Wow God is so awesome!!! I was so excited to pull into Beaufort!!! The Lord and I did the trip with no issues!!! Even through the heavy rain, storms, crazy traffic, tunnels...all of it I was able to accomplish the task put before me with the Lord's strength. It was so cool the way He got me through the tunnels in Virginia. First of all, I was concerned about traffic in Charleston but that went well. After getting through Charleston I saw the sign for the National Forest and I thought, "Oh my! I forgot about the tunnels!" That was definitely a God thing that I didn't worry about them! As I started through the first one I looked in my mirror and there wasn't any traffic behind me so I took the middle and got through it with no problem. When the second one cam up, same thing so I took to the middle. Before I was through it a car came out of nowhere so I had to get into the right lane. It was as if the Lord was saying, "Have faith! I am in control!" Yes He was! When I had went through the last one, I thought about how the parting of the Red Sea was a miracle and me getting through the tunnels without traffic on all sides of me was a miracle! Later as the weather turned nasty and I couldn't see very far ahead of me the Lord continued to be my Guide. At one point when we stopped for gas Doc said we should wait a bit before getting back on the road but I knew I needed to continue. I was determined to get through Charlotte if at all possible before stopping for the night. I was thinking late evening would be easier traffic but oh my it was heavy and the rain was heavy. I was so thankful to find a place to stay the night. I don't know if it was because I looked so tired or what but the young girl blessed us with the first room inside the door and didn't charge for Mordecei. She said "Welcome to South Carolina" when she found out we had traveled all day to move here. I was so excited when we pulled into Beaufort. I even woke Mordecei up with my "woo hoo"...LOL. When we did our walk-through of the house we were once again blessed with having it spotless! Even the carpet in Doc's office had been cleaned. Another blessing from the Lord! Then our some of our new friends blessed us with not only leaving our trailer and moving truck at their place but also prepared a wonderful steak dinner for us. God is so awesome in the way He provides brothers and sisters in Christ to help load us in Willard and to help unload us here. I am so excited for the doors He is going to continue to open for us! Dear Jesus, Thank You for the trip down being uneventful! Thank You for the rest You provided last night! Thank You for all of the blessings of this week! Father, most of all I want to thank You for February 4. If Brother Dan would not had been obedient to Your voice, I may never had been able to do what I have done these last few weeks. Oh Father, You are so good! I praise Your Holy Name for being My Good, Good Father! Amen.
IT IS REAL!!!!! The Lord plants a seed and then He begins to open doors to have that seed come to reality. There are tough times along the way with all of the 'last times' to see people for awhile or to do things. But the best part about the process of this move has been His peace. From the very beginning there was the knowledge that He was in control and that was comforting. Yesterday as we loaded the truck it seemed like the Lord was confirming His peace. When we first started, there were no worries but as the guys put the bigger things into the truck the doubts of being able to get everything in it started. It was as if the Lord was testing my faith. Now today the rest will be loaded and I am confident He will stretch that big ole truck so that everything does fit. If something doesn't fit, then we weren't suppose to take it to begin with. We have sold, given away and thrown away so many things to get to this point. It is unbelievable how many earthly possessions two people can accumulate. It is also unbelievable how easy it was to get rid of things a year ago I would have struggled with parting with. I know it is all the Lord's doing. I also know it is because of His healing touch that I am functioning as I am. I know it is His physical touch that will strengthen this body to get through these next few days. I know it is His strength in my mental spirit that will enable me to do what needs to be done. Woo hoo! It is all Him, not me. I have nothing to fear because He is with me. I was blessed when I accepted Him into my heart many years ago. I was blessed when He accepted me back when I strayed. I was blessed when He gave me a godly husband who not only followed the call on his life but also nurtures the call on my life. I was blessed with physical healing upon my body. I was blessed when the Lord told me to go deeper. Plain and simple....I am blessed. I may not always understand why He blesses me so much but I do know I am His Daughter and He loves me deeply. I do not deserve all the blessings but I accept them because I know He knows what is best in all circumstances. In these next few days I am going to accept the blessings He will give with physical, mental and emotional strength because my spiritual tank is full and overflowing with Him. I will accept the way He will give clarity in my thinking even though I am physical drained. I will accept the way He will pour favor out on me in all aspects of my life because once again I know He knows what is best for me. I will accept His direction and His love because I know His way is best for me. Am I excited? Definitely! I am so ready to see how He will be glorified through me! Am I scared? Definitely not! I am standing on II Timothy 1:7 in knowing He gives me empowerment to do what is ahead! Am I sad? Yes, to a point in knowing there are people who I won't see again and ones I won't see as often but I also know He will take care of loneliness when it creeps in. Am I worried? Nope because I know who is in control of my tomorrows! Woo hoo! Dear Jesus, Thank You seems so inadequate to say as I think of all You did and continue to do for me. Father, I want to live out my life for Your glory and I pray for Your direction to continue to do so. I pray for more of You to flow in and through me so people see/hear You and not me. Empower me with Your supernatural power! Bless me in ways that seem incomprehensible to people! Thank You Jesus for being The One To Empower Me! Amen.
Yesterday was one of those days where I thought I would bust if the Lord blessed me anymore. Woo hoo! Hearing Ben preach, experiencing worship under the lead of Jason and Emily, seeing Miss Evelyn and Mr Beckett participate in the service, being able to bless them at the altar, having lunch with them....oh my! God is so good! As I was blessing them at the altar I thought back to how I was probably Miss Evelyn's age when I started praying for the children I would have. My goal in life was to be a Mommy and so I decided as a child I should start praying for my children. I wanted six at that time and picked out three girl and three boy names. I was a dreamer! I would lay out in the yard looking at the clouds, watching the airplanes fly over and ask God to bless me with children. He did good even though He realized I didn't need six! My prayers continue to be answered with the godly men my sons have grown to be. After I had them, I started praying for the Lord to bless them with godly wives. Once again, He did good! As they were growing up I prayed for them to seek His will for their lives. Yesterday as Ben gave his testimony about how the Lord worked through the time of the job he didn't like, the RV, the basement living and the position at Family Promise I was so blessed in knowing the Lord has answered my prayers. He is taking care of my boys and their families even when I can't be there. When we left Delaware a few weeks ago for our 'last time' for awhile, I fell apart. The Lord knew I needed yesterday. No tears fell but there were a whole lot of prayers of gratitude going up as we left them. God is so good. He had a plan for keeping us here another week. Part of that plan was so we could minister to Laura's family. Part of that plan was for rest. Another part of that plan was revealed yesterday as peace took over my being. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday! Thank You for the blessings You will give us today! Thank You for continuing to bless my boys, their ladies and their children. This Momma/Grandma/Memaw has prayed for that and will continue to pray for them all. Father, the day has finally come for us to get the truck. I pray we will have help to load. I also am thankful for the email I received of the help that will be when we arrive at our new home. Lord, so many memories flood back as I reflect back on these last fifteen years. As Ben said yesterday about the Delaware Church, they do life together. That is what a church body is all about. When we love on one another with Jesus' love, we will be empowered to love others too. Lord, would You please bless the Willard Naz, Delaware Naz and Beaufort Naz with the empowerment of doing life together in such a way that they will leave the comforts of their congregation to love on people? Would You empower them to be Jesus to all they meet? Would You bless them in abundance so there is no doubt You are at work in their midst? Woo hoo! Thank You Jesus for being My Blesser. Amen.
I woke up this morning from a bad dream about a pastor. I immediately started praying for all pastors who are going into the pulpit this morning. There is a battle going on every time a pastor preaches. The enemy does not want people to know the way of the Lord so he fights every word in whatever way possible. He cannot be everywhere as the Lord is so he uses people to do his job. Some of these people will be critical of the sermon. Some will be angry and be nasty to a brother or sister in the church. Some will quit going to a church for one reason or another. The enemy is working overtime, especially in a church with a godly leader. Oh how I pray for the enemy to be knocked down in all situations. I pray for the glory of the Lord to shine bright through pastors. I pray for those going through times of 'drought' in their ministry to be rewarded greatly. I pray for those who are dealing with issues in their personal life to repent and allow the Lord to cleanse them. I pray for those who are hurting over a prodigal child to have their faith renewed in knowing they will return. I pray for those dealing with physical health issues to be healed. I pray for those dealing with temptation to stand up against the enemy and live what they know to be pleasing to the Lord. I pray for the flocks of churches to surround their pastor with encouragement today instead of tearing him or her down with hurtful words. I pray for churches to be full today with people who are supportive of their pastor. My heart breaks to be asked to pray for situations where pastors are asked to leave or ridiculed to the point where they are broken. As I was praying these lyrics from the song "My Story" came to my mind.... If I told you my story You would hear victory over the enemy And if I told you my story You would hear freedom that was won for me And if I told you my story You would hear Life overcome the grave
Yes! All believers need to be able to sing these words but especially those God calls to preach the Gospel. They are at the frontline to receive darts from the enemy. They are the ones who live in glass houses with people just waiting for them to make a mistake. It is critical for them to stay in right relationship with the Lord. They must be on their knees seeking His ways each and every day in a greater way than others. Before their feet hit the floor each morning they must put on the full armor of God and be ready for the battles that will be put before them. Some of those battles come from the Lord to stretch their faith but many come from the enemy to tear them and their church apart. Dear Jesus, Thank You for waking me to pray for pastors. Thank You for my pastor who I get to see live out a life for You each and every day. Thank You for the way he is taking this step of faith in listening to moving. Thank You for the way You continue to provide exactly what is needed during this step of faith. Thank You for keeping us here an extra week so we could be wh Laura's family as she left this earth. Lord, I don't know if the dream I had was from You or not but I pray specifically for this pastor in my dream. If he is dealing with temptation, give him what he needs to stand up against it. I also pray if there is a different pastor in the same situation, give them what they need to stand up against the enemy. Father, I pray for all pastors going into the pulpit today. I pray for the Willard Church as it will be the first Sunday Doc is not there. I pray for Pastor Mike as he preaches there. I pray for Pastor Karen who will be preaching her last Sunday as interim at the Beaufort Church. I pray for Ben as he preaches at the Delaware Church. I pray for Pastor Roland who is traveling a distance to fill in as interim. Lord, go before these pastors and others going into the pulpit. Strengthen them through Your love. Empower them with the Holy Spirit with boldness. Father, I also pray for family members of pastors who are hurting. I pray they will be empowered with Your love so that their words will be soothing to them. There are many pastors are Sabbatical right now or getting ready to go on one. I pray for them to be renewed and refreshed during this time away from the pulpit. I pray for their families to be reconciled and for their church to be in prayer for them. I pray for those who will be ordained at District Assembly to take their vows seriously and to be in prayer about this step in their life. Lord, I pray for more of You to be in me so that I will see how to encourage pastors in a greater way. Thank You Jesus for being My Full Armor. Amen.
As I was sitting at the bedside of one who appears to be in her last hours the song "The Only Name" came across on the TV. Yes! I want to live my life in a way that I can always say...
When I wake up in the Land of Glory And with the saints I will tell my story There will be one Name that I proclaim
When people are in there last days, family and friends react differently. Some deny it while others try to do their best to be strong. Some people who know they are dying will fight it while others give in peacefully. The Lord gives each person what they need when they allow Him to be their Comforter. Sitting at the bedside of a loved one who appears to be close to leaving is a hard place to be. It is a place no one wishes on anyone. But when we believe in the Lord we have His strength to enable us through the tough times. When we surrender to Him, we will see Him at work in and through not only others but through ourselves. He has a plan for each one of us. He knows when we will take our last breath. He knows what we need and will provide it. We do not always accept what He gives us but He is there for us. A lot of emotions come to the surface from things of the past as a loved one is passing from this earth. Some of those emotions are happy ones while other ones are hurtful. But He is greater than the hurts. He is greater than the 'junk' the enemy brings back into our memory. He is greater than words that are said that pierce our heart. He is greater than anything. There is a question in Romans 8 that we must remember as the enemy tries to tear us down in our weakness...
He is our strength during 'good times' and 'bad times'...He wants to enable us to stand up against the enemy when he tries to tear us down...He wants to see us lean on Him! Plain and simple. When we choose His strength, we will be enabled to get through tough circumstances a whole lot easier. It won't take the tough stuff away but it will make it easier! Dear Jesus, Thank You for giving me the opportunity to be You to this family this morning. Thank You for loving them through me. Thank You for enabling me to have Your words. Father, I pray for peace in Laura. I pray You will be her and her family's strength during this tough time. Father, You are so awesome in the way You encourage me. I was grateful to hear "The Only Name" come on right at a time where I needed the reminder. Your Name is sometimes the only thing to say during these times. Your Name brings comfort. Your Name brings strength. Love on this family as they endure through some tough times. No one knows whether it will be today, tomorrow or when but when Laura walks into Your arms I pray Your arms will also be around this family. Thank You for living in and through me. I pray for more of Your empowerment as You continue to lead me down this road of being Your servant. I pray for more of You to speak through me and to be my actions. Thank You Jesus for being My Comforter. Amen.
"Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fails...Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame..." Several times during the night the Lord woke me up with these words to "From The Inside Out" and I was blessed in knowing I am living it out. "Your will above all else, My purpose remains. The art of losing myself in bringing You praise..." Yes! This is my purpose in life...to live a life of surrender where He is in control. Yesterday as I talked with the one who appears to be in her last hours I was overwhelmed with His love. I don't know if she wasn't able to comprehend how deep His love for her is because of not being able to think clearly or if it was that she couldn't fathom how He would love her when she had not been living for Him for so many years. But I do know she knows He loves her and wants to be her strength in these tough days. As I held her hand and prayed He had me repeatedly pray for her to lean on His strength. I am so hopeful she is doing that. I remember praying with her son in the ER one time in his last days. He showed fear in his eyes but after talking and praying with him he had peace. I pray she has the same peace. I pray her family members will visit her and see that peace. I pray for ones who do not have His peace to seek it. The last days of a family member are so hard to deal with in so many different ways but when people know His peace it makes the days a bit easier. Watching and caring for a loved one as their earthly body deteriorate is so hard. It is only when we know we will see them again that we can bear the separation. I praise the Lord for the opportunity to share Him with Laura yesterday. I praise Him because I know even though she couldn't articulate many words she said "yes" when I asked her about Jesus. I praise Him for not only being her strength in these days but also being Carol's strength as she cares for her Momma. I am grateful Carol knows Him in an intimate way that will allow her to be strong even when she feels like she can't go on. Romans 8:17 tells us when we are His children we will share in His sufferings and also will share in His glory. As His children, no matter what happens to us while on this earth we have hope in spending eternity with Him. We need to be in relationship with Him and surrendered to His will so we will know what He desires of us. Glory! Woo hoo! Hope for tomorrow! Yes! That is where I desire to live! I do not want to live in the yesterdays because He has already forgiven me of what I did or did not do. I want to live today in knowing I am doing His will so I can be with Him in the tomorrows. Dear Jesus, Thank You for my time with Laura yesterday. Thank You for hearing that weak "yes" from her. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to talk with her. Lord, I pray an abundance of Your supernatural power to come down upon Carol. I pray for Your love to flow in and through her so she will feel Your strength. Lord, I pray for the day ahead for them. Whatever Your will is Father, I pray for them to accept it. Lord, thank You for loving us so greatly. Thank You for filling me to overflowing with more of You as I go throughout this day! Thank You for giving me the strength for today! Thank You for all You do for me! Thank You for being My Purpose! Amen.
These words were going through my mind when I awoke this morning...
oh and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide But I know we're all searching for answers only you can provide 'cause you know just what we need before we say a word
You're a good good father It's who you are, It's who you are Its who you are And I'm love by you It's who I am, It's who I am It's who I am x 2 Today I have an opportunity to share my Heavenly Father with one who appears to be in her last days. She knows Him but has not been in relationship with Him for many years. Since my friend asked me to talk with her Mom I have been praying for His words to be my words in a way that would enable her to understand His love for her. This is a time where that might be hard to comprehend yet it is so necessary. He is the answer for life's heartaches. He is the answer on how to get through the days that lie ahead. He is the answer not only for this one but also for her family. He wants to be the loving arms to wrap around them as they struggle with the effects of cancer. He wants to be the One they cry out to in time of distress. He wants to be the One they lean upon for strength. He wants to be the One to love on them in such a way there is no doubt of His love. He wants to be the One to give them His peace in the midst of this storm they are in. Plain and simple...He wants to be the One. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the rest of yesterday and for the way You will give us rest today. Thank You for the opportunity to talk with this one who needs to be reconciled with You. Thank You for using me as Your servant even in the midst of the chaos of life. Thank You for loving me enough to give me this opportunity to be You to hurting people. Father, fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You in me. Give me Your love in abundance so You will ooze out of me in such a way people will desire to have what I have. Thank You for being My Good, Good Father. Amen.
