Resurrection Sunday

Easter 2013

First thing this morning I listened to the great song done by Sandy Patty and Larnelle Harris
"I've Just Seen Jesus"  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yLgtd_kkxw

Later I listened to "He's Alive" by Dolly Parton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbRPWUHM80M

But then,
 I listened to Natalie Grant sing, "The Power of the Cross"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB8kf6sInvI

"That's the Power of the Cross,see the chains fall"

We can see Jesus, even believe that He is alive, but unless we apply the Power of the Cross to our lives, the chains will continue to "have their way with us".
It is SO sad to see a Christian who continues to walk chained, bound by the "old man" and his ways.
Chains have the power to shut down the senses.  They can render us dumb, deaf and blind.

Friends...the enemy has been defeated !!!  Lets live like it!

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AMEN

"Let the Amen sound from His people again"

A line in an old hymn.

This week I have sat with quite a few people you are "stuck"   These are fellow brothers and sisters that profess to know the Lord but do not live in His Power.   They walk and operate under the title that the world has given them; disgraced, stupid, poor, nothing, orphan, angry, depressed etc.

They seem to have forgotten, or perhaps have not realized or taught, that the Lord has given us a new Name.  They have forgotten that His Promises are ours...Yes and Amen, and are living dulled to the reality that we belong to a different Nation, a different set of standards and directions.

We are only passing through this land.... we are on a pilgrimage to a better place

If you don't know what He has to say...start reading the Scriptures, go to a Bible Study, sit under good teachers.   Joshua 1:8+9

"Study the Scriptures continually, meditate on them day and night so that you will be sure to obey everything written in them.  Only then will you  prosper and succeed in all you do.  This is My command, Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you where ever you go!".


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlD3Gaq4cN0

A Savior Needing a Savior

Tonite I watched "The Passion" movie with a bunch of friends.  There is MUCH that I could write about that movie but I would like to touch on one thing specifically.

There was a point when the Savior needed a Savior.    He, like no other "man" since time began, experienced a place where God turned His back.    I don't believe that we can find that place.  As believers, and unbelievers for that matter, we have a God that will never leave or forsake us. Even if we turn our backs on Him, He is always facing us ..watching for our return.

So how could that happen between God and His beloved Son?   Jesus came to earth for a Purpose.  He came to make a way for us to reach God.  Nothing else and no one else would do.  It had to be a pure and holy sacrifice, One willing to shed His blood on our behalf, while bearing ALL of the sins of this world, past present and future.   I honestly don't know how it was possible or how He could bear such brutality.  But He did. Once and for all He paid a debt I could not pay and one that He did not owe.

OH HOW HE LOVES US!

This week spend time with the Lord thanking Him for His sacrifice.  Love so amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4whBsh9ovI

The Current

Today in prayer I was asking The Lord to pour into me His ways..I don't want to argue, be stubborn or prideful....I just want to obey.

I got a picture of a river current and my desire was to just get into the center of the stream and be carried .  When you are carried it is an effortless ride.  

In the past  I tried to swim against the current. Often simply because I was reacting,  felt I had a better idea or just was obstinate.

I must say I do not miss those days!     My experience of swimming against the stream rendered muddy, murky water,  it was exhausting and my vision was skewed ~  Off tract

I gave up a long time ago....Jesus is now in the driver's seat

Beloved put it all down.  Step off the bank and get in the river~ He wants to carry you . He knows His plan and will carry it out.  Don't confuse the process. Give up!  Relax. 

There are so many things I don't understand. But it's ok. I have a Savior that I can trust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOZKc8CyaaQ

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A REAL Miracle

Today as I was chatting with God I gave Him permission to  continue to "break off" the hard edges of my  personality and to sand out the imperfections.  I begged for His Fruit to be  evident IN ME.  I realize that the Fruit IS within me (contained  by the Holy Spirit) but I must allow it to grow and flourish by "dying" and getting out of the way.

I am encouraged at the same time because I have experienced the miracle of change.  I Know!  I can see the difference and believe me ~ it IS a miracle!  How God can take a head strong, stubborn, self centered woman and bring about change is, in my book, nothing short of a miracle!!

I find my path littered with people carrying the same miracles in their lives.  A pastor tonite sharing how he basically "sailed through" a very trying day and saw God's hand visibly working.  Another friend listed the trials of a day gone BAD and laughed as she rendered "it" powerless by keeping focused on the Goal.........nothing short of beautiful

Are you experiencing miracles?  You should be!! If not give me a call...maybe you need a tune up ;))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioJf4EpVdU8

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Holding a Grudge

Today a I friend said, "she's holding a grouch against me"

I love words.

You and I both realize that she meant grudge...but then again, I truly believe that holding a grudge WILL indeed turn you into a Grouch!

A Grouch is a habitually grumpy person, who grumbles in an ill tempered manner.


What right does a Believer have to be a grouch?
If that question irritates you perhaps you need to sit down and take a look at your heart/life.

Friend...we have NO right to be downcast, angry, depressed etc etc
Jesus has the Power to right every wrong.  He would like to change your heart and face.  Believe me people will notice!

Lord I pray You will change the countenance of Your church.  Make us contagious with JOY!! Let us spread the Good News with our whole being!  Forgive us for being grumpy, for holding grudges and for all round  being ill mannered.   Create in us a clean heart oh God and renew a right Spirit within us


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The Look of Grace

A while back I was working with my daughter in law in a public kitchen.  A friend who has been going thru a very difficult time  came walking through.  She was radiant.  As she left the room I said to Amy, "did you notice that woman?  That was the Grace of God just walking past!"

Now friends it probably goes without saying that that "look" of Grace does not normally come over night.  It comes from hunkering down with Jesus.  It is brought about by humbly coming before God over and over that He may be seen strong in our weakness.   It is birthed in the fire with God.

My favorite old hymn

1. He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
   He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
   To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
   To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
   When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
   When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
   Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
3. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
   Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
   Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
   The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
4. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
   His power no boundary known unto men;
   For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
   He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_73Q6dVq_0g

GRACE. SWEET. GRACE
Free for the asking
But oh friend what a COSTLY gift!
What a price was paid so that we could live supernaturally in this life

It never runs out so beloved don't be afraid of using it up!  It's yours for the asking!!

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Harmony

"You must listen to each other if you're going to sing a chord".  This is a quote by the "would be " nun, W. Goldberg in the wonderful movie, Sister Act.

There is so much discord in the world.  Even as I write this, mom and I watch "The Bible" and she keeps mentioning what a harsh and bloody time that was in history.  
I'm sad to say there has never been a time on this earth that some people group somewhere were not experiencing bloodshed and cruelty of some kind.  It began in the Garden and has only gotten worse as the populace has increased.

But then...
Jesus came.
  
For 33 years He made His mark on our history and on the hearts of mankind.

He was killed on a cross and buried
He rose again and appeared to the "church"
He went to Heaven leaving Behind the Sweet Holy Spirit .

Today we live under a new law, we have been given Promises to aid us in this hard life.  Promises and the Power of the Holy Spirit that assure God's people a life of rest and peace** (for those that believe)
Hence the body of Christ should live in harmony.  
The absence of discord should be one of the very earmarks of Christ's Bride.  
Would you say that is your experience?

I'm sad to say it is not the norm, albeit no fault of God.

Friend it's time to start "singing" your part.  "You don't sing", you say?    

Start by humming.

Ask the Lord if there is anyone you do not harmonize with....Is there someone you need to listen to, forgive, ask forgiveness from?
People it's for the cause of Christ and His Church....it's the Father's heart that none should perish...

Think about it

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** if it is not your experience as a Christian to live in His Peace and Rest  ~ friend it is your inheritance.   Call me and we can talk and pray about it!

It's interesting to me...

all of this "stuff", talk, discussion, (in this case about gun control) is ( in my humble opinion) SO OFF THE MARK that it tends to render me speechless...

I find myself only able to utter; "You're kidding, right?"
  
Men's minds have become so deranged and deluded that truly foolishness abounds.**  

The Lord counseled me a number of weeks ago to begin to "call forth the Davids" in prayer; those that up until now have been hidden.  They have been being trained in doing the Works of the Lord.  They are ready and able to take down the Goliaths; those people and ideals that are contrary to the very Works of God.

It will be the stones of God's wisdom that will hit the mark and in one swoop "it" will come crashing down.

Please join me in prayer.


This is something I wrote as a comment on face book today.   
It is still on my mind. 

Let's be reminded,one more time, that the Lord is in control, that He see and hears and is not taken off guard. 
He directs us in prayer.   

I find encouragement in this direction to pray.  

Will you join me?  

Father in Heaven

Lord, RELEASE THE DAVIDS!!!  

Call them from the field and valleys, 

from the cities and country.

Where ever they are ~ 

cause their ears to tingle with the 

Call of the Lord.  

Give them Your Grace

like Samuel to say 

"Here am I Lord"   

Open the doors before them 

that they may be able to walk forth untangled by life.

  

I thank You that You prepare those that You will use.  

I thank You that You show us how to pray.   

Wake your people up Lord 

and grant us a thirst outside of ourselves.

Let Your Wisdom, Discernment and Clarity 

go forth

through Your people Lord 

and give them favor with all that hear.

Grace us to obey and not grow weary

AMEN

** When I wrote this sentence I refer to human kind who are not necessarily mean, stupid etc etc but more to those that are ignorant of God's ways. They,be they Christian or not, are simply leaning to their own understanding.

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NO one is Strong Enough

A young lady confidently walked around the room with a raised glass of water while explaining stress management to an audience. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?'... She fooled them all .... "How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. To 20 oz.

She replied , "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it.  If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

So remember what Jesus said: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

So lay all your burdens down at Jesus feet and take up His burden to love the Father with all that we are and to love one and other as He has loved us.

Thank you Becky for this illustration

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Thrown Away People

Weslea has been home from Brazil since Christmas.  In a couple of weeks she will embark on the newest part of her journey and will fly to Haiti.  
She feels directed to build an orphanage there.   
Months ago she took her first trip there by going on a "building" missions trip.  She tells of how one day, sitting with the children on a break, she felt to start to gather the trash that was scattered everywhere around her..( water is provided in plastic pouches which are just thrown everywhere)  As she gathered the children quickly followed suit and the clean up began in earnest.  I believe it was then that the Lord spoke to her.

I would like to invite you to come to our home next Thursday the 14th at 11 Pumping Station Rd, Salem, NH to hear the rest of her story.  Wes will share past, present and future ....there will also be prayer ministry going on.
Come fellowship and be encouraged in seeing and hearing what the Lord has been doing in her life.

Last night as we prayed over her I felt the Lord say that "as she gathered the trash (the orphans...thrown away people) that many would come along side to help with the project"   

Might you possibly be one?

Many hands make light work.  You may never be able to leave your home but you can help send.

Thank you for your consideration.  
If you would like more information or would like to support Wes you can email me back and I will give you any information that you might want/need.

Thank you from this mother's heart

I'm Trading....

In a conversation this morning I told how my mom's friend had just turned a very healthy and sane 106.
A woman within hearing distance said, "well that won't be me..I won't live much past 70."  I asked her why and she replied that cancer ran in her family etc etc.   I reminded her that her future was different now that she is a believer. 

The words in this song are vital for our Walk to be All  God intends for us.

I'm saying Yes to the Joy of the Lord.

Its a choice each and every moment of each and every day.  Old things are passed away behold all things have become new.  The rules are different!   The Promises are OURS!!

We will never be the same!

So get on the "trading floor" this morning and give up all the "c--p" that life and the enemy has hurled at you and claim the "riches of Christ Jesus" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KsfwvpcQhY


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