Strength That Never Fails

Here is a word for you from the Word

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. NIV

 
You see, there’s a difference between the internal and the external. The external is fading, it’s temporary; but there’s something inside us that’s eternal, that’s from God, that’s linked to God, that doesn’t fade, that doesn’t wither.

 Paul says, “Our outward man perishes, but our inward man is renewed day by day.” Whenever I read those words I always think of my first wife, Lydia. Towards the end of her life she suffered from a weak heart and yet she was an amazingly strong and active woman and continued so almost to the last week of her life. And when she felt her heart, her physical heart, failing, that’s what she would say: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” She’d learned that lesson that we don’t let the external and the physical dictate to us, that there’s an inner source of life and strength which is not subject to the weakness and fluctuations of our human body.

 Eventually God called her home in tremendous victory after almost fifty years of active Christian service and she left behind her a testimony of tremendous victory. But she’d learned that secret: the outward may perish but the inward is eternal. The inward is linked to God, the inward remains a source of strength when there’s little strength left in the outward.


 Derek Prince

The Illusionist

Some of my family and friends are ending the day by watching the movie the "Illusionist"  .  The story about a Master Magician and his ability to confound audiences with his brilliance.

Definition: "A deceptive appearance or impression: "the illusion of togetherness""

Are you an illusionist or are you the real deal.   

There is ONE who knows the heart of man and HE knows not only the way that you take but also your secrets and thoughts.  He knows you from beginning to end.  Don't fool yourself anymore by believing that what and who you are are really not important in the scheme of things.  They are ALL important!

Friend, today is the day to come clean.  If you have been playing "both sides of the field"  come to your merciful Father and ask for forgiveness.  He not only forgives but will set you back on the right track   His plans for you are SO much better than your own and living a life guilt free is worth it all!

Blessings

Open My Eyes Part 2

Taken from  Expecting to See Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz  pp107-108

Is God trying to pry open the eyes of your heart so that He can show you His glory?  Is He using a personal, emotional or  financial  life-shaking experience you are enduring for that purpose?  And have you misunderstood so that, the more intense your situation becomes, the more tightly you squeeze your eyes shut against Him and what He is trying to reveal to you?


Stop resisting Him.  Stop resenting Him.  Stop complaining. Stop feeling sorry for yourself.  Stop demanding what you want...Adjust your attitude.  Change your mind about things, about yourself- about others- about Him. Relax in total trust.  He knows what HE is doing.  Let go and look up!  Let Him open the eyes of your heart.  
OPEN YOUR EYES !  

Open your eyes to the vision of His glory!  Prayerfully, expectantly, sincerely, open your eyes to Him!

Amen and Amen!

Open My Eyes

Are you sure that you are seeing all that the Lord has for you?
Sometimes without even realizing it we are blinded by life...
Tears of grief?
Fierceness of anger?
Despair of loneliness?
Heartache, wayward children, lack of finances etc etc


The burdens and worries of this life tend to "step in front of" clear vision and we lose our focus.
Listen to this old hymn and ask the Lord to take any scales off of your eyes that you might see all that HE has for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYjr9CsqHvQ

I Can't ~ or ~ I Won't

Chatting with some friends over dinner tonite this topic came up.  
Is there a difference between the two phrases  I can't and I won't?


I can't says   "I am not able to".
I won't say,  "I make a choice not to".


What do we say to Jesus?  
We often say I can't, but held up to scripture our "I can't" is blown away, 
Philippians 4:13   "I can do all things through Christ who strengths me!"
Thus
If we walk away from the Word still saying "I can't"....it  now becomes an "I won't".


HE will give us nothing that HE is not able to accomplish through us.  
He needs a willing vessel.  Is that you?  
Remember that everything that comes our way is used in the process of conforming us into HIS image.


Look in the mirror...Do you see Him?

Think About This~

~YOU~  

Yes, I said YOU

are

HIS FAVORITE ONE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln93ToDtFAQ&feature=related


Will you believe it today?  Don't hold back any longer.  Don't let this truth be stolen any longer
Ask the Lord to change your mind and heart and soften you to hear of HIS love for YOU!

Sitting in the Boat With Jesus

I've been pondering lately about the guys in the boat with Jesus...You remember the story...storm comes up, they panic..wake Jesus up... HE calms the winds and sea.
Ok   Can we get to the place that we SO trust HIM that no matter what happens, eyes on HIM, we do not react in fear?  
I personally think it is possible.   
A number of months ago I heard the Lord say to me that we were going to be working on "Confidence"     an unshakable stance, unwavering

1. The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust: 
2. The state of feeling certain about the truth of something.
3. faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way 
4. full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing:

Now for certain the ONLY WAY, in my estimation, that we can have this type of confidence is if we have entered such a tight relationship with HIM that we know and believe in HIS nature without doubting. This takes time and practice.  

How about you?    You are in the boat....it's tipping on it's side but you're with Jesus....yes HE seems to be sleeping, but none the less HE Is with you.... Can you trust?   Will you try to save the ship, try to shake HIM awake  or will you curl up close to Him and hold on tight? what do you think.

I hear HIM throughout my days lately...."DO YOU TRUST ME NOW?"

Yes I am willing to learn this lesson...Give me grace Lord to be unshakable because of YOU, MY ROCK,  my strong tower.

I pray this for you as well dear friend!

Blessings!

Right Where You Are

She sat in the small room off the narrow hallway.
No door, No sheets, sterile.    Suicide watch with every 15 minutes an orderly check.
She did not dare lay down, it was the scariest time of her life.  It had finally happened and she had "cracked", lost it, broken down.  And now she was HERE.   Sitting on the stool in the corner near the toilet she held her head and cried.  Despare.  Loneliness.  The End.


A life of success....led her here?   Where was the audience now, the bright lights were a faint memory.
She heard the footsteps and did not even bother to lift her head.  She knew it was the quarter hour check.


"Sheila"  She lifts her head and a man stands in front of her.  A man she has never met or seen.  He holds a little stuffed lamb out to her. She takes it as he walks back toward the doorway.  He turns and quietly says "Sheila, the Shepherd knows right where you are."   Then he was gone.


She knows it was an angel with exact timing.  Those words kept her alive and she held on and things began to get better.


Could this be your story?  Are you feeling low, in the pit, discouraged?   HE know right where you are.  He NEVER leaves you.   Muster your strength to crawl up onto HIS lap and stay there.  He does not need you to do anything else ~  Just rest.  You will make it through


Blessings dear one

A Wonderful Savior!

It's late and I'm tired.

I was going to skip tonite but this song has come to me as I've climbed the stairs to bed

OH~  What a wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord

He hideth me ~  I so well know it!

PS this reminds me of the small country church that I grew up in!

Why don't you sing along with this beautiful truth by Fanny Crosby!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2OTzYeA60U&feature=related

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

Refrain

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life with the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.

Refrain

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer as mine!

Refrain

When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

Refrain

A Sacrifice

I found this great song and want to share it with you.


Have you ever had to sacrifice anything......really?
It is only a sacrifice if it is something that we love  Right?


It got me thinking about why it is so hard to sacrifice our selfish ways, our plans, our desire.
It's a sacrifice because we love our selves and our ways so much


Take a few minutes and think ...What are you willing to sacrifice for the Lord today
your time,  having your way, your money, your preferences, your plans ?  If HE calls you today will you sacrifice  for HIM?   Oh that we may be like Abraham.....work it in us Lord!


Blessings!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcjkJp9VxY8

Assurance is our Insurance!

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.


As Americans we so often think that insurance is a BIG deal.  We take out plans to cover ourselves, our children, our dogs, cars, our stuff,  everything!  
Often we stick these papers somewhere in a drawer, paying the monthly fee and  hardly know what our coverage is.


I would rather have ASSURANCE!


I am assured that I will go to heaven when I die
I am assured that I will be provided for
I am assured that I will have enough grace for each and every situation
I am assured that the Lord holds me
I am assured that the Lord is intimately involved in my daily life
I am assured that I am never out of His care
I am assured that HE is in control
I am assured that He hears my cry
I am assured that He will answer my plea
I am assured that He IS love
I am assured that HE has a plan
I am assured that He has paid for my sin
I am assured that I can never be where HE cannot find me


I could go on and on.....why don't you?   Take a minute and think about what you are ASSURED of.   


Heaven is a wonderful place
Filled with glory and grace
I'm going to see my Saviors face
Heaven is a wonderful place! 


If you have any doubts deal with them today on your knees or go and talk to your pastor or friend.
Be assured beloved today ~

What Can I DO For You?

So often we think of  DOING when it comes to thanking someone.
What can I do for YOU?


But that poses a problem ~
Our heavenly Father did it ALL
and what can we possible do in return?


Listen to what HE says:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyLJlkYv8hw

Do you realize today how much HE loves YOU??


Father, today, expand our hearts and minds and give us the grace to see, hear and believe that You love us as You say You do.  

Give Me Jesus!

Dear Ones,

Listen to this today.....

~a few times if you can find the time~

Is there anyone like HIM?

Is HE more than able?

Can HE make a way where there is none?

AHHHHH   YES

JUST GIVE ME JESUS!

http://www.findinggodinautism.com/just-give-me-jesus.html

I don't want to escape 

I don't want to quit

Just GIVE ME JESUS!

Blessings!

Courageous

Seven of my sons took me out for dinner and to see the movie Courageous last nite.  It was good.  There was a scene where a man was asked to do something dishonest at the work place.  He went home knowing full well that he would lose his new, and much needed, job if he did not comply.  


He was tested on his integrity.


Integrity
 In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions. Integrity can be regarded as the opposite of hypocrisy,^[1] 


As Christians we should have integrity.  We should mean what we say and say what we mean.  We should walk the talk all week long not just on Sunday.  It should follow us where ever we go, to church, work, the gym, the grocery store.   It is a character trait  that the Lord wants to work deep down  inside us.


After all the whole process of life is that we might conform to the likeness and image of Jesus
2 Cor. 3:18    And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.


So friend are you BEING TRANSFORMED?  Sounds like a process to me... Stay pliable beloved....work with HIM not against Him!

In God Alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08CeqyaffKM


Here is a word for you from the Word

Psalm 62:1-2;5-6 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. NIV

    

There is one very important word that occurs four times in succession in those verses that I’ve just read. The word is “alone.”

 My soul finds rest in God alone.
He alone is my rock and salvation.
My hope comes from God alone.
And He alone is my rock.

 You see, there’s a certain sense in which the only ultimate source of salvation and of hope is God Himself. The prophet Isaiah cried out, “God has become my salvation.” Salvation is not to be found in religion, even in a creed or a doctrine, or in church membership. There’s only one ultimate source of salvation and it’s very important that each one of us comes at some time in our lives to that place where we use that word “alone”; where we say, “God alone is my hope, my rock, my fortress, and the source of my salvation.” And, true enough, when we say that, it becomes true in our experience 

- Derek Prince

Honey-Do List

I have a Honey-Do list.  Being without a husband  (or even with a husband for that matter)I find my self facing many things that are just too big for me. Things that I cannot understand, figure out, afford, etc etc, those things I put on God's list.


The Scripture says that the Lord is my Husband  Isaiah 54:5

New International Version For your Maker is your husband--the LORD Almighty is his name--the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. I praise the Lord for this scripture.  I stand on it.  I remind myself of it often.  My list is posted where the Lord can see it and I know that He will do it in a timely fashion.  I don't have to worry or fret. I encourage you today to make your Honey~do list.  Take the worry out of your mind and place it in His hands.  He who never slumbers or sleeps will take care of all your needs and more! He is the best husband EVER!

I Will Trust In YOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF5ieYJCqnw

Joel 3.10

You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart

With songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You

I will trust in You

Let the weak say

I am strong

In the strength of the Lord

You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart

With songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You

I'm SORRY!

Remember dealing with your child when they needed to say that they were sorry?  They have pinched someone, taken a toy, tattled etc and you have stepped in and said "Now say you're sorry to your brother"

It's amazing how hard that word is to say.  Many a child has had to be punished simply because they would not follow through with this word, the gaze goes down, the feet shuffle and stubbornness comes to the surface.

So interesting.   

And then after threat upon threat they FINALLY say "I'm SORRY"  You can hear it can't you? A two word sentence filled with rebellion.    It's that "I may be sitting down but I'm standing up on the inside~ type thing."

Sooooo  how you doing with this word in your life now?  Now that you are grown are you able to say it easier?  Have you ever  actually let yourself feel sorry?  Has your heart ever hurt because you have caused someone pain or discomfort?   Are you able to own it?     

Get in front of a mirror and say it....."I'm sorry"   Practice it until it flows easier.  Perhaps you need to actually say you're sorry to yourself for things that you have allowed into your life and choices that have landed you where you are.   Start there first....Forgive yourself don't be caught off guard if you cry, its totally alright.

When dealing with children I have tried to teach that there are three other words that are of equal importance as well and that is "I forgive you"   I feel these words need to be said to "tie up the deal"   If the other person does not say anything you might prompt them by saying "Can you forgive me?"  Be prepared...if they hesitate or say no perhaps the wound is deeper than you realized.  DON'T become irritated and or frustrated .  You have taken time to get to the place to say it , let them have some time as well.   God will give you the grace to be gracious.  Simply say it again and tell them you will be praying that they can find it in their heart to forgive you.

Friends there is SUCH HEALING in these words.  Healing if the words are said with feeling and remorse and salt if they are not.   

 I think that we should look for places and situations where we can say we are sorry.  I think that it makes the ground fertile between two people.  Loosen up, if this blog has riled you dare look at the reason why.  

Beloved you have been forgiven much, allow the Lord to work this into you. It has the power to open closed doors and build bridges where there are done.

Well done good and faithful servant!

Blessings!

Laughter!

Visiting mom this week  we were chatting about her memory and/or loss there of.  I told her that I felt that we should begin to pray about this and that I felt that the Lord would want to bless her by activating her memory again!  It was an encouraging conversation and prayer time.    
A little while later we were getting settled in the car for a drive and I told her to remember to put on her seat belt.  She was busy trying to zip her pocketbook and when that was settled she looked up at me and said "So what did you say about bubblegum?"  We laughed and laughed as I said "Lord about that prayer.....did you understand what I was talking about???"


We have talked about this off and on as she ages.  Her memory, slowness of step and loss of hearing make it hard for her to feel she is still viable.  It can make visitors and on lookers feel awkward and frustrated.  Talking has helped but laughter has been great!


What's bugging you?  Is it something that you can fix?    If so fix it....if not perhaps you should just chuckle.  I'm sure I have told you one of my favorite verses before;  Proverbs 31:27  "She is clothed with dignity and confidence and she laughs at the future"


Friends  God is in control.  True we sure don't understand HIS ways, but we can trust Him


Relax!  Stress can kill you and laughter is good medicine!


Blessings!





Laugh!!!!      http://dauckster.posterous.com/lutheran-airlines-fg-audio-only

Habits are Hard to Break!

I have a habit.....Actually I have a number of habits but I am only going to speak of one that the Lord has brought to my mind.  I like to make lists.  To-do lists, and "have done" lists,  those that aid in keeping records.  Those that prove that I have been active and busy,  that I exist and have a purpose.

One day as I was adding some things and people's names to my calendar that I had already taken care of and met with, the sweet Holy Spirit whispered....."Why do you write everything you have done down?"   

As I pondered this question with Him, He showed me that it was a type of self-evaluation.    I was validating my existence.  In case anyone asked or saw my calendar they would be able to see that I hadn't been just sitting around all day,  I am busy, my schedule full.  

He gently said to me "Marnie, there is no need.  It does not matter.  I see you, watch you day in and day out,.  your life is mine and your service is to Me.  Put the pen down"

I would like to tell you that I felt immediate relief, but no..... It is hard to break a habit, train a new way of thinking, believe what we cannot see or hear.   

For God says;

Ephesians 2:8-9

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

⁸You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve.  This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. ⁹It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.

I am going to stop my need to validate my existence.  I exist to glorify the Father and to obey His Holy Name.  I am His and He is mine....His banner over me is love.


Rest dear one.....He loves you just as you are.