Yesterday a mother buried her son. He was a beautiful boy 18 years ago and now he is far under the ground. What would she give to get back Friday? Would she have said for the hundreth time, "If you drink stay wherever you are?" I'm sure she wishes she could but that all stopped when his car went into a ditch, he overcorrected and now is gone. We can't take back the moments but we can make the best of every moment.
Many ask, "Where is God?" I've asked that exact question different times in my life but I can't imagine losing a child. That child, the one that was just buried was protected by a covenant. He was being looked over by God. His death didn't surprise God. He was setting the stage along the way. One of his good friends, who happens to be a man of God, asked him just a few days before, "Did you accept Jesus?" He knew his friend was going to get mad but he asked anyway. The reply he got will give him peace for years to come. His answer was YES!
One bad choice led to a mother's anguish but her son's words will someday provide comfort. She may never understand why. She will struggle with her faith and her feelings. It will take time to heal and it will take time to grieve. My prayer will be that she finds Jesus in this storm. We will all be faced with challenges. This one is just uncomprehensible. My heart hurts when I think about her and the boys he was with that night. I grieve with her and for them. I feel her pain and I know that God is going to cover her and love her through her pain. I'm so thankful that I can feel for her and that I can pray for her. This life would mean nothing if we couldn't participate with people in their grief. Part of the hope that comes with Jesus is the heart that beats for His people.
I was reminded today that we really are like sheep. As I received a phone call summarizing the funeral and the collapse of a mother, I looked to my left and there, in the field, were a group of sheep grazing. They were white, eating and scattered and my thoughts went to the great Shepherd. We are His. At the end of the day, we are being watched over by our God. He surrounds us and loves us. He provides hope to the hopeless. He understands our confusion, our heart and our flesh. He loves us anyway. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He is our hope for a greater future.
I can't take the pain away from a grieving mother but I can pray for her. I can continue to challenge all of us to spread the word of the gospel and I can sieze the day and ask people, "Do you believe?" Once we're gone we can't ask any more questions. If you love someone that's not saved, risk and ask. I'm going to challenge myself to continue to write, continue to challenge and continue to pray for the hurting, the lost, the hopeless. I'm challenging you to do the same.
I'm coming to you today asking you to spread the word for Jesus. If you like this blog and you have been talking to women about Christ or there is someone you have been witnessing too but it's just too difficult to really share your faith, direct them here. God will do the rest. Take heart my sisters we are being called to love those that God loves. He is calling us to pray, to petition and to be bold for Him. He doesn't need us but He wants us to be with Him, loving His people and spreading the good news. There's enough bad in this world to fill the television 24/7. Let's break that and give people hope by talking about our Shepherd.
Romans 5:6 NKJV:
For when we were still without stength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Titus 1:1-3 NKJV:
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgement of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I come before You grieving for those that are grieving. I know what it feels like to weep and to wonder how life could ever be the same. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a child and yet, you understand. You know the pain of every person who weeps tonight for their lost child. Our hope has to reside in You. My hope resides in You. Please dry their tears, put people in their path that will love them, and give them hope that tomorrow will be new. I'm asking You to herd all Your people. Please make us one voice, under one God. We need You Lord. I have to trust that You are here and that when we call out to You, You answer. Give us the strength to ask the hard questions, to love the unloveable and to proclaim that You are our hope. We have nowhere else to run but into Your arms. Thank You for our eternal life and for the promise that we can see those that have gone before us. Continue to prepare Your table and to guide us to the sheep that need You the most. We don't deserve to be loved like this and yet, You love us anyway. I am bound by my promise to You. I will continue to share my faith and I pray that as I do, Your people will come. May Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
October 30, 2012
Good morning all-
I've had a lot on my mind lately but little time to write. Over the weekend I had my husband's family over. I had four generations of the Rogers here. It feels weird to realize that time is slipping and with it so many miracles have come along. I watched my nieces and nephews interact with their littlest cousins. They are 11 months, 2 years, and 3 years old. Their mothers were in my wedding and just a little older than that themselves. My nephews are all taller than me now and of course my sons are giants. Life changes.
Along with all that, the storm of the century was on its way. Last night the reports of water coming up, power outages in the millions and the possibility of billions of dollars of damage to 23 states was the focus of the broadcasts. Of course, there was a little bit of politics still floating around but not much. Today, a lot of the damage will be revealed and lives will be changed.
Whether time moves people forward or a storm rages, time is forever moving. Our lives can change in a blink of an eye and we need to be looking only in one place, we need to look for Jesus. Our bodies were made to deteriorate, the world will eventually change into the new heaven and nothing will ever be the same. God is planning and orchestrating the wind, the rain, and the time. He is in control of every living creature and although evil plays a part in this world, God will have His glory.
When the aftermath of the storm is over, people will unite. We've seen it time and time again. Especially during 911, when NY was rocked in a way none of us ever thought would happen. We have seen it all over the world. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunami's have united the world. In the midst of every storm there is always Jesus.
So today, if you're looking out your window and the sun is coming up and nothing has changed for you today, praise Jesus and then pray for the people experiencing Sandy. The hurricane will change many lives and I hope in the center of their storm they find Jesus. In the coming days, they won't be thinking about who to vote for, they will be thinking about getting their lives back. It will be a time of reflection, where material things are destroyed and all they have left is what they believe. Pray that the men, women and children on the east coast will see Jesus today! That will be my prayer. I'm praying for their protection and that they can be still in their storm. Jesus is watching and so are we, so when we're helpless, what should we do? We should pray!
I'm praying for all of you today. I'm thankful that you come to this blog. I'm thankful that God gives me words and I'm most thankful that God continues to reveal Himself to the world! May God bless you today.
Ephesians 5:20 NKJV:
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ecclesiastes 3:3 NKJV:
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
2 Peter 3:8 NKJV:
But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Mark 13:33 NKJV:
Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, my prayer is simple today. Lift up the millions that don't know You and make them Yours. There are 23 states being affected by the greatest storm to ever hit the US. I know that You are with those people. You are the maker of the Universe and You knew about this storm long before we did. We are asking You as women who seek You to comfort those that will face destruction of unheard of proportions today. Help people unite to help clean up communities and please Lord lead them to You. I know that we can't rely on our possessions to make us happy. They are for a moment but You are for a lifetime. Use this disaster to bring forth Your soldiers and put on our hearts Your people. I pray that we would be faithful through this tremendous weather event as we should be faithful to pray for the entire world. You are our King and in You we have hope. I pray that Your spirit would rain down on the world and that Jesus would be on the tongues of all who love You. I'm praying for the safety of those living in the affected areas and I'm praying that people who were blind before will see the glory of God! Take care of Your people Lord and we will be praying. Thank you for the faithfulness of the women that read this blog and I hope that You continue to bless me with the words to say to Your precious flock. I love You Lord and thank You for every moment I have. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I've had a lot on my mind lately but little time to write. Over the weekend I had my husband's family over. I had four generations of the Rogers here. It feels weird to realize that time is slipping and with it so many miracles have come along. I watched my nieces and nephews interact with their littlest cousins. They are 11 months, 2 years, and 3 years old. Their mothers were in my wedding and just a little older than that themselves. My nephews are all taller than me now and of course my sons are giants. Life changes.
Along with all that, the storm of the century was on its way. Last night the reports of water coming up, power outages in the millions and the possibility of billions of dollars of damage to 23 states was the focus of the broadcasts. Of course, there was a little bit of politics still floating around but not much. Today, a lot of the damage will be revealed and lives will be changed.
Whether time moves people forward or a storm rages, time is forever moving. Our lives can change in a blink of an eye and we need to be looking only in one place, we need to look for Jesus. Our bodies were made to deteriorate, the world will eventually change into the new heaven and nothing will ever be the same. God is planning and orchestrating the wind, the rain, and the time. He is in control of every living creature and although evil plays a part in this world, God will have His glory.
When the aftermath of the storm is over, people will unite. We've seen it time and time again. Especially during 911, when NY was rocked in a way none of us ever thought would happen. We have seen it all over the world. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunami's have united the world. In the midst of every storm there is always Jesus.
So today, if you're looking out your window and the sun is coming up and nothing has changed for you today, praise Jesus and then pray for the people experiencing Sandy. The hurricane will change many lives and I hope in the center of their storm they find Jesus. In the coming days, they won't be thinking about who to vote for, they will be thinking about getting their lives back. It will be a time of reflection, where material things are destroyed and all they have left is what they believe. Pray that the men, women and children on the east coast will see Jesus today! That will be my prayer. I'm praying for their protection and that they can be still in their storm. Jesus is watching and so are we, so when we're helpless, what should we do? We should pray!
I'm praying for all of you today. I'm thankful that you come to this blog. I'm thankful that God gives me words and I'm most thankful that God continues to reveal Himself to the world! May God bless you today.
Ephesians 5:20 NKJV:
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ecclesiastes 3:3 NKJV:
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
2 Peter 3:8 NKJV:
But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Mark 13:33 NKJV:
Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, my prayer is simple today. Lift up the millions that don't know You and make them Yours. There are 23 states being affected by the greatest storm to ever hit the US. I know that You are with those people. You are the maker of the Universe and You knew about this storm long before we did. We are asking You as women who seek You to comfort those that will face destruction of unheard of proportions today. Help people unite to help clean up communities and please Lord lead them to You. I know that we can't rely on our possessions to make us happy. They are for a moment but You are for a lifetime. Use this disaster to bring forth Your soldiers and put on our hearts Your people. I pray that we would be faithful through this tremendous weather event as we should be faithful to pray for the entire world. You are our King and in You we have hope. I pray that Your spirit would rain down on the world and that Jesus would be on the tongues of all who love You. I'm praying for the safety of those living in the affected areas and I'm praying that people who were blind before will see the glory of God! Take care of Your people Lord and we will be praying. Thank you for the faithfulness of the women that read this blog and I hope that You continue to bless me with the words to say to Your precious flock. I love You Lord and thank You for every moment I have. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Monday, October 29, 2012
October 26, 2012
Good morning all-
I am always stunned how new the day is. Yesterday, as I sat on my computer to write, time was of the essence. It's been a theme throughout this year for me. I have felt compelled to write and write until I thought my brain was going to explode. When I sit down, it's like my fingers are moving on their own and my brain is trying to catch up.
Time has become an important factor for me because God has definitely put it on my heart. No one knows the hour they will perish and without Christ, their is no heaven. I learned that lesson the hard way in December and it has stuck with me ever since. So with passion, I wrote about spreading the gospel, hearing the call and seizing the day. And by 8 o'clock my phone was ringing off the wall. My friend Michelle called to ask me if I knew who Austin Taylor was. I said, "Yes." I prayed for him just last year. I contacted my closest friends and prayer warriors and asked them to pray for him. He almost lost his leg but miraculously it was saved and as I watched him play basketball with my son, I was praising Jesus.
Forward a year, and he is in the arms of our Lord. On Friday, early in the morning he was in a one person car accident. He had just been with his best friends at college. In a blink of an eye, he was gone. It has rocked a community as any death of a young person does. Today, I will stand in line to give my condolences to his family. When you pray for someone there is a connection. It is spiritual in nature and it is with God's grace that they are put on our hearts. Today, I don't have to pray for Austin anymore but I do need to pray for his family.
I'm sure you know of people in your own life that could use Jesus. You may have been called to pray for someone you don't know or you just continue to pray for those you do. Either way, God has written them on your heart. As you pray, there is a closeness that transcends all understanding. Maybe that's why God put on David's heart to pray for his enemies. It keeps you from true hate and binds you.
I love when God puts someone on my heart. It means that He is working. A God that doesn't love His people would never put a stranger on someone's heart. That is a representation of a loving and merciful God. Please continue to pray for the lost.
I hope you have a great day!
I am always stunned how new the day is. Yesterday, as I sat on my computer to write, time was of the essence. It's been a theme throughout this year for me. I have felt compelled to write and write until I thought my brain was going to explode. When I sit down, it's like my fingers are moving on their own and my brain is trying to catch up.
Time has become an important factor for me because God has definitely put it on my heart. No one knows the hour they will perish and without Christ, their is no heaven. I learned that lesson the hard way in December and it has stuck with me ever since. So with passion, I wrote about spreading the gospel, hearing the call and seizing the day. And by 8 o'clock my phone was ringing off the wall. My friend Michelle called to ask me if I knew who Austin Taylor was. I said, "Yes." I prayed for him just last year. I contacted my closest friends and prayer warriors and asked them to pray for him. He almost lost his leg but miraculously it was saved and as I watched him play basketball with my son, I was praising Jesus.
Forward a year, and he is in the arms of our Lord. On Friday, early in the morning he was in a one person car accident. He had just been with his best friends at college. In a blink of an eye, he was gone. It has rocked a community as any death of a young person does. Today, I will stand in line to give my condolences to his family. When you pray for someone there is a connection. It is spiritual in nature and it is with God's grace that they are put on our hearts. Today, I don't have to pray for Austin anymore but I do need to pray for his family.
I'm sure you know of people in your own life that could use Jesus. You may have been called to pray for someone you don't know or you just continue to pray for those you do. Either way, God has written them on your heart. As you pray, there is a closeness that transcends all understanding. Maybe that's why God put on David's heart to pray for his enemies. It keeps you from true hate and binds you.
I love when God puts someone on my heart. It means that He is working. A God that doesn't love His people would never put a stranger on someone's heart. That is a representation of a loving and merciful God. Please continue to pray for the lost.
I hope you have a great day!
Friday, October 26, 2012
October 25, 2012
Good morning all-
What does the soul want? The world would say it wants money, power and glory. God would say it yearns for Him. The soul of man can not be bought with money or power and it will never have true glory because its glory resides in the Lord. It is our beacon at death.
You might be able to buy a man in today's world. You might even be able to deceive and destroy one. It's possible that depression and anxiety can lure you into destruction but if you have God, you have something to hold onto.
Like our heart the soul is vital to our living. When the heart stops the soul leaves on a journey to unknown places. In the Bible there are only two destinations, heaven or hell? If you are chosen and have been sanctified, you will go to heaven. However, if you are of consenting age and have heard the gospel and haven't said yes, you may want to reconsider.
Our days our numbered, whether our lives end by an accident or from natural causes. God knows each day we will remain. It's what we do with the time we're given that is so important. If your soul yearns for Christ ask Him what His purpose is for you. Look at the wonderful talents He has given to you and use them. You are vital to His cause, which is reaching out to the nations and telling them the good news.
Many have died for their beliefs. Look around at the world, it wasn't so long ago that chinese students were being killed in the streets, or now, in Syria they have civil war. Iran and Afghanistan are based upon social and belief based wars, not to mention the nuclear weapons being developed in North Korea and Iran. Our world is becoming a greedy, power grabbing place. We used to stand for people and today we stand for power.
In the Presidential debate, I heard "I" more than I cared too. No matter what candidate you like there is no "I" in President. If whatever President we choose does not choose the people and he can't get bipartisanship then we really have nothing. People have to come together and we have to fight for what's right. We need to be a country led by God, built by God and protected by God. I don't care how many missiles we have, if God isn't for us, who is?
There is only one "I" that has ever been important to a Christian's soul and that should be the Holy Trinity. Our Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit should be recognized as I. No one else. Everything else works on teamwork, prayer and workers that believe. I don't care if you play sports or have a team at work, if one of the players is singing, "I", the team will fail. That's why I believe God is calling women to unite all over the world. We must fight against the "I" and put Christ at the forefront of our families. We must pray for our countries and the men and women that live in them. We have generations coming up that are confused and rarely have an opinion of their own. We must teach them what God says and be prepared to answer their questions. And if we don't have the answer seek someone that does.
We need to go and spread the word to our friends and family first and then see where God leads from there. Our hearts and souls only have so much time. We must seize the day and if God puts something on your heart, do it. Don't wait, time is of the essence.
Ezekiel 18:4 NKJV:
"Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine;
Luke 1:46 NKJV:
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.
Psalm 86: 4 NKJV:
Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, thank You for the word. Every time I look into it, I see You. My soul yearns to be closer to You, to find You in everything and at the same time, I wish to be still in Your presence. I know that time is short. It could be another 1000 years but that's a blink of an eye to You. You have been waiting and watching Your people, pulling them together, uniting them and one day like a thief within the night You will come. I'm excited and in wonder of what You will do with my life and the women You place in my path. I pray that their souls will yearn for You and at the end of everyday they will know You! There is no "I" in team, so I come before the Great I Am and ask You to wash me of my sins and to lift me up to minister to Your people. You are glorious Lord and with each step I know how wonderful You truly are. I don't have all the answers, only You do. So today, I will rest and watch You work. Bring women to me and to those You have counted as Your chosen. Help us to bring up the next generation so that they will yearn for You too. We thank You for Your presence in our lives and as we come before You we ask that You would change our nations. We are asking for a revival back to the only "I" that counts, YOU! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
What does the soul want? The world would say it wants money, power and glory. God would say it yearns for Him. The soul of man can not be bought with money or power and it will never have true glory because its glory resides in the Lord. It is our beacon at death.
You might be able to buy a man in today's world. You might even be able to deceive and destroy one. It's possible that depression and anxiety can lure you into destruction but if you have God, you have something to hold onto.
Like our heart the soul is vital to our living. When the heart stops the soul leaves on a journey to unknown places. In the Bible there are only two destinations, heaven or hell? If you are chosen and have been sanctified, you will go to heaven. However, if you are of consenting age and have heard the gospel and haven't said yes, you may want to reconsider.
Our days our numbered, whether our lives end by an accident or from natural causes. God knows each day we will remain. It's what we do with the time we're given that is so important. If your soul yearns for Christ ask Him what His purpose is for you. Look at the wonderful talents He has given to you and use them. You are vital to His cause, which is reaching out to the nations and telling them the good news.
Many have died for their beliefs. Look around at the world, it wasn't so long ago that chinese students were being killed in the streets, or now, in Syria they have civil war. Iran and Afghanistan are based upon social and belief based wars, not to mention the nuclear weapons being developed in North Korea and Iran. Our world is becoming a greedy, power grabbing place. We used to stand for people and today we stand for power.
In the Presidential debate, I heard "I" more than I cared too. No matter what candidate you like there is no "I" in President. If whatever President we choose does not choose the people and he can't get bipartisanship then we really have nothing. People have to come together and we have to fight for what's right. We need to be a country led by God, built by God and protected by God. I don't care how many missiles we have, if God isn't for us, who is?
There is only one "I" that has ever been important to a Christian's soul and that should be the Holy Trinity. Our Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit should be recognized as I. No one else. Everything else works on teamwork, prayer and workers that believe. I don't care if you play sports or have a team at work, if one of the players is singing, "I", the team will fail. That's why I believe God is calling women to unite all over the world. We must fight against the "I" and put Christ at the forefront of our families. We must pray for our countries and the men and women that live in them. We have generations coming up that are confused and rarely have an opinion of their own. We must teach them what God says and be prepared to answer their questions. And if we don't have the answer seek someone that does.
We need to go and spread the word to our friends and family first and then see where God leads from there. Our hearts and souls only have so much time. We must seize the day and if God puts something on your heart, do it. Don't wait, time is of the essence.
Ezekiel 18:4 NKJV:
"Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine;
Luke 1:46 NKJV:
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.
Psalm 86: 4 NKJV:
Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, thank You for the word. Every time I look into it, I see You. My soul yearns to be closer to You, to find You in everything and at the same time, I wish to be still in Your presence. I know that time is short. It could be another 1000 years but that's a blink of an eye to You. You have been waiting and watching Your people, pulling them together, uniting them and one day like a thief within the night You will come. I'm excited and in wonder of what You will do with my life and the women You place in my path. I pray that their souls will yearn for You and at the end of everyday they will know You! There is no "I" in team, so I come before the Great I Am and ask You to wash me of my sins and to lift me up to minister to Your people. You are glorious Lord and with each step I know how wonderful You truly are. I don't have all the answers, only You do. So today, I will rest and watch You work. Bring women to me and to those You have counted as Your chosen. Help us to bring up the next generation so that they will yearn for You too. We thank You for Your presence in our lives and as we come before You we ask that You would change our nations. We are asking for a revival back to the only "I" that counts, YOU! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
October 24, 2012
Good morning all-
I'm on my way to the great western part of Kansas. I go there often but today I will be driving for at least six hours, so tomorrow's post should be pretty long. I don't really have much to say today but I do want to leave you with something to think about. The last couple of weeks I just have been concentrating on Jesus, what He means to us, why He came and what He will do. His will be done on this earth as it is in Heaven. At the end of the day, that's what we should be all thinking.
I think I have dissected this every which way because of the people around me that continue to skate into heaven. They haven't followed God all their lives, they might not even have been great people, but nevertheless, He called them and they came home. I think we have a convoluted philosophy about God, who He is and what we are here for. As long as life is going our way, everything with God is fine but the minute something creeps in we don't understand it's like we're two again. The why's and how's start flying and of course, we are depressed, angry, and blame ourselves or God for our circumstances. We really are no better than the Israelites half the time.
I've been there, yelling and screaming at God. Often, I have felt like a two year old questioning His authority and choosing to believe I have all the answers. Does a two year old have all the answers? Of course not and compared to God that's exactly what we are. We don't know the why's of the universe. We have gone to space, bored deep into the earth and opened up the wonders of the ocean and we still don't get it. We see what God has created but for some, it's just too far a stretch that God did this. We even question the time the Bible was written. I've heard people say and by the way I think I did too, "The Bible was written long ago the times have changed." Of course they've changed, they have gotten far more sinful, unbelievably fleshly, more confused and faith and joy have been robbed. We look at money and power as the chief reasons to be here and we have forgotten to care about people.
We sit in our homes and think maybe I will give money to the poor but do we? And I love this one the best, "Why does God punish me?" Although our Father is more than willing to parent some of the tests we go through are because we are His chosen and yes, He is going to stretch us but that's to build our faith and help us to be able to stand, even when life gets tough. If you want to know Jesus, you have to look for Him and believe that every word in the Bible is true. We can't fudge on a part or two; we must believe.
I realize the older we get the easier it is to be skeptical. The Lord and I both know I have been. I have questioned, turned, twisted, procrastinated, until one day I finally said, "I'm Yours." I have been stretched, pulled, pressed and crushed. I have been molded, sanctified and justified. I have been to the bottom of the pit and brought back up to see the light. I have wondered how can a God be here when I don't see Him? I have fought with God, questioned Him, and finally brought to my knees in a love I can't even describe.
I understand when someone says, "Why?" And I wish that God would reveal it but often, we must walk blindly, trusting that He knows what's best for our life. We may not always like the lessons, especially in the middle of them, but we will like the results. Because without a doubt, our Lord will grow us and guide us right by our side. That's the kind of God we serve. We can't work to get to Him but we can love Him and when we do, He grows us, feeds us and makes us His own. Powerful stuff for Wednesday morning!
Well I'm off at 6:20 this morning. I hope you all have a blessed day. My prayer today is simple, look for the hand of our Father. He is near. You might not see Him but I guarantee He's there. He promises never to leave or forsake us. That's a promise I stand on. Be of good cheer my sisters and pray for one another. There's no better time to unite then now.
1 Peter 2:24-25 NKJV:
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
By His stripes we are healed! Join with me today thanking our Savior for every stripe and for every nail. He knows our pain and through His death we are healed. May God show You today the power of the cross!
I'm on my way to the great western part of Kansas. I go there often but today I will be driving for at least six hours, so tomorrow's post should be pretty long. I don't really have much to say today but I do want to leave you with something to think about. The last couple of weeks I just have been concentrating on Jesus, what He means to us, why He came and what He will do. His will be done on this earth as it is in Heaven. At the end of the day, that's what we should be all thinking.
I think I have dissected this every which way because of the people around me that continue to skate into heaven. They haven't followed God all their lives, they might not even have been great people, but nevertheless, He called them and they came home. I think we have a convoluted philosophy about God, who He is and what we are here for. As long as life is going our way, everything with God is fine but the minute something creeps in we don't understand it's like we're two again. The why's and how's start flying and of course, we are depressed, angry, and blame ourselves or God for our circumstances. We really are no better than the Israelites half the time.
I've been there, yelling and screaming at God. Often, I have felt like a two year old questioning His authority and choosing to believe I have all the answers. Does a two year old have all the answers? Of course not and compared to God that's exactly what we are. We don't know the why's of the universe. We have gone to space, bored deep into the earth and opened up the wonders of the ocean and we still don't get it. We see what God has created but for some, it's just too far a stretch that God did this. We even question the time the Bible was written. I've heard people say and by the way I think I did too, "The Bible was written long ago the times have changed." Of course they've changed, they have gotten far more sinful, unbelievably fleshly, more confused and faith and joy have been robbed. We look at money and power as the chief reasons to be here and we have forgotten to care about people.
We sit in our homes and think maybe I will give money to the poor but do we? And I love this one the best, "Why does God punish me?" Although our Father is more than willing to parent some of the tests we go through are because we are His chosen and yes, He is going to stretch us but that's to build our faith and help us to be able to stand, even when life gets tough. If you want to know Jesus, you have to look for Him and believe that every word in the Bible is true. We can't fudge on a part or two; we must believe.
I realize the older we get the easier it is to be skeptical. The Lord and I both know I have been. I have questioned, turned, twisted, procrastinated, until one day I finally said, "I'm Yours." I have been stretched, pulled, pressed and crushed. I have been molded, sanctified and justified. I have been to the bottom of the pit and brought back up to see the light. I have wondered how can a God be here when I don't see Him? I have fought with God, questioned Him, and finally brought to my knees in a love I can't even describe.
I understand when someone says, "Why?" And I wish that God would reveal it but often, we must walk blindly, trusting that He knows what's best for our life. We may not always like the lessons, especially in the middle of them, but we will like the results. Because without a doubt, our Lord will grow us and guide us right by our side. That's the kind of God we serve. We can't work to get to Him but we can love Him and when we do, He grows us, feeds us and makes us His own. Powerful stuff for Wednesday morning!
Well I'm off at 6:20 this morning. I hope you all have a blessed day. My prayer today is simple, look for the hand of our Father. He is near. You might not see Him but I guarantee He's there. He promises never to leave or forsake us. That's a promise I stand on. Be of good cheer my sisters and pray for one another. There's no better time to unite then now.
1 Peter 2:24-25 NKJV:
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
By His stripes we are healed! Join with me today thanking our Savior for every stripe and for every nail. He knows our pain and through His death we are healed. May God show You today the power of the cross!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
October 23, 2012
Good morning all-
Well I woke up pretty tired today. I don't know about you but cleaning is exhausting and then having to go back to work and sell, wow! And yet, I am still present, thinking about my Lord, even before my first cup of coffee. I would say that's a very successful day, wouldn't you?
I rely on that first cup of coffee to rejuvenate me every morning. It's like my manna. I need it so that I can drive hundreds of miles, cook dinner, clean up, walk with my husband and work for eight hours. It's what makes my heart start beating faster, my eyes get wider and my disposition for the day go from tired to raring to go. I'm like the little engine that could, I just need my java to move forward.
What is it that you need? Have you asked yourself that question of late? For me, I could get away without drinking my coffee for the morning, I've done it before. There is one thing I can't substitute or live without besides water, it's Jesus! I need water to hydrate, air to breathe and Jesus to guide me today. I can't live without Him. Millions of people do but I can't imagine waking up and drinking my first cup of coffee without Him. He is vital to my being and without Him I would feel lost and alone. He is my hope, my future, my everything.
What about you? Where are you today with Jesus? Did you wake up with Him on your mind? Simple questions but they tell us where we are with Him when we answer. If you're not thinking about Him as you wake, you might want to sit with Him for awhile. This life is much too difficult and the things that happen to Christians happen to non-Christians. Where is their hope today? What makes them wake up and smile?
A life apart from Christ is empty. In many religions you must work your way to God. Our God says that He is the only way. Our hope, our faith and our sight are given to us because of the sacrifice Jesus made. We would still be sacrificing animals otherwise. Can you imagine how many dead carcasses there would be? Too many to count. YUK!
God knew that we would need a Savior, it was prophesied long before Jesus came. He knew that we would be lonely, confused, and sinful. We were born into sin. It's even hard for Christians to understand that but we are. Our sinful nature might not show up until two but it will show up and we will all have our cross to bear. So we have a choice, if we are chosen, we can choose to follow and carry our cross or sit still and do nothing. We can choose to be part of the call or not. Millions are without Christ, don't you think we should spread the word, the hope and the future God has promised. Why do we wait? Christians are the only ones sitting back and waiting. Everyone else is stating their opinions loudly. We are wrong for our beliefs. Really?
I was thinking about this last week when I was getting my oil changed and a report was given on a High School in Texas where the cheerleaders put Scripture out before each football game. They had to go to court to continue to profess their free speech. Crazy? They won for now but I'm sure the fight has only begun. The attorney's used the right of free speech as their foreground and for now the cheerleaders are rejoicing and thanking God on television. We can thank a whole bunch of 16-18 year olds for their profession of faith. Would we be as bold?
That's what I want us to think about this week. As you go about your day, think about what you would be willing to do for Jesus. Will you be strong enough to hear the call and profess your faith? I think it's a question we should all be asking. Is our pride and our reputation worth it if we don't profess that Jesus is our Lord. I don't think so. I was once apathetic and careful of everything I said but today, I don't want to leave one person without the knowledge of who Jesus is and what He means to my life. I am nothing without Him!
I hope today challenges you and that you look into your life. If you don't speak about Jesus at least once today, is He really that important? I'm not talking about going out and shouting it with little discretion, in some countries that would be murderous. I'm just saying that if you ask Christ to lead someone to you, He will, so be bold and confess your faith. You may just have one opportunity!
May God bless you and keep you today.
Matthew 28:19 NKJV:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10:23 KJV:
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised;
My prayer today:
O, Lord, You are my Shepherd and I shall not want. My prayer today is simple. Please help Your chosen women to carry Your cross. Guide us and grow us into mighty women of You. Make us bold where we aren't and give us a heart for the millions that don't know You. Help us to stand on faith and believe that You are the only way. Take the blinders off so that we can see what the world has done to mold us into apathetic creatures. We desire to profess Your name. With each morning come to us and make it new. Our light is sometimes dim, make it bright and allow Your chosen to see. Bring forth the hurting, the lost and Your children that need to hear of a Savior. I pray that the gospel would be revitalized and that women would profess You in every country and in every tongue. I know that You love us Lord and that we were born for today. Lead us Lord because without You we are nothing, we have nothing and we'll be nothing. At the end of us is YOU! May You bless the nations as we unite for one cause, YOURS! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Well I woke up pretty tired today. I don't know about you but cleaning is exhausting and then having to go back to work and sell, wow! And yet, I am still present, thinking about my Lord, even before my first cup of coffee. I would say that's a very successful day, wouldn't you?
I rely on that first cup of coffee to rejuvenate me every morning. It's like my manna. I need it so that I can drive hundreds of miles, cook dinner, clean up, walk with my husband and work for eight hours. It's what makes my heart start beating faster, my eyes get wider and my disposition for the day go from tired to raring to go. I'm like the little engine that could, I just need my java to move forward.
What is it that you need? Have you asked yourself that question of late? For me, I could get away without drinking my coffee for the morning, I've done it before. There is one thing I can't substitute or live without besides water, it's Jesus! I need water to hydrate, air to breathe and Jesus to guide me today. I can't live without Him. Millions of people do but I can't imagine waking up and drinking my first cup of coffee without Him. He is vital to my being and without Him I would feel lost and alone. He is my hope, my future, my everything.
What about you? Where are you today with Jesus? Did you wake up with Him on your mind? Simple questions but they tell us where we are with Him when we answer. If you're not thinking about Him as you wake, you might want to sit with Him for awhile. This life is much too difficult and the things that happen to Christians happen to non-Christians. Where is their hope today? What makes them wake up and smile?
A life apart from Christ is empty. In many religions you must work your way to God. Our God says that He is the only way. Our hope, our faith and our sight are given to us because of the sacrifice Jesus made. We would still be sacrificing animals otherwise. Can you imagine how many dead carcasses there would be? Too many to count. YUK!
God knew that we would need a Savior, it was prophesied long before Jesus came. He knew that we would be lonely, confused, and sinful. We were born into sin. It's even hard for Christians to understand that but we are. Our sinful nature might not show up until two but it will show up and we will all have our cross to bear. So we have a choice, if we are chosen, we can choose to follow and carry our cross or sit still and do nothing. We can choose to be part of the call or not. Millions are without Christ, don't you think we should spread the word, the hope and the future God has promised. Why do we wait? Christians are the only ones sitting back and waiting. Everyone else is stating their opinions loudly. We are wrong for our beliefs. Really?
I was thinking about this last week when I was getting my oil changed and a report was given on a High School in Texas where the cheerleaders put Scripture out before each football game. They had to go to court to continue to profess their free speech. Crazy? They won for now but I'm sure the fight has only begun. The attorney's used the right of free speech as their foreground and for now the cheerleaders are rejoicing and thanking God on television. We can thank a whole bunch of 16-18 year olds for their profession of faith. Would we be as bold?
That's what I want us to think about this week. As you go about your day, think about what you would be willing to do for Jesus. Will you be strong enough to hear the call and profess your faith? I think it's a question we should all be asking. Is our pride and our reputation worth it if we don't profess that Jesus is our Lord. I don't think so. I was once apathetic and careful of everything I said but today, I don't want to leave one person without the knowledge of who Jesus is and what He means to my life. I am nothing without Him!
I hope today challenges you and that you look into your life. If you don't speak about Jesus at least once today, is He really that important? I'm not talking about going out and shouting it with little discretion, in some countries that would be murderous. I'm just saying that if you ask Christ to lead someone to you, He will, so be bold and confess your faith. You may just have one opportunity!
May God bless you and keep you today.
Matthew 28:19 NKJV:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10:23 KJV:
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised;
My prayer today:
O, Lord, You are my Shepherd and I shall not want. My prayer today is simple. Please help Your chosen women to carry Your cross. Guide us and grow us into mighty women of You. Make us bold where we aren't and give us a heart for the millions that don't know You. Help us to stand on faith and believe that You are the only way. Take the blinders off so that we can see what the world has done to mold us into apathetic creatures. We desire to profess Your name. With each morning come to us and make it new. Our light is sometimes dim, make it bright and allow Your chosen to see. Bring forth the hurting, the lost and Your children that need to hear of a Savior. I pray that the gospel would be revitalized and that women would profess You in every country and in every tongue. I know that You love us Lord and that we were born for today. Lead us Lord because without You we are nothing, we have nothing and we'll be nothing. At the end of us is YOU! May You bless the nations as we unite for one cause, YOURS! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, October 21, 2012
October 21, 2012
Good morning all-
Well I've had my pot of coffee, cleaned my carpet downstairs, dusted, vacuumed and spent over four hours cleaning out my closet. Wow! I can't imagine life getting any better unless I had a cleaning lady, which I don't.
The boys went off to Kansas City this weekend and left me at my own vice. Just for the record it's normally not cleaning. Although I clean all the time, my house isn't showroom ready. But as I sit to write today, it looks like it could be. It's so nice to clean from top to bottom and to see the result of your hard work. There's something about purging stuff that's always made me feel great, I just don't do it often enough.
Have you ever noticed that your home reflects your mood? Some people can keep a great house all the time, I admire that. My mom was like that. I don't ever think I saw a dirty dish or a load of laundry not done. She was an incredible housekeeper and mother. I, on the other hand, work full-time and do the best I can with the time I have. Over the last year, I've barely maintained. I would look around and say to myself, "That closet really needs a good cleaning," but never did it get done. It stood as a symbol of how I was feeling, chaotic, confused and sad. To top it off all three of my families cremation boxes are placed there and are a symbol of my loss. Thank goodness I broke the mold yesterday and started veraciously cleaning and if I must say so myself, it looks beautiful.
I have torn the shroud of morning. I don't know if it was seeing my friend dying that did it or if I just decided to purge my mind and my house. I think it's a little bit of both. My closets were a reflection of my last year and I needed to choose to do something totally different or drown in the chaos. Life can be like that sometimes. You know, your going along, something happens and your normal routine stops. It's hard to pick it back up again and when you look around you just don't have the energy. I think our Christian life can sometimes fall into the same pattern. We are feeling more than we are walking and when the answers don't come, we mourn. If I've learned anything it's that God doesn't always answer my prayers. At least not like I want Him too. He does answer them but maybe it's not as miraculous as I want it to be.
As you know if you read this blog, I have had a few friends going through many battles this year. I have stood by them, prayed for them and petitioned God, not only with my words but with my actions. I left one person out though, me. As I spent four hours in that closet yesterday, I realized that I had let my feelings get in the way of walking. It's okay to do that for a time but as I was still, I saw the emotion and the chaos of the last year. No one could see it on the outside but if you looked in closets, drawers or any space I could cram something in, you would see it.
There's something about being still and alone with God. No one was home to say, "Can you make me something to eat?" No one came in and said, "I'm watching TV, do you have to vacuum now?" No one said anything but me. In my mind, I was purging the last years worth of sorrows. I stood in that closet and thanked God for the ability to clean it and to clean my heart. I'm like you, no better, no worse. I feel the same things, cry out and ask why and at the end of every day realize that without Christ I am nothing.
We have a choice. We can sit in our misery or we can find hope. We know that our hope must reside in our maker. What God would let His son die on a cross? A loving God. Why? Because it was never just about Jesus, it was about us and the table He would prepare for those He loves. We are lucky to be in His presence and I'm so glad He is always near. I don't feel Him every day but I know that when I pray He hears me. He wipes my tears, laughs with me and gives me strength to purge my mind and heart. What a wonderful God I serve!
I'm not preaching to a choir, I know you get what I'm saying. But when tested, we forget to hope for all things and that all things are possible with Jesus Christ. Our flesh gets in the way and we forget that if Christ wanted to move the mountain, He would. It's been so since the beginning of time. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are here today to remind us that life is going to happen and sometimes it will be chaotic but in the end there is a place where the waters are still and the glory of God reigns. Be well today my sisters and I hope if you have something to purge today, You do it! Tomorrow will come but why wait when you have today.
Mark 9:23 NKJV:
Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Matthew 19:26 NKJV:
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
P.S. I haven't had a lot of time to fix my grammatical errors. So excuse me if there are some.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, how worthy You are! I love the quiet when I can spend time with You. You reassure me that my future is bright and that life goes on even in our sorrow. You give us strength for tomorrow and when the time comes, You help us purge our minds and hearts. We come before You today asking You to give us the strength and courage to look inside ourselves and get rid of the darkness that lurks within. Please increase Your light into us so that we can shine it on the world. We are human and often fall but then You walk beside us, pick us up and give us a new day. Each day has it's own unique quality and we must all learn to live for today because tomorrow may not come. We come before You seekers of the truth, women that know they need a Savior. Go before us and protect us as we fight along side You. Help us believe when there is nothing to believe in, correct our thoughts and plant our feet on the right path. All things are possible through You, because of what You did on that cross. I pray for those that just have a mustard seed of faith right now, help them to believe that You can and will move mountains. It might not be today but someday You will swoop in and relief will be at their door. Thank You for all the wonderful people You put in my path, for giving me people to love in my sorrow and for reminding me that You are with me. Help me to not take today for granted but to do everything in my power to fulfill Your calling on my life. Please take care of Your people as we unite to see the glory of the Lamb. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Well I've had my pot of coffee, cleaned my carpet downstairs, dusted, vacuumed and spent over four hours cleaning out my closet. Wow! I can't imagine life getting any better unless I had a cleaning lady, which I don't.
The boys went off to Kansas City this weekend and left me at my own vice. Just for the record it's normally not cleaning. Although I clean all the time, my house isn't showroom ready. But as I sit to write today, it looks like it could be. It's so nice to clean from top to bottom and to see the result of your hard work. There's something about purging stuff that's always made me feel great, I just don't do it often enough.
Have you ever noticed that your home reflects your mood? Some people can keep a great house all the time, I admire that. My mom was like that. I don't ever think I saw a dirty dish or a load of laundry not done. She was an incredible housekeeper and mother. I, on the other hand, work full-time and do the best I can with the time I have. Over the last year, I've barely maintained. I would look around and say to myself, "That closet really needs a good cleaning," but never did it get done. It stood as a symbol of how I was feeling, chaotic, confused and sad. To top it off all three of my families cremation boxes are placed there and are a symbol of my loss. Thank goodness I broke the mold yesterday and started veraciously cleaning and if I must say so myself, it looks beautiful.
I have torn the shroud of morning. I don't know if it was seeing my friend dying that did it or if I just decided to purge my mind and my house. I think it's a little bit of both. My closets were a reflection of my last year and I needed to choose to do something totally different or drown in the chaos. Life can be like that sometimes. You know, your going along, something happens and your normal routine stops. It's hard to pick it back up again and when you look around you just don't have the energy. I think our Christian life can sometimes fall into the same pattern. We are feeling more than we are walking and when the answers don't come, we mourn. If I've learned anything it's that God doesn't always answer my prayers. At least not like I want Him too. He does answer them but maybe it's not as miraculous as I want it to be.
As you know if you read this blog, I have had a few friends going through many battles this year. I have stood by them, prayed for them and petitioned God, not only with my words but with my actions. I left one person out though, me. As I spent four hours in that closet yesterday, I realized that I had let my feelings get in the way of walking. It's okay to do that for a time but as I was still, I saw the emotion and the chaos of the last year. No one could see it on the outside but if you looked in closets, drawers or any space I could cram something in, you would see it.
There's something about being still and alone with God. No one was home to say, "Can you make me something to eat?" No one came in and said, "I'm watching TV, do you have to vacuum now?" No one said anything but me. In my mind, I was purging the last years worth of sorrows. I stood in that closet and thanked God for the ability to clean it and to clean my heart. I'm like you, no better, no worse. I feel the same things, cry out and ask why and at the end of every day realize that without Christ I am nothing.
We have a choice. We can sit in our misery or we can find hope. We know that our hope must reside in our maker. What God would let His son die on a cross? A loving God. Why? Because it was never just about Jesus, it was about us and the table He would prepare for those He loves. We are lucky to be in His presence and I'm so glad He is always near. I don't feel Him every day but I know that when I pray He hears me. He wipes my tears, laughs with me and gives me strength to purge my mind and heart. What a wonderful God I serve!
I'm not preaching to a choir, I know you get what I'm saying. But when tested, we forget to hope for all things and that all things are possible with Jesus Christ. Our flesh gets in the way and we forget that if Christ wanted to move the mountain, He would. It's been so since the beginning of time. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are here today to remind us that life is going to happen and sometimes it will be chaotic but in the end there is a place where the waters are still and the glory of God reigns. Be well today my sisters and I hope if you have something to purge today, You do it! Tomorrow will come but why wait when you have today.
Mark 9:23 NKJV:
Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Matthew 19:26 NKJV:
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
P.S. I haven't had a lot of time to fix my grammatical errors. So excuse me if there are some.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, how worthy You are! I love the quiet when I can spend time with You. You reassure me that my future is bright and that life goes on even in our sorrow. You give us strength for tomorrow and when the time comes, You help us purge our minds and hearts. We come before You today asking You to give us the strength and courage to look inside ourselves and get rid of the darkness that lurks within. Please increase Your light into us so that we can shine it on the world. We are human and often fall but then You walk beside us, pick us up and give us a new day. Each day has it's own unique quality and we must all learn to live for today because tomorrow may not come. We come before You seekers of the truth, women that know they need a Savior. Go before us and protect us as we fight along side You. Help us believe when there is nothing to believe in, correct our thoughts and plant our feet on the right path. All things are possible through You, because of what You did on that cross. I pray for those that just have a mustard seed of faith right now, help them to believe that You can and will move mountains. It might not be today but someday You will swoop in and relief will be at their door. Thank You for all the wonderful people You put in my path, for giving me people to love in my sorrow and for reminding me that You are with me. Help me to not take today for granted but to do everything in my power to fulfill Your calling on my life. Please take care of Your people as we unite to see the glory of the Lamb. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Friday, October 19, 2012
October 19, 2012
Good morning all-
I am back after a windstorm hit Kansas and boy was it blowing. During several points of my journey yesterday the wind almost had its way with my car. Crazy? Luckily, I didn't see any of the trucks in the ditch but then again, they were traveling at a much slower rate, accounting for their loads and the speed and ferocity of the wind. And of course, my brain was thinking about that for over four hours.
It's really fun to drive alone. You contemplate all kinds of things. Kansas is an open territory. Basically, you can see for miles. There aren't a lot of trees and so often, I look at the sky. It gives me comfort when I look at the beauty all around me. That's when I see God best. He created it, its His design and even though I don't always understand what He's doing; I can look out my window and see Him.
Life has held many curveballs for this family of late and today I go to bury a friend. My husband asked me last night how a life could go from being happy to being desolate? My response, evil, shame and all sorts of things come in, we build walls up against God and poof, we are in the pit of despair. It can happen for someone that doesn't believe as easy as it can for us. If you question it, God will show you, I promise.
As I was contemplating today and how much my life has changed over the last year, my friend called, the one that is still losing her hair. After Saturday, I promised myself that I would look at life differently and that I would always look for a rainbow. I love that term because I think it's one of the most majestic things God created. She was thoroughly depressed, downtrodden, broken, in despair and I had no words. You would think a good friend could come up with something and then I thought of Jesus, what would He say. He would say, "I know its hard, this journey is not easy, I have walked where you walked and I carry you today." So, I told her that I would never leave her and that I loved her. I promised that I would believe where she didn't and that I hold onto the hope of restoration. She is looking at time; I am looking for Jesus. This trial has been long, maybe some of you can relate. She's afraid, miserable and losing her strength. I love that because God is just waiting to start His restoration. She may feel crushed but He is the deliverer. He's done it multiple times throughout History and His greatest miracle was the resurrection of Jesus. Take a moment to think about that.
I spent over an hour on the phone with her, listening and loving. Her phone finally went dead but before it did, I heard one of her little girls complaining. I asked her what was going on. See, I had just said that we needed to look for a rainbow from God, something that would tell her, He is near. Her reply, "She wants her sister to paint rainbows on her fingernails." I'm not lying. I burst out laughing and I even thanked Jesus. I don't think she was in the mood to see the humor in it but I was. God is always showing His hand, we just have to be willing to see it.
I continue to pray that God will restore her and that He will comfort her. She is weary but He is strong. If you have a moment today will you please pray for her too. I truly believe that we can move mountains together. If we will join together, we can change the world. Not by our own act but by Jesus! His will be done. I'm sure there are others going through things right now and they need some hope so I leave you with a few thoughts today. Walking in obedience leads to faith. Trusting that our Savior loved us so much leads to hope. And the two together lead us to Him. I know it's hard sometimes. I've struggled too. But in the end, we have to lift one another up, we must walk beside our brothers and sisters and raise them to Jesus. We aren't here just to do a few things; we're here to do great things, not for ourselves, but for Jesus. Have a great day and remember Jesus is a call away!
Isaiah 26:3 KJV:
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.
Job: 33: 24 KJV:
The he is gracious unto him, and saith, deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, You are my mighty warrior. I call upon You for the women that read this blog and for women everywhere. We are seeking and not finding. We are in the dark, lonely and hurting. We cry out but don't hear your voice. We read that You are near. We believe that You sacrificed Your life for us. But we struggle with obedience and faith. Walking is difficult without answers and yet, unless You provide them we have to keep walking. Hear us, O, Lord, crying out to You. We are asking You to move mountains, bring forth Your people and show Your power. We are crying out from every tongue confessing that Jesus is Lord. We believe that every living creature was created by You, not for us but for You. We thank You that we are one with You and that You chose us to walk this journey with You. Take the men and women that are in despair and shine Your light on their lives. Give them relief as they cry out to You. We need You Lord. For every person that can't get out of the pit today, I cry out for them. I come before You and so do my sisters. We ask that You would lead them to the foot of the cross, that they would have relief and that today, they would see Your hand. You are mighty and You can protect them from the evil that lurks. I'm asking for a hedge of protection and for Your warrior angels to surround them. I am asking that we would be convicted to pray for them and that through these prayers, You will deliver them. You have the power to crush this world and yet, You don't. We come before You today, humble and obedient. Guide us and nurture us all our days. Your presence is all we need. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I am back after a windstorm hit Kansas and boy was it blowing. During several points of my journey yesterday the wind almost had its way with my car. Crazy? Luckily, I didn't see any of the trucks in the ditch but then again, they were traveling at a much slower rate, accounting for their loads and the speed and ferocity of the wind. And of course, my brain was thinking about that for over four hours.
It's really fun to drive alone. You contemplate all kinds of things. Kansas is an open territory. Basically, you can see for miles. There aren't a lot of trees and so often, I look at the sky. It gives me comfort when I look at the beauty all around me. That's when I see God best. He created it, its His design and even though I don't always understand what He's doing; I can look out my window and see Him.
Life has held many curveballs for this family of late and today I go to bury a friend. My husband asked me last night how a life could go from being happy to being desolate? My response, evil, shame and all sorts of things come in, we build walls up against God and poof, we are in the pit of despair. It can happen for someone that doesn't believe as easy as it can for us. If you question it, God will show you, I promise.
As I was contemplating today and how much my life has changed over the last year, my friend called, the one that is still losing her hair. After Saturday, I promised myself that I would look at life differently and that I would always look for a rainbow. I love that term because I think it's one of the most majestic things God created. She was thoroughly depressed, downtrodden, broken, in despair and I had no words. You would think a good friend could come up with something and then I thought of Jesus, what would He say. He would say, "I know its hard, this journey is not easy, I have walked where you walked and I carry you today." So, I told her that I would never leave her and that I loved her. I promised that I would believe where she didn't and that I hold onto the hope of restoration. She is looking at time; I am looking for Jesus. This trial has been long, maybe some of you can relate. She's afraid, miserable and losing her strength. I love that because God is just waiting to start His restoration. She may feel crushed but He is the deliverer. He's done it multiple times throughout History and His greatest miracle was the resurrection of Jesus. Take a moment to think about that.
I spent over an hour on the phone with her, listening and loving. Her phone finally went dead but before it did, I heard one of her little girls complaining. I asked her what was going on. See, I had just said that we needed to look for a rainbow from God, something that would tell her, He is near. Her reply, "She wants her sister to paint rainbows on her fingernails." I'm not lying. I burst out laughing and I even thanked Jesus. I don't think she was in the mood to see the humor in it but I was. God is always showing His hand, we just have to be willing to see it.
I continue to pray that God will restore her and that He will comfort her. She is weary but He is strong. If you have a moment today will you please pray for her too. I truly believe that we can move mountains together. If we will join together, we can change the world. Not by our own act but by Jesus! His will be done. I'm sure there are others going through things right now and they need some hope so I leave you with a few thoughts today. Walking in obedience leads to faith. Trusting that our Savior loved us so much leads to hope. And the two together lead us to Him. I know it's hard sometimes. I've struggled too. But in the end, we have to lift one another up, we must walk beside our brothers and sisters and raise them to Jesus. We aren't here just to do a few things; we're here to do great things, not for ourselves, but for Jesus. Have a great day and remember Jesus is a call away!
Isaiah 26:3 KJV:
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.
Job: 33: 24 KJV:
The he is gracious unto him, and saith, deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, You are my mighty warrior. I call upon You for the women that read this blog and for women everywhere. We are seeking and not finding. We are in the dark, lonely and hurting. We cry out but don't hear your voice. We read that You are near. We believe that You sacrificed Your life for us. But we struggle with obedience and faith. Walking is difficult without answers and yet, unless You provide them we have to keep walking. Hear us, O, Lord, crying out to You. We are asking You to move mountains, bring forth Your people and show Your power. We are crying out from every tongue confessing that Jesus is Lord. We believe that every living creature was created by You, not for us but for You. We thank You that we are one with You and that You chose us to walk this journey with You. Take the men and women that are in despair and shine Your light on their lives. Give them relief as they cry out to You. We need You Lord. For every person that can't get out of the pit today, I cry out for them. I come before You and so do my sisters. We ask that You would lead them to the foot of the cross, that they would have relief and that today, they would see Your hand. You are mighty and You can protect them from the evil that lurks. I'm asking for a hedge of protection and for Your warrior angels to surround them. I am asking that we would be convicted to pray for them and that through these prayers, You will deliver them. You have the power to crush this world and yet, You don't. We come before You today, humble and obedient. Guide us and nurture us all our days. Your presence is all we need. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Thursday, October 18, 2012
October 18, 2012
Good morning all-
I have a challenge for you today. I have been praying about how to spread this blog further into the world and I thought that I would ask you for your help. It seems to me that the best people to spread the word would be the people that take the time to read my words. So today, if you would forward the link to your friends and family, I would truly appreciate it and if you have any words of wisdom that would be great too.
I believe that God will do a mighty work with the words that He has given me but some guidance would be appreciated. Have you ever uttered those words before? I sure have. I love good sound advice. For the most part I do take it. Every once in awhile, I'm stubborn and march to my own tune but if I think about it for awhile, I usually see the benefit in other's advice.
Throughout my life, I have tried to be self-sufficient, not needing to much help and then God showed me that I really don't have a clue of what I'm doing. By the way, that lesson came at a price too lengthy to discuss on this post. The point I'm trying to make is that I can't do anything alone and I really don't think like God. Humans are way to boxed minded to understand the power of our God's thoughts. Even if we contemplate what He's doing, we may never know the outcome.
I think that's why people get so frustrated when they start on their path with Jesus. If everything doesn't go just so, they question His ability to guide our lives. I think it happens to many people that choose to work for Him, like Pastors, Evangelists, and just ordinary people spreading the word. I know that I wonder what He's going to do with this blog and my answer came today, my thoughts are not His thoughts. I find comfort in that, don't you?
I, like you, am an ordinary person, who tries and fails. I have made mulitiple mistakes in my journey and continue too. I am tested, stretched and often find myself less than I was yesterday but always, I feel loved. Because if God is taking the time to stretch me then I must be worth something. In trials, I have heard my friends say, "Is God even there?" Of course He is but not in the way we want Him to be. Every time I hear this I think about the Serenity Prayer. My mom shared it with me when I was little. When you're small, you believe that God is big. As you get older, more cynical, you start picking apart the word, changing it to fit your own needs and then of course, the flesh bares down in a mighty way. I know you know what I'm talking about, everyone over 18 does.
God is near, even when we can't see Him. He blinded Paul only to open His eyes to the glory of who He is. Think about that today and pray that He would continue to reveal.
Isaiah 55
My prayer today:
O, Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to all of us. We know that our thoughts are not Your thoughts. Guide us and love us all of our days. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I have a challenge for you today. I have been praying about how to spread this blog further into the world and I thought that I would ask you for your help. It seems to me that the best people to spread the word would be the people that take the time to read my words. So today, if you would forward the link to your friends and family, I would truly appreciate it and if you have any words of wisdom that would be great too.
I believe that God will do a mighty work with the words that He has given me but some guidance would be appreciated. Have you ever uttered those words before? I sure have. I love good sound advice. For the most part I do take it. Every once in awhile, I'm stubborn and march to my own tune but if I think about it for awhile, I usually see the benefit in other's advice.
Throughout my life, I have tried to be self-sufficient, not needing to much help and then God showed me that I really don't have a clue of what I'm doing. By the way, that lesson came at a price too lengthy to discuss on this post. The point I'm trying to make is that I can't do anything alone and I really don't think like God. Humans are way to boxed minded to understand the power of our God's thoughts. Even if we contemplate what He's doing, we may never know the outcome.
I think that's why people get so frustrated when they start on their path with Jesus. If everything doesn't go just so, they question His ability to guide our lives. I think it happens to many people that choose to work for Him, like Pastors, Evangelists, and just ordinary people spreading the word. I know that I wonder what He's going to do with this blog and my answer came today, my thoughts are not His thoughts. I find comfort in that, don't you?
I, like you, am an ordinary person, who tries and fails. I have made mulitiple mistakes in my journey and continue too. I am tested, stretched and often find myself less than I was yesterday but always, I feel loved. Because if God is taking the time to stretch me then I must be worth something. In trials, I have heard my friends say, "Is God even there?" Of course He is but not in the way we want Him to be. Every time I hear this I think about the Serenity Prayer. My mom shared it with me when I was little. When you're small, you believe that God is big. As you get older, more cynical, you start picking apart the word, changing it to fit your own needs and then of course, the flesh bares down in a mighty way. I know you know what I'm talking about, everyone over 18 does.
God is near, even when we can't see Him. He blinded Paul only to open His eyes to the glory of who He is. Think about that today and pray that He would continue to reveal.
Isaiah 55
My prayer today:
O, Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to all of us. We know that our thoughts are not Your thoughts. Guide us and love us all of our days. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
October 16, 2012
Good morning all-
I'm writing from my hotel room so this post might be a little shorter than others. I woke up to the wind whistling and hitting my window. I thought it was hailing, instead it was just our lovely Kansas wind, whipping trees into my window. Oh, how I love this time of year. I'm sure it will be fun getting in and out of my car. Last time the wind was blowing this hard I hit my head on my trunk.
Yesterday, I wrote about God going before us. I really believe that. Even when we can't see Him, He is orchestrating behind the scenes. Can you imagine being everywhere for everyone? I can imagine it but boy would it be exhausting. As I thought about the words Christ provided yesterday I looked at patients walking into doctors offices, people at Walmart (its a big chain in the US) and just people I guess. They are everywhere, getting into their cars, walking across streets and it made me think of Jesus. He is everywhere too. He knows the guy getting into his car, more than likely He's written on His hand. Interesting right?
Watching the people made me wonder about their circumstances. I watched an older gentleman fill out papers for his wife and then hand them to her for her signature. Another man had a leg problem and the doctor had saved him from losing it. Another had a little girl that was crying because she was sick. I imagine that each one of these people have stories. My comfort lies in that Jesus knows their story. He is surrounding this evil world and He's calling His people to Him. Like you, I'm wondering where the world is going. Where is Jesus taking us? We know we live in the end times but what does that really mean for us and when will He come? The Bible is specific, no man will know the hour but we can be preparing for it.
As I was contemplating that, I had a lot of time on the road yesterday, I realized that we must be still in our journey. Easy to say, hard to follow. Even the disciples couldn't be still and they were intimate with Jesus. What did Jesus say to the sea when the wind picked up and almost capsized the boat? Do you remember? It's important that we memorize this Scripture. I sent it to my sister-in-law who is grieving for the mother she just lost. At the core of who we are, when life gets tough, we have to be still. Stillness is the only way we will hear our direction. I've practiced life two ways, one in shear panic, the other being still. And I can tell you from experience being still is far nicer than having a panic attack. Panic only leads to confusion and disallusion. We need to let God go before us, remain still and pray for our direction.
I leave you with the Scripture that has ministered to my heart many times. My boat has rocked often and so when I'm floundering I pray this Scripture. I know Jesus is near but do I trust Him enough to calm my storm? That's the question we must all ask ourselves. If we have faith, peace will be there but Jesus must stop the boat from rocking. Be safe today and wherever you live go outside and see the beauty God created for you and me!
Mark 4:39 NKJV:
Then He arose and rebuked he wind, and said to the sea, "Peace be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, thank you for the wind this morning. It reminds me of Your great presence. We all desire the ability to look at people and see their story and too love those that are unloveable so that we can be one with You. I'm not an expert on theology but I want to be an expert on You. I want to know You intimately and when the wind is whipping me around; I want to be still. There are people all over the world looking for a Savior, they are crying out to You at home, streets, cars and shopping malls. You know who they are, their Yours. Lead us to Your people, give us eyes to see them in their circumstances. Give us the wisdom to minister to them without judging them and be with us in the storm. Grant us the peace that is spoken in Scripture and help us be still in all circumstances. We are Your children and we come before You asking You to lead us to our future. Be with all of us today and reveal Your heart to us. We need You! I thank You for everytime I look at a person and see You. I know it's not me because my compassion is only so large. The compassion and feelings I have today come from You and I am grateful. Lead Your warriors to the people that need You most. We are like sheep, wandering, asking our Shepherd to guide us and if the wind picks up, please still our hearts. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I'm writing from my hotel room so this post might be a little shorter than others. I woke up to the wind whistling and hitting my window. I thought it was hailing, instead it was just our lovely Kansas wind, whipping trees into my window. Oh, how I love this time of year. I'm sure it will be fun getting in and out of my car. Last time the wind was blowing this hard I hit my head on my trunk.
Yesterday, I wrote about God going before us. I really believe that. Even when we can't see Him, He is orchestrating behind the scenes. Can you imagine being everywhere for everyone? I can imagine it but boy would it be exhausting. As I thought about the words Christ provided yesterday I looked at patients walking into doctors offices, people at Walmart (its a big chain in the US) and just people I guess. They are everywhere, getting into their cars, walking across streets and it made me think of Jesus. He is everywhere too. He knows the guy getting into his car, more than likely He's written on His hand. Interesting right?
Watching the people made me wonder about their circumstances. I watched an older gentleman fill out papers for his wife and then hand them to her for her signature. Another man had a leg problem and the doctor had saved him from losing it. Another had a little girl that was crying because she was sick. I imagine that each one of these people have stories. My comfort lies in that Jesus knows their story. He is surrounding this evil world and He's calling His people to Him. Like you, I'm wondering where the world is going. Where is Jesus taking us? We know we live in the end times but what does that really mean for us and when will He come? The Bible is specific, no man will know the hour but we can be preparing for it.
As I was contemplating that, I had a lot of time on the road yesterday, I realized that we must be still in our journey. Easy to say, hard to follow. Even the disciples couldn't be still and they were intimate with Jesus. What did Jesus say to the sea when the wind picked up and almost capsized the boat? Do you remember? It's important that we memorize this Scripture. I sent it to my sister-in-law who is grieving for the mother she just lost. At the core of who we are, when life gets tough, we have to be still. Stillness is the only way we will hear our direction. I've practiced life two ways, one in shear panic, the other being still. And I can tell you from experience being still is far nicer than having a panic attack. Panic only leads to confusion and disallusion. We need to let God go before us, remain still and pray for our direction.
I leave you with the Scripture that has ministered to my heart many times. My boat has rocked often and so when I'm floundering I pray this Scripture. I know Jesus is near but do I trust Him enough to calm my storm? That's the question we must all ask ourselves. If we have faith, peace will be there but Jesus must stop the boat from rocking. Be safe today and wherever you live go outside and see the beauty God created for you and me!
Mark 4:39 NKJV:
Then He arose and rebuked he wind, and said to the sea, "Peace be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, thank you for the wind this morning. It reminds me of Your great presence. We all desire the ability to look at people and see their story and too love those that are unloveable so that we can be one with You. I'm not an expert on theology but I want to be an expert on You. I want to know You intimately and when the wind is whipping me around; I want to be still. There are people all over the world looking for a Savior, they are crying out to You at home, streets, cars and shopping malls. You know who they are, their Yours. Lead us to Your people, give us eyes to see them in their circumstances. Give us the wisdom to minister to them without judging them and be with us in the storm. Grant us the peace that is spoken in Scripture and help us be still in all circumstances. We are Your children and we come before You asking You to lead us to our future. Be with all of us today and reveal Your heart to us. We need You! I thank You for everytime I look at a person and see You. I know it's not me because my compassion is only so large. The compassion and feelings I have today come from You and I am grateful. Lead Your warriors to the people that need You most. We are like sheep, wandering, asking our Shepherd to guide us and if the wind picks up, please still our hearts. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
October 15, 2012
Good morning all-
I hope you woke up to a beautiful morning and are ready to spend some time with the Lord. With every day comes a new dawn and with that dawn comes hope. I can remember days that I didn't believe that, when I woke and thought there should be no tomorrow. But then, God revealed Himself to me. He promised me a bright future full of Him. He told me that He would walk beside me and that He would never leave me. He taught me that faith comes from walking one step at a time and that when I'm obedient, I'm blessed. What a wonderful God I serve!
I'm off to work again today asking God to go before me. Do you ever do that? I stole it from my friend who has suffered from losing her hair. She would say before every doctors visit, "go before me" and although she didn't always get the answers she wanted, Christ did go before her. There's something about letting go and letting God lead that I so desire. I'm always making decisions, praying for direction and then implementing that direction. Often, I do it right and then other times I completely go the wrong direction. This year has taught me many things but the biggest lesson is in letting go and seeing what God is going to do.
For once, I know that I have no control. I know that I don't deserve to be in God's presence and yet, He lets me in. I have found that writing and praying has brought me closer to the Lord. Maybe that's why I have finally given up a lot of what I believed I had control of. I know assuredly now that I have no control. My marriage, my children, my job all depend on God going before me. I can't see the future but I do know that God can. So for today, I take life one step at a time. I put one foot in front of the other and I ask Christ to go before me. I love to control so this is a very hard thing for me to do. But there is freedom in walking and having God lead me on my path. If you haven't tried it, I suggest you do. Often, I have found that His path is the right path and the path I would have chosen was definitely off course.
My pastor has been on the series of spiritual warfare and yesterday he had a woman talk about her past, none of which she could control. It was full of abuse both physically and mentally. A relative had raped her and her parents didn't believe. She didn't know anything different until she left home and moved. During her first years away, God was steering her toward forgiveness. She spoke of how long the journey was and that it began with one step at a time. Over time, she learned to forgive her parents, her abuser and her situation. Christ pierced her heart. He gave her a husband that stuck by her and loved her over many tumultuous years. She said, "she is not alone." Many are like her and that God can save. I listened intently as I found myself thinking about it. Her path to healing was long but there was victory. Every step of the way she had to say, "Christ go before me." She didn't even know how to take a step without Him by her side.
We must come to a place where we realize that Christ died for us. He took our sins and those of the people around us on His back. He wore them on His hands and feet. He died so that we would have life. Our path is set, will we follow is the question. As each one is called, will we sit still or ask Christ to go before us? For me, I continue to take one step at a time. I don't always do it right but I know that as long as I'm walking, He will lead. Be well my sisters and ask Christ to go before you today, who knows what blessing you will receive.
Isaiah 53: 6 NKJV:
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:10 NKJV:
Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Lord. He was told that we were all like sheep gone astray. No man or woman is perfect, we are flawed with the taint of sin. But as God reveals Himself to us, we will see His hand. I profess that I am far from perfect, I am flawed but I love our Lord. My heart has been captured and bought for a price. It is by His blood I am healed. May the Lord guide you and show you today the gift He gave you.
My prayer today,
O, Lord, we are Your sheep wandering all over the world. You are calling us from every nation and every tongue to confess that Jesus is Lord. Please grant us Your peace and show us Your ways. So often, we are a disappointment. Thank goodness we can't earn our way to You. Works will not get us in front of You, only You can choose us and then we must follow. I thank You for loving me through my good days and my bad. I thank you for granting the hurting people the ability to walk beside YOU. Thank you for making people like Joy brave enough to tell their story and to reveal in words what You did for her life. Like her, I have a story. So does every women reading this blog. It's their story with You. Please help us put our stories together for the glory of You! We desire to be in Your presence and to help those that are hurting. You took our transgressions so that we could be Yours. I am weak but You are strong. I need You more than You will ever need me and yet, You chose me anyway. I come before You, a humble servant asking for You to grant me the ability to speak to Your people. Help each woman reading this blog to be strong followers in You. They won't be able to do it in their strength, so give them Yours. Your power and might are worthy to be praised. Lead women to us Lord and make us bold, give us peace and help us be Your hands and feet. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I hope you woke up to a beautiful morning and are ready to spend some time with the Lord. With every day comes a new dawn and with that dawn comes hope. I can remember days that I didn't believe that, when I woke and thought there should be no tomorrow. But then, God revealed Himself to me. He promised me a bright future full of Him. He told me that He would walk beside me and that He would never leave me. He taught me that faith comes from walking one step at a time and that when I'm obedient, I'm blessed. What a wonderful God I serve!
I'm off to work again today asking God to go before me. Do you ever do that? I stole it from my friend who has suffered from losing her hair. She would say before every doctors visit, "go before me" and although she didn't always get the answers she wanted, Christ did go before her. There's something about letting go and letting God lead that I so desire. I'm always making decisions, praying for direction and then implementing that direction. Often, I do it right and then other times I completely go the wrong direction. This year has taught me many things but the biggest lesson is in letting go and seeing what God is going to do.
For once, I know that I have no control. I know that I don't deserve to be in God's presence and yet, He lets me in. I have found that writing and praying has brought me closer to the Lord. Maybe that's why I have finally given up a lot of what I believed I had control of. I know assuredly now that I have no control. My marriage, my children, my job all depend on God going before me. I can't see the future but I do know that God can. So for today, I take life one step at a time. I put one foot in front of the other and I ask Christ to go before me. I love to control so this is a very hard thing for me to do. But there is freedom in walking and having God lead me on my path. If you haven't tried it, I suggest you do. Often, I have found that His path is the right path and the path I would have chosen was definitely off course.
My pastor has been on the series of spiritual warfare and yesterday he had a woman talk about her past, none of which she could control. It was full of abuse both physically and mentally. A relative had raped her and her parents didn't believe. She didn't know anything different until she left home and moved. During her first years away, God was steering her toward forgiveness. She spoke of how long the journey was and that it began with one step at a time. Over time, she learned to forgive her parents, her abuser and her situation. Christ pierced her heart. He gave her a husband that stuck by her and loved her over many tumultuous years. She said, "she is not alone." Many are like her and that God can save. I listened intently as I found myself thinking about it. Her path to healing was long but there was victory. Every step of the way she had to say, "Christ go before me." She didn't even know how to take a step without Him by her side.
We must come to a place where we realize that Christ died for us. He took our sins and those of the people around us on His back. He wore them on His hands and feet. He died so that we would have life. Our path is set, will we follow is the question. As each one is called, will we sit still or ask Christ to go before us? For me, I continue to take one step at a time. I don't always do it right but I know that as long as I'm walking, He will lead. Be well my sisters and ask Christ to go before you today, who knows what blessing you will receive.
Isaiah 53: 6 NKJV:
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:10 NKJV:
Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Lord. He was told that we were all like sheep gone astray. No man or woman is perfect, we are flawed with the taint of sin. But as God reveals Himself to us, we will see His hand. I profess that I am far from perfect, I am flawed but I love our Lord. My heart has been captured and bought for a price. It is by His blood I am healed. May the Lord guide you and show you today the gift He gave you.
My prayer today,
O, Lord, we are Your sheep wandering all over the world. You are calling us from every nation and every tongue to confess that Jesus is Lord. Please grant us Your peace and show us Your ways. So often, we are a disappointment. Thank goodness we can't earn our way to You. Works will not get us in front of You, only You can choose us and then we must follow. I thank You for loving me through my good days and my bad. I thank you for granting the hurting people the ability to walk beside YOU. Thank you for making people like Joy brave enough to tell their story and to reveal in words what You did for her life. Like her, I have a story. So does every women reading this blog. It's their story with You. Please help us put our stories together for the glory of You! We desire to be in Your presence and to help those that are hurting. You took our transgressions so that we could be Yours. I am weak but You are strong. I need You more than You will ever need me and yet, You chose me anyway. I come before You, a humble servant asking for You to grant me the ability to speak to Your people. Help each woman reading this blog to be strong followers in You. They won't be able to do it in their strength, so give them Yours. Your power and might are worthy to be praised. Lead women to us Lord and make us bold, give us peace and help us be Your hands and feet. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, October 14, 2012
October 14, 2012
Good morning all-
Death has no victory over those that are saved! I start with that this morning because I watched a young woman die yesterday. I saw the hand of God on her family and praised Him. I watched as her daughters stood by her side, hand in hand and loved their mother. I prayed and praised Jesus the whole time, thanking Him for giving us eternal life.
I can't say that I loved what I saw, as a matter of fact, it made my heart hurt more than I can say. I watched a woman with her whole life ahead of her take some of her last breaths and it hurt. I hurt for her, her family, and her children. My job is not done. I must stick by these girls, love them and show them that Christ is real. I must pray for them and stand by their side, through the good and bad times. And I must remind myself that death has no hold as long as Jesus resides in us.
I've learned a lot through my loss and I guess my takeaway is that as long as we have Jesus, we have victory. Death can only be loss if we don't know Jesus, for by His grace we are saved. Last night, my husband asked me to come home. It was the last thing I wanted to do but I did. I didn't want to leave their side, I didn't want them to feel the loneliness that I felt getting into my car. I wanted to surround them. But each of us will deal with our grief differently and people must have the time to do so.
Although I feel grief, I feel assured that their mother is on the streets of gold. I wonder about heaven a lot. I think about it and how wonderful it must be. Many think they can work their way to Heaven but we can't. Jesus's life was taken so that we could reside on those streets. I really don't care about the mansions and the beauty; I want to be in the presence of Jesus. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed about Heaven, what it looked like, who I would see, and was it a wonderful place. Reading about it in the Bible and thinking about being at God's table has broadened my desire to see it one day.
Often I have feared death. I hate to watch the grief, see the hurt, and recognize the loss. And yet, all of us will face it one day. Today, I concentrate on the mightiness of Christ. Of hearing the call and stepping toward it. I concentrate on a young woman who knew her mother needed God. I bow down to a God that chooses to save the lost and damaged. With every breath, I knew Jesus was closer. Do you know how comforting that is? Jesus was near, He was in that room.
The journey is not over for those that my friend has left behind. She is where there is no pain and only the beauty of Jesus. Her family is left with the pain of loss. But I know that God can help that too. I have experienced His mighty grace and know that He is the essence of who I am. I am an example of a changed life. My loss and grief have helped me have more faith, love more people and it has given me a desire to pray for the lost.
So today, my prayer will be that God will show His face to the entire family. That those that don't know Him will come to Him. That during the next days and weeks, He will give them strength and that all will see His grace. For one there is peace. Now, I must pray that those that don't know Him will see Him!
I'm praying for you today too. I want us all to know that death only takes the body. Christ can and will have victory! I hope that these last days have not brought you down but that they have lifted you up. That the Holy Spirit has revealed to you the power of the cross and that as you contemplate your days, you will put Jesus first. He is our victor and we are His chosen. None of us deserve to be on the streets of gold and yet, He died so that we can be!
Revelation 21:21 NKJV:
The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Luke 22: 29-30 NKJV:
"And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
We never deserved to be chosen. We definitely have done nothing worthy of being in His presence and yet, we will sit at His table. We will eat and drink with our Lord. We will be on the streets of gold and we did nothing to get there. Our Lord sacrificed His life so we could be in Heaven. If you don't know Jesus and you are reading this post please ask Christ into your life, He is calling!
Until tomorrow...
Death has no victory over those that are saved! I start with that this morning because I watched a young woman die yesterday. I saw the hand of God on her family and praised Him. I watched as her daughters stood by her side, hand in hand and loved their mother. I prayed and praised Jesus the whole time, thanking Him for giving us eternal life.
I can't say that I loved what I saw, as a matter of fact, it made my heart hurt more than I can say. I watched a woman with her whole life ahead of her take some of her last breaths and it hurt. I hurt for her, her family, and her children. My job is not done. I must stick by these girls, love them and show them that Christ is real. I must pray for them and stand by their side, through the good and bad times. And I must remind myself that death has no hold as long as Jesus resides in us.
I've learned a lot through my loss and I guess my takeaway is that as long as we have Jesus, we have victory. Death can only be loss if we don't know Jesus, for by His grace we are saved. Last night, my husband asked me to come home. It was the last thing I wanted to do but I did. I didn't want to leave their side, I didn't want them to feel the loneliness that I felt getting into my car. I wanted to surround them. But each of us will deal with our grief differently and people must have the time to do so.
Although I feel grief, I feel assured that their mother is on the streets of gold. I wonder about heaven a lot. I think about it and how wonderful it must be. Many think they can work their way to Heaven but we can't. Jesus's life was taken so that we could reside on those streets. I really don't care about the mansions and the beauty; I want to be in the presence of Jesus. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed about Heaven, what it looked like, who I would see, and was it a wonderful place. Reading about it in the Bible and thinking about being at God's table has broadened my desire to see it one day.
Often I have feared death. I hate to watch the grief, see the hurt, and recognize the loss. And yet, all of us will face it one day. Today, I concentrate on the mightiness of Christ. Of hearing the call and stepping toward it. I concentrate on a young woman who knew her mother needed God. I bow down to a God that chooses to save the lost and damaged. With every breath, I knew Jesus was closer. Do you know how comforting that is? Jesus was near, He was in that room.
The journey is not over for those that my friend has left behind. She is where there is no pain and only the beauty of Jesus. Her family is left with the pain of loss. But I know that God can help that too. I have experienced His mighty grace and know that He is the essence of who I am. I am an example of a changed life. My loss and grief have helped me have more faith, love more people and it has given me a desire to pray for the lost.
So today, my prayer will be that God will show His face to the entire family. That those that don't know Him will come to Him. That during the next days and weeks, He will give them strength and that all will see His grace. For one there is peace. Now, I must pray that those that don't know Him will see Him!
I'm praying for you today too. I want us all to know that death only takes the body. Christ can and will have victory! I hope that these last days have not brought you down but that they have lifted you up. That the Holy Spirit has revealed to you the power of the cross and that as you contemplate your days, you will put Jesus first. He is our victor and we are His chosen. None of us deserve to be on the streets of gold and yet, He died so that we can be!
Revelation 21:21 NKJV:
The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Luke 22: 29-30 NKJV:
"And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
We never deserved to be chosen. We definitely have done nothing worthy of being in His presence and yet, we will sit at His table. We will eat and drink with our Lord. We will be on the streets of gold and we did nothing to get there. Our Lord sacrificed His life so we could be in Heaven. If you don't know Jesus and you are reading this post please ask Christ into your life, He is calling!
Until tomorrow...
Saturday, October 13, 2012
October 13, 2012
Good morning all-
Today my heart grows heavy for two young woman. They are facing one of the greatest challenges in a woman's life. Today, they will lose their mother. I wasn't sure I would even be able to sleep last night because my heart was heavy and my mind was thinking back to the day I touched my mom's lifeless body. It will be three years this December. I thought my life would end that day. She had been my mother and my friend. She had taken care of my boys and supported me when I most needed it. She was a great mother and I was truly blessed. Not all of us get that in this life. I realize that as I talk to people but for me, she was my hero.
If I look back almost twenty years I can see my sister-in-law's mother playing with them in the pool, taking them for walks, reading to them and loving them. Fast forward and even they weren't enough to keep her on this earth. So today, I will walk up to the ICU once again and say good-bye to someone that is vitally important to this family. We haven't been friends for years, which I am kicking myself for now, but hopefully as she heard me speak about Jesus, she accepted.
This day, this event, reminds me that there are people suffering all over the world with depression and thoughts of suicide. This will be the third for my husband's family. My prayer today is that God will reveal those lost souls that need Him and that we will hear the call. Nothing can be done to change a mind if it believes suicide is the only way but Jesus. The pit of despair is real. I have watched successful Christians fall into the pit and it takes many months of prayer and support to see them through. My husband suffers from it and it steals hope and joy. I wish for a world without pain but then; that won't happen until Jesus returns, so for now, please respond to the call and ask God to bring those souls forward.
I'm hoping there is victory today. I hope that when I asked her to close her eyes and pray with me, she did and in that moment she found Jesus. I'm hoping that today she will die peacefully and be on the streets of gold. I'm praying for her to know the hand of God. And in the same breath, I'm crying out to Jesus and asking that He protect her girls. The girls she once loved, nurtured and mothered. I'm praying that through this tragedy Jesus will win more souls and that the suicidal pattern in this family will come to an end. I'm praying for a hedge of protection on souls I don't even know and I'm asking God to continue to call His people to His side.
I'm not mighty and I don't have any power but I do have Jesus. I am confident in His call and will continue to pray for His peace on this earth as long as I live. I'm praying that each generation that hears His call will be bold and not apathetic. That we will pray for the lost and that we will minister to the weak. I'm praying that even in this moment, His victory is seen.
I feel helpless right now. There are no words of comfort. I can't take the guilt or the anger away for these girls. I am not their mother but I am their sister and I won't leave their side. Please pray that I will have the strength to minister to these girls, to be faithful all my days and to help them through the grief that will surely come. This wasn't an accident or a health issue; this was the making of evil. It took a life far before it should have but in my heart I know Christ has control and my hope is that it will be revealed to both girls.
If you have suffered a loss because of suicide, I am deeply sorry. I know the feelings that come and the shame of not saving a life. I know the helplessness and the anger that comes from not realizing that someone was hurting that bad but in the end, I always go back to Jesus.
If you are contemplating suicide or are deeply depressed, please get help. You're not alone. I know you think you are but you're not. People care about you. Jesus cares about you. You have great purpose if you will just confess your thoughts and feelings. Help is near, there are centers, and medical people that can help but you have to ask. There is victory in Jesus but you must meet Him and know Him and He will deliver you!
Psalm 25:20 NKJV:
Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Isaiah 43:13 NKJV:
Indeed before the day was, I am He; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?
My prayer today:
You, O, Lord are the only God. Your work is mighty. You come before us and save us from our own iniquity. You lie in wait and call Your people. You sit by still waters and calm our fears. You fight for us in a realm we don't understand. You minister to our souls. Our souls belong to You. We are Your people. Deliver those that are hurting today for they need a Savior. There is none but You! I know in every battle someone is the victor and I pray today the trumpets will sound and another of Your soldiers will come home. I pray for all of us, in every nation, to cry out to You for the lost and in despair. Millions are waiting to be called and only a few voices are speaking and proclaiming the hope that lies in You. I am weak but You are strong. Lead us and guide us by Your side. Help us to see with Your eyes and to love with Your heart. We are flesh and often fail the call but today, I'm asking that we would hear You and protect the sheep You love. Today, I'm praying that one hurt soul cries out to You and says, "Take me home." I'm praying for families that are suffering from grief that You will heal their hearts. I know that in time You will wipe their tears. I will never understand how anyone gets through this world without You, so I come before You asking for a revival. Bring men, women and children unto You and deliver us from this evil world. Make Yourself known in every tongue and continue to grow us as we seek Your face. You are mighty and we are weak. We need You in every aspect of our human lives. We give them freely to You today. Please protect the weak, the young, the hurting, the desperate, the lost, they need YOU! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Today my heart grows heavy for two young woman. They are facing one of the greatest challenges in a woman's life. Today, they will lose their mother. I wasn't sure I would even be able to sleep last night because my heart was heavy and my mind was thinking back to the day I touched my mom's lifeless body. It will be three years this December. I thought my life would end that day. She had been my mother and my friend. She had taken care of my boys and supported me when I most needed it. She was a great mother and I was truly blessed. Not all of us get that in this life. I realize that as I talk to people but for me, she was my hero.
If I look back almost twenty years I can see my sister-in-law's mother playing with them in the pool, taking them for walks, reading to them and loving them. Fast forward and even they weren't enough to keep her on this earth. So today, I will walk up to the ICU once again and say good-bye to someone that is vitally important to this family. We haven't been friends for years, which I am kicking myself for now, but hopefully as she heard me speak about Jesus, she accepted.
This day, this event, reminds me that there are people suffering all over the world with depression and thoughts of suicide. This will be the third for my husband's family. My prayer today is that God will reveal those lost souls that need Him and that we will hear the call. Nothing can be done to change a mind if it believes suicide is the only way but Jesus. The pit of despair is real. I have watched successful Christians fall into the pit and it takes many months of prayer and support to see them through. My husband suffers from it and it steals hope and joy. I wish for a world without pain but then; that won't happen until Jesus returns, so for now, please respond to the call and ask God to bring those souls forward.
I'm hoping there is victory today. I hope that when I asked her to close her eyes and pray with me, she did and in that moment she found Jesus. I'm hoping that today she will die peacefully and be on the streets of gold. I'm praying for her to know the hand of God. And in the same breath, I'm crying out to Jesus and asking that He protect her girls. The girls she once loved, nurtured and mothered. I'm praying that through this tragedy Jesus will win more souls and that the suicidal pattern in this family will come to an end. I'm praying for a hedge of protection on souls I don't even know and I'm asking God to continue to call His people to His side.
I'm not mighty and I don't have any power but I do have Jesus. I am confident in His call and will continue to pray for His peace on this earth as long as I live. I'm praying that each generation that hears His call will be bold and not apathetic. That we will pray for the lost and that we will minister to the weak. I'm praying that even in this moment, His victory is seen.
I feel helpless right now. There are no words of comfort. I can't take the guilt or the anger away for these girls. I am not their mother but I am their sister and I won't leave their side. Please pray that I will have the strength to minister to these girls, to be faithful all my days and to help them through the grief that will surely come. This wasn't an accident or a health issue; this was the making of evil. It took a life far before it should have but in my heart I know Christ has control and my hope is that it will be revealed to both girls.
If you have suffered a loss because of suicide, I am deeply sorry. I know the feelings that come and the shame of not saving a life. I know the helplessness and the anger that comes from not realizing that someone was hurting that bad but in the end, I always go back to Jesus.
If you are contemplating suicide or are deeply depressed, please get help. You're not alone. I know you think you are but you're not. People care about you. Jesus cares about you. You have great purpose if you will just confess your thoughts and feelings. Help is near, there are centers, and medical people that can help but you have to ask. There is victory in Jesus but you must meet Him and know Him and He will deliver you!
Psalm 25:20 NKJV:
Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Isaiah 43:13 NKJV:
Indeed before the day was, I am He; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?
My prayer today:
You, O, Lord are the only God. Your work is mighty. You come before us and save us from our own iniquity. You lie in wait and call Your people. You sit by still waters and calm our fears. You fight for us in a realm we don't understand. You minister to our souls. Our souls belong to You. We are Your people. Deliver those that are hurting today for they need a Savior. There is none but You! I know in every battle someone is the victor and I pray today the trumpets will sound and another of Your soldiers will come home. I pray for all of us, in every nation, to cry out to You for the lost and in despair. Millions are waiting to be called and only a few voices are speaking and proclaiming the hope that lies in You. I am weak but You are strong. Lead us and guide us by Your side. Help us to see with Your eyes and to love with Your heart. We are flesh and often fail the call but today, I'm asking that we would hear You and protect the sheep You love. Today, I'm praying that one hurt soul cries out to You and says, "Take me home." I'm praying for families that are suffering from grief that You will heal their hearts. I know that in time You will wipe their tears. I will never understand how anyone gets through this world without You, so I come before You asking for a revival. Bring men, women and children unto You and deliver us from this evil world. Make Yourself known in every tongue and continue to grow us as we seek Your face. You are mighty and we are weak. We need You in every aspect of our human lives. We give them freely to You today. Please protect the weak, the young, the hurting, the desperate, the lost, they need YOU! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Friday, October 12, 2012
October 12, 2012
Good morning all-
I just want to shout, "I love you Jesus!" Why? Because I know where my hope comes from. I serve and love a God that loves every living soul. He calls to His people and as they seek Him, He reveals Himself. I serve a God that is not only loving but is patient. He waits on me to see my sinful nature so that He can heal me. I serve a God that is mightier than a bomb, or a bullet or an earthquake. I serve a God that doesn't live in the shadow of evil but continues to be victorious in the face of evil.
What a God I serve! That's what He did for me and for all of us when He sent His only Son to earth. He gave us victory through Jesus Christ. We can be paralyzed and unable to speak but He can speak to us. We can be falling into despair and His Son can help us out. And as we believe in ourselves He gently shows us the only one to believe in is Him. Oh what a God I serve! I cry out to Him and He hears me. I speak His name and feel His presence. I obey and I am blessed! What more could I ask for? I'm sure I could think of some material things or the chance to stay home with my boys but in the end, the only thing I want is His presence in my life, calling me and guiding me.
I couldn't have made it over the years without His grace and patience. I don't learn easily, it takes many turns hitting my head against a wall but eventually I get it and now I have it. The answer to life is not what we are given but what we received when Jesus came into our lives. No life on earth will ever be perfect but if we spend time with Jesus we will be blessed.
I think many Christians believe if God loves them they will get everything they desire. I think that's part of the worlds deception. We already have received the greatest gift, far greater than gold, when Jesus gave His life and called us to His feet. We received a crown we just can't earn. We didn't deserve that kind of sacrifice and yet, He gave it. It makes me think about the woman at the well and how He talked to Her and told Her He loved her without speaking the words. His presence there was no coincidence. I know because the day He came into my life He gave me more joy than I can speak of with words. He penetrated my heart and over the years that love has grown to be less fickle and more full of faith. I still wonder from time to time and I worry about stepping out of the box and doing something wrong but my God will convict me and I will repent because He is my Father and He loves me.
That's the love He brings to all of us. He wants us to know and proclaim His name. And yet, many of us sit quietly and are afraid to be bold about our King. I know because I was one of those people. But when I look back, I can see the many times I should have said something that I didn't because I counted on someone else saying it. Today, I'm called to proclaim the name of Jesus and I do so humbly because I don't deserve to wash the feet of Jesus and yet, He has called me to His side. I am honored to be part of His body and to serve Him and to write about Him.
I pray that whatever you are struggling with you will put before the throne of Jesus. Women struggle with so many issues and as we have changed our roles the family has changed and the stress grows greater. We must sit before our Lord and ask Him to reveal Himself to us so that we can minister to His people. We may never be great leaders but we can always lead in one; we can love the people Jesus loves. I am forever grateful for the day Jesus and I met and I said, "YES!"
My prayer today is that others will say the same words. That as women walk this earth they will find purpose through Jesus. I want all of us to be bold like Mary, Jesus's mother. She might have seemed weak but in essence she was strong. God knew that when He chose her to bare His only Son. When she was chosen that day a new covenant was born. The promise of grace and of eternal life. What more is there?
Psalm 33:22 NKJV:
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.
Psalm 130:5 NKJV:
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
Jeremiah 17:7 NKJV:
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, as I go into this day the unknown stands before me. I have no idea what today will hold but I do know one thing and that is, You are my Father. You are patient and kind and when I call out to You, You reveal Yourself to me through Your word and the Holy Spirit. Our days are numbered here on earth and no one knows the time but You do and I am comforted by that. I pray that we would stand before You with boldness. I pray that in the face of adversity we would cry out to You. I pray that as we are called, we will follow. I pray for the lost that they would say, "YES!" And today, I pray for those that are hurting. I pray that You would bring to them someone that can hug and kiss them and say Jesus is near. Please spread Your love to the nations and bring up faithful servants that love and honor You. We don't deserve You but we are so glad You love us. Help all of us be obedient to Your word and keep the covenants we have vowed. Give us a heart for You and for the people You love. Take down the walls of race and nationality and make us one body, singing, "HOLY HOLY IS THE LAMB!" I praise You Jesus and thank You for saving a retch like me. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I just want to shout, "I love you Jesus!" Why? Because I know where my hope comes from. I serve and love a God that loves every living soul. He calls to His people and as they seek Him, He reveals Himself. I serve a God that is not only loving but is patient. He waits on me to see my sinful nature so that He can heal me. I serve a God that is mightier than a bomb, or a bullet or an earthquake. I serve a God that doesn't live in the shadow of evil but continues to be victorious in the face of evil.
What a God I serve! That's what He did for me and for all of us when He sent His only Son to earth. He gave us victory through Jesus Christ. We can be paralyzed and unable to speak but He can speak to us. We can be falling into despair and His Son can help us out. And as we believe in ourselves He gently shows us the only one to believe in is Him. Oh what a God I serve! I cry out to Him and He hears me. I speak His name and feel His presence. I obey and I am blessed! What more could I ask for? I'm sure I could think of some material things or the chance to stay home with my boys but in the end, the only thing I want is His presence in my life, calling me and guiding me.
I couldn't have made it over the years without His grace and patience. I don't learn easily, it takes many turns hitting my head against a wall but eventually I get it and now I have it. The answer to life is not what we are given but what we received when Jesus came into our lives. No life on earth will ever be perfect but if we spend time with Jesus we will be blessed.
I think many Christians believe if God loves them they will get everything they desire. I think that's part of the worlds deception. We already have received the greatest gift, far greater than gold, when Jesus gave His life and called us to His feet. We received a crown we just can't earn. We didn't deserve that kind of sacrifice and yet, He gave it. It makes me think about the woman at the well and how He talked to Her and told Her He loved her without speaking the words. His presence there was no coincidence. I know because the day He came into my life He gave me more joy than I can speak of with words. He penetrated my heart and over the years that love has grown to be less fickle and more full of faith. I still wonder from time to time and I worry about stepping out of the box and doing something wrong but my God will convict me and I will repent because He is my Father and He loves me.
That's the love He brings to all of us. He wants us to know and proclaim His name. And yet, many of us sit quietly and are afraid to be bold about our King. I know because I was one of those people. But when I look back, I can see the many times I should have said something that I didn't because I counted on someone else saying it. Today, I'm called to proclaim the name of Jesus and I do so humbly because I don't deserve to wash the feet of Jesus and yet, He has called me to His side. I am honored to be part of His body and to serve Him and to write about Him.
I pray that whatever you are struggling with you will put before the throne of Jesus. Women struggle with so many issues and as we have changed our roles the family has changed and the stress grows greater. We must sit before our Lord and ask Him to reveal Himself to us so that we can minister to His people. We may never be great leaders but we can always lead in one; we can love the people Jesus loves. I am forever grateful for the day Jesus and I met and I said, "YES!"
My prayer today is that others will say the same words. That as women walk this earth they will find purpose through Jesus. I want all of us to be bold like Mary, Jesus's mother. She might have seemed weak but in essence she was strong. God knew that when He chose her to bare His only Son. When she was chosen that day a new covenant was born. The promise of grace and of eternal life. What more is there?
Psalm 33:22 NKJV:
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.
Psalm 130:5 NKJV:
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
Jeremiah 17:7 NKJV:
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, as I go into this day the unknown stands before me. I have no idea what today will hold but I do know one thing and that is, You are my Father. You are patient and kind and when I call out to You, You reveal Yourself to me through Your word and the Holy Spirit. Our days are numbered here on earth and no one knows the time but You do and I am comforted by that. I pray that we would stand before You with boldness. I pray that in the face of adversity we would cry out to You. I pray that as we are called, we will follow. I pray for the lost that they would say, "YES!" And today, I pray for those that are hurting. I pray that You would bring to them someone that can hug and kiss them and say Jesus is near. Please spread Your love to the nations and bring up faithful servants that love and honor You. We don't deserve You but we are so glad You love us. Help all of us be obedient to Your word and keep the covenants we have vowed. Give us a heart for You and for the people You love. Take down the walls of race and nationality and make us one body, singing, "HOLY HOLY IS THE LAMB!" I praise You Jesus and thank You for saving a retch like me. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Thursday, October 11, 2012
October 11, 2012
Good morning all-
Well as life goes, tragedy strikes when you least expect it and when you're called, you go. Yesterday, I got a call from my husband's half sister. Her mother tried to kill herself a couple of weeks ago and more than likely she has succeeded. When she called I thought that maybe there was hope but then as I heard her small voice I realized she was hoping in only two things, me and Jesus.
On Saturday, I spent some time with her and I shared my testimony of what I said to my father the night he died. He couldn't speak and he couldn't open his eyes but he heard every word because I saw the tear. And then yesterday, I was called to have the same courage once again. To speak to someone who couldn't speak back and to tell her the story of God's grace. What's amazing about this story is that although she has been unresponsive, when she heard my voice, she opened her eyes.
I told her that I knew she could hear me because Jesus sent me with a message, the message of hope and of peace and of residing on the streets of gold. I told her that He washes shame and sin and that He loves us anyway and that if she would acknowledge Him, He would open His arms to her. As I spoke tears began to flow from her eyes and then I asked her to close her eyes and pray with me. And to my amazement she did! In the last hours of my dads life, I promised to take care of the grandchildren he loved and I promised to take care of his sons. Yesterday, I made a promise to take care of two girls in their 20's like I know she wished she could. And I will. My vows are solid just like this blog, I made a promise to talk about Jesus and I will, but more importantly, I promised Jesus I would be his hands and feet on earth and I'm blessed when He gives me the honor to serve Him.
Yesterday was not easy. As a matter of fact, it was extremely hard. I faced the room my father died in almost a year ago. I sat in the waiting room that I was in when I was told by my brother to come in. I walked down the hallway of a 50 year old woman, who I had watched raise her two young daughters and all I could do was praise Jesus! It takes His courage to do what I did yesterday. It takes courage to watch your parent suffer and it takes courage to face people that don't believe in Jesus and say, "He is real, He is near, and He will save you." I believe in miracles. This world often confuses me and I do ask, "Why?" But in the end, I know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light.
I think the most interesting thing about yesterday morning is that when I walked outside it was crisp and the sky was black and I happened to look up as I was placing my computer in my car and what did I see but the most beautiful sky. The stars were twinkling and the moon was a crescent and I said to God, "What a beautiful day you have made." Fast forward 9 hours and I'm in ICU remembering those words and reminding myself that God is God and His will, will be done. If you are reading this blog this morning please pray for these girls, one is saved and one is not. They will have challenges to face in the next weeks and months. Suicide is never easy to understand and it leaves the family with lots of guilt. I'm just glad that I had an opportunity to talk to their mom and I'm going to let Jesus do the rest.
If you woke up yesterday and everything in your world changed, I know how you feel. I've walked in those shoes many times and I know the answer. Go to Jesus! We will all face times in our life that we wished we didn't have to endure but like my friend said yesterday, "God is marinating us and our personal pain reminds us of who we need and why." With all my heart, I wish I could protect the world, wipe the tears and make everything go away. I don't have that power but someday Jesus will return and those tears will be wiped and the world will be His.
Please pray for the souls that are losing hope and that are contemplating suicide. This is the third for my husbands family. The torture of the mind and flesh can be all encompassing. I don't understand it but I know that when a person has no hope they want to die. What they don't realized is that this life was meant for God's purpose, not theirs. Be compassionate and witness to someone this week. Ask God to bring a life to you that you can share His might love with. I know I have more work to do. Please pray that I will have courage and embrace the gospel daily and always remember that Jesus is near!
Psalm 16:9 NKJV:
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, You are the only hope we need. You fulfilled Your vow by dying on a cross and yet, still people don't believe. They cry out but don't understand that You are near. I know that You are real, that You exist and that when I cry You hear my voice. Send Your workers to the hurting, give them compassion for those that can't see and remind us all that we were just like them, dying without a Savior, until one day You came and welcomed us in. I hate when bad things happen to good people but I know that it's part of this life. My prayer today is that my husband's unsaved sister will see Your hand and that she will begin to walk with her heart open to You and that what is a bad situation will have victory in the end. I pray for their mother that as they take her off of life support that her last breath be a cry to You, where her pain will stop and where Your glory resides. You are a God that saves, please save and deliver Your people today and thank You for Your sacrifice! I will never be able to thank You enough for the courage and strength You give me daily. Your grace has saved me and is saving people as I write these words. Bring the hurting to me Lord and let me be Your hands and feet. This life sometimes feels like a dark and lonely world but then I look up and see YOU! May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Well as life goes, tragedy strikes when you least expect it and when you're called, you go. Yesterday, I got a call from my husband's half sister. Her mother tried to kill herself a couple of weeks ago and more than likely she has succeeded. When she called I thought that maybe there was hope but then as I heard her small voice I realized she was hoping in only two things, me and Jesus.
On Saturday, I spent some time with her and I shared my testimony of what I said to my father the night he died. He couldn't speak and he couldn't open his eyes but he heard every word because I saw the tear. And then yesterday, I was called to have the same courage once again. To speak to someone who couldn't speak back and to tell her the story of God's grace. What's amazing about this story is that although she has been unresponsive, when she heard my voice, she opened her eyes.
I told her that I knew she could hear me because Jesus sent me with a message, the message of hope and of peace and of residing on the streets of gold. I told her that He washes shame and sin and that He loves us anyway and that if she would acknowledge Him, He would open His arms to her. As I spoke tears began to flow from her eyes and then I asked her to close her eyes and pray with me. And to my amazement she did! In the last hours of my dads life, I promised to take care of the grandchildren he loved and I promised to take care of his sons. Yesterday, I made a promise to take care of two girls in their 20's like I know she wished she could. And I will. My vows are solid just like this blog, I made a promise to talk about Jesus and I will, but more importantly, I promised Jesus I would be his hands and feet on earth and I'm blessed when He gives me the honor to serve Him.
Yesterday was not easy. As a matter of fact, it was extremely hard. I faced the room my father died in almost a year ago. I sat in the waiting room that I was in when I was told by my brother to come in. I walked down the hallway of a 50 year old woman, who I had watched raise her two young daughters and all I could do was praise Jesus! It takes His courage to do what I did yesterday. It takes courage to watch your parent suffer and it takes courage to face people that don't believe in Jesus and say, "He is real, He is near, and He will save you." I believe in miracles. This world often confuses me and I do ask, "Why?" But in the end, I know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light.
I think the most interesting thing about yesterday morning is that when I walked outside it was crisp and the sky was black and I happened to look up as I was placing my computer in my car and what did I see but the most beautiful sky. The stars were twinkling and the moon was a crescent and I said to God, "What a beautiful day you have made." Fast forward 9 hours and I'm in ICU remembering those words and reminding myself that God is God and His will, will be done. If you are reading this blog this morning please pray for these girls, one is saved and one is not. They will have challenges to face in the next weeks and months. Suicide is never easy to understand and it leaves the family with lots of guilt. I'm just glad that I had an opportunity to talk to their mom and I'm going to let Jesus do the rest.
If you woke up yesterday and everything in your world changed, I know how you feel. I've walked in those shoes many times and I know the answer. Go to Jesus! We will all face times in our life that we wished we didn't have to endure but like my friend said yesterday, "God is marinating us and our personal pain reminds us of who we need and why." With all my heart, I wish I could protect the world, wipe the tears and make everything go away. I don't have that power but someday Jesus will return and those tears will be wiped and the world will be His.
Please pray for the souls that are losing hope and that are contemplating suicide. This is the third for my husbands family. The torture of the mind and flesh can be all encompassing. I don't understand it but I know that when a person has no hope they want to die. What they don't realized is that this life was meant for God's purpose, not theirs. Be compassionate and witness to someone this week. Ask God to bring a life to you that you can share His might love with. I know I have more work to do. Please pray that I will have courage and embrace the gospel daily and always remember that Jesus is near!
Psalm 16:9 NKJV:
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, You are the only hope we need. You fulfilled Your vow by dying on a cross and yet, still people don't believe. They cry out but don't understand that You are near. I know that You are real, that You exist and that when I cry You hear my voice. Send Your workers to the hurting, give them compassion for those that can't see and remind us all that we were just like them, dying without a Savior, until one day You came and welcomed us in. I hate when bad things happen to good people but I know that it's part of this life. My prayer today is that my husband's unsaved sister will see Your hand and that she will begin to walk with her heart open to You and that what is a bad situation will have victory in the end. I pray for their mother that as they take her off of life support that her last breath be a cry to You, where her pain will stop and where Your glory resides. You are a God that saves, please save and deliver Your people today and thank You for Your sacrifice! I will never be able to thank You enough for the courage and strength You give me daily. Your grace has saved me and is saving people as I write these words. Bring the hurting to me Lord and let me be Your hands and feet. This life sometimes feels like a dark and lonely world but then I look up and see YOU! May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
October 9, 2012
Good morning all-
I was working with my boss yesterday when she said something fascinating that went along with my theme yesterday. She talked about how she loves the fall but she finds herself pushing the days until the weekend. I know that feeling. But then she said, "I don't want to rush the days because then I miss the joy in the moment." Those words are so true. We don't know what tomorrow will bring but if we look for the joy in today we will find it.
I think she said that because one of my teammates lost his mother yesterday morning. On Thursday, he was so excited to go watch his daughter in a state championship volleyball match and the next day he was flying to say good-bye. That's life and that's what people face everyday. Things change in a moment and we can't go back and regret but we can learn from it. We need to take each moment as it comes and try to find joy in it.
Yesterday, I found myself telling my friend who is still losing hair that. She has been ridiculed, judged, told she was wrong and that she needed to repent. I didn't know any of us were God, did you? If God wants her to repent, He will reveal it. The point I'm trying to make is that throughout her journey, Christ provided the manna. She has had every tube, every shampoo and every prescription she has needed to kill the fungus. Doctors might have doubted her but somehow she was given what she needed. As she looks at her hair loss, which is daily, she begins to forget that manna and that's not good. God is providing for her and although the hair continues to fall she has to thank Him for each hair that stays, for each prescription and for each time He has been there for her. This is not easy when the battle still isn't won but I believe it's the only way to have victory.
The Israelites started counting days and became weary. They went to idols instead of God, even though they had seen many miracles. Why? Because they forgot that every provision was given unto their people. They forgot that in the desert, water and manna were provided. They grumbled because the journey was long. I used to wonder how they did that but now I know. I've faced a few battles in my time. The lesson learned is that when I'm in battle I have to thank Him even if I don't like my circumstances. Why? Because I can't see the future and if I want to stay with Him being my guide then I need to let Him be that. I love to take control but really, who would you rather have in charge, Jesus or you? I've taken both paths and found that Jesus is the only way.
Don't get me wrong, I have grumbled and felt weary but I always come back to the same conclusion, God is God and this life is not mine but His. Thank You JESUS! The lesson has been taught over the years and now He's teaching me that time doesn't matter. We must look to Him daily and thank Him for the things He provides, like the food on our table, our health, and the people He brings into our lives. That's what's important!
So, if you're struggling with trying to hurry up the week, take some advice from my boss, slow down, look at today and find joy in it. You never know what God will reveal. And for my friend that's struggling, I hope she begins to pray restore, heal and reveal. She started reading this blog a couple of weeks ago, so I pray she sees it today and knows how much she is loved!
Take care my sisters and thank you for reading and spending time with our Father. We are growing nations and we must support them by praying and finding joy in today. Be well.
Matthew 11:28 NKJV:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Job 24:1 NKJV:
"Since times are not hidden from the Almighty, why do those who know Him see not His days?"
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I pray that we will sit still and thank You for the moment. I pray that we would look at today and not rush tomorrow. I pray that You would provide the insight we need to minister to Your people and I pray that we would be on our knees for You. We come before You and we want to thank You for the deserts and the promise lands. In each, You can teach us how to be better followers of You. You are splendid and mighty and we forget the power You have over our lives. Take the stress of today and show us the rainbow You created for each one of us. Thank You for the food on our tables, for the Bibles in our homes, for the women and men that come to You daily and for providing us with everything we need. Today, we desire to come before You and praise You for Your power and might. We know that You are the creator of the world and all its inhabitants. Come before us Lord and show us our way. Please feed the hungry, save the destitute and help the hurting. I know You know them by name, put them on our hearts so that we can minister to them. Give us the words and the prayers, write them on our heart so that we can be obedient to You. I come before You always seeking, always loving and today, thanking You for Your love and mercy on all of our lives. Continue to grow us as we seek Your face. In Jesus name, AMEN
I was working with my boss yesterday when she said something fascinating that went along with my theme yesterday. She talked about how she loves the fall but she finds herself pushing the days until the weekend. I know that feeling. But then she said, "I don't want to rush the days because then I miss the joy in the moment." Those words are so true. We don't know what tomorrow will bring but if we look for the joy in today we will find it.
I think she said that because one of my teammates lost his mother yesterday morning. On Thursday, he was so excited to go watch his daughter in a state championship volleyball match and the next day he was flying to say good-bye. That's life and that's what people face everyday. Things change in a moment and we can't go back and regret but we can learn from it. We need to take each moment as it comes and try to find joy in it.
Yesterday, I found myself telling my friend who is still losing hair that. She has been ridiculed, judged, told she was wrong and that she needed to repent. I didn't know any of us were God, did you? If God wants her to repent, He will reveal it. The point I'm trying to make is that throughout her journey, Christ provided the manna. She has had every tube, every shampoo and every prescription she has needed to kill the fungus. Doctors might have doubted her but somehow she was given what she needed. As she looks at her hair loss, which is daily, she begins to forget that manna and that's not good. God is providing for her and although the hair continues to fall she has to thank Him for each hair that stays, for each prescription and for each time He has been there for her. This is not easy when the battle still isn't won but I believe it's the only way to have victory.
The Israelites started counting days and became weary. They went to idols instead of God, even though they had seen many miracles. Why? Because they forgot that every provision was given unto their people. They forgot that in the desert, water and manna were provided. They grumbled because the journey was long. I used to wonder how they did that but now I know. I've faced a few battles in my time. The lesson learned is that when I'm in battle I have to thank Him even if I don't like my circumstances. Why? Because I can't see the future and if I want to stay with Him being my guide then I need to let Him be that. I love to take control but really, who would you rather have in charge, Jesus or you? I've taken both paths and found that Jesus is the only way.
Don't get me wrong, I have grumbled and felt weary but I always come back to the same conclusion, God is God and this life is not mine but His. Thank You JESUS! The lesson has been taught over the years and now He's teaching me that time doesn't matter. We must look to Him daily and thank Him for the things He provides, like the food on our table, our health, and the people He brings into our lives. That's what's important!
So, if you're struggling with trying to hurry up the week, take some advice from my boss, slow down, look at today and find joy in it. You never know what God will reveal. And for my friend that's struggling, I hope she begins to pray restore, heal and reveal. She started reading this blog a couple of weeks ago, so I pray she sees it today and knows how much she is loved!
Take care my sisters and thank you for reading and spending time with our Father. We are growing nations and we must support them by praying and finding joy in today. Be well.
Matthew 11:28 NKJV:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Job 24:1 NKJV:
"Since times are not hidden from the Almighty, why do those who know Him see not His days?"
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I pray that we will sit still and thank You for the moment. I pray that we would look at today and not rush tomorrow. I pray that You would provide the insight we need to minister to Your people and I pray that we would be on our knees for You. We come before You and we want to thank You for the deserts and the promise lands. In each, You can teach us how to be better followers of You. You are splendid and mighty and we forget the power You have over our lives. Take the stress of today and show us the rainbow You created for each one of us. Thank You for the food on our tables, for the Bibles in our homes, for the women and men that come to You daily and for providing us with everything we need. Today, we desire to come before You and praise You for Your power and might. We know that You are the creator of the world and all its inhabitants. Come before us Lord and show us our way. Please feed the hungry, save the destitute and help the hurting. I know You know them by name, put them on our hearts so that we can minister to them. Give us the words and the prayers, write them on our heart so that we can be obedient to You. I come before You always seeking, always loving and today, thanking You for Your love and mercy on all of our lives. Continue to grow us as we seek Your face. In Jesus name, AMEN
Monday, October 8, 2012
October 8, 2012
Good morning all-
After a weekend full of too many things to do and not enough time, I'm back to work and am sincerely hoping God multiplies my time. It's hard when you have people to take care of and a job but somehow we manage it. I wonder sometimes if that's how God feels? So much to do and He's just waiting for us to say we believe. I know His time is not our time but I wonder if He grows weary of our bad behavior, overwhelming fleshly desires and are apathetic attitudes. I know I would, wouldn't you?
If you read this blog much you know I have several friends in turmoil right now. The friend that is losing her hair continues to fight the fungal battle and I continue to pray for her. Then, my other friend, lost her job and I'm praying that God would bless her with one. And although not fair both situations are similar. It's easy to grow weary in the battle. Time ticks and as it does we count it and stew about it and try to control it. The problem with time is that none of us have control over it and never will. God is the keeper of time and He knows exactly the time He will deliver them from their battle and more importantly, the time He will come back to deliver all of us. We have watches and calendars but none of that matters to God, everything is in His timing and we should be thanking Him for that because He knows we continue to let Him down. So, if you are counting the days, praying for relief, I know exactly where you are. You are weary wondering when the battle will be over and victory will be in its wake. That's natural but I want us to remember that throughout the Bible it was God's perfect timing that made the difference, whether it was the Israelites being delivered to the promise land or that fateful day Jesus hung on a cross, it was all God's perfect will and timing.
Take heart that He is with you. Time is not important. It's what we learn during our time on earth that is most important to Him. We must continue to work on ourselves, allow Him to mold us and make us strong in faith. The people that gain the most faith are usually those that have come through great battles and were able to say, "He was with me every step of the way." That's what I'm going to do today. I'm going to count the way by asking Jesus to help me this week. And I know if I put my hands in His, they will be blessed.
As always, have a beautiful day and I'm praying that God multiplies your time today so that you can accomplish your tasks and His.
Isaiah 40:28-29 NKJV:
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I thank You for being the keeper of time. You choose when we are born and when we die. You choose our paths and when You will deliver us on them. You show us through time Your grace, Your love, and Your everlasting mercy. We don't deserve You but thankfully, You are ours. I ask that You would increase our time today so that we can get everything accomplished we need too. There is so much to do and so little time to do it. Sometimes the days fly by and I wonder if I have accomplished anything for You. Write Your will on our hearts and minds as we walk with You daily. You are the only time manager we really need. You are the everlasting God, patient and kind, waiting for us to come to You. Thank You for waiting and for watching over Your flock. We love You Lord and are very grateful You called us to You. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
After a weekend full of too many things to do and not enough time, I'm back to work and am sincerely hoping God multiplies my time. It's hard when you have people to take care of and a job but somehow we manage it. I wonder sometimes if that's how God feels? So much to do and He's just waiting for us to say we believe. I know His time is not our time but I wonder if He grows weary of our bad behavior, overwhelming fleshly desires and are apathetic attitudes. I know I would, wouldn't you?
If you read this blog much you know I have several friends in turmoil right now. The friend that is losing her hair continues to fight the fungal battle and I continue to pray for her. Then, my other friend, lost her job and I'm praying that God would bless her with one. And although not fair both situations are similar. It's easy to grow weary in the battle. Time ticks and as it does we count it and stew about it and try to control it. The problem with time is that none of us have control over it and never will. God is the keeper of time and He knows exactly the time He will deliver them from their battle and more importantly, the time He will come back to deliver all of us. We have watches and calendars but none of that matters to God, everything is in His timing and we should be thanking Him for that because He knows we continue to let Him down. So, if you are counting the days, praying for relief, I know exactly where you are. You are weary wondering when the battle will be over and victory will be in its wake. That's natural but I want us to remember that throughout the Bible it was God's perfect timing that made the difference, whether it was the Israelites being delivered to the promise land or that fateful day Jesus hung on a cross, it was all God's perfect will and timing.
Take heart that He is with you. Time is not important. It's what we learn during our time on earth that is most important to Him. We must continue to work on ourselves, allow Him to mold us and make us strong in faith. The people that gain the most faith are usually those that have come through great battles and were able to say, "He was with me every step of the way." That's what I'm going to do today. I'm going to count the way by asking Jesus to help me this week. And I know if I put my hands in His, they will be blessed.
As always, have a beautiful day and I'm praying that God multiplies your time today so that you can accomplish your tasks and His.
Isaiah 40:28-29 NKJV:
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I thank You for being the keeper of time. You choose when we are born and when we die. You choose our paths and when You will deliver us on them. You show us through time Your grace, Your love, and Your everlasting mercy. We don't deserve You but thankfully, You are ours. I ask that You would increase our time today so that we can get everything accomplished we need too. There is so much to do and so little time to do it. Sometimes the days fly by and I wonder if I have accomplished anything for You. Write Your will on our hearts and minds as we walk with You daily. You are the only time manager we really need. You are the everlasting God, patient and kind, waiting for us to come to You. Thank You for waiting and for watching over Your flock. We love You Lord and are very grateful You called us to You. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, October 7, 2012
October 6, 2012
Good morning all-
I'm back to Kansas and it's really cold here. How does the temperature go from 108 in the shade to 53 degrees? If you live in Kansas, you already know the answer to that question. I'm really glad to be back and into my routine. It's really hard working 12-15 hour days and absolutely having no time to do anything but sleep and study. But I'm back and am so glad to be spending time with all of you.
I learned many lessons this week, like how it is to be in a meeting where I'm not the most successful one in the room or how about being one of the oldest, and most definitely, being the one that doesn't have the least bit of interest in staying up and drinking all night. Pride, honor and integrity is what God revealed to me this week. And when the stress got to me, He called me to Him and He ministered to my soul.
I work in a profession that designates success by pushing through product. You're only as good as your last month and then they want you to repeat it and exceed it. It's not been my most successful year this year so God has been working on me and I continue to go out every day and do my job to the best of my ability. Often, I want to go home and stick my head under the covers but then I remember what He did for me and I stay out there pounding the pavement and convincing myself that my success comes from Him. It works most of the time too. Just like this week when I didn't feel like I was the best, nothing really had changed except I was sitting in a room full of achievers and I constantly had to remind myself that this life is not for me but for Him.
I'm glad for times like these so that I can reflect on what matters. It puts life back into perspective. My mind should be on God, my husband and my family, along with anyone else He deems to place in my path. I confess, I was thinking way too much about myself this week. In many ways I was in a battle between my pride and the glory of God. I hate being in that particular place because often, I lose my sight, I get frustrated and I have to repent and get back on track. I'm glad these sessions in my life are getting shorter and that I can identify them when quickly and fix it.
I may never be the highest sales achiever in my company. And, I might never be a VP or a President but I'm exactly where God wants me to be, doing exactly what He's called me to do. At the end of the week, I found comfort in that and when I came home I realized that for all the awards I've won and for all the accolades I have achieved over the years, coming home to my family is my greatest reward.
The following Scripture is what was revealed to me this week. I have meditated on it and really thought about it all week. It has been my beacon. I hope it ministers to you as much as it did to me.
2 Samuel 22:1-29 NKJV:
Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said: "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. When the waves of death surround me, the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears." Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because He was angry. Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also and came down with darkness under His feet. He rode upon a cherub, and flew; and He was seen upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness canopies around Him, dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. From the brightness before Him coals of fire were kindled. "The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice. He sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning bolts, and He vanquished them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were uncovered, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. "He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me." The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His judgments were before me; and as His statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also blameless before Him, and I kept myself from iniquity. Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His eyes. "With the merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; with the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. You will save the humble people; but Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down." "For You are my lamp, O Lord; The Lord shall enlighten my darkness.
This is a mouthful but as you can see David knew who delivered Him in battle. That's what our Lord does. We cry out to Him, we humble ourselves before Him and He and only He can deliver us from ourselves, our battles and our enemies. I hope this passage blesses you as much as it did me this week. It was my lamp in the darkness, it guided me and saved me, not from an enemy but from myself.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I come before You a humbled woman. I thank You for reminding all of us that the battles are waging and we must humble ourselves before You. You are the victor in all battles and in those battles we must take the time to get before You and gain Your perspective. We are sinners and we do need You to save us, not just for eternity but daily. We want what we want but the only victory that matters is the victory You choose for our lives. I pray today that the women You minister too will see the power in this passage. Be their warrior as they pray and petition for Your hand on their lives. I'm so glad You revealed Yourself to me this week. Give me strength to continue on the path You provide and to be full of honor and integrity in the face of the world. Thank You for reminding me where my reward comes from and that this life, although overwhelming, is not my reward. I am in awe of You today and every day. Bring women to this site that will be ministered by Your word and continue to grow me and challenge me so that I can challenge those You bring to me. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I'm back to Kansas and it's really cold here. How does the temperature go from 108 in the shade to 53 degrees? If you live in Kansas, you already know the answer to that question. I'm really glad to be back and into my routine. It's really hard working 12-15 hour days and absolutely having no time to do anything but sleep and study. But I'm back and am so glad to be spending time with all of you.
I learned many lessons this week, like how it is to be in a meeting where I'm not the most successful one in the room or how about being one of the oldest, and most definitely, being the one that doesn't have the least bit of interest in staying up and drinking all night. Pride, honor and integrity is what God revealed to me this week. And when the stress got to me, He called me to Him and He ministered to my soul.
I work in a profession that designates success by pushing through product. You're only as good as your last month and then they want you to repeat it and exceed it. It's not been my most successful year this year so God has been working on me and I continue to go out every day and do my job to the best of my ability. Often, I want to go home and stick my head under the covers but then I remember what He did for me and I stay out there pounding the pavement and convincing myself that my success comes from Him. It works most of the time too. Just like this week when I didn't feel like I was the best, nothing really had changed except I was sitting in a room full of achievers and I constantly had to remind myself that this life is not for me but for Him.
I'm glad for times like these so that I can reflect on what matters. It puts life back into perspective. My mind should be on God, my husband and my family, along with anyone else He deems to place in my path. I confess, I was thinking way too much about myself this week. In many ways I was in a battle between my pride and the glory of God. I hate being in that particular place because often, I lose my sight, I get frustrated and I have to repent and get back on track. I'm glad these sessions in my life are getting shorter and that I can identify them when quickly and fix it.
I may never be the highest sales achiever in my company. And, I might never be a VP or a President but I'm exactly where God wants me to be, doing exactly what He's called me to do. At the end of the week, I found comfort in that and when I came home I realized that for all the awards I've won and for all the accolades I have achieved over the years, coming home to my family is my greatest reward.
The following Scripture is what was revealed to me this week. I have meditated on it and really thought about it all week. It has been my beacon. I hope it ministers to you as much as it did to me.
2 Samuel 22:1-29 NKJV:
Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said: "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. When the waves of death surround me, the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears." Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because He was angry. Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also and came down with darkness under His feet. He rode upon a cherub, and flew; and He was seen upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness canopies around Him, dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. From the brightness before Him coals of fire were kindled. "The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice. He sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning bolts, and He vanquished them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were uncovered, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. "He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me." The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His judgments were before me; and as His statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also blameless before Him, and I kept myself from iniquity. Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His eyes. "With the merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; with the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. You will save the humble people; but Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down." "For You are my lamp, O Lord; The Lord shall enlighten my darkness.
This is a mouthful but as you can see David knew who delivered Him in battle. That's what our Lord does. We cry out to Him, we humble ourselves before Him and He and only He can deliver us from ourselves, our battles and our enemies. I hope this passage blesses you as much as it did me this week. It was my lamp in the darkness, it guided me and saved me, not from an enemy but from myself.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I come before You a humbled woman. I thank You for reminding all of us that the battles are waging and we must humble ourselves before You. You are the victor in all battles and in those battles we must take the time to get before You and gain Your perspective. We are sinners and we do need You to save us, not just for eternity but daily. We want what we want but the only victory that matters is the victory You choose for our lives. I pray today that the women You minister too will see the power in this passage. Be their warrior as they pray and petition for Your hand on their lives. I'm so glad You revealed Yourself to me this week. Give me strength to continue on the path You provide and to be full of honor and integrity in the face of the world. Thank You for reminding me where my reward comes from and that this life, although overwhelming, is not my reward. I am in awe of You today and every day. Bring women to this site that will be ministered by Your word and continue to grow me and challenge me so that I can challenge those You bring to me. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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