1.move, change, or occur in the dramatically changeable manner of a roller coaster"the twentieth century fades behind us and history roller-coasters on"
As the time draws closer for the sun to set for the day, I reflect back on this day and think about how life just seems to be such a roller coaster ride right now. I am not, nor have I ever been, one to enjoy riding roller coasters. I tried them a couple times but always got sick. Gave up trying them many years ago. Life sure has been interesting these last seventy-five days. It is amazing to think of all that has happened and all that I thought would happen that hasn't. But the one thing that I continue to depend upon is my God. He has been with me every step of the way through this time and I know He will continue to do so.
As I started down another 'steep slope' today He immediately gave me II Timothy 1:7.
I had to chuckle at the last part of a 'sound mind'! But I am thankful He gave me this reminder just at the time He did. It reminded me that He is greater than anything that comes my way. Woo hoo!
Dear Jesus,
You are so awesome in the way You encourage me through Your Word. I praise Your Holy Name! Thank You Jesus for being My Encourager! Amen.
Dear Lord, I really am not trying to be a complainer but I sure do need an abundance of You today. It is so hard to not be able to do what I am use to be doing. I thought others would have a problem with me not doing but they seem to be handling it better than me. To not be able to be with people at the hospital or at time of death has been extremely hard. Now with our Building Bridges projects going on and not being able to be involved as 'normal' I am struggling. Father, would You please quiet my spirit? Would You encourage me in ways beyond my comprehension? Would You love on me so greatly over these next three days in a way that I won't feel so discouraged? I feel like I am missing out on so much of life these days. Here it is the end of July and we haven't been up to sit by the lake one time. I miss those days. Oh Father, how I need You to be so very real to me. My tears are falling...I don't want to feel down. I have so much to be grateful for and I am grateful. I'm sorry if I am letting You down. I don't want to be a disappointment to You. Lord, fill me up with more of You. I praise Your Holy Name for giving me the opportunity to preach Wednesday at Teen Challenge. You knew I needed that and I am grateful. This morning I am reminded of the words from You last night in our Bible study from Jeremiah 33:3...
Wow God! How appropriate for these words to come back to me this morning! I am calling upon You. I don't have to have an answer as to why I am struggling with this MS flair-up. All I ask is for peace through it. There is no way I can have peace on my own, it is only through You. I could ask why I have numbness in my limbs this morning or why I've been in pain in my legs these last few days but to be honest I don't really care 'why'. I just want You to be glorified through me however You can be. Lord, I am calling to You for physical and emotional support today in a way that is probably more than I have for a long time. Last night I told Courtney in order to have a Matthew 7:7 life (Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.) you first must have a Matthew 6:6 prayer life (But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.) I am grateful for having open communication with You, Lord. I am grateful that even though You know my requests before I speak them You still listen to me. I am grateful for the way You answer my requests. Lord, blow me away today with answering my call for Your support to get through this day. No, let me change that...I don't want to just get through this day...I want You to be glorified through me during this day. Father, thank You for all those working on Building Bridges projects today. Bless their efforts mightily! Strike the enemy down when he tries to stop them! I pray for those who are 'thinking' of getting involved...lead them to being You for others. Jesus, more of You and less of me...fill me to overflowing...love on me in ways that will bless me in abundance. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Call To. Love, Your Daughter Sheila
"Oh no! I left my sermon either in the truck when Doc dropped me off or at the house! I will not panic!" After these thoughts went through my head I immediately prayed for the Lord to give me direction and felt at peace. I wrote the sermon weeks ago when I first found out about the service at Teen Challenge. I tweaked it a couple times and read it through yesterday morning so I knew I was familiar with it but I also knew I would never remember everything in it. Prior to praying at the beginning I knew I had Psalm 103:1-5 that I was going to read so I pulled that up on my phone only to have the internet stop in the middle of reading it. After borrowing a Bible and reading it, I began to pray and had the sense that I needed to pray the enemy out of the place. He was trying to stop my efforts. The Lord was glorified instead of the enemy winning. That was evident the entire service.
Praise and Worship was amazing as the room was filled with melodious voices raised up to the Lord.
After Praise and Worship Adavee handed me the rough draft of my sermon that I had given her for her selection of music. It was not the finished product but it had what I needed to be able to remember what I needed to.
During the sermon the Holy Spirit gave me His words to say that were specific to some instances that I had no knowledge of.
As Adavee sang the last song, I asked the girls to bow their heads and listen to what the Lord wanted to say to them. There were many tears during that time. He was speaking to them personally.
After our time of prayer was over I asked them if they would like to sing the song with Adavee. Once again, the tears flowed. Woo hoo! Thank You Jesus! The smiles on many faces were a gift to me.
I am not sure why things happened as they did yesterday but I believe the Lord was seeing if I was truly living out what I preached about.
Did I trust Him?
Did I rely on Him?
Was I fully surrendered to Him?
Thankfully, He found out that yes I am living what I preached. When I realized I didn't have my sermon, I prayed and trusted in Him to enable me to not panic. I relied on Him for direction on what to do. If I would not be fully surrendered to Him, I would have started crying and fallen apart. Lynn asked if I wanted her to go get it but I said "No, it will be OK." And it was.
My God is so awesome in the ways He works!
My God is awesome in taking me deeper into relationship with Him so that I can be blessed in some huge ways by Him.
My God is awesome for being the One who is with me every step of each day.
I am reminded of the closing song from yesterday...
And I will call upon Your name And keep my eyes above the waves When oceans rise My soul will rest in Your embrace For I am Yours and You are mine
I called upon Him for peace and direction...He immediately responded.
I kept my eyes focused on Him instead of allowing the enemy a foothold...He gave me exactly what I needed.
All of this happened because of His love, mercy and grace. I am blessed when I sing "For I am Yours and You are mine" that I truly know I am living it.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the challenges of yesterday that enabled me to show You that I am fully relying on You in my life. Thank You for Your direction yesterday morning when I realized I needed someone to take me to therapy at the last minute. Thank You for Your direction when I realized I didn't have my sermon with me yesterday afternoon. Thank You Father for the way You answered prayers yesterday for my dear friend going through a tough day at work and for my friends who have their dear Momma's funeral today. Thank You for Your encouragement as I dealt with leg pain yesterday. Lord, You are My Healer and I am so grateful for that knowledge. You are the One who healed me spiritually many years ago and throughout the years has healed me physically. You are the One! Woo hoo! Lord, once again I ask for You to fill me up with more of You and less of me so You can shine through me. Thank You for the words of encouragement from my dear friend Julie this morning! I loved the direction it gave..."Ask My Spirit to live through you as you wend your way through this day. Hold My hand in joyful trust, for I never leave your side. The Light of My Presence is shining upon you. Brighten up the world by reflecting who I am." Yes! That is exactly my prayer for this day! Use me, Father, to be a reflection for You. Thank You Jesus for being My Presence! Amen.
As we studied the twenty-first chapter of Revelation last night in Bible study there was one verse that really stood out to me. In verse five God says, "I will make all things new." In this book of the Bible He is talking about the new earth that He will bring into existence when this earth is no longer. I love the words of Matthew Henry on this chapter... The old world, with all its troubles and tumults, will have passed away. There will be no sea; this aptly represents freedom from conflicting passions, temptations, troubles, changes, and alarms; from whatever can divide or interrupt the communion of saints. This new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, the church triumphant. Its blessedness came wholly from God, and depends on him. The presence of God with his people in heaven, will not be interrupt as it is on earth, he will dwell with them continually. All effects of former trouble shall be done away. That is exciting! When I think of something that is new, I think of clean...pure...never used. It will not just be a hand-me-down so to speak of something made over. He is making a new earth! Woo hoo! I also get excited about how when we surrender to the Lord He makes everything in our lives new. He gives us a new start. He is there to guide us throughout our days in such a way that enables us to deal better with the turmoils on this earth. Last night during Bible study a song kept going through my head about Him making all things new. When I read the lyrics to the song this morning, I thought 'wow, God!' Yes! I want to be undone in the Lord! The desire of my heart is to be living in His will each and every moment on this earth so that I will experience living with Him on the new earth. Who could stand apart from your presence Once we have tasted The goodness your love Who could change a heart Only you can Restless and thirsty For healing from above
You break the heavens open And I'm trying to swallow the ocean
I'm coming alive with you I'm coming undone with you I'm coming away with you With the faith of a child I come With hands lifted high I come I'm coming alive with you
You make all things new! You make all things new! You make all things new! You make all things new!
This morning I am praying for some people who are in some tough situations. Some need a refreshing in their physical bodies while others need a refreshing in their emotional/mental bodies. Most of all they need a refreshing in their spiritual bodies. Lord, be with these ones in a mighty way today and bring them closer to You....may each of these ones have "...the faith of a child..." May they get to the point of saying, "I'm coming alive with you...I'm coming undone with You...I'm coming away with You..."
my friend who sent me a text asking for prayer due to some tough circumstances at work today
my friends who will be having calling hours for their dear Momma today
my friend who is struggling watching her daughter struggle for life due to cancer
my friend who is struggling watching her daughter struggle for her body to get back to being able to eat and function properly
my friend who after 20+ years lost her job and it is where their insurance was through
my friend who is struggling financially and now has lost her means of transportation
my friends who were in an accident yesterday...praise for no injuries
my friend who had his sister life flighted yesterday from a car accident
my friend who had her first chemo yesterday
my husband
my friend who is distraught over her marriage
my friend who is struggling with low self-esteem
my friends who are struggling with so much hurt from the death of their grandson
my friends who are going through some trying times in their family with job situations
myself for a physical renewal in by body, especially in my legs...I pray against the pain in them today
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the Bible study last night. Thank You for the hope of a new earth. Oh Father, how I pray for more people to get to the point of being in relationship with You so they can enjoy the new earth too! Lord, fill me to overflowing with more of You and less of me so people will see You in me today. Lord, use me to speak words of life at Teen Challenge today. Give me more of Your love so I can love people more in the way You would. Lord, thank You for all the ways You encourage me. You are so awesome! Thank You for being My Newness! Amen.
"Five hours again?!?!? How in the world if I suppose to function on this little of sleep?!?!?" Those were my thoughts this morning when I woke up. It makes for a long day when you only sleep five to six hours. But the Lord said, "I need you to pray. I will take care of your rest." Alrighty then! So I started praying but before I did the song "Cast My Cares" came to my mind. I prayed the ones I was praying for would realize they can do just that... I will cast my cares on You You're the anchor of my hope The only one who's in control I will cast my cares on You I'll trade the troubles of this world For Your peace inside my soul I pray they will realize He is greater than anything that comes upon them. He will be their anchor when they allow Him full reign of their whole being. I am praying for...
the alcoholic who recently lost their job; their spouse who needs encouraged; their marriage that needs strengthened
my friend starting a year of cancer treatments today; for spiritual strength in this battle before her; for protection over her physical body from any harm the treatments may try to do
my friends who lost their dear Momma/Grandma yesterday after only a short time ago losing their Daddy/Grandpa; I am praying for spiritual healing in their souls; I am praying those who are not in relationship with the Lord will see Him in a whole new light during these tough days
my friend awaiting biopsy results...may His peace be her peace
the alcoholic who needs their eyes opened up to the Lord; their family who struggle with their addiction
the marriage falling apart; the spouse who needs the Lord in their life; protection over the spouse and child
the family being torn apart by things of this world; may this couple's focus be put on the Only One who can restore their household
the family in mourning from so many deaths
the two young girls who are battling for life in their physical bodies; their families who are supporting them
the two men in pain in their physical bodies with no hope given from their doctors
the man who needs surgery yet the insurance company has denied it
the family mourning the recent loss of their Momma/Grandma
my friend having an interview today...open doors that need opened and close ones that need closed
the one recuperating from surgery and awaiting another one
the one dealing with infection in her body and awaiting an MRI
There are so many physical issues represented in my prayers. We don't know why things happen as they do nor do we know when they will be healed. But the one thing we do know is that Jesus is always with us. He is our healer. He is the One to make all things new. I remind myself every day of the fact that everything that happens is in His time. We may not like His time but when we live a life of surrender to Him then His time is the only time that matters. I am sure many of these ones I prayed for this morning are feeling very discouraged. Yet I pray they will know He is the only one to get them through their present circumstances.
When fear feels bigger than my faith And struggles steal my breath away When my back's pressed up against the wall With the weight of my worries stacked up tall You're strong enough to hold it all
He is the only way to peace in the midst of turmoil. We do not have to worry about anything when we know He already knows the outcome. I know this is easier said than done but it is possible. It is a given there will be trials in this life on earth. But it is also a given that when we live in His will our final place will be with Him for eternity. The trials will all be forgotten when we leave this earth. When we claim victory on this earth, we will live victorious for eternity. Yes, it is hard but it is not impossible when we allow His strength to be our strength. Yes, there will be discouraging days but we must keep our focus on Him. Yes, the enemy will try to tell us lies but we must only listen to the Lord.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for giving me the opportunity to pray for these dear ones this morning. Thank You for the encouragement of Hebrews 6:19. You are my Anchor! You are the One I listen to! You are greater than anything that comes our way! Woo hoo! Father, more of You and less of me...fill me up to overflowing so You ooze out of me. Lord, I don't know what is ahead for me this day but I do know You already have it planned. You know who I will come in contact with...who will see You in me...who will be touched by my words or actions...You know all. For that I am grateful. Father, use me in mighty ways today. Lord, You know the desires of my heart...You know the things I would love to see accomplished today...but if my plans aren't Yours I don't want them to happen. Lord, love on my dear Momma some extra today as it will be a day full of memories of their marriage. Thank You Jesus for being My Anchor. Amen.
How appropriate to receive a text with this picture right as I was falling apart after leaving the doctor. Thank You Jesus! I started crying before I even got out of the doctor office. It wasn't that what he said was the worst news possible but it was what he didn't say that upset me. When I said the goal of the therapist is for me to get to walking with a cane but my goal is to be back walking on my own, he didn't say anything. I was crushed. On a positive note, he acknowledged my faith by telling me there are two things we need to do. First, we have to have patience. Second, we have to pray hard. Along with those two things he said it will take a lot more therapy. As he was leaving the room, he patted my shoulder and said, "Dear, don't get frustrated." Alright then...how exactly am I going to do that? Having the text from Julie with this picture answered that question. It was just what I needed to be reminded of...the Lord knows the outcome. He knows the date..the hour...of when I will walk again on my own. He will be with me to embrace this new normal for my life as long as it is this way. After we got home and I had a nap I opened up my laptop to see this picture...
Once again, thank You Jesus for being so very real to me today. I may not understand...
how the Lord is going to use me in fulfilling my call
why this flair-up has happened
how it is that I can not get depressed over the fact that I can't function as I was use to
BUT I do understand that the Lord is with me and will continue to guide me. I will lean on these verses in such a way that He will be glorified...
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 - 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
James 1:2-3 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the fact the MS is only in the brain and not in the cervical spine. Thank You for the fact the MS has not changed to the progressive kind. Thank You for the last twenty-one plus years in which You have enabled me to spend each and every day leaning upon Your strength. Thank You for the ways You continue to encourage me through these days. Thank You for friends who are praying. Lord, I pray for You to lead their prayers for what I need. Father, I am falling apart in my physical body even though I know You are with me. That doesn't make sense to me but I know You know all. Father, touch me....heal me...physically, emotionally, mentally...my whole being. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.
My physical body is tired... My emotional body is hurting... My mental body is challenged... But praise the Lord my spiritual body is encouraged through the reminder from a dear friend of Psalm 40:1-3 this morning...
I don't know what today holds but the Lord does and that is all that matters. I wait anxiously for the MRI results today yet no matter what they are I know He is with me. I am so ready to be back to 'normal' but if this way of life is my new 'normal' then I will listen for His direction on how to proceed from here. This sign says so much in so few words...
No matter what...I know the Lord has called me to be His servant and I will fulfill that call. He is my rock that I will continue to stand upon. He is my strength when mine is gone. He is the One who is always with me. He is! Dear Jesus, Thank You for the reminder of this scripture today. Thank You for my friend who sent it to me this morning. Thank You for the way You will work in and through me throughout this day. Lord, fill me to overflowing so others will see You in me. I pray for some who are hurting today to feel You in a powerful way. Be with the one having surgery who needs to feel Your presence in the sense of peace. Be with the ones who need a special touch from You as they deal with trials of this life. Lord, You brought "Blessings" to my mind this morning. I know You will bless me through this day. I know You will love on me and encourage me. I know You will stay close to me. In the midst of knowing all of that I pray for the cementing of these words into my heart... What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy What if trials of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are your mercies in disguise Thank You Jesus for being My Rock. Amen.
