From My Heart

2012-02-01T09:57:00.001-05:00

This is the beginning of 2012 Scripture Memory. I haven't participated in a group memorizing Scripture before but I am so excited about doing this. Our group meets and posts our memory verses on the 1st and 15th at Fran's Blog. We are all friends by FaceBook or through blogging.

So, Each 1st and 15th I will be posting my memory verse here. If you would like to join in, please comment and I will give you the information.

Here's my first verse:

Look among the nations! Observe!

Be astonished! Wonder!

Because I am doing something in your days--

You would not believe if you were told.

Habakkuk 1:5 (NASB)

My Very First Giveaway!!

2012-02-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

We have our winners for my first giveaway!

Congratulations to Elaine @ Peace for the Journey and Beth E.

Beth and Elaine, I will be emailing you to get your address. Congratuations.

This was so much fun that I want to have another giveaway. Be watching!

I must tell you how excited I am. A friend and fellow blogger, Mary Snyder, has written a book. This book came into my life at the right time. I have been seeking God about girlfriends.

If you are like me then your schedule is filled with work, family, church and more. There doesn't seem to be a place to relax, talk with a friend and grow a good relationship. But, this is something God wants for us. He is all about relationship.

Well, back to the book. Mary's book is entitled, God, Grace, & Girlfriends. This book is all about finding friendships, avoiding toxic relationships, and growing closer to God.

I really enjoyed her descriptions of girlfriends and watched to see if I saw myself in any of those descriptions.

The second half of the book is filled with so many different things you can do as women. Retreats, clubs, Bible studies. The list goes on.

I have to tell you that this book was amazing.

So, I am going to give away 2 copies of Mary's book, God, Grace, & Girlfriends.

So, you will have three ways to win:

Leave a comment on my blog telling me what you like about one of your girlfriends.
Tweet about this giveaway.
Leave a comment on Facebook about this giveaway.

I must tell you, I am so excited about this giveaway. On February 1st I will draw two names. I'm looking forward to this!

Fearing the Lord

2012-01-30T00:17:00.001-05:00

Psalm 111:10 tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

But, that doesn't tell me what fear is. It just tells me how wisdom begins in my life. It starts with fearing God.

What does it mean to fear the Lord?

I decided to look to the dictionary to find my answer about fearing the Lord. The dictionary says that fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

Well, I know that's not what fearing God means. He doesn't want me cowering before Him. He wants to be in relationship with me. So, I decided to look up the word reverence in the dictionary. I found that reverence is a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe.

Well, now we are getting somewhere. But, what if I don't feel like reverencing God? So, I came to the conclusion that fear or reverence of God cannot be just tied up in my feelings. So, what does it mean to fear God?

Well, recently I stumbled across a great definition of fearing the Lord. This is what I found out.

In Genesis 22 we find Abraham has received his promised son and they are enjoying life together. In verse 2 of this chapter God says to Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

What does Abraham do? The very next day he gets up, cuts the wood and takes his son to the land of Moriah. Once they arrive at the mountain where the sacrifice is to take place, he places the wood on his son, Isaac, and the two of them walk up the mountain.

I think about how difficult it must have been for Abraham as he walked up that mountain. Every step must have been more and more difficult to take. His feet must have felt like heavy weights as he put one foot in front of the other.

I wonder if Isaac talked incessantly. We know he at least asked his father one question, “My father!” “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

Do you think Abraham was fighting back the tears as he answered his son? He knew his son was that lamb, that sacrifice.

Well, they arrive at the place where the sacrifice, the burnt offering, was to take place. Abraham begins to build the altar and then arrange the wood on the altar. Then, he bound his son, the son he loved, and put him on the altar.

I wonder what he was thinking as he did this. Were his tears dripping on his son's face? It seems that without hesitation he raised the knife. He was about to kill his son, sacrifice him to God.

But... the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

What does it mean to fear God? It means to hold nothing back from Him. It means to be passionate about God and God alone. It means giving up everything, even the thing, the person, the desire you have most.

Fearing God is living a life of no holds barred...being ALL IN...being passionate about your relationship with your Abba, Father.

So, the question now is...do you fear God? Is there something you are holding back from Him?

When God showed this to me it really opened up my spiritual eyes. He asks me if I am all in, do I love Him so much that there is nothing I hold between us. This was very convicting for me. But, it was also very overwhelming. My heart was full of how much God loves me and how it is for MY good that I fear Him.

When we are all in, giving Him everything, fearing Him, He provides. If we read on in chapter 22 we would find that God provided a ram for the sacrifice. So many times God asks us to go all in and when we say yes, He provides something miraculous. For me, He provides moments of true intimacy with Him.

I would love to hear what you think fearing God means for you. Please comment.

Reflections

2012-01-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

As the new year has come, I have been reflecting on my life. I have been looking at the life of Abraham with new eyes. It is amazing what a man of God he was. Now, I have read about Abraham all of my life. But this time God just seems to have opened his life up to me. I am so grateful.

I watch as he yearns for God. So many times he would make an altar and call on God. It makes me think about myself. Do I make an altar when I call on God? Do I seek His will and not my own. Am I there to give up everything I want, everything that is most precious to me for HIS will?

Abraham did that. I was just looking at his journey with Isaac as they went to make a sacrifice. My heart poured out for Abraham and his son. He must have been in such agony but chose to be obedient to God. And Isaac, he was probably a teenager by then. He could have easily fought his father while Abraham was trying to tie him up and put him on that altar. Isaac must have learned, at least a little, that God was faithful.

It is incredible to me how much I don't sacrifice for God. He wants me to spend early morning time with Him and I want to hit the snooze alarm one more time. He wants me to show others Himself and all I want is my way.

During this new year, I want to choose God. I want to sacrifice everything for Him. Will there be failures? Yes, but it is what I will strive for. I have His Holy Spirit living within me to give me the power to do it. Actually, He will do it through me.

I ask for your prayers as I walk this journey with my LORD. He is awesome. He will complete what He wants in my life.

Don't overlook the little words

2011-12-15T10:35:00.000-05:00

Lately, our pastor, Mike Parker, has been reminding us that as we read Scripture we should not overlook the little words. This morning in my quiet time the LORD reminded me of that as I read Luke 1:1-25.

In verses six and seven it read about Zechariah and Elizabeth:

Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

In these two verses I see the type of people they were. Zechariah and Elizabeth were descendants of Aaron. We see from verse 6 that they were upright in the sight of God. Notice that their uprightness was in the sight of God and not man. God sees the hearts of these two people and calls them upright. We are told that they were blameless in how they observed God's commandments and regulations.

Because of how they lived, they should have been blessed without measure. And then we see a contrast beginning with that little word--But. During this time it was believed that you were blessed by God when you had children. If you didn't have children God was not pleased with you for some reason. But, we are told that God was very pleased with this couple.

As Christians we think like the Israelites did in those days. We think if we do everything right that God should give us what we want. But, we see in these two verses that there are times when God says No. It may be only for a certain period of time--like with Zechariah and Elizabeth--or it may be a lifetime. But, when we are not blessed the way WE think we should be, we must trust God who only has our best interest in mind.

I understand how Elizabeth felt. I, too, wore the badge of barrenness. With Elizabeth, God performed a miracle and allowed her old body to bring forth something new...the forerunner, John the Baptist. For me, He chose to give me a beautiful daughter by marriage. Now, in different ways, Elizabeth and I are no longer barren. God has blessed us in great ways.

As we go through our lives we must remember that God's journey for us will include valleys, rough mountain climbs, wonderful joys, such peaceful rest. We must trust Him. Our lives will be full of But...we just need to trust Him with those contrasting times and know that He will make our lives beautiful.

What are you looking for?

2011-11-14T15:40:00.000-05:00

I am considering the idea of blogging again. I sort of took some time off for a few months. I am finding that I miss blogging.

I was wondering if you could let me know the sorts of things you would like to read from my blog. My goal is to reach more people with Christ and what He has done for us.

Thanks for your comments.

My Week Without...Begins

2011-07-12T12:22:00.001-04:00

Yesterday morning began My Week Without. Yesterday morning about 6:00 a.m. I slipped into my daughter's room and kissed her goodbye. She would be leaving me later that morning to go with four little girls to GA Camp at Camp Kaleo.

Yes, I know, daughters go away all the time to camp or a mission trip or school...the list goes on. But, as I left her room I was fighting back the tears.

Why am I telling you about this? Well, because God gave me an IN YOUR FACE message about who I rely on. I am finding that I really rely on my daughter.

She is the one who is always willing to start (and usually finish) dinner each night as I am driving home from work. She is the one who can look at my face as I walk through the door and knows I just need to put on my pj's and put my feet up.

Now, she is such a blessing for all she does for me around the house. But, that is NOT what made me cry as I left her room. I am finding that I rely a great deal on her emotionally and spiritually. This was the in your face that God is working through me this week. I need to rely on HIM for everything.

It is HIS desire to meet my every need. He can, and will, if I let Him. He loves me so much more than anyone on this earth. It is difficult to think that I am not relying on Him when I thought I was.

This year, as He is allowing me to be in a fiery trial, He is getting rid of the dross in my life. This is just one more thing that He is working on. I have to say that I am so glad He is doing this. It is painful and not fun, but it is necessary in my maturity in Christ.

So, this week, I am without my daughter. She is having fun learning to shoot an arrow from a bow and many other things. She told me she wants to work on her tan--we'll see if that happens with all that is planned this week. My prayer is that God has an IN YOUR FACE moment with her as well. Something that will draw her closer in relationship to Him. We all need that. His desire is relationship.

Well, please pray for me in my week without. My prayer is that I experience Christ's sufficiency in my life this week. He is willing and able.

Psalm Sunday, Psalm 28

2011-07-10T07:27:00.001-04:00

Psalm 28

To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me.

Do you ever feel that God has turned a deaf ear to you? Do you ever wonder where He is in the midst of all that is going on in your life?

Let me tell you, God is with you, working things out for YOUR good. He loves you. I'm listening to the song "Love Crucified Arose." The words of that song show Hs love for us. Jesus is love. He died for us. He rose for us. It was all for us.

Do you ever pray this prayer in desperation? For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.

Sometimes when we are going through really hard times, we lose sight of God. It's not God who has a deaf ear, it is us. We have all our focus on the bad stuff, the hard times, the difficulties of life. We thirst for Him but will not accept His living water. All we need to do is change our focus, look to Him and take what He offers.

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

God hears, He acts, He always gives us grace and mercy. I praise Him that even through the storms He is with me, He is at work getting me safely to shore. He loves me.

Thankful Thursday

2011-07-07T18:18:00.000-04:00

Today is Thursday. What are you thankful for? Here's what I'm thankful for:

God's grace and mercy that He shows me daily.
Even though I was dead in my transgressions and sins, because of the great love of God, He made me alive with Christ, raised me up with Christ, and seated me with Him in the heavenly realms.
There is no condemnation for me because I am in Christ Jesus.
God works everything going on in my life for my good.

There are so many things to be thankful for but I will stop there for now. God is so good to me.

2011-07-05T19:44:00.000-04:00

Psalm 27

Well, this didn't get on the blog on Sunday so I'm trying to get it on today. I'm so sorry if you came to my blog to find it missing.

Psalm 27 is a wonderful psalm. David begins by reminding himself who God is. He says, The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? God was the One who guided David. He illuminated his path. David knew he could trust God to show him the right way to go. God was also the One who delivered David when he was in a tight spot.

David asks himself the question, who shall I fear? God is right there with him...what does he have to be afraid of? I must ask myself that same question. God is right with me. He has promised to always be with me.

We are told that David sees God as his stronghold. He is David's protection. God is also my protection.

In verses 2 and 3, David reminds himself, and me, that it is inevitable for evil to attack us. We should not be alarmed by this. God is with us. He is our light, our salvation, and our stronghold--our fortified city.

There are so many wonderful verses in this psalm. But, verses 1-3 really spoke to me this past week.

Read Psalm 27. What speaks to you?

Thankful Thursday

2011-06-30T22:27:00.000-04:00

Well, it's that time again. Here are a few things I am thankful for:

My daughter came in to help me get ready for a conference.
My husband had some really good news today that we were not expecting to happen.
I have two wonderful bosses. Their lives demonstrate Christ's love.
My daughter got a temporary job for the month of July.

Well, I'm going to stop there. We are ready to crawl into bed. I am so thankful to my God.

2011-06-26T06:39:00.045-04:00

Psalm 26

As I open my study Bible to Psalm 26, I see purple words all over this psalm. Ah, someone has taught on this psalm and I took notes right in the margins of my Bible. I love it when that happens. I love looking over my small scribbled notes to see what God was telling me at that time. I need to start putting a date and possibly the name of the teacher/preacher when I do this.

Anyway, let's get on with our Psalm Sunday.

Let me share some of the notes that I have in my Bible. Next to the first verse...Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering...I have written, "Lord, I'm hiding nothing from you."

Well, not that we can hide anything from God, but the psalmist (David) is saying that he is opening up his life before God. He is saying, LORD, look at all my life and see that I am a person of integrity.

Then he asks God to TEST, TRY, and EXAMINE his life. The first word is test. David is asking God for a strict and rigid examination of his life. How many of us would ask that of God? Next, he asks God to try him. In the original meaning of the word, there is a reference to "smell." He's asking God to get close and look at the quality of his life. Lastly, he wants God to examine his heart and mind. He wants God to put him to the test. Put his thought life in the fire. How many of us would ask this of God?

This chapter is such a good psalm but I am going to look at just one more verse, Verse 3...for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.

Next to the word love, the word grace is written. God's grace is always there with us. His grace is all over us. As David walked, he walked in the word of God, the TRUTH. This is how we must live as well.

I only looked at 3 verses in the psalm. Please take a few minutes and read the rest of this psalm. It is so wonderfully rich.

Oops....Thankful Friday?

2011-06-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

Well, I can't believe I forgot about Thankful Thursday. But, I have to tell you that every day God is showing things to be thankful for. So, let's get into it:

I am thankful that there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus--that means me!
I am so thankful that God is brining rain to our area. It has been so hot but He just brings that rain and cools me off.
I am so thankful for the great Bible teachers in my life.
I am thankful for my daughter who is always willing to help me when I am in need
I am so thankful for my Mom. She gives the best hugs.

Well, I'm going to stop there because it's not Saturday and I want to get to bed.

What are you thankful for?

Free at Last

2011-06-22T15:54:00.000-04:00

While in a recent Bible study, our teacher had us memorizing Scripture. It was amazing how each Scripture was something that I needed to know at that moment in my life. It is so wonderful how God orchestrates all that.

Well, as we were studying through Galatians and memorizing Scripture, our teacher told us that if we could recite all the assigned Scripture that we would get a prize. Well, that's all I needed to hear. I love that sort of challenge.

So, our last day of class came and we were all nervous, but ready, to recite our memory verses. Everyone in the class did so well we all got a prize.

What was our prize? It was the book Free at Last by Tony Evans. I have just started reading it, highlighter in hand. During my much interrupted lunch today at work, I was able to get through the Introduction and Chapter 1. Well, I think those pages are more yellow than black now. So much good stuff in there.

If you get a chance to get this book, I highly recommend it--even just reading one chapter. God is so good. He knew I needed this book and He supplied it for me.

My God is the true prize.

Oh, don't forget to stop by here tomorrow for my Thankful Thursday. See you then.

2011-06-19T00:36:00.000-04:00

Psalm 25

God is so good. He gives us just what we need when we need it.

This chapter was what I needed this week. My husband and I had some very disappointing news this week. For a day or two I allowed myself to become a little depressed. Then, I read this psalm. It really spoke to me and gave me some peace.

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

in you I trust, O my God.

Do not let me be put to shame,

no let my enemies triumph over me.

My husband and I feel we are in a battle with the Enemy. This was my prayer. Going on my feelings, I felt as if the Enemy would win and I would be put to shame. But, then I read verses 4 and 5.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;

guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

I began to pray those verses and sensed God's presence with me. He had always been there. He has always guided me. He is continuing to teach me His paths and guide me in His truth.

My trust is in Him.

2011-06-16T23:14:00.000-04:00

Today I was listening to a teacher on the radio. And she was talking about contentment. She was asking if it wouldn't make God smile if we were just content. No, if YOU would take this away then life would be good...or...if I could just have this, then life would be good. Wouldn't God smile if I said, Lord, I am content with my life. There are things I would like to have and other things I wish would go away. But, having YOU, having relationship with You is my life, so I'm content.

So, as I pondered on that for a while, I realized that many times in my prayers I am asking God to remove something or add something rather than just being OK with how things are. God gives me so much. He meets my every need but so many times I concentrate on what I don't have. So, on Thursdays, I am going to keep a log of the blessings He gives me. Some may seem silly, some wonderfully spiritual. But, all of them I will be thankful for. Why? Because they come from Him.

So, here goes...

My husband loves me unconditionally.
My mother is happy in the nursing home.
God provided the funds to pay of two hospital bills.
God gave me the best daughter. She is a miracle to me because I couldn't get pregnant.
God gives me the opportunity to teach in two different classes at church.

Well, I'm going to stop there. See you next Thursday. I would love to hear what you are thankful for.

Dean Update

2011-06-16T16:36:00.001-04:00

Just thought I would take a few minutes to stop and chat. This has been a week.

We got some very disappointing news on Saturday. It has sort of set up back and caused us to stumble a bit. But, as we look to our LORD, we see how HE has cared for us and met every need we have had.

Our family had a big need this week and my sweet mother-in-law met that need. She is the sweetest lady and has such a giving spirit and unconditional love. I would have never thought that the name mother-in-law would be so dear to me. She's a blessing.

Daughter still does not have a job. She graduated from college and is looking for a job in early childhood education. Yep, she wants to be a teacher in elementary school. We are trusting God to bring the job--they are scarce here in Georgia.

Saturday our church went prayer walking in the neighborhood. What a fantastic time to pray and walk. God is so awesome. We have a goal of having an average of 20 prayer walkers a month. We are meeting that goal each month. God is supplying.

In a few weeks I'm going to start teaching GRACE WALK again. I am learning so much and love teaching. I'm looking ahead at what to teach the next time. I'm looking at Not a Fan. Has anyone heard of it or used it? I would be interested in knowing.

Well, better close. Love you so much. Looking forward to the Psalm Sunday this week. God is so good.

2011-06-12T02:56:00.000-04:00

Psalm 24

This is a psalm that makes me consider myself. It makes me see what God has done for me. Who may ascend the hil of the LORD? Can I? This psalm gives a list of things a person must be to enter the temple of the Most High God.

Clean hands
Pure heart
No idol
Truth

How many of us can say, that's me! God has made everything in life so that we need Him. Within myself, I could never meet the requirements to step into the throne room of the Most High God. But, Hebrews tells me I can. How? It's all because of what Jesus did for me.

He has clean hands, He has a pure heart, He is God, He is Truth.

I am so thankful that because of all that He did for us, I can now say--knowing that I now have the very nature of Christ--that I have clean hands. Jesus made them clean. I have a pure heart. Jesus gave me His heart. I know Truth. He resides within me.

Do I trust Him alone? Is He the only One I look to? Or, do I find my comfort in something or someone else.

As I sit and think about all He has done for me, I realize, like verse 10 of this chapter tell us--Who is he, the King of glory? The LORD Almighty--he is the King of glory.

Book Review

2011-06-08T10:07:00.000-04:00

I have been using this book as a devotion during my morning quiet times. I have to tell you that this is a wonderful book.

I began by reading about the author's life and found that she had many instances when she was seeking God, drawing near to Him.

As I opened up this book each day and read the days "devotion" I found myself drawing nearer to God. I was uplifted and refreshed by her words and by her suggested Scripture reading.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to draw near to God.

Psalm Sunday: Psalm 23

2011-06-05T06:49:00.000-04:00

Psalm 23

I've been reading this psalm this week and asking God to show me what He wants me to write about.

Many have read it for comfort during difficult times. I've never really been one of those people. I have always found other verses. But, as I read this psalm this week, these verses soothed my soul. Certain words jumped off the page right into my heart and truly gave me a wonderful peace.

Here is what He showed me this week in Psalm 23.

The first thing I saw was that the LORD is MY Shepherd. It's personal with Him. His desire is to care for me as a loving shepherd would his sheep. His desire is for me. I will never want for anything when I am with Him.

The second thing I see is that He makes me lie down in green pastures. There are times when I am, as my mother would say, running around like a chicken with my head cut off. His desire is for me to stop, to rest, to just sit with Him. That's when something happens in my life that makes me stop. I get sick or plans fall through. Whatever it is, it makes me stop, sit, rest. Those are the most wonderful times. I truly hear Him speaking to me in such loving tones. If I had not stopped, I would have missed that.

Third, He leads me beside quiet waters. That word, leads, means to run with a sparkle. I giggled when I read that. It makes me think that there are so many times when my Shepherd skips and laughs with me. Then, we sit by those still, deep waters and He quenches my thirst with the truth of His Word.

Fourth, He restores my soul. I read a commentary this week about that phrase that states, "When the soul grows sorrowful he revives it; when it is sinful he sanctifies it; when it is weak he strengthens it. 'He' does it."

Fifth, He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. He guides me. I willingly follow. I'm not following a list of rules. I'm following the One I love. When I follow Him, the only path we will be on is a grace filled, righteous path. Providing for me, teaching me, guiding me brings His Name glory.

The last two really brought such comfort to my heart. It is my Shepherd's desire to prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. We have all had those days when the enemy is truly at work in our lives. Satan and his demons are warring against us and we are weary in the good fight. It is then that our LORD, our Shepherd, takes out a beautiful tablecloth and spreads it on the table. He prepares the choicest foods and encourages us to sit down and eat. He desires us to be nourished by His food. His food is the only one that will satisfy. As the enemy looks on, we are comforted, filled, at peace. We know that He keeps the enemy away; and that enemy has to watch as we are strengthened by our Lord.

Then, He will anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Isn't it wonderful that His desire is to give us a fresh anointing each day. When I meet with Him early in the morning, before the day starts, I sense His anointing and my cup truly overflows with joy, peace, satisfaction.

The LORD truly is my Shepherd. I shall not be in want.

Greetings of Encouragement

2011-06-01T15:08:00.001-04:00

I was studying Philemon recently. May I say that I have never really studied Philemon before. Read it, yes. Studied it, no.

While listening to someone teaching on Philemon, I loved they way they said to find it in your Bible. Go to Hebrews and turn left.

One thing that really spoke to me in this little book is how Paul tells Philemon how he prays for him. OK, I know Paul does that in his letters but this was a personal word.

Look at it with me, will you?

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good think we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Philemon 3-7

Look at what he says. Paul reminds Philemon of the grace and peace he has received from God and Jesus. He goes on to let him know that he prays for him.

Paul prays that Philemon would be active in sharing his faith.

Anyway, it made me think. Wouldn't it be great if we started our cards, letters, emails, faxes, and even our conversations with how we are praying for that person?

What if I were to greet my husband, who is going through a very difficult time, that I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers. I know your life is difficult now, but I am praying that through this God will teach you just how faithful He truly is. I pray that God will bring you out of this with great joy and encouragement.

What if I were to tell my daughter that I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers. You have lots of decisions to make regarding work and school. I pray that God will give you wisdom and understanding to do what He desires for you.

What if I were to greet that friend I have at church with I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers. You are a new Christian and I pray that God will give you the knowledge and understanding you need to grow in spiritual maturity through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What if we prayed for each other's witness? Look at what Paul says.

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing that we have in Christ.

The list of people go on. What if I began with them that way? What if I left them with a prayer together?

What an encouragement that would be if we were to do that with those close to us. Then we can branch out to those we don't know.

Psalm Sunday: Psalm 22

2011-05-29T00:41:00.055-04:00

Psalm 22

In my Bible, written above this psalm are the words, Psalm of the Cross. As I began reading this psalm this week, I can certainly see that.

I've decided to concentrate on one verse this week--verse one.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me,

so far from the words of my groaning?

These are words written by David. But, they come from the heart of Jesus.

When our time began, God formed Adam and Eve--making them in the image of Himself. He breathed HIS life into them and placed them in the most beautiful Garden. They had a wonderful relationship with the Father. During that time they could hear God walking in the Garden and could meet with Him, face to face. How wonderful that must have been.

Unfortunately, sin entered the Garden through the actions of both Adam and Eve. Their decision changed the world. At that time, God put into action His plan of restoring mankind back into relationship with Himself.

The first thing He did was reveal the separation man had created through their sin. Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden. But, we also see God's great love for them in sacrificing an animal to provide them with clothing.

Later God brought the LAW to mankind to show how far short we are from perfection--something the Law required. It was there to reveal us as sinners. The sacrificial system was put into place. It was a vivid picture of the cost of sin. I can't even imagine all the blood that was spilt at the Temple due to sin.

Then, the time came when God sent His Son, Jesus, to this earth to live inside a human body. He was fully God and fully man. He showed us all how we are to live. But, it was something we could never do.

In order to bring us back into relationship with God, the sin penalty had to be paid. And, even if I gave my life, it would not be paid--I am not a worthy sacrifice.

That's why Jesus came to this earth. He came to be that worthy sacrifice. He is pure, sinless, clean. He is the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

When I think of the physical punishment Jesus had to endure on my behalf, I almost get physically sick. I am fighting back tears as I write this. The horror of what He had to go through.

But, that was not the worst. Let's go to Matthew to see the very worst for Jesus.

Jesus is on the cross. We are told from the sixth hour to the ninth hour there was darkness. That is Noon until 3:00 p.m. Can you imagine darkness during that time of day?

Jesus is carrying the weight of our sins on Himself. That's why He's there. To carry our sins and pay for them. Can you imagine that? No, you can't. Think of when you committed a sin and the guilt you felt at that time.

Jesus was carrying the sins, beginning with Adam to the end of time, on Himself. Every last one of them. The burden must have been so great.

But, think of it. He had NEVER been separated from His Father. And sin separates. At those moments when He was carrying all our sins, He cries out, My God, my God; why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46).

I believe that was the worst. He was separated from His Abba Father. But, it was necessary for our sins to be paid for.

After that, He cried out in a loud voice and gave up His Spirit. It was finished. He had paid for the penalty of our sins.

If I read on in Matthew 27 I see that God gave another visual of what He was doing. The curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. He was making access for a relationship with Himself.

I am too amazed at what God has done for us.

To close this post I want to share a song with you that is so wonderful. Worship as you listen.

Great Illustration

2011-05-28T13:45:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I have been able to just sit down and read other blogs. It's so neat to be able to do that today. I was reading one and I just had to share it with you.

This blog is written by Shauna Pilgreen. I started reading her blog recently and I really enjoy what she has to say.

Today, as I was looking at blogs I saw that she had a recent post and started reading it. It was so good that I decided to share it with you. Click HERE to go to her post.

Let me know what you think.

Psalm Sunday: Psalm 21

2011-05-22T07:04:00.000-04:00

Psalm 21

This week's chapter is a psalm about the king. I've picked out one verse that spoke to me as I read it. It is verse 6.

Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and

made him glad with the joy of your presence.

As I was looking at this verse I found that the commentaries show that the first part of this verse, surely you have granted him eternal blessings, meant that God is making him a blessing to everyone.

This verse was pointing to the future when the Messiah, the King, would be revealed. Now, during our lifetime, we get to experience the blessings of our King. He has blessed us by taking on Himself the punishment of our sins. He has blessed us by giving us His wonderful nature. He has blessed us by sealing us with His Holy Spirit.

We are truly blessed. But, let's go further with it. Now, because Christ is in us, He continues to bless the world through us. Will you be a blessing today? We all can be.

Let's make it a point to be a blessing to others today. It's the LORD's day. What better praise and honor but to allow Him to do His work through us.

2011-05-15T20:46:00.000-04:00

Psalm 20

The verses I want to concentrate on in this Psalm are verses. 7-8. They really speak to me.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

What do you trust in? Is it your job? Look around, that could be taken away at any time. Is it your home, your family, your "things"? Tornadoes, floods can come, and have come to devastate so many. Our trust must be in the LORD.

The word trust in this verse is remember in the KJV. We must have Him, His Name--His character--on our mind. When something comes to mind that shakes our faith, we must focus, remember Him. He is our security.

They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

Those who trust in the tangibles of this world will be knocked down. They will fall because what they trust in will never last. However, since our trust is in One who is eternal, we will rise up and stand. We will not be shaken. We stand on a firm foundation.

In this time when nothing is certain, let's rely on the only One who is True.