Pastor Sam with his father's health; Gay and Doug; Little Ivy's family; a young man dealing with addiction and another young man in rehab for anger issues; Mandy Sampson and her family; Courtney Pottenger Family; Mary Lilley and Ross Lilley; Carrie and Chris Campbell; and so many others. Lord, be greater than the hurts of life. May You meet their physical, mental, emotional, financial, and most of all their spiritual needs. I pray the same for myself. Thank You Jesus for being My Source of Great Endurance and Comfort! Amen.

Romans 15:13 - "Less Like Me"

Seventy five years ago today a young lady and man were married. Their love story is one I cherish. It is a story filled with tragedies, illnesses, deaths, etc but it is also a story filled with a dependence upon God. The faith my parents showed me is one that taught me how to not just get through life but to glorify God in the process. I am so thankful for what God did in and through them so I could be where I am in life today. He loves me so greatly through the treasured memories I have. Not only do I have memories of what happened in my life but I treasure the stories of what happened before I was born. My Daddy used to start out a story with 'Sheila Babe, this happened when you were still on the shelf waiting to be born...' Oh how I miss my Daddy and his sense of humor. I miss his hugs and his phone calls. I have a glimpse of how my Momma feels since Doc left this earth but we were together only half as long as they had so I'm sure it's different. I think the most special part of their love story happened in my Daddy's last moments when they held each other and talked. How precious! My God is such a great God! He gives us exactly what we need, when we need it. These last few days have been tough physically with trying to catch up on rest. When I start to panic about things that need done, I stop and pray and ask God to direct my steps. I ask Him to open doors that need opened to accomplish what He desires of me. There are a few 'firsts' ahead in the next week that I need His strength for in abundance. Physical, mental, emotional, and financial. But most of all I need His spiritual strength to not just get through these times but to glorify Him through them. Once again, He has taken me to Romans 15:13 again this morning. God gave me this verse Monday morning as I awaited the ordination service. He gave it to me again Tuesday as I reflected back on Monday and again Wednesday as I worked on Sunday's sermon. Today He gave it to me once again as a reminder of what life can and should look like. My parents modeled a life of trust through many obstacles. I am thankful for the memories of watching my maternal grandparents pray together every night before bed. I am thankful for the memories of praying together with Doc. God has given me a treasure trunk of memories that I love to think about. He also gives me His empowerment every day to not just get through the day but to glorify Him through it. I am thankful for His joy, peace, and hope I receive as I strive to live a Christ-like life. I am grateful for the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit that fills me as I allow Him. It is through Him I can knock the enemy down when he tries to put doubts and fears upon me. Woo hoo! I am grateful for the reminder of Zach Williams song "Less Like Me" this morning...

A little more like mercy, a little more like grace
A little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith
A little more like patience, a little more like peace
A little more like Jesus, a little less like me

Dear Jesus, Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for giving me exactly what I need, when I need it! Thank You the legacy I have in my parents! Lord, wrap Your arms around my Momma today and give her what she needs as she reflects on their marriage. My Daddy would be so proud of her and the way she has continued on since he left this earth. I pray for Dee and her family with the loss of her sister. May You be so near to them. I also continue to pray for many who are going through tough days. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Ben and Colleen; Dan; parents of a young man dealing with addiction; Cathy Coe and her family; Pastor Sam's family with his father's health; Sharon Sebolt; a lady having surgery tomorrow to remove cancer from her kidney; Melanie; Pete and Delores; Allison; Mary Lilley; Gay and Doug; Chrissy; the Pottenger family; and so many others. Lord, continue to give Little Ivy's family Your strength through these days. I pray for Joyce Wolf as she continues to recuperate from surgery. I also pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You and less of me. I pray for Rickey to have safe travels today. Thank You again for bringing him into my life! I pray for Marion to go to therapy easily for me today and most of all for her to have some relief from the pain she is experiencing. Lord, be greater than the hurts of life. Thank You for being The One To Fill Me! Amen.

Romans 15 - "What If"

I woke up this morning thinking about how important it is to trust God throughout life's challenges. When the enemy tries to put fear upon us, God is there to knock him down. When we get 'bad news' about ourselves or a loved one, it is easy to fall apart but God is there to love on us and get us through such times. When we are waiting on something to come we are expecting or waiting on an answer from God, we can become discouraged but we need to continue to trust Him for His timing. I am so thankful I do not know the future. If I did, I might try to manipulate it to be as I desire. I need to trust Him for what He desires. I once again think of Paul's writing in Romans 15:13. I read this particular verse in various versions today and settled in on the New Living Translation. Matthew Henry writes of this Scripture:

We shall never seek to Christ till we trust in him. And the whole plan of redemption is suited to reconcile us to one another, as well as to our gracious God, so that an abiding hope of eternal life, through the sanctifying and comforting power of the Holy Spirit, may be attained. Our own power will never reach this; therefore where this hope is, and is abounding, the blessed Spirit must have all the glory. "All joy and peace;" all sorts of true joy and peace, so as to suppress doubts and fears, through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.

I desire to live this way of life. I desire the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to be in me in such a way people will not see or hear me but Him. I desire to be at peace no matter what is happening in life. When Doc took his last breath on this earth, I had a choice to make. I could either be mad at God for 'ruining' my life or I could embrace my new life. I could either quit trusting Him or I could go deeper in my walk with Him. God put a call on my life to be His faithful servant and that is what I continue to strive to do every day. He put a call on my life to preach the Gospel and that is what I continue to do every time I have the opportunity. He put a call on my life to love with His love which I do. When He called us to South Carolina, He called both of us. I am so thankful for the way He used Doc to mentor me as a pastor. I also am grateful He is in control of my life. If I did not trust Him, the decisions I make may be foolish. The goal of my life on this earth is to make decisions with His wisdom and empowerment so I will live with Him for eternity. Woo hoo! If I were to die today, I know where I will go. I have no fear of dying but instead look forward to being with my Heavenly Daddy. As long as He has me on this earth I need to make sure I am living out His will for my life. I know that includes living in His presence, reading His Word, being in constant communion with Him, loving with His love, etc. He speaks to me through His Word and for that I'm grateful. I was reading about the importance of reading His Word. One commentary described it in this manner. "Holy Scripture is the divine storehouse of all furniture for the Christian life, even in its most trying and delicate features." I love the word picture given with the words 'divine storehouse of all furniture'! Woo hoo! In verse four of Romans 15 it reads in the New International Version: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Praise His Holy Name! Once again, the importance of being in His Word is great. His Word holds the answers to every question we could ever ask. It holds peace in the midst of the storms of life and wisdom for every decision to be made. Many years ago when God told me to go to school to preach I questioned Him but did as He said. It did not make sense to me when Doc was the preacher in the house but I was obedient. Fast forward eight years and Doc took his last breath on this earth. God was preparing me to be who He called me to be. He prepared me in many different ways and for that I am grateful. I can reflect and see His hand upon me over these years in a mighty way. I also have hope in knowing He continues to guide me and is with me every step of the way. Walking down the aisle for ordination was not what I pictured. I anticipated falling apart with tears falling uncontrollably. Instead He put a smile on my face and joy in my heart. I was not alone. God was with me and empowering me just as He always is and does. I was so blessed to carry the Bible Doc bought for me for ordination day. When he realized his days were drawing to a close on this earth, he wrote in it for me. That Bible and his words will always have a special place in my heart. I also have a special place in my heart for the knowledge I am walking in God's will. I do not want to mess up anything but instead desire to fulfill each day with the desire of His heart. This morning the words to a song Matthew West sings is on my heart.

What if today's the only day I got?
I don't wanna waste it if it's my last shot
No regrets in the end
I wanna know I got no what ifs
I'm running till the road runs out
I'm lighting it up right here right now
No regrets in the end
I wanna know I got no what ifs

I'm gonna dream a little bigger
Burn a little brighter
Stand a little taller, closer to your fire
Dig a little deeper
Reach a little further
Love a little harder

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the safe travels to District Assembly, the love You showered over me through others, and for the knowledge I am walking in Your will! Thank You for Your Word, songs, and people who encourage me greatly in my walk with You! Thank You especially for Rickey who encourages me so greatly! Thank You for bringing him into my life! Lord, I pray for a cleansing in my soul so You can empower me to be the lady You have called me to be. May people see/hear You instead of me today. May You give me opportunities to love with Your love in ways that will blow my mind. I pray Your peace over many going through difficult days. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Dan; Ben and Colleen; Gay and Doug; Jack and Paula; Pastor Sam's father; a woman having surgery for cancer Friday; Melanie; Joyce Wolf; Mary Lilley; Carrie and Chris; Chrissy; and many others. Lord, be greater than the hurts of life. I pray for physical strength as I am so tired from all that has been happening. Lord, do not let anything be a distraction to what You desire of me. Thank You for being My Source of Hope! Amen.