HE Is My SAVIOR

Lately I have been thinking about all the LORD has done for me since I accepted JESUS as my SAVIOR. HE has changed my life in ways that most people don't even know. JESUS is the best gift I ever received. I know this is kind of cliche but...JESUS is the gift that keeps on giving! There is no one, or nothing else like HIM! I love HIM more and more..everyday!

This past Christmas I received a calender called...LETTERS TO  GOD. I absolutely love this calender! Today's page says this...

In you...the LORD has done a mighty work.

  Through you...HE will do mighty things for others.

In you...the LORD has placed HIS light.

   Through you...HE will give HIS light to others.

In you...the LORD lives a vibrant life.

    Through you...the LORD will share HIS life with others.

Just like this says...the LORD has done a mighty work in my life...infused my life with HIS light and...lives vibrantly in me. My prayer is...that I allow HIM to live vibrantly in me, every day,  so that others will want to know JESUS as their SAVIOR too. HE is the one that lights up the dark places in my life and gives me what I need each day.

HE is my rock.

HE is my strength.

HE is my shelter.

HE is my comforter.

HE is my helper.

HE is my deliverer.

HE is my friend.

HE is so many more things that I can't even list them all. But...most of all HE is my SAVIOR and my soon coming KING!!!

What about you? Have you taken that leap of faith and accepted JESUS as your SAVIOR? If not, why don't you give JESUS a try. HE loves you so much and is just waiting for you to reach out and ask HIM to come into your life. You won't ever be sorry you did.

If JESUS is your SAVIOR, what does HE mean to you? Has HE done a mighty work in your life? Is HE the best thing that ever happened to you? If that's the case, take a leap of faith and pray that you will have the chance to tell someone about HIM today. Then when that chance presents itself...go for it! Let them see HIS light in you and share HIS life with them.

John 8:12

"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

Linking today with Tracy.

The Fiery Furnace

At a life group meeting Thursday night we heard, and read, the story about King Nebuchadnezzar and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  You can read the story in Daniel 3. The synopsis is this...

The King had a 90 foot gold statue made and then issued a decree. The decree said that when you hear the sound of all the musical instruments you were to bow to the ground to worship the statue the King had set up. Anyone that refused would be thrown into a blazing furnace. Well, it seems that not everyone obeyed.The astrologers of the city went to the King and told him that some of the Jews weren't paying attention to what the King had ordered. They were speaking of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This news made the King really mad...furious in fact! So Nebuchadnezzar said if they didn't worship the idol he would have them thrown into the fiery furnace immediately! Basically, the three of them didn't care. They told the King no. If you throw us in we know our GOD is able to save us. But even if GOD chooses not to they would not serve the King's god or bow to idols. So...Nebuchadnezzar had the men tied up, then had the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal and told the soldiers to throw them in. It was so hot the soldiers died and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fell in.

In my thoughts, what happened next was amazing.

As the King was watching he saw four men walking around in the fire...and they weren't tied up any longer! Nebuchadnezzar even said that the fourth looked like a son of the gods. He immediately told them to come out of the furnace. When they did their clothes weren't even scorched a little and they didn't smell of smoke. The King was so amazed by all of this that he issued another decree. Nebuchadnezzar ordered that no one worship any other GOD than the one that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego worship. If they did they would be killed and their houses turned to rubble.

WOW! What a turn around that King had. From worshiping idols to only worshiping the one true GOD...our GOD!

You know, I used to hear these stories from the bible and think of them as just that...stories! In reality they are not stories. These are real life events, of real people, that used to walk this earth just like you and I. Just like the people the bible tells us about, we all have our own life experiences. Now, I don't know of anyone of us that has ever been thrown into a furnace but we have lived through many other things. Just as we learn from the things in our lives, and the lives of those around us, we can learn from the lives of those that lived before us. This is one thing I took away from the story...

GOD is working for us. Everyday people are telling us to do things. Things that may be contrary to what we should do. GOD has a specific purpose for everyone of our lives and satan doesn't want us to fulfill that purpose. satan will do anything he can to keep us from living to the full potential that GOD has planned for our lives. Are we going to let him win? satan will use whomever he can to stop us from fulfilling our destiny that the LORD has planned for us. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to the idol, we have to refuse to bow to the demands of others if they don't line up with GOD'S will for our lives. Just like Nebuchadnezzar they may get furious. They might not have a fiery furnace to throw us into but they can do other things to us...if we let them. We just have to be strong and tell them that we are going to do what the LORD our GOD wants us to do. Don't bow to their demands...decrees that they set before us. Then, just like the three men we are talking about here...the LORD will be walking around with us and HE won't let us get burned no matter how hot the fire gets!

I like this verse. Obviously because I use it a lot...

Deuteronomy 31:6

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Read the account of this part of these three men's lives. It is really a great miracle of GOD! I like the last line in the chapter...

Daniel 3:29

..... There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

Genesis 22 - The Sacrifice

This year I decided to start reading the Bible from the beginning. The last time I did that I was a kid and I wanted to win a prize. I really didn't get anything out of it though because GOD didn't mean anything to me. Now however, it's a whole different story. GOD has changed my life and I need to read how HE worked in the lives of all the people in the whole Bible not just the New Testament. It's kind of a slow read for me because I like to read the study notes too. What I have found so far is...all the Bible stories I heard as a kid have a lot more in them than I ever thought. Maybe I just didn't listen, or read, very carefully back then! So here is one thing that really stuck out to me so far. Actually two things...

Abraham was a man of great faith. I must have heard at least 100 times how GOD told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. It always amazed me how Abraham didn't even argue with GOD. He just got up the next day, saddled up the donkey, got a couple servants and his son Isaac, chopped some wood for the fire, then set out for the place GOD told him to go. Now, had it been me, GOD would have had an argument on HIS hands. But, old Abraham he had faith. He knew GOD would supply another sacrifice. The part I never heard before was this...verse 5 in the story.

5“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

This is out of The New Living Translation but I looked it up in a few others and they all say this..."we" will come right back. That's the part I never heard before. Isn't that just soooo cool?!!! Abraham knew...beyond the shadow of "any" doubt...that the LORD was going to supply another sacrifice. Abraham had faith...amazing faith...what I call a "great faith"! But, can you imagine being his son? Now it doesn't say, but I bet that Isaac was a bit scared. After all, he was just a kid. He said to Abraham...

7b“We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” 

I believe that Abraham didn't even hesitate when he answered him and said...

8a“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,”

But, when they got to the place GOD had told him to go, Abraham built the alter, placed the wood on it that Isaac had to carry, then tied him up and placed him on the alter on top of the wood. Not only was Isaac going to be the sacrifice but he had to carry the wood he was going to be sacrificed on. Hmmm...just like JESUS had to carry HIS own cross that HE was going to be sacrificed on for us! That was something else that jumped out at me! Then what happens next is amazing...

¹⁰ And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. ¹¹ At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

   “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”

 ¹² “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

 ¹³ Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. ¹⁴ Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the LORD will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

Not only does this passage show the great faith of Abraham but also it's like reading about the sacrifice of JESUS...GOD'S only SON.

As a kid...and even as an adult before I was saved...I never got any of this! Isn't it amazing how your eyes...and ears...are opened once you give your heart to JESUS?! I'm glad I listened and started reading from the beginning. I'm thinking GOD has a lot for me to learn this year.

Linking up with Tracy today for Winsome Wednesday!

Psalms 113

Lift the name of JESUS high...Oh how we need to do that today! If we will only lift HIS name high above all else. That's what HE longs for us to do. It doesn't matter if we feel like it or not. Praising HIM is what we should do above all else! Do you need a touch from HIM today? Are you sick...lonely...depressed...just plain broken in spirit? Then lift HIS name up! Call on HIM...worship HIM...praise HIM! HE is worthy of all of our praise...our adoration. Pay honor to the ONE who gave you life today!

Psalm 113

 ¹ Praise the LORD!    Yes, give praise, O servants of the LORD.
      Praise the name of the LORD!
 ² Blessed be the name of the LORD
      now and forever.
 ³ Everywhere—from east to west—
      praise the name of the LORD.
 ⁴ For the LORD is high above the nations;
      his glory is higher than the heavens

GOD'S ANSWER TO SATAN

Today is a great day. It's the LORD'S day! The day that we meet together in the House of the LORD and worship HIM!

It's also an exciting day for me because I have a guest writer on my blog. You may remember that some weeks ago I asked you to pray for a friend. His name is Wayne and back in November he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Wayne is truly a man of GOD and puts his faith and trust in HIM. Wayne has a great attitude about this time in his life and says that, "No matter what, he will praise the LORD." Wayne said "he will praise HIM here if he is healed or he will praise HIM in Heaven if he's not healed."

Family and friends alike are praying for a miracle from our LORD. Here is a note from Wayne...

GOD’S ANSWER TO SATAN

The other morning before I was completely awake kind of in that in between time, I had a dream or what I believe was a vision or word from God and this was it.

Satan was before GOD telling Him to ignore all those prayers people were sending up for healing on behalf of Wayne Root. He said “And the reason is GOD, he belongs to me! All you have to do is just look back at his life and you will see all the times that I tempted him and he failed. He has broken most, if not all, of your commandments.” Then GOD said “Before you go any further let me check in my SON’S Book of Life. NO he does not belong to you his name is written right here!” Satan said “That can’t be right. Just look back at his life. He can’t be in the book. So GOD did look back at his life. GOD said “All I see is a life that is pure and free from sin. He belongs to ME. He was bought and paid for by the blood of my SON.”

Here is an update on where we are at. Had my first infusion of chemo on Friday and will continue for a couple of more treatments and then on to combo of radiation and chemo. We know that no matter what God is in control.

I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued prayer and support for me during this time.

Love in Christ………..Wayne Root

You are all welcome to send your prayers and comments here to Wayne and his wife Marge. I will send them on to them.

The LORD My Rock

It seems that whenever I make a choice to do something to draw closer in my journey with the LORD all kinds of things start happening...usually not good. This week I did something that is very hard for me...but found after a bit that I enjoyed myself. I even decided that I was going to continue doing it...and then I met with all kinds of opposition. GOD is good though and it didn't ruin my night. Then this morning I started a new year long devotional, Choosing Joy by Angela Thomas. Since I am behind...because I just bought it...I did a whole week this morning. I'm thinking that this book is great and I should really learn a lot from it. Lots of scriptures and she asks questions that make me think. Good devotion time. Then it was time to take my puppy Bear to get his shots. Well, while going downstairs to leave somehow I missed the last three steps and fell...landed on my right knee, wrist and yes...even my head hit the floor! When I was finally able to move again it was off to the vet. It's a big office with lots of rooms but guess where they stuck me. The same room where just 8 weeks ago I said good bye to Zach my Cocker Spaniel. So, I'm thinking about all of this and I have decided this...

1 Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

These are all small things and I will not let any of this get me down. When bigger trials come, as I'm sure they will, I am still going to continue in my journey this year to draw closer to the LORD. Nothing that happens is going to deter me. I may have a setback or two but I am determined to accomplish what the LORD wants me to accomplish this year. HE has a plan for my life and I need to do what HE wants me to do. There may be attacks and trials but the LORD will see me through them.

How about you. Is He talking to you about changes you need to make in your life this year? Do you need to draw closer to the LORD? Has HE put things in your path that will help you to draw closer to HIM? If HE has, be sure to stay as close as you can. Draw on HIM for the strength you will need to accomplish what HE has set before you. As long as we stay close to HIM we have nothing to fear.

Psalm 18:2

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
      my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
   He is my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.

Remember to always praise HIM for everything...even when life happens! Prayer and praise keep us close to the LORD. HE is the one who gives us strength for the journey.

Exodus 15:2

The LORD is my strength and my song;
      he has given me victory.
   This is my God, and I will praise him—
      my father’s God, and I will exalt him!

"Church People"

Today I'm writing a post that is for those that might not be "really" living like they should be. Maybe they accepted JESUS as their Savior at one time but since haven't really been as close to HIM as they should be. They know all the right things to say and do but they just don't have that peace about things. The peace that you only get when you "truly" know JESUS as your Savior and you live for HIM above all else.

All my life I went to church and I was around "church people," some Christians and some not...like me. I was raised in a Christian home by great loving parents but I didn't follow in the way I was taught. I was one of those "church people."  The point is, I thought I "knew" all there was to know about GOD, but I didn't "know" GOD. I didn't know JESUS as my Savior but I did "know" that HE was real. I told everyone that I was okay, while knowing in my head that I didn't really have peace about where I would go when I died. I would see Christian family or friends get sick, lose jobs, whatever...and still have that amazing peace that I couldn't understand. Then one day...almost 4 1/2 yrs ago...HE got my attention and life has changed dramatically. There are times when I still don't get it and times I mess up. But, I can say that I have that peace that I never understood before. Now I not only "know" about GOD...I "know" GOD. Best of all...I "truly" know JESUS as my Savior and I am not just one of those "church people." I know it in my heart, not my head. Because of that, when life happens to me or someone I love, there is someone I can turn to...

HIS name is JESUS and HE is waiting for you to stop being someone who just "knows" about GOD. HE is waiting for you to really come to "know" HIM like you were taught. Sometimes it's a long road back to where you "know" you need to be, but it's worth it when you finally get there. You will finally have that peace that you never could find before. HE loves you so much. HE wants to be with you and help you through all the things life throws at you. When you don't understand why things happen...JESUS is there for you. When you are lying in bed alone at night afraid of what you have to face tomorrow...JESUS is there for you. When you just can't stop the tears and there is no one to hold you...JESUS is there for you. Any thing...any time...any place when something goes wrong...JESUS is there for you. HE loves you!

Maybe the LORD had me write this post for you. If that's the case...don't let another moment go by without letting JESUS change your life. No matter what problems you have, or what kind of battles you are fighting right now...HE can help you through them. JESUS will give you peace about the situations you find yourself in. Peace that surpasses anything you have ever known. Talk to HIM right now. Tell HIM you're sorry for living for yourself instead of HIM. Ask HIM to forgive you. Then just say...JESUS...please make yourself real to me. Come into my heart and give me peace. Help me to live only for YOU. Then lay down and rest in peace tonight knowing that JESUS is your Savior!

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

1 John 5:11-12

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

John 1:12

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."

Exalt HIM Today

Sitting down to read a few scriptures before work I turned to some things I have "flagged" in my Bible. Chapter 18 in Psalms is a good one. I have many verses in that chapter highlighted. These are the ones that kind of jumped out at me this morning...

Psalm 18:32

It is God who arms me with strength
   and makes my way perfect.

Psalm 18:39

You armed me with strength for battle;
   you made my adversaries bow at my feet.

Psalm 18:46

The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock!
      May the God of my salvation be exalted!

No matter what we are going to do today...GOD is with us and will give us all the strength we need in our journey. HE will hold us up. We all have battles to face...some just bigger than others. Let HIM help you fight your battle today. Then whatever your adversary is, the LORD will help you to conquer it. We are strong because of HIM...JESUS the one who lives inside of us. The LORD is our ROCK. We need to give praise to HIM today! Exalt HIM in all that we do! Glorify HIS name because HE is worthy to be praised!

Praise HIM

 Wherever you find yourself today...Give thanks and praise to the LORD. HE is worthy!

 

 Psalm 100

 Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!
     Worship the LORD with gladness.
      Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
      He made us, and we are his.
      We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
      go into his courts with praise.
      Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good.
      His unfailing love continues forever,
      and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalm 47

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
         Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

This is a chorus we always sang in church after reading these verses;

Clap your hands all ye people

Shout unto GOD with the voice of triumph

Praise HIM, Praise HIM

Shout unto GOD with the voice of praise!!

Hosanna, Hosanna shout unto GOD with the voice of triumph

Praise HIM, Praise HIM, shout unto GOD with the voice of praise

Today is the Lord's day. Give HIM praise and worship all day long.

HE is worthy of our praise!

JESUS Is The Answer

Matthew 8:23-27

²³ Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. ²⁴ Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

 ²⁶ Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

 ²⁷ The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Why is it that so many times we feel like the disciples did. Have you ever thought you were not going to make it when something big hit...or what you perceive as big! If so did you say something like..."Lord save us! We're going to drown!"? I know I have been there before...feeling alone and afraid on my own little storm tossed sea of life! Well, I have got good news for you. No matter how big you perceive the storm to be remember these things.

We have small faith sometimes...but GOD is faithful!

We feel all alone sometimes...but He will never leave us or forsake us!

We feel like the darkness is starting to swallow us up...but JESUS is the light that never sleeps!

We pray that our situation would change quickly...but be still and "know" that HE is GOD!

JESUS is the answer for all of our storm tossed seas in life. There is nothing HE is not in control of. If we really believe this we can have that deep peace in our lives that only HE can give.

JESUS whispers sweet peace to our souls. All that is required of us is that we be listening for HIS voice so we can hear HIM. HE is the Peace that passeth all understanding!

Philippians 4:7

⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Absolutely Smothered!

Dear One (insert your name) Dear Chelle
I am as close as your next breath. You are covered every moment by a blanket of MY love.
GOD

Can't you just hear HIM saying that? HE is that close to us you know...Every second of Everyday. And then to think that we are covered by HIS love. When I think of being covered by HIS love I think of being...smothered in HIS love! When HE covers us with HIS blanket of love it's as if HE is draping HIS peace over us...absolutely smothering us with HIS love and peace. Is that not the best news you have heard today?!! 

As I told you a few posts ago, the LORD just keeps bringing thoughts to me, and showing me scriptures, about peace. In our world today...yours and mine...we all need to feel HIS peace. The scripture that I have for peace today is a good one.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There are some things we go through in life that we just aren't sure if we will see the light at the end of the tunnel. As a Christian you have to remember this...JESUS is the light before you even get in the tunnel...at the beginning...the middle...and the end. In fact, JESUS lights up the whole tunnel so you don't ever have to be in the dark...or wonder if you will ever see the light at the end! I believe what we need to have is an overwhelming dose of HIS love...HIS everlasting peace...and HIS abundant joy! When the LORD fills you with HIS love...peace...joy...what is it that happens to you? You overflow with Hope! Is there any of you that doesn't need hope today? I think not!! Hope is something we can all use for the situations in our lives that just seem to devour us sometimes. So today, if you will only trust in the LORD, HE will overflow your soul with love and peace and joy...absolutely smother you with it!

How much more secure can you possibly feel than to not only be covered by HIS blanket of love but to also be draped with HIS peace?! From my perspective...it just can't get any better than that in this lifetime!!

At Your Feet

Dear Lord Jesus we come just now

Before Your throne we humbly bow

Take our lives and help us see

The ones that we were meant to be

Down at Your feet we kneel today

In praise and worship oh hear us pray

Thank You Lord for all you've done

You cleansed our hearts and made us one

You died for us upon that tree
You did all that so we could see
You are the Lord our soon coming King
You are the Master Lord over everything

Thank You Jesus for saving our souls
For healing our hearts and making us whole
You cleansed us with Your crimson blood
Your love came in and overflowed like a flood

Praise You JESUS Praise You now
At Your feet we humbly bow

His Peace

Isaiah 26:3-4

Amplified Bible (AMP)

³You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

    ⁴So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

It seems that the Lord keeps talking with me about peace lately...HIS peace. Sometimes it's hard for us to have peace with all the stuff that goes on around us and with us. But...we can always have an inner peace if we keep focusing on JESUS and all that HE means. HE is our Rock and we can lean on HIM no matter what.

One passage of scripture that speaks peace to me is...

Psalm 23

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹ The LORD is my shepherd;
      I have all that I need.
 ² He lets me rest in green meadows;
      he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    ³ He renews my strength.
   He guides me along right paths,
      bringing honor to his name.
 ⁴ Even when I walk
      through the darkest valley,^[a]
   I will not be afraid,
      for you are close beside me.
   Your rod and your staff
      protect and comfort me.
 ⁵ You prepare a feast for me
      in the presence of my enemies.
   You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
      My cup overflows with blessings.
 ⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
      all the days of my life,
   and I will live in the house of the LORD
      forever.

Have A Good Day

JESUS said in John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."

What this is saying to me today is this...

Go into your world and have a great day! All of our worlds are different. Mine is at a place of work. That's where yours might also be. But, it may just be home, or visiting friends, or on a trip...wherever, make it a good day. 

This verse means that because we are His we will have peace...our souls will have peace. Our life in this world may not. It may be filled with troubles and struggles. However it is important to realize that we should not give into the fear that comes with our problems. For me that's not always an easy thing...satan knows that about me. So I need to be careful about remembering this verse at all times. Because of JESUS I have nothing to fear about anything. He will always be there to take care of us...me and you...and will never leave our sides.

Deuteronomy 31:6

"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Linking up with Tracy today.

Wonderful Peace

This came from my calender Letters To God. I'm sharing it because there are others out there besides me that could use a little peace. The kind of peace only He can give.

Dear One,

My heart for you is peace today,

and I am with you to give you

my peace no matter the circumstances.

GOD

Which of us could not use peace in our lives everyday? Many times throughout the day I pray for friends and family. One thing I always ask for is that the Lord would give them His peace because I know how important that is...I need it myself many times throughout the day. If we have the peace of the Lord in our heart and soul it's just easier to get through our days.

John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."

Jesus...just whispering His name brings us peace. A sweet gift that He alone can give us. When you are in the midst of things that are just plainly "difficult situations" the peace of Jesus can comfort you like nothing else can. We don't need to be fearful of anything. Once we turn things over to Him, and ask for His peace to fill our hearts, we can lay down and sleep it night.

There's a song that comes to mind right now. It's an old hymn. I believe it's called Wonderful Peace written by W. G. Cooper. There are more verses but these are the ones that I remember best and that really speak to my soul tonight. I pray they speak to yours as well. Rest well tonight in the peace of Jesus!

Chorus

Peace, peace, wonderful peace
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

Verses 

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm
In celestial like strains it unceasingly falls
O'er my soul like an infinite calm
 

I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace
Resting sweetly in Jesus' control
For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day
And His glory is flooding my soul!

HE is Mighty

Zephaniah 3:17 King James

17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing

New Living

17 For the Lord your God is living among you.
      He is a mighty savior.
   He will take delight in you with gladness.
      With his love, he will calm all your fears.
      He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

This morning I woke Up thinking about this verse for the second time in just a few days. It's a powerful verse. It tells me that no matter what we may encounter today...The Lord is with us! Isn't that exciting? He is among us...with us...every step of our day no matter what we are facing. He rejoices in us...you and me...Wow! All we have to do is just rest in Him because He is here...right here...with us, taking care of us and watching over us. He will calm all our fears...right now...we just have to give them to Him.

If Jesus lives in our hearts we have nothing to fear. Satan will try to get in and make us fearful but remember this...satan is a liar! satan comes to kill, steal and destroy. satan wants to steal your joy...your peace...your song! Don't let him do that. Be strong in the Lord today. Stand up to the liar and tell him to get behind you. Stand on the word of the Lord and His truth.

Jesus loves you today and forever. Praise His name!!

Battle Of Fear

1 Peter 5:8

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

All day, everyday, satan would like nothing better than to take you out. If he can't do that he wants to, at the very least, ruin your day. When satan attacks we need to fight back with everything we've got in us. We can't let him win. The best thing is to tell him...in the name of Jesus...to get away from you. Put him under your foot and "grind" him into the ground! Sometimes I fail at this. Today was one of those times. 

Sometimes when I get to church I just want to turn around and leave. This incredible fear comes over me and it's hard to even breathe. That happened today as soon as I pulled in the parking lot. When I got inside I just wanted to run out but at the same time...I knew I had to stay. Giving in to fear is like letting the "darkness" overtake you. Once you do that he, the "darkness", will just keep coming back over and over again until he eventually wins. I don't want that to happen ever again in my life. The "light of Jesus" is all I ever want to take root in my life. So, I sat there squirming around like a kid. It's crazy but whenever this happens I retreat into myself just like before I was a Christian. Then, as soon as service was over...I could breathe normally. I had already decided I was staying for the second service because satan was not going to win this battle. For me, that was the...putting him under my foot and "grinding" him into the ground!! The fear that had pretty much enveloped me started leaving. By the time worship started I knew if I would just praise and worship the Lord everything would be okay. So, we had praise and worship and it started getting brighter...then prayer and I felt almost normal...then by the sermon...the "light" was shining again! 

The whole point of telling you this is to say...

When satan attacks...and you know he will...don't give in. Fight back even if you think you aren't going to make it. The Lord will see you through because He doesn't want you to loose. He is on your side all the way.

My battle today was a battle I have had many times. Satan knows that in the past he has controlled me with fear. In fact for my whole life that is how he did it. But for me...I have determined that satan will not control me with that any longer. Oh yes...he's going to try, but he's not going to win. What is satan trying to control you with today? Whatever it is...fight back! Do what "you know" you have to do to beat satan at his own game. The Lord is so much stronger than he is. Satan is a liar. Jesus is your protector...defender...strength...shield...strong tower. He is mighty...powerful...and loving!

JESUS loves you so much. Let Him help you fight today! With JESUS you can win!

JESUS...HE Got A Hold

Since getting a puppy...his name is Bear...I have spent a lot of time outside at all hours of the day and night.  First thing this morning I walked out and found it had snowed. It was just enough to lightly cover everything in a blanket of white. Beautiful. It makes me think of how when Jesus comes into our lives He takes our sins and makes them white as snow.

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let’s settle this,”
      says the Lord.
   “Though your sins are like scarlet,
      I will make them as white as snow.
   Though they are red like crimson,
      I will make them as white as wool.

I praise Him today that when Jesus comes into our hearts He makes us new. He changes us form the inside out. Not only does He change our hearts but He changes the way we think...feel...love...and see things. For me all of those things were a negative but now, most of the time, I am on the positive side of life. 

A little song came to mind this morning while I was talking with the Lord. Really it's how it is and I love it! It's called...JESUS Got A Hold Of My Life...and I praise Him and thank Him for it!!

Jesus got a hold of my life

And He won't let me go

Jesus got into my heart

Got into my soul

I use to be o' so sad

But now I'm just free and glad

Jesus got a hold of my life

And He won't let me go

 

Sometimes I remember when I use to be living in sin

I tried to act happy and free but I wasn't within

I fooled a lot of friends of mine

They thought I had some peace of mind

But I never had a thing until I opened up and let Jesus in

If your life is a mess, and everything seems to be on the negative side for you, why don't you call out to JESUS today. I tried all kinds of things to make me happy...to find peace...to calm the fears...nothing worked. Drugs and alcohol only work while your high...eventually you come back to reality. But with JESUS...HE works all the time. HE helps you through the tough times of life and gets you to the other side.

Let JESUS get a hold of your life today!

HE Never Fails

Tonight I just have a few scriptures I would like to share with you. These are some of my favorites. I have them taped to my monitor at work for when I need a little encouragement. My encouragement to you tonight is to just be strong in the Lord. He is there with you and for you. He is ready...willing... and able to fight your battles for you if you will just turn them over to HIM. He loves you and cares for you more than any one else ever could. Lean into HIM and rest tonight.

Isaiah 41:10

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
      Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
   I will strengthen you and help you.
      I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 26:4

Trust in the Lord always,
      for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Deuteronomy 31:6

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me the right path, O Lord;
      point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
      for you are the God who saves me.
      All day long I put my hope in you

HE Is Worthy

Thou art worthy

of the glory

and the honor

As I lay myself before Your throne

I worship you

and you alone

You created the stars in the sky

Forever Thou art Worthy

This morning getting ready for work this song just came to mind. I haven't heard it for a long time so I'm sure some of the words are out of place and I know I don't remember all of them. But...I'm thinking the Lord gave me the ones He wanted me to remember this morning. I tried Google but just kept getting another song so decided to go with these.

Isn't it so cool when He just puts something in your thoughts...song...scripture..prayers...even people. I'm finding more and more He is doing this...and more and more...it's good with me. While visiting with someone very special to me last night she told me to read Psalms 27. So I read it out of NIV and knew that I had read it many times before and really liked it. But...I was thinking that in my NLT it was highlighted. So this morning I read it there. I absolutely love vs 7-8, 14.

Psalm 27:7-8, 14

 ⁷ Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
      Be merciful and answer me!
 ⁸ My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
      And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

 ¹⁴ Wait patiently for the Lord.
      Be brave and courageous.
      Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Then I continued reading other scriptures that are highlighted close by. I feel that I should share them this morning.

Psalm 28:7

⁷ The Lord is my strength and shield.
      I trust him with all my heart.
   He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
      I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalm 29:4

⁴ Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
      Praise his holy name.

What He's saying to me this morning is this...

We ( I ) need to talk with Him more. When we feel that tugging from Him at our heart, respond. He is waiting for us. We need Him so much through all the trials of this life and He is waiting to help us. Not to just get through them but to get through with "victory"! He is our strength through everything. He wants to protect us. He fills us with amazing strength and joy just when we need it.

Today remember to praise HIM regardless of your circumstance. Actually in spite of your circumstance!

HE loves us...Praise HIS Holy Name...JESUS

I love you LORD

Draw Near

Sitting at my computer this morning my heart keeps going back to one thing.

Draw near to GOD and HE will draw near to you.

Really...if we do that everything will be good in our lives. No...we won't get everything we want. GOD won't answer all of our prayers as quickly as we want HIM to and sometimes not the way we want HIM to. But, the truth is...we will be okay with that. In HIS WORD it says this;

Psalm 30:5b

Weeping may endure for a night,
         But joy comes in the morning.

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers, the flower fades,
      But the word of our God stands forever.”

The WORD...GOD'S WORD...that's what we stand on. Not what circumstance's make things look like. Not what man tells us. Not the thoughts that the devil puts in our minds. NO...what GOD'S word tells us.

I have a new puppy. He depends on me for everything. In short...I have become his new mommy. When we are Christians who do we depend on? The LORD. HE is our Daddy and we should be depending on HIM...HIS WORD and what HE says in it...for everything. HE is our strength, our strong tower. As the righteous we run to HIM and we are safe. HE will never leave us or forsake us. HE is our beacon in the night. HE is the calming voice in our storms. HE is our light in the middle of the night when we wake up and feel the "darkness" of our circumstances. HE is everything we need exactly when we need it. HE is our all and all.

2 Corinthians 12:9a

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
      The righteous run to it and are safe.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
         Whom shall I fear?
         The LORD is the strength of my life;
         Of whom shall I be afraid?

HE loves us more than we can ever imagine. If we want to feel HIS love more we just need to press into HIM. Draw near to HIM. Writing this right now I feel that I can't stress enough how important it is to press into HIM. Let the Lord wrap HIS arms around us and draw us close to HIM. We will never be the same again once we let HIM hold us close.

For me, I don't want to live one more moment on the edge of the Love of JESUS. I want to be, need to be, right in the middle of HIS Love. With HIS arms wrapped around me holding me tight. 

James 4:8a

Draw near to GOD and HE will draw near to you.

Intertwined

Another post that is difficult to write.

Intertwined ~ a word I never really had much use for...until I became a Christian. It's meaning is; connected...woven...braided...meshed...together. Even after giving my heart and life to Jesus I wasn't really sure I needed anything remotely like that. But you know...sometimes God has different plans than we do. I have become connected to a few people. I'm telling you this because this morning before church the thought came to me that as Christians we are intertwined together for a reason. I thought about it for a while and then kind of dismissed it. Sometimes if I ignore things the thoughts go away and I know that I don't need to write about it...it's just for me. Then other times God continues to talk to me about it later...and He did. This is basically what He said...

I...God...put people in your life for a reason and you in their life for a reason. As time goes on, and both people grow in that relationship, the reasons may change. But, because I have intertwined you...connected you...it still works. The relationship continues to grow in a different way...a stronger way. Sometimes the person that started out as the not so strong one...needs to step up and be everything I want them to be. You...(me)...may need to be the strong one in someway. Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone and live at a higher level than you have lived before. Do things and say things that you normally wouldn't do or say. Be first to let people know you love them. Quit holding back. Jesus changed you, and is transforming you, for a reason. Take a hold of Him and what He's done in your life and use it to help someone else...in what ever way they need you to. Put yourself out there for them. Be everything  I want you to be in whatever way they need.

Intertwined is the word that God used with me this morning. He told me that to be connected and intertwined with the people in my life was a good thing. He is the one that placed me there and He did it for a reason. Not just for me, but for them as well. He had a plan from the very beginning and I need to step into it and step up and step out of my comfort zone. Show love and caring in ways that may be hard for me. Be the first to give a hug...to say I love you when I feel it and not hold the words in. Send the note, or make the call, even when the devil tells me reasons why I shouldn't. Do what I feel and stop running from what my heart tells me to do or say. Leave the comfort zone behind and really be...

The hands and arms of Jesus...the feet of Jesus...have the compassion of Jesus...and most of all...show the Love of Jesus. Be what He made me to be. Emotion and feeling is a good thing. Use it.

John 15:17

This is what I command you: that you love one another.

A New Year

It's official, 2011 is in the books and 2012 is here just waiting for us to jump in. Whether we are ready or not we really don't have a choice. God has a plan for each of our lives and that plan will take place. We might not like it, but we know that whatever it is, it is the best plan for us.

I want to be...need to be...ready for whatever He has planned for me. How about you? Do you want to be ready for His plan? There will be things take place in my life that I'm going to like and there will be things that I'm not going to like. Some things will probably be easy and others I probably will fight all the way to the end. Regardless of the good, or the bad, I know this one thing for sure...The Lord will be with me every step, of everyday, through everything.

There is one thing that He keeps speaking to me the last couple of weeks...Draw close to ME. Closer than you ever have before. So, that is my goal for the New Year. I think if I can do that my faith will grow and I will be able to accept whatever His plan is for my life.

Tonight what I am thinking is this...

We need to...Be still and know that HE is GOD. No matter what, He won't leave you or I. He will be right beside us through it all. People are going to need my love and your love...my prayers and your prayers...my support and your support. We need to be there for them in whatever way they need us. We need to be the hands of Jesus...have the mind of Jesus...be His feet...and most of all...have His Heart! Love others like you never have before...give them a piece of you! About that, let me say this...

Comfort zone...you may have to step out of it. When you do that remember this. When you step out of your comfort zone you are stepping directly into the Lords will for your life. Let me break this down for you...

Out of your comfort zone...Into His will for your life. 

What better place is there to be than that? 

 

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

James 4:8a

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Matthew 11:30 

For My yoke is easy and my burden light.