One Heart Devotionals

If The Shoe Fits...

2012-01-22T15:52:00.006-05:00

Over the course of 3 weeks I have run into a person that is part of a really bad past that I am not proud of. I have run into them twice now. Unfortunately, it's because they are related to a co-worker of mine. When I saw this person, all these negative feelings just kind of swept over me as my mind began recalling memories of that part of my past. It really bothered me for a couple of weeks. I was seriously worried that this person would spill the dirty laundry of my past all over the deli. It really upset me. But during those two weeks, as my mind began to wander off into the abyss, my spirit got to thinking too. It got to thinking about how over 2000 years ago Jesus died on a cross for me. All my sins, past and present, were washed away with His blood. He finished it. And I began asking myself... Why am I not walking in that? Why am I allowing this to bother me? Satan's lies are completely powerless over me. He didn't die for me. He wasn't crucified for me and he didn't cleanse me and redeem me. He has done nothing for me. Kind of like a bad pair of shoes. They're not comfortable, they're the wrong size, and they just cause me pain. They do absolutely nothing for me.

When we allow our past to come back up and smack us in the face, it’s as if we’re putting on the wrong size shoe. We know it's too small and we know it's not the right kind. When we put on a shoe that is two times smaller than our feet, it becomes very uncomfortable, and even painful, causing blisters of all kinds. Our spirit works the same way. The enemy knows what our past is and every moment he gets he’ll try to shove it back in our face. But we can choose not to put on that shoe. Jesus said it is finished 2000 years ago and we need to be walking in that. I can’t count on two hands how many times I’ve let my past come back up and remind me of the kind of person I used to be. I can’t tell you how many opportunities I’ve let pass me by because of my stupid fear. Fear of not being good enough to fit the shoe, fear of failing, fear of doing, fear of people not liking me or what I do, fear of well…everything pretty much, just FEAR FEAR FEAR. Ugh, I am so over my stupid fear! Jesus died on the cross to take away all my fear. He died in perfect love and the Bible says that perfect love casts out fear.

We can't allow the enemy to come and steal the victory Jesus accomplished for us years ago. Don't live in your past, it doesn't fit anymore. With Jesus we are a new creation, and that means we don't have to settle for the crumbs of our yesterdays. We can't change our past, so why would we want to live there? One of my favorite quotes is from the first Kung Fu Panda, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present." Let's start walking in what we have today. We are not defined by who we once were. Nor are we defined by people or our trials and we are certainly not defined by the enemy. Let us take hold of the victory Jesus accomplished for us and walk in it like it's the best pair of shoes we've ever owned! I choose to walk in who Jesus says I am and what I can do. Not the lies I am believing about myself. It's time for me to take charge and authority over the things that I know are mine. Today I am so thankful for God's love, mercy, grace and forgiveness.

Love,
Amanda B.

Perspective

2012-01-18T21:26:00.001-05:00

How do you see life? Is your glass half full or half empty? When I was younger I saw everything as half empty, I think that’s why I love Eeyore. I thought this way in part because I was second born and the middle child. For most of my life I did not think that the order of your birth mattered. But when I was a preschool teacher you had to take 15 hours of classes a year. One time I took a birth order class and was surprised at how many characteristics that were attributed to being the second and middle child that I saw in myself. It was life changing for me. Now when things comes into my life that makes me feel forgotten or left out I don’t go cry. I just remind myself it’s a lie (a trick my head is telling me) and I’m love and cherished by God. And the person did not mean it like I felt.

As I get older the more I think that the glass is half full. No my birth order did not change but I’m growing more in the Lord. I had trouble finishing this but Pastor said it so well on Sunday. God is already at the end of your trial. God give me HOPE. And you can have that same HOPE. God was, is and will be. Thank You God!

Lisa

Don't Give Up...

2011-12-07T21:26:00.001-05:00

The other day my daddy called to let me know I had been on his heart and that he was praying for me. This make me cry like a baby. Why? Because of the amazing transformation God brought forth in my dad!
For over 20 years my mom, sisters and I prayed for my dad to come back to the Lord. We tried everything, anointing cloths under his pillows, anointing his clothes, praying over his truck and his desk at work! When we finally gave up & told the Lord to do whatever He had to is when things began to change.
My dad is literally a walking miracle. When he was in his early 20's he passed out while driving and had a head on collision with another car. He went through the windshield and had severe trauma to his chest. In his mid 30's he had to have experimental open heart surgery because he had an aneurysm on his aorta valve. He has had multiple pace makers to keep his heart beating. After all that God had done to spare my dad's life, we knew God was not going to let go of him easily.
In 2001 my dad went in for his yearly heart check. No one expected anything abnormal to be going on. During the heart cath, they discovered that my dad had another aneurysm where the artificial valve was from the original open heart surgery. They immediately sent him to Houston, Tx to the best open heart surgeon in the US at the time.
During this time, God was working on my dad's heart. My dad was terrified because he knew what he was going to be facing the second time around. He remembered how painful it was & what a long recovery he had when he was in his 30's. He could not imagine what it would be like in his late 50's. But God was ever faithful. God sent so many people to my dad with the same word- that God was giving my dad a new heart. That this was more than just a physical operation, it was also a spiritual operation. My mom was told that she was getting a new husband- that he was going to come out of this a new man.
God was faithful to His promises. My dad is truly a new man. God gave him a new heart- one of flesh. God gave him a new spirit & new love for Him too. My dad now spends time in the Word & we talk about what each of us are studying!
If you have a loved one you are standing in the gap for, do not give up!!!! God is faithful!!!! If he did it for my daddy, he can do for it anybody!!!!
Mary Beth

Who do you stand for?

2011-11-17T13:15:00.004-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about my Mammaw Jeanne lately. I know that her time on this earth is short and I have been reflecting back on some of my times with her. One of the stories she told me many times was about before she met my Papaw Jim. She said she decided at a young age that she would NEVER marry a preacher. Her grandmother would tell her that she would marry who ever God chose for her. After my grandparents met and were engaged, Mammaw was quick to point out that she had married a Navy man.......NOT a preacher! Then the day came that Papaw came home and announced to my Mammaw that God had called him to be a preacher! My Mammaw would be laughing by this part of the story. She would tell me, “don't ever tell God what you will or won't do”.

She was always the first person I would call with news, good or bad. She would either celebrate with me or just listen and then reassure me that God was in control. Even though we couldn't see the BIG picture, it would all work out to His Glory! I would leave our conversations feeling strong, like I could overcome anything with His help. I know that she spent many days and nights praying for me when I did stray from His plan for my life. She told me later that she always had faith that I would straighten up and come back to where He wanted me.

I know He holds my future in His hands. During this Thanksgiving season I am thankful for the positive Godly influences He has placed in my life. My Mammaw and Papaw are at the top of that list. My Papaw went on to his reward a few years ago and I find comfort in knowing that Mammaw will be joining him soon.

I think that one of the best things you can leave on this earth is people that you have helped along the way through the way you live your life. I am but one that my Mammaw and Papaw were used by God to help mold into what God wants me to be.

My desire for myself and you is that people see God through our actions and not just our words. I want others to know Who I stand for without having to know who I am.

Love, Julie Powell

Stand

2011-11-08T09:49:00.003-05:00

The only word I have in my heart at this time is the word "stand."

"Therefore, having been justified by faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5: 1-5 (NASB)

Stand on His grace ladies. Exult in the hope of the glory of God! Exult in your tribulations...your mundane slogging it out day by day...dealing with unhappy people in a dying world...exult in it! This is your one and only life. This day will pass by and will never, ever come again. Know that every pain, every sorrow, every tear...everything is for a purpose. And that purpose is to drive us into hope!

We don't have time, nor a reason, to sit and nurse grievances or wounds. Kay gave a word about this a few years ago...that we have to keep picking up our swords and yes, we may get wounded, but we have to keep moving onward. We don't have time to get bitter.

Look at the building blocks of this scripture...tribulation brings perseverance, perseverance brings proven character; proven character brings hope. I can stand today because everything in my life, and I mean everything...has worked out for my good and has strengthened me and driven me to hope. That means that everything the enemy meant for my destruction...God has actually used to drive me to life. To Himself! I don't know about you but that just cracks me up.

As long as we have Christ...we can't lose. We are in a win/win situation here. No matter what the enemy throws at us, it will simply be used by God to bring us closer to Him.

Dear sweet precious ladies...STAND!

Shayne

The Melody

2011-10-22T10:57:00.001-04:00

There is much to be said about the music of yesteryear.....most were written by true life lessons....good or bad situations brought forth songs of praise, of pain or worship....many came as poems or poetry and later set to music and some came completely together.

I love our praise and worship music...it moves me deeply...but songs from the church hymnal ( and some of you do not know what that is...lol) has a depth that takes me back to my roots....my beginning this long wondrous walk with my Jesus, my Savior & Lord.

I think about the song " Sweet hour of Prayer " and sing it often. It was written by a blind uneducated evangelist in England,W.W. Walford and sent over to the New York Observer newspaper by Rev Thomas Salmon because he thought it something worth preserving....W.W. Walford could recite the Psalms like no one could believe and quote the scriptures & bring them to life. It was sent as a form of poetry later set to music by William B. Bradbury and published in the Methodist Hymnal in 1878....the words that say ' Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that draws me from a world of care" rings in my spirit many times and brings me to the place that I can lay aside thing of this world & spend sweet time with my Lord in prayer.

Another song that is from hymnal from years ago and seldom found in the hymnal's of today....." The Ninety and Nine ". written as a poem by Elizabeth
Clephane in the late 1800's. It is based on the scriptures in Matthew 18: 10 - 14 & Luke 15: 1 - 7.Ira Sankey worked for Dwight L. Moody, the world renown evangelist . While preaching in Scotland Ms Clephane gave the poem to Mr Sankey, who was the music leader for the crusades...that night he could night find the right song for the sermon " The Good Shepherd "...then he remember the poem in his pocket, pulled it out and the musical melody just came to him by the Spirit...after he played the first verse he was wondering if he could remember it to get through the other four verses, but God intervened and the song was birthed....this reminds me that if we stray or have loved ones stray, we are assured that He will do whatever it takes to find that one lost sheep and keep them safe in the fold.

Melodies of old stand firm in the Word and give us hope for life and strength to face whatever comes our way.....music is healing for our souls, our spirits and our life. They are there and always will be there for us.....Just remember to draw on the melodies that the Lord sent as a blessing

Blessings Always

Mary

Perseverance

2011-10-11T08:26:00.002-04:00

Last Week, Thursday, I decided to go ahead and have knee replacement surgery. There's a strange phenomenon that has begun to happen, my pain has diminished and seems to have disappeared. It's so crazy, I'm now doubting a decision that has taken me 2 years to make. It really lets me know how powerful my brain is. After watching 2 YouTube videos of knee replacement surgery, my mind and body don't want to go anywhere near that operating room. It's a brutal assault on the body…leaving scars, greatly increasing pain for a few weeks, in an effort to repair/fix a life debilitating problem.

This caused me to think how this could apply to our Spiritual lives. How many times do we finally make a strong decision to do something new for the Kingdom's sake or to change our life to move toward spiritually. It could be any thing, participating in a major prayer assault, or changing a bad habit, or beginning a new, better habit. It sounds exciting and rewarding when we've made up our mind, but then we begin to think about the sacrifice that it might take, what we might have to give up to achieve the good end and the resolve begins to wane. We can, even without realizing it, begin to resist in our mind/body/spirit. We soon forget and move back to the comfortable.

It's been several weeks now during our worship times together at FWC, that we've heard the Holy Spirit speaking to us to move out and follow after and possess what God has challenged us to do. To commit to what we know to be our calling, to begin to believe that we each have a vital place, a place to fulfill in the body. As we begin to commit to the new challenges, It may result in pain for a season. It might mean giving up something that we feel we love and don't want to give up. However, the Lord reminds us that he that has begun a good work in us, he will complete it.

I'm going to go through with my surgery, not because it's going to be be fun, but because of the powerful new end result. With these few words today, I want to be an encouragement to all of us to remember what we have heard the Lord say, and to remember our vows/commitments and keep moving forward. There may be pain/struggle/challenges for a season, but the end result will bring healing, renew spiritual strength and a brand new place in God.

Kay E.

No Plan B

2011-10-03T12:35:00.004-04:00

Ten years ago, I never thought I'd be where I am today. My plans were totally different. Since I was a little girl, I planned on getting married to a great guy (which I have), and having children by age 30. Four days ago I turned 30 years old. The whole month of September was the hardest transition I've ever had in my life. I spent half the month trying to hold on to these dreams and plans with the strongest grip, like I was holding on for dear life. I knew once that birthday hit, I had lost. Lost all my plans, my ideas, and getting my way. Turning 30 doesn't seem like such a big deal to most women. But most women I know have children by the time they hit that mile marker. Not me. I had no plan B. I put all my bets down on those plans I had made for myself. The only thing left to do was surrender.

It was a blessing that I didn't get to work much last month, because I needed that time with the Lord to sort out all my thoughts. Discouraged, disappointed and angry....yep that was me. I mean, I had set myself up for it the past 25 years. What did I expect? I then realized, this whole time I was placing all my confidence in my plans, and in my ways....not the Father's. God promised Abraham he would have a son. Years later God did what He promised. He knew how old Abraham and Sarah would be when they had their child. He wasn't worried. Society today tells us we have to do or obtain certain things by a certain age. If we don't, then it's too late and we're too old. Society's woman has a so-called biological clock. I have listened to that clock get louder as my twenties have passed me by. But I no longer listen to that. I listen to the voice of the Lord that says in Habakkuk 2:3 (I like the Amplified Bible version):

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day."

I believe God wanted to use Abraham and Sarah to show them, and everyone else who reads it, that He always does what He says He will do, no matter how old you are. He wanted to be glorified in them. I believe He wants to do the same with me. I am super excited about the plans God has made for me, whatever they are. Can you imagine the blessing that will be there when the day comes that I will see His dreams and plans come to pass in my life? He will be glorified! I believe with my whole heart that my best years are yet to come. They have not passed me by! And neither has yours! We need to trust God at ALL times, even if our plans don't work out. There is no plan B. There's only God. If we put all our confidence in Him, then surely He will bring to pass all the plans He has for our lives. His timing is perfect, His ways are perfect, His plans are perfect. I am no longer anxious, but excited! And you should be too! There's nothing I want more than to see my Lord be glorified through me, no matter what I have to go through, or how long I have to wait. I am ready. I am willing. I am confident in HIM. Not myself. He is my plan A and my plan B. There's no other way. He has your desires, your dreams, and anything else your heart yearns for in the palm of His hand. The sooner we surrender our plans, the sooner He can bring about His plans. I'm so tired of hanging on to the things I have no control of. Tired of crying, tired of feeling sorry for myself, tired of being so self-consumed. I just want to be happy. And I finally am. Not because I have everything I've been dreaming of. But because I have the Lord. He brings a joyful song to my heart, and such a completeness that nothing else in this entire world could ever bring. I am thankful for the amazing foundation He has helped my husband and I build while we wait to start a family. Let's take time to look for the many blessings God gives us while we wait for His promises to come to pass.

Love,
Amanda B

Grace

2011-09-16T09:12:00.006-04:00

Grace – it is so much more than just saying “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.”
That seems to me an easy answer, even flippant, and what does it even mean?
I think we don’t really know how marvelous, how extraordinary, how exceedingly
amazing Grace really is! Or, we don’t really believe it. For if we did, we would
walk in constant joy! Grace covers ALL my sins – past, present, and future!
Is there anything more wonderful? When we are sin conscious, we are not Grace
conscious. If we go around with a long face because we feel we have sinned
or that we are not pleasing God, we are sin conscious. We are missing the
wholeness of our salvation. We are, after all, the Righteousness of God.

I have struggled with this for a long time. But, I believe I am beginning to understand
Grace at last. I was totally cleansed at the Cross, and I am being cleansed continually
through the shed blood of Christ. Because of Grace, I am no longer a sinner! I was
chosen by God, through Grace, filled with Himself, through Grace, and He cannot be any
more pleased with me . He is not surprised at anything I do (good or bad). I can run
into His arms whenever I have disappointed myself and repent because He is so good
and I am covered in Grace—not because I am less sinful.

Paul says in Philippians (1:6) “For I am confident of this very thing that He who began a good
work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” He will finish the work He started!
He started by covering me in Grace, He continues to cover me in Grace and He will finish by
covering me in Grace. He will do it and His work on my behalf is perfect. Nothing that I do or
fail to do can alter it's perfection in any way. I can't do anything without Him. BUT, I have Him,
so I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me (through Grace) Phil 4:13.
So, I must put down my pride of desiring God to do something “special” in my life so I can
feel special around others and to Him. I realize I AM special, but so are each of you. My
works (whatever they may be) will never make God love me any more or see me any more
special than anyone else. This may be hard on my pride, but that also means no one else is
any more special than I am!

So just enjoy who you are because by Grace God cannot love you any more or any less.
He cannot be any more pleased with you than He is right now, no matter what you do or
don’t do. You are covered in Grace ( and so am I). Let’s be thankful, Grace conscious
people, loving others because we are loved by the BEST!

Terry

Beyond Fear

2011-09-12T13:00:00.002-04:00

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid,
        for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect
                                      and comfort me.
                                      Psalm 23:4 NLT

A terrible storm rose quickly on the Sea of Galilee, and the disciples
were afraid. Although they had witnessed many miracles, the disciples
feared for their lives, so they turned to Jesus, and He calmed the waters
                                       and the wind.
Sometimes, we, like Jesus’ disciples, feel threatened by the stores of life.
When we are fearful, we, too, should turn to Him for comfort and
                                        for courage.
The next time your find yourself facing a fear provoking situation,
remember that the One who calmed the wind and the waves is also
                                   your personal Savior.
Then ask yourself which is stronger: your faith or your fear.
                         The answer should be obvious.

So, when the storm clouds form overhead and you find yourself being
tossed on the stormy seas of life, remember this: Wherever you are,
God is there, too. And, because He cares for you, you are protected.

Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and
will help you; I will support you with My right hand that saves you.
                                      Isaiah 41:10 NCV

Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you
                                   everywhere you go.
                                     Joshua 1:9 NCV

Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or
          discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.
                                  1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The
     Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
                                  Psalm 27:1 KJV

This come out of the book: 100 Days of Prayer For Women

Lisa

Contentment In Stillness

2011-08-26T16:42:00.005-04:00

Too many times in the past few months I have been in a hurry. Whether it is spiritually or
physically, I have just not really slowed down much. It’s been a combination of schedules, being
burned out at work, or just plain tired of worrying about everything. But if there’s one thing I’ve
learned through these months is that God is not in a hurry to get me anywhere.

I keep being reminded of the famous Bible verses that says “Be still and know that I am
God”. To be honest the mere thought of being STILL just irritated me. I am by no means a
homebody or a patient person. I don’t like staying at home for more than a day. It drives me crazy
if it’s longer than that. Being still or waiting is not one of my strengths, physically OR spiritually.
However, the one thing God has helped me to realize is that being still means trusting and resting
in Him. Resting in who He is, & what He’s capable of. When we are being still we are
basically living out Jeremiah 29:11…. “Okay God, I know the plans that you have for me, plans for
welfare and not for calamity. To give me a future and a hope”.

We can’t be so caught up in our everyday problems that we miss the blessings and goodness He
has in store for us today. We can’t be in a hurry to get somewhere in life just because things look
like a giant mess. Or, if you’re like me, you’re just sick of being where you are and you hunger for
a change bigger than anything you’ve ever experienced. God’s timing is absolutely perfect,
without question. He’s not in a hurry to get us to a particular place or destination. It’s all about
the journey.

There are so many things He has in store for us today. Perhaps peace of mind is what you
need, or joy. There’s an abundance of it for today. It’s a relief to know his mercies are
new every day and His joy comes in the morning. We need to be asking ourselves…. how can
I make the most of today? It’s exhausting to think about everything God might want us to do
within the next year. But He doesn’t ask us to focus on that. Just take one day at a time and
enjoy what you have and where you are. Leave everything else up to him to worry about. If we
stay in obedience today, he will take us where we need to go tomorrow.

I’ll leave you with the following verse, so that we all may learn to be content in all things.
Philippians 4:11-13(The Message Bible)
" Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to
be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much,
with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry,
hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through
anything in the One who makes me who I am."

Amanda B

Your Actions Will Always Reflect What You Believe

2011-08-17T11:23:00.001-04:00

Your actions will always reflect what you believe. Have you tied yourself to your circumstances? You are bound by what you believe! Bound by how you view reality! What drives how you act, what you think and what you feel, is what you perceive to be real. That which you have embraced so-deeply becomes your Truth. Is your perception of reality really the Truth? Even though we live in this world we are not of this world (Eph 2:6). We are to walk in a different realm (Gal:5:16). The Lord got my attention when He dropped in my spirit “It’s hard to abort what you adopt.” What relationship are you connecting with?

In her book “Tramp for the Lord” Corrie Ten Boom makes this statement, "Happiness is not dependent on happenings, but on relationships in the happenings." That statement was huge to me, but it was the story she told that shook the reality I was walking in, causing me to dig in the word and grab hold of the kingdom of God and walk in it. While she was driving in the countryside of a third world country she saw a poor little shack, a lean-to made from materials out of a garbage heap, and from it she heard the most beautiful voice singing. The local missionary that was with her told her the name of the song was Where Jesus is, Tis Heaven There.
It's one thing to hear that song from a church or a radio, but when it pours out from a shack in the midst of such poverty it carries a whole new meaning. I think the lady in the shack perceived her reality to be as heaven because of her relationship with Christ. She was not tied to her circumstances but allowed her actions to reflect what she believed.

Robin

treasures

2011-08-12T07:27:00.000-04:00

The other day I happened to overhear a woman say that the world is full of nothing but trash. The trash this woman was speaking of was the unsaved people of the world. When she said that, my heart became very grieved. The Holy Spirit said those very people that so many "christians" look down upon as a waste of time, are His treasures. He began showing me what I had forgotten.... Look at the life of Jesus. Jesus was so passionate about those that the religious people considered worthless and a waste of time. He sought them out to share His love and life with them. They may not look like treasures now, but He sees what we don't. He sees the finished product.
And how can we forget that we were once that trash of the world before Christ changed our lives! While we were still in our sin and our lives were messed up, Christ saw what we could be.
We cannot forget the whole reason Jesus gave His life on the cross for us.... it was to make a way for the "trash" to get to the Father. While Jesus was hanging there, He saw each one of us in the world as His treasure. Treasures that are priceless and worth everything to Him.
I pray that we will begin to see others through the eyes of God and not through the eyes of religion.
Thanks for letting me share my heart!
Mary Beth

Fred and Ethel

2011-07-29T18:08:00.001-04:00

We have had the joy of two doves claiming one of our hanging plants on our front porch. I knew very little about doves before this but now consider myself to be an armature professional on the subject. Together they get the nest ready and after the eggs are laid, one of them is always on the nest. Typically the male at night and female during the day. We call them Fred and Ethel. They have all ready hatched one egg (Little Ricky) and worked together feeding him until time for him to move on. They are now sitting on 2 more eggs (Pebbles and Bam Bam). Many times as I have watched, I have associated the Fathers love for us. One of the 1st hard storms that we had this season with some tornado activity and hail was the day Little Ricky had hatched. Fred was on the nest and I watched as the plant went out straight from the hook it was on and did loop after loop like a hula hoop for what seemed like a very long time. I held my breath and prayed that the basket would not come loose. The wind got under Fred and several times I saw him fight his way back down on the nest to cover his child. He stayed through the storm fighting the entire time.
I began to think of some of the storms I have been through in my own life when I was the child that God covered and never left. Some of those storms I created myself and some were just life. It reminded me that no matter how bad the storm gets our God is not going to leave us. It reminded me of some scriptures:

Psalm 17: 8-9
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

And my personal favorite that I have stood on storm after storm:

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge-- 10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With a long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Please never forget that no matter how big you mess up or how big the storm, God will never leave you! I am a living testimony to this.

Love, Julie Powell

The Price of a Pearl

2011-07-25T21:19:00.000-04:00

I thought this was a good devotional.
Love Barbara

Matthew 13:45-46 (NLT)
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”

When you consider the humble beginnings of a pearl, it is hard to comprehend how it gains such worth? Prior to man’s intervention, it was a process unnoticed in the depths of the sea discovered by a fisherman after a tasty treat. When opening the shell of an oyster not only to find a slimy delicacy but also a hidden treasure, how overjoyed he must be. I am sure that he would go to great lengths to protect his little fishing hole from others who may cultivate the priceless pearls he is sure to harvest there. One would never expect that it was a tiny grain of sand or a small irritant that got under the oyster’s shell that created such a valuable jewel. Yet this is exactly the process. An oyster sits on the bottom of the sea such a simple existence and minding its own business when an irritating piece of sand from the ocean floor wiggles its way through the membrane between its two shells. Once the oyster detects the slight discomfort, it begins to secrete nacre which is the substance that allows the shell to grow with the animal trying to relieve the irritation. This process allows the same beautiful covering lining the inside of the shell to coat the tiny problem. Once violated, it secretes more nacre to cover the object and reduce irritation until a tiny pearl is formed. The longer the irritant must be tolerated the more layers are produced to cover the object until what was once a source of chronic discomfort becomes of great worth!

Irritation is part of life. We all have people who disrupt our lives from time to time and make things uncomfortable much like the little oyster. No matter how hard we try to separate ourselves from the source of our agitation, it becomes clear he or she is not going anywhere. Now what? It is in this moment of choice that an opportunity arises, do we continue to struggle against that which has inflamed us or do we choose to embrace them? Chronic irritation creates hypersensitivity. You know the person to which I am referring. They always seem to be “under your skin.” No matter what, it seems that this individual’s highest priority in life is to antagonize you until now just the sight of them makes
you incessant. At that very moment, opportunity is knocking. Do you invite the Kingdom of God to produce a treasure in your life or do you just get mad and aggravated? The choice is completely up to you. The Kingdom of Heaven is a priceless investment for those who recognize its great worth. God’s Kingdom is made up of His People with His Purpose activated in their lives. The enemy wants you to think people are your problem when the truth is it is the enemy who longs to divide God’s Treasure from His Kingdom. If satan can convince you to continuously avoid people who get on your nerves or better yet stay in constant conflict with them, then he steals your opportunity to invest in God’s Kingdom. You are essentially robbed of your blessing! I don’t know about you, but I want every single blessing that my God has for me!

Who irritates you the most in life? Look again my friend because that is your potential pearl just waiting to be discovered. You are lined with the Spirit of the Living God. As you make a conscious choice to cover them in love, grace, mercy and prayer suddenly they are transformed from a tiny worthless irritant into a priceless treasure by the Power of God. It is not an easy process but definitely a worthwhile one. This transformation will make you uncomfortable as pride is sacrificed for humility. The longer it takes the more patience it will require but the more valuable the results. Money holds no value in God’s Kingdom. Gems do not impress God. Wealth of any form is in the eye of the beholder.

The Lord has decided that the souls of His People are the most precious commodity there is and died to obtain them. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! (Romans 5:6) We were not at our best when He claimed us. Our sin is a persistent annoyance to Jesus yet He chose to die nonetheless. He saw our potential when we were yet dust of the earth. Our souls are precious and priceless to the Father. The
person who causes you great distress is loved exactly the same way by the Lord as you are. God has placed them in your life for you to cover them in the Love of God until they are transformed – no matter how long it takes or how exasperating it becomes.

Matthew 19:20-22 (NLT)
“I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Your earthly treasures will one day belong to someone else. Some of your valuables will simply be laid to waste upon your departure. Only the treasure that is stored in Heaven will last through Eternity. To Jesus Christ – it is of the greatest worth for it was purchased with His Blood. To God – it is His Creation worth the most and that is you. To Heaven – it is priceless. The soul of each person you encounter is important and valuable to the Lord. Until we see the value in others even the most irritating people, we will be earthly rich but heavenly poor. I think I would rather lack on earth than for Eternity! Look for someone to invest in today. Try to extend love and compassion to the most unlovable and least deserving person you know! Prepare for the treasure in your heart to expand and your eternal dividends to multiply! Invest in Heaven today!

By Lori Thomason
Word Press December 12, 2010

Don't Waste Your Pain!

2011-07-19T16:29:00.001-04:00

Monday: July 18th, 2011

Today my first born child was 39 years old,

I requested that this journal entry be reposted, I believe not only is it timely for so many of us who are struggling today, but it is a timeless message:

From Kay’s Journal - 7.18.2007

I remember the birth of my first child, soon to be 38 years ago. My husband said that I was rolling around in the bed in pain of labor. The hospital staff came in and gave me Demerol, “A little something to take the “edge” off of the pain. At the last moments of labor, right at the moment of delivery, they masked me and gave me ether.

I think about that now, the ether that they gave me at the very end of “transition labor” put me completely “unconscious. It made me completely miss the moment of great victory and birthing. The moment of “deliverance”, seeing the fruit of my labor, the birth of my child. I missed the greatest moment of joy because I was anesthesized to relieve the pain that I was in.

I just have to say that I don’t want to be anesthetized at the moment of any further birthing. I don’t ever again want to let the pain in this journey of laboring to bear fruit cause me to not be there for the birthing.

The Lord gives me strength to last through all of the pain so that I can enjoy the moment of reaping the blessing of my labor.

Today I reminisce about the process, life, the joys mixed with the pain… the journey! It’s not over. I’m not ready to take any “pill” that will anesthetize me from the joy of seeing the birthing of God’s vision for me and my family. Natural and spiritual.

Lord, I welcome all “comers”. Pain, joy, struggle, peace, laboring and birthing, nurturing and growing and new beginnings.

Thank you Lord for Life today, all of it, everyone in my life and those that surround me!

When All You Can Do Is Wait

2011-07-11T22:59:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, all you can do is hold your hurt up to God and wait on Him to act.

And sometimes, the waiting in and of itself is more painful than the initial wound.

Because everytime there is a death to yourself, your will, your control, your understanding of what you think you know...the vultures will circle, looking for a chance to devour the offering. And that's where the rubber meets the road. Watching the enemy circle in closer, breathing lies and spreading confusion you have two choices.

Lay down and die, or stand and wait upon the Lord.

I do not understand God or His timing. But somewhere in my deep, there is a constant and persistent Presence that refuses to allow me to give up. There is knowledge in my bones that this Presence is the very essence of Grace...satisfying and saturating needs I didn't know I had, even as I struggle and strain for trust.

There is peace knowing that even while I look at Him and scream in rage and fear, He is not afraid of me. He will not run for cover and He will not give up. I am His and He knows it.

¹⁷ O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds. ¹⁸ And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come. ¹⁹ For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens,
You who have done great things;
O God, who is like You? ²⁰ You who have shown me many troubles and distresses
Will revive me again,
And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth. ²¹ May You increase my greatness
And turn to comfort me.

Psalm 71:17-21 NASB

Shayne

Joy Unspeakable

2011-07-01T11:24:00.002-04:00

Recently, I went to a funeral of a very dear friend and I was so heavy laden , missing my friend & hurting for his family.....and normally I would say funerals are a very sad occasions....but a a true time of worship, praise & joy was what I encountered.

People openly rejoicing with a joy so unspeakable and so full of

God's glory....what a wake up call for me...I know my friend preached his own funeral...he lived, loved & rejoiced totally in his Savior , Jesus Christ.

Where has my joy gone????.....to the long days spent with doctors?.....family that are not in right relationship with Christ?.....pain in my body ???.......sorrow over long lost friends?......despair with all the tragedy?

Robber, that is me....I robbed God of His perfect joy for me....every time I carry these weights I rob God...We are instructed in Ezra to SHOUT for joy...in Psalms we are reminded that His presence gives us fullness of joy...a fullness that nothing else gives...He restores ALL joy... in Habakkuk it is the joy of my salvation...in Isaiah there states EVERLASTING joy....in Matthew the joy is in all that Christ is and is to come.....Acts bring the joy of the Holy Ghost....in Galatians the fruit of the Holy Spirit brings joy....Yet here I was a robber....who replaced the Joy of the Lord with so many other things......So now I am striving each & every day to obtain the JOY OF THE LORD.
Here is a poem a friend of mind gave me recently:

Weavings

My life is but a weaving
Between my God & me
I may choose the colors
But He know what they should be.

For He can view the pattern
Upon the upper side
While I see it only
On the under side

Sometimes He weaves in sorrow
Which seemeth strange to me
But I will trust His judgement
And work on faithfully.

Tis He who fills the shuttle
For He knows what is best
And I shall weave in earnest
And leave with Him the rest.

At last when life has ended
With Him I shall abide
Then I may view the pattern
Upon the other side.

Then I shall know the reason why
Pain with Joy entwined
Was woven in the fabric
That God Himself designed.

By Shawnee Kelle

Open The Windows of Heaven in 2011,
Mary

Understanding

2011-06-28T00:33:00.010-04:00

I don't know about you, but I have an overwhelming desire to understand everything. I want to understand myself, God, church, friends and life in general. I just want everything to make sense.
In 1st Corinthians 13:12 Paul writes,

<>"Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely."<>

According to this verse, the closer we get to God's presence the more we will know things completely. God gives us access to Himself. He tells us who we are in Him because He knows us completely. He gives us the ability to come into his presence. Isn't that wonderul news!! The sad part is not everyone sees themselves the way God does. If you want more understanding and you want to make more sense of your life take comfort in what God says about you and jump head first into his presence.

If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior say to yourself as you jump into his arms:

I am accepted

John 1:12 I am God’s child.

John 15:15 I am Jesus’ friend.

Romans 5:1 I have been justified.

1 Cor. 6:20 I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.

Ephesians 1:5 I have been adopted as God’s child.

Colossians 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sin.

Colossians 2:10 I am complete in Christ.

I am secure

Romans 8:12 I am free from condemnation.

Romans 8:28 I am assured that all things work together for good.

Romans 8:35-39 I cannot be separated from God’s love.
Philippians 1:6 I am confident that the good work God has begun in

me will be perfected.

Colossians 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God.

2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power,

love and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.

I am significant

John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.

Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ.

1 Cor. 3:9 I am God’s co-worker.

Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.

Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship.

Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I know this is a lot, but there is even more in the Word... remind yourself everyday who you are- and don't forget it- get into God's presence daily and He will give you the understanding and the clarity you desire!

Candy

These scriptures were taken from Neil T. Andersons book Victory Over Darkness

Leviticus 26

2011-06-20T11:50:00.002-04:00

There are a couple words that when I hear my reaction is to immediately give an eye roll. I am going to focus on one of those things today….OBEDIENCE. Now this of course is not one of my strong suits in life and never has been. As a child my parents are the ones that were training me in obedience and my attitude was that I was going to do what I wanted when I wanted regardless. Now it is no longer my parents training me but my heavenly Father who is requiring me to be obedient to His will, His way, His rules, and His commands. Now that I am a parent requiring my child to be obedient I get it; obedience is really for the child’s benefit. God also had rewards for us, his children, for our obedience. Leviticus 26 is a list of rewards. In verse:
· 4 and 5, God gives us prosperity;
· 6 – 8, God gives us peace in our homes and lives;
· 9, God gives us favor;

and then verse 11 and 12 is the real reason why we should want to be obedient to God and the greatest reward of all,

vs 11 I will put my dwelling place among and I will not be abhor by you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.

What life is all about is walking, talking, and dwelling with God. So now that same old childish attitude of wanting to do what I want to do regardless is powerless and meaningless.

Dayla

ALL WE ABRAHAMS

2011-06-07T15:21:00.010-04:00

I've been reading about Abraham this week in a little
book I have by Watchman Nee.The Lord had me
pull it off the shelf and reread it during a season in
my life when things around me seem to be spinning
totally out of control. One of those times when one
day I'm calm and confident and the next I'm inwardly
hysterical. I don't need to ask if any of you can relate.

When looking at the over-all picture of Abraham's life,
from his leaving Ur and bringing Lot along with him,
his wondering down into Egypt, looking to Hagar for
the son of promise and finally his willingness to sacrifice
Isaac, it seems to me that his walk with God very much
resembles ours.

When Abraham left Ur he knew nothing of the land, the
seed and the promise; he didn't even know where he was
going nor did he understand that God's call for his life
wasn't for Lot too. When he got there he didn't get the
importance of his being there so he wondered around
and finally got himself into the mess with Pharaoh in
Egypt. He spent a "lot" of time trying to save Lot and
include him in his own promise just as he did with Ismael
when he was trying to help God bring things about.
Finally in his very old age God gave him Isaac and then
later asked Abraham to give him back which Abraham
was able to do in total faith.

When God first revealed Himself to us and we began to
follow Him we really had no comprehension of who He
was or where we were going. We often devalued where
He put us and went where we had not been sent or
whined because we couldn't. All the time He stayed with
us and we still believed. We've spent endless hours trying
to help those we love follow God, perhaps coming to
their rescue time and again. Looking familiar? And of
course we all have experienced the helping God out
dilemma. Oh the pain! Again, He never left us and we
continued to believe. Finally, like Abraham, we have
grown to know the One in whom we were called to
believe. Sometimes we are calm and sometimes we
are hysterical but we love Him and trust Him enough to
give back to Him everything He has given us because
through it all, He has made us His own and we know it.

"Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy
exceeding great reward." Genesis 15:1b

Lovingly
beverlyn

A fruit - Bearing Servant

2011-05-29T21:04:00.003-04:00

The following is not original but we are leaving for
Illinois next Saturday for the summer and I haven’t
had time to sit with the Lord to see what He wants
me to talk to you about. In fact, I believe this is just
what He wants me to send you. I t is something that
inspires me greatly and I read it often, I had mislaid
it and just when I was thinking of this devotional, I
found it again! Read it through, then meditate on
some of his phrases to see if you can claim them as
yours.
Terry

THE COMMITMENT OF A FRUIT-BEARING
SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have
Holy Spirit power. The dye has been cast. I have
stepped over the line. The decision has been made.
I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up,
slow down, back away or be still .
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my
future is secure. I’m finished and done with low
living, sight walking. small planning, smooth knees,
colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking,
cheap giving,and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, promot-
ions, plaudits or popularity. I don’t have to be right,
first, tops,recognized, praised,regarded or rewarded.
I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by
patience and labor by power. My face is set, my
gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow,
my way is rough, my companions few, my guide
reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, com-
promised, detoured, lured away, turned back,
deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of
sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity,
negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the
pool of popularity, or meander in he maze of medi-
ocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have
stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up
for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I
must go till He comes, give till I drop, witness till
all know, and work till He stops me. And when He
comes for His own, He will have no problem recog-
nizing me -- my banner will be clear. I am a fruit-
bearing servant of Jesus Christ!
by Bob Moorhead

Is What I Believe The Truth?

2011-05-18T21:49:00.005-04:00

I can’t get what that man said on the video a couple of Wednesday nights out of my head.
He was saying there was no God and no free will and if he was wrong he would rather spend
eternity in hell than listening to boring preachers in heaven. Wow does he have it all wrong!

Then I had to ask myself “is what I believe the truth or a lie?” Satan likes to fill us with half truths. Even from the beginning Satan was telling us, (half the truth) = a lie.

In Genesis 3:1 he tells Eve; "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

But what did God really say?
In Genesis 2:16-17,
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
He (Satan) just flipped it around, I had to read it a couple of times to see. How about you?

Are you believing the half truth or the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

There’s only one way to find out. We must read our Bible on a daily basis. I know it’s hard for some to do, I’m a person who dislikes reading, but it’s worth it. All the time I’m discovering something new in the Bible. It was always been there but the Spirit opened my eyes this time to see something a new. Let us be like Jesus when Satan tried to tempt Him in the desert Jesus quoted the scripture right back to him. (Luke 4:1-13.)

Jesus, help me to move what the Bible says from my mind to my heart!
God Bless, Lisa

I AM

2011-05-13T14:06:00.007-04:00

I Am because you are the great I Am and great is thy faithfulness.
A statement that marched around is my spirit as an anthem of praise, a profession of truth!

In exodus 3:13-14 Moses asked God what shall I tell the people when they ask me your name. He replied--I AM that I AM.

Two small words, I am. Two small words with an enormous impact. As I pondered God as the
I AM, He became:
Powerful enough to move mountains--yet intimate enough to breathe life into a baby.
Strong enough to hold in place the heavens--yet intimate enough to hold you in your darkest times.
Great enough to cover all time and space--yet intimate enough to be in the very DNA of Jesus Christ.
Larger than any of your circumstances--yet intimate enough to be in every detail of your life.

Like many, I was lead to ask myself…who am I. All my life I have been who I was expected to be or needed to be, such as a daughter, wife, mother. I now find myself in a season where the have to be’s are not as prominent. So who am I…the vastness overwhelmed me, and back to God I went. Asking Him…the I AM…who am I? At the core of my being…I am because He is the I AM.

God identified Himself to Israel many time as: I AM the Lord or I AM the Lord your God. He wanted His chosen people to know who He was and who He was to them. He Fathered Israel. He wanted His people to reflect a part of Him.

Old Testament Israel Who I am in Christ?
Chosen, having a savior, accepted, bought w/a price
Ex: 6:6-7, Is: 42:6, JN 1:12. Rm 5:1, 1cor 6:20, Co. 1:14,
Is:43:11, Is:48:17

Freed from shame, I am secure and free from condemnation.
Rm 8:1-2, 2Cor 1:21-22, 1JN 5:18
Joel 2:27, EZ:28:26, EZ 34:27

Israel-- Who I am in Christ? Significant.
Jer:24:7, Num 15:41, Jn 15:15, Jn 15:16,
Act 1:8, Ex 29:46

Love Robin Cox

Masterpieces

2011-05-02T10:46:00.008-04:00

The other day I went to the chiropractor with John. For the first visit, this doctor likes to explain how the spine and nerves all work together. He pulled out this model of the spine with the nerves coming off each vertebrae. He explained how each nerve from each vertebrae affects different parts of our bodies. And not just things like walking and running but things we dont even think about. Things like digestion, breathing, seeing and hearing.

Seeing that model reminded me of how true Psalm 139:14 is that says "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

God is such an artist. We think that the human race looks so much alike, but if you look closer you will see that we are each so unique and different. Each one of us was lovingly created. God chose our haircolor, eye color, how tall we would be, what type of nose we would have, the shape of our mouth and so much more. He created each one us as His beautiful masterpieces. Cant you just see Him looking at us with such love in His eyes. Hear the love in His voice when He says look at her, I picked out the perfect haircolor for her, it matches her eyes so beautifully.

So many times as women, we feel that we have to measure up to what we see in magazines or on tv. But God says no. He sees it differently. He sees each one of us as His beautiful creation, lovingly created with His hands.

Most of the time when we look in the mirror we do not see what we think is beauty staring back at us. But that is a lie. We have to allow God to give us new eyes to see what He sees when He looks at us.

My prayer for each one of us this week is that we will begin seeing ourselves through God's eyes. Ladies, go take a look in the mirror and see what true beauty really is.

Mary Beth

Donkey!

2011-04-25T11:29:00.016-04:00

Legend of the Donkey's Cross
" Bring me the colt of a donkey," was the Master's
request. A young donkey was brought to Jesus to
carry Him into Jerusalem. A week later Jesus was
ordered to be crucified. The little donkey so loved
the Lord that he wanted to help Him carry the cross.
But, alas, he was pushed away. The sad little donkey
waited to say goodbye until nearly all had left. As he
turned to leave, the shadow of the cross fell upon the
back and shoulders of the little donkey. And there it
has remained, a tribute to the loyalty and love of the
humblest of Gods creatures.
by Mary Singer

As I was praying about what to write about for this
week, I had one word that kept coming back to me.
Bob! You see, my father has a donkey named Bob.
Bob is also known as a Jesus donkey. After a little
research I found the legend of the donkey’s cross.
Bob doesn’t expect a lot out of life. He does like a
peppermint occasionally. But he takes his job very
seriously. He looks after his cows. As you drive
around you will see donkeys with cows, horses,
sheep, and other herds. I have had many of my
customers ask me why donkey’s are so common. I
never thought much about it till Bob. Bob (and
other donkeys) will lay their lives down for what-
ever herd they are put with. They are the shepherds
of their flock and will protect them from danger at
all cost.

I find it amazing that Jesus chose the donkey on
several different occasions throughout the Bible.
I also find it amazing that one of the most humble
creatures would be used in such an important roll
without pride or ego. We pray to be more like
Jesus and the donkey has accomplished that.
My prayer for myself and all of you is that we will
all become a little like the donkey. How about that...
what most people would consider an insult can now
be looked at as a compliment! Think about that and
smile the next time you hear someone called a donkey.

God bless,
Julie Powell

Need a New Mind?

2011-04-09T10:47:00.004-04:00

Constantly! How do I change the channel when my thinking is all messed up? Sometimes it feels as if the remote keeps jumping back to the previous channel even when I am trying to think right. It is definitely a constant battle to keep our thinking in the right direction. It affects everything we do.

As ladies it is especially difficult to keep our thinking right when our emotions are in high gear. Many times when our emotions kick in... our brains kick out. We begin reacting instead of thinking our way through to a response. The honest truth is correct thinking can actually help with the emotional issues. We can learn to think our way through instead of feeling our way through. All of our emotions are not bad, it is just when they are leading us instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us.

Well, first we have to ask ourselves, “What is my weakness?” At that point we begin battle.

What kind of thinker am I? Am I negative, fearful, complaining, hateful, revengeful, or judgmental, just to name a few. From there you can begin to fight and win. It is not a one time battle. This is a life time battle. If for one moment you think you can win a couple of rounds and you have mastered it you are mistaken. The greatest battle field we have spiritually is in our minds. That battle must always be fought even though we can have great victory.

Romans 12:2 says that we must transform our minds. According to the first verse in that chapter he is not talking to the world but to us Christians. Born again believers who need to have their thinking changed. It is through the transformation of the mind that we will begin “to be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Learn to do this and walking in the Spirit becomes much easier. We will begin to hear his voice over our poor thinking and emotions.

(More thoughts later on the process.)
Barbara Mitchell

Put Your Garbage on the Curb

2011-03-29T16:48:00.003-04:00

by Gwendolyn B. Garrett

Last week we had a snow and ice storm that paralyzed everything from the post office to the collection of garbage. After some much needed thawing, Tommy and I had to take a trip to Montgomery for Doctors appointments.
Along the way, we noticed that people had put their garbage on the curb and it was quiet a sight. Some had only one can with the lid neatly closed shut. Some were running over. Some had many cans and then there were many that had the can overflowing with lots of bags sitting all around. This got me to thinking!

When was the last time I put all my garbage on the curb. Now I am not talking about the normal garbage, paper, cans etc. What I am talking about is the garbage in my house such as pride, anxiety, unconfessed sin, unforgiveness , lack of faith, lack of compassion, lack of time in prayer, and not studying God’s word. Do you get the picture! God spoke to my heart and I began to collect my garbage.

Today I put the garbage on the curb. I John 3:20 NKJV, For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Jeremiah 33:8 KJV, And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. Finally, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John l:9 NKJV.

Do you need to put some garbage on the curb? You don’t even have to separate it, Jesus will pick it up and throw it into the depths of the sea, Micah 7:19.

May God Bless and keep each one of you.

Open the windows of Heaven in 2011
Mary Campbell

H - E - R - O

2011-03-14T11:26:00.003-04:00

When we are kids we wanted to grow up to be like someone we think is our hero. We may idolize the way they look or the important job that they do. But do we as kids or even now as adults idolize someone’s spirituality? God wants us to grow up and spirituality be like Jesus. God’s intention for us is to be more like Christ. He wants to see His son in us. So as I study and think about Jesus one of the things that amazes me so much is that hurting people were drawn to him. They came to him. Jesus did not have to go out and work hard looking for people to save. They found him. They came to him with no shame, no trickery, no pushing, and no deception. They came to Jesus boldly, wholeheartedly, and with faith no matter what amount it was. Jesus was their friend no matter what sin or sickness and people knew this about him. So I am left with asking…What can I do to be more like my hero, Jesus?

Dayla

Love Never Fails

2011-03-05T09:18:00.014-05:00

Let's talk about love. I'm not talking about the earthly, conditional love. I am talking about the never failing, unconditional, all sufficient love of our Heavenly Father. Love is such a broad subject that I almost didn't write about it but I couldn't get the topic out of my heart. We all know about love, how it's supposed to work, and so forth, but that doesn't always mean we are actually doing it. I am so guilty of knowing what I am supposed to be doing, but sometimes failing to actually do it. Things are much easier said than done. Love, in my opinion, is one of the most important aspects of life. Love is everything. There are times when I wonder if I am loving enough. I hear people talk about how to love others, what you should do, what you should say. And for those of you who don't really know me, I am quite the odd ball. So it seems to me that everything I do is a little strange compared to everyone else. But I believe that's how God intended to make me.
We all know what love is. 1 Corinthians 13 explains it perfectly, but I have come to discover that we all love in very different ways. Since God is love and we would never dare to put him in a box, then why do we try to put love in a box? Love this way, or that way. It all comes down to the individual person. Love has different forms. One person may show love by donating money. One may show love with affection. Another might even show love by doing the dishes, which my husband is very good at. I spent the first couple years of our marriage trying to get him to love me the way I wanted him to. Not the way he did it best. Not all of us show love the same and we can't try to make someone love in any certain way. We can't expect people to buy gifts just because others do or go around showing affection because they may have just never learned how. It took me years just to get used to hugging people. But I love it now!

I believe that in order to really express love for others, you have to first feel it yourself. Before I started coming to Maranantha Church several years ago, I was very far away from knowing what love felt like or what it was. My heart was broken in so many ways I felt like someone was going to have to take a chisel to it just to get through all the layers; rejection seemed to be the only thing I knew how to feel. Then I met my husband. God's love and my husband's love for me, has totally changed my life. There is no greater feeling than the love of your Heavenly Father. His love can reach the deepest places of your heart that no one else can and just totally transform you into this completely different being. And believe me, the way he has loved me has been unlike any human love I have ever experienced. It is totally different. Maybe because it's unconditional. No matter what we do, His love never fails. I know lots of times it is so hard to love people exactly like that. But if you think back on how God's love has changed you, then you might think loving someone else is totally worth all the sacrifices you make in doing it.

One thing I keep hearing from people lately is "well this person hurt me deeply so they don't deserve my love". Reality check...but they NEED it, regardless of what they have done to us. In my opinion, to withhold love for any reason is selfish. It's not all about me or us. No one ever really deserves love but that's not what love is about anyway. Love is hard work. If we could just get passed ourselves, lay it all down, and learn how to love others the way Christ does, this whole world could be changed. I have someone close to me that is constantly using me and trying to manipulate me. But I think if I just keep loving her consistently it will pay off one day. It's hard because I don't automaticaly want to even bother with it. Then I am reminded of how much love God has shown me. Even when I have lied to Him, and pushed him away. He never gave up on me even when I didn't deserve it. I believe we should love in the exact same way. It doesn't matter who did what to us. Love is unconditional. We are told to love, plain and simple, There are no "what if" situations. Whether it be in church, at home, at work, or in our circle of friends...love should always win. Love always conquers the enemy.
Love never fails.

Love
Amanda B.

To Eat Living Fruit

2011-02-28T11:22:00.017-05:00

I was thinking about little Branson Bullard this morning
and how that sweet baby is being held and loved right
now in the ever lasting arms. The kindest, most gentle
arms to be held by. The very arms of life itself. At the
same time there are two precious parents with empty
arms and broken hearts. Today there is both joy and
grief in the fullest measure. Much can be said about
both of these experiences but right now I want to
focus simply on life and death.

I doubt that there are any of us that aren't fully
acquainted with both the fullness of joy and the
deepest of agony. We have known the great hope of
a new day as well as the dread of having to face
another one. We've had friends and enemies, times of
health and sickness, full prosperous days and lean
empty ones. The list can go on and on because we
exist in two realms - one of Life and one of Death.

In Deut. 28 God lays out the promised blessings for
obedience to His commands and the promised curses
for disobedience. Following in 30:15 He says, "See, I
have set before you today life and prosperity, and death
and adversity;" Then in verse 19 He says, "choose life in
order that you might live" I truly believe that God's whole
purpose for our existence on the earth as we know it was
and still is just that simple. We have been given an
experiential view of two realms between which we are to
make a choice and with that choice we receive an eternal
existence.

In the beginning Adam and Eve only existed in the realm
of life. When they decided not to believe God and eat the
fruit, they chose the realm of death. What a shock!! What
regret. God, being true to His word, cast them from His
garden of life; yet being faithful to His mercy, He was able
to offer them the choice of life through the promise of the
plan He already had in place for them.

We too can hold fast to God's promise understanding that
for now the fruits of death are still with us. Let's continue
to choose the fruits of life as He has laid them out for us
and encourage each other; knowing that the promise is
eternal and though for now we only know in part the
is coming when we will proclaim like David, " I would
have despaired unless I had believed that I would see
the Lord In the land of the living." Psalm 27:13.

The Father wants to present His Son with a bride that is
deliriously His alone. I think It is safe to say that in the
new heaven and earth He can place a tree of the
knowledge of good and evil on every corner and no one
will ever touch it!

beverlyn

Love

2011-02-18T08:25:00.001-05:00

I know this is a very wide subject, but right now it's so much on my heart and mind. That's probably because of Valentine's Day -- we were bombarded with hearts and flowers. I read in the Mountain Press and Knoxville Sentinel articles written for men on what to do and even what to say to be romantic. Advertisements displayed everything you could possibly buy for whomever your valentine is. This is the biggest day of the year for florists, and card companies follow closely. I just wonder how much is spent on flowers that wilt, candy (well, you know what that does), and cards that are eventually thrown away. (I'm not only getting older but wiser.) I like all that stuff, too, but why all at once, one day, and because "they" say to. I also saw much more pressure put on men to buy for their sweethearts than females for theirs. And I wondered why the pressure is on the guys and not on the girls. Shouldn't we women also show our sweethearts love and appreciation? It does seem out of balance. However, I don't want to camp here or on Valentine's Day at all except that it made me think about love.

The first time I heard a sermon on the Love Chapter, I Corinthians 13, and then read it for myself (many years ago), it actually shook me up. I typed it up and taped it in my desk drawer at work so I would see it every day and begin to insert it into my life. I'm still working on it. Seems like I get something right and then fail on the next -- it goes back and forth. Some commands just seem impossible. Have you read it lately? Some reminders: If I don't have love, nothing else counts; Love is patient and kind; love is not envious or jealous; it is not prideful, boastful, or conceited; it is not rude or discourteous; Love does not insist on its own way or rights; it is not touchy or fretful; does not keep track of wrongs done to oneself; it does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices when truth prevails; it believes the best of everyone; Love endures everything with joy; it never fails or becomes obsolete. Did I say if I don't have love, I have nothing?

Does this only refer to our own families? How about others in church, work, the grocery store, etc. etc.
I want to underscore what Kaye said in church Sunday. After our families, others in church should come second. I heard a pastor the other day say that no one in your church should be in need. It is important for each of us to be interested enough in each other to know when one is in need. You don't ever have to take care of a need you find all by yourself unless you are able and want to. Tell some others about it and plan together how to help. It may be something that's not possible to fully complete, but at least that person/s will know that others care. Praying for them is the basic and first thing to do -- praying for them in person. Not just saying you'll pray for them during the week. (I'm SO guilty of that!) PLEASE let someone know when you have a need or problem. We can't help unless you let us know!! There is no problem too small or too big that something can't be done. In this way we won't need to have organization to help each other, and that is the way it should be.

Back to I Cor.13 - read it again and let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us love as God wants us to. I don't know what you think, but I think some of these are going to need a lot of practice. Well, we can practice on
each other. I love the women at Foothills and I hope you all know it.

Terry

2011-01-31T09:25:00.003-05:00

I want to briefly share with you a little from a teaching
that I heard a few weeks ago on the parable that
Christians have long labeled The Prodigal Son. Jesus,
however, said "A man had two sons." It was also
pointed out that He was addressing the Pharisees at
this particular time and the point of the story was more
likely the second son. Since we all know this parable
almost by heart, I'll skip on to the conclusion and a
truth we may sometimes miss by our focus on the
wayward son. The prodigal had a hard time accepting
the total forgiveness and complete restoration to the
family because he knew he didn't deserve it. He was
more willing to become a servant. I think that we
have no trouble in finding his humbleness admirable
but his father simply said, You were gone and now
your back. The second son was indignant and angry
as he had faithfully served the interests of his father
all his life. Therefore he refused to join the family's
celebration. The father's reply to him was, You are
my son and all I have is and has always been yours.

Yesterday during worship as we sang two songs that
dealt with laying ourselves down so that we might
possess all our Father has for us, I was again reminded
that my Father God and all His kingdom is mine for the
taking. If I go my own way I am grieved and wept over.
As I serve faithfully, I am whole-heatedly appreciated.
BUT, there is nothing about me good or bad, faithful or
faithless that either disqualifies or makes me qualified to
belong in my Father's house. It is all mine if I want it
because I am simply His daughter. I'm blood.

Walk in blessing this week
beverlyn

His Love's Security

2011-01-22T11:36:00.017-05:00

My oldest daughter and her husband have been in Florida
for the past week waiting for the adoption of their new
baby to be finalized and I have had the joy of keeping my
two grand-daughters. However, it has not been an easy
visit for them as they have been extremely homesick.
Even though they are putting forth their best efforts, the
underlying stress of being separated from the loving
source of their security is clearly visible. Nothing I can
do, not even my love, can make things feel right for them.

I was thinking this morning that perhaps what we
believers experience most is homesickness. We are
physically living on a cursed earth among cursed people
and though we try our best, we are often finding our-
selves in a state of stress. In spite of all we know and
believe we are still spiritually homesick. Though we
know better, we live as if it is our faith in and love for
God that will see us stably through when it is really His
love for us.Jesus said "Come to me all you who are
weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest." I
believe what we need most is to spend more time
letting God simply hold us; much more time.
Isn't is wonderful that we don't have to search Him out,
that our loving source of security is ever present in us.
Let's be more conscious to remind ourselves and each
other to draw near to Him. After all, we can never know
the height, width and breadth of His love if we never
make ourselves still long enough to experience it. Are
you sad, depressed or just struggling in your spirit?
Be still. Are you suffering or grieving? Be still. Are you
displeased maybe even hating yourself right now? Have
you found yourself in the midst of persecution? Be still.
Our God is just at hand.I t's what His blood has paid for.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all
comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so
that we will be able to comfort those who are in
any affliction with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God."
2 Corinthians 3 - 4.

beverlyn

A New Year

2011-01-15T17:34:00.047-05:00

Deut.11:11-12. The land which you enter to possess is a
land of hills and valleys which drinks water of the rain of
the heavens. A land for which the Lord your God cares;
the eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it from
the beginning to the end of the year.

January is the month each year where we stand on the
edge of the unknown. The new year is before us, and
we must go forward to possess it. We have no real idea
what new experiences or changes life will provide us or
just what needs will arise. But the message is clear in the
scripture above. The Lord your God cares for it. His
eyes are upon it to the "ending of the year." It is a
time to remember again that all our needs are met in
God. His wells never run dry, and His fountains and
rivers are never stopped up. His mercies never fail
and His grace is sufficient. The land is full of hills
and valleys. There may be some rough spots. But the
end it is safe. Climbing the hills of life is what drives
us to His throne of grace. It is through these that we
grow and we learn how much God really loves us.
Our Lord cares also for the land ahead. We can't know
what 2011 will bring, but we can trust in Him who takes
our hand and leads the way.
Are you in financial need? Take His hand.
Are you feeling anxious or worried about the future?
Take His hand. Are you discouraged or depressed?
Take His hand. God loves us, wants the best for us and
desires to spend time with us. He desires so much for us
to know, really know how much He loves us. Take His
hand. I'm taking it! Let your joy in Him be your strength
and it will be a good and blessed new year.

Terry

2011-01-08T14:38:00.002-05:00

Afliving in Florida for so long, one of my favorite things about being here is the seasons. Watching the seasons change speaks so clearly to me of God. Every season is beautiful, whether it is spring/summer with everything in bloom and new life springing forth or fall/winter when everything seems lifeless. Even though winter may seem lifeless it is far from it. There is rest, regeneration and growth going on, even if it is not seen. It seems as if this past year has ter been a hard one for many in the body of Christ. Many have said they felt like they were in a winter type of season. It is so wonderful to be able to look at nature and see that God never leaves anything the same. We are never stuck in a season. Just like nature our season will change too. For those who feel like they are stuck in a lifeless winter, be encouraged. Look outside and see how beautiful it is. Everything is covered with white, it looks fresh and pure. Know that during the winter season in your life God is working things out to make you fresh and pure too.
Psalm 51 is like looking at someones life who is going through seasons. At first David is asking God to cleanse him, to create within him a clean and a pure heart, to renew a steadfast spirit within him. Later he says, restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey. THEN, I will teach Your ways to transgressors and they will return to You.
We have to go through the season of being refreshed, purified, restored and renewed. This is like a fall/winter season. Only after that can we enter into the fruitful seasons of spring and summer to give out what God has placed within us.
Be encouraged and embrace whatever season you may find yourself in.
Mary Beth

Hungry For Change

2011-01-03T10:44:00.006-05:00

As the new year rolls in, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and expectancy of what it could possibly hold. I believe you have to be hungry for change in order for change to occur. I am starving for change. God has done some amazing things in my and my husband's life the past few years. I have been grateful for every single one. But there's this feeling deep down in my heart and my spirit that longs for something way bigger than even my own life can handle. The past few months I have seen other people change, their lives change, their marriage change. Seems as though everyone around me is changing or going somewhere, but me. Then I begin asking myself what I am doing to prevent anything in my life from changing. And it's not as though there is anything there stopping it other than what has always been there...which is fear. What will happen to me? Where will I go? What will I lose?...are the questions that have raged in my head many times.

A couple of months ago, we went on vacation to a place I had never even been to before. It was full of new places, new things, and new adventures. I did things on that vacation that I swore that I would never due, because of past fears. But during that time I was just so hungry to venture out, and experience new things, I felt unstoppable. The hunger has never disappeared since then. I am at a point right now that I don't care what it cost me, where it will take me, or what happens to me. All I know is I am sick and tired of being in the same place. And I believe that sometimes God makes us wait just so our expectancy will build, and our faith and trust. You know what they've said...expectancy is the breeding ground for miracles. This year is not going to be the same as every other year. However, when much is given, much is required. We can't expect to get anything from God when we aren't willing to give anything. Mainly talking to myself here. At this point I don't care what it costs me. All I know is that I don't want to be stuck where I have always been. We have to be so tired of where we've been to get where God wants to take us. He can't move us into these new places if we don't want to go. In my opinion, I have nothing to lose. Anything my future holds has got to be way better than anything I have gained in the past. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NASB) says it better...

"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway through the wilderness, rivers in the desert."

I cannot wait to see the places and plans God has in store for me this year and the many years to come. I am expecting new growth, new challenges, new adventures, new blessings, and new miracles. And I am expecting more of him. And I believe I'm not the only one who senses this change. God is stirring many hearts. Let's be expectant. let's be excited.

Love,
Amanda B.

To Be or Not To Be

2010-12-29T08:13:00.009-05:00

My Healing Journey: Phase Two

Phase 1 was posted Jan. 30, 2010 Titled: Stopped Cold Like A Deer Caught In The Headlights
At that time He wanted All of me-All of the brokenness, All that I needed to be found in Him. He needed me to be still, cease striving and know that He is All His Word says He is. And Me, I was to do NOTHING!! Nothing but let Him be Daddy. To let Him be the potter and me the clay.

Lately there has been an extreme restlessness within me. I am so ready for the “Behold I make all things new." I feel that drive and need to break through a mountain and seize the change I deserve. As the New Year approaches my anticipation and expectancy is that of a child waiting for Christmas presents. Once again Daddy grabs my attention and slows me and my intentions down. Which leads me to phase 2?

While talking to a friend about wanting things to change in their life, I prayed that they would be “content in the wait”. Tell me, have you ever had your words come back at you.

Let the whining begin: OK Lord, I hear you. But I’ve been still, haven’t I? I’m doing nothing!! I am very restless, I am over it! And now you want me to wait longer and I have to like it!! Well I am not settling God!

The Lord Quickly spoke: "Contentment is not settling. Settling is compliancy. Contentment is 'peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit.' Rm: 14:17 I came to give you Life an abundant Life."

A few nights later I’m awaken to the word fortitude and later that same night I hear the word resolve. Not yours, but where yours ends and mine begins. Since then silence, day after day, after day. No explanation, no clue about what He is resolving, what I’m waiting on, or why I need this fortitude if I’m not tackling mountains. Nothing just silence.

Being still before Him and being Content in the wait is not the same. I can be still before Him--I know what to expect. Being content in the wait--Is another story. It’s at this point in time I ask the Question. DO I REALLY TRUST HIM? And with tears running down my face I realize phase 2 is about Trusting Him and Him restoring my ability to trust again.

To Be or Not To Be…Content in the wait. …Trusting Him even in the Silence, …Going deeper in our relationship.

Love Robin

2010-12-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

Tis' The Season

2010-12-19T23:39:00.002-05:00

For giving and getting gifts for all the good girls and boys. Did you ever get worried you were too bad this past year to get any gifts? That maybe you would get a lump of coal? Then here comes Christmas morning and you see a full stocking and the gifts under the tree. I remember one year I got a bike. It was a gift I did not ask for, it was a surprise, just like Jesus, the best gift I did not ask for or deserve. He knows me better then I know myself and He still loves me and you. There is no way I could be good enough, but His gift is free. His gift is here for me every morning;

22The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease,
         For His compassions never fail.
    23They are new every morning;
         Great is Your faithfulness.
    24"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
         "Therefore I have hope in Him."

Lamentations 3:22-24 (New American Standard Bible)

No matter what is in the stocking or under the tree Jesus is in my heart. He brings me hope. Thank You Jesus.

May your hearts and minds be filled with the love and peace of Christ during this week of Christmas and the up coming New Year!

Love in Christ,
Lisa

2010-12-13T12:45:00.002-05:00

Lately I have felt a restlessness in my spirit or a desire for something different. So I start seeking the meaning of it. I can’t help but look around me and see the cry for change. There is definitely been change for people in this country. But also as I look at the students in my classroom they want change. They want to do things a new way, their own way, not the same as their parents. As I dig into the meaning of all this, I hear two words over and over….GOODBYE ORDINARY. Goodbye ordinary church, goodbye ordinary way of life, goodbye ordinary witnessing, goodbye ordinary relationships, goodbye mediocrity, goodbye just living, goodbye just making it, goodbye blending in, goodbye trying to not be noticed… It is time....Dayla

Light

2010-11-23T10:35:00.002-05:00

My porch has become my favorite “room” in my house. It overlooks a tiny glade in which deer, foxes, rabbit, raccoons, squirrels and birds (oh my the birds) hold court and captivate my heart.

It has become my habit to sit on my porch and steal a few moments to myself each morning before the day truly begins. Nature has always had a way of calming the restlessness in my spirit, and today was no exception.

My life at this time is heading in a direction that I really have no desire to go. My time, my sweet, precious, time with my children is dwindling downward. I’ve known in my depths that this time would come, but always, always I could say, “Oh that’s still years away.”

Now that time is at hand. The dreaded 18th birthday is in less than two short weeks, and mere months later, my life will be altered completely when she moves away. And today, my son, my baby, got his permit.

He’s right on his sister’s heels.

My family will always be my family…I know this. I know it. It’s not like anyone is dying. And yet a death of sorts is occurring. My children will remain my children, yet my family will not be the same ever again. A separation is happening and it is terrifying.

And so, this morning, I came to my little porchside sanctuary again, seeking solace in the lessons that creation teaches me about God. I was not disappointed.

The light was making headway against the darkness as the earth strained and turned toward the sun. I spoke and said, “I don’t like the direction I’m headed in Lord.”
The sky streaked with subtle pinks and blues. The only answer I felt in my heart was, “Look. Watch the parable of the light.”

The dark shadows were fleeing the light. What had once seemed mysterious and hidden was made clear and beautiful as it was bathed in the glory of the sun. The secrets of the night were not suddenly and harshly outed, like when we enter a dark room and flip the switch. Rather, everything was revealed slowly, lovingly, tenderly, and …relentlessly. Once again my soul was touched by God’s mercy and patience. I was reminded of how He carefully and completely loves us. So much so that in preparation for the separation He knew would come when He created us, He painstakingly poured every drop of His character into our natural environment; effectively creating a clear roadmap for us to follow as the memory of Him and what had been in the Garden faded through time.
Yes, Jesus has come (Praise God) and He is the only Way. Yet still, we forget. And still, creation is there, patiently testifying and giving glory to the Creator.
And today, it has once more taught me that while my life might be crowded with shadows of the unknown…light is always the victor over darkness, and all I have to do is be patient and watch as all that was hidden is made glorious and beautiful in His unfailing light.

Edited to add: This post was originally posted on my own blog. I tried to write something new, but this is what is in me right now...so...here you go. Better late than never right??? ~ Shayne

2010-11-08T13:31:00.003-05:00

As I sit here this morning, in all honesty, another time for me to share the devotion has come and I'm not ready. I feel quite like Martha today. I've been busy all weekend working in some manner or another. being with my Husband as he experiences a brand new adventure in God, visiting the sick in the hospital, helping to ensure that a family member is secure in a life's circumstance, and preparing a meal for a co-worker that is in 3 days a week dialisys.

As I sit here this morning, I'm actually tired. I'm quite spent. Not in a negative, exhausted way, but in a fulfilled, whirlwind kind of way.

I don't feel full of Godly wisdom, I just feel thankful that the Lord would choose, or ask of me to give of myself so that others will know that they are loved and cared for.

A scriptured comes to mind. Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ. Can I let you look it up? or can you just trust me???

So today, I just am a thankful Martha, maybe next time I'll be able to be Mary, with lots of wisdom and a fresh word from being at his feet. Today, I'll just hope that he enjoys the stew.

Love to all of you!!

Kay Enfinger

Being Made Perfect

2010-10-30T09:25:00.005-04:00

1 Peter 5:10 ”But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

Suffering is not something we like to think about, as a matter of fact, we run from it if possible. and yet we all face suffering. The book of 1 Peter gives explicit instructions on how to suffer in the right attitude and the benefits of it. Attitude is everything. In the second chapter of 1 Peter he states that Christ was and is our example on how to suffer. We all enjoy benefits or blessings so if we are going to face suffering anyway we might as well reap the benefits.

“…after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

“Make you perfect..,” the first benefit of suffering correctly is to be repaired, mended, and adjusted. God uses our suffering to make us what we ought to be in Him. We grow more mature as we learn to handle difficulty with the right attitude.

“…Stablish…,” the second benefit. To stablish means to make stable, place firmly, to strengthen, make firm, and to set fast. God will use our suffering to anchor us strong in Him. We will not be blown about by every wind of doctrine, or by unusual circumstances. Our emotions can’t be allowed to dictate our faith. Our faith must dictate our response to every situation.

“…Strengthen…,” the third benefit. “To make strong one’s soul” is the definition. Our minds as well as our hearts become firm in the truth of God’s Word as we hold on tightly to Him. As we see His faithfulness in bringing us through the situation we become stronger in our faith and more firm in our commitment. Our mind becomes “made up” and firm in the truth of God’s Word.

To finish His work in us as we learn to suffer correctly, God will “settle” us, laying a strong and firm foundation through His Son, Jesus Christ. You will notice three out of the four definitions deal with strength. Our correct attitude during suffering will allow God to strengthen us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Love

Barbara

2010-10-24T22:27:00.004-04:00

Ladies, I do not have any great words of wisdom to share with you today; only a scripture that the Lord has placed on my heart. I hope that it encourages you as much it has me.
Love you all,
Sarah

Romans 8:31-39 MSG

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we loose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare even point a finger? The One who died for us – who was raised to life for us! – is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: …

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing – nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Our God of Comfort

2010-09-26T15:28:00.008-04:00

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of pity and mercy ,and the God of every
comfort,who comforts us in every trouble so that we
may also comfort those who are in darkness with the
comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
II Cor 1:3-4
I've just been through a difficult time over the death of
my sister's husband.. I loved Ed and am still
grieving his loss and, of course, for my sister who went
through hell these last few months. While Ed wasted
away to skin and bones because he could not eat any-
thing, the doctors could not diagnose his problem.
When finally, after 3 months they diagnosed him with
stomach cancer, he died 4 days later. This was such a
time of pain, anxiety and disappointment. Yet, all of
us were comforted from our Father, who loves us.
However, I had to admit I was full of whys.
Ed was a good man. I say that about very few people.
But he loved everyone. In 17 years of marriage, my
sister, Carole, never saw him angry at anyone. He
dearly loved children and young people. Why
should a man like that suffer so and die with years
yet to encourage and bless others. I don't know, but
we chose to trust in God's wisdom and love. We are
comforted to know he is in heaven.

God can comfort you in your trouble also and when
we are comforted we can comfort others!

Ed called Carole and her 2 daughters his Charley's
Angels. Whenever they came into his room, he would
say "There are my Charley's Angels. Last Sunday
Carole, and her daughters, went to Chicago for the day.
Walking on the street, a nice looking black man pointed
at them and said "There's Charley's Angels." The man
walked away and Carole turned to look at him. He
turned around, made direct eye contact with her, smiled
and disappeared. Godis amazing and awesome! He
sends his angels to comfort us. Hallelujah!!
Let us comfort and bless each other. I bless you
with a sense of safety and security in your world,
provided by the protecting presence, power, wisdom
and love of your Father; in the name of the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit.

Love
Terry

My Stand

2010-09-19T19:19:00.005-04:00

We are quickly coming upon the weekend of this years
ladies' retreat. I find it hard to believe it has been a
whole year; yet at the same time so many things have
taken place in the lives of each of us.The great and
good things of God's blessings mixed with the pain
and heartache that accompanies this cursed earth.
As I have been reflecting back on my days I have
found too many times when I let the heartaches distract
me from being a minister ofGod's kingdom. I got lost in
the problems who I am, I neglected to act like it. I
allowed my heart to become weakened, drained and
practically useless. I don't know about you but I really
get mad when I let the enemy get the better of me. I
am determined that this year, with the grace of God,
that I will stand strong with an active awareness of
what is going on in the lives of those around me
armed with prayer and a word of encouragement from
the promises of our God on my tongue.
So, I begin by reminding you, my dear, dear hearts of
Isaiah 43:1-5 (the Message)

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
it won't be a dead end -
Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a big price for you...
That's how much I love you...
So don't be afraid. I am with you."

Duet. 31:6
"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated.
Don't give them a second thought because God,
your God, is striding ahead of you.
He's right there with you.
He won't let you down; He won't leave you."

With all my love.
beverlyn

P. S.
Should you find me forgetting to take this stand please fill free
to remind me!

My God Reigns Over ALL

2010-09-04T22:22:00.001-04:00

Matthew 11:28-30....Jesus says, Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.
In this world of chaos, we become weighed down with burdens. This makes us lose our focus off Christ. He wants to be our Rock. The Rock we lean on, and lay our burdens on.

This past month has been one of chaos for us. I had to rush to Nashville to help take care of my mom after she had what the doctors think may have been a small stroke. It was very hard to leave her to go back to work. My heart was heavy with many burdens on the drive back to Kodak. My older sister came in from Texas to stay with our mom since I had to get back to work. My sister gave me a CD one of her friends made. God used one of the songs to get my eyes off the chaos and back on Him.
While driving, I was being honest with Him. I told Him I was so disappointed with certain things and that I felt like I was losing hope in seeing things change. This song came on and the words were what He knew I needed to hear at very moment.
"When all hope seems lost and my life doesn't make sense
When my world is in chaos, I believe You are in control
I believe you are in control
My God reigns over all
I look to you and I know You'll take care of it all
My heart believes what my eyes don't see..........."
I played the song over and over and kept repeating that My God reigns over all. He reigns over my mom's health, He reigns over each one of our daughter's lives, He reigns over our finances, He reigns over the dreams He has given us of touching youth, He reigns over ALL!!!
Every burden was literally lifted after that. He is so faithful and meets us exactly where we are with exactly what we need.
No matter what burdens you may be carrying today, know that You don't need to carry them anymore. Lay them on Jesus our Rock and know that He reigns over all and He will take care of it all.
Mary Beth

Less of Me, More of You

2010-08-28T16:23:00.016-04:00

Selfishness is very dangerous and spiritually damaging. It has torn me up for the longest time and in many ways stunted my growth. When I make it all about what I can do, my spirit knows that my flesh is not enough to accomplish God oriented things. They don't line up. It's like trying to mix together oil and water. They separate and do not dissolve together to form one solution. It has to be water or oil, spirit or flesh. You cannot give in to both and expect great results. I can't go around saying "more of you God and less of me" when I am still trying to hold on to my flesh. It doesn't work that way. I have been giving myself to God piece by piece. I haven't really completely given up myself, or any selfish desires and it's not working. I believe God is no longer satisfied with pieces of me. He wants all of me. He always has. Now it's time for me to quit playing games and be willing to lay it all on the line. I am tired of making it all about me. I am tired of the insecurities I create for myself and sabotaging myself. I am my own worst enemy. At this point, it has got to be all about God in order for me to overcome or achieve anything for him.

The reason why I haven't been successful in a lot of areas is not that God doesn't want to bless me, but because I get in the way of my own progress. I keep forgetting that all I have to do is seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else will be added. All God wants is for me to chase hard after him everyday. He can be everything I need if I can just learn to lay aside selfishness and follow him whole-heartedly. Someone once told me, "God is not looking for a perfect people, but pure hearts". How far am I willing to go to follow God? I love God so much. I just want to do whatever pleases him. When I get to heaven, I want to hear well done good and faithful servant. If that means losing my whole self to the purpose of God, then so be it. I want to be willing to lay down my own dreams and desires so that there is nothing in the way. So that he can use me to my fullest potential. The Bible says that "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I am done with selfishness. If laying down all that I am, all that I possess, and all that I desire will bring me closer to the heart of God, then that's what I want. I have to be willing to accept that it might mean never having children. That's a hard pill to swallow for me. Children would be great, but if that's what keeps getting in the way then I will choose to be content without one. I would rather have my relationship with God. I said that 7 years ago when I was about to miscarry and I still mean it today. God is everything to me.

Is there anything getting in the way between you and God? It can't be all about us, or all about church, or even all about saving people. It has to be all about God, and if we aren't progressing in our relationship with him the way we should or could be, then maybe we need to ask God to reveal the block we have put in our path. Mine is selfishness. My prayer today is for there to be so much of God in me, that it leaves no room left for me...at whatever cost is required. Lord Jesus, take all of me. Less of me, more of you!

Love
Amanda B.

God's Love

2010-08-15T18:43:00.008-04:00

Did you know that God loves you like you are his only child? God loves you so much that He has personally picked every single detail about you. God picked your hair color; He picked your eye color; God picked every aspect of your personality. God loves you so much that He has involved Himself deeply and intimately in you. You are His creation. He does not see you as spotless or full of spots, worthy or unworthy. God simply sees you as His creation. He loves you so much that He sacrificed His only Son, not Himself, but His only Son. If you were the only person on Earth, God would still send Jesus to be your savior. He would do it just for you and only you.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We can never fully understand the depths of Gods love because His love is perfect. But if we love Him and have an intimate relationship with Him then that love will flow through our lives to the people around us. Through the connection made between ourselves and God comes His desires and love, which transcend to the people around us.

1 John 4:16 …God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

God is love and through God we can love. God’s love flows through us when we have a close relationship with him.

Dayla

Pesky Buttons

2010-08-08T16:17:00.002-04:00

My Mother died in 1984, my last grandmother ( & grandparent) died in 1976 and my paternal aunt in 2004....these wonderful women of God left behind many, many legacies. One that is always with me are their nightgowns.

Now you may not believe this but I still have and use these treasures. How can a garment last over 30 years, multiple uses & many, many washings?

The main reason is the quality of workmanship....the best fabric, best seamstress & excellence in what they put their hands to. Something rare in our disposable, microwaveable society.

I have another gown that has only been used in a Christmas play. It was woven by my great-great grandmother , from cotton she picked and with tatting( cotton type lace she made) and beautiful whale bone buttons, which were rare & expensive.

All of these gown have several common threads ( no pun intended).....one is my ancestry; my love for my heritage and my family makes this number one. Secondly their great quality & craftsmanship that cannot be matched today. Thirdly, is pesky little buttons.....yes, I said pesky. Even my great-great grandmother's has something in common with all the others.....it's a misplaced spare button.....three of the treasures have the spare button in the seam line of the garments and my great-great grandmother's is on the inside directly underneath one of those precious whale bone buttons

Sometimes. I have wanted to remove these pesky little buttons, but they are there as a reminder, not just a spare.....they remind me of the hidden ways satan try's to sneak into my life and yet stay undercover. They are disguised but, always present....sometimes annoying but still there.

But then, My heavenly Father assures me, as the threads of my ancestors cover my body, that that same body is covered by the blood of Jesus Christ my Savior & Lord.

No matter the path of disguise Satan my try I have complete assurance that I am and will be covered by my Lord, as long as I remain covered body, mind, soul & spirit by His Word & His Glory.

Love All My One Heart Family,

Mary

Bruised but Not Dead

2010-07-19T11:45:00.001-04:00

Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;

My chosen one in whom My soul delights

I have put My Spirit upon Him;

He will bring forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry out or raise His voice,

Nor make His voice heard in the street.

A bruised reed He will not break

And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;

He will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not be disheartened or crushed

Until He has established justice in the earth;

And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law

I think these are some of the most beautiful verses ever written. To me, it speaks most eloquently of the tender-hearted mercy that God has toward us even when we are broken and running on empty.

Today, when you get the chance take a moment for yourself.

Close your eyes and think on these verses. Be reminded that the Lord is always with you regardless of how frazzled you feel or how lonely you may be. His eye is always upon you, carefully guarding you, shielding you from the enemy. And as long as there is any sort of life in you He is there, gently exhaling His life onto your smoldering heart until it once again bursts into flames of joy and passion for Him. For a moment, lift up Your hands and give thanks for His patience, His kindness, His eternal love; and then go face whatever it is you have to face knowing that He is with You every step of the way.

Shayne

P.S. The image at the top of this post was borrowed from the Hope Not Forgotten blog.

Daddy Keeps His Promises

2010-07-12T15:33:00.009-04:00

My five year old daughter Allison lost her favorite pink soccer ball about a month ago while she and her sister Kaelyn were playing in the yard. By the time she came to get me the ball was no where to be found. We looked and looked for that ball. I assumed it had gone into the storm drain and we just couldn't see it. We finally gave up looking. When Allison's daddy came home she had him continue in the search with the same results. After he looked for 10 to 20 minutes for that ball he said, "I can't find the ball right now, but I promise that I will." Of course, I fussed at him for making a promise he most likely could not keep, but as usual he said nothing back to me.

Several weeks ago the girls and I were in the car and Allison reminded me of her daddy's promise to find her soccer ball. I began to explain to her that sometimes daddies promise things that they just can't make happen. The ball being found was out of his control. Allison did not like my reasoning behind this discussion and began letting me know that "Daddy always keeps his promises!" and that he would for sure find her ball. In my best interest I decided to change the subject and keep driving.

This afternoon I got a call from Gene telling me that he was coming home for lunch. I was totally surprised because he never comes home for lunch. Even more unusual was the fact that we usually go to the grocery store on Mondays, but I decided to go later since it was raining so hard. As I was in the kitchen preparing lunch for everyone I heard the door open and Allison squealing, “I knew you would find it daddy! I knew you would!!" Curious as to what he had found I went around the corner to the living room to see a nasty pink soccer ball in her daddy’s hands!!! I also saw three BIG smiles on their faces!! Daddy kept his promise!!

You may have dreams and visions of things God has promised you. You may feel they are lost in a hot and dry place never to be fulfilled. But my God reminded me today that He knows exactly the plans He has for me. He longs to give me my desires. He remembers His promises to me. He is just waiting to come to me on that most perfect day when I call upon His name and seek His face with all my heart. His rain will wash me out of my hot and dry hiding place. He will bring me back. That day that I will be refreshed! I will continue to fulfill His plans and purposes for me!! And Daddy will get all the glory!

This is what the LORD says: .... 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. .." (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

When you feel your dreams and visions are in a hot, dry and deserted place just remember to call on the Name of the Lord with all your heart ! He is listening. The rain of His presence will come and bring you out at just the right time, just like the natural rain brought out Allison's soccer ball. You see, Daddy knows where you are and Daddy Always Keeps His Promises!!

Candy

Pilgrim's Progress

2010-07-07T10:25:00.005-04:00

In Matthew 18:3 Jesus tells us that we must become like
little children or we "shall not enter the Kingdom of God."

Isn't it rather ironic that so long after the fall our basic struggle is
still the same as Adam and Eve's. For what ever reason, regard-
less of what we profess or even think that we believe, we more
fully trust in ourselves to meet the needs in our life. We trust our
intelligence, we trust our experience and acquired knowledge,
even our knowledge of God. We trust in ourselves and the battle
is on. We fight for our lives with the elements, with each other and
when we fail we fight our self. It kind of makes our real enemy
more obvious doesn't it.
Adam and Eve had the Garden and daily walks with God.
We have the blood of Jesus and His precious Spirit. We
would all agree that there is nothing left for God to do
to reveal His heart to us. Jesus came to reveal the Father and His
Kingdom but the people "wouldn't see" because they were looking
to be saved out of all their worldly troubles. This we preach. This
we might even fight and die for. But this will we live? According to
Jesus only child like faith can enter the Kingdom. Let's determine
to recognise the true battle and fight only to believe in Him.
bn

Focus On Our Future

2010-06-29T08:58:00.005-04:00

In his study book on Heaven Randy Alcorn says "Earth is an in-between world touched by both Heaven and hell. Earth leads directly into Heaven or directly into hell, affording a choice between the two. .... For Christians, this present life is the closest they will come to hell. for unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven."

I remember explaining this to a young girl living in the jungle area of Guatemala. It was the very thing that gave her the ability to rise above her broken heart and began to pursue God. I have never forgotten the sweet sincerity that overtook her face. It has always reminded me not to look around me more than I look up. We all fall victim to our circumstances now and again even though we know better.
I want to encourage you this morning to find "the secret place" of our Father if you haven't already. He is such a rewarder of all who seek Him out just like He promises. Our hope for today is in our future and He is the only one that can truly reveal it to us. For those of us who have Christ Jesus, today is just a day that taken one step at a time gets us closer to Heaven than yesterday, as we well know.
Living on this Earth, even though we can hold to a measure, we are constantly robbed of the ability to live in the fullness of joy. But one day........!!!!!

Lovingly
beverlyn
Let's "Keep looking up."

2010-06-21T09:34:00.001-04:00

Who do we “work” for, really?

When I say “work” I do not mean just a place of employment, I am talking about the day to day business of our lives, the way you spend your time. Just living is work, a struggle to survive.

As a Christ believer my ultimate goal is to spend eternity worshiping the Almighty God. If my goal in this life is to reach this destination then how do I measure success in my journey? I believe that Col. 3:22-24 is a worthy goal. “Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ.”

Is the journey easy? No. Anyone that told you that has given you false hope. The path we have chosen is difficult and full of surprising twists and turns. When I have reached the point of wanting to quit, or I start comparing my life to those around me, I remind my self of this challenge that Christ has given to each person that has placed their life in his hands. To honor those in charge of me on this earth is to honor my Creator. I believe it is a worthy goal to reach my destination.

Sarah E.

Our Promises

2010-06-15T09:52:00.003-04:00

I have on my desk at work a devotional of Charles Spurgeon's.
When I get a chance I love to read through it. This morning,
talking about the strength of the believer, he said, It lies in
the food it feeds on; for faith studies what the promise is".
In my years of walking with the Lord I have found that there
is no greater truth than this. Time and time again it has
been one of His promises that has carried me through
difficult situations and heart breaking events. I bless Him
for not leaving us to struggle through our daily lives without
the fullness of the knowledge of our hope that He has so
graciously supplied us with. Not only do we have His
promises to us in written form to search out, but we have
His precious Spirit that allows Him to speak directly to us.
It is grievous to me how I too often neglect these promises
and focus on my suffering rather than my glory. I need to
be constantly reminded of whose I am and all that it
entails. This morning I'm being carried by "Surely goodness
and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall
dwell in the house of the Lord forever!"
What promise is yours today?

Lovingly
beverlyn

23rd Psalm Again

2010-06-07T13:03:00.011-04:00

Yesterday, on the way to church, my heart was crying out to God
for a loved one. As I stopped at a red light I heard Him say "It
will be soon now." My somewhat dissatisfied response was
"Which kind of soon ... Your "I'm coming soon." or my right
now, today, tomorrow or even this year soon?" He didn't
immediately reply but later on, in the middle of intercessory
prayer, Isaiah 55:13 was read. It caught my attention because the
definition of my loved ones name is right in the middle of it. He
still didn't answer my question, but once again He flooded my
heart with peace and my mind with the confidence of His heart
and hand in all the circumstance I'm concerned with. It enabled
me to leave it all with Him and go happily about my day.

I know that this seems like a small, every day kind of thing but to
me it is huge because now, more often than not, it's the pattern of
my daily life. I have spent far too many sleepless nights filled with
worry and anxiety and long days running around trying to fix
things that I couldn't. I have let my heart be unnecessarily broken
time and again. I don't know about you but being still and resting
came hard for me. It has taken me longer than I would have liked
tolearn how to trust my God with everything.

For me, believing in Him and loving Him has to be lived out every
day, all day. When I gave Him my life He took it and isn't giving
it back even when I unwittingly try and take it; and more
importantly, He is quite "on top" of it all. I have learned and am
still learning how to let Him prove that He is my 23rd Psalm.

beverlyn

TRUST

2010-05-22T09:40:00.005-04:00

There was a time a few years ago when God asked me to totally trust Him. I found this a little strange because I always thought that I trusted Him. One of the ways He began showing me how to trust Him completely was through Psalm 23. This is an amazing and powerful psalm. God has shown it to me in a whole new light and that is what I would like to share with you:)
As our Shepherd, it is God's job to feed, guide and shield us. When we trust Him to feed, guide and shield us there is no lack. The lack comes in when we try to take care of ourselves. We cannot provide for ourselves the things we need. We are created beings, not the Creator. Only God can create what is needed to feed, guide and shield us. We must trust that what He is feeding us is good for us, even though it may taste bitter at the time. We must trust that where He is guiding us is safe, even though we may feel lost or all alone. We must trust that He is shielding and protecting us, even though we may feel totally open and vulnerable to those around us.
When we trust God and allow Him guide us, He will lead us to fresh tender green pastures. He will lead us beside the still and restful waters. Even when it may seem like there is chaos all around us, He will give us rest in the midst of it all.  This rest comes as we trust Him and do not try to lead ourselves. For so long, I tried to lead myself. I tried to make things happen instead of trusting Him to make it happen. As I have trusted Him, there has been peace and rest within me. There is such peace that comes with trusting Him and knowing that He has only our best in mind.
His refreshing and restoring come as we trust Him.  When we don't trust Him and try so desperately to make things happen, discouragement comes rushing in. We then try to fill the discouragement with things of the world and that is never lasting.  It becomes like a vicious cycle that only God can break.
Sometimes we find ourselves in a place that is very scary.  Even in this place where it seems like there is no sun, He is leading us and guiding us. We must trust Him and continue holding His hand to lead us through. He is the only One who knows the path to get out. I remember a time when John almost died from surgery complications.  In that valley of the shadow of death, God protected us and comforted us.
There are times when we are surrounded by the enemy, physically or spiritually. In these situations God can show Himself all powerful, if we trust Him. Has God ever prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies? Has He ever done something for you others said was impossible? It all goes back to trust. We must trust Him to lead us into these impossible situations and allow Him to do it His way. As we surrender and trust Him, He anoints our heads with oil and our we flow over onto those around us. He becomes so visible in our lives and to those around us.
The last verse is the promise to those who trust Him. He promises that only goodness, mercy and unfailing love will follow us all the days of our lives and through the length of our days His house and His presence will be our dwelling place.
I pray that this blesses you as much as it did me. God is so faithful and He is worthy of all our trust. He has never given us a reason not to trust Him!!!
Mary Beth

2010-05-17T10:40:00.008-04:00

Hello One-Heart Women

I've been hearing a lot lately about "end times." It seems that it is
on almost everyone's mind these days. We can see the world
changing before our eyes and skidding downhill morally. Events
also seem to be setting up for a "world order" and/or world
economy as predicted in the Bible. I've been told there are no
other propheciesthat must be fulfilled before the rapture takes
place. What has been on my heart is the scripture that says
Christ is coming for a church without spot or wrinkle. I wonder,
do we fit that description?
Yet, the Word says we have been given everything we need to
live a Christian life pleasing to God. So, am I living in what He
has given? I know it all has been given with grace so that when
I fail I am forgiven and can stand again and persevere I am
guaranteed victory(Rom 8:37). But, I am looking at myself these
days and wondering if I am a spot or a wrinkle!

I'm glad we are all part of the body of Christ and dependent on
each other.God gave each of us certain spiritual gifts, and we all
need to function in these gifts. It is important to know what our
gift is so we can make a contribution to the whole. The gifts of the
Spirit should be accompanied with the fruit of the spirit .
(Gal. 5:22-23) When I read these, I wilt a little.That's why I'm
glad it doesn't justdepend on me!
But we must develop this fruit. Fruit is best developed by
focusing on love and self-control. The others issue from love and
are kept in place by self-control. We should strive to express
God's love as alifestyle using our fruit and gifts. Then, we read the
Word, speak the Word and have faith in Him and His promises.
Am I able to do all that? I wouldn't be asked to if I couldn't.
Though, I'll never be perfect (and I doubt if you will either),
with the grace of God I can be victorious and so can you.
Then we can stand together as theChurch without spot or
wrinkle! Even so Come Lord Jesus!

Trusting in Him,
Terry

Letting Go

2010-05-09T21:07:00.010-04:00

Seven years ago, on Mother's Day, I was having a miscarriage. I knew that on whatever day this had happened it would have been heartbreaking, but I was so angry because I knew that, while on this day women across America were celebrating their miracles, I would be empty handed.

Here it is May 9, 2010 and I am still waiting for God to bless me with children. You don't know how many times I have tried to make my dream happen on my own terms, in my own timing and in my own way. As the years have gone by and I have grown in my relationship with the Lord, my perception has totally changed. Since I began singing with the praise the team, God has opened new chambers of my heart that I never knew existed. I began to see more clearly who he really was and began to finally understand how much he really does love me. My heart has just been overwhelmed with a new love for God. I've come to a point were nothing else matters more. I just realized one day that I was tired of putting a wall between me and God. I came to a place of surrender out of the deepest parts of my being. This dream of having children, of being a mother, I had to lay at his feet. I had to learn to let go of every single thing that was coming between us. I told him that if his will was for me to never have children, I would still love him. I would still always have the most important thing...Him.

Since then I have come across Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT), which explains perfectly what I have felt in my heart... "I always thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless, when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. I have discarded everything else counting it all as garbage so that I may have Christ and become one with him".

I still want children very badly and I believe deep down in my heart, God will give them to me one day. but I've learned that when I am seeking him and his kingdom I don't have to worry about provisions or dreams and desires because he says he will add everything when I seek him first. I know he will give me the desires of my heart because I delight in him. But when I think about it, HE is the desire of my heart and all other things are just garbage and rubbish, a loss. They have become less important to me. I just want to give God the best that I have....myself. There is no greater feeling than being able to express myself completely and freely unto the Lord. He deserves my very best in all that I do. I have found contentment, no matter what I have.

Whatever you are clinging to today, just let it go. Surrender is as a sacrifice for the Lord. He will never let you down. Nothing can be gained without first letting go of it. Do you love the Lord enough to be satisfied and content, even if those dreams may never come? What is most important to you? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Happy Mother's Day!

Amanda Blackshire

That's My Child

2010-04-23T09:34:00.002-04:00

We take pride in many things in our life, not a sinful pride, but a joyous pride in the way we raise our children & their accomplishments, the way we appear , especially, for our spouse and our Lord .

So many times in our Christian life we have been told not to be prideful.....Why?.....yes, people can take pride in sinful and self seeking things but God takes so much pride in us, His children , His creation. Psalm 100:3 "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are His; we are his people and the sheep of His pasture."

God, our Creator, takes pride in His workmanship. Whether we be fat or thin, old or young, blonde, brunette or redhead or if we are short or tall.....(in Ephesians 2:10)we are created in Christ Jesus for good works......works we can take pride in everyday as God the Father takes pride in us.

God delights in us and He says that many times throughout the Psalms. Psalm 139:15 he basically sculpts us from nothing into something and He does that with great pride.....the pride that a parent takes in everything their child does. When you see your baby take their first steps, sing in a Christmas play or graduate from college.....your heart swells with pride. God takes that pride we have to a whole new level.

Pride does define us somewhat, it is the way we look and act to others and it is the way of Father looks at us and says" THAT'S MY CHILD ! "

With Love
Mary

2010-04-20T08:27:00.002-04:00

An atheist woman’s daughter was in a terrible accident. She was not expected to live. After the mother went home from the hospital she sat in her car and cried and screamed and cursed. Then she began to curse God. When she was through she heard a voice say, “That is the first time you have talked to me.”
God so desperately desires us to talk to him. His desire towards us is companionship. He wants us to talk with him about anything and everything. God wants to spend time with us and get to know us. He wants to talk to us and reveal himself to us. He wants us to get to know Him.
You know the desire that you have to have a deep relationship with your significant other? You also know that deep desire you have to spend time with your children and really get to know them? Those desires we all experience. Do you know why we each share those desires? It is because we are all made in God’s image and those are His desires towards us.
Dayla

Back To Basics

2010-04-13T10:46:00.002-04:00

Blessings to you Mighty women of God!
Our visit to K.A.R.M. brought back memories of times past(I'd be ashamed to tell how much time), when we would GO (Matthew 28:18,19) out into the streets to "BE" witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:8) and ministers of reconciliation(II Corinthians 5:18). While it was,both then and now, awkward at first it became exhilarating and more familiar by the nights end. I was stirred to press more deeply into considering how to "BE" the church rather than merely "doing" church. After all has it not been said, "The church never saved anyone"?

Jesus said, "...Learn from Me..." (Matthew 11:29) and, "...If you hold to (stay in, abide, dwell, be present, remain in) my teaching you really are my disciples (John 8:31) and "...anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father (it is finished)."

Ephesians 2:11 tells us that because Christ went to the Father and we are in Christ seated in the heavenly realms (far above ALL rule and authority, power and dominion ...Ephesians 1:18-23) we were created in Christ to do, the good works (acts, deeds, labours) that our Father has prepared in advance for us to do (the greater things). Think of it, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the bound set free, the selfish will be selfless, the greedy will be generous and greater things!

Jesus did what He saw the Father doing, He said what the Father was saying. We must do the same if we are to "BE" the church (His Body). May we, "learn from" Jesus and walk this close to the Father and "BE" a more accurate and faithful representation of Christ's Body in these last days.

LOL
Rhonda

Easter Sunday

2010-04-04T22:22:00.005-04:00

Mother Teresa didn't put any thought into what she would be
wearingon Easter Sunday. It's been written that she owned 3
sari's (all blue and white), one blue sweater and only one pair
of leather sandalswhich she would have resoled when needed.
So each day, as shearose, she choose to dress in a garment of
service. She dedicated herlife to the comfort and care of the
needy, the sick and the poor.

Today we dress up in an Easter outfit that is sure to bring joy
and honor to our risen savior. This outfit is not meant to be
seen by manbut for the viewing pleasure of our redeemer.
As we go to K.A.R.M. and feed and minister to the home-
less, my prayer is that we take somuch more from this place
than we give.

As we dress ourselves Lord, make us a channel of thy
peace, thatwhere there is despair we may bring hope,
that where there are shadows we may bring your light.

Dress for success
Rozalind

Bloom

2010-03-28T23:40:00.014-04:00

"Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, And come along. For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone."

Daffodils are among my most favorite flowers. Daffodils grow out of bulbs, and like all other bulbs, are planted in the fall.

They stay buried in the ground all throughout
the winter, waiting patiently for the earth to thaw and for the sun to awaken them from their slumber. In this area, they are one of the first to bloom, and are heralds to all that spring has come and that God once again has proved faithful.

If you looked at a daffodil in its infancy, you'd see a sort of non-descript dried up lump with a few funny looking hair-like things sticking out the end.

The bulb gives no indication of the beauty within. Beauty that is simply waiting for the right time and the right conditions to burst forth in a dazzling display of glory for the whole world to see.

The daffodils don't have to work at deciding what they're supposed to do. All they have to do is bloom.

Ladies, this week is a special week for us as women of God. This marks the week of the Passion of Jesus. He walked steadily and unflinchingly toward his purpose, willing to die to His will and His desires, and to be buried so that on the third day, the full glory of the Gospel could be made known to the world.

Are we willing to do the same? Are we willing to let our plans and our kingdoms die so that we can reflect the Gospel? We don't have time to worry about whether or not we're good enough, pretty enough, young enough or thin enough. Those types of worries aren't real anyway, they're just smokescreens that the enemy sends up trying to distract us from our destination. God has faith in us...He has planted us in good soil. All we have to do is bloom.

Shayne

2010-03-13T19:07:00.003-05:00

From Kay’s Journal - 7.18.2007
I remember the birth of my first child, 35 years ago today. My husband said that I was rolling around in the bed in pain of labor. The hospital staff came in and gave me Demerol, “A little something to take the edge off of the pain”. At the last moments of labor, right at the moment of delivery, they masked me and gave me ether.
I think about that now, the ether that they gave me at the very end of “transition labor” put me completely unconscious. It made me completely miss the moment of great victory and birthing. The moment of “deliverance”, seeing the fruit of my labor, the birth of my child. I missed the greatest moment of joy because I was anesthesized to relieve the pain that I was in.
I just have to say that I don’t want to be anesthetized at the moment of any further birthing. I don’t ever again want to let the pain in this journey of laboring to bear fruit cause me to not be there for the birthing.
“Lord, give me strength to last through all of the pain so that I can enjoy the moment of reaping the blessing of my labor”.
Today I reminisce about the process, life, the joys mixed with the pain… the journey! It’s not over. I’m not ready to take any “pill” that will anesthetize me from the joy of seeing the birthing of God’s vision for me and my family. Natural and spiritual.
Lord, I welcome all “comers”. Pain, joy, struggle, peace, laboring and birthing, nurturing and growing and new beginnings.
Thank you Lord for Life today, all of it, everyone in my life and those that surround me!

Still true today!
Love to All
Kay

2010-03-07T16:34:00.001-05:00

The following is an excerpt from, "Proverbs for Kids".

I do not have anyone in mind as I type this. It is just always

good to remind ourselves of even the basic things. And no

I have not heard any gossip or lies.

Telling the truth, Talking About Others

and Overlooking Insults
A gossip goes around spreading rumors, while a trustworthy

man tries to quiet them An evil man sows arguments; gossip

separates the best of friends. Idle lips are the devil's mouth-

piece. To slander is to be a fool. So don't say negative things

about your friends and neighbors, not even to pay them back f

or being mean to you. Go and dicuss the matter with them

privately. Don't tell anyone else. Fire goes out for lack of fuel,

and tensions disappear when gossip stops. You should use

your words to defend others and to speak up for those who

can't help themselves. God delights in kind words, and good

reports bring happiness and health. Let kingness be the rule

for everything you say.

The Lord hates lying and every kind of deception. Everything he

says is right and true. A good man also hates lies. His mind is

filled with honest thoughts, and there is living truth and great

satisfaction in everything he says. His words help others be-

cause they can trust what he says. Lying, and then saying, "I

was just fooling," or trying to get even with someone by lying

about them is as harmful as hitting someone with an axe.

Worthless and wicked men are constant liers. Their minds are

crammed with lies, and what they say is shunned. Liars will be

punished and come to shame. Lying will get anyone into trouble,

but an honest person is safe because honesty is its own defense.

Truth stands the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

A fool is quick tempered; a wise man stays cool when insulted.

Don't repay evil for evil. Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

Self-control means controlling the tongue! A quick retort can ruin

everything. A gentle answer turns away anger, but harsh words

cause quarrels. To quarrel with a neighbor is foolish; a man with

good sense holds his tongue. A wise man restrains his anger and

overlooks insults. This is to his credit.

Love you all!!!!!
Barbara

Motivational Moment

2010-02-28T20:48:00.002-05:00

God is calling us to come out of our complacent Christianity. Do you feel like me, uncomfortable and an urgency to seek after the Father deeper than ever before? Our Daddy is calling us to seek Him on a personal level challenging us to think outside the box.

We have the potential to impact the world around us and show them day in and day out who we choose to live for. We can not live this way successfully unless we know who are Daddy is personally. We must become uncomfortable with sitting back and being taught by others. Each one of us needs to reach the point of being hungry to seek Him for ourselves He is waiting for us, go find Him.

Sarah E.

Swimming In

2010-02-20T10:01:00.018-05:00

It is amazing to me that the deeper we go with God the more
shallowit gets. Don't we love to take credit though! Isn't is
interesting, when we're seeking after God how anything that
makes us begin to think that we are SOMEBODY only leads
us to a crash and burn scenario.
In all my years of trying to know and follow God I have come
to understand David in Psalm 25:4 - 5 more than any other
thing. "Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me."
We can apply our hearts and minds to the scriptures until the
cows come home and never gain a thing unless He imparts
understanding. We can spend endless hours in prayer and
intercession and never see His hand unless He opens our eyes.
We can seek Him out with everything that is in us and never
hear His voice or sense His presence unless He reveals it to us.
Will we ever get that He is the creator and we are His created.
It is all Him. His spirit alone holds all creation together and
gives it life. So, in the deepest of the deep all we need to do is
hold His hand and wade around, just being His child. He takes
it from there.
Isn't it so great that He loves us and wants
more than anything to impart Himself to us. Isn't it unbelievable
that His desire is for us to actively participate with Him in a
loving authoritative roll in that creation!
"Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me. Bless
His holy name." Amen!!!!!

authoritative |adjective 1. able to be trusted as being accurate
or true; reliable: clear, authoritative information and advice, an
authoritative source.(of a text) considered to be the best of its
kind and unlikely to be improved upon. 2. commanding and
selfconfident; likely to be respected and obeyed: his voice was
calm and authoritative.• proceeding from an official source and
requiring obedience: authoritative directives.

beverlyn

2010-02-14T14:21:00.004-05:00

I'm writing to you wonderful ladies from my heart and from 35 years of a joyous journey with God. My heart rejoices and the Lord achieves strength. (PS 118:15) This devotional is about my favorite fruit of the Spirit -- Joy. I love joy because it brings us strength. We all know and quote the scripture "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Ne 8:10)., but do we have strength? Do we even have pure joy in our every day lives? The Proverbs are full of verses about our own joy and giving joy to others. Many show that when we are joyful, we reap health and strength. My Zondervan Concordance lists 182 verses that contain the word joy. Obviously, joy is important to God So, He gave it to us as a fruit of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit was placed in all of us as a seed, a gift from the Holy Spirit. But a seed we must feed and water until it grows and blooms. I believe joy is the easiest of the fruit to grow because just reading the Word and knowing who God is can bring us pure joy. Then when we speak it out and sing about His goodness and His promises, it is accentuated. Reading and speaking His promises is joy -- standing on them is strength! Let's rejoice, be full of joy and have fun! God won't be offended if you laugh! Loosen up-- be free. I mean freedom of joy - freely following the leading of the Holy Spirit. God wants us to be joyful. List all your praises for Him --all for which you are thankful. Count your blessings! Don't dwell on your hurtful circumstances. Thank God for what you have and not for what you don't have. Hang out with other Christians that make you laugh. Find at least one thing to laugh at by bedtime. Studies have shown that laughter can heal physically, and I know it also heals mental and emotional issues. Is your strength down a little? -- or maybe you feel it's non-existent. Check your joy thermometer. If it is low, so will be your strength. Bring your joy temperature up, and your strength will also rise. If you need a raise in joy, spend more time with Him from where pure joy comes. Read Philipians. See what changes in your life. Phil. 4:2-3 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice!" (And guess what? Joy is contagious!)
Terry Freese

He's Calling You!
The jonquils are yellow with bloom.
The trees are white and heavy.
Sweet scent fills the air,
and the birds have returned to their nests.
See, the cold and snow are gone,
and the air is warm to the skin.
Come, run with Me and sing to Me of love!
tf (inspired by Song of Solomon ) .

IN IT TO WIN!

2010-02-06T09:07:00.032-05:00

Just about a month ago, I was asked to step out and begin to practice with the praise team. I have to admit, immediately fear struck me, along with intimidation and a thousand uncertain questions in my head...Am I ready?, Am I capable?, Is it too soon?, Is this what God wants for me right now? In the midst of all these uncertainties and doubts, I only heard one answer..."It's time." I don't know how many excuses I made for myself but what I feared the most was missing the opportunity of a lifetime, and missing God. I don't know about you, but there has been a lot in my life I have missed out on because of my stupid fears and uncertainties. This was one I didn't want to miss. After I was invited to come on Tuesday nights to practice, I was so scared. More scared than when I was asked to come on Wednesdays. I just kept telling myself, NO WAY! Then I heard God's voice above all those thoughts screaming at me. He took me to Hebrews 12:1-2 (AMP Bible) that says... "Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, who is the leader and the source of our faith and is also it's finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God". One day I was reading about professional horse racing. Did you know the owners of the horses specifically choose small, lightweight riders to race their horses? This is effective because they realize that the heavier the rider is, the slower the horse will run. I don't know about you, but I have felt extremely slow for as long as I can remember. Every time I fear or doubt or am uncertain about anything, it's like weight is added that just slows me down, hindering my progress. There is a particular song that has been speaking to my spirit for a couple of months now. Britt Nicole's song "Safe". The song talk about breaking down walls and being so tired of turning and running away from everything and realizing that God's love is worth the risk. It has taken me the longest time to realize that God and all He is, His love, and His kingdom are all worth any risks I take. There are many walls God is tearing down for me. Walls of pride, self-reliance, fear, insecurities and wrong ways of thinking. I had built a city upon these things and they are coming down, just like the walls of Jericho, leaving me all exposed and open, Is it scary? Of course! God doesn't make all new things, he makes all things new! God has to tear down in order to rebuild, because our old ways, habits, thought processes, and traditions leave no room for Him. So what is weighing you down? Is it fear? Or have you been in the same situations for what seems like forever, and you have just settled with the thought that this, your life, and what you are and where you are now, is as far as you will get? Or are you like me, where you know God is calling you and you feel uncertain that the time is right, or if you can do what it might take? Of course you have what it takes! God has empowered you and equipped you already! If you feel heavy today, ask God what things are weighing you down, because they will get you nowhere. Don't let the weight of this world or your insecurities slow you down. You have so much to accomplish for God today and the rest of your life. No one else can do what you were created and meant to do. There are certain talents, abilities, and gifts God has placed in you that nobody else has. We are here to win the race that has been set before us, not come in second place! God created us to be winners and to be victorious. We inherited this trait from Him. The lost will not get found and people will not be won over to Christ by all of the unnecessary baggage we keep carrying around! Courage is not the absence of fear, it's a choice to move anyway. I don't feel fearless as I am talking to you today. But I choose to do what I am afraid of. I don't feel courageous in answering God's calling today but I choose to be courageous. I don't' want to be slowed down. I don't want to be in idle mode. I am excited about the possibilities with God and the places He wants to take me. There is so much we can do and so many places we can go. Let's get rid of this excess weight, prepare for the race that has been set before us and win! On your mark..Get set....GOOOOO!!!!
Love Amanda Blackshire

2010-02-03T12:36:00.001-05:00

Stopped Cold: Like A Deer Caught In The Headlights

2010-01-30T10:41:00.017-05:00

I came expecting, the demands of my trial were great and when it was my turn for prayer I was more than ready. Here we go God - like a wrecking ball heading straight for that mountain. The woman of God spoke. What!! Is that what I get…, how could she…, can’t she see the whirlwind of emotions, the collateral damage lying all around me. I get “My Grace is Sufficient for you”. Where’s my weapon of destruction, I’m a prayer warrior (pride comes before the fall). I wanted to be like David in 1Sam. 17:48(NLT) As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.
Here I was, all my zeal, my passion, my momentum, kicked out from under me. God said, "Ah ha got ya." Stopped cold, like a deer caught in the headlights. You see I wasn't like David in that verse at all.. David was fresh on the seen, not battle weary, he was so wrapped up in God that he was bigger than any mountain . Me, I was running ahead of God’s timing, with a limp, a head wound and leaving a blood trail. God stopped me cold, for my own good. If He left things up to me, I would have crashed and burned out by now.

"My Grace is Sufficient for you." This is found in 2 Cor.12:9 written in RED. This is what the Lord spoke to Paul regarding the thorn in his flesh. Can anyone else relate. This verse has been wrapped around me like a fortress, it’s bigger than my circumstances and it gives me hope. The word Grace to many of us, when we hear it, we think of the free gift, or favor or God. When I looked it up it said, “the divine influence upon the heart“. Read that again if you need to, the light will come on. The later part of that verse is this “for power is perfected in weakness“.
With that said, here a fall, to haveing my pride removed, so that His power can be perfected in my weakness. I hear the Lord saying be still, cease striving and know that I am God. Sometimes in a trial it is hard to be still. In being still I have felt the most pain, but it’s in those times the Lord has applied His divine influence upon my heart. So today I find myself face down at the Brook of Besor. A place where David’s battle weary warriors came to rest. These mighty warriors were distraught , hurting & hopeless. I did a little word search on the meaning of Besor. It means-to be fresh, full and cheerful. Sounds like just what I need for a time such as this.
So if your mountain is great and you’re battle weary. Lay down your pride and let God be God. His grace is sufficient and His power is perfected in your weakness. Come to the Brook of Besor. A place to be cheerful, fresh and full. It was also at Besor that these warriors received back everything that was stolen from them.

Robin Cox

2010-01-26T19:09:00.005-05:00

Barbara sent this to me this week. It is so encouraging I wanted to share it. Lovingly beverly

THE SUPERNATURAL YOU By Brenda Kunneman

"What a mess!" my husband and I kept saying again and again as we threw our hands in the air. We spent the entire day going through old boxes of things we had collected over the years. We found countless things we forgot we owned. We found old magazines, yearbooks, pictures and keepsakes. Then we came to the boxes of things we had saved from our early years together of marriage and ministry. After some sorting, I found it. It was a piece of paper from a time in our lives when it seemed that our dreams for the future were crumbling one by one. A prayer list we had made. Some of the items on the list were immediate needs that existed at the time, while others were larger dreams and things we were asking God to do in the years to come, much of which would take an absolute miracle to accomplish. The day we wrote it out we hung that long list of seemingly impossible requests on our refrigerator. Every day we walked by it, and would place our hands on it and pray. We spoke aloud each time, reminding the Lord we were expecting miracles. We quoted the Scriptures we were trusting in regard to it. We declared that each item would come to pass and we would see the hand of God move. We spoke over the list believing for God's intervention, even when it felt like we weren't seeing it.Shortly thereafter, we moved to a different house and packed up that list of prayer requests. A few moves and nearly two decades of marriage later, I read that list again written almost 20 years ago. My eyes filled with tears as I read it. God has not only answered the seemingly small things, but over the years He had also answered every item on the list, way beyond even what we wrote down. He even answered the things that seemed impossible. I was reminded of all the miracles that we had seen during the last several years. We had seen the power of God revealed from heaven again and again. The things we had seen God do were nothing short of miraculous and it was mostly all related to what was on the list! We were not only reminded of God's enduring faithfulness but every time we were putting our hand on the list taped to the fridge we were releasing the power of God to work on our behalf. The supernatural God inside us was releasing miracles; a river was flowing and bringing the answer and it didn't stop flowing until every request was answered, even though we didn't realize it was happening at the time. I have learned from this experience not only that God but the supernatural God lives in us. He wants His supernatural power to flow through us to accomplish the miraculous and do the impossible in our circumstances. Maybe what we have yet to realize is that the power of God is already there. It's in you in the person of the Holy Spirit ready to work and ready to flow (see Acts 1:8). When the fullness of God's Spirit is in you, there is power, and it's the same power that performed the miracle of raising Jesus Christ from the dead (see Rom. 8:11). Tap into that power and watch Him do the miraculous for and through you.

Daily Renewal

2010-01-18T13:57:00.004-05:00

There is a theme that has been placed in my heart…DAILY RENEWAL. Every day we need to wake up and treat it as a fresh new day. Every day we need to give our worries to him. Every day we need his strength and guidance. Everyday we need to seek His face. EVERY DAY. Everyday we have to die in order to live. The Lords prayer teaches us that we need daily bread. Paul speaks of dying daily. And Satan attacks our daily sacrifice.(Daniel 8:11, 11:31) There is something powerful about daily. That song Jeff Ferguson sang Sunday morning is about renewal. God is making all things new. Each day God has made new and has placed in it new attitudes, new views, starting over again, new circumstances, new love, new grace, new forgiveness, new hope, new healing, etc. Everyday God has done this for us and all we have to do is be determined and disciplined to daily get our thoughts, our will, and our minds back on Him. With Love, Dayla

Go, Spill Out!!!

2010-01-11T14:28:00.012-05:00

Dear Friends,

When the Lord led me to Psalm 34 I did not know it to be a recommended reading for the Daniel's Fast, our Father IS in the details! I want to encourage you, while in your daily time with the Lord, to meditate on and declare aloud this psalm. Let this word and the truths within, saturate (fill till there is no more room to contain) you until it spills out to all those around and accomplishes the "greater things" Jesus spoke of in John 14:12.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do,

he will do also; and greater works than these he will do;

because I go to the Father."

Blessings to you and have a great week!

Rhonda

Coming Into His Presence

2010-01-04T13:46:00.003-05:00

This being the start of the new year I though i would share with

you what the Lord has put in my heart to commit to; not really for

only the coming year.

I have resolved to put aside all extra

curricular activities in my life (reading, TV, exercise, even Bible

study etc.) until I have done the following for at least 20 minutes...

Find a quite place and get comfortable,

Put on some quite praise music and cause my

mind to focus on Him.

Relax and surrender everything to Him (Lord you can have all
of me) Still my mind and give Him full access to do whatever He
needs to do in me. Let distractions fall away and continue to cause
my mind to focus on Him. (The name of Jesus helps me stay in
His presence) If He brings something to the surface, release it to
Him. Let Him heal restore, deliver and impart.

This is His time. Do nothing but rest in Him. Trust Him to do the
work. Record any thoughts, impressions or scriptures He gives .

Do it everyday!

Let Him change me from the inside out.

Let Him equip me for the day.

Let every step of my day be ordered by Him.

May we enjoy nothing less than the fullness of the Kingdom

of our God this year!!

In His love

beverlyn

Love American Style

2009-12-23T16:57:00.007-05:00

What is love? *breaks out singing* Love is a many splendored thing…

Oh…sorry…I’m back.

What was I saying? Oh yeah…umm what’s love got to do with it? Ha ha ha…just kidding. I know what love has to do with it. Or at least this post anyways. I’m sure the two of you still reading would like to know as well. Ok…on with the show.

In the Welch household…love takes different forms.

For Michael it’s this:

Yeah…that old saying about the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach? NOT TRUE. It’s through Mr. Clean. At least in my world.

Now, for my daughter…a clean sink isn’t all that wonderful. I mean..she likes having a clean house and all (at least she would if we had one) but for her…well…see for yourself:

Oh yes I see a few of you nodding your heads in agreement. Yep. This is the equivalent of nirvana for many of us. Uh…ladies? Ladies…focus…

My son Chris though…he’s a bit ticklish. So a foot massage is out. But TA-DA!!!

Never fear…Nana Janice is here! And in Chris’ mind she is the embodiment of all that is good and holy. (In my opinion…everybody needs a Nana Janice in their life…just sayin’)

And for moi? Well…I think it’s no mystery to you sweet ladies…

Seriously…I’d heard my parents tell me they love me at least a jillion times growing up. But it wasn’t until they gave me this as a birthday present one year that I got it. My parents really love me. They understood that to me…this is what love looks like.

1^st Corinthians chapter 13 gives us a view of what love looks like in God’s eyes. As I was thinking about this post I began going over in my mind all the "Love is..." verses. Sweetly and gently the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to a beautiful simple truth that had previously gone unnoticed by me. All those glorious attributes and characteristics of love began to fall away as two little words began to shine ever more brightly in my mind. "Love is."

Love IS. Those two tiny words declare the most important truth...the greatest miracle...the most incorruptible triumph this world will ever know. In spite of all the commercialism, consumerism, materialism and all the other "isms" that we have distorted the Christmas season with...Love is. Love breathes and lives and has a name.

Jesus.

As you read this, the holiday is over. The great day has come and gone. The presents are opened, the food consumed, all the songs have been sung and friends and family have gone home. But still Love is.

Some of you this season mourned the loss of a loved one...missed their smile, the feel of their hands, the sound of their laughter, felt the loss of their love toward you...but rest easy tonight. Love is many things...but it is never lost. Love is.

What did love look like in your house this year? Did it come packaged in a box and wrapped with a pretty bow? Did it come in a stocking or a favourite dish? Does it matter? I hope not. I hope it only mattered that “Love is.”

Shayne

Joy To The World

2009-12-21T11:24:00.016-05:00

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. As we celebrate this year let us remember the sacrifice that Jesus made even as an infant. Humble it was for Jesus to leave the comforts of heaven as a king to become human and under the care of two young parents. He did it as an act of love to the world and in obedience to His Father's will. Jesus came as a baby fully knowing the purpose and plan for His life, that He would have to live a sinless life only to die, yet He did just that as an example to us and as an act of love toward us. Jesus says in John 15:9 & 10, "As the Father loved me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." Jesus' example came from the Father, just as our living example is Jesus. In verses 12 & 13 Jesus simply states, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." Jesus came to this cold, sinful world as a representation of His Father and His Father's love for the world. Are we a representation of Jesus and His love for the world?? Do we bring JOY to the world?? We must have JOY in order to share it. Read these verses again and see if you truly have JOY. Jesus laid it out pretty simply, but it may require a "sacrifice". ;) John 15:11, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." Let's share a little JOY this Christmas and all throughout the year!! Merry Christmas, Candy

The One Thing

2009-11-30T10:25:00.009-05:00

This past week, being Thanksgiving, my family took a

few minutes to share what we were thankful for. There

was not one of us that didn't have a heart full of praise

for the intervention of our great God in each of our lives.

I was the last one to share and I was overwhelmed with

joy that my Heavenly Father has so graciously blessed my family

with the knowledge of Himself. I thought of you my dear precious,

saintly ladies and how you so bless and inspire me to know

and trust my God even more. I thought of my home and my
church etc. but It wasn't until I heard Candy's prayer Sunday
thanking our God that He loved us enough to die in our place so
that we can be spared His holy justice and be reconciled to Him
that I realized how much I take for granted the one most
important thing. The one thing that makes everything else I am
thankful for possible and as Candy said, If He "never did anything
else we already have enough to always be thankful."

Before I got out of bed this morning I was thinking - what if we
didn't have the words of John 3:16 ("For God so love the world
that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in
Him should not perish but have everlasting life.") because it didn't
happen and wasn't going to. My life, as I have know it, would be
so horribly, drastically different. Most likely I would have taken
my own life by now. Maybe you would have too. I can't bear to
think on it for more than a moment. That moment alone is more
than enough for me to fall to His most glorious nail scared feet
and throw my arms around His knees and weep endlessly with
the joy of having Him. I am so ashamed that even at a time of
thanksgiving I am more focused on my blessings than my Lord.
Father forgive me. You alone are and forever will be my life.

Today I am most thankful for the words of my "faithful and true"
Lord and King in Revelation 22:17 "The Spirit and the bride say,
"Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one
who wishes take the water of life without cost."

Lovingly Yours

beverlyn

Attitude of Gratitude

2009-11-24T19:24:00.004-05:00

On the TV show “Little House on the Prairie” there is a character named “Nellie Olson”. Beautiful little girl with a nasty attitude. You really don’t think of Nellie as being a pretty girl because of that attitude. She is never truly grateful for anything unless it is meeting her own selfish needs. “Laura Ingles” on the other hand is a cute little girl but becomes beautiful right before your eyes because of her grateful heart.

A grateful attitude or heart should be ours even when our own selfish needs are not being met. A grateful attitude is a sign of growth and maturity in our lives. Understanding and giving respect to our Father because of all He has done...is doing...and will do in the future. It shows that we trust Him no matter what the circumstances are.

What is your attitude? Take a good look. How do you see yourself? How do others see you?

Do you whine more than you praise?

Do you complain more than you thank?

Do you grumble and gripe more than you encourage?

If you more than you don’t loose heart...change it! Choose a grateful attitude. Rough circumstances will come and go. The attitude of your heart should remain consistent. Gratitude or thankfulness is a key part to the Christian walk. It is a natural result of letting Christ's peace take root in your heart.

Colossians 3:15-16 (Amplified) ¹⁵And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

¹⁶Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts. (having a grateful heart)

¹⁷And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.

Love

Barbara

Be Careful What You Ask For!

2009-11-15T14:44:00.001-05:00

The other day I was driving in my car before a Wednesday night service and talking to God. I asked Him to do something “new” or “different” that night, to use me for something new. Several hours later I found myself at church. I was approached by the Pastor’s Wife and asked to handle the offering time during church that Sunday in her absence. My immediate reaction was NO WAY. I am not a public speaker and that would not be something that I wanted to do. So, I declined the offer and went about my way. Later, in service during Praise and Worship I looked over at my Pastor’s Wife and the Holy Spirit kindly reminded me of our earlier conversation. “Didn’t you ask Me to do something different tonight; to use you in a different or new way? She asked you to do something and you said No!” Even though I was open to ask God to use me, I was not open to listen to the Holy Spirit to show me the opportunity and be sensitive to that in my response. Many times we ask God to use us, but we only want Him to do it on our terms. We need to learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and not miss the opportunities that He presents us with. The task that He assigns to us may not be important in the grand scheme of things, but our response to His request is what matters. Lord, May I be open to your Holy Spirit and learn to listen for your response to my requests. -Sarah E.

2009-11-09T09:02:00.004-05:00

In Bible study this week we were looking at Joshua 4 where God parted the waters of the Jordan

for the children of Israel to cross over into the promised land. Once they were across He spoke

to Joshua and told him to have men from each tribe go back into the middle of the river and carry

out on their shoulders a stone for each tribe. These stones were to be set up on their end as a

memorial to God of this event for their children.

In 1st Peter 2:5 believers in Christ Jesus are called living stones. Further down in verse 9 it says

"A people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called

you out of darkness into His marvelous light." Putting these two ideas together we might say that God

had picked each of us up out of the mud and carried us on His shoulders and set us up as living

memorials to Himself. How great is that? But lets go even further.

For the past couple of months the Lord has focused my time with Him on the reality of man being

made in His image. I don't know about you but the more I get to know my God the more I long to

be like Him. As I was thinking about myself being an eternal living stone the Holy Spirit brought to mind

Revelation 2:17 which says "...To him who overcomes...I will give him a white stone, and a new name written

on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it." This means that the definition of the name given

will only describe the person who receives it. It wont fit anyone else. I have been on a high ever since.

My Father is not only going to give me the desire of my heart to be like Him but I am going to be an

eternal reflection of His image in a way that is totally unique to me. That is what He made me for and

that is why I am so precious to Him.

Our God is a BIG God and for man to be in His image it take all of us put together to complete His image.

Wow! No wonder I adore you all so much.

beverlyn

2009-11-02T10:58:00.001-05:00

Down In My Heart. Where?

Have you ever watched people? Have you ever been to the store, mall, your work, or home and watched people? How can you tell who is God’s Spirit filled people? What is the one thing the Devil steals from us so easily? JOY. The joy you show the world gives glory to God.

Not happiness. Happiness is from the world. It comes and goes. Not putting a smile on your face and going out the door. But true, pure joy. The kind that cannot be shaken. Joy does not depend on what is going on around us it depends on what is going within us. Let’s replace happiness with joy and watch our lives change.

We are all going through hard times. Nobody is exempt from that. But we need to look at our situations through God’s eyes and start making our hard times work for us not against us. Rejoice in what God is going to do instead of what He did not do or what He has not done yet. Praise God for the outcome. Focus on God’s glorious outcome. Relationship problems – outcome: a closer bond to that person. Work problems – outcome: learning more so you can get that promotion or better next job. Health problems – outcome: learning how to be a warrior.

Let’s praise God! Let’s be grateful! Let’s rejoice! Let’s celebrate! Let’s scream and shout! Then watch your Jericho come crashing down!

God, allow us to be more like Paul, who in prison did not lose his joy. Help us to have a heart and an attitude like his and remember that we are not living to enjoy our own circumstances or enjoy our own will but we are living to serve You.

Dayla

2009-10-26T10:11:00.004-04:00

Ladies,

I know that there is no way that we normally associate NASCAR with a devotional, but if you know me,you know there is not one thing normal about me...haha

NASCAR

Nothing

Accelerates

Somebody's

Core

As

Restoration

NASCAR is a sport that takes so much knowledge and skill...top physical fitness...technological savvy...rapports with all your crew members and an intimate knowledge of every detail of the car you are driving...you have a goal and that is to win. You are a core player in this sport...many depend on you and you depend on many. If you lose one race or two there is still hope to finish in the points standing or the best of the best...but when you have lost many, many races, there is no hope for restoration.

Not so, in the simple everyday plan of life...races in life leave us with many dents and dings and sometimes total destruction and no hope of restoration...every blemish seems to be magnified in duplicate...everything that everyone can see so clearly.

But, there is a hope in our frail lives of dent, dings and even destruction, that puts a whole new spin on life...restoration...Jesus came to give life...ABUNDANTLY...life , even when we go around and around that issue until we hit the wall...He is there to restore...when the biggest blow out happens...He is there to restore...when we lose it all...He is there to restore...when the very core of our life hit the fan...He is there to restore...He does it all, in love and adoration for us, because He loves to us, beyond anything we can imagine...His love beats NASCAR and anything else this world can offer...but His restoration, keeps us on the right track and into the winners circle.

I Love You Beautiful Women of God !

Mary

I Am A Bulldog! Are You?

2009-10-26T08:52:00.003-04:00

All my life, while growing up, I’ve heard from my family, teachers, co-workers, and friends. They have said, mostly out of frustration, "You are so hardheaded & stubborn, you’re like a Bulldog." Did you know God can use that trait for the glory of his kingdom? I never thought of it that way until Andrew Eastman spoke over me and said “Your faith, you’re tenacious in your faith.” Tenacious meaning: holding fast, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate. Not easily pulled asunder, unyielding. When I think of that kind of faith, that kind of spiritual tenacity, it’s what we need daily for victory. I also think about the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18. Her persistence causes her to have her need met and be victorious. The story ends with verse 8 asking this question: "When the Son of man comes will He find faith (faithfulness, persistence) on the earth." When He comes I want my need met. I want to be victorious. Now I know as well as anyone that living by faith isn’t easy. There are time when the devil blindsides you and hurts you so badly that all your flesh wants to do is lie down, give up, or run away, and cry. Been there and done that. Well guess what, it doesn’t work, Satan just kicks you while you’re down. Then there are times when you want Jesus to appear to you & give you a tangible manifestation. But neither crying or fleshly manifestation will get the war won. Walk by Faith & not by sight. You have to keep going. Keep hammering away at the devil with your faith and refuse to let up. Faith links us to His Anointing, and when that happens your spirit is activated and you become bigger on the inside that you are on the outside. Being in the middle of a war is no time for holding back, giving in, or veggin out in front of the T.V. Eph 6:13&14 (paraphrased) says, and having done everything, to stand firm. STAND FIRM! In other words, hold your ground; taking it back if necessary. In a vision I had several years ago a group of people were marching through an old battle field picking up discarded armor and putting it on. They never missed a beat; just kept moving forward with a purpose. They also were facing Satan causing him to continue to back up. They backed him right to the edge of a cliff. Coming out of this vision Satan was rocking on his heels on the edge of that cliff. Let’s continue to move forward, taking back our ground, backing Satan down and keeping him off balance. Ladies be encouraged, be a Bulldog, be Tenacious. Love ya RC

2009-10-05T14:34:00.008-04:00

Hi Ladies,
I trust you are having a great week so far! Have you ever said, "This is not where I thought I would be at this time in my life, Lord."
You may be heartbroken over a child who is not walking with the Lord, devastated by some tragedy that has happened to a loved one, shattered because of a betrayal from a friend or family member, weary from a loss of income or financial ruin, or simply worn out from standing for a healing in your body. All of these trials can effect our walk with the Lord. When God begins to move on our behalf in these situations it will be phenomenal to see what He does. But first lets go back to the beginning of the journey. Can you remember when you may have said, "I will stand until..... no matter what Lord"? Part of the miracle is that we have gone through such a transformation we no longer look the same as when we began this journey of faith. We have a compassion for others that we probably would not have been able to develop without the trial. We have an inner strength that is immeasurable. We have an appreciation for the little things of life as never before. We no longer fear like we once did because we have weathered a storm and know who our God is. He is not just a story from the Bible anymore, He is our story.
Many times it feels like the only thing that will be left is the pain or the sense of loss with nothing significant to show for our trouble. I am reminded of the rose. There are many thorns on the stem but this does not take away from the beautiful flower. In Jeremiah is says, For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Your story is not over yet, it is still being written. Hear the Father saying, "I know this is not where you planned to be, but I've got it covered. You cannot continue to take new ground looking back. The past is the past. Leave it there and move forward from this day on." The plans He has for us far exceed what we thought they would look like, but we are so attached to what we think we need to happen that we cannot even see it sometimes when He is moving. Be Still and know that He is God and we can trust Him with our failures, disappointments, hopes, and dreams. He's got us covered.
My prayer for us this week is that we walk in an assurance and rest in what He is doing in each of our lives. That we can radiate peace and joy in the midst of our trials so that the world around us can see the God that we serve daily.
Love you my friends...... Tishia

GREAT THINGS, GREATER THINGS!!

2009-10-05T11:38:00.003-04:00

The last time I wrote you regarding the onslaught of the enemies lies and how we needed to earnestly defend and preserve the binding or holding fast of our mind, heart, and will to the TRUTH of God's character and Word. What a GREAT God we have to confirm this through the awesome ministries of Dawn Ann and Deborah. I certainly was encouraged! Yet, my Father knows He must remind me often of things He has already spoken. Therefore, ladies, let us continue to "demolish the vain imaginations (STRONGHOLDS) and ALL pretensions (LIES) that set themselves against the knowledge (TRUTH) of God and make every thought captive and obedient to Christ, the Truth"(II Cor. 10:3-6).

REALIZE, as daughters of the "KING OF KINGS", you are seated IN Christ in the heavenlies (with access to the Father's view) far above ALL rule and authority, power and dominion (Eph.1:18-21, 2:6,7).

I believe the Lord is saying to us, "Ready yourselves" for the outpouring of my divine favor and providence. "Ready yourselves" to take the land which I will give you. "Ready yourselves" for the reaping of The Harvest. For have I not said, "Most solemnly I tell you, if anyone believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things I do; and he will do even GREATER THINGS than these, because I go to the Father" John 14:12.

Blessings to you,

Rhonda

Guinea Pigs, Brain Infarctions and Other Fun Things

2009-09-29T12:02:00.004-04:00

Ok ladies, I was supposed to have this devotional up yesterday. However, my brain had a slight problem and well, I forgot. There...see? Confession is good for the soul. I feel better already. In other news...I've been thinking a bit (not too much or I might cause my brain to have an infarction...see above paragraph) about Otis. Ah, sweet Otis. Yes...I see that hand in the back...oh...who is Otis? Why he's Kayleigh's guinea pig of course. He's a sweet, furry little bundle of fun who loves me immensely. He just doesn't realize it yet. Prior to last week, Otis lived in a small little one-bedroom cage in my daughter's room. Although the small cage provided shelter and comfort, we felt he needed a little more space to relax. After all, he has a tough life. He has needs. I completely understand this. He has recently been relocated to a high-rise condo in the kitchen, thanks to some very old friends of his. (THANKS DEWAYNE!!!) Oh boy that thing is awesome. I come home in the evenings and head straight for Otis' penthouse. The only thing on my mind is to pet him and feed him and call him my Squishy. In other words...I just wanna show the lil' dude some love. Now, you would think that after all the immense blessings that have been bestowed on Otis, (Luxury apartment, food, water, warmth, housekeeping service, etc...) he would return the love. As a matter of fact, one might assume that he would jump through hoops and perhaps even learn to play fetch. But no. The moment I come towards him he tenses up and if I reach my hand in to scratch his little ears or to stroke his furry back he just runs away. He's afraid of me. He has no idea that I'm the one who blessed him, that I've got his needs all provided for, and that the only thing I'm trying to do is show him how I feel about him. Now, he doesn't act this way if I have food. Quite the opposite. He comes right to me, oinking his pleasure and eats out of my hand. I've been a bit frustrated by this behaviour, I must admit. But after playing Chase Otis Around The Penthouse for the 1,067th time the other day I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to me saying, "This is how you treat me sometimes, Shayne." "I want to bless you with My word...My teachings...My Presence...yet you run from Me. I want to tell you how much I love you...yet you hide behind work, television, church, praise team practice, and even your children so as to avoid spending time with Me. I want to show You a more excellent way of living, but you only want material blessings." Well I can't tell you ladies how that velvet covered rebuke has humbled me. To know that I have the gratitude level of a guinea pig is, well...embarrassing to say the least. I'm no better than Otis. BUT...unlike Otis...I have a hope and assurance in Jesus Christ. I can repent, accept His forgiveness and move forward. 'Cause He loves me like that. For a more biblical example of how this ingratitude hurts God...read the book of Hosea. It's a whopper. Now, if you'll excuse me ladies...I need to go relax and have some time with my Father.
Shayne

2009-09-22T13:55:00.009-04:00

My Sweet Ladies, What a weekend! I've still not recovered. The truth is, I don't really intend to recover. For those of you who were not able to be there, don't worry, a full - and I mean FULL - carry over is coming your way! What has been on my mind this morning are two scriptures in the Revelation relating to kings. Imagine that. The first one is Revelation 19:16 "and on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS". I want us to think on this in the context of His kingdom, which I believe, is the concentration of the entire book. Keep in mind the kings of the earth as we now know them will not exist in His eternal kingdom. Not that He doesn't have complete authority over them but here they can not be His kings or His lords as this is not a temporary statement. Notice also, that in this particular scripture, "KINGS AND LORDS" are in capital letters. This should be just as significant to us as God and god are. The 2nd scripture is Revelation 21: 24-27. I'm not going to quote it but I do want to bring our attention to a couple of things. In verse 24 it says, as an on going description of the new Jerusalem, "and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it." It goes on to say in verse 27 that "only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life" will "ever come into it." I will dare to say that this is referring to you and me. We are to be joint heirs, joint priests and joint rulers with Christ Jesus. I believe we need to stop seeing ourselves as His children, even though we will always be that. I also think that we can lavish as the bride longer than necessary. As the Father raises up the church and purifies the bride of His Son, we need to know and understand what His goal for us is. We need to intimately know our King and how He brings into fruition His heart for His kingdom. We need to apprentice ourselves to Jesus. He will only crown rulers who can represent Him fully. (not to be mistaken with perfectly) If you weren't at church yesterday we had a robing. We'll talk about that later Love to all you shining stars of God
beverlyn