"Pitiful vs. Powerful"

A quote I heard today from Joyce Meyers. 

 "You cannot be pitiful and powerful at the same time"   

This is a true statement. 
  
Because I have experienced it and because I now see that self pity can create a chasm in a life where days, reputation, children, work, friends  etc can be lost,  I have become very aware of the symptoms.   What can start as just a "vacation of the flesh" can soon become a hole in a life that allows the enemy access to "kill, steal and destroy".


Again  You cannot be pitiful and powerful at the same time.

So dear friend, I beg you, if this is a place that you visit often, come before the Father, ask for His forgiveness, and dedicate yourself in the purposes of God, determining to expose the enemy and his tactics.   Pray that the Power of the Holy Spirit will fill your life and that you will be back focused on the ONE who can turn your circumstances around, giving you a hope and a future.

He loves you so!

Blessings 

Where is God?

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:13


Have you ever sought Him with all of your heart?  I wonder if our express lane society has discouraged us from "seeking".   So often  we are reminded of our need for God only to be caught up with the "next thing".  We look for something/one that we can see, hear, touch.  We want immediate satisfaction.


The God of the Universe chose not to make us puppets.  He waits on us to seek Him ~ really seek Him.  When we do He PROMISES that we WILL find Him!   Remember in Proverbs 2:4-6 : 


⁴ if you seek it like silver 
   and search for it as for hidden treasures, 
⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD 
   and find the knowledge of God. 
⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom; 
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Along with Him comes His wisdom, knowledge and understanding as we tap into the Mind of Christ.  

I encourage you today to seek out the Lord.  Spend some time in His presence.  Listen, read the Word and set your mind and heart before Him.  

I promise ~   You WILL find Him and all that HE has to offer!

Blessings!

He Leadeth Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAcgX3Aqo9g

My daughter was sharing with me today some her thoughts about moving to Brazil.  She told of a picture she had in her mind of standing on the edge of a cliff and the Lord pushing her off.  It made her uneasy yet it seemed to be the thought stuck in her head.


The Lord, in His goodness and mercy, replaced that picture in prayer.  She again was standing on the edge of the cliff, looking over, when Jesus rushed up beside her, grabbed her hand and jumped WITH HER!


Ah what a different emotion that picture evokes!
He is WITH ME!
By HIS OWN HAND He leads me!

He leadeth me: O blessed thought! 
O words with heavenly comfort fraught! 
Whate'er I do, where'er I be, 
still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me. 

Refrain
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, 
by his own hand he leadeth me; 
his faithful follower I would be, 
for by his hand he leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, 
sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom, 
by waters still, o'er troubled sea, 
still 'tis his hand that leadeth me. 

Lord, I would clasp thy hand in thine, 
nor ever murmur nor repine; 
content, whatever lot I see, 
since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done, 
when by thy grace the victory's won, 
e'en death's cold wave I will not flee, 
since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Women on a Journey

Many of you may have seen my post or received an email from me concerning this event.


It has been on my heart for a few months and I finally just bit the bullet and made a date.

‎"Women on a Journey" 

Does that describe you? 

Some of us know that we are on a pilgrimage and we want to travel light and well. 

If you need 

encouragement, prayer, fellowship and a good Word 

come ~ 

meet at Gilead's Balm on Thursday evening the 19th of January from 7-9pm.

Tea will be hot and it will be cozy.* 

Just come~ the door will be open.

Feel free to invite any other journey(ers) as well 

Blessings!

*a donation basket will be available on the table

So what do I envision this evening to look like?

Women from different towns and churches coming, meeting new friends, praying

 and receiving prayer.

The world is a hard place to live these days.  The darkness just keeps pressing

 in.  I have asked a few women (young and old) to speak for 5 minutes as to what the

 Lord is putting on their heart concerning women.    These "words" will be

 interspersed  thruout the night.

We will be praying over one another, listening to the Spirit and will be open to Words of 

Knowledge, Scripture and Exhortation.

Come prayed up and ready to receive.   

I think it is going to be wonderful!

I don't know how many will come as I did not ask for a RSVP ~ Park on the street or in the

 field next door and invite a friend if you wish.

I look forward to seeing you here    Thursday!

Superstitious Christianity

Just what do I mean by that?


Tell the truth ~  


When something significant goes wrong in your life ~  do you catch yourself thinking perhaps that you have not been praying enough, reading your Bible regularly, attending church and/or  being kind to your fellow man?


When something goes right ~  do you feel like you are being rewarded for a behavior or for just being good?


This is akin to superstition.  


Nothing, and I will repeat NOTHING that we do, say or think affects the Father's feelings about us.  We know that He chastens those that HE loves.  He has a plan and purpose for us but it is not based on what we do or don't do.   He loves us!   He did ALL  the work!  There is nothing that we can do to earn or subtract  from our standing with Him. Nothing we do will force God's hand or reduce Him to a good luck charm.


Sooooo  the next time you have those "little foxes" running around in your head ~ put them in their place by remembering  and praising the Lord, the One who never changes and is always constant.  He holds the whole world in His hand and what we do or don't do will not alter His plan*


HE LOVES YOU AND ME!


Blessings~
* This is not a statement that is a loop hole for sin.  He watches us with a watchful eye and will allow and disallow certain situations in our lives to forever call us closer to Himself.

Verbal Gifts

I went to a Christian Women's Club this last week and the speaker spoke of giving "Verbal Gifts"  
I like that!


What does it cost?  Sincerity? Being intentional?  Praying and thinking out the Who, What, Where and When?


Let's try it for a week.  Try to give one gift to each person that you have a "real" conversation with.   It will not hurt and may not only make someone's day but will very likely spur them on to wanting to be and do better.


So let's tame that tongue to be used in the way that the Lord intended.

Proverbs 25:11   A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 


Blessings!

It Only Takes a Spark

I am reminded of a news story a few years back.  Thousands of acres of forest burned down because of a tossed cigarette from a car window.  The driver drove on without a moments hesitation yet leaving total mayhem and destruction in his wake.


Have you ever done that?  No I am not talking about tossing a cigarette butt, I am referring to what can happen when we hastily speak an angry or hateful word before we shut the door and leave.  We have all spoken too quickly before and I'm sure we have all heard the illustration about how trying to undo hasty words is like shaking a feather pillow and then trying to gather the contents and put it back in the case.  It is impossible.


Do you speak too quickly?  Do you have "loose lips"?   The Scripture says the tongue is the smallest yet hardest part of the body to rule over.


James is a great book to read to test your "hold" on your tongue.  
Here is a great page that will outline the scriptures in the Bible that speak of the tongue.
http://www.openbible.info/topics/taming_your_tongue


The world will be a quieter place for sure if the Church gets serious and walks out God's Instructions.


Blessings!