Saturday, March 31, 2012

I dedicate this to my wonderful and loyal and faithful husband who is truly a man of God.

Psalm 31

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 31

Psalm 31^[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
² Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
³ Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
⁴ Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
⁵ Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

⁶ I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
as for me, I trust in the LORD.
⁷ I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul.
⁸ You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.

⁹ Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and body with grief.
¹⁰ My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,^[b]
and my bones grow weak.
¹¹ Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.
¹² I am forgotten as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.
¹³ For I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!”
They conspire against me
and plot to take my life.

¹⁴ But I trust in you, LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”

When you feel like you have done all you can, kneel before your God and He will nourish your soul and comfort your heart. Need not be troubled, for your Lord God is with you. I lift up all who are troubled today and I ask that the Holy Spirit come and touch each and every one of you and meets you right where you are and may you feel His presence and witness His power on your life today.

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Friday, March 30, 2012

The Holy Spirit flows through a godly attitude, not an ungodly one. It all begins with our thinking and we determine how we choose to view a certain circumstance. We can change our attitudes by examining our thinking. We can hinder the Holy Spirit when we have attitudes such as bitterness, unforgiveness, disrespect, anger, seeking revenge or being ungrateful. Our attitudes become the behavior we display and as a believer we need to be extremely mindful of that. When I used to work in the office with a lot of different personalities I used to always tell them to look at the job with a grateful heart and know that it could always be worse. In my last days there when I really struggled myself I would recite to myself all the positive attributes of the job and it sustained me until the Lord told me it was time to move on. I had one employee who I used to be extremely close with until I realized how bad her attitude was. It was such a turn off and she repelled most of the office because of her poor outlook and attitude and it eventually cost her the job. We all know someone like that who chooses to look at the glass half empty. But as a child of God there is no tolerance for it because it shows lack of gratitude and respect to our Father in Heaven for He created us as we are and our life path is what He chose so how dare we complain or grumble to what He has given us. It is not about us and when we study the Word and meditate on His wants and desires, we will think differently, then act differently. He gave us the most precious gift we could ever receive and none of us are worthy and we know it yet we walk around with a pompous or negative attitude? Hear me...it is never "justified" and it is never "warranted" for we are to be grateful and exude a blessed attitude every single day of our daily life here on earth.

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23

*blurbs of this are from a Joyce Meyer book I read.

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Just when you think you can't, God will show you that you can. And when the burden is too heavy and your will has weakened, He will carry and sustain you while He restores you. Being a believer in Christ does not mean we will have supernatural powers and endless happiness and live a fairy tale life. It can actually be quite different. I am one that chooses to stay in His peace and I live each day as a blessing and as a gift and when I feel a "funk" coming on, I try to contain it, restrain it then distinguish it before it festers. Our will and our mind are powered by the Holy Spirit so we can do anything through Him because He strengthens us. Weak minded, fear, doubts are powered by your feelings, not your mind. As Joyce Meyer writes we endure a battlefield of the mind. We will often struggle within ourselves but when we share it with God and bring it to Him with a pure heart and honest intent, He will work it out through you. The point is don't hold God up to a standard that disappoints you later for He cannot be controlled through your prayers but He is moved by your faith. For there is no greater One than He but He will not give you a "free pass" or "free ride" if you choose a sinful life. Stop listening to the prosperity and glitter sermons and put on the righteousness that God prepared for you through His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Matthew 11:28-30

Philippians 3:7-11

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Why do you blame God for the choices you made in life? Why is God the first person you get angry at for something you chose to do or not do? Our obedience or lack thereof plays a very key role in our present and future. I hear people all the time tell me that they "felt" a gnawing at them to leave their job or end a toxic relationship etc...but their heads talked them out of it. Their "responsibilities" would not allow them to be so "irresponsible". I was well aware that people perceived my bold move to leave my job without a replacement in the worst of economic times as extremely irresponsible, immature, and so on. But what they all failed to recognize was the power of the Holy Spirit and the faith that I had then and still have now in Him. When you hear the voice of God telling you to move, you move. It is not when all the ends are tied up and when logic is in place. It is when He asks you to. To this day some will say, "Oh well I can't afford to just walk off my job like you did" as if I had a choice. As if I was financially independent to do so. But I know it is their own reasoning for disobeying God. People stay in relationships that they know are not healthy but they choose to stay rather than the alternative of being alone or feeling lonely. Again, do you choose to follow God and His commands that we should not be unevenly yoked in our relationships or do you choose to do what works for you at the present time? People stay where they are in most cases because they base it on financial reasoning. What happened to seeking God for His provision? If God asks you to lay something down and walk away do you not trust in Him enough to know that He has something greater for you to pick up? People justify their actions all the time to stay in their safety zone. Faith is stepping out into the unknown and trusting and believing in the Lord. If we knew the outcome before we did it, then we would not need faith.

Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

When we give our heart to the Lord, our mind will be renewed. Our life will change while our hearts restore. You will behave differently and you will begin to think differently. What was once tolerated now will become offensive and what used to be "accepted behaviors"will no longer be a part of your life. Your desires will change and most times, your circle of friends will change. Sometimes you will even see family members look at you sideways because you are now a "holy roller" or as someone once called me "a nun" because I went to church in the morning and I was going back that night to be baptized in the water. You cannot get upset for they do not know what they say. They are deaf and they are blind to the truth, like you and I once were. When we come to know the Lord we desire to share Him with others. The profound love we experience and the peace that is so deep is something that you cannot keep to yourself. You desire for others to hear the gospel too so that they can share in your faith and joy. If you find yourself "too embarrassed" to tell someone or you are afraid of one's reaction, I would pray about it. I know someone that gave their heart to the Lord last summer and still has not told her parents or family as if her decision is sending her to damnation. It is so sad how separated the churches have become and how we have allowed the enemy to beat us on that one for this denomination believes this and that one believes that when we all serve the same loving living God. But I will save that whole subject for another day. But for now, I leave you with this....love the Lord your God and live to serve only Him and keep Him first in your life no matter what. Pray, read the Word, attend a bible teaching church and tithe on your income and your life will begin to prosper in every way. Be blessed today!

John 3:16

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Monday, March 26, 2012

Prayer works. The Lord hears our prayers and will answer us according to our needs and His will for our lives. If we could just grasp that concept I believe there would be less anxiety, stress and worriment in the world. We Christians are taught at an early age to fear not, for the Lord God is with us. So as a child it is true yet as an adult we are on our own? Of course not. Then why do we have such a hard time "letting go and letting God?" Why is prayer time so hard to fit in to our daily routine? We cannot be discouraged every time a prayer goes "unanswered". All prayers are answered, they just may not be the way you asked for it. We also have to expect seasons of waiting, season of trials and tests. Anyone that hasn't felt opposition in their life needs to question their faith and salvation. For all children of God will be sanctified, purified and put through the fire. He will always be changing us, molding us into His image. This is what strengthens us as believers and what deepens our faith in Him. Life with God is not all prosperity and no struggles. Life with God is not all joy and no pain. We will suffer, we will hurt, we will be tried. It is not all sunshine and lollipops. So expect the tests, expect the storms and expect adversities. But you know what God offers in return? Blessings of victory, rainbows after the rain and triumphs over obstacles. So hang in there, keep praying, and keep believing! And be assured that God is moving in your life and whatever plan He has for you...well expect it to be spectacular.

John 14

John 16:33

Jeremiah 29:11

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Sunday, March 25, 2012

God blesses us so that we might bless others. Christianity is a selfless and giving mindset and I am bothered by those that think their needs should come first. Someone recently said that although he cares about the lost, his family and their needs come first and if that means damnation for those he didn't get to speak to about Jesus then so be it. Wow! Lord, may those words, thoughts or actions never be a part of my being and I pray for the person who possesses them. We are to be vessels for God..to show man how to be. We do not always need to be preaching our faith for sometimes they need to see us live by our faith. And bear Godly witness. We offer a false testimony to someone when our thoughts and motives are selfish for we should be selfless, no matter what. I believe that we can never out give God. I believe that whatever seeds I sow that I will be blessed regardless of what the receiver may do. Deuteronomy 15:10 Yes, we are to use wisdom and not hand a $20 bill over to a homeless man who appears to have a drinking problem but the Lord would certainly expect us to offer him a meal. Proverbs 22:9 We are not to give out of our excess for the Lord judges us by what we are keeping not by what we are giving. Deuteronomy 16:17 And when we choose to look the other way from a person in need, the Lord is saddened. We need to stop judging, comparing, justifying and making excuses up for why we don't give more. Be some one's angel today. Be an answer to some one's prayer and be their beacon of light. Let God's light shine upon you so that they truly know that God loves them and is watching over them. Amen?!

Proverbs 21:26

Saturday, March 24, 2012

God loves you! Yes He will discipline us but when bad circumstances come our way that does not mean He doesn't love us. When He corrects you, He loves you. It is a sign that He loves you. Our performance does not dictate or control how much God will love us. You may "feel" that way but it is not true. God is all loving and we are valuable. Our relationship with Him is not conditional. He loves us no matter what we think or do. What He does not love is the sin in our lives therefore He hates sin, not man. When we think that God loves us with conditions, then we will rely on the world's standards. Having money, a prestigious career, beauty, the biggest house, constant validation from man and on and on. Our worth and value is in Christ not how we look or feel. We have value and purpose. I want to share something with you...religion is man centered and pride based. It teaches that we can earn our way to God and become in right standing with Him. This is a horrible lie. It is not what we can do for God, it is what God already did for us. Christianity is God centered because we as Christians put our faith and trust in Jesus' finished work on the cross for our salvation. In short we all need to be repented of our religion and we all need to be in a right relationship with God. There is only one name given by men under heaven that saves.

Acts 4:12

We are changed by God's transforming love. We are justified by Jesus' sacrifice and the shedding of His blood on the cross. He paid for our sins and He overcame death for our eternal life.

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Friday, March 23, 2012

Our sin separates us from God. But repentance washes our sins away. There is only one person that can do that for us and that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And believing in Him is the only way to heaven. Not by being a good person nor good deeds so if you were raised to believe it was, you were deceived. And believing that small sins are no big deal, think again. Some believe that because they haven't committed the ultimate sin of murder or adultery they are good to go. But we are not good to go because the Lord measures all sin as equal. My taking a sweet n low package from the diner and putting it in my purse is viewed the same in His eyes as if I robbed the cashier. Do not allow the enemy to lie to you anymore. A lustful thought is viewed the same as if you committed adultery. Anger is equal to murder. The Lord knows we are all going to fall short of His glory and that we are all fallible and weak in mind. And that is why He did something about it in the person of Jesus Christ. He sacrificed His own so that our sins would be forgiven. But if we take advantage of that great gift and think we have a free pass in life, you are making a mockery of your Savior's death on the cross. Sin is sin and the Lord hates when we justify it. And never compromise your own faith so someone else can be comfortable in their own sin. Be accountable, be bold and be an educator to those that do not know the truth and the good news. For we are called to be soldiers of God.

Matthew 7:14

John 14:6

Galatians 2:20

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

When we place expectations on man, we will be disappointed. Trust God for all your needs and only depend and rely on Him for 100% support, 100% of the time. I will become disheartened by people when they act a certain way or when I feel that they are not giving back as I have given them. And I have to tell myself that when I give of myself, it is for God not for a payback. But when you feel time and time again you are always there to support this person, or that ministry or that family and they don't reciprocate in any way, well it can be upsetting. And when I began to struggle with this I prayed about it with God and He shared a word with me through another website where it said God doesn't judge man by what they give, He judges them by what they keep. And that was good enough for me and I wanted to share my story with you. If someone has let you down and you feel as though your relationship seems to be more give than give and take, let it go, forgive them and allow the Lord to "judge" the person. Continue to give of yourself, love others as God has commanded and do not become like them. For that is the natural mentality to have a "tit for tat" attitude but as we live in the supernatural, we have to give of ourselves with no expectations in return. I am grateful to have learned this powerful lesson for it keeps me joyful and not bitter. I will not allow another person's behavior or attitude to consume me nor control me. So I choose to stay happy and I choose to stay motivated. And the Lord wants you to do the same so stay in the Spirit and you will be blessed beyond expectations because that is how Our God is.

1 Corinthians 10:24

Roman 12:10

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Do not let life distract you from your time with God. Being alone with our Lord is vital to our daily life and essential for living right as a Christian. The less time you spend on a relationship, the less meaning it will have and it will begin to unravel and fade away. Our Christianity is the same way. We will never achieve a level of where we are prepared enough or versed enough or changed enough. The Lord will forever be working in us. Therefore we must continue a consistent lifestyle of prayer and devotion. We must keep Him in the center of our lives and first in order of priority. How sad when we say we are too busy to serve Him in an area at church. How sad when we say we are too shy to share our faith with others. The only person we are hurting when we say these things is God for serving and sharing our faith is worshiping and honoring Him. It has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him. He will show you the area He wants you to be in. And He will give you the Spirit of boldness to witness to another. Glorifying God is not when it is convenient, it is to be done every day in every way. Being a child of God is a full time job and we are to be available to Him 24 hours a day. Reflect on all that He has done in your life and having done so, declare it and share it for He is worthy to be praised!

John 1: 1-18

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Do not allow man to come in to your life and break your spirit. The Lord blesses us with discernment and the wisdom to know the difference between someone with good intent or ill intent. I asked the Lord to unmask people to me because of all the hurt I have been through in my life and He has. At this stage of my life I have a very small but very loyal circle of people in my life. Solid God fearing men and women. He rather us be alone than to associate with unmoral people and He certainly will protect us from someone that has bad intentions. 1 Corinthians 15:33 I worked for years in an environment where competition and back stabbing was common behavior. I used to ask the Lord each and every day to protect me with His precious blood and to not let any weapon form against me prosper but that the evil dart would boomerang back to where it came. I never would have survived the years I did if it weren't for Him. I never was a part of their click or group. I never broke bread with anyone and I would get hurt until one day the Lord spoke and said to my heart, "you are of this world but you are not in it; you are not like these people" and wow that stayed with me and from that point forward I got it. He wants you to get it too. If you are the outsider in your workplace or feel like some close people are not as pure hearted as once thought, ask the Lord to reveal to you and help you and protect you. Ask the Lord to send you a Godly friend and He will. Ask for favor at work, or at home if you have a situation with a tough neighbor. He will bring peace to any situation. All you have to do is ask and you shall receive. Choose wisely who you let in to your life. But above all else, always know in your heart that your greatest Friend is God. James 4:8

John 15:18-19

Proverbs 13:20

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Monday, March 19, 2012

The Lord provides all of our needs. He will give you your daily bread and you shall not grow hungry. He tells us in the bible how much He loves us by showing us the illustration of the birds and animals. If He provides for them, why do you worry? He does not want us to be anxious about what we will eat or what we are going to wear. He provides. When your hearts have pure intent, He knows and He will honor you. Faithful tithers are guaranteed provision and return. Who else would ever be that faithful to their word? This world today is all about pride and ego, greed, what is in it for me?, chaos and selfishness. The Lord is about selflessness and humility and service. We will reap what we sow. Good seed will harvest. Good intent produces reward and blessings. Giving of oneself, produces joy and peace. The Lord loves you and He wants the best for you, why settle for less? Trust Him. Give it to Him today. Be anxious for nothing and pray about everything. You know this! Claim it for yourself today. And allow Him to work it all through. And then go and enjoy the gorgeous day here on the East coast.

Philippians 4:19

Matthew 6:31-32

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Love the Lord with all your heart. Today, tomorrow, every day. He never promised a perfect easy life. He promised that through every hurt, stumble, crisis and hurdle, He would never leave us nor forsake us. That is what He can do for you if you do not know Him as your personal Lord and Savior. If you have never experienced life as a believer nor ever took the time to accept Christ as Lord of your life, I encourage you to. Do you truly know that if you died today you would enter heaven? If so, why? What would you say to Him if you were standing before God? Have you obeyed all His commandments? So many respond being a good person and doing nice things for others is enough to enter the gates of eternal life but the bible makes it clear the only way to heaven is through God's Son, Jesus Christ and having a personal relationship with Him. If you have ever lied, stolen something, thought about another person other than your spouse in a lustful way, grown angry at another know this.....the Lord looks upon you as a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murderer. And if you were to stand before Him today for your judgement, would He declare you innocent or guilty?................I pray for those that know the answer to that question. I ask right now Lord, that you show them your face, may your Spirit come upon them and may this be the day they repent of their sins and take You as Lord of their life. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 37:39

John 14:6

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Forgiving another person for what they may have done to you is not only rewarding but uplifting. When we forgive each other as God has forgiven us, we will be blessed beyond measure. It is not healthy for any person to hold a grudge but when a believer has bitterness in their heart, they are actually being disobedient and many miss that. The Lord knows our hearts and we can not hide our true selves from Him. Holding something against your brother or sister is displeasing to God and disobedient to His Word for He tells us to forgive seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22 Who is it that you are not speaking to? Is there someone in your heart that you have not forgiven for something they may have done to you? May today be the day you lay down your rocks and forgive. May this be the day you stop the blaming and begin the repairing. The Lord is asking you to do this so that there will be no sin in your heart, no malice in your mind ,no hatred in your soul. Love others as He has loved us for it is the greatest commandment. It will free you....it will heal you!

Mark 12: 28-31

Friday, March 16, 2012

Today I would like to do nothing more than praise my Lord. Praise Him for His faithfulness. I want to praise Him for His promises and for His Word being true. For many years, my husband and I both had highly successful careers, which afforded us a life of ease and comfort. Not much worry went in to filling the kitchen cabinets or our electricity being shut off. Our cars were new, custom built home, pool, we had it all. We always were grateful to God for our blessings but after time we became "used" to it and grew accustomed to the life style. It was expected and taken for granted even though my husband worked in a sales commission job. We always made money. But when the economy went to the dumper, so did our livelihood. Things began to change and life was not so easy anymore. Your story the same as mine? Many of us have been effected by the world's financial crisis. What was once assumed now was uncertain. But I gotta tell you, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to us, as individuals and as a married couple. For the Lord God was not in the center of our lives. We were not attending church nor praying, nor were we acting the way a Christian should, even though we did believe. Therefore things needed to get stirred up and today we can declare that our lives have completely changed. I want to praise God for blessing my husband with a new full time job. He placed on my heart to open up my own business and do things on my own, with His help, not the help of man so I launched a new women's accessories store. We made it through the rain to the rainbow. The Lord spared our home and allowed us time to heal and time to repent and time to get to know Him again. Today we are whole and healthy and live to please God, not ourselves nor man. We are a Christian couple who has the Lord in the center of our marriage and whose daily life includes devotions, prayer and alone time with God. So I thank Him and I wanted to share just a snippet of my testimony to you for you may still be waiting for your ending. Your story may still be in the middle and there is a lot of waiting. I am here to encourage you to hold on and not give up. Pray with compassion, fervor and assurance. Our God is faithful and He does what He says He will do. So keep the Faith and trust Him today for all things! Be blessed!

Psalm 37:4-5

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Jesus never fails. We learn over time that his no's are not denials. If He tells me no on something, I know it means He has something better for me. Better than what I could ever imagine for myself. He tells me in Jeremiah 29:11 He knows the plans He has in mind for us. We could never grasp what he has in store. So when He asks you to lay something down, it is because He has something greater for you to do. This is why it is so important to listen to the Lord and obey. He has us in the palm of His hand and if we surrender and fully trust, we know it will all work out. Stop fighting and let go. It is then you will begin to see movement and His work at hand. And I promise it is amazing and wonderful all at the same time. Remember he tells us that "when you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you". Jeremiah 29:12 He promises to always be there for us, the scripture does not say He will answer every prayer. Just rest in Him and wait upon Him. And as He showed me while I was writing this entry, when you separate the words "us in" the palm of His hand it turns in to "u sin". Stay the course. Stay with Jesus. He is the way, the truth, the life. John 14:6 Amen!

Galatians 6:9

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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Lord will come to you right where you are. If you feel you are not worthy or have sinned beyond forgiveness, you are allowing the enemy to lie to you for it is not true. There is no sin that the Lord will not forgive nor can your salvation ever be revoked for the Lord's grace is abounding. If you have come to the Lord with a humble repented heart and you have confessed your sins, He is faithful in forgiving you. 1 John 1:9 There is no condemnation in Christ. Romans 8:1 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved. Romans 10:9 As you go along today, I want you all to rest in God's perfect work in you. Trust in His blessed assurance on your life and forgive yourself as God has forgiven you. Be blessed today in Him.

1 Peter 2: 24-25

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Tuesday, March 13,2012

When life gets too hard to stand...kneel! Prayer is vital to our spiritual walk. It is our life line to God. Life with God is not a religion, it is a relationship therefore it must be nurtured and tended to. How close can one be with another if they only see them once a week or only talk to them maybe an hour weekly? Well that is the definition of your current relationship with God if you only spend time with Him once a week at church on Sunday morning. I shutter when I hear people say they need to make a conscious effort to pray more or they need to carve out time for their devotions . These are the same people that are on Facebook constantly posting what they are doing. The same people that are texting you three times an hour complaining they are stuck in commuter traffic. The Lord is our Father and our Friend and we need to treat Him as such. He is not just the One we go to when times are tough. Don't miss it. He wants to be a part of your life every day. He wants to bless your life with His peace and His joy. The kind of joy that comes with the peace in knowing Him. Life with God is effortless. Your life is chaotic and you are trying to figure out why. Bring God back in! One of the greatest gifts He gives us is His free will and yet we take it so liberal we end up on a road of destruction and then blame Him for our wrongs. Yet He loves us despite all this and is right there waiting to catch us when we fall. This is the love of a great Father. A righteous King. And He wants a more intimate relationship with you and me. That is immeasurable love! Love that cannot be described in words. If you are someone that knows God and loves Him but have failed lately in your new year's resolutions to make more time for your prayer life, may this be the day you throw down the sword of failure and throw out the guilt of shame and ask Him to forgive you and rededicate today as the first day of your new life with Him. He loves you. He wants you. The gate to the narrow road may be difficult but He is the only way to walk through this life. Matthew 7:14 Take His hand and walk with Him. Amen!

Psalm 95:6

Monday, March 12, 2012

The bible tells us to not be quick with our mouths, do not be hasty in our hearts to utter anything before God. Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 Our words are very powerful. We should only speak words that make people stronger. Words that are uplifting and encouraging. No one needs to hear how they messed up or how they got themselves in to a heck of a dilemma. No one needs a nervous nelly speaking into their lives when they just lost their job and are being asked how are they going to pay their bills. In times of trouble people need to hear soothing words that will give them peace and hope and a future. That is why I am extremely private with my business. And I truly only want to take Godly advice because I know it will be biblical doctrine. I do not let others speak negative things into my life for words can not be taken back. They can hurt, they can cause damage to a relationship, they can discourage another. And I know most times when people speak out loud it is revealing to me what is in their hearts and what they feel. Are you an encouraging person? Do you only speak kind and uplifting words to others? We all should be this way for words were meant to lift one up, speak love and affirmations, not to cause harm or put fear into someone. Do not let your mouth lead you to sin. I pray today that this message causes people to stop and truly reflect on themselves. For God is pleased when we love others and if we all could just take a pause before we speak, I think we all could make a difference in each other's lives.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. " John 13:34

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Ask and it shall be given to you. Matthew 7:7 That is what the Lord says. Today I am asking and I want you to do the same. The Lord does not want us to live in poverty, in despair. He wants us to live in abundance. Abundance of His love, joy, peace, relationship bliss, solid Godly friendships and financial freedom. Therefore ask for this in His name. Claim His promises for your life. So many are too timid or they think it is a shame to pray for yourself. Listen, I am the first person to say when you become one with God and allow Him to be the center of your life, you have to check your ego at the door. You are no longer the priority, He is and so are others. If you are trying to learn this new mindset, ask the Lord to help you and He will show you balance and what your life is lacking and requiring. He wants you to study His word, learn to communicate by praying every day, not just for yourself but for others. He wants you to truly know Him and His desires for you. Once you see He loves you, you can begin to trust Him with every aspect of your life. God wants the best for you. If God was willing to come down in the person of Jesus Christ and die for you, it is pretty to safe to say you can trust Him with the rest of your life. I challenge you today to surrender all of you to Him. Lay it all at His feet and trust that He will sustain you and meet all of your needs. Psalm 55:22

Ephesians 3:20

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 Claim it for your life! I did. We have to know how mighty and powerful our God is. That the battle is His and we shall be victorious. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit" says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 Life as a believer is not an easy life and we need our Savior. We need to live in the Spirit not in the flesh for the flesh counts for nothing. John 6:63 Our thoughts, our words, and our actions must reflect who our God is. We must be living testimonies so that others will see the Lord through us. Trust me when people know you are a Christian they will observe you...in all areas. What a wonderful vessel you can be for Christ. When challenges come, we must keep the Faith and keep our composure. We cannot fall apart as soon as bad news comes. We can not be negative when life's disappointments come nor complain about them. When you are facing difficult times in your life, rejoice and declare victory in Jesus. For He shall overcome. Be a living, walking, breathing testimony. Someone very close to me knows I am facing some challenges in my life and although she knows the Lord she is not walking with Him at this time and I am very mindful how I speak and behave in front of her in regards to what is going on. I want to show her that no matter what I face, no matter what life throws at me, my Faith will not waiver. We have to live our lives to glorify God. To offer our lives up as worship towards the Lord to be living sacrifices, living testimonies that glorify Him. I will leave you with these words to meditate on.... "Be very careful then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise making the most out of every opportunity because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16

John 16:33

Friday, March 9, 2012

"Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you; surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

This is the message God gave me this morning and boy did I need it. Have you ever needed to hear from God so desperately? I cried out to Him today and He heard my cries Psalm 6:8 and soothed me with these powerful words. I claim it as my victory and I want you to do the same. Life can be so uncertain and so scary and I don't know what people would do without the Lord. My husband and I shutter at the thought and even drop to our needs in gratitude when we think of our own lives not that long back...where we did not rely on Him as we should have and we did not have Him front and center in our marriage and in our own lives. But He called us to Him and we heard the call. The Lord spoke and we listened and obeyed. I pray you do the same today if you are struggling with something. If you are trying to do it alone without the help of God, lay it down today at His feet. I know patience is one of the most difficult things therefore ask the Lord to help you in that area so that you can know with all assurance that the steps being taken are ordained by God and not by your flesh. Our flesh desires instant gratification and it can be fed pretty much any time with the internet access and 24 hour a day access to restaurants and stores. But God's timing is perfect and it is in the waiting where we grow and mature in Spirit and in Faith therefore forget the mindset of now. I am not going to worry or be anxious. I will keep focusing on Him and know His will is all I desire. I will cast all my cares on Him and wait upon Him. 1 Peter 5:7 It is all any of us can do. Be blessed and stand with me in blessed assurance and faith.

Matthew 6: 25-34

Thursday, March 8, 2012

How do you react to bad news?  Are you calm or do you panic?  Do you get angry or keep your composure? How long does it take you to stop and then seek God?  Something happened to me yesterday very unexpected and I was stunned and then taken aback.  I was alone with my thoughts and for a moment of time I got scared and confused about how this could happen.  I then just had a peace come over  me because God has it under control and I must trust Him and not my own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 I cried out to Him to honor His words of promise to me and I asked Him to honor my obedience.  The bible says He will not let the righteous fall so I must believe.  Has this ever happened to you?  This is why I  never plan much for the course is His, not ours and when we surrender completely, anything goes.  So my tears shed were tears of comfort because I am going to be still in Him Psalm 46:10 and allow Him to lead me along this path he clearly has carved for me.  I must stay on the narrow road of life Matthew 7:13-14 and I  must stay in His will.  Our faith is all we need to sustain us through difficult times for our faith is what moves mountains. Faith is believing in what I can not see. So today, I believe that all it takes to see a miracle are eyes of faith.  Amen!      

Psalm  37:23-24

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Isn't the Lord fabulous?  Do you rely on Him for all the areas of your life?  Have you truly surrendered all your burdens to Him?  I ask because there is no greater feeling than total submission to Him. He wants to be a part of it all, every detail.  This is the One that numbered every hair on your head. Luke 12:7   He illustrates His love for us by declaring that if He cared enough for the birds to be fed, why would He not provide for you and for me? Matthew 6:26  I am saddened by Christians who truly do not grasp how powerful God's love is for us.  How wide and how deep.  Ephesians 3:17-19 We can trust Him above all others. For even our loved ones will disappoint us whether it be our spouse, parent, best friend, sibling. But not God!  The Lord is the only One I truly rely on and trust for my daily bread of life for He is the maker of Heaven and Earth and He is my God.  If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior yet have not fully surrendered yourself to Him, He wants you to.  If something has happened recently that has caused your faith to stumble, be still and know that He is God. Psalm 46:10 He is our rock eternal and He is our foundation. Do not worry or panic for He is in control.  Even though your news stunned you and shook your core, it was but for an instant for you know He has you in the palm of His hand.  Let no man speak anything other than that truth in to your life.  Keep your eyes on God and know that if this is happening, it has purpose and I believe that when he closes a door, it is to give us something even greater. For He has big plans for us and this is nothing but another step in our walk with Him.  Find peace in Him today.  Rest in Him today and most all, trust Him today. 


Isaiah 26:4

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Some people give the enemy way too much credit in their lives. The Lord is all authority and nothing will happen to you that He does not ordain or allow. Luke 10:18-20 The enemy is our adversary and yes he comes to destroy but we can arm ourselves for we have the power from our living God. Did you know we are most vulnerable in four areas of our life? He comes when we are alone, tired, angry and hungry? Our weakest moments you would say. He is listening and lurking for anyone that he can dissuade and discourage. You need to pray for your hedge of protection around your home, family, loved ones and yourself. Ask the Lord to grant enormous favor in your life and ask that He bestow His ever loving peace in your life. I know the spiritual warfare is real and I know it is scary but your fear is what moves it therefore why feed the beast who comes to destroy? Starve it by filling up your spirit and feeding your heart and mind with the loving promises of God. Always remember the Lord will never tempt you, only test. And there is nothing that the devil can do that the Lord does not provide a way out of. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Never be afraid for the Lord God is with you and me and He promises never to leave or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 Put on your amour of God and wear it with spiritual boldness. Ephesians 6: 10-18 And yes there are times when you are going to be attacked, especially when you are doing great and mighty things for the Lord. Expect it then arm yourself with the effective prayer to remove it from your life. The stronger in faith, the greater the knowledge, the bolder in spirit, the more powerful you become to overtake it. If God is for you, who can be against you? Romans 8:31 He is the omnipotent One who holds authority over all. Amen!

Luke 16:16

Monday, March 5, 2012

How often do you share your faith? Are you shy or are you bold? Often times people will say they are too scared to tell someone about their Lord for fear of mockery or rejection. Having been in sales most of my life, I understand that notion. But the Lord is not a sales product or even an option someone "may want to know about". He is the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6 He is not a multiple choice answer in a question of who is your God for He is the one true God. John 17:3 And the truth is there are several ways you can share your faith. When at the check out counter instead of saying thank you or have a nice day, respond with "be blessed" and/or "have a blessed day". One of the sisters in church always answers the question "how are you?" with "blessed and highly favored". Seeds sown. I use Christian checks and Christian address labels. I print a blog label on all my packages I send out through my business in hopes the receiver will look up the messages and also the postmasters and workers. Seeds sown. My home has biblical sayings and verses throughout to help minister to my guests. How about waving a flag or sign outside your home instead of the local sports team? See how easy it is? Seeds sown. You can purchase bibles at the dollar store and hand those out or even small gospel of Johns that are less than a dollar. Even church invites can be effective and they are free and can be given to waitresses and gas station attendants. I love my Jesus auto emblem and bumper stickers on cars. Truly there is no excuse. Even social networking can make the most sheepish roar like a lion. Understand that by you sharing your God with someone who does not know of Him, may save their life. The seeds you sew in their life may grow and prosper in to a wonderful harvest. The word of the Lord does not return void. Isaiah 55:11 Be bold and be creative and you will become a laborer for Christ. And no matter what your spiritual maturity level is, you have something to offer. We may not know all the bible verses by heart, but our discovery of God is all we need to share. Discipleship is the most rewarding thing you will ever do.

Matthew 28: 18-20

1 Peter 3:15

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Don't be disheartened today. The Lord is pleased with you and knows your heart is in the right place.  He watches over you and will not let you fall.  Psalm 37:24 This frustrating time in your life may actually be "your moment".  Something that will matter greatly later, even though it doesn't appear to be anything today. We simply need to focus on God and remind ourselves He is the reason why we do what we do. He is worth the disappointment, the fear, the sadness and loneliness. Not everyone is going to understand our plea or understand our actions.  People may turn away from you for the change in you makes them uncomfortable about themselves. Their sinful ways and unholy lives will convince them you are simply obsessed or too radical for Jesus.  Whatever one thinks, stay the course.  If someone is not for you, they are against what you represent.  Be mindful of your surroundings, protect your spiritual journey. If opposition is present, don't back down, but rejoice for you are making a difference! So hug yourself today and let the Holy Spirit fill you back up as you bask in Him during church this morning.  Let His words comfort you and give you the power to keep going.  Amen?!

 Matthew 16: 24-27

Saturday, March 3, 2012

It sounds so easy yet it is a very hard thing for many Christians to do and that is to trust the Lord in all situations without fear or angst. One of the best ways to know that God has your current situation under control is by reflecting on your past. This allows you to revisit God's miraculous ways in your life. You get to relive how he brought you through other difficult times. When you remind yourself how faithful He has been in the past, it will assure you that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 I admit if I allow myself to think of a certain situation that is happening in my life right now at this very moment, I can get very upset, panic stricken and extremely sad and scared of the potential loss. But my God is stronger than any circumstance in my life and what may appear impossible for me is not for God. Luke 1:37 My faith tells me that not only do I know He can, my faith tells me He will. And that brings me peace. John 14:27 I truly am so dependent on God that I take very small steps in life now. I live for today and rely on Him for tomorrow. I get kind of annoyed when I hear people "plan" out their life for the next 6 months and I think to myself "we don't even know where we will be tomorrow for there is no guarantee". People that assume their lives will include marriage and children and the perfect mate. I do believe that the Lord does not want for any of us to go through this life alone, but for some, marriage and children is not part of their "lot" in life. The best spiritual advice I could give to you, having been around the block once or twice, is to trust God more and trust yourself less. Rely on His voice more than your own head. Your thoughts and feelings will deceive you and certainly distract you. I know of a woman who convinced her child he was going to marry this one individual in his life and this poor boy pined after this person when it was never God's plan but the desires of the mother. Naturally we can all relate and understand the love a mother has for her only son that she would want the world for him. However, it distracted this young man's life and interrupted God's plan for him. Stop speaking your desires in to other people's lives. Stop allowing others to speak in to your life for what is good for them may not be for you. And we need to not mistake our desires for God's. No two people are going through the same spiritual journey therefore we should talk less about "our opinions" to one another and pray more for one another. We all have a hardship story to tell and they are designed by God so that we can be a living testimony for one another. Always keep God in the center of the conversation for He should be the focus of all discussion. I like to offer up prayers and bible verses for those that are looking for understanding so it will soothe one's heart and soul. This will allow the Holy Spirit to manifest His power in one's life. Let God love you. Let God help you. Why are you carrying around that heavy bag of burden when someone is standing there ready, willing and able to take it from you? It makes no sense. You would allow a stranger to carry your groceries if they offered to lighten your load therefore why would you not want our living God to lift the weight from your arms? Stop over doing life and start living in the Spirit by allowing the Spirit to lead you. Watch your life calm down. Watch the burdens of worry diminish and watch your Father in Heaven transform what seemed to be a pile of mess in to a wonderful work of art. He is waiting for you, won't you let Him in today?

Some encouraging promises to rest on today:

Psalm 73:26; Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 5:6-7

Friday, March 2, 2012

In everything we do, do it for Jesus and all things will come together for our good.  Life as a Christian is not always an easy path and sometimes it can be quite lonely and challenging, but the end reward is eternity with the Lord.  So many live for now and not tomorrow and having been one of those that knew no boundaries and laughed at any consequence, I can honestly testify to you now that I was wrong.  I lived for myself, the thrill of the moment, I threw caution to the wind and it was a lifeless existence with a lot of sadness in the end.  We all go through our own cycle of life and we all have to come to God in our way, on our own terms but I promise a life with Him far outweighs any thrill or high you are living on now doing it alone.  Make this the day you stop living for yourself.  Make this the day you stop trying to please man.  Come to the One who created you in your inmost being. The One who knitted you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13.  Your life has meaning and value. Stop listening to what others have to say about you.  Stop letting people speak in to your life about what they think you need.  And by all accounts, surround yourself with those that are God fearing and obedient to the moral laws of God, for they will give you the honest advice you need.  It is time for you to live for Him and in Him.  Put down the sword of sin, selfishness, fear, doubt and control and surrender your being to Him. I feel strong for those reading this that you are struggling with your purpose and value.  That you are confused by the world's messages and the negative influences surrounding you.  The Lord wants to love you, protect you, guide you and keep you in His watchful eye and care.  There is other greater thing than this. And so that is why I pray that you hear His voice and heed His warning and give your life to Him today. And having done all this, stand in His presence and bask in His glory. Be blessed!

Psalm 50:15

Romans 12:2

Proverbs 23:26

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Pride lays people low, but those of humble spirit gain honor. Proverbs 29:23 In all things give glory and honor to God. When you begin to impress yourself with your works and you begin to do things that make you look good, meditate on the verse I gave you. Ego and pride is a slippery slope and a fine line to walk. I see so many people serving in church and involved in so ministries, that I think to myself "are their intentions to please God or man?" Is this for show or to exemplify God? If the Lord asked us to do all things for Him in private, with no one watching, would we still be so eager to sign up? A good way to measure is to ask yourself "is He getting all the glory here?" So many get caught up in church activities to which it becomes a blurred line between true service and true entertainment. Others run the risk of burn out because they are involved in everything. I am a firm believer in balance and established order. This keeps you focused, strong and effective as a Christian. The familiar saying "quality not quantity" is key. We may have the best intentions but if we do not seek God's counsel first, then it all may be a distraction of our true calling. The true work of a Christian is to lead the lost to Jesus so evangelizing will be the substance in whatever it is He leads you to do. Whether it be teaching children at Sunday school for leading and teaching small children the ways of Jesus is preparing them so when they reach adulthood, they choose Him for themselves. Praying as an altar worker, handing out bibles to the poor, etc...ask the Lord to show you where He wants you, and He will. I pray for you and am so excited for the area God will use you in. He is the only One we should ever serve. And in all things, do them in His name and you will be happy.

Romans 12:4-7
Colossians 3:23-24


"If you have no opposition in the place you serve, you're serving in the wrong place". - G. Campbell Morgan

Thursday, March 1, 2012

We all must have some "healthy" boundaries in our life.  A life like fence if you will.  I say this because it creates balance and order in your daily life.  Without it you are leaving yourself wide open to everything and the Lord wants us to be wise. We are to guard our hearts Proverbs 4:23 and gird our minds. 1 Peter 1:13  I knew someone who always said yes to everything they were asked of whether it be a ride, money, job, advice and I could see people were taking advantage of this person.  But their intent was to do good, spread good cheer and please God when in fact all the running around was distracting them from their service and studies.  I remember saying to them if someone asks you to do something stop and ask yourself, "is this glorifying God"?  But if we are called to love others, give of oneself to another , why would we need to have a time of yes and a time of no?  Because some people will take advantage to no end, others will try to guilt you, others will gather a sense of entitlement,  while others will assume the yes.  It is up to you to truly seek the Lord and ask Him to help you discern what is His will for you and what isn't.  Another way to learn is when this occurs. Are you dropping everything at all hours of the day for people? Are the calls coming while you are in the middle of studying the Word? Is it taking you from church? Is this person saved or are you going to all kinds of places at all times of the night?  Ask the Lord to help you know the difference of when it is good works versus throwing pearls to swine. If a person relies on you too heavily and while you try to counsel them and nothing changes, give them to God.  I watch my husband try to help others and he uses it as an opportunity to first and foremost, lead them to Jesus, but he will also invite them to church and a ministry he thinks they would like. But if he sees that it is the same excuse and the person does not appear to want to change or turn to God, he will continue to pray for them, give them to God and then take a step back. Not easy for someone like Him who lives to please the Lord and lives to love the Lord and people. Yet He knows a time of yes and a time of no.  I encourage you today to ask the Lord for guidance and discernment to know when to offer and when to allow Him to intervene in the person's life.  If someone is involved in a sinful life, the Lord will not want you involved beyond praying with them and for them for bad company can corrupt good moral character. 1 Corinthians 15:33 It is easier to drag someone down then to lift someone up so be on guard.  Just be alert and use good Godly wisdom in all you do. Glorify God in all your acts of kindness while keeping Him in the center of them all and you will begin to see very clearly when to say yes and when to say no.

1 Peter 4:11