Anna

Today's devotion was written by Mary Davis, a woman in my church.  Mary is a gifted teacher and writer and she loves Jesus with all her heart.

“To them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory and immortality, eternal life.” Romans 2:7


Anna, whose name means grace or favor, certainly found both with God. She was “sold out” to Him. He was her everything. Anna was specifically chosen by God to render special services in the temple where she lived, worshiped, and served God “all the days of her life.”

Among her many attributes was patience. She expected and waited for the Messiah. Day after day she prayed for His coming. Although He seemed to tarry, she waited for Him still. And then one day it happened. The aged Anna entered the temple just as Simon was blessing the baby Jesus. Mary and Joseph had brought Him there to fulfill the customs of that time. Anna’s eyes beheld the long awaited for Messiah…the consolation of Israel…the hope of all humanity.

Patience wins out only if we don’t give up. What is it you’ve been waiting for? Remember, Anna never gave up!

You can read more about the unique woman, Anna, in Luke chapter 2. She is a perfect example for any Christian woman to pattern her life after.

Heavenly Father, it seems that patience is an attribute that ‘s hard to master. But master it we can, if we accept the “trying of our faith” as James put it. We know that when our faith is tested, our endurance has a chance to grow. And when our endurance is fully developed, we will be strong in character and ready for anything. Teach us to reap the benefits of patience, even if it comes via testing for a season. Thank You Father, Amen.

Blessings,

The Pencil Parable

A friend at work emailed the following parable about a pencil.  The author is unknown.  I had never heard it before and wanted to share it with you today.

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.Blessings,

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

– Author Unknown

Precious Gifts

Today I am thankful for two very precious gifts, my children.  Yesterday they had their first day of school.  Sarah is in the 10th grade and Stephen is in the 7th grade. 

While reading Word-Filled Wednesday posts yesterday, I read one that talked about blinking and your children are grown.  How true that is!  I can remember when they both started pre-kindergarten.  Now they are in high school and middle school. 

My prayer for them this year is:

• work to the best of their ability
• be good listeners in class
• be a good friend to their classmates
• be a team player
• be a leader
• grow in their relationship with God

I love my children and I am so very thankful for them!

Blessings,

Get Wisdom

First Day of School!

Today is the first day of school for my kids.  Needless to say, they weren't all that excited about getting up so early this morning.  My husband and I were excited about them going back though.  LOL!  As Proverbs 4:7 says, getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do.  So they start a new year of getting wisdom in math, science, English, Bible, history and several other courses.  And I pray that as the year goes by, they will continue to develop good judgement. 

Even though I have been out of school for quite some time, I still need to get wisdom.  I face situations where the wisdom of God is greatly needed.  James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom we should ask God for it and we will get it.  Let us not hesitate to ask God for wisdom when we need it.  After all, He gives generously to all without finding fault. 

The Bible is full of verses on wisdom, especially Proverbs.  Take a moment to read through just some of theses verses and you will be encouraged.

Check out more Word Filled Wednesdays at Internet Café.

Blessings,

Green Pastures

This is a picture of our dog, Barney, which my daughter recently sent me.  When I seen it, I immediately thought of Psalm 23:2. 

I have read "Quiet Confidence for a Woman's Heart"  by Elizabeth George.  It is a study of Psalm 23.  She tells us that food and rest are in those green pastures where the Shepherd guides us. Food is found in the green, lush pastures.  Rest is found when we lie down (as Barney is doing) in the green, lush pastures. 

Elizabeth George goes on to tell us that we can "partake of green pastures by 'having quiet times with the Lord.'"  Time spent in the green pastures in reading God's Word is very necessary.  We all know that our time in God's Word should be regular, daily and it should be ever increasing. 

Let's pray.  Father, we thank You that You make us lie down in green pastures.  We thank You that food is found in those green, lush pastures.  Help us to use our time in those green pastures to our benefit by spending regular time with You and in Your Word and may those times be increasing.  We thank You for being our Great Shepherd, our Jehovah-Rohi!  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

You can read more on what I wrote on Psalm 23:2a here.

Check out more Word Filled Wednesdays at Internet Café.

Blessings,

Moving Forward

Yesterday during our morning worship, we sang Moving Forward. The lyrics are written out below.

The chorus says “I’m not going back I’m moving ahead …”

That got me to thinking about where I am. Am I moving forward? Have I moved back? Am I standing still? Of course I want to always be moving forward. Am I moving forward today? I have a choice today whether I will move forward or whether I will stand still or even whether I will move back.

The chorus goes on to say “Here to declare to you My past is over in You All things are made new…”

Sometimes we get bogged down in our past that we cannot move forward. It doesn’t matter what you did yesterday, how you acted, what you said, what you were involved in. Your past is over in Christ! Declare today that your past is over, it is behind you, and all things are made new. Scripture says that we are a new creature in Christ! Indeed, Christ makes all things new!

Declare with me today that we will follow Christ Forward.


Moving Forward Lyrics - Israel Houghton

What a moment ● You have brought me to ● Such a freedom I have found in You. ● You're the healer ● Who makes all things new ● Yeah yeah

Chorus:
I'm not going back ● I'm moving ahead ● Here to declare to you ● My past is over in You ● All things are made new ● Surrendered my life to Christ ● I'm moving moving forward

You have risen ● With all power in Your hands ● You have given me ● A second chance

Hallelujah hallelujah ● Yeah, yeah, yeah ● yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus:
I'm not going back ● I'm moving ahead ● Here to declare to you ● My past is over in You ● All things are made new ● Surrendered my life to Christ ● I'm moving moving forward

You make all things new ● Yes ● You make all things new ● And I will follow You ● Forward


Let’s pray. Father, I thank You for speaking to my heart yesterday about always moving forward in You. I choose today to move forward. I thank You Father that our past is over in You and that You make all things new. If anyone is struggling with getting over their past, I pray Father that You will help them be an over comer. If anyone is struggling with moving forward in their relationship with You, I pray that You will help them and be their strength when they are weak. Thank You Father for loving us. We choose today to follow You forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my 21st wedding anniversary. How time has gone by! The picture was taken after the reception before we left the church. 

I met my husband, Terry, at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. We started off as great friends, had classes together, and were in a ministry organization together. After about 2 ½ years we started dating.

We got married the summer before our Senior year. We had one car and worked two jobs while going to school full-time. Later that Fall, we drove to Alabama on the weekends to work in a church.

After graduation we were full-time evangelists for several years before taking our first church. We were at our first church for almost 11 years. We are now at our second church. Out of 21 years of marriage, we have been in full-time ministry for 19 ½ years.

Last year for our 20th anniversary, he took me to Europe. No, not that kind of Europe. Our whole family plus a dear friend went on a missions trip to Romania. We had an awesome time there and seen many people touched and ministered to by God. My husband has been going to Romania several times a year on mission trips. They love him there and I got to meet the people he has talked about so much.

The journey has not been a bed of roses, but I am so thankful to have Terry with me on this journey. He is the best! And he truly spoils me. He said the other Sunday morning while preaching that he first wants to please God, then me, then his family, then the church.

I am one lucky girl to have found such a wonderful guy!

I love you honey very much and I am so thankful to God for bringing you into my life!


Happy 21st Anniversary!

Blessings,

Light

Let God's Word be your Light and you will find your way. 

My daughter, Sarah, picked this out and stated the above.  I am thankful that she is a seeker and God's Word is a Light to her path.

Check out more Word Filled Wednesdays at Internet Café.

Blessings,