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SPENDING TIME!

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Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.  Psalm 133:1

Who does not enjoy sharing time with a friend or two?  To me, everything and anything can be much more fun when you share it with a friend!

Today, however, I see so many people sharing this time with their phones or computers.  They may be with a friend but both have their heads glued to the screens of their phones!  I remember going to breakfast with my family; there were about six of us together. I look up, and realized we were all staring at our phone screens! From that moment on, I made a rule that phones were not allowed at the table.

People today have more in common with their phones than they do their friends.  Many would rather spend time playing games or looking at social media instead of sharing a moment with a friend. We miss out on so much when we neglect our relationships.  A few days ago, I made a promise to the Father – I would put my phone down during the day and when I am with family and friends.  I would listen to them – hear their hearts, their joys, their sorrows and share a bit of laughter.  I would then recall that time later and realize just how precious it has been spending time with them!

 I challenge each one of you to make that same promise!  Spend some quality time with those you love.  Try and meet someone new this week and get to know them – away from screens.  And see how good and pleasant life is with a friend once again!

He is Here!!!

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Genesis 28:16. When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it”.

This pandemic has closed us down – staying at home, closing businesses and even restaurants. It has closed our churches and then is only allowing limited participation. Most recreational places have been shut tight and they are saying schools may only be open for a limited number of days. Loved ones are in hospitals with no visitors and wearing a mask has become a normal wardrobe accessory.

To me, it feels like we have been put to sleep and after a while, many do not want to awaken for fear of what they will see. There is so much talk of election interference, the One World Order and a vaccine that can change our DNA. But today, it’s like I woke from this sleep and nightmare and realized we are not alone. We, as Christians are not alone. The lord Himself is in this place – He is here. Yes, I knew He was here, but I was not really aware of His presence until today! He let me know He is here and wants me to share this with you!

Do not be frightened or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Yes, the words we hear and the videos we have been sent to watch are frightening – but He reminds us He is here! We need not be afraid of a virus or of men! For God, our God is with us even through this crazy time. And we all can rest assured that God is here. Knowing His Word – the sword of the Spirit, will give us more truth than any of those videos or reports out there!

So, rest assured brothers and sisters – Let us awaken from our sleep and know the Lord is in this place!

The Lord Is In this Place!

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Genesis 28:16. When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it”.

This pandemic has closed us down – staying at home, closing businesses and even restaurants. It has closed our churches and then is only allowing limited participation. Most recreational places have been shut tight and they are saying schools may only be open for a limited number of days. Loved ones are in hospitals with no visitors and wearing a mask has become a normal wardrobe accessory.

To me, it feels like we have been put to sleep and after a while, many do not want to awaken for fear of what they will see. There is so much talk of election interference, the One World Order and a vaccine that can change our DNA. But today, it’s like I woke from this sleep and nightmare and realized we are not alone. We, as Christians are not alone. The lord Himself is in this place – He is here. Yes, I knew He was here, but I was not really aware of His presence until today! He let me know He is here and wants me to share this with you!

Do not be frightened or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Yes, the words we hear and the videos we have been sent to watch are frightening – but He reminds us He is here! We need not be afraid of a virus or of men! For God, our God is with us even through this crazy time. And we all can rest assured that God is here. Knowing His Word – the sword of the Spirit, will give us more truth than any of those videos or reports out there!

So, rest assured brothers and sisters – Let us awaken from our sleep and know the Lord is in this place!

The Christmas Gift!

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The Christmas Gift

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

The Christmas Season is a gift. It is a gift of love from the Father who is Himself love. For God so loved that He gave His one and only son for you and for me.

The Christmas Season is a gift of joy. Think of times with family and friends. Think of traditions and familiar foods, and think of the presents given and received. The Christmas Season surrounds us with these sounds, touches and smells of joy!

The Christmas Season is a gift of light. Think of the trees so bright and cheerful and the neighborhood sparkling lights for all to see. And think of the light that has come into our lives and given for us to share.

The Christmas Season is a gift of salvation. Jesus has come into this world for each one of us – for you and me so we can celebrate life everlasting with our heavenly Father!

So, before we open any of those shiny packages under the tree, remember the one gift that brings love, joy, light and salvation. Think of Jesus – for He is the Everlasting Gift that gives and keeps on giving!

Ask and Receive!

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Matthew 7:7. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find.

Sometimes I have heard His Assured answer and other times I am just believing and hoping I can make right decisions. Life can be difficult and knowing the best way to go or direct my focus can be “Hit and Miss”!

When is the right time in life to start a family? Should we buy a new house or not? This job doesn’t pay much so should I look for another? My child is struggling at school, should I ask his teacher for her help? My Marriage could be better. Should we see a counselor? These, and many other questions will plague our minds.

This morning was no different. I went to prayer and the very first prayer off my lips was, “Father I need direction and I know I need your help. I want You Lord to please show the way.” The next thing I heard from the Holy Spirit was, “open your Bible.” Well my Bible was right next to me, so I opened and there before me was this verse, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8”

Now, I am not one to believe that every answer comes from opening my Bible and pointing to a verse. But, this time, after I was instructed to open the answer was there, right there in front of me! He would yes, always be there to guide and to teach!

My first lesson is always ask Him! Pray and He will direct. My second lesson is the Word of God always instructs and teaches us His will for our lives. Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, Matt 7:7

Standing Firm!

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Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

This verse begins with the word therefore. I know it must be the reason for his command to stand firm. Earlier, Paul reveals a mystery – the mystery of moving from this life to eternal life with our heavenly Father. This we know and look forward to –

BUT today…today is a “stand firm” day. Today I will listen for His voice and follow His leading. Today I will take the Word of God, live it and declare it to a world where darkness resides. And today I will not back down from who He has called me to be! Yes, today and tomorrow I will work to give myself fully to the work of the Lord.

In Matthew 12:30, Jesus says, Whoever is not with me is against me and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Yes, Jesus is clear in His Word – Stand firm, live My Words, follow Me and not the voices of men.

I realize this is not the popular stand in today’s world, but as His Word tells us:Your labor will not be in vain!

He Knows!

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Lord you have seen what is in my heart. You know… Psalm 139:1

There have been days when I try to pray and words just do not come. I can barely pray at all that morning. The worry of life, the grief of what may have happened has gripped me and taken hold. At this point knowing I desperately need to pray, nothing comes. I even barely understand it myself – and then the tears begin and all I can say is Lord, I am sorry – I know I need to share with You, but I just don’t know how.

I want you to know something I have learned though. It’s okay – yes it’s okay because God hears the prayer of your heart even if you have not given it a voice – He knows. He knows who you are and what you need – He knows ALL about you and me. Even if we could put voice to the whole circumstance, it would definitely be inadequate – and God knows that too.

At this point, I can now say, thank You God for knowing me, for loving me and for giving me the courage to keep going in this life. Thank you for being here to lean on, to depend on and know that You already have everything worked out according to your plan. I love You, trust You, depend on You!

Be Still Time!

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Be still and know that I Am God. Psalm 46:10

This is a world of the internet. Any information we need can be found simply with the click of a key. Once we used encyclopedias and libraries. Today, we use the computer to find the answers we need and do it quickly. It has become a world of speed.

In fact, being still is never something most of us think of doing. (How long will this job take us, what can I cook for dinner that takes very little time to prepare and what is the quickest way to get where I want to go.) In this day and age, stress is high and very much a part of most people’s lives!

But God says: Be still! Be still and Know that I Am God. He knows we need to slow down. He knows that Be Still time is important for our physical health and our spiritual lives. Be still helps not only our health, but our relationship with God. Ask yourself often, how well do I know my God?

In this day and age of internet quickness, it has become almost impossible to slow down and know God. Many times, when I go to prayer Be still time is hard to have and maintain. It takes practice and determination. But the God who loves us, the God who gave it all, yes, He wants to spend time with each one of us.

So, in this New Year, let’s begin again and make Be still time a New Resolution – a time to slow down – to again enjoy life and know God!

I Choose Love!

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Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Is this word in Romans to be obeyed in today’s age of ours? Does this mean we are not to borrow, for say a home mortgage or even an automobile? What about credit cards? While living in debt is not God’s plan for any man, Paul is not confronting this liability here. He is reinforcing a plain biblical Truth!

Love, we have been told is not just an emotion we feel or do not feel. Love is to be given to all. We are not to select those to share our love with according to how “loveable” they are. We, my friends, are to love without prejudice all men. We are bound to love yes, all men – even those whom we feel may not be worthy of our love. We are bound to them as well.

God is calling us to credit all men’s account with love. Love is never something we can say is finished. We will never pay love in full – love is an on going debt we will always owe.

Paul goes on to say this is the fulfillment of the law. It sounds simple and it should be but it isn’t. Yes, we all know it is hard to love that person who cut us off this morning in traffic, the boss who demands and demands and keeps on demanding, and the neighbor whom we can never seem to please.

Love is a choice – love is an action – love is kind and caring – and love is God. So today, I choose – I choose to love all men – whether my emotions say yes or no, I choose. I choose to act out love, I choose to be kind and caring to all men and I choose God!

A Fresh New Start!

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The end of the year marks a new start, a new beginning and yes, a New Year coming. Lately, I am determined to arrange each drawer, cabinet and closet in the house. It hits me every year at this time. I want a new look, a fresh and clean start to begin this coming year.

It is the same with my spiritual house. I start thinking and projecting ways I can love Him more, serve Him better and be the daughter He would be proud to call His daughter.

What about my prayer time? Am I giving the Lord the quality time He calls me to? Am I making God first in every part of my life? And yet it hits me – Be Still and Know that I Am God. He tells me again to Be Still.

Many times we try so hard to make things happens. But we need to remember: He is the one who gives us the new start, the New Year – a new beginning. He just speaks the words again – Be Still.

I am so thankful for a new start – a New Year. More importantly, I am thankful for a faithful and loving God that always gives those new starts, new beginnings and a fresh new hope.

So today, I pray for guidance and direction from Him who makes all things new. Revelation 21:5 He who is seated on the throne said, “Behold I am making all things new!”.