God's Blessings

Believe

2012-01-14T19:05:00.000-05:00

Did you know Jesus longs for you to have a relationship with him? He does! Whether your life is one filled with sorrow, pain and shame or good times, happiness and no worries, he gave his life for you. He gave his life to close that gap between us and God. We are not holy, God is. We are not perfect, God is. In order for us to approach God, there needed to be a sacrifice on our behalf. Jesus was that sacrifice. He loves each of us so much that he was willing to die on the cross so that we could one day be with God in heaven. It is a gift, a free gift - all we have to do is ask Jesus to forgive us and change our lives.

No matter what your life has been like, no matter what you have ever done, Jesus loves you and wants you to believe in him. He will forgive whatever you've done but you have to ask him. He gives hope and peace. Without Jesus there is no hope of life after death. Heaven is real - so is hell. By not asking Jesus into your life you are choosing hell.

Look up John 3:16, it's real. So is Jesus. Talk to him today!

Encouragement for the New Year

2012-01-03T20:37:00.000-05:00

Joshua 1:5-9

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

The Lord spoke to Joshua, the man who had served Moses, after Moses had died. The above passage is what the Lord said to Joshua to encourage him because now Joshua would take Moses' place in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.

These words of encouragement still apply to us today. How amazing it is to know that God emphasizes that we should not be afraid but instead to take heart and know that He is with us always and will be our strength and provider of courage.

Make this your mantra for this year. God will give you all the power, temerity and endurance you will need to face all that will come your way in the upcoming year. Face the year boldly knowing your Lord is with you!

The Lord Sees the Heart

2011-11-19T09:53:00.001-05:00

1 Samuel 16:7: “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

We can look like the perfect Christian on the outside, but the Lord knows what’s hidden behind that shiny veneer! We want to do the right things, make the right choices, say the right things and think the best thoughts. But we are human and we do fail. Those around us may not see that, but Jesus does because he sees what others can’t – he sees right into our hearts.

The Lord will always know our hearts. He’ll always know the thoughts we have, what our intentions are. The good news is that He forgives when we confess and ask to be forgiven, and he creates a new heart within in us. (Psalm 51:10)

Talk to Him, confess to Him what He already knows, and get your new heart today.

Be Holy

2011-10-24T21:39:00.000-04:00

1 Peter 1:15-16: But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to live with the ability to resist sin, to kick temptations in the knees and knock them off their feet while we remain standing in faith. In Christ we have been sanctified to live holy lives, to live for Him - worshipping Him, praising Him, loving others and telling them about Jesus.

The next time you face a temptation, remember the One who said "Be holy because I am holy", and remember that means the Holy Spirit is there to help you live above sin.

Hope

2011-10-23T21:00:00.001-04:00

Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

This is one of my favoriteverses because it has more than one promise. Those who have hope and faith inthe Lord will have new strength. Do you ever feel like you just can’t go on?Whether that feeling is emotional or physical, God will renew you. You can go on farther with more energybecause you rely on Him. He loves uswith more love than we can imagine and He wants us to go to Him with our needs, no matter what the need is. So, when we are facing times that just seem to suck the life from us we can, and should, go to Him.

When we ask for His help, and do things in Hispower rather than our own, our batteries will always be charged enough to do whatneeds to be done. We can go on and on without wearing out.

Friend, I am asking youtoday to put your hope in Jesus Christ! He will sustain you and he will strengthenyou, giving you what you need each day. But much more importantly than that, He alone can give you eternal life inHis presence.

Self-Control

2011-10-22T21:32:00.000-04:00

I have a weight problem, and I have been trying to eatbetter. I come up with all kinds of solutions to better eating habits but have been unsuccessful. Irealized today that I haven’t been asking God to help me with this. Trying to do it on my own is absolutely notworking.

That made me wonder how many other things I’ve been tryingto accomplish in my own power rather allowing God to help. He does want us to ask him for help inliving right for him. Eating righ and taking care of our bodies is part of living right. When we try to dothings on our own, we’ll end up frustrated. Self-control is part of the fruit of the spirit, so if we have the Holy Spirit, we can ask for help!

Today I am asking God for help, and I’m taking Him withme through my day.

Are you asking God for help? Don’t delay – He’s ready to hearfrom you.

JOY

2011-09-19T18:29:00.002-04:00

Corrie ten Boom. When I think about joy, she comes to mind. Corrie was able to find pure joy in the midst of some horrible circumstances in her life. When the man she thought she would marry showed up at her door to introduce his finacee', she was heartbroken but got back into studying the bible and continued her pursuit of bible teaching in which she found great joy. A bit later in life, her family began helping Jews & protecting them from the Nazis. Her home became part of the underground that helped to relocate Jews. Those who could not be safely relocated were hidden in the ten Boom home. In her 50s, her daily life included drills in the middle of the night and at meal times that would ensure that if the Nazis showed up at the door, the Jews could "disappear". Their goal was one minute to have the people hidden with no evidence left of their presence - evidence like an extra fork left on the table, a trail of food, an empty but warm mattress. In the midst of this constant stress, Corrie found joy in the Lord, joy in spite of the circumstances of daily life. Four years after Germany invaded Holland, Corrie, her father, brothers and sisters were jailed for harboring Jews. Her father died. Eventually, she and her sister were sent to a concentration camp. The others were released.

Why the history lesson? Because Corrie's circumstances didn't include happy things. Her life was filled with persecution and danger. In spite of the danger, in the camp she continued to share the love of Jesus, even to a Nazi lietenant. Her joy was in the strength of the Lord. Her joy wasn't in her circumstances, but in the knowledge that Christ was her salvation, and regardless of the circumstances of her life, she had everything she could possibly need - the joy of eternity with her heavenly Father.

Jehova Rapha

2011-09-18T21:18:00.000-04:00

Psalm 147:3: He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.

That is one of my favorite verses. It sustained me when I was going through a very painful time in my life during which I became a Christian.

I can tell you that God does heal! He will heal all of your wounds, all of them. He is Jehovah-Rapha, The Lord Who Heals. He heals all - all of our hurts and all of our sins.

1 Peter 2:24 says: " He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed." All of those decisions in the past, all pain caused by our own actions and those of others - all healed - healed by His wounds.

Over the years as I have given all my troubles to the Lord, I have been healed. It may take some practice to give all things to Him and leave them at His feet, but that is what we are to do. Leave your broken heart, your sadness and shame over past things, your anger, your fear - leave it all at His feet. Jehovah-Rapha will heal you and give you peace.

LOVE

2011-09-11T22:41:00.000-04:00

I once had a Christian friend, Ruth Ann. She was raised in a Christian family, and why she chose me for her friend is beyond me. Perfectly understandable that she was MY best friend, because anyone who knew her loved her. But I was far from being a Christian, and didn't know what true Christianity was about. Ruth Ann did though. The kindness she showed me, in spite of my obvious sins, was really remarkable. She was such a great example of a Christian woman, and I'll never forget a single thing about her. She had a way of presenting things so that a person never knew they had just been admonished. Ruth Ann treated people like the most adored of family members. She treated me that way, even though my sins were obvious to all. I believe that Ruth Ann had the heart of perfect love toward others. The love of God was definitely alive in her, as was His sanctifying grace.

Do you have a Ruth Ann in your life? Or are you a Ruth Ann to others? I believe we each have the capability of this love as we move along in our journey; it comes from the relationship we have with Him as we grow to be moe like Him. The more we love Christ, and grow to be like Him, the greater our love for other will be. Ruth Ann was like that, and Christ's love glowed in her.

When you go to your Father in prayer, ask Him to empower you to love others like Jesus did.

Jehovah-Rohi

2011-08-20T10:47:00.000-04:00

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord My Shepherd

I love this name - Jehovah-Rohi. Why do I love it? Shepherds loved and watched over their sheep. The shepherd protected the sheep, even leaving all behind to find one if one strayed. I have a Shepherd and my Shepherd won't leave me. Jesus tells a story of the shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep behind to find one sheep that was lost. In Ezekiel God said "I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace." God is my shepherd!

A shepherd was responsible around the clock for his sheep. Every day he would get up early to take the sheep to a place of pasture. He would make sure they had plenty of fresh water, which meant traveling through the day to the source of water. He would watch them all day long - he watched constantly to keep the sheep safe. If one did get away from the group, the shepherd searched until he found the sheep and brought it back. He made sure to get the sheep back home safely at night even counting them to make sure all were there. At night he watched to make sure they were safe from wild animals. The next morning it all started again.

Jehovah-Rohi does these same things for me. He watches, provides, protects, and stays with me. That's why I love this name. I am blessed to have my own shepherd.

Psalm 119:165

2011-08-09T23:02:00.000-04:00

Verse of the Day:

"Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble." NLT

When we read, trust, believe in, follow and love the word of God - we can be totally filled with peace.

Why? Because God wants what is best for us, and we can trust him to guide us in the right path. Knowing this reinforces that when we seek his will and follow it, we can trust that we will not go through anything alone, nor will we face anything that we can't handle.

That is a great peace!

The Life that Blesses

2011-07-31T12:31:00.000-04:00

I had the greatest experience today. Our family got to the meet the person who received one of my cousin's organs when he died. Dale died about 5 years ago. Several of his organs had been donated.

One of the recipients had been in touch with my aunt through the Gift of Life program since soon after Dale passed away. In time, they knew each other's name, and eventually both families wanted to meet.

Our family reunion is happening this weekend, and Holly and her family came for the main gathering. That had to take a lot of courage because there are LOTS of us! It really was wonderful to meet her, her parents and sister. Holly is a beautiful young lady with a lovely family; she is full of life and enthusiasm. She is energetic and passionate about life.

I feel blessed to have met Holly. You may wonder how a person can feel blessed to meet someone who would have remained unknown except for the death of a loved one. I believe God has a reason for all things. I may not understand all things, but I know that what God does is good. Death is a part of life. How wonderful that life goes on, and that through his death, Dale blessed two families - Holly's by saving her life, and ours because we have the chance to get to know Holly and her family.

The Power of Giving

2011-07-15T23:11:00.000-04:00

When I was a brand new Christian I didn't really know what I needed to know about giving.

I was hesitant because I didn't know the "rules" and what impact there would be if I gave my money away.

I was in the process of a divorce and unsure how the finances would play out. I had the mortgage to pay as well as other loans and expenses.

One day I was driving to work and at a major intersection was a man holding a sign "will work for food for my family". He did look like he needed help. I had the idea I should give him $20. I did have $20, but only that amount and I was unsure what to do. Being a new Christian, I wasn't sure if my "idea" was God prompting me to give. I drove around the corner, and then really felt like I was supposed to give the man my $20 bill. I said "Ok, God, if this is you, I'm going to do it." I found a spot to turn around so I could go back through the intersection. This was a 6 lane highway, and I was surprised at how easy it was to get back through the intersection AND just happen to have the red light AND be in the exact position I needed - right beside the man. I handed him the $20 bill, and the look on his face I'll never forget. He seemed surprised as well as happy and he thanked me profusely. I felt good all day knowing God had used me to help someone.

Later that evening, my estranged husband called and was asking about the dog and dog-related expenses. He said "That sounds like about $20 a month." He brought $20 that night.

What I realized over time was that God had used this incident more for me than for that man. That was the beginning of God teaching me to listen for him and to him. He taught me to trust and obey. And he taught me that he would always take care of my needs. He also taught me that he would provide help from the most unexpected sources.
I don't know how significant or insignificant the $20 was to that man, but the whole incident was very significant in my life at that moment and over time.

I learned to listen and obey and to know that however a situation turns out, that God has what is best for me in mind and that as long as I am listening to him and following him, that I don't need to worry.

Names of God

2011-06-12T20:08:00.000-04:00

Jehovah means “The Self Existent One”, “The God of the Covenant”, and Jehovah Jireh means “The Lord will provide”.

I can say that I’ve experienced Jehovah Jireh a few times in my Christian life. I have always had what I’ve needed. God calls us to serve him, but he doesn’t leave us unprepared. He does give us what we need to do what he asks of us.

When we obey, as Abraham was prepared to do in Genesis 22, God gives us exactly what we need. We may not see evidence of it, but God’s timing is perfect, and just when we need it – he provides.

Sometimes it is hard to trust in what we can’t see, but God is faithful, and Jehovah Jireh does provide.

Trials and Grace

2011-05-02T22:35:00.000-04:00

I have a young friend who is going through some adversity. I listen and if I feel God has something for me to say to her, I do. I may not have all the answers to the things she is going through, but there are some things I do know.

One is that problems can test our faith. Our Lord never told us we would not have troubles. In fact, in John 16:33 Jesus tells us that we WILL have trials and troubles. But then he follows that with “but take heart, for I have overcome the world”. In faith we leave our troubles at the feet of Jesus.

Another thing I know is that Jesus does make use of even our toughest trials. Romans 8:28 says “ - in all things God works for the good of those who love him – “

A third thing is that Jesus himself endured suffering and offers great hope for us. Hebrews 2:18: “For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us.”

I know that as we patiently endure, & rest in the knowledge that Jesus knows, then as Hebrews 4:16 says, we can go boldly to the throne of grace and find mercy and grace for our problems.

The Life That I Have

2011-04-17T18:43:00.002-04:00

I had never heard of this poem by Leo Marks until it was reportedly read at Chelsey Clinton's wedding. The poem is simple and very, very powerful. The first lines are:

"The life that I have
is all that I have
And the life that I have
is yours."

I still am overwhelmed with an indescribable feeling when I read the poem. When I read and think about this poem, I'm thinking of it in terms of speaking to Jesus.

It is so easy for us as people to dedicate our lives to those we love, and most of the time that declaration is for a spouse. But how often do we tell that same thing to Jesus? Are we just as willing to truly dedicate our lives to Jesus?

Jesus willingly gave his life for me. So that I wouldn't have to face death for my sins, for me he chose to die. The very least I can do is say to him the life that I have is yours.

Peace Beyond Our Understanding

2011-03-27T20:53:00.002-04:00

Peace was discussed a bit at church today. I admit that for a few minutes then I was lost in memory lane rather than paying attention to the worship.

I became a Christian during a divorce. I didn't want the divorce and I tried everything I could to keep my husband from leaving. That includes actually holding his arm tightly in an attempt to physically keep him there as he walked away. I couldn't face being without him. I couldn't even begin to imagine how I was going to face the next minutes, hours - let alone life - without him. I was utterly devastated.

Somehow I made it work each day, barely making it through. But when I got home, I fell apart. During this time, and primarily because of my mother-in-law, I gave my life to Jesus. I started going to church, reading the bible, and praying. I'd read through the list of verses that my mother-in-law gave me, all of which became my first favorite verses. I'd cry myself to sleep.

Soon one night I was sitting in bed, reading through the list of verses, and praying. I felt like I couldn't get over the despair, and like I couldn't face one more moment in the state I was in.

What happened is something I will never forget and that changed my life forever. I cried out to God and asked Him to let me feel his peace. At that moment, I started feeling peace in my body - starting at the top of my head. I felt peace move down until I felt it in my neck and shoulders. I was still crying, but at the same time I was amazed because I could physically feel the peace. It moved down my chest and into my arms, down my torso. By now I was smiling, grateful, in awe. I started thanking God as peace continued to flow down until I could feel it in my whole body.
Philippians Chapter 4 talks about peace - a peace that is beyond our understanding.

Verses 6-7:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

That peace which transcends all understanding is what God gave me that night. Since that time I can't say that my life has been without troubles from time to time, but I CAN say that I've learned not to worry or be distraught. If my first thought isn't to give it to God and ask for his peace, then that anxiety would follow and despair would take over. I've learned that God is real, he is faithful, and he carries out his promises. I have peace because I know God is with me and that no matter what I have to face in life, I am not alone - he is there and will never leave. That gives me a peace that is beyond understanding! That peace guards my heart as I rest in Jesus.

When you know Jesus as your personal savior, you too can experience that peace. That is a blessing you can have - just ask Jesus!

Your Future

2011-03-25T18:45:00.000-04:00

Does all that is going on in the world have you wondering about the future?

It does me. I do wonder how many more of our rights we'll lose. I wonder if this is the time Israel will finally be safe. I wonder how much longer we'll be totally free to worship God. There are many other things I wonder about.

But there is one thing I don't have to worry about, one thing that I am very confident of - my own future.

I have a future in heaven, a future of eternity in the presence of Jesus, the one who gave his life for me so that I wouldn't have to die for my own sins. I know that the very second my eyes close in death to this life, that they will open in the presence of Jesus. Or, if the rapture happens during my lifetime, I know that I'll go to heaven without experiencing physical death and that I get to spend eternity worshipping God in heaven. I know that because I acknowledge Jesus as son of God and my personal Saviour.

You can know your future too. We will all live forever - where depends on whether or not we believe in Jesus for who he is. God has a deep love for each and every one of us. He has unimaginable blessings in store for those of us who belong to him. And what he wants for us more than anything is to believe in his son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is a gift that we can accept - or not. God doesn't force us to love him; God gave us free will. While we have the ability to choose, we need to remember that eternity is at stake in that choice. God loves you enough to let you make that choice. Choose wisely. Your future - heaven or hell - depends on it.

Tax Collectors and Sinners

2011-03-15T18:55:00.001-04:00

Matthew 9: 10-13: As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus had been having dinner with Matthew, one of the men he had called to be his disciples. As the verses above say, “tax collectors and sinners” were there and actually shared a meal with Jesus! The Pharisees (the religious-political party during New Testament times) were so shocked by this that they asked Jesus’ disciples why he was eating with tax collectors and sinners.

But Jesus heard them and he told them exactly why. Jesus knew they were sinners, and he chose to be with them. Why? Because Jesus came to save those who were lost. He told the Pharisees that he came to call sinners. It isn’t the healthy that need a doctor. Those who are sick need the doctor. Sinners needed Jesus.

In order to help the sinners, Jesus spent time with them. In Matthew 6, we learn that if we are to help people learn about Jesus, we need to spend time with them. Jesus said that even tax collectors love those who love them. He said to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. He was telling us that we can’t just spend time with people we like or love, and we can’t spend time with just other believers. Since the great commandment is to go and tell others about Jesus, then we must spend time with those who don't know Him. Even if they are people we don’t enjoy, treat us in ways we don’t like, talk in ways we don’t agree with. Remember that we are not better than non-believers. Jesus loved us with an unbelievable love when we were unlovable. Because we love Jesus, we need to love those he loves. Remember, Jesus said it isn’t the well who need a doctor - - -

The Choice

2011-03-14T21:03:00.001-04:00

We have lots of choices in our lives. What to wear, what to do on the weekends, where we work, what to watch on TV, what friends we spend time with, get married, who to marry, stay single, kids, no kids. The list goes on and on.

But the most important decision we will ever make is to accept Jesus. God gave us his only Son, to die for us so that we don't have to face an eternity of hell because of our sins. We are all sinners and our sins separate us from our holy God. When Jesus died for you, for me, for everyone - He died so that we wouldn't have to live an eternity separated from him. He died in your place; he died in my place. His death on the cross is a gift to us, one that we have to accept (the choice) - the gift of salvation. When we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, died for our sins, was crucified, buried and rose again, then we are saved from eternal separation from Jesus Christ. This gift is one we cannot earn, no matter what we do. We can never in our own attempt be good enough to earn this gift. The gift is ours to accept - or ignore. We look at Jesus, see who he is, acknowledge him for who he is and we are saved. If the gift is not accepted then there is no salvation.

We have to make that choice in life. If we die without choosing Jesus, we will be separated from him forever. This choice is a step of faith. Seeing God around us, acknowledging that God is our Creator, knowing that without him we wouldn’t be. God gave us freewill, so we can choose him or choose against him. God didn't make Stepford Christians. If your spouse loved you because he or she was programmed to, would it mean anything? Would that bring you any joy or happiness? God doesn’t want robots. That would not bring him any joy or happiness. He wants you to choose to love him, just like you want your husband or wife to choose to love you. God loves you! He loves you with a bigger love than you can ever imagine. You show him your love when you accept the gift he gave - his Son's life to atone for your sins.

In the Old Testament times, the priests regularly gave burnt sacrifices to atone for the sin of the Israelites. The atoning of sin required a sacrifice. Jesus was the final sacrifice; he chose to die for each and every one of us so that we wouldn’t have to face eternal separation from him because of our sins.

We all have a choice to make.

What is yours?

Hidden Blessings

2011-02-18T20:41:00.002-05:00

We have two dogs, each very different. We do love them both. Really.

Carly likes to sit on Lucy, usually on her head. Lucy loves her food. Don't get in between her and her food. Carly likes to cling to Lucy, usually to her back right leg. Lucy burps. Carly licks. And licks. Lucy leaves a 10 foot trail of water after she takes a drink. Carly shreds things. Not her things of course. Carly digs. Lucy knows she does it, but won't tell on her. Both of them fight for the little bit of space there is between our shoulders when it is time for bed. They both win, we lose. We cling to the edge of bed hoping we won't fall out during the night while Carly & Lucy are comfy and toasty.

Hidden within those trying times are huge blessings. But they both love us unconditionally. They try hard to please us. They are so cute and funny. We really are blessed to have them and we love them dearly.

A Beautiful Scent

2011-02-18T19:56:00.002-05:00

I love perfume. Actually I love perfumes - almost all perfumes. I love knowing the notes that make up the scents. How the blending of each bottom, middle, and top note work together to make a unique aroma. I love creating my scent, either by design through a website by answering a series of questions, or by blending my own essential oils. It is so much fun to decide to add this much vanilla, or that much juniper, or just a touch of musk. Sometimes I even mix some of the perfumes I have. I could do that all day long. I love the resulting scents.

I get lost in the beauty of the scents, and though each are very, very different, they are all lovely. I even love the differences.

I think we are like that with our Heavenly Father. We have similarities and we have differences, but regardless - we are loved by God. God didn't make any mistakes. Each of us is exactly as he created us. The "notes", or our personality characteristics, are blended differently but make us who we are. I wonder what he was thinking as he knitted each of us together in the womb. Did his thoughts linger on how much grace, how much patience, how much confidence to give us?

One thing I know, God made us the way we are, purposely, decisively; he blended all the right things in just the right amounts for just the right amount of time, creating a beautiful "scent".

The hope of heaven

2011-01-04T22:05:00.000-05:00

Today someone made a comment about whether or not she'd be let into the pearly gates, and if so, that she'd be "slapped with a big fat 'S'" on her forehead for her sarcastic nature. She made another joke about just squeaking by in order to "get in".

It reminded me of before I was saved, when I assumed I'd go to heaven. It was an automatic assumption, I didn't think I had to do anything, it was a given because I was a "good person".

Thankfully, I now have a relationship with Jesus. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me". (John 14:6, NLT). I can't get there on my own. I can't be good enough on my own; it is my faith in Jesus as my savior, knowing that he was crucified for my sins, was risen from the dead and went to heaven to the side of God that "gets me in". I believe that, I know my sins are forgiven now, and that I have been given a great gift.

Jesus, I believe you! I love you, thank you for forgiving me, thank you that you now lead my life. Thank you for the hope of heaven!

New Year and Blessings

2011-01-01T20:08:00.000-05:00

It's time again for my blessings count. I thought this year I might combine the blessings and resolutions.

God - I will look for ways to dig even deeper
Family and friends - I will spend more time with family and friends, not just phone calls
Grandkids - plan more adventures this year
Job - I will work harder to have a servant heart

Above All - -

2010-12-25T11:37:00.000-05:00

Most of my life I've been obsessed with my clothes. Being short means it is hard to find clothes that fit. Of course there is always the concern over what is fashionable. I used to worry about what others would think about what I wore and if I looked "cool" or not. As I get older trying to find what fits without wearing something that will make me look too young or too old gets harder.

But the bible says the most important thing we wear is love:

Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT): 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

I wonder how many of us spend as much time concerned about love, tenderness, humility, as we do about our outward appearance? Can't say that I have.

But since the bible also says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, NKJ), I believe I can, and should, pay more attention to those things.

I Will Praise You!

2010-11-28T20:05:00.000-05:00

Psalm 52: 8 & 9

But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.

God has been true and trusthworthy throughout my life. He has been always present, always listening, always loving. I give Him all the praise and honor and glory!

Thank you God!

Broken Pieces

2010-11-23T21:30:00.001-05:00

I don't know what made me think of this today but I was trying to recall the words to a song we used to sing at church. It took a few minutes til I could remember all the words, then I couldn't quit singing -

I will serve Thee because I love Thee, You have given life to me.
I was nothing before You found me, You have given life to me.
Heartaches, broken pieces, ruined lives are why You died on Calvary,
Your touch is what I longed for, You have given life to me.

That is what we had - broken pieces of our lives, filled with hearthaches. Each of us created with a longing for God, but but we try to fill the void with other things. Before I was saved my life was full of heartaches. There were broken pieces of my life scattered here and there, heartaches so many I couldn't even count. It was the ruins of all our lives for which Jesus our wonderful Savior died. He takes all the ugly, broken, scattered pieces we have made of our lives and gives us new lives.

How can we not rejoice in that? Thank You Jesus!

Sins

2010-11-21T19:59:00.000-05:00

I love those passages that talk about how God treats our sins! I found this one during a recent daily devotion time.

Micah 7:18-19: Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins under foot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Even in our state of repeated sins, God delights to show us mercy. When we go to Him in confession He will have compassion on us. He conquers those sins, casts them to the very bottom of the sea. What love is that! That is a love I am eternally grateful for, a love I don't deserve but He gives anyway.

Thank you God for mercy!

Isaiah 44:22

2010-09-17T20:17:00.000-04:00

In my prayer& devotion time this morning I was given another blessing in the form of a reminder of how God deals with our sin.

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."

Thank you God for not treating us as we deserve!

Sing For Joy

2010-09-11T08:43:00.001-04:00

I heard a great song yesterday, one I haven't heard in probably a year. Don Moen's "Sing For Joy". It was really a great reminder of, well, many things.

If we call to Him He will answer us - yes He will! He is always ready to listen and He will always bend His ear. And, if we listen closely and are willing to hear Him, we'll hear His answer.

If we run to Him, He will run to us - yesterday when I heard the song, this line made me cry, which caused an issue because I was driving. But it was such a great reminder to me - I've been spending more time in prayer and devotion in the last few days, and this line made me realize I AM running to Him right now.

Draw near to Him, He is here with us: When we feel like we aren't as close to Him as before, we need to examine our lives. We are the ones that moved -God never leaves us!

Give Him your love, He's in love with us - brings tears to my eyes. The God of the universe, who has always been and will always be, loves me. He loves me in spite of all the ugliness in my life and heart, and in spite of how many times I confess to Him. He loves us with a love bigger than we can ever imagine!

I do sing for joy because of the difference Jesus has made in my life. I'm a different person because of Jesus. I have accepted Him as my Lord & Savior, as the only way to God the Father, the forgiver of my sins. I'm on journey to be more like Jesus each day, and I have to tell you there is nothing better.

God Bless America

2010-09-11T07:40:00.002-04:00

On this day, 9 years after the ugly, horrific, terror attack on the United States of America, I hope we remember the people who lost their lives, the families and friends who lost people they loved, and every person who provided help that day and in the days after.

We were attacked. When the terror attack against our country is referred to as a "tragedy" I get angry. A tragedy seems like something that happens. The dictionary says : tragedy - a disastrous event: a disastrous circumstance or event, e.g. serious illness, financial ruin, or fatality. So, yes, that describes the effect of the attack, but those planes did not just happen to fly into those buildings. Those planes were purposely flown directly into the buildings to cause loss of life, to cause pain and suffering and fear in the lives of the citizens of the USA. It was a terrorist attack!! I wish people would refer to it that way.

In any case, I'm so thankful for God's blessings - we have been blessed to be able to stop so many other attacks on our country since that day!

Thank you God for that protection. Thank you for the efforts thousands of Americans have put into protecting our country from further attacks on our soil. Today I pray that we would continue to be safe from acts of terror. God bless America! In Christ's precious name I pray - amen.

The Power of Confession

2010-08-11T20:25:00.002-04:00

Recently I was confessing, which included both tears and prayer. When I was ready to read my bible, it opened to a page that had a small section in which a verse was written and highlighted.

The verse was Isaiah 38:5: "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears."

That was a blessing because I had been thinking again about how often I have to confess. Although I know God listens again and again, I sometimes get caught up in the wrong thought that God will give up on me at some point. He wanted me to know that in spite of my fears He heard my prayer and saw my tears.

God's word is true and trustworthy. God does hear and he does see. Never forget that! Never be caught up in the fear that he doesn't know your deepest fears and emotions. He knows. He wants you to tell him, and he wants you to know that he hears you.

Prayer for our leaders

2010-08-01T19:31:00.000-04:00

I was on a website and saw a post that talked about prayer and the President. The post said the writer can't pray for the President because of disagreement with his policies and actions.

I understand because I don't agree either with much the President's policies. But, I do pray for the President - the bible says we should.

1Timothy 2:1-8:
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

It is pretty clear that Jesus expects us to pray for everyone - even when we disagree. Our prayer should be not only for salvation - true salvation, but also for wisdom for right decisions to be made for our country.

Won't you join me in praying for our President? He - and our country - needs it!

Heart Trouble

2010-07-29T18:44:00.000-04:00

I have a little heart trouble in the form of high blood pressure. The "cure" for my trouble is taking my medicine, watching what I eat (oh) and a little exercise (ouch). As long as I do those things, my hypertension is controlled.

There's another kind of heart trouble that I have too. Spiritual heart trouble. Maybe you have a small case yourself. My heart isn't always aligned with that of Jesus.

The cure for spiritual heart trouble is building and maintaining your relationship with Jesus. We can do that by reading the bible and through prayer. Jesus can fix anything! Knowing the scripture helps you to know what Jesus wants for you. Prayer helps you connect because you talk to Jesus and listen. He speaks back through the bible, impressing a thought upon you, godly counsel from other believers.

Get help for your heart trouble today - you'll be glad you did.

Verse of the Day - Isaiah 40:28

2010-07-25T20:51:00.001-04:00

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."
~ Isaiah 40:28
This is one of my favorite verses for a few reasons. One is that it was given to me by my mother-in-law when her son & I were divorcing. Another is because of the comfort it gave me at that particular time.

The biggest reason that it has remained a favorite is that it is a simple reminder that God is big enough to handle everything I need, he knows everything already, and no matter how tired or weak I get - he never does. He'll never be so worn out that he won't be there for me because he has a never ending supply of strength. He created everything so he knows and understands everything. There will never be a time that I have to wonder if he is doing the right thing - he will never be wrong.

For me that is a special blessing.

Where the Fruit Is

2010-07-24T21:04:00.001-04:00

I picked blackberries yesterday at my friend's house. She said they were really abundant - I pictured a couple of bushes overladen with berries. She said they had been picking for a few days and every day there were as many berries ready as the day before. We picked for a couple of hours & I don't think we actually touched every bush there was - that's how many bushes they have. She told me to look for the shade and we started picking. I wasn't finding that many that were ready but she was finding a lot. After about an hour I noticed she easily had double what I had. I started looking more closely, deeper, and sure enough - I found more berries. Bigger berries. I started to look at the shade - under the leaves on the bushes - and I discovered that is where the fruit is. I even found berries on one bush that were hidden by leaves from a nearby bush. The deeper I was willing to go (and it hurt - I pulled out more than 7 thorn tips from my fingers today) the more fruit I found..

That is a little like reading the Bible. It is easy to read and gloss right over things. But if you want the fruit, the message that really speaks to you, you have to go deeper. I recently read a passage that I never remember reading in the Bible before, and I've read through it severaly times plus have read and re-read multiple books multiple times. Even still, I never remember that passage. But this time I was reading more deliberately, more slowly, thinking about the impact on my own life- the fruit. I dug a little deeper and I found where the fruit is.

Psalm 46:10

2010-05-15T21:37:00.001-04:00

"Be still and know that I am God."

This is one of my favorite verses. It is a great reminder of our need to be truly still and reflect on who God is and what He means in our lives.

I love knowing that God is in control, that no matter what may have happened or is about to happen, that God is already aware and has already gone ahead of me. It is wonderful to know that I am not alone, no matter the situation.

That is been helpful in much of my Christian life, including the last few months. There were many days I didn't think I could make myself go to work and face the stress there, but when I put my focus on God rather than my situation, I could go face the day.

I love when I have the time to sit and really focus on God. Not enough time though to do it as much as I'd like!

The Power of Friendship

2010-04-28T21:49:00.001-04:00

I reconnected with an old friend yesterday. Well, she isn't so old but our friendship started in the early or mid 70s. My family had just moved to a new town. I was extremely shy and wouldn't have ventured out on my own at all. You could say I was socially inept. For some unknown reason this bold, effervescent, pixie of a blonde haired blue eyed girl took a liking to me and befriended me. Or was it pity? :) :) Because of her friendship I was part of a group of friends I would otherwise not have known. All through junior & senior high she was my best friend.

Lori opened up a whole new world for me. If left on my own I would have never have gone on those 8 mile bike rides to spend the day on the beach at Lake Michigan, or play tennis. I would never have tried out for cheerleading. I wouldn't have had the courage to speak to most of the people I met because of Lori.

I can't find words to explain the power of that friendship in my life. To this day that was a friendship I treasured, though I hadn't realized even how much until yesterday. I never told her that. After we graduated from high school we went different directions to college and lost contact. I never forgot her impact on my life and I missed her over the years. It was so great to get a message from her yesterday and catch up a bit.

Lori, your friendship was a major blessing to me and your impact on my life significant. Thank you!

Thank you God for blessings of all kinds, especially friends.

Power of the Tongue

2010-04-27T20:45:00.001-04:00

Have you ever said something you immediately regretted? Have you said it in spite of the fact that you'd been fighting the urge for hours? Maybe you could yes to that. I know I can.

The bible says that the tongue has the power of life and death. There are times when I do end up saying something I regret, and other times that I want to but know that death lies in the words. Why then is it such a struggle? Knowing that should mean an automatic decision - don't say it, end of story. But that isn't always how the scenario is played out.
Thankfully most of the time I can hold my tongue. But when I don't I immediately feel remorse and realize I can never take the words back. How much better it would have been to say nothing, or better yet - to say something uplifting, something life-giving.

The power of life and death. That means we have the power to build up, enhance a life, strengthen someone all by some well chosen words.

What a blessing to know God's mercies are new every morning and that means we also get new opportunities to say some powerfully positive and life-giving words.

The Power of Worship

2010-04-25T08:32:00.002-04:00

The sign on our neighbor's church recently said "Missing church one week makes one weak". I can attest to that. There have been times in recent months that we didn't go to church for various reasons. I have to say that right from the moment of decision I could feel a difference in my spirit. In this country we are still able to attend church freely and without permission. Why would I not go? Anytime I've not gone and then looked back during the week, the reason no longer seemed valid. The feelings of weakness and separation are intense. I feel lost and out of sorts and not on the right track when I don't go to church. That ability for one hour a week to worship with other believers and focus on God refills my spiritual bucket for the week. When added to my daily prayer time and bible reading then I'm off to a great start, and it makes an incredible difference.

I am blessed by God with peace when I attend church on Sundays. How do you spend your Sunday mornings?

Power of the Resurrection

2010-04-04T20:29:00.002-04:00

What a blessing to know Jesus rose again after His crucifixion, death and burial! I imagine what life would really be like if Jesus hadn't been resurrected. No peace; no joy. No salvation - no eternity in the presence of Jesus. Pain. Agony.

Our promise is that with the resurrection of Jesus, we too can live forever - if we believe in Jesus and ask Him to come into our lives.

I'm blessed because there were some people who cared enough to tell me about Jesus, and blessed because I believed. I know that whether I die before Jesus returns, or am alive at the rapture, I will live forever in His presence! An eternity of worshipping God and being in His presence!

Puppy Trouble

2010-03-23T23:26:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago we adopted a 9 month old Jack Russel/Border Collie puppy. She is so adorable and cute and she immediately embedded herself into our hearts (in spite of the Tazmanian Devil-like behavior in our absence). We've had to scold her due to her digging, shredding of electric-blanket cords, boxes and kleenex, and chewing of ping-pong paddles, hotel-sized shampoo and conditioners, etc. When she has been bad and we scold her, she tries so hard to get back in our good graces and to please us. Her "puppyness" though just means she keeps getting into trouble.

I think I'm much like Carly, though I do avoid digging, chewing and shredding. When I've sinned I want to immediately get back into God's "good graces". I confess and ask for forgiveness, and express my gratitude that He forgives me again and again.

The blessing is that God does bring me close again and His grace is SO much bigger and better than any we can extend to our pup.

Thank you God for grace!

Leaning

2010-03-16T21:45:00.002-04:00

I've been reminded in the recent days and weeks of the need and importance of leaning on Jesus. A friend said today that God will get our attention to remind us that He is in charge - we are not. :) Leaning on God and waiting on Him is so important and in our busy lives we (I) sometimes think that we know best and can talk ourselves into thinking that what we want is God's will rather than our own.

I really want to be in a different job situation and I'm trying to be so careful about listening and obeying so that if I do make a change I can be sure it really is God directing me. God is not a god of disorder or confusion so I am confident that when I lean on Him and Him alone and really seek His will and not my own that I will hear clearly.

I heard the hymn Leaning on the Everlasting Arms yesterday. Safe and secure from all alarms - what wonderful words! I am blessed because it is true.

Are you leaning today?

Retreat

2010-03-07T07:21:00.003-05:00

A few years ago I planned a retreat so that I'd have hours of uninterrupted time for prayer and study. I planned, packed my bibles, computer, highlighters, notebook and books on faith. I was so excited because I'd have about 36 hours of quiet time. It was in November and cold. I was going to Maranatha where I rented a cabin.

When I checked in I could hardly wait to get my food all set up, my books, notes and computer ready. I knew I was going to have the best time of quiet reflection, prayer time and study of God's word.

It was cold so I turned on the heat and got started. It was cold enough that I boiled some water for tea to help warm me up. Things were going well for about an hour. Then I developed a headache - a bad one - very hard to concentrate & my focus was more on the pain than on closeness with God. I took Tylenol & decided to take a nap. When I got up my headache was worse & I realized the severe dryness combined with the heat was the cause. I put a pan of water on the stove to add moisture to the air and tried to inhale the steam, to no avail. The pain in my sinus area was terrible. I didn't get much done that day at all. I ended up taking a Tylenol PM and went to bed, and didn't sleep well. I hadn't accomplished anything close to deep quiet time with God that day.

The next day I experienced the same thing. I was sad to see my hope of a renewing retreat dashed. I couldn't believe my plans for the time with God, time to talk, listen and grow, were all for naught. Then a whisper, a quiet thought. A light bulb moment. Satan was trying to derail my plans! I prayed, asked God to not allow the enemy to steal my focus. I had about 5 hours left at that point. Those hours were rich & deep and I was able to focus on my God. The headache? Because of the heat & dryness it was still there, but I allowed God to give me the focus needed to work through it.

I had a great time of spiritual renewal. Granted, it wasn't as long as I intended, but it was worth it anyway.

Conversation with God

2010-03-01T19:11:00.004-05:00

One of the most important things we do is spend time in prayer with God. He wants us to talk to Him; in prayer we tell Him about our struggles, desires, needs & hurts, what makes us happy, what causes fear. He wants to hear everything that is in your heart and on your mind. Spending time with God in this way will bring you closer.

If we end there though we are missing a critical item. Listening. Can you imagine always having only a one-sided conversation with your spouse? What if he or she always talked at you but never gave you an opportunity to talk back? How would you ever strengthen your bond? How would you have true communication?

It works the same way with God. You need that second part too. God will tell you how He wants you to live your life, what He wants for you, how He feels about the things you've done (the good and the bad :) ).

Listening is very hard; it takes practice and lots of it. You may not get it right the first time but it is worth the effort. It is really difficult to clear your mind of distractions, both mental and external. But the more you end your prayer with quiet time to listen to your Father, the easier it will become and you won't regret the effort.

Children and the Spirit

2010-02-27T10:00:00.002-05:00

One of the times in the last year when we took our grandkids to church with us, our granddaughter turned to my husband during one of the worship songs. Her eyes were teary and she said "Grampa, that song makes me cry." I wish I could remember what song it was. And I wish we'd taken time to explain to her in six-year old language. But we didn't because we were in the middle of the service.

I marvel at that though, how children, even unchurched children, are sensitive to the Spirit. Isn't it wonderful how awesome He is and how He reaches out to the children?

Wouldn't it be great if we, as adults, had that same level of sensitivity to the Spirit?

Christians Do Have Fun - -

2010-02-27T09:56:00.001-05:00

One of the things I learned years ago from my Christian in-laws was that Christians do have fun. Before that I thought Christians were stern, didn't laugh much, didn't enjoy life in general. As I got to know my in-laws and see how they lived, I was amazed at the joy & happiness that filled their lives. They truly had fun. In my life prior to that time, I knew lots of people who had tons of fun - but it wouldn't have been approved of from a Christian standpoint.

Knowing that our Father wants to give us the best - be aware that that includes fun!

What do you do for fun? Can you praise God at the same time?

Are you weary?

2010-02-21T19:21:00.002-05:00

Are you tired? Full of burdens? Troubles weighing heavy on you? Are you in need of rest?

Rest in the best place possible - Jesus. He says to come to Him and He will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 - 30 says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Can you trust Jesus to relieve your burdens? He will give you rest if you let Him. One key - when you give your troubles to Jesus - remember to leave them and not take them back.

Sins Blotted Out

2010-02-16T20:20:00.002-05:00

Isaiah 43:25: "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more."

What a promise! What a blessing! What joy that should give us, and deep, deep gratitude.

When I really meditate on that it is totally uncomprehensible. But true none the less!

Rejoice! Jesus has taken your sin away. What will you do because of that?

Love

2010-02-14T19:27:00.002-05:00

My husband put a Valentine's ad in the paper again for me. This is about the 5th or 6th time in our 13 years of marriage. I'm as overwhelmed today as I was the first time he did it. It is such a loving and even intimate gesture. I love this man!

Even though our relationship is so important, and close, and loving, and everything else - there is One who loves me, and him, with a love bigger and better and more powerful than the love we feel for each other. Jesus. He is our brother, our peace, our refuge, our friend - our Redeemer. Jesus loves us so much that He willingly died on the cross to save us from our sins so that we could enjoy a relationship with Him and God our Father.

That is an overwhelming thought, but very true. Jesus is the only way to God. He offers a free gift - salvation forever - when you believe in Jesus. Do you know Jesus? You need to! Those who die without a relationship with Jesus will not go to heaven, will not live forever in the presence of Jesus. Please talk to Jesus today! If you don't know Jesus, let me know & I will help you.

There is no greater love than the love of Jesus. You need His love in your life! But you have to ask for it. Please ask.

Do it God's Way

2010-02-12T21:07:00.000-05:00

I’m reminded lately of the need to walk with God one day at a time.

Challenges in my life the last couple of months have loomed so big that I had no choice but to obey and let God take care of tomorrow while I allowed Him to help me on the current day. We can get so worked up in worry about what is to come that our focus that is needed on the here-and-now is taken away. Besides, how often is the anxiety about what “might be” worse than what reality turns out to be?

Matthew 6:24 says tomorrow will worry about itself and today has enough trouble of its own. That certainly seems to be true for me, so that makes it hard to think about today only and let tomorrow be for now. But I can say that it is much better to do it God’s way!

God is good - -

2010-01-22T20:35:00.002-05:00

all the time, and all the time God is good! He has shown that to me again and again in my life and even more in the last couple of weeks. There was a very big and difficult challenge in my work life recently and not only did God give me the ability to really focus on just the current day, but He also delivered me (us) through to safety on the other side. I'm incredibly grateful for that. Praise God! I've been blessed with having some prayer partners at work and we prayed right through the challenge. I believe the challenge we faced together strengthened each of us personally and brought us together in prayer for the good of our workplace.

Never give up, don't lose hope and pray always! Read God's word because there you will find that He loves you, will care for you and deliver you.

End of Year Blessings

2009-12-14T20:32:00.003-05:00

It's been my habit for awhile to start the new year with new or renewed commitments to this or that, some successful and some not. This year I was thinking about the numerous blessings from the past year. I can't even count them. The blessings have covered every aspect of my life - personal, work, friends, new friendships, family. I can never figure out why I am so blessed time after time. On the other hand, it's easy - God loves us so much that he wants to bless us in every way imaginable. We just have to have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel.

What blessings have you experienced in the last year?

THANKS -

2009-11-26T09:55:00.002-05:00

Thank you Lord for everything! The love of your Son, the life you give and protect, the multiple blessings each day, some that I don't even recognize. Thank you for the forgiveness so that I can stand before You. Thanks for family, friends, for the work you gave me. Thank you for the opportunity to have an impact in their lives. Thank you even for the challenges that help me to grow.

Forgiveness

2009-11-08T14:46:00.004-05:00

I was given a wonderful gift the other day. The gift of being forgiven. It was for something from many years ago, and for something at the time I would have denied being the one that needed to be forgiven. I can't describe the feeling of release and relief from that gift.

I wonder if we think about the forgiveness we've received from our Father with that same feeling of release and relief. As I've been thinking about it this week, I realize that the answer for me is "no" . He gave the greatest gift of all, His own Son to die so that we could be relieved of the guilt of our sins. For that we should keep close to heart the awesomeness of being forgiven for our sins.

There Is A Redeemer

2009-10-27T19:37:00.003-04:00

On my drive today I listened to some CDs, one of which was Songs 4 Worship. One of the songs is There is a Redeemer, by Keith Green. One of the verses makes me cry every time I hear it, even when I play it back to back (over and over). The words:

There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One

Jesus, my Redeemer, Name above all names
Precious Lamb of God Messiah, O for sinners slain

Thank You O my Father, for giving us Your Son
And leaving Your Spirit til the work on earth is done

When I stand in glory, I will see His face
And there I'll serve my King forever, in that holy place

The verse in red gets me every time. It seems that those words for some reason especially make me realize that sinner though I am, I WILL some day be in glory and I will see Him - face to face, and I'll serve Him. It is so overwhelming to think about - it is real and it really will happen. I can't wait to be there, to see His face, to be in His presence - -

Can you imagine?

Meditation

2009-10-25T18:06:00.001-04:00

Scripture: Psalm 62:1; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 77:10-12; Psalm 119:15-16, & 97-99; Joshua 1:8

We honor God greatly when we just sit quietly before him, giving our full attention to him. Reading his word with our ears and heart open to what he is telling us. Meditating on his word and considering the meaning and how God intends his words to affect and direct our lives. Taking all the messages of love and guidance for our lives deep into our hearts like the personal message that it truly is.

We fill our lives with so many things and we keep so busy that for some it is hard, if not just plain impossible, to find or plan time to just be still. To find a place of solitude in order to sit alone before God and give ourselves wholly unto him. No radio, no TV, no phone. Just you and God. Sacrificing time. What a great gift to God – your time and all of yourself. Listening. Learning. Growing.

Pray: Father God, I want to give all of myself to you in the quiet of the day. Teach me the art of sitting quietly with you and your word and listening to you. Give me ears to hear, a heart to love you, and a mind focused solely on you. Amen.

Authority of Scripture

2009-10-25T17:51:00.000-04:00

Scripture: Psalm 119:89-91

Though the bible was written by man, we know that God inspired the content. He directed and planned what would be included though He allowed each writer’s style to be used. He validated the final product. God has given to man His word, which Scripture says is eternal and is established in the heavens. The bible has stood the test of time. God’s word is true. He established it in eternity past to be given to us today. Therefore, you can rest in the knowledge of its authority and power in your life. Trust it, rely on it. Make it come alive in your life.

God's Timing

2009-09-27T22:59:00.002-04:00

There are times when I forget that I don't have to worry or be anxious about life events because I'm a child of God. That is what has happened the last couple of months. I have allowed worry & anxiety to have a negative impact on my life. My prayers have included requests to be relieved of the troublesome times. I couldn't figure out why these issues weren't being removed.

A couple of things happened. One is that I realized in the months past I have really neglected my relationship with Jesus. I've still tried to maintain it, but it wasn't my primary focus, which is what it should have been. As I worked the last 3 weeks to get my focus right, I've been able to hear God again. The second thing is that I re-learned to leave things - REALLY leave things - at the feet of Jesus, and not pick them up again.

Then some of the cause of my worry & anxiety seemed to be relieved - just in the nick of time. God reminded me that his timing is always perfect. He is never late but he is always on time!

Thank you Lord for that blessing.

Attend to my prayer!

2009-09-13T12:49:00.002-04:00

Lately I've been focusing on Psalm 61:1-2. 1) "Hear my cry O God; Attend to my prayer. 2) From the ends of the earth I will call to you; When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

How wonderful to have a God who hears us and attends to our prayers! No matter where in the wilderness we are, and no matter how overwhelmed we become, He WILL lead us to that Rock that is higher than we are! Trust and believe that - it is true. It is true becaue God's word says it is.

Be encouraged today!

SELF CONTROL

2009-08-01T22:39:00.001-04:00

Cheese. It was about cheese. The ugliest fight we had was about CHEESE. Can you imagine? It started with a discussion about supper. I love cheese. My husband loves cheese. The discussion began because the right kind of cheese wasn’t available. It evolved into a total misunderstanding over who liked which cheese and for how long, and whether or not there was intent to buy only one person’s favorite. It was totally ridiculous. It was very ugly. It was pretty embarrassing. Now it’s quite funny. Who fights about cheese? People who choose not to exercise self-control, that’s who. People like me. The problem is that no self-control was exercised. We, you, everyone could fight about absolutely anything. But usually there is some semblance of self-control. It is, after all, available to us, since it is part of the fruit of the Spirit. As Christians, we have access to it. As Christians, we should be displaying it. It’s a choice. There came a turning point in the cheese discussion when a choice was made. The choice against self-control. We can’t ignore the need for self-control. The consequences, when we do, are horrible. Lack of self-control has the ability to destroy. There is a reason it is a result of the Holy Spirit’s presence. God knows lack of self-control can be destructive, and He wants his children to build up, not destroy. Thankfully, God forgives, and because we love Jesus, so do we.

You have permission to remember the cheese fight when you’re about to choose against self-control. Then ask God for the grace & ability to bite your tongue and to have some control. And, yes, you have permission to laugh about the cheese fight. We do.

(October 20, 2007)

HOPE

2009-07-25T08:12:00.001-04:00

Scripture Matthew 24:36-44

I am a “watcher” - I watch for the signs of Christ’s return. I see signs all around me. In the USA, many more things are happening, things you can find written about in the bible – things that indicate the end may be quite near. I can’t stand to not know what is going on around the world, especially in the Middle East, and how it relates to the end times. I don’t focus on it to the detriment of the rest of my life, and I don’t make predictions about when the end may come.

However, because I love Jesus, I heed the words of the bible, and the bible tells me to be watchful, and to be hopeful. No matter what I see happening here on Earth, no matter how bad it is, I have the hope of one day being in His presence, to face no more trials, pain, heartache, fear. I have the hope of living forever in the presence of my Savior. I have the hope that each day He doesn’t return is another day that my loved ones have a chance to make a decision for Jesus. And every day I’m still here is another day to be made stronger and more mature in my faith. I have the hope that the Lord will use my time here to make a difference in the life of someone else.

My hope has a name, Jesus Christ, and he is your hope, too.

Prayer Beads and Focused Prayer

2009-07-14T20:49:00.003-04:00

A couple of years ago I received some prayer beads, made for me, as a gift. Included with the beads were several prayers to pray using the beads. I fell in love with that method of praying even before using them the first time - just by reading the information on how the beads were to be used convinced me I would love it.

First of all, the beads were beautiful - colors and patterns that I would have picked myself. Secondly, the prayers were wonderful. When I began to pray using the beads I was able to focus on God in a way I'd never been able to accomplish before. Moving my fingers over the beads as I prayed really helped me to stay focused on the prayer, and the prayers were God-focused. It was amazing & I began to pray that way daily. Eventually I wrote my own prayer to use. One of my favorites is a form of ACTS, so as I move through each set of 7 beads, I can pray 7 times on adoration, 7 times on confession, and so on, then move through the set again. Another favorite is "I AM" , which uses the Lord's 7 I AM statements as the prayer focus.

I always thought prayer beads were for Catholics only, but I was wrong! I recommend this method to anyone who wants to shake up their prayer life a bit. The prayers are what you make them, and for me the beads help my mind not to wander as I pray.

Deliberate Sin

2009-07-04T12:36:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I was at a campground with some of my family. My sisters and sister-in-law went down to the lake with the kids. My sister had to keep telling her son (4) to not throw sand. He would pick up the sand and look like he was planning to throw it but would then drop it into the water. When all the other kids left the water, Zach picked up a handful of sand, looked at his mom, turned and threw the sand, then immediately looked back at her and said "sorry". I had to turn my head to laugh.

Sadly, I have to say that Zach isn't any different from me. I had to realize there have been times, even recently, when I knew I was about to sin but did it anyway. Of course the confession followed, but that doesn't change the fact that the sin was deliberate.

We have the power to not follow through with that sin. The Holy Spirit is lives in those of us who claim Jesus as Saviour. We can be Spirit-controlled but we choose not to be.

The next time I feel the Spirit's prompting, I'll be obeying.

Calming of the Storm

2009-06-28T21:38:00.003-04:00

I was reminded recently during a really bad hail storm about the ways God gives calmness. I was driving to work (a 3 hour trip) and the weather was really severe. An hour of the drive was heavy, heavy, hail. The visibility was bad enough that at times I couldn't even see beyond the wipers, and the rest of the time not even an entire car length in front of me. I didn't know what decision was worse - to keep moving SLOWLY or get off the road. Others couldn't see either, so which was safer?

I was really anxious and prayed nearly constantly, and prayed for the storm to be calmed. Then I was struck by the memory of a song (Twila Paris possibly) - and some of the words are "sometimes he calms the storm, but sometimes he calms the child". Wow, I loved it and I felt an instant relief in my anxiety. I did pull over a few different times, and got back on the road, though very slowly, during the brief times that I could see a little. The storm didn't calm for quite some time, but God did calm me, which really was better.

I love moments like this when he speaks to me. Moments when I'm reminded in an unexpected way that he loves me and is with me. Thank you Lord for blessings like that!

Sin

2009-06-23T20:02:00.002-04:00

It sure is a good thing that God is the kind of God he is - merciful, kind, forgiving - and just. Today is another one of those days when I realize there is sin that I don't seem to get out of my life. I can feel horrible and ugly and worthless, but in the end - thankfully - God forgives. He forgives because he says he will if we are faithful to confess and ask the forgiveness. He forgives because he keeps his word. He forgives because he loves us and truly wants a close relationship with us, which of course, can't happen when we are separated by sin. Thank you God for who you are! Thank you that I can trust you will always be exactly what you say you are.

Think These Things

2009-06-06T08:57:00.003-04:00

Philippians 4:8-9; Psalm 19:1; Psalm 24:1; Psalm 36:5

Early in my Christian life, I knew there were things I should no longer think about, but it was difficult not to. As I worked on reading through the bible I began to think about the fact that all of creation is God’s special gift to us. I pondered the sheer joy I had anytime I was out on the ocean, enjoying the spray of the water, the beautiful blue sky, the pure white clouds like giant cotton balls, the heat of the sun on my face, the scent of the water in the breeze, & the peace I encountered there. I enjoyed every bit of beauty He created, the sound of the birds, the brilliant colors of the flowers & trees. These thoughts led me to meditate upon God & what He had done for me. I soon discovered that I was drawn more & more to the thoughts of these beautiful things. I found that it was easy to fill my thoughts with the beauty of God & all He gave me, & in doing so, these thoughts replaced those that were not Christ-like. As I grew in my faith, I chose to focus more on the pure & the lovely. I chose to look for more truth from God’s word, which took me deeper into a journey of learning that it wasn’t just thoughts of beautiful things God wanted, but a thought pattern of truth & goodness, kindness & mercy, & many other things given to me by Him. Things I needed to be & do for others because He first gave them to me.

(November 2007)

Patience

2009-05-31T19:07:00.000-04:00

I am a very patient person. Ok, I used to be. But for the last couple of months it seems that patience has been non-existent in my life. I’ve prayed for patience, but repeatedly I’ve continued to be very impatient. I’ve wondered what I’ve done wrong. I’ve continued to pray. But every situation that required my patient response revealed that I hadn’t yet received the patience that I so badly needed. I really struggled with this and wondered what I was missing – why was it impossible for me to be patient.

Recently my friend invited me to go the theater with her. I had a light-bulb moment during one of the scenes that compared prayer requests with possible answers from God. “If a person prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience, or does He give them opportunities to be patient?” Ah, I was missing something. I wasn’t allowing the Spirit to lead me during those opportunities. I wasn’t recognizing that I was given opportunities to be patient.

Our days are probably filled with opportunities to be patient. If we are Spirit led, we will recognize the opportunities we are given, and the fruit of the Spirit will include patience.

(November 2007)

Humility

2009-05-30T09:46:00.001-04:00

When I was growing up I was painfully shy. I did very few things with kids my age because I knew I wasn’t good enough. I yearned to be having fun like my siblings did. I never wanted to be seen or heard. I never had my own opinion, but always the opinion of the person most dominant in the situation. I always put others first because they were worthy & I was not.

That was a false humility. That was not the humility spoken of in the bible. Putting yourself down is not humility. Believing you are worthless is not humility. True humility is the willingness to serve others, put them first, while at the same time knowing you are valuable to God your Father.

The Handbook of Bible Application says : “Humility is a deep awareness of unworthiness, not worthlessness.” I lived as though I was worthless. When we have a proper respect for God, and know who we are in relation to him, then we can be properly humble. Humility is knowing we can’t live our lives in our own strength. Humility is being willing to commit your life to serving the Lord. The difference between how I lived then and how I now live is that then I believed I was nothing. Now I know that I am someone specially created by God, with worth and value, and my purpose is to show his love by being a servant to others. Pray that God will remove any false humility in your life and replace it with a humbleness born from God’s love for you, your love for Jesus and your obedience to him.

(October 21, 2007)

Faith and the Depths of Despair

2009-05-25T09:14:00.002-04:00

Psalm 40

This Psalm is a stunning picture of prevailing praise, faith and trust in the midst of despair. In spite of the suffering David is going through, he is able to recognize that the Source of all he needs hasn’t abandoned him & is ready to provide aid.

This Psalm has only a few lines that express the trouble David finds himself in and the rest of the Psalm conveys his knowledge that God will save him. Verse 2 says “he brought me up out of a horrible pit”, verse 3 “He has put a new song in my mouth”, and verse 8 says “I delight to do your will, O my God, and your law is within my heart.” In spite of the difficult situation David was in, he was able to say that it made him happy to do the will of God, which at that time included facing the troubling situation in which he found himself.

Have you been in the depths of despair at all in your life? Were you able to rejoice in the midst of that despair? Remember that God was still present and waiting to incline his ear and listen to not only your praise but your requests for help? Let the fear go and know that God will rescue you? If so, praise the Lord! If not, maybe taking a look at the words of David in the Psalm will inspire you.

Eternity

2009-05-25T08:15:00.001-04:00

Ecclesiastes 3:9-13

If you could do anything differently in the way you lived your life for Christ this last year, what would it be?

The passage for today says God wants us to be happy and to do good. We can do this when we submit to God and use appropriately the gifts we’ve received from Him. God doesn’t make mistakes, so the gifts we each have were designed by Him in us to do specific things. In this we can find joy because we are doing what God designed expressly for us. We will not understand all things, or even many things, this side of heaven, but if we set our focus on the Creator of our gifts and consider the eternal impact of the good done with these gifts, we can be joyful - because His gift to us is the satisfaction in what we are doing for Him.

Perhaps the thing we can do differently this year is live with this eternal perspective, doing joyfully for Him what He has set before us to do, with the gifts He gave us, and giving to Him all the glory.

Pray: Father God, would You forgive me for the times I’ve not been faithful about using my gifts for Your kingdom? Please help me to be thinking of eternity as I go about the daily things You have for me to do. Would You give me joy in using my gifts the way You desire? For the sake of Your Son I ask it, amen.

(December 2006)

Trust in God, or Those Who Merge?

2009-05-14T21:44:00.002-04:00

I do a lot of driving for my job and primarily on the highway. I've had to do some merging onto the highway from the left side which isn't always as easy as from the right. In any case, when it is time to merge onto the highway, no matter how busy it is, I have no anxiety about doing it. I move in and merge with ease, knowing that the other drivers are going to allow me in. I never worry about it, I just do it knowing that it is going to work out.

I wonder why it is that we don't trust God as easily. He is the Creator of the Universe, powerful, all-knowing, beyond our understanding, and can do anything. He loves us with a love we can't comprehend, wants what is best for us, desires a relationship with us, yet we don't trust Him as much as we do strangers speeding along on highway.

We CAN trust Him with anything and everything. If we can trust a stranger, without hesitating, we can trust God who knitted us together in our mother's womb, who knows the number of hairs on our head, and who knows our name. He loves us and would not harm us. Yet we aren't willing to give our problems to him and even when we do, many times we take them back and keep worrying.

No matter the problem, worry or concern, you can place your trust in God today, and He will do better than that stranger who lets you merge onto the highway.

The Prayer of Jabez

2009-05-10T14:24:00.002-04:00

Do you remember around 1999 or 2000 when the book on the prayer of Jabez came out? All the buzz about how to pray this prayer and get all that you wanted? I remember, and I remember running out to buy and read the book, and I remember memorizing the prayer and praying it every single day.

What I learned not long after is that prayer shouldn’t be used as a ploy to get what we want from God. (Not saying that is what the book instructed - but I and many people I knew looked at it that way.) The bible is filled with great prayers of those who walked in faith before us and it is ok to pray those prayers ourselves, but not to pray a formula-prayer for the sole purpose of gaining something.

However, there is a prayer in the bible that we should pray. There is a format to it, making it the ultimate prayer. The Lord’s Prayer. However, the purpose isn’t go gain things. The Lord’s prayer will guide you into seeing God for who he is – Holy, acknowledging that our will needs to be inline with God’s will for us. The Lord’s prayer helps us to ask God to provide for our basic needs, and to seek forgiveness while acknowledging that we need to also forgive others.

While I still like the prayer of Jabez and many others the bible has given us, it is the Lord’s prayer – the one taught by Jesus – that brings peace.

Bible Study and Scripture Reading

2009-05-08T21:20:00.003-04:00

When I first read through the entire bible, it was easy because everything was so new and fresh. I'd get home from work & the first thing I'd do is sit down and read. Even the 2nd time through the whole bible was fairly easy.

The more I grew in my faith the harder it became to read, though, because now I knew the stories. I had heard that if you change the version you are reading every 1 to 2 years, then scripture is fresh & new again. You can highlight passages anew, write new notes, and sometimes the different version helps you to get something you didn't get before.

I have several versions and all are written in and highlighted.

Still, I find that if I don't have some kind of plan, that it is hard to read without it being something to check of my list for the day.

Here are some ways I get around this - maybe they will help you too:

1) have a plan - the plan can be a reading plan from your church or one like what biblegateway.com has to offer. Some plans suggest reading from Genesis through to Revelation, some offer a chronological method, some by topic, and some are actually plans to read just portions of the bible. Select one to start.

2) be willing to write in your bible - when you think the Holy Spirit has spoken to you, highlight the passage, date it. If you journal - then explain some details there.

3)There is a difference between reading to read, and reading to study in more depth. If you are studying, have a note book available. For the section you are reading today, answer some questions in your notebook - like "what was the message for me?", "what promise is there in this chapter /book/ passage?", "what command?" , or "how can I apply this to my life?".

4)Keep at it. But, if you don't - don't beat yourself up. Just pick up where you left off and start again. The only way to know God intimately is to spend time in His word, and pray, and listen. Knowing what God has to say to you is critical.

5) Change the version you read after a year or two. You'll find that you have favorite verses in different versions.

6) After you've read through the entire bible, you might enjoy some of the shorter plans, like 30 days in the life of Christ, the bible stories, etc. There are lots to choose from.

Whatever you choose, and however long it takes, just read! You won't be sorry. Just about every time I read scripture I see something or learn something that I didn't catch before.

Sun Dried Sheets

2009-05-02T18:58:00.002-04:00

I love to dry sheets on the line in the warm weather. They smell so amazing with the combination of fresh breeze and sunshine. When I take the sheets off the line I can’t wait to get them on the bed and then get in and inhale! During the winter I look forward to the warm and dry days because I miss that pleasure. It takes an effort, getting up early, lugging the basket up from the basement and outside, hanging the sheets while avoiding the dog. It's worth the effort and I make sure to grasp every opportunity.

Are we willing to make the same effort to get something that is immeasurably worth more than the smell of sheets dried on the line? Most of us want all the peace and joy God has to offer us but sometimes we aren’t willing to make the effort it takes to get there. The only way to those things is through a relationship with Jesus, and that takes a certain effort. That relationship is the only way to true peace and joy in life. Just like we can’t get sheets with the aroma of sun and breeze without the effort of hanging them on the line, we can’t obtain true peace & joy without the relationship with Jesus. If we aren’t willing to immerse ourselves in the bible and dedicate time to spend with Jesus, how will we enjoy peace? Where will the joy come from?

How badly do you want that peace and joy? Badly enough to make the effort? It is worth it and we should grasp every opportunity.

Verse of the Day

2009-05-01T21:27:00.005-04:00

Psalm 73:26 "God is the strength of my life and my portion forever"

I remember the first time I heard this verse in a song in the 90s, and the goosebumps that come over me. It was like God was speaking directly to me that all the strength I would ever need was already mine because of Him. I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that He was everything I would ever need. I won't ever be able to describe the feeling, or the "knowing", but I knew this was a promise to me. When I got home I had to go do a search for those words until I found the verse in the bible.

Over the years it is one that I've recalled, read and re-read, and prayed over. No matter what I have gone through over the years, I've known that God would give me strength to endure, and that God was, and will always be, all that I need.

He Knows My Name

2009-04-30T21:03:00.005-04:00

I was reading Isaiah 43 and was filled with peace & warmth as I read how much God loves us and provides for us. This chapter is filled with so many promises. Verse 1 says: “fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine”. He knows my name! Verse 2 states that when we walk through the waters he’ll be with us , and when we walk through fire – we will not be burned. Verse 3 reminds me that he is the Lord, my God & Savior, and verse 4 that I am precious & honored in his sight. The chapter goes on like this with beautiful promises & reminders. Verse 25 is a favorite – “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more”. (This section is describing Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.)

Are you feeling the intensity of his love yet?

The Church as a Community

2009-04-26T20:58:00.003-04:00

When I was a new Christian, I started attending a huge church, where I was introduced to the director of the women & children’s ministries, who then took me under her wing & made sure I became part of the church. But she did more than that – she made sure I immediately got into a weekly small group. She made sure I was introduced to someone who had similar life issues as I had at the time. She did even more than that – she kept in touch with me by phone several times each week, & met with me in person weekly. Ellen made sure I became part of the community; she made sure I belonged & that I FELT a very big part of the church community. The people welcomed me like a beloved missing family member. What I observed there was everyone not only seemed to know each other, but they knew what the other groups & ministries needed, & the cooperation & desire to meet each other’s needs was very evident. There didn’t seem to be any disconnection. Everything that was done – every group & meeting – was to meet the spiritual needs of that group, then the needs of the church as a whole, then into community. In spite of the large congregation I didn’t notice that anyone looked left out. I think that is where we are now within our own church. A place where we all know each other & each other’s needs, a place where the activities in which we participate meet the spiritual needs of the individuals & the church as a whole. A place where new comers can get connected with ease.

(June 2007)

Today in Church -

2009-04-26T17:03:00.003-04:00

April talked about one of my favorite verses - Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you & help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." But I like verse 13 too: "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Can you take to heart such a promise? You don't have to be afraid because God is with you, so there is nothing you will go through without him. He will lift you up with his own righteous and perfect hand. And on top of that, he will take your hand as he tells you to not be afraid - because he will help you.

What a blessing to know that he says to me He is my God, and he will help me.

My Life's Progression

2009-04-26T08:00:00.006-04:00

shy
fear
fake
fun
hesitant
worldly
ignoring
happy
empty
downhill
happy
sad
desperate
crushed
dying
seeking
light
hope
faith
salvation
mercy
forgiveness
strength
joy
learning
growing
sharing
refined
watching
waiting
hope

Life

2009-04-25T14:49:00.004-04:00

I have had time in the last week to contemplate life. When I think about the intricacies of the human body alone, I don't understand how there are people who believe the world was created by a bang. When I see documentaries on the birth/hatching/ etc of other creatures - it just adds to my bewilderment on the whole thing. It truly is amazing to me that people would choose to be so blind as to ignore all of this. I can't understand the desire to be so free of accountability, responsibility, law and order that people would be willing to forgo a relationship with the real Creator of it all.

On the other hand, there was a time that that described me, and I can remember times that God was drawing me to himself, and I had reasons to ignore the call. I did believe in God and that God was the creator, but I chose not to delve further.

Thank you God that you didn't give up on me!

Thoughts on Prayer

2009-04-25T14:34:00.007-04:00

One of my favorite verses for prayer is Psalm 51. I use it frequently in my prayer time. Verse 10 says: "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me." I know the Lord will clean my heart & give me a new spirit. That is supported by other verses as well.

2 Corinthians 5:17: "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

Ezekiel 11:19: “And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart.”

Ezekiel 36:25-26 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”

These promises fill me with relief because as ugly as my sin is, God has promised to clean me up. The promises also fill me with hope because no matter how much I fail in keeping sin out in the future, I’m still going to be scrubbed clean when I confess & ask to be forgiven. That is a blessing.

2009-04-24T21:41:00.007-04:00

I remember my first year as a Christian and reading through the entire bible. I can still remember my amazement at how many songs there were in scripture! Words familiar to me from hymns & praise songs, all there in what I read in the bible.

Since that time I’ve collected some favorites -

Psalm 18: 3: I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be saved from my enemies. (Also in 2 Samuel 22:4). And then Psalm 18:46: The Lord liveth! And blessed be the Rock and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Isaish 6:1: I see the Lord & he is high & lifted up, and his train fills the temple.

And from Jeremiah :

Ah Lord God thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power,

Ah Lord God thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thine outstretched arms.

I love it when I'm reading & come across verses that have been used in songs or hymns or praise music.

Which ones have you come across that speak to you?

Peace

2009-04-12T14:16:00.006-04:00

Scripture: Psalm 34:11-14; Galatians 5:22&23; John 14:27; Matthew 5:9

Just before Jesus was betrayed, He spoke to the disciples and told them He was leaving them with a gift: the gift of peace of mind and heart. Jesus wanted us, too, to know the peace that comes only from Him.

The peace that Jesus talked about is a peace, or harmony, between individuals. This peace must be a part of our home life. If we are living with the peace of Jesus in our own lives, then His peace will overflow into the relationships in our homes. As we practice living with, and in, this peace, we will be promoting it within our family relationships. Peaceful relationships within the family encourage growth, healing, a feeling of safety, and strengthened and loving relationships. As this is developed within the home it becomes a natural part of who we are, and we will be blessed because of it. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. As children of the Living God, we are called to be peacemakers.

As we ensure that peace is a part of our homes, we answer the call of God.

(June 2006)

April 11 - Verse of the Day

2009-04-11T08:33:00.008-04:00

There are a couple of verses I wish I'd really thought about in the last couple of days.

One is 1 Peter 1:13 which says to think clearly & have self control, and the other is Proverbs 23:7 which in the NKJV says "for as he thinks in his heart, so is he". That is one of my favorites because it just so clearly states how much you have to guard your heart. When I allow my thoughts to be all ugly and negative then for sure the ugliness will come out in behavior or words. Even though I can hear the Spirit whispering that I'm about to act in a way I will not be proud of, sometimes I continue on. The trick is to listen more closely and and to obey. Having the power of the Spirit means that I can I actually stop dead in my tracks and change directions. Thank you Father for the Holy Spirit!

Thoughts on Worship

2009-04-05T20:16:00.001-04:00

I’ve always felt that my favorite way to worship is through music. I’ve loved music all my life and can’t truly explain the impact that music has on me. But when the songs are focused on God, I feel his presence. I can’t explain the connection I feel during the music but it is there. It’s as if the words and sentiment are what I would want to say but can’t come up with on my own.

I still have my own devotion time, but the time spent with music is when I feel like I’m really worshipping.

April 4 - Verse of the day

2009-04-04T23:07:00.005-04:00

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds

There have been a few times in my life when I clung to this verse; the first time was when I became a Christian. It is true that God does heal the brokenhearted, though not necessarily in our time frame. But knowing that God is in control, that he has given us a hope and a future, helps us to face a day at a time through any circumstance. I can say that has been true in my life year after year.

Hope

2009-04-04T22:11:00.004-04:00

I became a Christian in the midst of a divorce, a second one at that, and one I absolutely did not want. I can’t describe the despair I felt. My initial hope was in the form of my mother-in-law who stayed by my side throughout the whole thing. But the greatest thing happened because she shared Jesus with me. When I finally understood who Jesus really was and gave my life to him, I experienced true hope. It wasn’t the hope that suddenly I had a way to keep my husband, but the hope of a greater love. The hope that I could actually make it through that difficult part of my life, because regardless of the outcome, I had Jesus who would never leave me, would always love me, and wouldn’t let me go through anything I couldn’t endure. He gave me a hope and a future. Our only hope comes from Christ alone, not from any person here on earth, and the only way to have that hope is to trust in Jesus. Put your trust in him and discover true and everlasting hope.

Pray: Thank the Lord for the hope that Jesus gave you, a true and everlasting hope, a hope like no other.

April 2 2009

2009-04-02T21:25:00.001-04:00

The strength of the hills, The depths of the sea.
The earth and its fullness belongeth to thee.
And yet to the lowly thou bendest thine ear,
So ready their humble petitions to hear.
Amen

That is a prayer I learned when I was ten. I had spent the summer with my aunt and cousins and I had gotten a bible from somewhere. Maybe it was my aunt’s. Anyway, the prayer was one of several listed in the front of the bible. I’m not sure why I have remembered this prayer all this time. But it is a good reminder of the greatness of God’s creation and how small we are in comparison. And yet God bends low – down to us – to listen. Now that’s a blessing.

April 1 - Verse of the Day

2009-04-01T20:53:00.004-04:00

Psalm 103:12

“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”

God loves us so much that he is ready & willing to forgive our sins when we are faithful to confess and ask forgiveness. He so readily gives us the forgiveness we ask for, but often times, it is hard for us to let go and accept the forgiveness he gives.

I think this is a profound promise from God to me. How far is the east from the west? If you go east and keep going, do you ever get to west? No, you don’t! If you go north and keep going, eventually you get to “south”. The same doesn’t happen from east to west! THAT is how far God has removed our sins from us when he forgives.

Think about that. Really, really think about it and take it to heart. When we confess and asked to be forgiven, we receive what we ask for and the transgressions are – gone – far away from us. Believe it. Trust it.

Verse of the day -

2009-03-31T22:11:00.002-04:00

Psalm 32:8

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye."

How comforting to know that God has his eye on me! This tells me that he will teach me what to do - no matter the situation; all I have to do is ask him to show me. What could be better than that?

Quilt of Holes

2009-03-31T20:40:00.004-04:00

(My sister sent me this, and while I usually don't forward e-mails, this is one of those nice stories, and I thought I'd share.)

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with
all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to ! face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes..

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

How's your bible reading?

2009-03-30T21:44:00.004-04:00

Don't you just hate when someone asks you something like that? I remember being a brand new Christian (about 3 days) and someone said to me: "How's your walk with the Lord?" Silently I was thinking - My what? What is that? But what I remember most was feeling offended, challenged, and put on the spot. I know that is not what Dawn meant to happen, she just didn't realize I was very very new at this or she would have asked me in a very different way.

So, I don't mean this as a challenge, or to be offensive, or to put you on guard. Just something to think about - how are you doing at reading the most important thing you will ever read - God's personal word to you?

The main way God will speak to us is through his word. If we aren't reading his word, we are missing out on numerous opportunities to hear directly from our God! If you aren't reading his word to you, how will you know that he tells you that you will have peace of mind and heart, and that the peace is a gift the world can't give? (John 14:27). Or that there is a special rest waiting for you? (Hebrews 4:9). How will you know that your prayers will be heard? (1 John 5:14). Did you know that God's commandments give you understanding? (Psalm 119:104). Or how about knowing that God has a plan for your future? (Jeremiah 29:11). Did you know that God says he is your God? That you don't have to be afraid - he will uphold you with his righteous right hand? Isaiah 41:10), that he will hold your right hand and say to you "don't be afraid, I am with you"? (Isaiah 41:13). Did you know that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those with crushed spirits? (Psalm 34:18). Were you aware that God counts the stars and calls them by name? (Psalm 147:4).

God longs to spend time with you. He longs to know that you treasure time with him and that you truly want to get to know him better. Won't you do that today? Did you know that you don't need to read chapters and chapters at a time to have quiet time with him? When you are finding it hard to "fit" bible time in, why not start with meditating on a verse - read it over and over, thinking about what it is saying to you, how you can respond, think about what God wants you to know. I'll bet you a cup of gourmet coffee at The Pie Company that if you do that, you'll want to spend more time in God's word and learn more about what he wants to say to you, his precious child.

Today in church - -

2009-03-29T15:59:00.003-04:00

I wanted to say something when I went up to read scripture. I really wanted to say that the worship up til that time was making me think of a song, actually a part of a song, and I really just wanted to recite the words prior to reading the scripture. I wasn't sure that I should so I chose not to.

I think this is a chorus, but what ever piece of the song it is, I love it:

Turn my heart o Lord, like rivers of water.
Turn my heart o Lord by your hand,
Til my whole life flows in the river of your Spirit,
And my name brings honor to the Lamb.

Perhaps that can be our prayer today - - that our hearts will be turned by the hand of the Lord until we are flowing in his Spirit, and our names bring honor to the Lamb!

Are you ready?

2009-03-29T13:12:00.003-04:00

Today I was going to pose a "how's your prayer life?" question. But the message in church today (in a round-about way) was about my favorite topic - the end times.

I am a watcher - I watch what is going on in the world in regards to what the bible says will be happening as the time of the end draws near. I don't watch to the detriment of daily living, but I like to be constantly aware of the world happenings. I believe the Rapture could very well happen in my lifetime, based on what I see in the world right now, the increasingly fast way things have accelerated over the last few years and what the bible says the world will be like.

Did you know that there is nothing left that HAS to happen before the Rapture happens? The Rapture is imminent and could truly happen any moment. I often times catch myself looking at the sky as I drive and wondering "now?", or imagining what it will be like when the Rapture does happen.

Most of the time though I think about my life and whether or not I'm ready. I'm ready from the standpoint that I WANT so badly for it to happen NOW, but from my soul condition - I'm not so sure I'm ready.

It seems over the past few months, and even over the last few weeks, the Holy Spirit is challenging me. I'm seeing some personality traits (not so pretty) that over time I've explained away rather than seeing them for what they really are - ugly pieces of me that need to go. I've been feeling an unrest over several things. It feels like more pressure, and like I'm struggling more and more over things that I either haven't struggled over before or it has been along time since I have.

As the time of the end draws nearer and nearer, the enemy will be harder and harder at work - working hard to destroy all the good that does come of our salvation. He is working to destroy in whatever measure he can the relationship we have with our Savior. What ever can separate us from God is what he'll work on. He'll find all those weak areas we have. He'll dig at the tiny things in our marriage that we allow to become ugly. He'll push back to the surface the personality traits that we've reigned in. He looks to give us opportunities to rehash the sins for which we've already received forgiveness. We aren't supposed to go fishing in that pool again but we do! The enemy will create more and more distractions that take us away from what our priorities should be - God first, spouse second, then family, work, and so on. It is easy for him to do this - we all have things we think are so important that we HAVE to do, and then - at the end of the day - we go to bed and once again we haven't met with God. There are multiple ways the enemy is at work, and I'm feeling it more than ever.

Are you feeling it more than usual? What do we do about it? Right now I'm feeling a great, great, need to talk to God a little, then listen, listen, listen. Today could be the day we are taken home in the Rapture. Even if it isn't actually in your lifetime - are you ready today?

Trinity - God the Father

2009-03-27T17:43:00.002-04:00

I got an e-mail from my dad today. We haven’t spoken in a couple of years, & it has been over a year since we’ve written. There’s no excuse for it, & there is no relationship problem, just distance. Yes, there are phones in Arizona, & mail boxes too. We each have good intentions, but good intentions don’t amount to much without the follow-through. I tell you this because I was struggling with how to write this devotion. The e-mail got me to thinking about the similarities, & differences, between him & God my Father. My dad & I love each other a great deal. He’s always had my best interests at heart, he’s had sound fatherly advice, & I daresay that when I lived with him I obeyed him. He has always wanted me to be of good character, & he has tried to be that for me. But my dad isn’t perfect; he’s told me that himself. However, I do have a perfect Father. He is everything my dad is, plus more, & perfect on top of that. He is Creator, he is my source of guidance & direction, he loves me with a perfect love, & he wants me to have his character. But do I maintain my relationship with God my Father like I do with my dad? I have good intentions, but what about the follow-through? If I’ve maintained my relationship with God my Father like I have my dad, then I’m missing out on much more than I can imagine. I must make time to spend with my Father daily – because he deserves it, & I need it. And my dad would say “amen”. (July 2007)

Pray: Father! I love you and when I’m not in touch with you daily, I feel it in my soul. Draw me close every day. Help me to remember that I need you daily. Amen.

2009-03-23T19:29:00.004-04:00

Lord today would you give to us peace about the things going on around us, remove any fear there is about what the future holds. You are our peace and we have no reason to fear - help us to remember that each moment of the day. Please meet our needs for the day. Most of all, help us to always put you first in everything. Amen

Blessed by Kids

2009-03-22T14:33:00.003-04:00

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Today a young girl sang a solo special. It made me cry (I noticed a few others with the same response), but I'm not sure if it was the message in the song or the young girl singing. Maybe both, maybe even more than that. I know certainly it was a blessing & I'm glad I was in church today. I am astonished on a daily basis how many blessings God gives my husband and me. The kids in church are part of those blessings. :)

PEACE

2009-03-20T18:08:00.001-04:00

PEACE

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Before I became a Christian, I worried about everything imaginable. I worried about what would happen if one of my parents had cancer, what would happen to me if I broke my leg, what my mom would go through if my dad died. I was almost constantly in a state of anxiety over the safety of my family & how any one of them would deal with something happening to one of the others. The list goes on & on. One of the first things I experienced when I became a Christian was a feeling of peace because I could finally let go of all those worries –because the burden was given to Jesus. It was very freeing. We are robbed of the peace Jesus intends for us when we hold on to our burdens. True peace happens only when we totally give up everything to Jesus. “Everything” means more than just the burdens we carry. It means completely giving all aspects of our lives to Jesus – even those areas & things that we want to keep control of.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to show you what you have retained control of in your life, and ask that he help you to willingly give it over to Jesus. Ask him to give you the peace that surpasses understanding.