Saturday, May 29, 2010

AMOS 4:13

This is one of my favorite scriptures: When I read it I can see myself on top of a mountain and shouting these words. Just think the same power that raised Jesus from the dead resides in You. The Living God, the Creator of all things, lives in you—how Great is that!!! Remember that you are an ambassador of Christ Live like you believe that Truth and others will see Christ in You.

He who Forms the Mountains,

Creates the Wind, and Reveals his thoughts to Man,

He who turns the Dawn to Darkness, and

Treads the High Places of the Earth—

“THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY IS HIS NAME!”

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Who's instructions are you following?

Recently I remembered a lesson I learned while recovering from knee surgery. I was having a difficult time recuperating. Living in an upstairs apartment and going up and down proved to be a challenge. Although the knee is better – the arm started to hurt and be painful. I am questioning the Lord and all I hear is “let go,” Let go of what? One day I was walking down the stairs and it dawned on me that I was holding the rail for dear life, when I did not have to. How long had I kept that up I do not know, while necessary when I was hurting, now just became a habit. How many times do we still cling to the things we get used to doing, things that do not give us what we are expecting? God gives instructions when we ask; all we have to do is listen and obey. This time, the answer was easy enough.


When you ask God to change your circumstances, He will give you instructions to follow. Your choice to obey is the key to change (you reap what you sow Galatians 6:7).

What step of faith is God asking you to make?

To forgive

To honor

To be faithful

To be loving

To have Mercy

To let go, or Any other step God may be whispering in your ear

The instructions you follow will determine the future you create.

Whose instructions are you following?

“Don’t ask God to order your steps if you are not willing to move your feet”

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Peaceful Sleep

One very tiring night I was chasing sleep so I could dream:

Dreams of laying on the beach
The water lulling me to sleep,
Refreshing powerful sleep.

Sleep, sleep, peaceful sleep
perchance to dream
If only I could sleep.
To slumber is a gift from God
At the moment I don’t seem to have.

Dreams of a garden oasis
Fragrant flowers surround
A flowing fountain
Peaceful sleep on a bed of roses

Sleep, sleep, peaceful sleep
perchance to dream
If only I could sleep.
To slumber is a gift from God
I have misplaced my gift, I can’t find

Dreams of a warm spring day
Sitting on the front porch
Watching people on their way

Sleep, sleep, peaceful sleep
perchance to dream
If only I could sleep.
To slumber is a gift from God
Oh where did I put that gift

My eyes are droopy and tired,
Yawning …still sleep escapes
Wait! There it is I see it.

Sleep, sleep, peaceful sleep
Dreaming of Dancing with my Lord
Hearing His song in my heart
To slumber is a gift from God
Sleep, sleep, peaceful sleep.

 

Saturday, May 15, 2010

but the Fruit of the spirit is love... Galatians 5:22-23

but the Fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patientce, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23


I used to believe that being fruitful meant "to have a lot of children or teach a lot of children." It doesn't necessarily mean that. The Lord has been showing me lately that I need to be fruitful not busy. I decided to look that definition and discovered the dictionary says "abundantly productive". Isn't that just like God, he wants us to be abundantly productive. In our love, compasson for others and family, in our creative worship, our work, our play, in our joy.

How can we be abundantly productive and not be "busy"? The first thing is to spend more time with God and be aligned with His agenda, His purpose, His plan. Get the idea? When we say yes to His plan and no to all others. We will certainly be content only doing what He requires instead of doing everything and not getting done the important things God has planned for us.

Everything we do, good/bad matters in our life, so let us be mindful of every decision we make because it will affect others around us, our children and their children. When we live with that in mind we can see our value in Christ and be abundantly productive.

May love fill your hearts and homes. May love fill our streets, schools, business and government offices. May love be poured into the hearts of the lost so that they might know Jesus.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Apples of Gold - Proverbs 25:10-12

Growing up, I was around adults who did not speak kindly and without affirmation. I determined to be one who would speak only love and teach my children the power of the spoken word and to speak love, joy, and life into their lives. The following are some thoughts, with the Lords' help, I gave as my children were growing up:


Listen to your mother and remember your speech holds the power of life and death…. choose life…

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Your words may be restful, clean, pure, and refreshing as it overflows without effort. Or it may be contaminated with the anxieties of this life and the impurities that attack the mind.

Righteousness is whom you trust and whom you live with. It is abiding in the vine and trusting the vine to work through you.

The fountain of Living Water makes our mouths pure and life giving by becoming our resource.

Do your words feed people with the truth and substance of what you say? Or does it, starve people through silence or empty speech…?

Do your words heal people with words of grace, love and kindness? Or does it, wound people with insensitive, harsh, critical and unhelpful words…?

Do your words deliver and protect people with advocacy and justice? Or does it, join the attack…?

Timely words spoken ….. Lovely as apples of gold in a silver basket.

Listen to these words and it will be well with your soul….

"When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need-words that will help others become stronger."  Ephesians 4:29 (NCV)

Friday, May 7, 2010

Idle talk?

Those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord gave attention, listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored, who mediate, and give High regard for His name.


Malachi 3:16

What will the Lord overhear, when He listens to your talk?

Thursday, May 6, 2010

National Day of Prayer

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance

This is no time for politics, but it is a HIGHLY IMPORTANT TIME FOR PRAYER!
Please pray for our Nation, for the nations of the earth, and for President Obama. The Scriptures are very clear on this instruction,


Lord, we bless and pray for our President, Barack Obama and his family and all those in authority over us—and we pray for the leaders in the nations throughout the earth. May they make wise and prudent decisions in a time of great political, economic, and terrorist UPHEAVAL in the nations.
Prayer from Elijahlist.com Steve Schultz

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

His Mercies are new every Morning Lamentations 3:22-23

As I begin my day the Spirit washes me clean so each day is new in the Love of God::
… He is slow to lose patience with me

… He takes the circumstances of my life and uses them in constructive ways for my growth

…he is for me, he wants to see me mature and develop in his love

…He does not keep score of all my sins and then beat me over the head with them whenever he gets the chance

…He is deeply grieved when I do not walk in the ways that please him, because he sees this as evidence that I don’t trust him and love him as I should

…He rejoices when I experience his power and strength and stand up under the pressures of life for his name’s sake

…He keeps on working patiently with me even when I feel like giving up and can’t see why he doesn’t give up with me too

…He keeps on trusting me when at times I don’t even trust myself

…He never says there is no hope for me; rather, he patiently works with me, loves me and disciplines me in such a way that it is hard for me to understand the depth of his concern for me

…He never forsakes me, though many of my friends might

…He stands with me when I have reached the rock bottom of despair, when I see the real me and compare that with his righteousness, holiness, beauty, and love, it is a moment like this that I can really believe that God loves me.

…Yes, the greatest of all gifts is God’s perfect love.

Make this your prayer:
God..Open my eyes to see the work of Your hands
Jesus...Open my ears to hear you whisper my name
Holy Spirit...Guide my steps today

Monday, May 3, 2010

What brings you joy?

Some days joy comes in the unexpected:
I agreed to take care of my sister’s new kitten while they went on vacation. Actually Alex will be watching him. It has been fun to watch “Mr. Kitty” (not so unusal name) run all over the place as if he was on some kind of mission. He hides and jumps in the air. I can almost see it in slow motion the jumping; leaping, twists and acrobatic turns, from the chair to the computer then behind Alex all in a few swoops, then finally resting in Alex’s lap dreaming away.


I wondered… the Lord might be smiling as he watches over me as I go from place to place. Trying to keep things in order and making decisions on my own, then finally resting in Him.

My prayer would be that you too will learn to walk daily in the Lords presence.To start your day with Jesus, to consider each moment you have to see God in everything you see and do. Holy Spirit refresh and renew us daily; remind us that in the Resurrected One, there is energy, power, and vitality to live in the moment. Thank you Lord for every lesson that comes my way.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

In the Beginning

In the beginning God … Spoke the worlds into being…the world was not made out of things you can see….you can’t see spoken words. The words that God spoke out of his mouth framed this universe and set it in motion.


With God nothing is impossible…God never did anything that he didn’t say first….

God created man with the Ability to operate in the same kind of faith. Control those words that come out of your mouth and bring them into obedience to the word of God.

I have always loved words…..growing up I read the dictionary and the encyclopedia. I admire people who can spin words and tell a story or communicate important things ….

After a friend read some of my poems she encouraged me to say I was a writer…. after I started to tell people…hesitantly….yes I write poetry…relief …no one laughed…it seemed like every time I turned around everyone and their grandmother came to tell me they wrote too…and were excited they found someone else that wrote….although I was glad to find these people excited about writing.

I was wondering about something …and went to the Lord….”If all these people are writing…do you still want me to write?”

He answered, “Just be obedient to what I have for you and do not worry about what others are doing for me.”

OK….I began writing again, filling up more journals, and coming up with a collection of poems and stories. Doubt again came to me …who will hear/read these…will my words be effective? I went back to the Lord with questions….

How can you use my words to stir the heart?

Will my words be amusing?

I AM Laughter…

What if my words are sad?

I AM Comfort…

Will my words be strong?

I AM Power…

Will they be delightful?

I AM Wonder…

Can my words be righteous?

I AM Justice…

Will my words be grand?

I AM Higher than the Heavens…

Will my words be intellectual?

I AM Wisdom…

Will my words be colorful?

I AM Beauty…

Dare I be so bold to try and be heard?

I only want to be a voice for your words…

The heart is stirred by a Nobel theme

By the pen of a ready writer…

My prayer is that as we discover our gifts and learn to use them, that we will honor the lord in all our words and deeds.