On the third day of creation God created land and sea. I always have felt drawn to water, particularly the ocean. When we were on one of our cruises, we swam in water where I could see my feet. It was beautiful. Now that the Lord has brought us to South Carolina and we live on an island I see water everyday. As we cross the bridge I feel like I have to pinch myself that I am living in such a beautiful place. I remember telling the DS that if God was going to bring us to SC He would put us near the water. I think he thought I was joking but I knew if He was going to take me so far from my family He would bless me with being near the ocean. It is there that I feel the most peace. As I sit and watch the waves I see His power. The light breeze across my face is Him touching me. The smell of the ocean air is Him in every breathe. Last year at this time I went out to the beach multiple times during the week. This year I may get there once every couple weeks. That saddens me. I need to make time to be there more often. It is where my cup gets filled the best. It is where I am encouraged the most in my loneliness. The beach is where I am able to tune everything else out and tune in best to God. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessing ahead in this day. Thank You for a decrease of pain. Thank You for the time ahead tonight with the children and teens. Lord, will You show me how to make more time for myself. I feel selfish in taking it and I feel even more selfish in asking You to enable me to do so. I need more of You in my life. I need more concentrated time with You. The desire of my heart is to become more like You. I pray You will enable me to do so. Fill my cup to overflowing with more of You so people will see and hear You through me today. I cannot be who You desire of me if my cup isn't full. I cannot give people what they need if I am empty. Thank You Jesus for being My Blessedness. Amen.
Some days are just harder than others. Sometimes people or circumstances cause you to want to quit but you know God doesn't want that. He wants you to persevere through tough times. The desire of His heart is to be seen through you in circumstances that are not fun. Doc's sermon on James yesterday reminded us if we wanted to keep our joy we needed to stay in close relationship with the Lord. That makes sense in so many ways yet as a human being it can be hard when dealing with hurt. It is hard to stay focused when dealing with physical pain. It is hard to not take things personally when dealing with people in ministry. One must remember everyone has a story and with their story comes baggage. 'Hurting people hurt people' may just be a saying but it is very true. Sometimes people hurt others on purpose but a lot of the time they don't even realize they are doing it. Sometimes words come out of mouths or looks come across faces that hurt another person but not intentionally. The Lord knew I needed the words to the song He Is With Us this morning... 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 Amen! These words are promising words that we all need to hold onto. No matter what we go through in life "He is with us!" Yes! Praise His Holy Name! We believe There is purpose, there is meaning In everything We surrender to His leading He wants nothing more Than to have us close
As Doc shared yesterday, when we walk in obedience He will give us insight as to what He desires us to do. When "We surrender to His leading" His voice will be heard and followed. It is the best place to live. We must trust Him 24/7. He will soothe the hurts brought on by life. He will give insight as to how we need to approach people and love on them even when they are unlovable. He will empower us with His Holy Spirit so the fruit of the Spirit will flow from us even when it seems to be impossible. Dear Jesus, Thank You for the reminder this morning that You are with me no matter what. Thank You for giving me Your words and attitude in times of hurt. Father, You know the things I am dealing with and You also know the outcome. I pray for more of You to show through me. I pray for more focus as I deal with physical pain. I pray for You to be glorified in all I do. Lord, I also pray people were not only listening but they were grasping yesterday's sermon. Oh how I pray for more to walk in the path of obedience. Open doors that need opened and shut doors that need shut in all of our lives so You will be greater than us. Thank You Jesus for being My Promise Keeper. Amen.
Prayer requests have been so heavy this week. At 2:40 this morning the Lord woke me to pray for a pastor and gave me a message for him. I remember the day when I would question giving someone a message given to me because I was afraid they would think I was crazy or making things up. No longer do I question God when He gives me a message for someone. I don't have to understand the message. I am just a messenger. As I think about that concept I am blessed in knowing He uses me for a specific purpose. I know He uses me in a lot of ways but when it comes to being His messenger that warms my heart. It also is a blessing to have people ask me to pray for them. Some do not even have a personal relationship with the Lord yet they ask me to pray. That is a step in His direction. They at least know He is real and will answer prayers. The tough ones are the ones who ask me to pray a specific way that is blatantly against God's ways. I always tell them I will pray for them and then pray for their spiritual needs. This morning I continue to pray for...
A little boy who is in the middle of a mess with custodial/non-custodial parents
A pastor who fell and pulled his hamstring and skinned his knee
The family whose wife/mother/daughter had a seizure, went into a coma and died
The lady suffering with a large kidney stone
A pastor whose cancer has returned and going through treatment
A pastor who is preaching for the first time since being threatened to leave her church
A young lady who is away for her first job after graduating college
A lady who is trying to figure out if her family should move cross-country to care for her father
A young man making life-changing decisions who has his heart set on one thing...oh how I pray he listens to God
A young boy who went through surgery for a heart condition
A young father who continues to be hospitalized for major health issues
A father/grandfather/son battling with brain cancer
My friend who had knee surgery this week
A little boy who appears to be in his last days with a brain tumor
A young boy battling leukemia and going through treatments
Two babies born this week who were hospitalized with jaundice...strength for their families and healing on their little bodies
A man who lost his foot and part of his leg due to diabetes
The family torn apart after the husband/father decided he is a woman
A pastor's wife who feels like her church does not love or accept her
A 'retired' couple who continue to do the Lord's work...spiritual warfare
A widower whose health has gone downhill since the death of his wife
The father who just returned to work many months after his young son killed himself
My list is pretty long with regular prayer requests...my family, my neighbors, our church family, pastors and their families, missionaries, churches, our country etc. Some days it seems like it gets very heavy but I am thankful the Lord gives me this way to love on people. Yesterday when we realized we had three hours of "free time" we made the decision to go to the beach. What a blessing to live so close! Normally speaking I read while there but yesterday the first hour and a half I zoned out while watching the waves and prayed. I thought of all the requests that recently came to me along with my 'normal' ones. As I prayed the words to "Oceans" came to my mind...
You call me out upon the waters The great unknown where feet may fail And there I find You in the mystery In oceans deep My faith will stand
He has called me to be a prayer warrior. Some prayers get answered in the way people desire, some do not. I do not pray for people's desire but for His will to be done. We are taught in the Lord's Prayer to pray "thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." There is no disease, relationship conflicts, poverty, etc. in heaven. There is peace, worship, contentment, etc. I pray for these things to happen here on this earth. I pray for more people to live in His presence. I pray for more people to realize the importance of living a holy life. I pray for more people to receive the fruit of the Holy Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23. But first people need to get into relationship with Him...full relationship...not just in word only. My heart breaks for people in the church who are playing church instead of being the church. It also breaks when people get into tough situations and turn away from the Lord instead of allowing Him to be their strength through what they are going through. This morning the tears are falling over the way people are blatantly not listening to Him. There are many who are playing games and are going to lose in the end. Why? I don't understand how anyone can choose to not have the Lord in their life. But I do know the enemy is strong in the ways he fools people. Once again my heart breaks for those who think they are 'ok' with the Lord yet are going to be surprised on Judgement Day. Luke 13:22-30 tells us the door to heaven is narrow and few will walk through it. Oh how I pray for more believers to get serious in their walk with the Lord.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so much! Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings ahead in this day. Father, as I prayed during the night, bless all pastors who are going into the pulpit today. I pray they will speak the words You have given them. May the Holy Spirit empower them in a mighty way. I also pray a blessing upon worship leaders who will lead congregations into a spirit of worship. Guide them to bring people into Your presence. Lord, would You cleanse me of anything not of You? I pray for Your words and attitude to be great in me today. May You be heard and seen in my words and actions. Father, I also pray for walls to be knocked down in the lives of people who think they are 'ok' so You can work in and through them. Thank You Jesus for being My Door. Amen.
"Hills and valleys...God of the hills and valleys...I am not alone..." Alright, God...what am I missing that You want me to get from this song? There is a part of this song that goes... On the mountains, I will bow my life to the one who set me there In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own When I'm walking through the valley end, no am not alone! Yes! This is exactly how I desire to live. No matter what happens I want to keep my focus on the Lord. I think of what I heard yesterday with the mother of the young adult daughter who died. The mother was so distraught during the time her daughter was in a coma and she said something along the lines that if God didn't perform a miracle and heal her daughter she didn't think she could believe in Him any longer. Oh how I pray she changes her mind. Her son-in-law needs support as he faces making arrangements for his wife and cares for their three small children. She also needs to have the Lord's strength during these tough days. As the song says, when we have Him in our life we "are not alone" no matter if we are in the 'hills' or the 'valleys' of life. He is always with us. The desire of His heart is for us to have His strength. He desires for us to keep the faith and allow Him to work through the tough things we experience in life. He desires for us to see Him as our Hope. I was reading in Psalm 72 this morning and stopped at verse three to ponder. When we are on a "mountain" in life, we see how the Lord blesses us in abundance. Many times we can feel His presence as we bask in being there. When we are on a "hill" in life, we can feel distraught yet many times that is where we gain more of the Lord. As we seek more of Him, we will find Him in a new way. "...the fruit of righteousness" Yes! That is exactly what I desire. I desire to live more like Him. I desire to think like Him. I desire to be Christ-like in my thoughts and what I do. I desire to hear His voice and walk in obedience.
Dear Jesus, Once again I come to You asking what I am missing from this song. Is it me or someone who will read this that needs to hear what You have to say? Father, cleanse me so I can hear Your voice. Use me in a mighty way today by empowering me. Give me Your words, actions and attitude so people will see You instead of me. Thank You Jesus for being My Hope. Amen.
I'm not sure if it is because the tune is so catchy or if the Lord is trying to tell me something I am not getting but the song "Hills and Valleys" plays continuously over in my mind. Specifically, these words...
Father, you give and take away Every retry and every pain And with all you will remain All for it all!
He has given me so much over the years in so many different areas of life. My children, my husband, my grand babies, my family....but specifically my faith. He has taken me deeper into relationship through valleys of life that seemed unbearable. Nine months of not walking on my own was a tough one but wow what a blessing! This last fourteen months in South Carolina with a hurricane, breast cancer, decrease in finances, Doc's health issues...the list goes on and on. I think maybe that is what He is trying to get me to realize. Yes, I've been strong in my faith but maybe not strong enough since moving here. Some days I feel like I'm on auto-pilot. Those aren't my favorite days, that's for sure. I don't want to miss any opportunity He puts before me yet I know I have. Yesterday as I was doing my school work I thought about how much simpler it would have been to live at the time Jesus walked this earth. But then I wondered if it would have been. Life would have been simpler and people would have heard Jesus speak in person. For some having Jesus in person may have made more sense than hearing Him speak through His Word, others, in an audible voice when He is not physically with them. I am just grateful to hear His voice. I am also grateful when He uses songs and Scripture to speak to me. I need to ponder upon this song some more to understand His message. There is another part of the song that goes... No matter what I have, your grace is enough No matter where I am, i'm standing in your love Yes! His grace and love are the best! They get me through the valleys of life that seem unending at times. They also encourage me through them. I am one blessed lady! I am a daughter of the King! I am loved by My Heavenly Father! Woo hoo! I love the idea that not all valleys are dark ones. In II Chronicles 20:26 there is the Valley of Berachah. The meaning of Berachah is blessing! King Jehoshaphat had victory and led his people into this valley. Victory! Gladness! Communion with God! Woo hoo! Yes!
Dear Jesus, Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace! Thank You for speaking to me in so many different ways! Lord, would You reveal to me what You want me to receive from this song? Would You put something or someone in my path that will open up the meaning to me? Would You also cleanse me of anything not of You? Would You fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see and hear You instead of me? Would You be my words, actions and attitude throughout this day? I sure am asking a lot this morning and am blessed in knowing You hear me and will answer my prayers in the way that is best. Thank You Jesus for being My Valley and Mountain Provider! Amen.
As I looked at this picture the Lord brought a really neat word picture to my mind. These roses are a beautiful pink but they came about when a red rose bush and a white rose bush decided to make something beautiful. That is what the Lord desires of us. He wants us to share His love with others so He can make something beautiful in their life. You're beautiful You're beautiful You are made for so much more than all of this You're beautiful You're beautiful You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His You're beautiful
There are so many people in my little world who need to know Jesus loves them. They need to know He thinks they are "beautiful...treasured...sacred...His..." We all need to be reassured of this from time to time but for those who don't even have a glimpse of this knowledge life is tough. They feel tore down in their spirit. Many feel like they can't go on with life. It saddens me to see people so low. I need to be more proactive in sharing His love with people. I need to go deeper in my relationship so I don't miss opportunities He puts before me. We all need a life with Him in the center and I need to share that way of life with others. Yes, I try to be an example of such a life but it is going to take more than that for some. It is going to take words. Perhaps they will need to be bold words. Dear Jesus, Thank You for this word picture from these roses. Thank You for giving me a swift kick. Thank You for making me feel "beautiful" in my spirit. Lord, I pray for more of You to overtake me today. I pray for Your love to surround me in such a way that I will know when opportunities come my way to share You with others. I pray for Your attitude, words and actions to take over my spirit. May You be oozing out of me in a mighty way. Lord, I also pray for my dear sister who is having knee surgery today. May You guide the surgeon's hands and give her relief from the pain. Be with her and her husband throughout the time of recuperation. I praise You he is able to be with her 24/7. Lord, once again I pray for You to fill me to overflowing throughout this day. You know the struggles I am having but You also know the outcome. Praise Your Holy Name! Thank You Jesus for being My Beautiful! Amen.
"Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips..." These were the words the Lord woke me up singing this morning. I thought of something Dan Bohi said last night about how when he walks into a church and asks how a pastor is doing there is usually negative that is said. 'They have this ache or pain, the church has dropped in attendance and/or going through tough financial times, etc.' Brother Dan said he would love to walk in, ask that question and be told they are joyful even if they are going through tough stuff. The Apostle Paul speaks of this attitude over and over again. In Philippians 4:12-13 it reads: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Paul was in jail multiple times for preaching the Gospel. He knew what it meant to be persecuted yet he never stopped doing God's will. I think of the time he was in jail with Silas and they began singing and the chains fell off. Our 'chains' in life can do the same. We do not have to carry them around with us but instead can be free from them. We do not have to walk around with a frown on our face but instead need to have faith and trust in God. He will give us an inner peace when we walk in obedience to Him. That peace and joy are part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Unfortunately, many like to wallow around in self-pity. Many find comfort in allowing the enemy to have control of their life. That saddens me to see yet it is part of the world. I chose His joy and peace over what the enemy offers. I have faith and hope in Him because I desire to spend eternity with Him. He blesses me in abundance as I seek more of Him. I know He is the source of all I need. In Ephesians 3:20-21 Paul writes: To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
Woo hoo! Yes! What a blessing to know He is the source of the spiritual blessings given to me. That is crucial to remember as we go through tough times. When He is our source, we have nothing to fear. He is in control. Therefore, He already knows the outcome and will direct us down the path of righteousness and holiness. We can live a life knowing we will be with Him for eternity when we walk in obedience. Dear Jesus, Thank You for all the ways You bless me each and every day. Thank You for the love You lavish on me. Thank You for the opportunity to watch Brother Dan last night in the live feed. He is such an encouragement to my heart. Father, I pray for him and his team to stay close to you so they hear Your voice and walk in obedience. I pray the same for myself. I pray for more of You to flow out of me. I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so there is nothing between you and I. Lord, be so powerful in and through me. May Your supernatural empowerment come down upon me in a mighty way. Thank You Jesus for being My Source. Amen.
