Christ holds everything together!

Eph 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love

Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Isa 46:3b-4 Listen.. You who have been borne by Me from birth And have been carried from the womb;Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you

The Bible teaches that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and Christ hold all things together. God has carried His children from the womb, through all their trials, held them together until they are old, and grey and come home once again to Him.

Today Candy blogged about something I had never heard about. It was AMAZING and I immediately looked it up on Wikipedia!

There is a protein called Laminin that forms the substrate of all the internal organs. Laminin literally hold us together! Without it we could not "consist". Want to know what it looks like?

Behold the handiwork of the Lord!!

How great is our God!!!!

PS, for more, watch the video below!

He set me free!

How I love the precious, saving Word of God!!!

No matter what our circumstances in life. Whether we are in the place we want to be or not, through Jesus, we ARE free because Christ has set us free!!

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

One of my favorite songs....enjoy! :D




Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Prov 3:5-6,Phil 4:3)

Victory in Jesus my Saviour forever!!!!!

Today we visited the church I go to a women's Bible study. They meet in a warehouse. Wow. The people were nice and it was an amazing God-filled service! At the end of it, they had about 30-40 people that came up in a line one by one to give cardboard testimonies. That is, on one side of the cardboard they wrote what they WERE and on the other side what Christ has done in their lives - and what they are NOW. It was so moving. We were all applauding and in tears for each one.

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There was a woman who came up and held up a sign that said, :

"Prayed for my agnostic husband for 8 years"

then he came on stage put his arm around her and she flipped the sign. It said

"Together in Christ"
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A married couple came up together and held up a sign that said:

"Lost our son: died in 2006"

then they flipped it over and it said

"His 2 parents saved in 2006"
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There were people that held up signs telling of how the Lord conquered alcoholism, sexual abuse, churchy "judginess", relationships, healing of cancer, trust issues, eating disorders, ungodly relationships and more.

The flip sides all spoke of God's healing, and their new joy, peace and many time ministries that grew out of it.

I am still so touched. Praise the LORD for finding us a church home and praise Him for His work in all these lives!!!!!!

Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith!

Thoughts on the Beatitudes

The Lord led me to spend some time today in the Gospels. What a sweet time with the LORD! It is my favorite part of the day!!!

A few quick thoughts on the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5.

Romans 13:14 tells us to "put on" the Lord Jesus Christ. Clothing ourselves with Christ looks a lot like the beatitudes.

One reason the Pharisees disliked Christ so much was that they felt he relaxed their laws. Jesus actually raised the bar, rather than lowered it. BUT, He didn't raise it in works..He raised it in being.

~~~~

At first His sayings seem easier than Moses', but they are far more difficult and personally cost far more than Moses' ever could. Paul Washer points out that the law says to give God a day, Jesus says give every moment of your life (Rom 12:1)

The law said love thy neighbor and hate thy enemy but Jesus said to love both and bless them that curse you.

Matthew chapter 5 is full of comparisons of the old man under the law and the new man under the Spirit. Do we discard the law? No. Our standard is even a higher one.

Lord may every heartbeat of mine beat for you, for each beat that does not beat for your glory is apostate. I love you O LORD my strength!! (Psalm 18:1)

Meditations

I am just sitting here rejoice in this beautiful day God has given!!!! It is in the 60's and raining outside (which I LOVE!) I'm snuggled on the couch with a nice warm cup of green tea. A lamp is on to the right of me that is casting a cozy light. My Bible is open to Psalm 1 which the kids and I have been studying today. We are trying to bring everything in our lives in accordance with the 1st three verses of it.

Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

So for every book we have, for every game we play, for every thought we think, for the tv we watch, for the friends we have... is this walking in the council of the ungodly [tv, books and games, friends]? Is it walking the same way [doing or observing the same things/thoughts] as sinners? Is it scornful judging?

I let the boys begin to clean their 'lives' out according to their consciences. Some of my friends will chuckle here because we homeschool, spend much of our days in Bible study, the boys watch 1 hour of TV a WEEK and are fairly "sheltered" as to what they are exposed to. So what could they clean? Right?

On their own they actually ended up ridding our shelves of a few classics like Red Badge of Courage and The Three Musketeers (unabridged) because of the plethora of bad language that is contained within each page of these classics. We do not use this language or condone it. We don't listen to it on the radio or television, so why should a 10 and 11 year old read it again and again just because it is a "classic"? They were very thoughtful in their "cleaning" process, and are looking at their thoughts and attitudes as well as influences. My youngest even began evaluating his toys! We are adding these to our memory verses as one way we can "meditate on His law day and night." Isn't God wonderful???

You can hear the words of Psalm 1 (KJV) set to music here.

Life's Battles

There is nothing like the love of God in Christ Jesus. Nothing like it! There is nothing like the honor of spending my day at His feet and in His Word!

He is so faithful. I am blown away that He always enables me to accomplish what He would have me to for that day. Then, I wake up hungry - not for food, but for His presence! I cannot wait to talk to Him alone and hear Him speak to me through His beautiful, beautiful Word. It has to be the most incredible time of the day for me. Today I was reading in 2 Chronicles:

2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

Isn't this marvelous!? Not just for them, but for us! There are some battles in life that alone, I just don't have the strength to fight. But GOD does!

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Exodus 14:14)

Remember His 1st miracle - making wine at the wedding feast in Cana. He made more when there was no more. Likewise, He can give me more strength, more love, more patience when I have no more.

When I simply have run out of energy, I know no other place better to go then to His Word and to His arms.

May your day be very blessed!!

Ten Little Christians

This is a poem making its way around the internet. I personally would put the word "Christian" in quotes, as the Bible says that those that are truly born again will not fall away. The ones that claim to be Christian and fall away never were. (John 8:31, Col 1:23, Phil 1:6, 1 John 2:19)
That said, I really liked this poem.

Ten little Christians standing in a line,
One disliked the pastor, then there were nine.
Nine little Christians stayed up very late,
One slept in on Sunday, then there were eight.

Eight little Christians on their way to heaven,
One took the low road, then there were seven.
Seven little Christians chirping like chicks,
One disliked the music, then there were six.

Six little Christians seemed very much alive,
But one lost his interest, then there were five.
Five little Christians pulling for Heaven’s shore,
But one stopped to rest, then there were four.

Four little Christians, each busy as a bee,
One got her feelings hurt, then there were three.
Three little Christians knew what to do,
One joined the sports crowd, then there were two.

Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done,
Differed with each other, then there was one.
One little Christian can’t do much ’tis true;
Brought his friend to Bible study, then there were two.

Two earnest Christians, each won one more,
That doubled their number, then there were four.
Four sincere Christians worked early and late,
Each won another, then there were eight.

Eight little Christians, if they doubled as before,
In just a few short weeks, we’d have 1,024.
In this little jingle, there’s a lesson true,
You belong to the building, or the wrecking crew.

Author Unknown

Blown Away

Wow. Blessings upon blessings!!!! Today I went to my 1st group Bible study here in Maine - just in the next town over, and guess who my small group leader that I just met is? A wonderful stay at home mom that lives ...ok guess? Can't? I'll tell you. She lives just downstairs in MY APARTMENT BUILDING!!!!!! I am SO PSYCHED!!!!!!

I'm making muffins to bring downstairs as I type!! God is SO GOOD!!!!!! This makes two friends that are Christian sisters!!!! I always valued Christian friends and fellowship, but I tell ya, when there are not many Christians around at all, that makes them SO precious!! I knew that in my head, but never experienced it before.

I think we'll be visiting this church on Sunday. God just never ceases to blow me away!!
His mercies are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him!!!! (Lamentations 3:23-24)

Side note: Isn't it interesting that one of the most famous verses of encouragement and praise is found in the book of lamenting? And, isn't the praise created in trials some of our most precious praises? :D

PS: Posting the link to this real, down to earth free e-book by Wayne Jacobsen because I was inspired Tammy's encouraging comments on God's LOVE!! Thanks Tammy!

E-Book

Life Verses

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:

My mom pointed this verse out to me today as a type of verse that is a life verse. A life verse is something very personal that you pick for yourself. They really help keep one's focus on God and "the big picture" as well as give strength.

I have several life verses. LOL. I think you are only really supposed to have one, but SO MUCH of the Bible speaks to my heart! (Thankfully, I'm not this bad shopping!)

I had two verses that summed me up, and now I'm kidnapping this verse too! If you've read my blog for any length of time, I bet you can guess what at least 'one' of my life verses is! :D
"I love you O LORD my strength!" Psa 18:1.
This verse reminds me when I am weak that He is my strength. When I think I can't "do it", this reminds me that I act in God's strength, not my own, and He will accomplish His will for/in me.

My second life verse is Jeremiah 15:16: Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

That is just my heart. God's Word is the joy and rejoicing of my heart.

Now I've added this verse from Deu 30 to my life verses. I love the part where it says that 'God is my life'. Without Him, I would have none. Thanks Mom for pointing out that verse to me! I think this may be one of her life verses too.

If you don't have a life verse to get you through both good times and rough times, I'd encourage you to take the time to prayerfully find one (or two ;). I find myself often praying them or praising them. It really does make a difference!

The LORD lives!!!!

Sometimes God just rains blessings down from Heaven. He really does. Sometimes He uses circumstances, sometimes He uses people. He did that for our family today in a way that has blown us away and left us all teary eyed and speechless with thanksgiving and humbleness.

Psalms 97:12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness!!!!!!!!

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels!!!

Psalms 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

Psalms 96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable!

I just had to share this praise with you. The LORD is alive. He still works, and He still speaks and moves! Let no one convince you differently! I love you O LORD my strength!!

God still does miracles!

God still does miracles and provides oil for the lamp when there is not oil left. Story and photos after verses.

So she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. "For thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.'" So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.
(1Ki 17:12-15)

My LORD is so good!!!! Once again God did for me what He did for the widow here in Kings!
At the end of last week when we were due to get groceries again for the coming week, our fridge was pretty empty, yet we picked up just about 2 days worth. The LORD made that 2 days worth last the entire week!! We did not want for anything. There was no lack. Tonight I made burgers and tuna casserole and Challah (braided bread) and even though we were down to nothing, we all ate till we were stuffed and I filled TWO 'tupperware' containers with the left overs!

My LORD grows me each year, and makes my faith get richer and richer with each passing year. This is just another one of the "thanksgiving" memories that Jesus and I have made together. Hallelujah!

Homemade Braided Challah

This is the empty fridge that the Lord made last for a week. It somehow has about the same amount in it as 7 days ago.

This is the empty freezer. Again, not much less than 7 days ago.

Two containers of left over casserole

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is faithful, He is good. He never changes. I trust Him not only with my soul, but my life and each days events.

God is so good!

God has been SO wonderful to us!!!!!! We have lived in this state under a year and had still been looking for Christian friends. God has been so good in bringing a Christian couple into our lives that loves the Lord and walks the walk. They've really become like a brother and sister to us and isn't that so Biblical? We ARE truly brothers and sisters in Jesus. We are "blood" family through Christ!!

Psalm 37:4 says Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

How true! The longer I walk with God, the more He transforms my heart to desire the same thing He desires. This gift of friendship is among the greatest gift He could give.

Thank you Lord Jesus!! He IS faithful!!!!!

Correctly Dividing the Word of Truth

The Lord met me in His precious Word today and gave me a lesson about interpreting His Word. That is, making sure my interpretations of His Word are exact and guided by the Spirit and not myself.

Remember when Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil? I saw it differently tonight. Praise God!

Ok quick recap:

This is what God actually SAID:

.. Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
(Gen 2:16-17)


THIS is what Eve told the serpent God said (ie.Eve's personal Bible version if you will):

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
(Gen 3:2-3)

Notice Eve ADDS that God told her not to touch it, she ADDS the word 'fruit'. She TAKES AWAY the word "every" and "freely".

Then she tells the serpent that God says "LEST ye die". The Hebrew word translated as "lest" means peradventure or perhaps. Yet, God told her that she would surely die! He did not tell her "perhaps" she will die...perhaps she won't!

These seem like harmless changes. No real changes in the meaning...? Yet, these changes whether symptoms of her heart problem or not, resulted in her spiritual death and loss of paradise.

Oh that my heart may be right before God!!! That my fleshly desires not change the way I read God's Word! How thankful I am for His Spirit that abides in every believer that we might KNOW not only what God said, but what God meant! (John 14:26) It is no wonder the Holy Ghost is called the COMFORTER and/or the COUNCELOR.

Praise God, Praise God, Praise God for his loving-kindness is everlasting!!!!!

Heart to Heart

This entry will be a little different, because I feel like God has given me a burden to share this with someone tonight. Someone that needs to read it. Someone that needs to feel God tonight because they are feeling empty and rung out. My heart is breaking for them.

I love how even the hardest, most heart wrenching passages of Scripture encourage us! How loving, how compassionate of Him to leave His Word for us.

God has walked with me in some of the darkest tunnels. Sometimes I wondered if I would ever, ever see the "light" at the end of the tunnel. His Word always led me though, step by step it was a light to my feet and a lamp to my path.

There are so many verses of compassion and promises and encouragement. But we are also promised that in this world we WILL have tribulation (John 16:33) but He promises us to take heart because He has overcome the world. Life can be rough. Life following God can be rough. Life without Him would be unbearable though.

Here is the account of a few of the saints that followed God's path:

-Abraham had to leave everything - his family and all he had to go to a place unknown
-Jacob wrestled with God, was blessed and walked with a limp for the rest of his life because of it.
-Moses ended up in the desert for 40 years

-Ezekiel had to lie on his left side for 390 days to bear Isreal's sins and on the right side 40 days. (Eze 4:4-6) God killed his wife as an example to the nation and did not even allow him to mourn. (Eze 25:15-27)

-We know of Job..sweet Job.

-Paul's beatings, thorn in the flesh and imprisonments are well documented in the New Testament.

-Peter was said to have been crucified upside down because he didn't feel worthy to die in the same way His Lord did.

I could go on and on. But in the pages of His Word is a record of the mountains and the valleys His children before me traveled. He left it for me to learn from. You know what? Their suffering was never for nothing. If we are in Christ, ours is not either. That is one difference between the saved and the unsaved. The unsaved go through hardships too. Sicknesses, broken relationships, broken dreams, illnesses - but there is no promise that God will work it out for their good. That is only in Christ.

When we follow God's path, and encounter hardships and trials and suffering. It is not for nothing. God will use it to glorify Himself. He will work it for good in our lives (Rom 8:28-30) even when we don't see how.

Hold to His promises. He is worthy of our praise. He is holy and just and good.

Even if you don't feel Him beside you, He is there. Someone needs to know that tonight. He is there and He loves you. He is holding you. Let yourself feel His presence. Curl up on His lap and have a good cry on His shoulder. He is a wonderful listener. I should know. I've used His shoulder many times. Jesus and I have made many memories together walking rocky and thorny paths. You know what, He has always been faithful. Always guided me through, carried e when I could no longer walk and bandaged and healed my wounds on the other side. He is faithful. I promise.

I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. (Ps 40:1-3,5)

Jesus' "I AM's"

One of the things that I find SO wonderful in God's Word is in each of our Lord's "I AM" statements in John.."I am the bread of life, I am the living water..."

In each of these statements he does not just uses the Greek word "Amie", which is a usual way of saying 'I AM' but He says EGO AMIE. That translates literally to "I, I AM"

He is making it a point to say "I am the I AM - the bread of life" " I, I AM the living water" directly equating Himself with God's statement back in Exodus:

Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Even more than that, on a personal level, what I find so calming is this: Remember in John 6:16 when the disciples are on a boat and the winds were rough and they saw Jesus approaching on the water and were terrified? Do you know what He said to them?

If we were to translate literally, he says, "I, I AM - don't be afraid"

In this verse, He again uses "EGO AMIE". WOW. How could they fear in the presence of God - the I AM? How comforted they must have felt!

Whenever I feel overwhelmed I can picture Him walking toward me and almost hear His voice in my head saying, "I AM the great I AM..do not be afraid."

Oh how I love Jesus!!!!!

Victory in Jesus

I had the blessing of spending the morning with a Christian girlfriend of mine, sipping coffee, talking about the Bible and her TWENTY YEAR wedding anniversary today! Happy Anniversary!!!

We have both been in 2 Chronicles 20 a lot lately and had a chance to compare notes. (Isn't the LORD absolutely wonderful??? What a blessing! :)

Here are the verses. It is worth the time to read them. It is sooo rich!!

It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
(2Ch 20:1-27)

Our thoughts:

Jehoshaphat had a problem - a big one.
1. He sought God (prayed) and fasted (v3. reference Matthew 17:21)
Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

2. They began praising BEFORE the battle

3. Though God said He would fight for them, they still had to walk onto the battlefield

4. God won them the victory and they got to take the plunder. God also gives us spiritual plunder for our battles. We don't come out empty handed.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!!!

More when there is no more

One of my favorite "Beth Moore" studies was on The LORD Jesus Christ's first miracle:

Joh 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
Joh 2:2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
Joh 2:3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."
Joh 2:4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."
Joh 2:5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."
Joh 2:6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.
Joh 2:7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim.

What I love about this is that the very first miracle Jesus did was making more when there was no more. I like the way His mom handled it too. When she saw a problem, she did not tell him the list of acceptable ways He could fill it. She did not tell Him what to do. She just said, "Jesus, there is no more..." and He made more.

Isn't that where we (at least I) can get depressed or feeling hopeless, is when we can't think of how in the world He can possibly solve our problem. How He can untangle the web! But He is God. I only need turn it over to Him..."Lord, help. There is no more..."

What a lesson for our lives!!! When we have no more 'whatever' - hope, money, food, patience, energy... we can give it to God. And, like Mary, I don't even have to (nor should I) give Him a pick list. I don't have to figure out how He will solve it. I can just give it to Him and He is able to make more from nothing. Just like He created the World from nothing. He is able. Hallellujah!

HEALED before my eyes!

I am so amazed and in love with my Saviour. He is so wonderful to me I don't have words!

This evening I was softening some butter in the microwave. It was in a plastic (I know) salsa bowl that I had used in the microwave for short periods of time for years. Well, I reached in to get it and noticed my finger was hurting a melded to the bowl. Then I noticed the smoke coming out of the microwave. I pulled my hand out and saw fire coming from the EXACT part of the bowl I had just laid my hand on. My finger was red, blackened, beginning to blister and black plastic was under the skin from the fire. As I soaked it, unknown to me my children began to pray. Ladies, 10-15 minutes later, the burn looked like it was almost gone. There is now no redness, no blistering and I don't see any plastic under the skin anymore. God HEALED it in front of our eyes!!! It does not even HURT!

The boys, who saw the entire event, were in awe. I only feel bad for my hubby who was making a special stop on the way home for some aloe vera I don't need!

THEN, I was emailing a dear sister of mine a verse that has comforted me for years and then I read it:
Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon
thee. Interesting timing for me to re-find that verse don't you think? :D

Thank you LORD for your mercies today. I love you Jesus!! I love you O LORD my strength!!! (Psa 18:1)

Passing on blesings of the LORD!!!!!!!!

I had to share this with you!!! HUNDREDS of pretty professionally done grown-up style Scripture songs (mp3) that are free to download! I've downloaded about 80 so far and loaded them on my ipod! Praise God for their ministry! You can get them here

I have used and enjoyed Scripture songs for years to help keep the Word of God memorized and in my heart. May this bless you too!!!



I LOVE YOU O LORD MY STRENGTH!!!!!!!!!! Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD!
(Psa 18:1)

"Be still" time

Do you remember that Shaun Cassidy song from the 70's that went:

"I wanna be with you, I wanna be with you, I want, want want want to be with you"

You can hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dthhS9r4RtA

This has to do with God, I promise..bear with me. lol.

When my hubby and I got married almost 18 years ago, though I loved God, I was not a deeply spiritual Christian, or a very mature one. One reason I knew I wanted to marry him was that I just wanted to be with him all the time. I couldn't picture my life without him. Even if we were just in the same room together that was enough. When we were apart I missed him and was consumed with thoughts about being next to him again. I still feel that way.

I also feel that way about God. I want to be with Him. I want to always be aware of His presence. I want to know Him better. I long to "be around" Him. Sometimes it is easy in all the hub bub, and even all the ministries to miss my quiet time with God. I'm talking above and beyond devotionals or Bible Study..just time to sit in His presence because I want to BE with Him. I've learned the hard way to guard this time with my very life!

Psalm 46:10 says, Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.


The Hebrew word for "Still" means not just to be still but to abate or cease. Not to be "doing" for Him, and not even to be "studying" about Him, but to be still, cease activity and wait on Him. Enjoy Him. He is God. He is Holy and His Spirit dwells in us.

Many times in the Old Testament, when the word 'know' was used relating to God, the Israelites understood it (and still do) as to know experientially. We know God by His Word and by experiencing Him.

(Disclaimer: if we truly experience Him, our experiences will line up with Scripture - which is always the plumb line :)

My "be still and know that I am God time" is the time I crave each day and is the most precious part of my life. I just want to be with Him. I want to be with Him! Oh how precious is the flow that makes me white as snow, no other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Joy in the LORD

The more I read God's precious Word the more I fall in love with Him. It never tires. Rather, His Word breathes life into my weary bones and energizes me. How could I live one minute, how could I get out of bed if my Savior didn't walk with me??

There is a popular saying, "Jesus is all we need". But He is more than that. He isn't all we need, He is all we have.

The beautiful thing about being a Christian, is that the "meat" of our joy does not come from what we have, or even what we do for God, but rather from God Himself. Our joy is in HIM! What a burden lifted! Hallelujah!

Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (Joh 15:11)

The word "full" in the Greek has such rich meaning! It means: to fill, supply abundantly with something, and impart richly.

He has filled us to the brim, abundantly and richly with JOY!!!

Matthew 5:3 says, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Poor in spirit...humble in spirit...the humble/poor in spirit have God's blessing. You don't have to be something big, I don't have to be something big, but something low.

This is the wisdom of Heaven and the foolishness of worldly wisdom. It is the broken and humble vessel crying out for God that will be filled with joy and lifted up. For His Word says :

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. (Mar 10:31 )

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (Mat 23:12 )

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (Psa 40:1-3)

He will fill us with His joy unspeakable and He will use us for His glory! Hallelujah! I love you O LORD my strength!! (Psa 18:1)

Many ministries, little time

It's happened to most of us. We only have a certain amount of extra time/energy/health to give to a certain ministry, but we have more than one call. Maybe there are 3, 4, or 5 different ministries - all good - that say they need us. We feel connected to each of them and each of them mean something to our hearts, yet we can't do them all. What do we do? Which ones do we say "no" to?


1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

All these choices certain don't bring peace but turmoil and confusion. How do we resolve this? How do we find God's PERFECT will for our ministry and time?

1. Most obvious of course, is to bathe your decision in prayer, and wait for God's answer.


Jas 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(Phil 4:6-7)

I'm sure the apostle Paul often felt the same way, feeling the tug of many churches he began calling him back, wanting him, needing him. Yet, he could only be in one place at one time. This leads to the second thought:

2. Write down helpful instuctions when you can't be there

What did Paul do when he couldn't visit the Corinthians again? He wrote them a letter with guidelines advising them wat to do and how to conduct themselves. In this, God used maybe more mightilly than if Paul had personally taken a trip because through His letter we have II Corinthians.

3. Trust the Spirit to do His job

Thankfully, God knows our weakness of discernment despite our good intentions and empowers the Holy Spirit to stop us from wrong decisions when they are bathed in prayer.

Paul had planned to Asia and minister there, but Scripture says,

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. (Acts 16:6-7)

Finally, has God given you a long term goal or vision for your calling or ministry? If so, humanly speaking, the most obvious choice would be the ministry that will most strongly further that goal, or equip you to fill that goal.

God has a place for each of us to serve, and when we serve in places we ought not be, while God will bless it (He works all things for good -Rom 8:28), we may lose out on the particular blessing He had for us where we should have been, and whoever was supposed to minister where we are currently is missing out on that particular blessing because we are there. Therefore, this is a pressing question of utmost importance to Christians.

4. Know that a good master always gave their servant/slave direction

It would be silly for a master to have a slave and never let the slave know how they were supposed to serve. I take heart is knowing the Bible plainly states that we are Christ's servants, and also throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God teaches His people how to be good and fair masters. A good master will let his servant know what he/she is supposed to do. Therefore, we can serve Him in all confidence.

I give each of you permission to remind me to these concepts next time I struggle with this very issue!! ;)

How I praise God that we can lean on Him when the world seems to be leaning on us!!! I love you O Lord my strength!!

When you don't "feel" God anymore

Sometimes, though I love Him dearly, I can't "feel" God like I normally do. Sometimes He feels
far away. It is those days that I especially read His Word like God Himself was reading it to me.
Through His Word, God reminds me that:

I can not trust my feelings.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

That there is nowhere I could get away from God if I wanted to, so of course He is with me.

Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art
there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

No matter where I am, He will lead me and hold me. What a promise that is!!!! I could stop right there! Rejoice, O my soul!! :D :D


Heb 13:5b because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

This word translated "Never" in Greek is a double negative strengthening the denial, meaning not at all, no never. Like God is saying NEVER, EVER, EVER, NO NEVER will I leave you. I like those kind of promises!!


Be comforted O my soul. The times you do not feel your blessed Savior, it does not mean He is not there. His Spirit dwells in us and God is with us if we are saved.

If you are not saved, - yes, you really can 'feel' God. Email me and I'd be honored to talk with you about it.

Jesus Himself said, Behold I am with you always even to the end of the age. (Mt 28:20)

Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!