I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Keep Me In The Moment"

When Mordecei had me up during the night, the Lord had the words to the song Keep Me In The Moment that Jeremy Camp sings going through my mind...

Singing, oh Lord keep me in the moment
Help me live with my eyes wide open
'Cause I don't wanna miss what You have for me (What You have for me)
Singing, oh Lord show me what matters
Throw away what I'm chasing after, 'cause I don't wanna miss what You have for me (What You have for me)
Keep me in the moment, oh keep me in the moment
'Cause I don't wanna miss what You have for me (What You have for me)

Yes! I do not want to miss any opportunity He puts before me. I do not want the events of life to take my focus off of Him. I was reminded on my zoom call last night of the words of I Thessalonians 5:16-18. They read in the New International Version: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

In The Message they read: Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

Both of these give some absolutes. always...no matter what. continually...all the time. These mean when we stay focused on God He will give us exactly what we need to stay focused on Him. As we do, we will not miss opportunities He gives us to love with His love. We cannot allow the things that happen throughout the day to distract us from Him. We cannot allow the hurts of our heart to pull our focus from Him. When we do, we will miss what He desires of us. This is hard as a human being but it is not impossible to keep our focus where it belongs. I was reminded on the call last night to have gratitude and praise in my life. When we praise Him through the storms of life, we are rewarded with His love in abundance. As we praise Him He takes our focus off of our hurts and shows us others who need to experience His love through us. The more we praise Him, the more we are focused on others instead of ourselves. It truly is amazing what praising Him does for our spirits.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the way You love on me so greatly! Thank You for keeping my focus on You no matter what the events of today hold! Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me with more of You! Thank You for loving others through me! May You love through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a new, different way. May all who see/hear me not see/hear me but You. May You be greater than the hurts of my heart. I pray for praises to flow from me as I seek to stay focused on You. Keep Me In The Moment is my prayer for the day ahead so I do not miss any opportunities You put before me. Oh how I wish Doc were with me today but he isn't. I pray Your strength will be mine throughout this day. I pray for Your comfort for the hurts of my heart. Thank You Jesus for being My Focus! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "Rescue Story"

I don't know what was going on last night but I could not go to sleep. I thought about taking something to help me sleep but by then it was after 2AM and knowing I had to get up early this morning it was too late. I'm not sure how I will function today but there are some things on the calendar that make me not have a choice. I thought about my sermon yesterday where I talked about the days of having a to-do list. I'm thankful God 'broke' me of that habit. I'm thankful He is in control of my days. I'm thankful I do not have to worry about what I have to accomplish in the day ahead because He is in control of the day. I'm thankful He was the One who got me through a tough morning yesterday and will see me through the day that is ahead today. He is the One who knows how I am struggling with MS tingling in my face and head and will either calm it down or give me the strength to not just through it but to glorify Him through it. When I couldn't go to sleep and then again this morning the words to Rescue Story are going through my head.

You were the voice in the desert
Calling me out in the dead of night
Fighting my battles for me
You are my rescue story
Lifted me up from the ashes
Carried my soul from death to life
Bringing me from glory to glory
You are my rescue story

Yes! He fights every battle I go through! He rescues me from every attack of the enemy and strengthen my faith through it. I do not have to fear anything but can stand in the know
ledge that He will empower me through the 'tough' days of life. I will continue to stand upon II Timothy 1:7 in His empowerment and strength. I will continue to praise Him through everything that comes my way. I will allow Him to work in and through me in ways unimaginable to man. Plain and simple. I will be who He has called me to be. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Yesterday morning was tough. Last night was tough. This morning is tough. Praise Your Holy Name You are greater than these tough times! I praise You for loving on me so much that You never leave me but instead empower me through these tough times. I praise You for being My Constant Companion no matter what is happening. Father, I have some tough things happening in the week ahead and need to feel Your presence and empowerment in a mighty way. Oh how life would be so much easier if Doc were still with me but he isn't. As I go through these things I miss not having him to talk to and cry with. I don't understand why he had to leave me but I know You are still in control and I thank You for that knowledge. Lord, give me what I need through these tough times. I pray especially for the tingling in my face and now my head to stop but if that is not in Your plan I pray You will empower me through it. Thank You Jesus for being My Constant Companion! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "God's Not Done With You"

Last night was a typical Saturday night of praying for pastors but there was sure a lot more praying than normal. The Lord had me pray before going to bed and then woke me three times to pray. Before going to sleep I prayed for pastors who were preaching today to listen to be obedient with what God desired to be said. He had me pray for pastors who were obedient in preparing their sermon to once again be obedient when He changed it today. He had me pray for them to trust Him in the process. During the night when He woke me my prayers were directed to pastors who are discouraged and are thinking of leaving the ministry. It seems like this is where my prayers are taken for pastors more and more. It becomes overwhelming at times to have my prayers go to this place. I pray there are not a lot of pastors in this situation yet I know God directs my prayers in this manner often. Every time He woke me the words to God's Not Done With You were going through my mind.

God's not done with you
Even with your broken heart and your wounds and your scars
God's not done with you
Even when you're lost and it's hard and you've fallen apart

God's not done with you
It's not over, it's only begun
So don't hide, don't run
'Cause God's not done
With you, you.

There is definitely a theme that went along with my prayers. He desires to use us in mighty ways whether we are a pastor or a layman. He desires us to walk the road of obedience to His will and live out His love. We cannot allow the enemy one little opening into our life but instead need to stand in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. He reminded me this morning of II Timothy 1:7. We do not have to fear what will happen today or in the future but instead need to remember He is in control. Even when life seems to be falling apart He is not surprised. He was not surprised yesterday when issues arose at the building. He was not surprised with any aspect of the day. Hopefully, He was not surprised by the way I went through the day, the way I reacted to challenges, etc. I pray I lived out yesterday as He desired and will do the same today.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love that covered me in abundance yesterday and will do so in the day ahead! Once again I pray for pastors who will be preaching today to walk in Your will. I pray for those who are discouraged and wanting to quit to realize Your strength and empowerment. Lord, if I am one of the pastors You will change the sermon at the last minute I pray I will walk in obedience to Your will. Cleanse me so I can not miss any opportunity to show Your love. May You be my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a new, different way. May people see/hear You instead of me. Lord, the challenges at the church building continue to be overwhelming. I pray for Your continued guidance and wisdom. Thank You for Alex who is such a blessing with the doors! Thank You for everyone who continues to work on completing this project! I praise You for Ms. Nancy; Ms. Carol; Bob; and Alex, Cait, and the kids who worked yesterday. I praise You for the way You are going to bring resolution to the issues from yesterday. Lord, I am so thankful Doc is not here to have to deal with such things while battling the cancer. Those last weeks were so hard when he would go with me and lay on his mat. They were so hard to watch him want to do something yet not be able or try to think and not be able to make clear thoughts. I miss him but I sure would never wish him back into the suffering he was going through. Thank You for my time with Elizabeth last evening! I pray You will continue to be her strength through the 'junk' she is going through. Thank You for being My Guide! Amen.

Psalm 98; Jeremiah 29:11 - "Into The Sea"

My honey always called 'holidays' such as Sweetest Day a 'Hallmark Holiday' because it was made up for the greeting card companies, florists, etc. to make money. But he always celebrated such days with taking me out or us doing steaks on the grill. I miss celebrating with him this weekend but I am so grateful for the memories I have. If I could get married couples to understand something, it would be to live life to the fullest with God being the One in control. We walked the road of obedience to His will. Because of having such a marriage He blessed us in abundance with making us realize the best way to live in a marriage is to enjoy each other and make lots of memories. We took lots of pictures as we made memories and for that I am grateful. We talked and discussed the future and for that I am grateful. I know I am stronger in my faith through the way Doc was the head of our home. I also know I will be 'ok' because both Doc and God told me I would be. Yes I still have times of the tears flowing and I feel like I am falling apart but they are healing for my hurting heart. God once again took me to Psalm 98 this morning. Sing unto the Lord a new song... (vs 1)! Woo hoo! Today is a new day in which I will sing to Him. I will praise Him through the day even though I am missing my honey. I will praise Him for all the memories of past Sweetest Days and allow Him to comfort me with my memories and pictures. I am praying for all the widows/widowers who are missing their sweeties to turn to the Lord for His strength and comfort. When we have the Lord guiding our lives, it will be OK. We just must stay focused on Him and walk in His will.

Though the mountains may be moved into the sea
Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way
I can hear my Father singing over me
"It's gonna be ok, it's gonna be ok"

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me so much! Thank You for all the memories and pictures I have to reflect on of my honey! Thank You for allowing the tears to heal the hurts of my heart! Father, cleanse me so You can fill me. May You shine brightly through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts throughout this day. I am praying today for widows/widowers, those divorced or separated, and those single to feel Your love today. I pray those with spouses will realize the gift You have given them with marriage. I pray for those in a marriage with turmoil to feel Your love and empowerment today. I pray for Your wisdom to be given to them and accepted for decisions that need made. Lord, go before me today and use me as a vessel of love. May Your love be felt through me by all I meet. Lord, I pray my life will make not only You proud but Doc would be proud of me too. Thank You Jesus for being My Comforter! Amen.

Psalm 98 - "Sing Unto The Lord"

Sometime when I was woke up by Mordecei during the night I thought about how I know why people have their babies earlier in life. I am too old for this getting up once or twice during the night. When I woke up, the first thing that came to my mind was the Lord telling me to read Psalm 98. Sometimes God sure does have a sense of humor. This Psalm tells us to Sing a new song to the Lord (vs 1)...Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing in joy! (vs 4) NLT. We are told to be joyful in the Lord for he has done wonderful deeds (vs 1). It does not say we are to joyful in the Lord just when we get a good night's rest or when our day goes right. It does not say we are to be joyful in the Lord when we feel like it. It clearly tells us we have much to be joyful in the Lord for as we think about His salvation, our relationship with Him, etc. So here I am starting my day with a headache from interrupted sleep, feeling like I just want to go back to bed, and feeling a bit crabby. It is quite obvious what the Lord is telling me this morning. My circumstances starting out this day do not change my relationship with Him unless I allow the enemy an open door. My lack of sleep should not change the way I go throughout my day. Instead I need to pray for God to empower me to not just get through this day but for Him to be glorified through it. I don't want to be crabby nor do I want to miss any opportunity to share His love with anyone He puts before me. Therefore, I am going to take a deep breath and pray for His physical, mental, emotional, and most of all spiritual strength to come down upon me in a mighty way. Even though I can't go back to bed this morning due to obligations I pray there will be a nap this afternoon if I am still feeling tired. This Psalm reminds me of a song I loved singing with Rabbi William's congregation. Sing Unto The Lord A New Song.

Sing Unto The Lord A New Song
Sing Unto The Lord All The Earth.

The Lord Is Great And Greatly To Be Praised.

The Lord Is Great And Greatly To Be Praised...

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for taking me to Psalm 98 this morning to remind me to rejoice in You no matter what my circumstances! Thank You for reminding me to not allow the lack of sleep from last night to determine how my day goes! Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me with more of You! Thank You for going before me today and empowering me to not allow the enemy any open door into my life! Thank You for giving me the physical, mental, emotional, and most of all spiritual strength to not just get through the day ahead but for You to be glorified through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts! Thank You for knocking the crabbiness I was feeling out! Lord, I pray for so many people who are going through 'tough' days. Some have physical needs, some have emotional needs, some have financial needs, and most of all I pray for those with spiritual needs. I had mixed emotions yesterday when I received the news of my dear neighbor Grammy taking her last breath. I know there was rejoicing in heaven but oh how my heart hurts with the news. Another one of my supporters who prayed for me often has left the earth. It is comforting to think of her talking and laughing with Doc and Mr. Fran. The three of them had some special conversations here on this earth. Once again I am feeling a little jealous that they are there and I am here but I know there is still things for me to accomplish here. May You continue to give me exactly what I need to walk in obedience to Your will so people will be loved with Your love through me. May You continue to give me Your wisdom and strength as I do things out of my ordinary. I pray today as I go looking for the door hardware You will bless my efforts. I also continue to pray for Your wisdom and strength for Tisha's family. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Praise! Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - "Blessings"

God gives us gifts every day. He gives us gifts that no one else can give. His gifts are cemented into our memory bank. As we unwrap them over and over again we receive them as gifts once again. My list of His gifts go on and on. My most recent gifts were: Doc's final words of 'I love you'; laughter with friends Sunday; a long-overdue visit with friends yesterday; cards, calls, texts, etc. received over these 'tough' days; knowing I have enjoyed having Mordecei as my four-legged buddy for over eleven years; calls from my boys; still having my Momma on this earth to call...oh my the list goes on and on. God gifted me with Doc as my husband for just nineteen days shy of thirty-one years. He gifted me with him not only being my husband but my pastor and spiritual mentor. He gifted me with years of being spoiled by the man who I never thought I could live without. He also gifted me with peace through these days of adjustment to life without him. He gifted me with my tribe who take care of me so well. So, so many gifts. It made me stop and think about what have a done with the gifts He has given me? Have I given Him memories to look back upon and be blessed through? I sure hope so but I know I need to get better at showing my appreciation to Him. I had a situation not long ago where I left a person He put before me feeling like I fell short on what He wanted me to say to them. I'm not sure why it happened. I didn't feel rushed and she was open to talking with me. I gave her my card but I don't think that was enough. I feel like I missed an opportunity to share more about Him. I shared some but why did I hold back? Sometimes I know the Holy Spirit is stopping me but I don't believe that was the case. Plain and simple. I failed to complete the task before me. Shame on me. Lord, forgive me. I hope He gives me another time with this person and that she is open when that opportunity happens. I am so grateful for second chances. I am grateful for all the times I missed opportunities He gave me and then gave me another chance. I am grateful He is always there to encourage me. My memories encourage me greatly to keep on walking in obedience to Him. If I didn't have my memories, life would be very sad. Instead life is encouraging and good. Yes! Today is a day where life is not just 'OK' but it is good! Woo hoo! I saw this poem this morning and it encouraged me greatly to have a good day!

When Doc left this earth, he physically left me but he is still with me in spirit. He lives through me. His strength is felt in everything I do because He walked a road of obedience to our loving God. His wisdom is realized as I think back on things we talked about, his preaching, etc. His love is felt through the memories and pictures I have to think back on. God gave me him as a gift. I wish he would still be with me but I never would want him to still be suffering. I was asked the other day 'why' God let such a 'good man' suffer as he did. I don't have the answer other than I pray someone came into relationship with God or took their relationship deeper with God through what Doc went through. I know my relationship with God strengthened through what that time. I also pray there are people who have or will make amends with family they are in turmoil with through him leaving this earth. We never know when our last breath will be taken. We need to be ready for that time in our spiritual life with our Heavenly Father and in our relationships with others. We may think 'there is more time' but that will not come to pass if it is not in God's plan. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the 'good' day ahead! Thank You for being with me as I bring my sermon together to be what You desire for me to share! Thank You for my visit yesterday with Ms Bev, Norma, and Leslie! Thank You for all of the gifts You gift me every day including this poem this morning that reminds me Doc is still with me! Thank You for cleansing me so You can wash me white as snow! Thank You for going before me and being exactly what I need to walk the road of obedience to Your will! Thank You for continually being with Tisha's family through this accident! Thank You for opening doors for me to love with Your love in a new, different way today! Thank You Jesus for being My The One To Gift Me! Amen.

Psalm 14; Matthew 7 - "He Still Does (Miracles)"

God took me to Psalm 14 again today. I read it in different translations and asked God if I had missed something a few days ago when He had me read it. I tried to have different mindsets as I read it so I could grasp new knowledge. I read it from the perspective of a believer and from that of a non-believer. I am sure a non-believer would take offense to being called a fool (NIV) in verse one. They may also take offense to being considered corrupt...their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good (NIV). David continues on speaking about how God looks down on this world and sees much evilness. I can't even begin to imagine how His heart must hurt. Although since He knows all it would not surprise Him. I don't understand everything there is to know about God but I do know He loves me and takes care of me. I also know I would not be who I am today if He were not in my life. David spoke of God looking for people who seek Him. I am thankful to know I am one who not only believes in Him but seeks to walk in obedience to Him. Oh how I wish more people would choose this way of life. I pray for people to get to the end of themselves and allow Him to love in and through them so others will do the same. I was reminded this morning about the sermon on Sunday with the narrow gate and the wide gate (Matthew 7:13-14). Many people live for today and don't think about eternity. Some even think about eternity but feel like 'it's too far off' or 'I don't have to worry about that now'! We do need to think about our eternity every day God gives us on this earth. We need to realize how we live on this earth will determine where we live for eternity. Jesus clearly taught us the way we are to live in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:21-23 it reads:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the realm of heaven’s kingdom. It is only those who persist in doing the will of my heavenly Father.  On the day of judgment many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, don’t you remember us? Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we cast out demons and do many miracles for the sake of your name?’  But I will have to say to them, ‘Go away from me, you lawless rebels! I’ve never been joined to you!’  (TPT).

We cannot pretend to be followers of Christ but instead need to live out His will daily. We must be ready to say 'yes' to whatever He asks of us, go wherever He leads, etc. We cannot be followers just when it fits in our schedule but we must walk the path 24/7. We also cannot allow people or circumstances to pull us away from God. Instead we need to be strong in our faith and allow God to use us to love others into the Kingdom. I don't want anyone to go to hell. Neither do I want to have my eternity in question. Therefore, I need to make sure to stay in full relationship with Him. In The Message the last verse of Psalm 14 tells us that God can and will turn our lives around when we allow Him. It reads:

Is there anyone around to save Israel?
    Yes. God is around; God turns life around.
Turned-around Jacob skips rope,
    turned-around Israel sings laughter.

Praise His Holy Name for turning our lives around when we take the step to allow Him to do so. Praise His Holy Name for accepting us back into relationship when we have turned from Him. Woo hoo for second chances! Every time we were up during the night God had a song Hawk Nelson sings called "He Still Does (Miracles)" going through my mind...

Like the fire in the night
Like the ocean parted wide
Like the grave, empty inside
You will see He still does
Miracles, miracles, miracles, miracles

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your generous love that takes us back when we stray! Thank You for second chances! Thank You for the way You give me the desire to live for You on this earth so I will spend eternity with You! I am so thankful I know where Doc is and I will also be there someday. Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! Thank You for being my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a new, different way! Thank You for putting the burning desire in my heart to love others into the Kingdom! Thank You for Pastor Sam being with us last evening and for all the words of encouragement I received from him and the board! May You continue to give us Your wisdom as we seek to win souls for You here in Beaufort. Thank You for being with Tisha's family as they continue the long road ahead of them and for the second person being arrested in the Eberle death! May You be greater than the hurts of life. May You shine brightly through Your people who are with these families. I pray You will shine brightly through me as I love with Your love. Thank You Jesus for being My Eternity Goal! Amen.