Philippians 4:13 - "Strong Enough"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Jesus,

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

Psalm 103:6 - "Eye of the Storm"

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

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

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

Psalm 104:33-35 - "Strong Enough"

The words of Psalm 104 are easy to say when one is going through good days of life but not when they're going through tough days. As I read Psalm 104 this morning I thought about the prayers the Lord put on my heart during the night. He had me praying for people who are in some tough spots. As I prayed for them, I prayed they would draw closer to Him. I prayed for the enemy to be squashed out of many situations. Some of them are holding onto their faith with just a thread of hope. Some of them are going deeper in their walk with the Lord. Some of them are confused about why the Lord is allowing them to go through what they are. I prayed for them to see Him as a light at the end of the tunnel but I know many are feeling like there is no end to their tunnel. Oh my heart breaks for many and I continue to pray for all of them...

• the wife with the husband who continues with a sexual identity crisis
• my husband with the pain he has experienced several weeks
• the young mother with the father of her baby in jail
• the young mother who lost her husband in a car accident yesterday
• the family watching their loved one suffering with a terminal infection
• the family caring for their wife/mother with multiple health issues
• the family caring for their husband/father with terminal cancer
• the couple going through a divorce
• the woman who quit her job and walking by faith for the Lord to provide
• the little guy going through chemo and his family
• the families dealing with their aging parents and the decisions being made
• the woman who had major back surgery this week, the woman who had cervical surgery a few weeks ago and the woman facing surgery next week

The last part of these verses..."clear the ground of sinners" is applicable to many of these situations. God is calling people to be in relationship with Him. Many times He allows bad things to happen to draw us closer. He does not cause bad things but neither does He stop them. His desire is for all of us to depend upon Him. The only way for that to happen is for us to get to the end of ourselves and fully rely on Him. When we realize we can't do things in our own strength, we will be empowered by His strength in a whole new way. We no longer will feel like we can't go on but instead will be renewed in our spirit. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the reminder of these verses this morning. Thank You for the way You love us so greatly. Thank You for the blessings of yesterday. What a joy to see the tears in Grammy's eyes as we sung Happy Birthday to her. She blesses me tremendously and I thank You for putting us together as neighbors. Thank You for all of my neighbors. I pray You will continue to use me in our neighborhood to be a beacon of light. Father, I pray for the two families who are moving. I will miss the children greatly. I pray they will move into neighborhoods with someone who loves You. They are in difficult situations and need protected from the enemy. I also pray You will keep what I've told and shown them in the forefront of their minds. I pray I have made a difference in their young lives that will be forever remembered. My heart breaks for these children. Lord, I also pray You will bring us new neighbors that will be open to Your love through us. I pray You will continue to empower me with Your love so people see and hear You through me. Lord, wherever You lead me today I pray You will be keep my focus on You so I do not miss any opportunities. Thank You for being My Blesser. Amen.

Psalm 103 - "10,000 Reasons"

Psalm 103 are encouraging words from David. It is like what I said on Sunday about how when we focus on Him our problems become less in our minds. This Psalm encourages us to focus on all the wonderful things of the Lord. This is true with our worship. When we focus on Him in worship, we will not be distracted by the people or things around us. God desires us to enjoy our relationship with Him. He desires our focus. He desires all of us. Verses three through five of this chapter remind us of what He does for us. It is because of these reminders that we need to bless or praise Him. We need to not just do this when we are in corporate worship but it is something we need to continually do. I read about this Psalm, "Our praise to the Lord should be total - giving God our all in our worship. May our thoughts meditate on His goodness; may our mouths speak of His grace towards us, and may our hearts enjoy the rest and satisfaction that only He can give to our souls." Yes! When we live a 24/7 life of worship, this is how we will live. When we live a life of holiness, this is how we will live. When we live a life fulfilling the desires of His heart, this is how we will live. Oh how I want to live this type of life every day. I do not want my focus to be taken off of Him. That is a hard thing to do with all of the distractions of this world. The way to accomplish it is to 'stay prayed up' as they use to say. That is the only way to live. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all of the ways You bless me. Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with having time with Jimmy and Eli. Thank You for the way You will bless me today. Lord, You know what is ahead and I am thankful You go before me. I know what I 'think' will happen today but You know what will happen. Father, forgive me when I allow distractions to take away my focus. Lord, I pray for Your supernatural empowerment to overtake me so I will be stronger against distractions. Lord, fill me to overflowing so Your words, actions and attitude will ooze out of me today in a way people will know You live in and through me. Once again I ask for Your healing touch to be upon my husband. I pray for his pain to not be a distraction from what You desire of him. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Bless Us. Amen.

Psalm 102 - "Blessings"

Psalm 102 is a lament of one who is going through a tough time in their physical body. When we cry out to God in our distress, not only does He hear us but He comforts us. There are times we must go through physical ailments on this earth. It is not because God can't heal us. Sometimes it is because He has something for us to learn in the process. Sometimes He has something for us to hear but He can't get our full attention until we go through tough days. Sometimes there is someone in our life who needs to see God glorified through tough days. Physical ailments are a part of life. Some people seem to go through more than others. They say they are 'lucky' but I say those who go through many are the ones who are blessed. When one goes through tough days, they draw stronger in their faith. They realize God is the Only One to depend upon in both 'good' and 'bad' days. I love Psalm 102 because it encourages me in tough times. It gives me hope. It tells me He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this Psalm this morning. Father, I pray You will continue to use us in whatever manner You so desire. I will admit I am getting tired in my physical body from the emotional drain. Lord, fill me up with more of You. I need my spiritual tank to stay full to get through these days. I praise You for reminding me throughout the day yesterday of my sermon on Sunday. I will focus on You...remember my relationship with You...spend time with You...worship You. Lord, today is a new day and I pray You will be my words, actions, attitude and focus. I pray You will be seen/heard by all I come in contact with. Thank You Jesus for being My Encourager. Amen.

Psalm 101 - "The Love of God"

As I read Psalm 101 this morning I was reminded of how David was as He sought to do God's will. It was during this time he was known as a man after God's heart. That is how I want to be known. One after God's heart. The only way to be known as such is to live a life the Lord desires. In order to do that one must be in relationship with Him so they can hear His voice and obey it. I remember living a Christian life where I thought I was doing what He desired only to find out there is more than salvation. There is entire sanctification which enables Him to work in and through us in a great way. When we give every part of our being over to Him and allow Him to use us however He chooses, we then will be a person after His heart. As I was walking on the beach the other day I saw these shells that had formed the shape of a heart. I am constantly amazed how the Lord makes things such as this to remind us of important lessons in life. As the wind blew my hair and the sun shined down on me I was blessed in the reminder that He loves me greatly. I also was blessed in knowing He loved me enough to die for me and He loves me enough to live in and through me. These two shells formed together for a purpose. That purpose was for the reminders He wanted me to receive. That is so cool to think about! It also is a blessing to think about how a shell is pretty and perhaps has some strength in it but when it forms together with another shell there is even more beauty and strength. That is how it is with life. One person is one way but when joined together with another they are different. This can be in a marriage or it can be in a working relationship as we strive to do His will or it can be both. Doc and I each have our own abilities and strengths but when we work together we join those to do more. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday and thank You for the day that is ahead today. Thank You for the way You will use me today to be You in a world that needs to feel Your love. Thank You for the way You will be my words, actions, attitude and focus today. Thank You for children and teens who will come tonight. I pray they will leave our home knowing You in a different way. Father, I also pray for the pain Doc is in. I pray You will be with him as he waits for the scope. Lord, Your healing touch is needed in his body so greatly. Use this time of pain to draw him deeper in his walk with You. Thank You for being The One We Love. Amen.

Psalm 100 - "Never Been A Moment"

The Lord woke me singing "Never Been A Moment"...

There's never been a moment
I was not held inside Your arms
There's never been a day when You were not who You say You are
Yours forever, it don't matter
What I'm walking through
‘Cause no matter where I'm going
There's never been a moment That I was not loved by You

Woo hoo! Amen! He is always with me, no matter what I am going through. I love the peace He gives. The song continues with "You've been the rock...You've been the peace..." Yes He has! Yesterday afternoon as I visited my dear neighbor to meet her daughter I had the opportunity to share how He has been my Rock throughout the last year. It was amazing to look back and reflect how each month held something that could have broke me yet I continued strong in my faith...

May - bought house in SC; said goodbye to many friends and family
June - moved from Ohio to South Carolina
July - transitioned to a new place, new people, change in finances
August - female surgery
September - Doc's first job interview with no success
October - Hurricane Matthew; breast biopsy
November - lumpectomy; diagnosis of breast cancer; lymph node surgery; first Thanksgiving away from family
December - radiation treatments; first Christmas away from family
January - finished radiation treatments
February - Doc's trips to ER with chest pain; trip to Ohio to celebrate Christmas; bought church building; brother's death
March - death of Jaguar the day after moving Rhonda in; Doc's stress test
April - Doc hired at post office with many days of training in Charleston; anniversary of Daddy's death; ministry assessment

Here we are the eighth day of May and have already been to the ER with Doc in pain. All of the tests ran so far are clear but the pain continues. Yesterday as I preached on Psalm 100 I was preaching to myself as much as anyone else. There are four lessons to be learned from this short Psalm...

o  Focus on God instead of your problems

o  Remember your relationship with Him

o  Spend time with Him

o  Worship Him

When we do these things, we will have reason to praise Him in tough days. Our joy can stay intact even in the midst of trials. His peace will be our peace in the midst of chaos. Yesterday was a crazy day yet I was at peace. Years ago I would have been stressed to the limit and crabby but not yesterday. I asked Jim to open up the building to alleviate that stress. Sunday School went well even with having such a wide age of children and teens. Jim was suppose to help me with Praise and Worship but was called to work. God provided by having Carol be back early from her trip. He was my strength as I preached and many responded for prayer. After a nap I went to visit Mr. Fred and was pleasantly surprised to find him responsive. Two visits with neighbors in the afternoon and then time to relax with Doc completed the day. It was an awesome day and one I praise Him for even though it was not a 'normal' day. That is a joke because there really are no 'normal' days around here! As I look to today I have no idea where the Lord will lead me but I do know He is with me. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday and all the ways You blessed me. Thank You for the day that is ahead. Father, I pray for You to be glorified in all that I do and say today. I pray for You to be my words, actions, focus and intention today. I also pray for favor as I call for Doc to see the specialist. Father, please be with those who heard the sermon yesterday. I pray they will be encouraged to focus on You in the midst of their trials. I pray for them to draw closer to You and to allow You to be the Lord of Lords and King of Kings in their life. I know this is probably a selfish request but would You please make it be that I can spend some time at the water today? I need my tank filled up with that. Thank You Jesus for being My Ever Present. Amen.