Israel Houghton - Moving Forward

Check out this song about moving forward. I am thankful that God makes all things new.  My heart's desire is to follow God forward.

Let's declare today that our past is over and we are moving forward!

You will be blessed!

Blessings,

Eddie James - Freedom

Another great song by Eddie James singing about Freedom!  I am thankful for freedom in Christ.  I am thankful that there are no more shackles, no more chains, no more bondage because I am free!

How about you?

Blessings,

Eddie James - Free to Worship

Check out this song by Eddie James titled "Free to Worship". Jesus sets us free and we are free indeed! We are free to lift up holy hands and magnify his name!


I am thankful that I am free to worship my King!

Blessings,

Fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness Part 2

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


Today we continue our look at chapter eleven – Growing Strong Through Gentleness in the book “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness. Galatians 5:22

There is a posture of gentleness. Below is a long quote from the author.

“The Hebrew word for ‘trust’ originally expressed the idea of helplessly lying face-down. But practicing this posture of trust calls for complete reliance on Jehovah. It calls for an absolute confidence that God alone knows the right way to the right ends and what benefits us. It also comes with the certainty that God is able to free us from that which does us harm. Therefore this trust-this placing of our total confidence wholly in God-is the source of gentleness or meekness.

This picture of trust reveals that gentleness is opposite to much that our world exalts. Gentleness is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. It is the opposite of violence and outbursts of anger, the evidence of God at work in our life.

Gentleness is required when wrong is inflicted upon us and when we are suffering the heat of ill treatment. And what does gentleness do under those conditions? It lies helplessly facedown. It bends, it bows, it lowers its head before the father. It submits, it accepts, and it humbles itself under the mighty hand of God: Gentleness takes it.

Gentleness accomplishes all of this by not fighting. We must give up disputing, complaining, murmuring, and grumbling. After all, why should we do these things if God is in control and God is allowing these trying situations?”

Wasn’t that good what the author said? Are you wondering how you can cultivate gentleness? How gentleness can be accomplished in your life by not fighting? Gentleness is indeed the opposite of our world and of our flesh. It is not easy to let gentleness reign.

The author goes on to say “then as we practice this posture of a trusting heart before God and rely on Him for His wisdom and mercy and protection, we indeed grow strong through gentleness.”

A few biblical examples of gentleness.

1. Hannah. She “found herself the daily prey of her husband’s other wife. Hannah chose to take it and she told the Lord instead.”

2. Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus. “Mary conceived and bore the baby Jesus. Many thought of her as a fornicator. She could have tried to explain, she could have told what happened, and she could have bragged. But instead, the gentle and meek Mary took it.”

3. Mary of Bethany. Mary poured out her heart in worship and was criticized for it. “Mary responded with godly silence…she took it. She quietly bowed her head and bore the pain of public ridicule…and trusted in God instead.

4. Moses. God chose Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. But the people complained and wished they were back in Egypt. “When the people complained, Moses didn’t argue with them, reason with them, defend himself, or get into any kind of struggle with them. Instead, he took it. Moses took it-and he took it on his face, prostrate before God.”

The author concludes with this. “We can take it, dear one-we can live out gentleness-only when we stretch our roots down deep into the soil of trust and faith until we tough the heart of God and the Rock of Ages.

Here are two thought provoking question the author asks at the end of chapter 11:
1. What thoughts could help you cultivate gentleness in your life?
2. What actions do you equate with gentleness?

Let’s pray. Father, we think You for all that we have learned over the last few days on gentleness. Give us strength to live out gentleness. Help us to practice the posture of a trusting heart before You and to rely on Your wisdom. Thank You Father. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

Fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


We continue are reading of “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. Today we look at chapter 11 – Growing Strong Through Gentleness.

The fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness. Galatians 5:22

“Gentleness means to be gentle or meek, to be lowly or jumble. It is a form of self-control which Christ alone can give, and it manifests itself in a submissive spirit toward both God and man. Gentleness is also the opposite of self-reliant arrogance. Gentleness is truly grown in a hothouse-and there’s a high price to pay to cultivate its bloom!”

The author gives us six reasons why gentleness is so costly:

1. "Gentleness Means Trusting the Lord. Gentleness is not resentful, it bears no grudge and it is not involved in mulling over injuries. Instead, gentleness finds refuge in the Lord and His ways. It endures plundering, provocation, and suffering in humble submission to an all-wise, caring Father, trusting totally in the love of God.
How can anyone bear plundering, provocation, suffering, and ill-treatment? Faith. The invisible root system of gentleness goes deep into the rich soil of faith. Faith believes that everything that happens in our life is allowed by God and that He is able to help us handle our situation.

2. Gentleness Means Submitting to the Master. William Barclay offers another picture of gentleness…’What throws most light on [the meaning of gentleness] is that the adjective…is used of an animal that has been tamed and brought under control.’
   a. The word tame is opposite of wild, describes one accustomed to control by another.
   b. The word tame suggests one whose will has been broken or who has allowed himself or herself to be dominated by the will of another.
   c. The tame person, therefore…
       i. Has been toned down and exhibits complete dependence on another.
      ii. Has yielded all will to another’s control.
     iii. Unquestioningly and humbly obeys what is ordered and accepts what is given.
     iv. Is docile and obedient and pliable, as opposed to fierce.
      v. Is easy to work with and to be with.

It helps us to think about gentleness in terms of submitting to our Master, the Lord Jesus. Don’t you desire to be controlled by Him? Don’t you want to be easy to work with and be with?

3. Gentleness Means Following Christ’s Example. Jesus came not as a storming conqueror or a battling king, but as the King who is meek, gentle, peaceful, gracious. ’Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart (Matthew 11:29). Dear sister, we follow Jesus’ example of gentleness when we, like Him, find refuge in God and commit our way to Him. Jesus’ gentleness was grounded in a complete trust in His loving Father, and ours can be, too, as we cultivate gentleness by following His example.

4. Gentleness Means Bowing the Soul. The Old Testament term for gentleness, anah, describes a mature, ripened shock of grain with its head bent low and bowed down. I want to be a Christian with a lowered head, seasoned and mature, well past the stages of arrogance, pride, and vain emptiness.

5. Gentleness Means Putting on a Gentle Spirit. Wearing this gracious garment calls for a decision from us. As I mentioned earlier, God loves the quality of gentleness in His women. We see this in 1 Peter 3:1-6. It includes elements of submission, behavior, heart, trust and faith.

6. Gentleness Means ‘Take It’. A woman is practicing gentleness or meekness means she will take it. She bears with tranquility the disturbances others create. She endures ill treatment. She withstands misunderstandings. Carrying the image of Jesus and His suffering in her mind and heart, she takes it, thus cultivating the fruit of God’s gentleness."

I like what the author says next. “Yes, it’s true that in the eyes of the world, gentleness may look like weakness, but producing this fruit calls for the greatest of strength! Indeed, gentleness has been called ‘the fruit of power.”

This is a lot to take in, to contemplate, about gentleness and there is still more to cover. Maybe you are like me not having thought about the cost of gentleness and what that means to me or you. Take time today to think about the reasons the author gave on why gentleness is so costly.

I look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow as we continue looking at the fruit of gentleness.

Blessings,

Chris Tomlin - My Chains Are Gone

Check out this video by Chris Tomlin singing "My Chains are Gone".  I am so very thankful for God's Amazing Grace each day.  I am so very thankful that all chains are gone!  Take a moment today to give praise that your chains are gone too! 

Blessings,

Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness Part 3

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


Today we complete our look at chapter ten – Following Through in Faithfulness in the book “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness. Galatians 5:22

“A great source of encouragement to be faithful is found in the extraordinary faithfulness of the women at the tomb. These dear women had faithfully ministered to the needs of the Savior by serving Him and financially supporting His ministry (Luke 8:3). But their most heroic act of faithfulness began as they followed Jesus on His last journey from Galilee to Jerusalem – on His journey to the cross, a journey that finally found this loyal band of ladies with Jesus the entire day of His crucifixion and death.”

We read how the disciples disbursed and did not hang around. Yet the women remained faithful and stood as close as they could to comfort Jesus by their presence in the closing agonies of the crucifixion (Luke 23:49). They stayed until the end. “And their faithfulness did not end with Jesus’ death. They waited at the cross to see what was done with His body, and then they followed and saw the tomb and how His body was laid (Luke 23:55). Then, surely weary after a long and agonizing day, these women returned home to perform two more acts of faithfulness. First, they prepared spices and perfumes to properly anoint Jesus’ body (verse 56). (And, according to Jewish Sabbath law, these preparations had to be completed before sundown!) And then these women practiced their faithfulness in another way: ‘On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment’ (verse 56). They were faithful to Jesus, and they were faithful to God and His holy Law.”

Mark 16:1-3
“And when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, brought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?’”

These women were indeed faithful. They weren’t lazy. They went to the tomb very early. They didn’t procrastinate. They did what they needed to do when they needed to do it. They didn’t rationalize that someone else would do it. No, they went about preparing to anoint Jesus’ body. They sure didn’t have apathy. They cared greatly for Jesus and what would happen to His body. And they definitely did not operate in rebellion.

The author states “Whenever I’m exhausted, stretched to the limit, and tempted to give up or wait until tomorrow, I think of these magnificent women. Their love for God overruled their emotional and physical tendencies and enabled them to faithfully do the right thing. Nothing kept these ladies from fulfilling what they considered to be their faithful duty to a friend.”

“We must respond! We must wonder, how can we become more faithful? How can we walk in this grace, too? What can help us to cultivate God’s faithfulness in our life?”

The author gives us a few practical suggestions.

1. Call upon God in prayer. “On the day I called Thou didst answer me: Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138;3).

2. Be faithful in small things. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much” (Luke 16:10).

3. Rely of God’s strength. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phillippians 4:13).

4. Fight self-indulgence. “I buffet my body and make it my slave” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

5. Eliminate laziness and idleness. “[She] does not eat the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27).

6. Begin at home. “She looks well to the ways of her household” (Proverbs 31:27).

7. Be faithful in all things. “Women must…be…faithful in all things” (1 Timothy 3:11).

8. Become a ‘hero.’

Here is a thought provoking question the author asks at the end of chapter ten:

Think back through your week. List any instances at home, in your relationships, or in ministry when you were unfaithful, when you proved unworthy of the confidence placed in you, when you didn’t follow through on your commitments and responsibilities.

Let’s pray. Father, we think You for all that we have learned over the last few days on faithfulness – our faithfulness to You and our faithfulness to others. Give us strength to combat the struggles that will rise as we grow in faithfulness. Help us to be more like the women at the tomb, faithful until the very end, never giving up. Thank You Father. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness Part 2

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


Today we continue our look at chapter ten – Following Through in Faithfulness in the book “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness. Galatians 5:22

We must realize that we have a need for faithfulness. “As women, you and I have many-many!-assignments from God which we cannot accomplish without faithfulness.” The assignments vary from wife, mother, home management, money management, maybe desk management, devotional life. We must also be faithful in church. “Serving God calls for faithfulness-to Him and to His call to use His gifts and serve His people.”

We also have personal struggles to be faithful and can be struggles against our flesh. It surely isn’t easy. “The good news is that, as we yield our flesh to God and are led by His Spirit (Galatians 5:18), we can walk in faithfulness.”

“Walking in God’s faithfulness is a three-step operation.

1. Desire to live a godly life that manifests the graces of the Holy Spirit.

2. Look to God: His power from on high is available to us, and He gives it to us freely.

3. Follow God’s Word by moving out intentionally and confidently, empowered and guided by God.

This three-step process can always help us in our struggles to be faithful.”

The author discussed personal struggles:

1. Tiredness. Tiredness says, ‘I can’t do it. Tiredness moans, ‘I can’t get up…I can’t get up…I can’t make it to church…I can’t run the errands…I can’t study…I’m just too tired! In the flesh, we think and feel that we can’t do it.”

a. While tiredness says ‘I can’t do it,’ God’s Word says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13).

2. Laziness. Laziness is a mental struggle. Laziness says, ‘I don’t want to do it. Laziness whines, ‘I don’t want to clean the house…I don’t want to cook…I don’t want to get involved in ministry…I don’t want to discipline my children…I just don’t want to do it.’

a. While laziness says, ‘I don’t want to do it,’ God’s Word beckons ‘Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth’ (Colossians 3:2). It is sobering to realize that all you and I do is not done only for people, but for our Savior. Serving people is a primary way for us to serve our Lord.

3. Hopelessness. Hopelessness says, ‘It doesn’t matter if I do it.’ We feel like giving up and asking ‘Why try?’ Fear sets in, fear of failing.

a. Hopelessness says, ‘It doesn’t matter if I do it,’ God’s Word encourages us ‘Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid; neither be thou dismayed’ (Joshua 1:9).

4. Procrastination. Procrastination says, ‘I’ll do it later.’ Procrastination announces, ‘I’ll prepare for that class later…I’ll finish (or start) that chapter later…I’ll reconcile the bank statement later…I’ll call the plumber later…I’ll do it later.’

a. Procratination says ‘I’ll do it later.’ God’s Word wisely prompts us ‘Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might!’ (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Do it…just do it...and do it now!

5. Rationalization. Rationalization is an evil but subtle perspective on life, ministry, and responsibility that says, ‘Someone else will do it.’ Rationalization calculates, ‘Someone else will set up for the meeting…Someone else will make the announcement…Someone else will lead the discussion…Someone else will do it.’ The godly woman who is faithful is ‘faithful in all things’ (1 Timothy 3:11), all of the time no matter what.

a. Rationalization says, ‘Someone else will do it’, God’s Word tells us to be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10). A faithful woman will successfully defeat the unfruitful thought processes that lead to rationalizing, ‘Someone else will do it.’ By desiring to grow in faithfulness, by looking to God’s Spirit to supply His faithfulness in weakness, and by following God’s call that we be faithful in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:1). The way I chip away at rationalization is very simple: I try to be faithful for one day only.

6. Apathy. Apathy says, ‘I don’t care if I do it.’ Apathy shrugs, ‘I don’t care if the dishes get done…I don’t care if I’m a good mom or wife…I don’t care if I read my Bible…I don’t care if I grow…I don’t care if I’m faithful…I don’t care if I do it.’ Apathy is a spiritual numbness that creeps in and corrupts the good that God intends for our life and the good that He wants us to accomplish for Him and His kingdom.

a. Apathy says, ‘I don’t care’, God’s Word forces our gaze off of ourselves and on to our Father, ‘not…to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45).

7. Rebellion. Rebellion says, ‘I won’t do it.’ Rebellion stubbornly states, ‘I won’t do what the Bible says…I won’t do the laundry…I won’t do what my husband asks…I won’t do what the counselor advised…I won’t do it.’ Rebellion is a hardness we should fear because, as the Bible teaches, ‘the man [or woman] who hardens his [or her] neck…will suddenly be broken beyond remedy’ (Proverbs 29:1). There is no deadlier attitude of the heart than rebellion – whether blatant, open, outspoken rebellion or quiet rebellion which simply and silently goes about life in its own way.

a. Rebellion says, ‘I won’t do it’, but we can pray along with David, ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me’ (Psalm 139:23-24).

Once again, the author gives us a lot to take in. However, “Our great God has made all we need to be faithful available to us through His grace. He wants us to do what David, the shepherd-king of Israel, did when he ‘strengthened himself in the Lord his God’ (1 Samuel 30:6). David repeatedly declared, ‘the Lord is the strength of my life’ (Psalm 27:1).”

“Praise God that you and I can go to Him when we are too tired, too lazy, too uncommitted, too sick, or feeling too sorry for ourselves. In fact, moments like these are precisely when we need to call upon God and be filled with His faithfulness. We can go to Him and ask Him to fill us with His strength. We can find in Him the strength (His strength, the vision (His vision), and thereby the faithfulness (His faithfulness). Indeed, He is waiting to give us His faithfulness.”

Tomorrow we will finish looking at the fruit of faithfulness and will look at women who were faithful to Jesus and walking in faithfulness.

I look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow as we finish our look at faithfulness.

Blessings,

Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness Part 1

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


It has been several months since we last looked at our reading of “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. We still have three more fruit to look at and we will cover them over the next few days.

Today we look at chapter ten – “Following Through in Faithfulness.”

The fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness. Galatians 5:22

The author, Elizabeth George, starts off by giving us five insights into faithfulness. She states that God’s faithfulness must be a part of our character “because faithfulness marks God’s presence in our life. When you and I are faithful, we show that we are born of God and belong to Him.”

1. The God of Faithfulness. We see throughout the Bible that God is faithful. “You and I can endure our trials by counting on God’s faithfulness.” Jesus is faithful. God’s Word is faithful.

2. The Core of Faithfulness. “Faithfulness is defined as loyalty, trustworthiness, or steadfastness. It is characteristic of the person who is reliable, and it applies to the Christian’s behavior in respect to people as well as toward God.” When I read this, I wondered if we tend to think that our faithfulness to others is not as important as our faithfulness to God. But that statement tells me otherwise. “Faithfulness is a major distinction of Christian women and a quality God uses to benefit the church, the body of Christ.”

3. The Marks of Faithfulness. The author gave an extensive list of what faithfulness does and what it looks like in action. I thought it was pretty impressive and want to share it with you. Take time to slowly read through the list and ponder each one.

a. She follows through – on whatever she has to do.

b. She comes through – no matter what.

c. She delivers the goods – whether a message or a meal.

d. She shows up – even early so others won’t worry.

e. She keeps her word – her yes means yes and her no means no. (James 5:12)

f. She keeps her commitments and appointments – you won’t find her canceling.

g. She successfully transacts business – carrying out any instructions given to her.

h. She discharges her official duties in the church – and doesn’t neglect worship.

i. She is devoted to duty – just as Jesus was when He came to do His Father’s will (John 4:34).

I join with the author in saying “So, my friend…take a quick inventory of your own Christian walk. Let these points stretch your understanding of the fruit of faithfulness, a fruit that is so needed in our world today! And then ask God for His strength to go to work cultivating His faithfulness in your life.”

4. The Opposites of Faithfulness. Opposites of faithfulness include fickle (changing your mind, your loyalties, your standards); unreliable (doesn’t come through, can’t be depended on, can’t be trusted with responsibility).

5. The Essence of Faithfulness. The author shared her own definition of faithfulness and I like it too. “Do it!” “Faithfulness means doing it…no matter what, doing it…regardless of feelings, moods, or desires – if the Lord wills (James 4:15). Let the motto “Do it!” move you toward greater faithfulness.”

We are not finished with the chapter but that already is a lot to think about, a lot to let soak in so we will stop there for today. Tomorrow we will continue on the fruit of faithfulness and look at the need for faithfulness and the struggles to be faithful.

I look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow as we continue looking at faithfulness.

Let’s pray. Father, I thank You that You are a faithful God, Your Word is faithful. I ask that You help me and those reading this that we will strive to be faithful to you and to those around us. We ask that You will give us strength to work on cultivating Your faithfulness in our lives. Father, may Your faithfulness shine out of us to those around us. Thank You Father. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

Natalie Grant - Your Great Name

Check out this worship song by Natalie Grant titled "Your Great Name".  It's a beautiful song and will bless you richly.  

Blessings,

God Cares for Us

Picture with me, if you will, walking around with a heavy, loaded suitcase, one that we can barely move.


We all have cares that we carry around with us. The suitcase signifies cares and burdens that we carry.

A few years ago, I received a devotion which got me to thinking about what burdens was I carrying. At the time, my brother was facing surgery where he was diagnosed with having an early stage of melanoma and he is not a Christian. I then listed two other cares that were on my mind. They were not life and death but rather stuff. I had not thought that these “cares” could be slowing my walk.

I asked my children to name some cares. They came up with secrets, peer pressure, and family. These could indeed become cares. Can you come up with a few more?

So often we think of “cares” as being pretty major stuff – not everyday stuff perhaps dealing with our job or our family. Maybe we think of God wanting us to cast our big cares on Him and we can handle the small ones – like dividing up what we can handle and what God can handle. Perhaps we feel as though it is our personal responsibility to carry our own burdens and maybe everybody else’s as well. Just like carrying the suitcase signifies carrying our cares around with us everywhere we go, so we carry our cares around with us everywhere we go. We tend to think that they are manageable, that we can handle them. But our cares could hinder or stop us from using both hands to work, to do for the Kingdom of God. We only can do things halfway, not fully. We cannot dance, jump, embrace because we are tied to the small suitcase filled with our cares. We continue to think that what we are carrying around is manageable.

All along our Father is there calling out to us to come to Him.

Take a moment and read the following scriptures:

Matthew 11:28-30
Matthew 6:25-33
I Peter 5:7
Psalms 55:22
Philippians 4:6

Are you heavy laden? Are you carrying a load that seems overwhelming?

We need to:

• Go to Jesus
• Learn of Him
• Exchange His easy yoke and light burden for what you are trying to carry in your own strength
• Ask Him to teach us His ways so we can learn to find rest for our soul

I also asked my daughter if she thought if we could dwell too much on our cares and of course she said yes. In those times when our cares consume our thoughts, we need to recognize it and then turn our thoughts onto other things. The bible says “whatsoever things are pure…to think on these things”. And the bible says that if we keep our mind on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace.

I want you to take a moment to think about what cares you are carrying right now. How are they affecting you and your walk with God? Are they hindering you from doing what you need to do? Are they hindering you from embracing someone or reaching out to others to help them in their time of need? When we are bogged down, we are not able to be the eyes and hands of Jesus. Take a moment to write down one or more of cares that come to your mind.

Now take a moment to pray about these cares.

Father, we ask You to help us – help us to exchange Your easy yoke for our cares. Help us not try to make it our personal responsibility to carry our cares but rather turn everything over to You. Help us to think on good things as the scripture tells us. Thank You Father for your help and for caring for us. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

William McDowell - I Give Myself Away

My son loves to listen to black gospel.  One day he and I were in the car listening to black gosepl and a song came on that I just fell in love with.  I told my husband that we just had to learn it for church, and we did.  The song is by William McDowell titled "I Give Myself Away."

Listen to the words and let it be our prayer today, that we give ourselves away so God can use us. 

Blessings,

Mercy Me - Beautiful

"No matter what others think of you...say to you...or say about you....You are beautiful and worthy in the eyes of Jesus...Never forget..."

Recently my son and I seen Mercy Me in a concert and they sang "Beautiful".  "Beautiful" is a beautiful song, so inspiring, so encouraging to girls of all ages - and boys too. 

Remember today that you are beautiful.  You are sacred.  You are His.

Blessings,

Hiatus

Hiatus

a: an interruption in time or continuity : BREAK; especially: a period when something (as a program or activity) is suspended or interrupted

I know. I have been gone a long time. I guess you can say I have been on a hiatus. The only thing is that I have not done anything during this hiatus for my blog. Rather, I have gotten bogged down with life – the kids, the church, the job.

I am back now and have even made some changes to my blog. I hope you like it. I am still playing with it and will be adding some things later.

You know, I think I had thoughts of what I would do next here and when that didn’t happen, I just didn’t do anything. Have you ever been there? You thought your life was going one way and when it didn’t, you got in what felt like a holding pattern. Sometimes the holding pattern lasted a week, a month, several months and maybe even a year. For me, it’s been a couple of months. I think I can point to a couple of key things that kept me in that holding pattern. One pretty big key point is out of the way which feels like a load has been lifted. I feel like I am out of that holding pattern and can now move forward with several things, including this blog. I am excited and have several ideas for future posts.

I hope you will join me on this journey of becoming the woman God has created us to be!

Until next time…



Blessings,

February Part II

Terry had a great mission trip. A guy from our church went with him this year. In five days of ministry they seen 46 people accept Jesus as their Savior, had a pastor’s conference with over 80 pastors and leaders, and had a youth rally with 200 youth in a theater with no.heat. No.heat.at.all. In February. Where it snowed every day from Tuesday to Friday and there is still snow on the ground. No.heat. 200 youth. Don’t you find that just amazing? I am not sure we would have something like that here in America. In Romania, people of all ages are hungry for more of God in their life. The guys had many prayer partners which is such a great blessing. One night Terry was coming back from preaching. It was normally a 2 ½ hour drive through the mountains and the roads there are not like ours. Well, it was snowing. The roads were covered. They came across a truck that had jackknife. He sent out a tweet asking people to pray and pray they did. With the support of prayer, they made it back safely to the ministry base. People can be involved in missions even if they cannot actually go overseas. They can be involved in two ways: prayer, and giving. Without those two components, not much will be accomplished.



Pastors/Leaders Conference



Theater where Youth Rally was held

Snow in Romania

Terry (center) at Youth Rally

My husband is already planning his next mission trip to Peru in June. Thankfully the kids will be out of school and there will be no sports going on. (Maybe I can still get some meals cooked while he is gone.) Our daughter Sarah wants to go with him. He will be going with a team of about 20 people and part of what they will be doing is having kid’s crusades or the like. Sarah is interested in working with the kids. Terry wants to do evangelism. He should be able to minister somewhere every night he is there.

Other significant things went on in February. My two children had major birthdays! Stephen turned 13 and two days later Sarah turned sweet 16. We had a big family party and of course went out to eat for their birthdays. I now have two teenagers! It doesn’t seem possible. I am so very thankful for my two precious gifts! It’s definitely not always perfect, but it is all worthwhile. I shared with you that a lady in my church, Mary, did some cooking while my husband was out of the country. One night I had warmed up our dinner that she had made and Stephen says to me, “Mommy, Mary sure does have a servant’s heart. She does for people and never complains.” You know that blessed my heart! And it blessed Mary too when I shared it with her. I am very proud of my children. They are overall good kids and more importantly they have a heart for Jesus! When Sarah heard her daddy was going to Peru, she did not hesitate to say that she wanted to go to. Who knows what all the Lord has in store for her – and Stephen too!

Stephen - 13th Birthday

Sarah - Sweet 16!

Blessings,

February Part I

February came in like a lion and it left like a lion. February was absolutely nonstop for my family.


Basketball for the kids started in December but for some reason, it was in full swing during February. I think it was because early on we had games that were cancelled due to the weather and all the makeup games fell in February. There were some weeks that were back to back that Sarah had four games and Stephen had three plus a couple of practices. There were some weeks that they both had games on Saturday. There was one week towards the end of the season that Sarah had five games. Needless to say, the girls were getting very tired by the end of the season. Needless to say that mom and dad were getting tired by the end of the season. Our away games are like an hour and half away. We had a lot of late nights.

I am proud as punch to share that Sarah’s JV girl’s team had an undefeated season! They were the season champs!! They really did so great and I was very proud of them. By the time the tournament came the girls were slammed out. They were exhausted because of the crazy schedule of the last couple of weeks. The first game of the tournament they played hard but lost by two points. It really was not pretty at all. It was crazy and so intense. And so the girl’s season ended. But they were the season champs! The coach shared with the girls that this season was the best one in five years and did more for the girls program.

I am also proud as punch to share that Stephen’s Middle School boy’s team only lost two games – and it was to the same team. In one conference they were undefeated and in the other conference they came in second place. One of the last games they played Stephen had some really sweet plays and of course I and his dad were not there. The coach shared with Terry that he actually jumped out of his chair and ran part way down the court to see the play. It was that sweet! The boys won the first game of the tournament by a lot. However, they lost the second game (if they won they would have played in the championship game) by two points. It was not pretty. In the last seconds one of our boys put up a shot that would have tied us but the refs did not count it. And it was off before the buzzer sounded. They then went on to play a third game for the consolation and won by like 25 points – and that was playing our second string in and out. So they came in third place for the tournament.

Also during February my husband went on a mission’s trip to Romania. Yes, and it was during tournament week. Thankfully my mom and her husband were there to help me during Sarah’s first and only tournament game as well as Stephen’s first tournament game. Then a friend, Missy, came up late Thursday night and stayed with me until Saturday. And thankfully a lady in my church did some cooking for us. The kids were thankful for that as well. We had some very late nights and it was so nice to just come home and warm something up rather than going through a drive-thru or having to cook something myself. I truly was blessed by all of their help during that week. It’s hard for me ya’ll when my husband is gone because he does so much around the house and especially in the mornings getting ready for school and work. He loves mission work and God spoke to me several years ago that this was part of His plan for Terry’s life. I have accepted that and am very grateful for any kind of help I can get when he is gone. I am not shy about desperately needing help!

Tomorrow I will share more about Terry’s mission trip and share what else happened in February. It was a crazy month ya’ll!

I will leave you with a verse I shared with a friend yesterday. I love this verse and I cling to it over and over.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Blessings,

Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


We continue our reading of “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. Today we look at chapter eight – “Giving in Goodness.”

The fruit of the Spirit is…goodness. Galatians 5:22

The author, Elizabeth George, gives us three aspects of the biblical definition of spiritual goodness which relates to our conduct toward others.

1. True goodness is spiritual in its origin. The Bible reveals to us that God is good. Due to our sin and our flesh, we need Good’s grace and the Spirit’s power to exhibit His fruit of goodness, because any and all goodness – genuine goodness – must have God in the formula.

2. Goodness is active. His goodness in us then results in active benevolence, kindly activity on the behalf of others.

3. Goodness is a readiness to do good. Goodness is completely dedicated to helping others live well. Indeed, goodness is up on tip-toe, ready and waiting to do good.

“Goodness will do everything it can to shower God’s goodness upon others. Goodness follows through on those wonderful thoughts of kindness, thoughts which came when we were praying, caring, noticing, and planning to act. Goodness takes the step from good intentions to actively serving others.”

“Goodness puts God’s love into actions, follows through on our plans for kindness, and gives – indeed, pours out! – God’s love to others."

We have been instructed to practice goodness. It is an assignment from God. “Good works does not save, but good works sooner or later accompany salvation.”

The author shares a scripture found in Galations 6:10: “Let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” We are told to do good to everyone, but especially to those at church, to those of the household of faith! Wow! The scripture says especially – meaning moreso! Unfortunately, I am sure that we all could share a story or two of how we did not receive good from those that we worshipped with, those that are of the household of faith. It would be so easy to take steps back, to not practice goodness. But God calls us to live a life of goodness. We have to lay aside our feelings of hurt, and turn it all over to the Lord.

“Doing good to everyone is a tall order, but the Lord delights in helping us fulfill it.”

Luke 6:27-28 tells us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us… “We are to love those who cause us pain through the personal response of doing good, the public response of blessing, and the private response of praying…. Thank God that He helps us fulfill this assignment by filling us with His goodness so that we have His goodness to give to others!

The author shares several opportunities we have to choose goodness:

1. As women we are to learn goodness.

2. As women we are to teach goodness.

3. As women we are to be devoted to goodness.

4. As women we are to adorn ourselves with goodness.

Several biblical examples of women who choose goodness:
1. Dorcas – Acts 9:36
2. The Shunammite woman – 2 Kings 4:8-10
3. Rebekah – Genesis 24:15-20
4. Lydia – Acts 16:15

Here is a thought provoking question the author asks at the end of chapter eight:
Why do you often not do what is good and beneficial to others?

I don’t know about you, but I have plenty of wonderful thoughts of kindness that never get acted on. Sometimes I forget. Sometimes too much time passes. In fact, I purchased a card over a week ago to send to a shut-in. I have cards in my purse that I need to address and mail. I need goodness to follow through on the thoughts of kindness!

Let's pray.  Father, I thank You that You are a good God, that You show Your goodness to us! I ask that You help me and those reading this that our thoughts of kindness will be followed through by goodness. I ask that You help us in times when we have thoughts of kindness but don’t act on it, or we allow too much time to pass and so we don’t act on it. Father, may Your goodness shine out of us to those around us. Thank You Father. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Blessings,

Desperate for God

1 Samuel 1:11-16 (New King James Version)
11 Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” 12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” 15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”

Hannah wanted her own baby so badly. Her husband, Elkanah loved her greatly. But his other wife, Peninnah would provoke her and make her miserable because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb. Year by year when Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, Peninnah would provoke her and Hannah would weep and not eat (vs. 7).

One year when she went up to the house of the Lord it was different. We read in 1 Samuel 1:11-16 that Hannah cried out to God and made a vow to Him. Hannah was a desperate woman. Even when Eli thought she was drunk, she stood her ground in desperation. In the end we read how God granted her petition and gave her a son, a son that she gave back to the Lord after he was weaned.

I don’t know about you, but I am desperate. I am desperate for God to move in my life, in my family, in my church. Sometimes I think that if God doesn’t move I will burst. Then I remember that His time is not my time and His ways are not my ways. So I try to be patient (not always very good) in my desperation, leaning hard on Him, listening for His voice for direction.

Are you a desperate woman, desperate for God? How is God working in your life through your desperation? Has there been a time in your life when you were desperate for God to do something and He answered your petition?

Let’s take a moment to thank Him for He is able to move in our desperation!

Check out more Word Filled Wednesdays here.

Blessings,

"I Love Your Presence"

Sunday night during worship, we sang "I love your presence."  For me, the sanctuary was filled with the presence of God and I was saturated by His presence.  It was so beautiful to see one of the men in church, who is a fairly new Christian, sing out on this song.  You knew he was thankful for the presence of God in his life.  What a change God has made in his life!

Lindell Cooley is the one I have heard sing this song.  Take a listen to this version.

 The chorus goes:
I love, I love, I love your presence,
I love, I love, I love your presence,
I love, I love, I love you Jesus,
I love, I love, I love your presence.

I am so very thankful for the presence of God in my life. 

Will you take a moment to thank God for His presence in your life?


Blessings,

Fasting

This year our church, along with many other churches across the world, is participating in 21 Days of Fasting.  We do this every year in January.  Throughout the year, we reap the benefits of the first of the year fast. 

Recently my husband taught on fasting during our mid-week Bible Study.  I wanted to share with you his teaching on this subject.

What is fasting?

•      Voluntarily refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.

•      Biblical fasting is also accompanied by extended times of prayer and seeking God.

•      Fasting also includes:

–     Medical fast.

–     Digestive cleansing fast

                  –     Diet fast

What are some of the reasons to fast?

•      To crucify the flesh

•      To seek God and draw close to Him.  Personal revival.

•      The need for guidance

•      The need of a breakthrough

•      Preparation for ministry

Biblical examples of fasting:

1.    Cornelius:  Acts 10:30-33 So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,  (31)  and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.  (32)  Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'  (33)  So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."

2.    Commissioning for Ministry: Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

3.    Direction/Guidance:  Nehemiah 1:4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.  2 Chronicles 20:3-4 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  (4)  So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.  Ezra 8:21; Esther 4:16

4.    Renewal/Revival:  Joel 1:14 Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.  Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly.

Fasting is definitely not easy and it is not supposed to be.  Fasting is crucifying our flesh so that we can better hear the voice of God.  Fasting is getting us lined up with God.  A friend of mine is fasting because she needs direction and guidance in her life.  She is believing that through this fast, God will specifically speak to her about certain things in her life.   

During this fast, may my flesh be crucified so that I can hear what the Spirit is speaking to me, may I get the heart of God and may I better walk in the power of God during 2011.

What are your “Steps of Faith” for fasting this year?

Blessings,

Conference on Communication

Today I attended a conference on communication through my job. It was absolutely fabulous! I could have sat there all day and come back for another day.

The conference was through star12 and featured Dr. Kimberly Ventus-Darks. I left the conference excited about implementing what I had learned into both my personal and professional life. If you ever get an opportunity to hear her, please take advantage of it. You will be so glad you did!

She made a few statements, one I had heard before and two others I had not. They are:

• If you always do what you have always done, then you will always get what you have always got!!!



• If you want something that you have never had then you need to do something you have never done!


• If you always think the way that you have always thought then you will always get what you have always got!!

Some other points she made that really stood out to me include:

She also talked about asking. I am going to write something on this in the next few days. I feel it swirling around in my mind and can’t wait to get it down on paper.

We look at people based on their maturity, not their age.  (They could be 50 years old but act like a 20 year old.)

I like this one –

Everything you say you should do, is exactly what you should do. Undone should become I wish I would.

If we like ourselves more, we won’t be impressed with others.  (This is one that I have struggled with. Growing up, pastor’s wives always sang and played the piano. I do not do either one. In fact, when my husband was traveling as an evangelist, someone asked me one time - what do you do? I have to accept who I am and all that God has created me to be and not be concerned with what I do not have or cannot do.)

If you don’t speak up, you lose your rights to complain!

When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.

I am who I say I am.  (Don’t allow people to say who you are.)

Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

Donna

 

God is Able!

This past Sunday night, my husband preached on Ephesians 3:20-21:

Ephesians 3:20-21 (New King James Version)

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

I like how the New King James says it - exceedingly abundantly above all!  How awesome is that!

Two things I want to point out.  We need to change our thinking to grab hold of this scripture and we can not doubt.

We had a wonderful service Sunday night and the Lord really ministered to everyone.  I was encouraged.  We are having car issues and the Lord reminded me that He is able!  A lady in my church has been without a job for over 1 1/2 years.  The Lord reminded me that He is able!  A friend is about to loose her job in a few weeks.  He reminded me that He is able!  We have things going on at church and He reminded me that He is able!  I don't know how these things are going to take place, but I do know that my God is able!

I want to remind you today that if your situation or circumstance seems hopeless, God is able!  If you have a financial need, God is able!  When we think something is impossible, God is able!  If you need a miracle, God is able!

GOD IS ABLE!


Check out more Word Filled Wednesdays here.

Blessings,

Scriptures on Kindness

This week we have talked about kindness.  On this last day, I wanted to share a few scripture with you that talks about kind and kindness.


Ruth 3:10
Then he said, “Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.

2 Samuel 9:1
Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Job 6:14
“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

Psalm 31:21
Blessed be the LORD,For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!

Psalm 117:2
For His merciful kindness is great toward us,And the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!

Psalm 119:76
Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,According to Your word to Your servant.

Psalm 141:5
Let the righteous strike me;It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.

Proverbs 19:22
What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.

Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

Acts 28:2
And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

Ephesians 2:7
that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

I pray that you have had a good week.  May we all continue to take steps up in our walk with God to better become a Woman of Kindness.

Blessings,

Acts of Kindness

As we continue our study of kindness, let’s look to people in the Old and New Testament that exhibited kindness.


2 Kings 4:8-10
In the Old Testament, the Shunammite woman was someone who noticed the prophet Elisha passing by her house with place to sleep or eat. Elizabeth George writes in her book A Woman’s Walk with God that “kindness went into action as she persuaded him to eat food. As she cared and thought and noticed, she soon realized that he had no other place to stay.” Acting on her concern she asked her husband to make a little room for him to stay in. “This woman’s eyes were open, and so was her heart and her home. In her kindness, she noticed Elisha’s needs.”

Acts 9:36
In the New Testament, Dorcas was someone who noticed people’s needs. She is described as a woman “abounding with deeds of kindness and charity” which included sewing garments for the widows. Elizabeth George writes “What had Dorcas seen with her eyes and heard with her ears? She had noticed that the widows needed clothes – and she acted.”


Ms. George writes of a story that Anne Ortlund shares in her book Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman that shows us a woman who walks in kindness. This story is a great example for us to follow.

“Mrs. Ortlund writes of “a Hawaiian woman who strings a number of leis early each Sunday morning, not for anyone in particular! Then she goes to church praying ‘Lord, who needs my leis today? A new comer? Someone discouraged. Lead me to the right people.’”

“Yes, this is clearly a picture of kindness – a person filled with God’s love going out looking; kindness planning to do something; kindness keeping a keen eye out and noticing others; kindness actively seeking those who are in need.”

What are some ways that you have been on the receiving end of (random) acts of kindness? Take a moment to jot down some examples. Once you start thinking about it and writing them down, you will realize how much you are on the receiving end.

An example for me is someone holding the elevator door. I work in a building with 25 floors and sometimes I can have a long wait for an elevator. I always express my appreciation to the person for waiting on me. Another similar example is someone holding a door for you. Continuing with my work, something else would be when someone offers to help me with a task when they see I am crunched for time. Our copier/printer is on the other side of the floor from my desk. We all tend to print stuff and not pick it up right away. Sometimes people will bring my documents to me and sometimes I will take people their documents. I always aim to show my appreciation. And I always try to extend the same kindness to others around me. I think it is very important for us to show our appreciation for shown kindness.

A lady in our church bakes a variety of cookies for us every year at Christmas time. Her cookies are delicious and we all enjoy them.

A couple in our church has a son that plays football with my son. They are always willing to help us with picking up or bringing home Stephen when we are not able to be at practice.

I have asked this question every day this week and will ask it again. What will it take for you to step up in your relationship with God to better become a Woman of Kindness?

Let’s live a lifestyle of kindness.

Let’s pray. Father, I thank You for those that show kindness to me in so many different ways. They are such a blessing to me and my family. I ask You to help me to live a lifestyle of kindness and to better become a Woman of Kindness. I ask You to help me learn to be concerned about those around me and to be aware of their situations and circumstances. Help me to notice others just as Dorcas noticed the widows. Thank You Father for all that You do. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,