Lately I have been finding it difficult to offer words of encouragement as I know I should because of some circumstances here in my life. A friend sent me this and I wanted to pass it on.......
Relax your mind and humble your heart to focus on Christ. Allow God to be the only person on your mind while you read this prayer. If we can take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc.., we should give the same respect to this prayer. Friends, who pray together, stay together
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.... I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will....
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak.. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others.... I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God.. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..
This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
my fortress...
For those of you who read my other blog, you know I am having problems with my eldest again. I spent many hours worrying about what I should do and how I should handle it last night. You also may remember that a friend gave me a box with bible verses in to read at different times in my life. I came across Ps. 31 verses 1-6
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
I read that over a few times and thought about it then laid the bible down and fell fast alsleep. I have done all I can do and it is in God's hands now. I feel no guilt about thinking that way. I have not given up on her. I will continue to pray for her but I cannot be dragged down by her. I will not allow it. Sometimes you do all you can do and just have to say enough is enough.
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
I read that over a few times and thought about it then laid the bible down and fell fast alsleep. I have done all I can do and it is in God's hands now. I feel no guilt about thinking that way. I have not given up on her. I will continue to pray for her but I cannot be dragged down by her. I will not allow it. Sometimes you do all you can do and just have to say enough is enough.
Monday, February 8, 2010
No, We Can't Slay A Giant Every Day...
Yesterday as I watched the happy smiles on the faces of the winners and thinking of how some were thanking God, I thought of David and how me must have felt when Goliath fell at his hands. How the people loved him and rejoiced with his victory over the giant. It must have made him feel like he could do no wrong and they would always love him for what he had done.
As you can see in 1Samuel 21:12 it did not take him long to realize he was not going to be a hero every day. Saul began to fear David and became jealous of him. He decided to kill David and David had to go into hiding.
7Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
8And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
9And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
10And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
11And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
12And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
13And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
14Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
15Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
It did not take David long to realize that there he had no one he could trust except God.
God loved him the day he slew Goliath and he loved him when all the world turned against him.
I am reminded again of the song The God of the Mountain....
God On The Mountain
Life is easy when you're up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind like you've never known.
But then things change and you're down in the valley.
Don't lose faith for you're never alone.
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain.
Oh but the talk comes easy when life's at its best.
But it's down in the valley of trials and temptation
That's when faith is really put to the test.
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
David never fell out of favor with God even with all the things he had done wrong. David's weakness was women. He craved women. God was still there for him. David went so far as to
get Uriah Killed because he wanted Bethsheba. Yet God forgave him for it. It is amazing the love God has for all of us, even the worst sinners.
So, No, David was not a giant slayer every day but he was loved by God every day just like you and I are.
As you can see in 1Samuel 21:12 it did not take him long to realize he was not going to be a hero every day. Saul began to fear David and became jealous of him. He decided to kill David and David had to go into hiding.
7Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
8And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
9And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
10And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
11And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
12And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
13And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
14Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
15Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
It did not take David long to realize that there he had no one he could trust except God.
God loved him the day he slew Goliath and he loved him when all the world turned against him.
I am reminded again of the song The God of the Mountain....
God On The Mountain
Life is easy when you're up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind like you've never known.
But then things change and you're down in the valley.
Don't lose faith for you're never alone.
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain.
Oh but the talk comes easy when life's at its best.
But it's down in the valley of trials and temptation
That's when faith is really put to the test.
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
David never fell out of favor with God even with all the things he had done wrong. David's weakness was women. He craved women. God was still there for him. David went so far as to
get Uriah Killed because he wanted Bethsheba. Yet God forgave him for it. It is amazing the love God has for all of us, even the worst sinners.
So, No, David was not a giant slayer every day but he was loved by God every day just like you and I are.
Monday, January 4, 2010
I found this on another blog and wanted to share it with some of you.....
A man named Finite awoke and found himself in a sinkhole full of quick sand. He was sinking very slowly and knew that he would meet certain death.
A man came along who had holes in his hands. The man threw Finite a rope and told him to grab it and he would pull him to safety.
Finite looked at the holes in the man's hands and said, “Your not real.” “It is not scientifically possible for a man to live who has holes in his hands.
The man with the holes in his hands looked at the guy a little puzzled and said, “You are in a sinkhole and about to die. Your response to my help is to say I’m not real?”
Finite said, “Well, I like how warm the sand is and I really don’t want to get out. Second, I know I am having an illusion because it is not possible for a man to have holes in his hands and still help me out.” Therefore, morally I like my plight and scientifically, you don’t exist being a mere projection of my mind.
The man with the holes in his hands said, “Listen, I was sent here by my father to help people out so please let me help you! I will take you to my father’s mansion where you can enjoy life for eternity. Obviously, death was not able to hold me in the grave because the holes in my hands are proof that I overcame death. I now have the power to save you so grab the rope!”
Finite put his fingers in the ears and said, “Now I know I am hearing things because there is no such thing as eternal life…Everyone dies so I am going to take my turn and just enjoy this warm sand until the end.”
The man with the holes in his hand said, “If you won’t grab the rope, then I won’t be able to help you…please, please take the rope and I can pull you out. Have faith my friend.”
A few moments later Finite sunk into the quick sand and out of sight. Finite was surprised that he did not die as expected. He just sat there surrounded by sand, unable to move, unable to breathe, unable to talk with his fingers in his ears. Finite tried to comfort himself by thinking, “I would rather stay here for eternity than believe that the man with the holes in His hand could help me. Faith in that mirage is irrational!!
So Finite sat in the quicksand for eternity. Day in and day out for eternity Finite was always thinking about the man with the holes in his hands. He would comfort himself thinking, “It was better to not have faith than to believe something that didn’t make sense.”
The man with the holes in His hands continued to call him for the rest of eternity; however, Finite could not hear his voice because he had plugged his ears.
The Lesson
If you are not with Christ, you will be thinking about Christ for eternity anyway... so have faith.
A man named Finite awoke and found himself in a sinkhole full of quick sand. He was sinking very slowly and knew that he would meet certain death.
A man came along who had holes in his hands. The man threw Finite a rope and told him to grab it and he would pull him to safety.
Finite looked at the holes in the man's hands and said, “Your not real.” “It is not scientifically possible for a man to live who has holes in his hands.
The man with the holes in his hands looked at the guy a little puzzled and said, “You are in a sinkhole and about to die. Your response to my help is to say I’m not real?”
Finite said, “Well, I like how warm the sand is and I really don’t want to get out. Second, I know I am having an illusion because it is not possible for a man to have holes in his hands and still help me out.” Therefore, morally I like my plight and scientifically, you don’t exist being a mere projection of my mind.
The man with the holes in his hands said, “Listen, I was sent here by my father to help people out so please let me help you! I will take you to my father’s mansion where you can enjoy life for eternity. Obviously, death was not able to hold me in the grave because the holes in my hands are proof that I overcame death. I now have the power to save you so grab the rope!”
Finite put his fingers in the ears and said, “Now I know I am hearing things because there is no such thing as eternal life…Everyone dies so I am going to take my turn and just enjoy this warm sand until the end.”
The man with the holes in his hand said, “If you won’t grab the rope, then I won’t be able to help you…please, please take the rope and I can pull you out. Have faith my friend.”
A few moments later Finite sunk into the quick sand and out of sight. Finite was surprised that he did not die as expected. He just sat there surrounded by sand, unable to move, unable to breathe, unable to talk with his fingers in his ears. Finite tried to comfort himself by thinking, “I would rather stay here for eternity than believe that the man with the holes in His hand could help me. Faith in that mirage is irrational!!
So Finite sat in the quicksand for eternity. Day in and day out for eternity Finite was always thinking about the man with the holes in his hands. He would comfort himself thinking, “It was better to not have faith than to believe something that didn’t make sense.”
The man with the holes in His hands continued to call him for the rest of eternity; however, Finite could not hear his voice because he had plugged his ears.
The Lesson
If you are not with Christ, you will be thinking about Christ for eternity anyway... so have faith.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Worry
A very good friend of mine has had several things go wrong in her life. Many problems that she has taken on are really the problems of others but like most of us, she worries about things going on in the lives of others, such as her children.
She asked some of her friends to give her a list of bible verses that could help her deal with this worry.
The Bible is full of verses that deal with worry and how God can help us if we just lay it all at his feet.
Among the many verses I found, I suggested she read Psalms 31. Not just one verse but several in there help us when we are worried. Isiah 41:10 says..So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. How comforting it is to know that when I am worried and take my fears to him, he will hold me in his right hand and surround me with love. Just reading that now gives me a feeling of being loved by Him.
This is my favorite ....Matt.6:25-27 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
In 1905, two white songwriters, Civilla Martin and Charles Gabriel wrote a song that is now a staple in African American gospel singing. It was first made popular by the great Ethel Waters. I remember my Mom watching Billy Graham many years ago when I was a child and he would have Ethel sing, 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'.
It was written because of several references that Jesus made about God watching over the sparrow in Matthew. This is just one of the verses...Matt.6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
His Eye is on The Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged / Why should the shadows come / Why should my heart feel lonely / And long for heaven and home / When Jesus is my portion / A constant friend is He / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches over me / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me /
I sing because I'm happy / I sing because I'm free / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me (He watches me) / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches / I know He watches / I know He watches
I know that if he is watching over that tiny bird and counting every feather on him, he surely is watching over me. And you!!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thanking God...
My friend Elizabeth told me she thought it would great if we all thought of one thing to be thankful for each day and posted it on our facebook pages or blogs. I think it is a great idea and have started posting the things I am thankful for. I loved the idea but I think it is something we should do every day not just start a few weeks before thanksgiving.
We should have a list of things to thank God every day. Not just one or two days a year. If you can't think of anything then thank you are able to get out of bed if nothing else.
Some of you say, well, I don't know what to say or my prayers sound dumb. Guess what? God does not care. He just wants you to pray and say what is in your heart.
Terry lynn Taylor says...Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives. ~ Terry Lynn Taylor is right.
We should have a list of things to thank God every day. Not just one or two days a year. If you can't think of anything then thank you are able to get out of bed if nothing else.
Some of you say, well, I don't know what to say or my prayers sound dumb. Guess what? God does not care. He just wants you to pray and say what is in your heart.
Terry lynn Taylor says...Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives. ~ Terry Lynn Taylor is right.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Borrowed time.
Hebrews 9:27 says, ' And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
There is little we can do about this. All Christians should welcome that day but we still should be thankful for each day we are above ground. Often I think of all the times I should have died and didn't. I could have died when I was a teen and we were out joyriding and nearly went off a bridge on to a track many feet below onto a rail road track. But I didn't. The car was tettering on the edge when my friends and I crawled out, grateful that we were not killed.
While in Kansas City some men broke into my apt and ransacked it, looking for someone who wsa not there. It was frigtening and they could have killed me but they didn't. I was thankful they left me quivering in my bed, shaken, frightened but alive. In 1974 I nearly died from the result of an ectopic pregnancy. I thanked God for sparing me. In 1980 I could have been killed in a car accident but once again, He spared me. I was thankful. I noticed I was thanful for all of the times I had been spared and often forgot to thank Him on a daily basis for allowing me to live each day.
From the moment we are born we are living on borrowed time. Only God knows when the time of our existance is up and we should live each day like it is our last and get down and thank God each night for allowing us to live each day. Make it a habit to thank God for all the little things in your life as well as the right to live on this earth another day praising hem when you can. You may not get a chance to do it again.
There is little we can do about this. All Christians should welcome that day but we still should be thankful for each day we are above ground. Often I think of all the times I should have died and didn't. I could have died when I was a teen and we were out joyriding and nearly went off a bridge on to a track many feet below onto a rail road track. But I didn't. The car was tettering on the edge when my friends and I crawled out, grateful that we were not killed.
While in Kansas City some men broke into my apt and ransacked it, looking for someone who wsa not there. It was frigtening and they could have killed me but they didn't. I was thankful they left me quivering in my bed, shaken, frightened but alive. In 1974 I nearly died from the result of an ectopic pregnancy. I thanked God for sparing me. In 1980 I could have been killed in a car accident but once again, He spared me. I was thankful. I noticed I was thanful for all of the times I had been spared and often forgot to thank Him on a daily basis for allowing me to live each day.
From the moment we are born we are living on borrowed time. Only God knows when the time of our existance is up and we should live each day like it is our last and get down and thank God each night for allowing us to live each day. Make it a habit to thank God for all the little things in your life as well as the right to live on this earth another day praising hem when you can. You may not get a chance to do it again.
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