Sunday, July 31, 2011

A Vision

Years ago I had a vision of a bird's eye view of a large territory.  I saw family groups of all sizes, shapes and relationships.  It appeared to be in a very poor country as not only were the people in masses but also most looked malnourished and hopeless.
I asked the Lord why the people were so "wanting" and what was HE going to do.  I then saw a dove fly down from the sky and land on one family unit.  Immediately a spring sprung up, grass grew and health returned to the family.
I know that the dove represents the Holy Spirit and I believe that the Lord was telling me that the status of these people was tied up in who or what they served and that once a family did accept His free gift of His son things began to turn around.

The world is in desperate need in many places.  People are dying from malnutrition. How can this be happening in the 21st century?

In Amos 4 over and over verses end with  "Yet you did not return to Me"
The Lord allowed "lack of bread", drought, blights on the crops and wars all in the hopes of turning His peoples eyes back on Him.

He made us, we are His yet He has left us with a choice to serve Him or our selves.
Who do you serve today?  Please join me as we pray for the people groups around the world that are so needy at this time so that their eyes would be open and that "they would turn back to HIM!

Blessings

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Hebrews 4:15

New International Version (NIV)
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Have you ever noticed the debate that many times arises when someone quotes this verse.  " Well no ones perfect"  "You cannot live a life free from sin"

While it may be extremely rare I believe that it IS possible.  Just like the scripture says  "with God ALL things are possible"

Make sure you have not given yourself permission to keep on sinning because, "It's really not that big of a deal"  "Its nothing compared to how I used to be"
"God know what we're made of"

Yes, He does but He ALSO KNOWS that His son, Jesus, took all sin, past, present and future upon Himself so that we would not have to bear it.  At the cross the power of sin WAS broken.

Live that way by the Grace of God

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Manna

I so hate to admit this but I think, in fact I know, that I would have been one of the people complaining about the Manna.  
There it's off my chest, out of my mouth, I've admitted it.


Now it's not really that I'm a complainer, you see, but Manna? the same old stuff day after day..year after year.  Come on now it HAD to get old.


In the beginning I bet it was GREAT!   What a convenience!  and Yummy too!!  Never had to worry about storage, delivered to your "tent flap" and there you had it, DINNER!! But the problem is it was breakfast and lunch as well
.
Wonder what the Lord was doing, what He was trying to teach, what HE wanted to see in His people.


I also admit that I am not a Biblical scholar, but I am over 50, raised a bunch of kids and have been "worked on" alot.  I think the Lord was looking for gratitude.  Day in and day out, in the night hours as well.,,, an Attitude of Gratitude.   Yes I know you don't want to fake it and He is not asking you to.( I kind of think He is able to look right through those facades anyway).  


But are you grateful?  How often?  For what?  Do you believe that the circumstances you are in right now are from the Lord's hand? (This is directed to people who are "following" the Lord)   An infallible sign of faith, I think, is gratitude....thanksgiving....IN EVERYTHING,   


Today put it at the top of your TO DO list.  Let's do it!
Thank YOU Lord!   right where I am,   I lift my hands and say Thanks Lord....You have it all under control!
I LOVE YOU!
Blessings!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du0il6d-DAk

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Just HOW Fast??

 When we have erred~  how fast do we want the Lord to forgive us?


When someone else has done wrong~ how fast do we forgive them?


Have you ever had that feeling down deep in the pit of your stomach?  That "not right now", "I want to make you suffer a little longer", "You really REALLY hurt me" feeling.   Interesting isn't it.  We want it over and done with quick when it is our garbage that needs to be taken out but when we are on the "forgiv-er end we often take our time.


Not good I'm thinking.


I'm also thinking how VERY GRATEFUL I am that the Lord let's us have the time to work it all out. He provides the Holy Spirit to help us along and also prompts and encourages us to lay down the offense.


Does anyone come to mind?  Is there an offense hanging out there that has not been dealt with?


Hey  Why not clean the slate today.  Oh don't you worry~ no one is getting off the hook when you forgive them....the Lord sees and knows and is able.  BUT He wants us free from the  poison of offense and sin that so easily eat away at us.


Do it today.  He's waiting.


Blessings


ps...it would go something like this "Lord I have held this far too long. I am sorry for not forgiving _____
I still sting at the thought of it but I trust You.  Here You go Lord.  It's all Yours.




My personal dealing with the verse below  showed me that as long as I HOLD ( bind) on to a grudge, offense or sin that  it is bound in heaven as well  BUT once i loose it, let it go, the Lord  picks it us and looses HIS power in a way that I could never have done.
Thanks Lord



New International Version (©1984)
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matt 16:19

Monday, July 25, 2011

Do You Believe It?

Jesus paid it ALL
We now have the capability of being FREE FROM SIN!
Do you remember that He said "even your righteousness is as filthy rags"?
NOTHING we can do~ past, present or future can get us anywhere~ except separated from God.


 It took the blood of a spotless  lamb...Jesus.


Celebrate your NEW BIRTH  today!  
There's no better day than today to have a birthday party!  Eat a cupcake or better yet surrender a- fresh and a- new to your Savior...no longer resist His love and plans for your life


You are NOT an orphan!
You are the son/daughter of the Living God!
You have been  reclaimed....You are journeying to meet Him and He is even now preparing for that day!
He has a plan for your life and intends to use everything that comes into  your life to mold you into the child He wants you to be~!


I'm so glad you're a part of the family of God!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH783EfujsM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3o3DiMVdOI&feature=related

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Is it ODD for you to be AWED??

I hope not!!!


The Lord delights when we see Him in our everyday lives!


Right now ask Him to give you HIS eyes and His ability to see all that He has made around and for you.
Notice nature, friends, smells, tastes, sounds.  Ask Him to make you aware.


Thank Him today for all that He has done.  Appreciate it. 


We need to learn to begin to live the "forever" now.


"The greatest  thing is to start to give thanks for EVERYTHING!  He who has learned this know what it means to live...He has penetrated the whole mystery of life: giving thanks for everything" Albert Schweitzer


Today I give thanks for dear Christian friends who are on the journey with me.
What are you thankful for?


Lord ..Today is a new day!  Father please help up to see outside ourselves, our stuff, our mundane existence. Help us to SEE!  Slow us down and allow our senses to be accentuated with the knowledge of You.  You have done a great work  Help us to appreciate it with a grateful heart.  Thank you for Your grace Lord


Blessings!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

A Mouth Full

1 Corinthians 16:13-14


"BE ON GUARD;  STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH, BE MEN OF COURAGE,  BE STRONG.  DO EVERYTHING  IN LOVE"


Okee-dokee  


Where shall we begin?   To think that this is simply 2 verses out of the whole Bible!!


Be on guard....heightened alert,  no dozing ~ we have an enemy who wants to devour us


Stand firm in the faith.....need to know the contents of the Scripture; the commands and  the promises and not waiver.


Be men of courage.....Don't back down or turn away...If it's in your life God allowed it to be there.  He will equip you.  Take it


Be strong......in other words~Don't be weak


Do everything in love.....wow how about taking that as your life verse?  It's easy to memorize and would change not only yourself but the world as well.  1 Corinthians 13


So taste and see and see that the Lord is good.  Set your mind to do His will and he will grace you


Blessings soldier!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Ups and Downs

Life..

I "bumped" into a friend at the grocery store today.  Her husband is dying of cancer and she is caring for him.  I could see the wear and tear on her yet  her face was peaceful and at rest.  She like many of us could never have imagined that life was going to take this corner.

Makes me think about heaven   a child hood song from Sunday School  says:

"Heaven is a wonderful place
filled with glory and grace
I'm going to see my Savior's face
Oh heaven is a wonderful place."

This is what we live for....  Being with our Savior,  

Here we need to live for Him
Nothing should  really surprise  us

Focus dear one.  It's a just around the corner!

Oh what a day it will be~
Blessings
M

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Way Out Is Up




Here is a word for you from the Word

Psalm 50:14-15

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me. NIV


    
 There’s the divine way out of trouble. You’re in the midst of trouble, pressures are against you, and you don’t see any way out. But there is a way up, a way to God: “Sacrifice thank offerings.” That sounds senseless, doesn’t it?

 In the midst of all the pressures and the trouble, stop worrying and start thanking God. Lift your voice in thanksgiving to God. Offer Him an offering of thanksgiving. Something that costs you something, something that goes against the grain, but it’s a sacrifice acceptable to God. And God says, “When you offer Me that sacrifice of your thankfulness in the midst of all the trouble, then I’ll intervene on your behalf. I will deliver you and you will honor Me.” God is waiting to deliver, but the way that He wants us to prepare for His deliverance is to offer Him thank offerings right in the midst of the trouble.
 
 In the last verse of the same psalm He says this, “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” You see, when you offer God thanksgiving in the midst of trouble, that’s the purest expression of faith that you can make. And when you offer Him that thanksgiving you prepare the way in your life, in your heart, that God may show you His salvation, that God may come to your rescue.
 - Derek Prince

Monday, July 18, 2011

Aren't We Interesting People~

I have said " I love my life" and I have said (maybe even in the same day)  I HATE my life!!! 


Emotions.  


God made them BUT we are to rule them!   We MUST submit them to the promises of God!  
We are "in love"  2 Cor 6:14  Do not be unequally yoked...


We are angry.  Eph. 4:26  Be angry and sin not.


We are depressed. Psalm 43:5  "why so downcast oh my soul?  Put your hope in God"


We are lonely.   Gen. 28:15  "I will NEVER leave you or forsake you"  


We are afraid   Psalm 23  "even though you walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil"


We are confused.   Matthew 11:28   "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden  I will give you rest"


Friends....His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  His Word is the plumb line that we must measure our emotions against


Step into His peace!


Blessings!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Why Do We Struggle So?

I will admit to you.....I can actually say that I am glad that I am not a intellectual wizard.  I am thankful that I don't feel the need to question the Bigness of God.  I have no problem admitting that HE is bigger than I and that  He is in control and I don't have to know all that He is doing to be satisfied or to keep from worrying..


The Scripture says that we need to become like "little children" Matthew 18:4.  
Who are you?


At salvation we invited the Lord to reign in our lives..forgive our sins and take us into His care.  Are you letting Him carry you?  


Do yourself a favor!  BELIEVE!   HE IS BIG!


Thank Him today..... enter into His rest!


Blessings!

thank you to all of you that prayed for Cousin Camp last week.  It was a success with no mishaps of any kind.  I appreciate you all!   Please "follow" this blog if you read it!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Dear Friends

On Sunday I and my son Hudson will embark on our 4th annual Cousin Camp.  We are having a Farm Adventure this year and traveling to my home town in Maine to our "once was" dairy farm.  The 6 grandchildren will be with me until next Saturday thus you will not see any musings or parenting blogs for the week.  I hope that you will miss them!
Please pray for our safety, health  and camaraderie as we enjoy each others company and learn more about the Lord.  I covet your prayers knowing full well that the week will be full of life and excitement.  


Thank you again
Grandbabe, Hudson and the six cousins; Brieya 11, Ian 11, Harmony 9, Brooklyn 7, Autumn 6 and Cade 5

Thursday, July 7, 2011

The Garden

I like to get out into my gardens early in the day.  It is quiet and smells sweet with the dew on everything.  One such morning I was working, weeding, edging, etc when I told the Lord that I felt that it was a lot of work ... that there were many more important things to be concerned with and tended to.  

I heard Him say in His still small voice, "I just love a garden"

Sometimes we wonder what is going on, is our life counting for anything significant? It is confusing to us when our lives are taken up with sickness, car problems, wayward children and the like, and sometimes just mundanity.     

I mean He is the one in control right?

The scripture says to live a simple, quiet life:
1 Thess 4:11
 to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your (own) hands, as we instructed you,

12      that you may conduct yourselves properly toward outsiders and not depend on anyone.


It is all for His good pleasure.  That is why we are made ~  to bring glory to HIm!  Even in the midst ~ glorify His Name!

Blessings!


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Forever Building

In Matthew 7 we read the parable that Jesus told ~about the Wise man vs the Foolish man
Both built houses.... both experienced the storms of life.
The difference?  The foundations; one was built on a rock the other on sand.


Foundations are so important.  


What are you building on?  


Today take a few minutes to inspect your foundation.  Anything loose, crumbling, is there sign of decay?  If need be set about to patch and mend that that is unstable.  
Has worry caused  "structural damage"?  Is doubt eating away at your mortar?  Have the cares and busy-ness of this life caused you to "miss" warning signs of neglect?


Beloved, take care of it today.  Do a "home-inspection"  
The Scripture says "Unless the Lord builds the house they that labor ~ labor in vain." Psalm 127:1


Don't be caught by surprise.... Storms WILL come.  Winds WILL blow.  Waves WILL crash.  Make sure that your "house" stands firm.


Blessings!