Celebrate God

We cannot always find joy in our circumstances but we can always find joy in the Lord of the circumstances. (Mary Southerland)

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

I love how The Message puts Philippians 4:4: "Celebrate God all day, every day.  I mean, revel in him!"

2 Corinthians 2:9

"For to this end also I wrote, so that I  might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things." (2 Corinthians 2:9)

Silent Night

Silent Night
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

Friend to Friend
Tomorrow is Christmas Day. I imagine if you're like most of us, you are still scurrying about with last minute Christmas preparations.  What do you think the angels were doing on that first Christmas Eve?  Do you think the heavenly host had one last choir practice before their concert on the hillside? Do you think God was making sure that everyone was in their proper places on the kingdom stage before the curtain rose on the grandest drama of all time? Do you think the Holy Spirit was hovering low over the entire world, stirring the hearts of men and women to receive the greatest gift of all?

I'm not sure what was happening in the heavenly realm the night before Jesus was born.  But I do know that my heart is aglow with the joy that tomorrow we celebrate Jesus' birth once again.

Perhaps you have sung Christmas carols hundreds of times in your life, but today, I encourage you to pause and read the words to one of my favorites as if you are seeing them for the first time.  Read slowly.  Ponder the words. "Glories stream from heaven afar"...picture it. "With the dawn of redeeming grace"...savor it.  "Christ the Savior it born"...celebrate it.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, My heart quietly waits in anticipation of the grand celebration that tomorrow brings.  Thank You for the gift of Your Son.  Thank You for redeeming grace.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen 

When we obey God, we experience internal tranquility.  When we step outside of the will of God, we feel uneasy.  Our God-given peace cannot be lost; but if something is not pleasing to God, peace will not rule.

When we feel a tug of war ensuing in our hearts, we need to pay close attention; God is speaking.  When we know the Holy Spirit is leading us in a particular direction, to go against that leading is, in essence, to reject the leading of the Holy Spirit and Sin against God.

Colossians 3:15 says that the peace of God should rule our hearts, not our circumstances.  We can't depend on what our circumstances say to determine what God is doing.  We must always look inward first and move according to the Holy Spirit's witness in accordance with God's Word.  When peace rules in our hearts we can confidently move forward regardless of what external circumstances look or feel like and regardless of what others say.

"Discerning the Voice of God" (Priscilla Shirer)

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace.  And always be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

Read this powerful story about what God's love is all about... sometimes we tend to forget...

http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2002/novdec/8.78.html

This was my devotion this morning... I love it!!! I hope you enjoy it, also and remember, TRULY REMEMBER, what this season is all about! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

December 19, 2008The Day I Became a Sheep Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." (Luke 2:15 NIV)

Friend to Friend Today

I want to share with you a story that I wrote a few years ago. I tried to imagine what it would have been like to be a shepherd visiting Jesus at His birth. For just a moment, I want you to pretend that you are reading a letter that one of the shepherds wrote to his brother, Mathias.

Dear Mathias:
As I am writing you this letter, my hand is still a bit shaky. I'm not sure it will ever stop. But I must tell you about an incredible experience that happened to Matthew, Simeon, Levi, and me, two weeks ago. As usual, we were watching our sheep on a hillside east of Bethlehem. I was on the night watch and the others were sleeping. There was something unusual about the sky that night. I can't explain it, really. Like heat reflecting off the desert sand, the stars seemed to be jockeying into place, fidgeting and restless in their usual stayed positions. Diamonds danced on the inky backdrop, rather than standing sure and still. Even the sheep seemed to notice the heavenly mirage.

Then it happened. As if a curtain was pulled back, I saw what was stirring the stars....angels! Yes, angels, angels, everywhere. Immediately, the others awoke to the celestial lights, flapping of wings and the resonation of indistinguishable singing.

At first, only one spoke. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Then, the curtain was drawn back even more and the sky was filled with angels! "Glory to God in the highest!" they sang, "and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."
The flapping of their wings stirred the air, whipped our hair, and blew our tunics in all directions. Amazingly, the sheep were calm during this majestic occurrence. It was almost as if this were nothing unusual happening. Perhaps this was not the first time they had seen an angel. Who knows? We, on the other hand, were awestruck. Tears streamed down our dusty cheeks. We fell to our knees, marveling at the beauty of heaven displayed before us.

Then quietly and slowly, the curtain returned and the angels were no more. We rose to our feet and began to run in the direction of Bethlehem to see this babe. How did we know where to go?
Mathias, the only way I know how to explain it is to think of my relationship to my sheep. When I am grazing in a field with several of my friends and their flocks, our sheep get all mixed together. Sometimes five different flocks can be mingled together at one time. But as soon as I call to my sheep, they separate from the others and follow me home. They know my voice. Each and every one of them can distinguish the voice of their shepherd and they know whom to follow.
That's how it was that night. It was as if a shepherd had called my name. I knew his voice and he called me out from among all the rest.
Where did we go? To a palace? To a temple? To a stately manor? No, we went to a stable. But isn't that where a shepherd would call his sheep? To a stable?
What did we see? A burning bush like our ancestor, Moses? Writing on the wall? A vision? No. We saw a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger -- just like the angel had said. He didn't speak, but somehow he called our names. He is the Christ, Mathias. The one of which the prophets spoke.

Do you remember the prophet Isaiah's words? "He tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." When I saw the babe (who later his parents told me was named Jesus), I knew this was the one of whom the prophet spoke. And didn't the prophet Micah say the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem? It all makes sense to me now, and yet it is still a mystery.
Why me? Why did God choose to send the angels to announce the Savior's birth to me -- a lowly shepherd? I don't know the answer to that, my friend. All I know is that one starry night, I was a shepherd. And then God spoke my name and I became a sheep. Now, my friend, God is calling your name as well.

I don't know what will become of this baby in the manger, but I do know this...the world will never be the same again -- nor will I.

Shalom, Your brother, the sheep.

©Sharon Jaynes
The Shepherd became a Sheep By Sharon Jaynes

The angels appeared and called to me "Be not afraid, dear one. For you are now a lowly sheep For you God sent His Son."
"Go to the babe and see him there We will lead the way. The shepherd has chosen you -- a sheep To celebrate this day."
We ran and saw the baby there. I'll never be the same. He raised his eyes, said not a word And yet he spoke my name.
Years have passed and now I know This babe became a man.He lived and died and rose again And now I understand.
"Follow me," Jesus said "And I will lead the way." "My sheep listen, know my voice And with me they will stay."
I was a shepherd, to be sure. My sheep slept at my feet But on that night the babe was born. I became a sheep. ©Sharon Jaynes

Let's Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am so glad that you sent the angels to common man to proclaim the Savior's birth to lowly shepherds. And I am so glad that you looked down from heaven and chose to announce the Savior's birth to a common girl -- me. Thank you for sending a Shepherd for me -- one of Your sheep.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

Some of you may be wondering about the last few posts that I have put up.  These are just small excerpts from the Bible Study that we are presently doing entitled "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer.  I have learned so much from this study and the previous one that we did by her...  I hope you enjoy and learn just a little from the posts that I put up... I really wish I had her wisdom and knowledge!  Enjoy!

Without knowledge of the nature of God, obedience to Him becomes more difficult, if not impossible.  The more you know and believe to be true about who God is and what He can do, the more willing you become to obey what He commands.

You can separate any other voice from God's by asking these questions:

• Does what I am hearing reveal to me some truth about the character and nature of God?
  
• Will obedience to this directive cause me to discover and experience an aspect of God's character?
  

When the enemy speaks to you he will distort the character and Word of God.  Anything that doesn't reflect the character of God is not a message from Him.

God doesn't just want us to hear about Him but to see and experience Him in our lives.

The more you believe about who God is and what He is able to do, the more willing you will be to obey what He asks.

(Priscilla Shirer)

I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You. (Job 42:5)

When the Holy Spirit speaks, His words come with such sudden, passionate authority that they will produce a holy amazement in you. The authority of His message will strike your inner man with such a blow that it will shake loose your old agenda and replace it with His new one. (Priscilla Shirer)

When God speaks, a calm and steady force accompanies His Word and impacts your soul.  While your mind will work to rationalize and convince, God's voice simply speaks and its effectiveness conveys His authority. (Priscilla Shirer)

No Worries

"They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for Him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." (Lamentations 3:23-26)

My Devotion Today

Today's Truth 
Psalm 106:1 (NIV) "Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Friend to Friend 
In homes across America, friends and family will gather around beautifully decorated tables filled with warm, scrumptious food to give thanks. It's Thanksgiving Day.  However, this day will be nothing like holidays of the past for many people.   

Lonely but committed soldiers covered in the dust of battle will patrol foreign borders, fighting for our freedom while their families back home long for word of their safety.  The homeless will make their way to the nearest soup kitchen, hoping for a warm meal and a smiling face as so many celebrate this day of abundance. An empty place at the table will be a painful reminder of the loved one lost not long ago. A worried husband and dad will sit at the head of the table, wondering how he is going to tell his family that he just lost his job.  The list of wounded hearts and unmet needs is endless. 

We convince ourselves that life will be better when we have more money, when we find the right mate, when we get the kids raised or build the right house. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we get that promotion, when we are able to go on our dream vacation or when we retire.  We keep trying to find joy, contentment and peace in lifeless places and things.  Jesus Christ is life.  He is Joy and Love and He took our place on the cross.  That's why we can give thanks when it seems as if there is nothing for which to be thankful. 

One day, a man went to visit a church.  He arrived early, parked his car, and got out.  Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, "I always park there.  You took my place!" The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down.  A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"  The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down.  Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit. You took my place!"  The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change.  Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, "I took your place."

Yes, we live in a broken world and life is filled with pain, challenges, dark times and trials, but today can still be a day of thanksgiving and praise because praise and thanksgiving have little to do with the Thanksgiving holiday and everything to do with our inner attitude toward God. It really doesn't matter how much we lose here, my friend.  I have read the Book and we win ... for all of eternity!  We just need to take the time to remember ... and give thanks.

Let's Pray 
Father, we come to You today, praising You for meeting our needs this year in ways that we may or may not have understood at the time. Looking back, we see Your hand of mercy and love.  We recognize Your presence and your power and we celebrate You ...we celebrate life.

In Jesus' name, 
Amen. 

Trust

"If you will trust Him, He will begin to work in your life.  Then you will see His plan and will for your life unfold in a mighty way.  This is His promise to each one of us."  (Charles Stanley)

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

He Wants My Praise II

After sharing this devotion on Friday, it seems to be a constant theme these past days.  It's like God keeps bringing this up.  Brother Billy preached on praising and giving thanks on Sunday and of course with it being Thanksgiving week it's not unlikely for these verses to show up.  But, probably like most of us, I tend to thank Him for the "good" things in my life.  That's not what the Bible says.  It says:

REJOICE in the Lord ALWAYS. AGAIN I will say, REJOICE! (Phillipians 4:4)

That doesn't sound like God wants me to just be thankful for those good things or the times that I want to be thankful.  That sounds like He wants me to rejoice and be thankful for everything all of the time!!! And then it says:

Be anxious for NOTHING, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let my requests be made known to Him; (Phillipians 4:6)

Hmmmm... Everything with THANKSGIVING.  So, that means everything? Everything, such as the things that are just not what I have ordered today, God?  But God, how can I THANK You for something that is just totally not something that I want?  And, I should not be worried about anything, but I should Thank You for everything while I am making my requests to You...

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:7)

So, you're telling me that if I give thanks in EVERYTHING, You will guard my heart and mind. You might (no, You can) take that awful thing that I don't want to give thanks for right now, and turn it around to something that I never expected.  God's peace... no one can understand it, or no unbeliever can understand it.  He will give us peace when we think there is no peace to be found.

And my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:19)

This doesn't say God may supply, it states that God SHALL supply all my needs... not my wants, But what He knows that I need, He SHALL supply it!!!  So, why do we (I) not thank Him for EVERYTHING?  God tells us right here... all we have to do is thank Him and praise Him and MY God SHALL supply ALL my needs through Jesus Christ His Son!!!

PRAISING HIM AND THANKING HIM FOR EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE!!! Without everything that has happened in my life, I would not be the person that I am today.  I am amazed when I look back over my journey of 45 years and see how God has put my masterpiece together. The people that He has put in my life that I call family and friends, the friends that He placed there and decided to take away... or move them on.  I thank Him for it ALL!!!  It has it's highs and it's lows but they all come together to make a beautiful song that I call my life and I thank Him for it ALL!!!

I hope each one you reading have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with your friends and families!!!  I love each and every one of you and hope this shares just a little of what I am thankful for this year!

He Wants My Praise

It is so hard to remember to praise God when things are not going how we think they should be. I think this is something God is really trying to impress on me right now. It's so easy to look at the situation and say, but God, this isn't what I want... but if we will step back and see that He is in control of the situation, we will see all of the great things that He has done throughout it all! In EVERYTHING we should give Him OUR PRAISE!!!

This was my devotion this morning...

Psalm 50:23 "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." (NIV)

My husband, Dan, grew up driving the family ski boat, pulling various family members and friends across some lake as they learned to water ski. Consequently, he is an excellent boat driver, especially for children or any novice on skis. Both our son, Jered, and our daughter, Danna, learned to ski behind a boat driven by their dad. I knew they preferred Dan to other drivers but did not realize just how important it was to them until someone else tried to take the wheel.
Several years ago, we invited some friends to join us for a few days at the lake. We had gotten to know Josh and Sarah at church and had become good friends. Our kids seemed to enjoy theirs so the idea of a combined vacation was perfect! Right!

After several days of non-stop skiing, Dan was exhausted and asked the kids for a breather. "Guys, let me have one day off and I will be set for the rest of the week", he pleaded. Josh immediately volunteered to drive the boat, assuring Dan and the kids that he was an "expert." Doubt spread across the faces of Jered and Danna but since Josh was their only option, they grabbed their life jackets and skis and headed for the boat. Dan grabbed a snack, a cool drink, the novel he had been trying to read all week and headed for the nearest hammock, a gloriously unplanned day to call his own. Actually, it turned out to be a gloriously unplanned hour before we heard our boat returning to the dock. Jered and Danna scrambled out of the boat and headed straight for their dad. I could tell by the look on their faces that the boating excursion had definitely not been a success! "Seriously, Dad, Josh has no idea what he is doing!" Jered explained. "He nearly killed me!" Danna reported with her usual dose of drama. Jered summed up his thirty minute play-by-play account of the disastrous skiing incident by announcing, "Dad, from now on I will only ski when you are driving the boat!"

What Jered was really saying was that he had no confidence or peace when someone besides his father was at the wheel. How true! When God is "at the wheel", every circumstance we face is in His hand and under His control! Peace takes up residence and the power of praise is revealed.
Praise turns trials into faith-builders as we learn to measure our problems against His limitless power, transforming the stumbling blocks of today into stepping stones for tomorrow.
Praise frees us from having to understand our circumstances, knowing that God is in control. A heart that is filled with praise does not have to understand every detail of the circumstance. In fact, the details really don't matter. What does matter is that God is aware of every minute detail, monitors the circumstance and shapes it to fit His plan.

Praise transforms tragedy into triumph. Fanny Crosby was six-weeks-old when she lost her vision because of a doctor's error as he applied the wrong medicine to her eyes, a mistake that set the course of the infant's life. She could have easily become bitter but instead, chose to praise God. I am certain she didn't understand all of the reasons for her lot in life, but I am equally certain that she made the choice to build a monument of praise on that lot instead of resurrecting a tombstone of bitterness. Fanny Crosby wrote over 8000 hymns of praise including "All the Way My Savior Leads Me", "Blessed Assurance", and "To God Be the Glory". Praise made the difference between becoming bitter or better!

I know that many of you have had a tough year! Loss, disappointment, pain, financial stress ... the list is endless. Go ahead and make that list, my friend. Add it all up. Then factor in the grace, mercy and love of God -- and it is more than enough. Praise God!

Let's Pray Father, I give You praise for Your hand in my life this year. At times, I did not understand what You were doing -- and still don't. But it doesn't matter, Lord, because I know I can trust You. Help me remember that my inner heart attitude does not have to reflect my outer circumstances. No matter what, I can praise You, knowing it will all turn out for my good. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Live Cheerfully

Have you ever seen these people that call themselves Christians and it's like they are ALWAYS angry or mumbling and muttering about how bad things are? Or how things aren't going their way. Or maybe they just don't like how things are being done.

If I have accepted HIS LOVE and HIS GRACE how can I be anything but joyful? Oh, I know I am going to have times when I am down and not as cheerful as usual. But, God promised me joy if I give Him what is rightfully His: my heart, my soul and my life!!! As a Christian I should always be lifting Him up and praising Him for His gift of grace to me! That alone should give me more joy than I could ever want for my life.

Christ can put a spring in your step and a thrill in your heart.
Optimism and cheerfulness are products of knowing Christ. (Billy Graham)

The happiest people in the world are not those who have no problems, but the people who have learned to live with those things that are less than perfect. (James Dobson)

Those who are pure in their thinking are happy, because they will be with God. (Matt 5:8)

Seeking His Guidance

We will NEVER cease to need our Father - His wisdom, direction, help and support. We will NEVER outgrow Him. We will always need His grace. (Kay Arthur)

How many times do I pray for something, I get the answer that I want and then... I tend to forget about that prayer time that I was having so regularly, I forget about that devotion that during my valley was so important to me. Why do I have such a hard time remembering that He is there ALL of the time. That's why God has to bring me to my knees... quite frequently, and say Gena, I am here ALWAYS! I want you here with Me, ALWAYS! I want you seeking Me, ALWAYS!

Dear Lord, Please help me remember that I should ALWAYS call on Your Name!!! Not just in the valleys, but on the mountain tops, also! Help me to ALWAYS remember that You know what is best and You know when is best. Help me to be patient and wait upon Your direction for my life... but even more than that, help me to remember that when those prayers are answered, I AM STILL TO SEEK YOU!!! Amen

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. (Psalm 18:30)

When We Have to Wait

I went to one of my favorite stores today... Lifeway.  I could spend a fortune in that store!!! But, today I only bought a Christmas present and a gift for myself.  Stormie Omartian's book "The Power of Praying Through the Bible".  If it is anything like the other one that I read, it is going to be great.  The difference in this one, is that it is more like a devotional.  It starts in Genesis and goes through Revelation... I thought that was pretty neat!

The second devotion in the book hit me hard... It's on Abram and Sarai (before they became Abraham and Sarah)... I think most of us know the story.  God had promised Abram that He would make him a great nation, but Abram was beginning to wonder when it was going to happen.

"After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:  'Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward.'  But Abram said, 'O sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damasus?'" (Genesis 15: 1-2)

Can you hear the exasperation in his voice?  It's like Abram knows that God made the promise of him becoming a "great nation" but  it's more like, okay... when is this going to happen???   God made this promise when he was 75 years old. He was 100 years old when Isaac was finally born.  That means they waited 25 years for God to fulfill His promise.

How long do we wait patiently for answers our prayers?  Does a week seem too long? A month?  To see that Abram waited for a quarter of a century for an answer should give us hope to wait for our own prayers to be answered.  Abram could have given up.  He could have decided that he didn't want to wait on God anymore.  (He did eventually make a mess of things when he tried to fulfill God's promise on his own by having a child with Hagar.)  How many times do we try to take into our own hands???  At this point, though, he chose to believe.  If only he had continued to hang on to that belief.

What answer from God are you waiting for?  Is it the answer to a prayer for the return of a rebellious child?  Is it the answer to a prayer for the salvation of a family member? For provision?  Whatever it is, keep on praying and waiting.  Release it into God's hands and let Him do it in His way and His time.  His answer will always be worth the wait.

Dear God, help me to have faith enough to believe You will answer my prayers.  Give me the patience to wait for the answers to appear.  keep me from giving up and taking matters into my own hands.  Instead, enable me to trust that You have heard my prayers and will answer in Your perfect way and time.  Help me to rest in peace during times of waiting.

Courage

What is courage? It is the ability to be strong in trust, in conviction, in obedience.

To be courageous is to step out in faith - to trust and obey, no matter what. (Kay Arthur)



Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. (1 Cor. 16:13)

Anything Is Possible II

This is a follow-up to my post the other day. I know I have shared with several of you that I have been journaling my prayers for almost a year now. Some days I am very good and will post in my journal up to 3 entries... other days are not so good and I won't post anything. But, that doesn't mean that I am not praying, it just means that I didn't have a chance to put anything down that day. I must say that when I journal, I seem to pray for more and seem to have a more intimate talk with God.
The best thing about journaling; all those thoughts are recorded and I can go back and see how God worked and answered my prayers. I love reading back through the things that I have written down... I love it more when I come across an entry that I TOTALLY forgot about, and realize that God answered it! It is what I like to call "one of those WOW moments" where the breath is kinda sucked out of me and there are really no words to describe what happened... it was just a God thing!!!

Now, one of the most important things that you need to remember if you do start journaling... ALWAYS PUT THE DATE AND TIME ON IT! Because that is what will truly amaze you, when you read something and realize that God did answer it right on time! AMAZING!!! Now, if that doesn't get you motivated to pray even more, I don't know what will!!!

I hope that you will be inspired and start your own journal... you can go buy a real pretty one at the Christian book store (I have one of those with the scripture for each day that kind of helps to get you started.) You can even use an old pad or composition book that's laying around the house. But, personally I like to type it out on my computer. I have a file on each computer and when I feel the need to pray... I type it out. However you decide to do it, you will be rewarded beyond belief!!!

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:11-12)

Anything is Possible!!!

I have been reading Jim Cymbala's book "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire".  I started the book before we left for our trip to the BTC... I don't have a lot of spare time to read so it has taken me a while, and I am still not finished.  Which, there are several parts that I have gone back and re-read, several times. If you want a book about prayer, this is the one! 

I think I may have shared this in one of my previous posts, or maybe not, I can't remember... but that is probably the most amazing thing to me about the Brooklyn Tabernacle, their praying! There is no set time for prayer listed in their bulletin.  They may sing a song and then pray for 10 minutes, and it isn't a prayer of thee's and thou's and words that you don't use in everyday talking. It is HEARTFELT, DEEP DOWN, I MEAN WHAT I SAY, CRYING OUT TO GOD TO HELP ME, PRAYER!  This even goes on during their choir rehearsal!!! True prayer and worship!  It's the most amazing thing I have ever been a part of in my life.

Honestly though, I didn't realize just how powerful their praying was until I really got into the heart of this book.  Some of the testimonies and stories are just amazing.  Jim and Carol Cymbala's story about their oldest daughter running away and turning her back on God is incredible.  The fact that they are ministers in one of the most praying churches and for over a year they never had that church pray for them and her... but man, when they did... like the song says, "something happened, supernatural"!  It is an amazing story of how God heard a powerful prayer and pulled their daughter back to Him and to them!

I want to have a prayer life like that!  I have been working on it since about July of last year.  Now, I have always prayed, but it has been those, bless me, bless you, thank you... you know, not the heartfelt prayers and discussions that He desires from us.  But since about July of this year, God has really laid this on my heart.  This past summer I read Stormie Omartian's book, "The Power of a Praying Woman".  If you've never read it, buy it, read it!!!  God desires a relationship with us... that means talking to Him, discussing things with Him, asking Him for our deepest desires of our lives!!! and then... waiting patiently for Him to answer (the hardest part of all!).  But He will answer, in His time and in His way.  He has a plan and purpose for everything.  And while we are waiting for Him to answer, we are supposed to be praising and thanking Him for EVERYTHING in our lives!!!  Even the parts we don't like, ESPECIALLY those parts!!!

This is an excerpt out of "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire", which was the main thing I was going to write on this blog today (sorry, I got carried away!):

Anything and everything is possible with God if we approach Him with a broken spirit.  We must humble ourselves, get rid of the debris in our lives, and keep leaning on Him instead of our own understanding.  Your future and mine are determined by this one thing: seeking after the Lord.  The blessings we receive and then pass along to others all hang on this truth:

"He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6)

Mountains Move!!!

Everyday, God's grace and faithfulness amazes me more and more!!! When we think things are impossible... He shows us just how possible HE can make things!


I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt... you can say to this mountain "Go and throw yourself into the sea," and it will be done.
Matthew 21:21

When you place your faith, your trust, indeed your life in the hands of Christ Jesus, you'll be amazed at the marvelous things He can do with you and through you; so trust God's plans. With Him, all things are possible, and He stands ready to open a world of possibilities to you... if you have faith.

Remember, no matter how big your challenge, God is bigger. Just place your faith in Him, and then, with no further ado, let the mountain-moving begin!!!

Prayer

Dear Lord, Your faithfulness is complete and perfect. Even when I am not sure where You are leading me, I know that Your son has died for my sins, and I know that I am protected. Great is Your faithfulness, Lord!!! Help me to be faithful to You, today, tomorrow, and every day of my life. Amen

Live Purposefully

After this week of revival at church, I am praying that I will continue to have true revival in my life. This has been such an awesome week!!! I know that the only way I can continue in this spirit and way of life, is to continuously seek God and to seek His desires and purposes for my life... I MUST die to me and let HIM have complete control!

I hope you enjoy this devotion as much as I did:

Life is best lived on purpose. And purpose, like everything else in the univers, begins in the heart of God. Whether you realize it or not, God has a direction for you life, a divine calling, a path along which He intends to lead you. When you welcome God into your heart and establish a genuine relationship with Him, He will begin - and He will continue - to make His purpose known.

Each morning, as the sun rises in the east, you welcome a new day, one tht is filled to the brim with opportunities, with possibilities, and with God. As you contemplate God's blessings in your own life, you should prayerfully seek His guidance for the day ahead.
Discovering God's unfolding purpose for your life is a daily journey, a journey guided by the teachings of God's Holy Word. As you reflect upon God's promises and upon the meaning that those promises hold for you, ask God to lead you throughout the coming day. Let your Heavenly Father direct your steps; concentrate on what God wants you to do now, and leave the distant future in hands that are far more capable than your own: His Hands.

Sometimes, God's intentions will be clear to you; other times, God's plan will seem uncertain at best. But even on those difficult days when you are unsure which way to turn, you must never lose sight of these overriding facts: God created you for a reason; He has important work for you to do; and He's waiting patiently for you to do it. So why not begin today?

When we realize and embrace the Lord's will for us, we will love to do it. We won't want to do anything else. It's a passion. Franklin Graham

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

A Prayer

Dear Lord,
Let Your purposes be my purposes. Let Your priorities be my priorities. Let Your will be my will. Let Your Word be my guide. And, let me grow in faith and in wisdom, today and every day.
Amen

A Woman's Tears

This was sent to me as an e-mail. I have received it before, but it has been awhile. I don't think anything sums up a mother's feelings and being better than this:


A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will." Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?" "All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?" God said: "When I made the woman she had to be special." "I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort." "I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children." "I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining." "I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly." ""I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart. "I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly." "And finally, I gave her a tear to shed." "This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed." "That tear holds more then men could understand."

" If a man was to shed her tear it would look enormous."

"For a woman's tear is full of unconditional love, power, sacrifice, beauty, pain, and compassion."

"All ten fold of what a Man is able to feel."

"And that is, my son, why I made her as close to being Supernatural."

"She's my gift to the world she's an Angel on Earth. "
"Love her and praise her for there will be no other here on Earth that will Love you like I do than your Mother.""You see my son," said God, "The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair." The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

I LOVE todays verse!!!  I have gone to  this verse so many times it is not even funny! I constantly lose my glasses, keys... you get the picture.  When I slow down and depend on someone else besides me, He always comes through.  He's always there, just waiting on me to ask for His help for the small things as well as the big things in my life!!!  Thank You Lord!!!

Today's Truth
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6 NIV)

Friend To Friend
I memorized today's verse as a little girl in Christian school. However, as is typical of God's Word, the meaning of the verse deepens each time God applies it to my life. Just two weeks ago, God reminded me again how much He really does care.

Rushing around on last minute errands prior to a trip, I needed to drop a pre-packaged delivery envelope into the nearest UPS collection box. To my dismay, the receptacle I drove to was a FedEx drop box instead.  As I kept driving, my mind tried - without success - to come up with the next closest UPS box.

This problem may not rank high on your personal list of frustrations, but that particular day's schedule and my patience were seriously overloaded. Crying out to God, I asked what to do. In the very next second, I passed a convenience store where a big, brown UPS truck sat idling in the parking lot. The driver congenially accepted my parcel, and I pulled away humbly worshipping the God who cares about the tiniest details of our lives.

Just twenty-four hours later, I approached my travel destination only to find my directions slightly amiss. Deciding to pull off onto a quiet side street to check the map, I began making the corner and immediately knew something was seriously wrong with the car. Carefully guiding the car to the curb, I parked and got out to investigate the problem.

Imagine my shock when I noticed a rear wheel was coming off of the car! The five lug nuts normally holding it onto the car were completely missing. Lying on the pavement behind the car, I could see from underneath a separation between the wheel and axel. My mind whirled with the possible scenarios. Just ten minutes before, I had been driving fast in thick traffic on the Interstate. Worship again flooded my soul as I knelt before the Lord and thanked Him for taking such good care of me.

While the world chants: "Don't worry, be happy," we Christians should practice a much more appropriate principle: "Don't worry, God cares!" God knows and God really does care about the little and large things that touch our lives.

Let's Pray 
Lord, thank You for caring about every single detail of my life and for taking care of them all. Help me to trust You more and turn to You more quickly for help in every situation. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn

1. How has God taken care of you this past week? 
2. Read 1 Peter 5:6-11. Who is trying to rob you of joy (vs. 8)? Describe the picture the verse creates in your mind. You can resist him by humbly asking God for help (vs. 6) and worshipping God (vs. 13). 
3. Make a list of the troubling situations in your life. Read Philippians 4:6-7 and follow the directions. Enjoy the resulting peace!  

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Just a little something that all of us should remember... we are perfect in His eyes, just the way he made us!!!

October 15, 2008
I am God's Workmanship
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

Friend to Friend
When my son was in elementary school, he created some works of art that had a striking resemblance to that of the world-renowned artist, Picasso.  However, Picasso's paintings are worth millions of dollars and my son's are only valuable to me.  What makes a work of art valuable?  Its value is based on the artist who created it.  You, dear friend, are a piece of art created by God Himself.  King David described it this way:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16).

A woman was and is one of God's most magnificent creations.  In fact, she was His grand finale.  After He fashioned Eve, creation was complete and He took a rest!   God has placed in our hearts a love for beauty and a desire to be beautiful. Let's go back to the beginning of time and reflect on our magnificent beginnings.

 After God created the sun, moon, stars, earth, waters, creeping and flying animals, he created man.  But something was missing.  For Adam there was no creature suitable for him.  This is the only time God said any aspect of His creation was "not good."  He said, "It is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18).

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.  And the LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.  And the man said, "This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." (Genesis 2:21-24 NASB)

While God created the world and all it contains, He did something a little special when He made woman.  The NASB translation says He fashioned Eve.  He didn't simply make you -- He fashioned you with extra special care and meticulous detail.  You are a thing of beauty, a sight to behold, and one of His most spectacular masterpieces - a work of art, a valuable original, a one of a kind.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Forgive me when I complain about Your masterpiece -- my nose, my hips, my complexion, etc. I praise You for the intricacies of the human body.  The fact that my heart beats without my telling it to, my lungs inhale and exhale without my instruction, and my reflexes react automatically.  Yes, I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

This was my devotion this morning... I don't have a child going off to college (Kalie claims she will never leave Augusta) but just the thoughts of your babies growing up and leaving out of the house and not being there all the time is something that most parents have mixed emotions about.  With Dallas being 16 and a Junior in high school, and already talking about where he wants to go to school... and Kalie is 21 and beginning to really plan her future... it won't be long.  

My main prayer in life is that both of my kids seek God's will and desires for their lives and always trust Him to lead them where He wants them to go!

I hope you enjoy this encouragement as much as I did.

September 19, 2008
Letting Go
Leslie Nease

We hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions. We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends.  From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry.  We call them our "Friday Friends."  So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend", Leslie Nease.

Today's Truth
3 John 1:4 "I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth."  (NLT)

Friend to Friend
As I type this, my oldest daughter, Stephanie, is preparing to go off to college.  She leaves in a little over two weeks.  It is so bitter-sweet I can hardly stand it!  They say that once you have a child, you forever wear your heart on the outside of your body.  I can relate to that statement.

She made a decision a few months ago to stay home and go to a college close by.  I thought it was strange at the time because she had already picked out a great Christian University to attend that was about two hours away.  Of course, this change in her plans excited me as I was thrilled she would be near us!  However, she began to regret her decision after awhile and I saw her entire demeanor change. 

She was honest with me about three weeks ago and said she made the decision because she didn't want me to be hurt if she left.  I never asked her to stay, but somehow I must have left the impression that I was going to fall apart the day she walked out the door!  I was devastated that I did that to her.

Now I was ready to let her go.  She is going to her original University choice and I couldn't be happier for her.  Sure, I will miss her deeply but seeing her so miserable out of the will of God made me realize that I'd rather let her go than keep her here and have her walking in disobedience and misery.  Who am I to stand in the way of what God has for her?

I'm realizing as my children are all growing up that letting go is hard and exciting all at the same time.  Honestly, I think I'm at the place where I'm more excited for her than I am sad for me, but it's been a tough year.  She's not really my child anyway -- she belongs to God.  He has plans for her that are so exciting and wonderful that I can't help but be excited for her!  I'm so blessed to have her in my life and as long as I point her to Him, I've done my job well.

I still have three more children in the nest to nurture for now but it's time for my Stephanie to try out those beautiful wings now.  Fly, baby!  Fly!

I'm reminded today of these lyrics from Find Your Wings by Mark Harris:

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

Let's Pray
Oh, Father!  You have given us such a gift in our precious children.  Thank You for allowing us to be used by You to help them grow.  Please give us grace as we raise them and inevitably, let them go.  Thank You for the fact that they are Your children and You love them even more than we do and that even though our job is to let them go, Your job is to hold on to them for dear life!  Please care for them, protect them and direct their steps. You are faithful!  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

• If you are in the process of letting go of a child, or maybe even if you have one coming up in the next couple of years, remember that they can tell when we are feeling sad about their departure. Why not ask God to give you the grace to let go joyfully? Our kids don't want to hurt us and they need to know we are supporting them at this time in their lives.
• God knows how much your heart hurts as you let go.  Take time to spend with Him and ask Him to show you scriptures that will encourage you and give you peace of mind.  
• Always remember that God loves your children even more than you do!  Isn't that a comfort to know?  Praise Him for that and continue to pray for them as they venture out into the plans He has for them.

Random Thoughts

I have been journaling for almost a year now... just never got the nerve up to put it out on a blog.  There is definitely something therapeutic about sitting down and writing out your thoughts... with me, it's like I can get them all together a little better!  And, maybe something I put out here will be an encouragement for someone who needs it. I have definitely been encouraged by all of you before me!!!

Well, here goes...

As most of you know, I, along with my family, attend Fleming Baptist Church... I have THE BEST Church Family that anyone could have!  I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! There is no doubt that God placed us right where He wanted us.  I teach youth girls Sunday school (totally God's plan - not mine!) and help out on Wed and Sun nights in the youth.  I love working with the youth and watching them grow in their relationship with God.

In the Bible study that we just finished up, and now the one that we are beginning, probably the biggest lesson I learned was to seek God's desire for my life.  I know you're probably saying, "it took a Bible study to teach you that?" Well, so many times I think I have all the answers.  Sometimes (most of the time if I'm honest) I try to persuade myself that what I am desiring (or doing) is what God desires... but so many times I am just off doing what I want, and trying to convince myself this is what God wants.  

The new study that we are doing is about listening and discerning God's voice in our lives.  One of the first points that Priscilla Shirer made was about people saying that they had never heard the voice of God.  She pointed out that if you have never heard it - then more than likely your not listening, you haven't asked... or, the biggest - you've never given your life to Jesus.  If you don't have that relationship with Jesus, then God is not going to talk to you!  It's all about the relationship... you ask, God will answer! It may not be the answer you want, or it may take a while for Him to answer it (even then, if you will listen, He is probably talking to you). Lots of prayer and getting into His Word... and sometimes just sitting, with everything quiet, and just listening.