What happened to me???

I went to say my prayer tonight and while I was going thru the same words I say at each meal, I was inspired to pray more earnestly for our country. I always pray for our leaders and our country but it was sorta mundane.  However, tonight I wanted to put more feeling into and it felt like the words I was saying were not even my words.

I suddenly began to wonder when our country began to push God out of our country. I think it began when one woman got up and demanded that prayer be taken out of our schools.  Nobody was forced to pray but it gave those of us who wanted t pray, a chance to do it without being ridiculed.  Those who did not want to pray just stood there and showed some form of respect for those of us who did.  What was wrong with that?  What was wrong with people just praying their day would go right and God would watch over us?

Our country needs to get back to God.  We need people who are going to protest when a man of God gets fired for preaching what the bible says.  We need people who are going to let the world know how angry they are when a teacher is fired for wearing a cross to school.  (that happened where I once went to high school.)  It was just a few years ago that they fired her for  wearing what they considered a symbol of christianity. What is wrong with people?

Why did that come to me while I was praying for my meal and thanking God. I felt like someone had just taken over.  It just was a weird feeling.

When did you know?

There comes point in our lives when we have to decide who we are going to follow.
 Are we going to follow the teachings of Jesus or that of the devil?  Or, I should say follow the path that is easy to follow because it is a well trod path and so many are leading the way for us.

I don't remember my exact age. I was either eleven or twelve and we were at campmeeting.  They had this huge tabernacle made of wood and I loved to go there for the meetings that were held there each August during the first ten days. It always started on the first Friday and lasted ten days.  I do not really remember the exact message but I just remember being pulled towards the alter when the sermon was done.  I did not really know where the alter was but I was just drawn to go forward.  Once a lady took my hand and knelt with me, I felt my whole body fill with light as she prayed with me. I never experienced anything like that before or sense. I know it sounds crazy but I felt as though I had been washed totally clean. The spirit filled my very being.  I know some do not think kids that young can feel that way or understand what is going on but I know I was saved that night.

I wish I could say I continued down the godly path but Satan was just so strong and during my teen years and early adult life, I strayed.  But I never strayed so far that I knew I could not get back on the right path.  Finally, my husband I both rededicated our lives to christ and we did manage to get back on the right track again. I did not feel that wonderful feeling that I did the first time. I think that is a once in a life time thing.  I felt good about what I had done though and know it was what God wanted me to do.

Rev. 3:20 ~ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  I was lucky.  He knocked on my door twice and I let him in.    I hope that I can be the kind of christian He wants me to be.

My prayer

My daughter always gives me prayer journals when she can find one she thinks I will like.  I was doing my bible study today when I came across Refuge for our Despair.

Often I hear people ask how God could forgive someone like David. I had one man tell me the other day that he did not believe in a  God who would forgive someone for murdering just because he said he was sorry for doing it.  Well, you and I both know it takes more then that.  We have to be sincere and really live a christian life, or try to live one the best we can.

And David really repented for his sins.  David also believed God would see him through the rough times he was having because of the many sins he had committed. 

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed : lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy .

David acknowledged that God was all powerful thoughout his life. No matter what happened, God was in control.  We all have to acknowledge that.    We have to give Him the credit He deserves and know that He will be there when we are at the lowest point in our lives.  So many people only remember Him in the good times and blame Him instead of lean on Him in the bad times.
This was my Prayer for this morning...
Dear Lord,
You are the God of my life.  God over all that happens to me.  You have always been there for me. You were there when I was taken from my mother and placed in an orphanage.  You were there when they shifted me from one foster home to the next til I was placed in the care of a wonderful christian woman who loved me deeply.  You were there during my rebellious teens and you picked me up when I was ready to return to you.  You were with me when my babies died in my womb.  You comforted me during those times.  You were there when my foster mother and my biological mother died.  You helped my husband and I through all the rough times in our lives.  You were always there, dear Lord and I am thankful.....Amen.

 A friend sent me this and I really like it.


.Here is where the road divides
Here is where we realize
the sculpting of the Fathers great design
Through time you;ve been a friend to me
But time is now the enemy
I wish we didn't have to say good bye
but I know the road he chose for me
Is not the road he chose for you
So as we chase the dreams we are after
pray for me and I will pray for you
pray that we can keep the common ground
so wont you pray for me and I'll pray for you
That someday love will bring us back around

Do you ever feel like your life is  a total waste?   Do you look around and see all the people you know doing so much for others while you seem to be stuck in a rut you can't get out of?  I often feel that way. I am not doing enough for my fellow man and if I were to die, no one would miss me.  My life is a total waste, it seems.  I have said that often, especially during the times when I have been laid up and my family had to wait on me an do things for me.  I just feel like I am of no use to anyone.  
 1 Corinthinians 15:58 made me realize that I am not useless. I never have been.  It made me feel good to read it today..
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

One thing I always did while I was laid up was talk to people on line and pray with them in various groups.  I always let them know someone cared for them and what they were going thru.   I may not have gotten out to see people and talk to them but I do it via computer and I think you can reach people this way just as though you walk out your door and visit them to tell them of God's love.  I am not a wasted soul.  Praise God!!

Some times I think man made religion is screwed up.  I was talking to a man from Norway who is an atheist.  He goes to churches there and talks to people about his lifestyle and tells them about being an atheist. 
They pay him for this.  He says they are offering classes at one of the churches on how to  become a christian.  If he takes the classes and passes, he is a christian.  He is thinking of taking the classes.

I am all for him for doing what he can to get closer to God but my bible says nothing about classes in being a christian.

First of all, being a christian is a serious issue and not one to be taken lightly.  You must believe the bible is the word of God and do what it says to become a christian.  If those classes do not teach you that and really inspire you to become saved, it is not going to happen.  "So then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(Romans 10:17)  Faith is the most important thing we must possess if we are to become true Christians

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."(John 3:16).  All you have to do is believe and ask God to come into your heart and follow what the bible teaches you about being a christian as close as you can.  God does not expect us to be perfect and he knows we will stumble at times but he knows when you are trying and when you are not trying as hard as you should be.

You do not need classes to do this and I worry about some man made religions leading people astray in this manner.  If the classes are a way to teach you about the bible and tell you what you must do to be saved then they are a great tool but if they do not do that, then they are not a tool of God.

Accept and understand the teachings of Jesus and follow his ways.

"to open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."(Acts 26:18)

You have to realize that Jesus died for your sins and all you have to do is ask for his forgiveness and really mean it.  That is all....

Church

I have and foster sister that was a wonderful woman in so many ways but she was the kind who felt her church was the only church anyone should go to and if you did not go to that church or one just like it in every way, she felt you were going to hell. I attended a Methodist church many years and she felt that was wrong. I started going to a Baptist church and she felt that was wrong also.
I
Going to church does not make one a christian any more then standing in a garage makes you a car. I go to church because there is something wonderful about having fellowship with a group of people who worship like I do. I feel comfortable with them and enjoy the Pastor's message. I am a sinner who goes to worship God just like all the other sinners in that church. I love the singing too. I have a horrible voice but I sing loud and strong. God gave me this voice and he must love it so I use it.

I do not go every Sunday because of work schedules but I go when I can.  I don't pretend that my church has all the answers.  I just know it is made up of a great group of people who made me feel welcome from the moment I walked through the door.  I thankGod I have my church family to pray for me and with me when I need it.