The Sun's Comin' Up

Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.

I really love mornings. I go to bed at night so full of anticipation for the next morning. Mostly because I get to have my wonderful coffee with hazelnut creamer. (Can't drink it later in the day for it keeps me awake at night) My sweet husband loved mornings too. He always woke up with a cheery attitude and smile. Can't say that I loved mornings so much back then. Now I can see his enthusiasm. Because mornings remind us of  God's great faithfulness. It is something on which we can depend. And He tops it off with his mercy and compassion. These He gives us, because no matter what happened yesterday, we have his mercy and his compassion with which to start over. We never have to depend on yesterday's blessings. They are new every day. God's blessings are never early and they are never late. Thy are new every morning. Today's mercies are for today's burdens. But there is coming a morning, we'll have no more burdens, 'cause we'll be in Heaven with Jesus. What a morning that's gonna be! (Reckon there's coffee in heaven? Preacher always said there would be). Oh, the sun's comin' up in the mornin'...

Greater than the Storms

Today My heart is heavy for all the folks that lost their homes and lives in the tornadoes over the week-end. I woke up with a great burden for them. As I prayed for all those families, I was reminded of how fleeting things and life really are. In just a matter of minutes all their possessions were wiped out.And several lost their lives. I am so thankful for the lives that were saved during the storms. But whole neighborhoods gone. Just like that! Please pray for the people of Arkansas. The fury of a storm like that just amazes me. That kind of power is so awesome (even in it's terribleness). We have a God who can be that powerful in our lives also. He can deliver us from sinful habits, fears, and wrong thinking, a bad past, and anything else! The key  words in the verse below is.......WHO BELIEVE.
The Bible says in Ephesians 1:19 "and what is the exceeding GREATNESS of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power." Power greater than the storms that blew through Arkansas this last week-end, is the power of our God.

Training Is Not Easy

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Two of my granddaughters post Bible verses on their Facebook everyday. I said, "Between the two of you, I don't have to get my Bible out anymore." I was just kidding, of course. However, it is a blessing to this grandmother's heart that they are reading the Bible daily. 3John 1:4 says "There is no greater joy, than to hear that my children walk in truth,"  this verse is so true. Many a night of soul searching, Bible reading, and begging God to give direction, in raising my four kids was spent. I didn't have a clue how to raise kids, but I knew that God could help me. Proverbs 22:6 was a constant verse on my mind and heart. The key word in that verse being TRAIN. I think too many women left the training of their children to others, in my day. I realize that it was necessary for some. But many traded their children's character for security and nice things. And that resulted in broken hearts and dreams. We did not have a big home, modern furniture, or new cars. The only thing we had was faith in God to see us through. Thank the Lord, all four graduated from Christian School, and two of them graduated from Bible College. Our God can be trusted to take care of us. I see a trend among many younger Mothers today to train their children. I applaud them! It isn't an easy thing to do but, anything worthwhile is not  easy. But the dividends are so worth it!

When We Can't Pray

Romans 8:26, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Remembering the first days of finding Preacher's pancreatic cancer; he had some stomach problems and so I took him in to see his primary care doctor. They sent us over to get an ultra sound on his gall bladder. It really took a long time and I was getting a little concerned. When my husband finally came out, he said they had to do a CAT scan of his pancreas because a little spot showed up on the screen. All the next few days were just a blur, trying to get to a hospital that could do a Whipple surgery meant going outside our network of insurance. The whole ordeal was a real challenge for us. But to make a long story short, we got to the hospital at 5:00 a.m.on the morning of the scheduled surgery and there was no record of it. So after several hours, and a lot of confusion, they got it straightened out. As he and I sat in the room, waiting for them to take him, it was all I could do to try to pray. It just wouldn't come out, there was just so much confusion and fear. But I now realize, that the Holy Spirit was making intercession for me, because I couldn't pray. I am so very thankful for a God that not only answers our prayers, He gives us the Holy Spirit to pray for us when we can't pray ourselves. Preacher came through the surgery, the insurance paid, and I got to keep that sweet man for twenty eight more months. How wonderful was that?

Where There is a Will, There's a Way

 This week end one of my beautiful granddaughters came to spend Easter with me.(I have nine of them) It was a blessing to have her for the day. Since she graduates from college this year, we had a nice little talk about finding the will of God for your life. So a few thoughts came to mind about the will of God. For many the "will of God" may seem a little frightening. I know it has been for me. I do know that God loves me and knows what  is best for me. The trouble comes because I have a will of my own and I don't want to give that up. My flesh wants what it wants, sometimes to the point that I can't see past it. The first step is to surrender my will to God. And then start praying for God to show me His will. It may take a while but hang on, God is working.....  (Phil.2:13) For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Here are some great thoughts ........ His will is the most blessed thing that can come to us. He loves, loves, loves us, and the will of love is always blessing for its loved one. Better and sweeter than friends, fame, and fortune is the wonderful will of our God. God has a will for each of us and there is a way to know it.

Honest-to-goodness Miracle

Do you believe in miracles? I'm talking real honest-to-goodness ones. I am sure that most of us would say that we do. We may call it a miracle when something we didn't expect, happens. Or something difficult happens in our lives and we get through it. But a real miracle can't be explained humanly speaking. These kind don't happen often. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was an old fashioned, honest-to-goodness miracle! The Bible says...
"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of things pertaining to the kingdom of God:" (Acts 1:3)  This had to be one excited bunch of  people. They knew He came back to life because they talked with him and even touched him. (infallible proofs) And we have the account of the whole thing written down. What a wonderful miracle we celebrate on Easter Sunday. Believe it, because it really happened, honest-to-goodness!

Stop Stinkin Thinkin

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Cor. 10:5

Have you ever been guilty of  "stinking thinking"? Heaven knows, I have. Probably more times than I care to count. Satan can sure sell us a bill of goods. He says, "you are no good, you are a failure, nothing's ever gonna change,  they didn't treat you right", and on and on it goes. That's when we have to look to verses like the one above to stop that kind of thinking. Don't allow those lies to stay in your mind. To "cast down" means to throw down. Just throw those thoughts right out the door. It may take a little practice, but eventually they will leave. Because you can only have one thought in your mind at a time.  Bringing your thoughts into obedience is like anything else. It takes work and practice. You have to be careful what you allow to stay in your mind. I have read that every negative thought needs to be accompanied by two positive thoughts. I just don't know any thoughts  more positive than The WORD of God. But you have to put them in there to recall them.  A great verse to memorize is Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose MIND is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee."

Pride vs.Peace

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them.

I have to admit that sometimes I can wear my feelings on my sleeves. It's not always in obvious ways, because I have learned to ACT humble and spiritual. And that is as much PRIDE as anything. Why is it so many of us have to be flattered and begged to do what we aught to do humbly? Most pastors can tell dozen of instances where he has had to baby along "mature" Christians. How often have you heard someone say.,"Well, be careful how you handle so and so.You know how easily offended she or (he) is." Do you sometimes think people don't appreciate what you do for them? Do your feelings get hurt often? Maybe you (and I) need to memorize and meditate on the above verse. God promises us great peace if we love His Word. I have always heard when peace leaves, SIN has entered. And we know what to do with sin.
 I John 1:9

Real Love

1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

This week I heard a preacher say that the word charity is a word that means more than love. It talks of a love that is active. Actually, the world is looking for that type of love. We were created with a need to be loved. There is One who loves us like that. It took me  many years to realize that God loved me. It changed everything! I have since counseled others and helped them to know about this Love. It is a greater love than any man can give. As Christians we are to love others. But don't look to men for  love. It will never measure up. Look to God. He is love, real love.

A Determined Vision

We are having a Missions Conference at my church this week-end so I didn't get my blog done last night. But it is a blessing to see people who are so willing to serve the Lord in other countries and even to start and help churches in America. The sermon last night was by Tyrone Barfield. He and his wife Cindy and their children are coming here to Texarkana to live and start a church. He has been planning this endeavor since he was 19 years old. He is now 32. He is not coming to reach only Black people, but anyone. His sermon was "Keep On Keeping On." I think he has kept his dream going. I have to pray for someone with that determined a vision. There is a need here for this family. Keep them in your prayers.

 Here is a little quip that I got at the doctor's office the other day:

Moments with God
Happy moments, praise God
Difficult moments, seek God
Quiet moments, worship God
Painful moments, trust God
Every moment, thank God

Wise or Foolish?

Pro 13:20  He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Our relationships are important. Friends are one of the greatest gifts we can have.They can be a great blessing or a big downfall. A true friend will lift us up-not pull us down. Sometimes those we consider friends are just companions.Today I spent the day with another sweet friend. She was so gracious to everyone who helped us. It was just a joy to behold. It takes so little effort to be kind and appreciative. Being around her made me want to be kinder. I love the influence that friends can have on us. Do your friends encourage, and cause you to want to be a better person? And are you the kind of friend that helps and encourages? Walking with wise friends rubs off on us, but sadly, so does running with foolish friends. We are known by the company we keep.

The Bible is for Real life

Phil.2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

I am so thankful for this verse. As a pastor's wife for thirty three years, and Christian worker for forty six, the Holy Spirit had to remind me of it often. Yes, even people in full time ministry have conflicts with others. And when we do, we must remember NOT to be argumentative and full of ourselves. We are to esteem ( think highly) of others, even better than ourselves. Boy, that will take the wind out of your sails. Especially when you think that you have it right and they don't (vainglory). I have been about to blow up over some issue and this verse would come to mind. It is amazing what God's Word can do to settle us down and change our spirits or attitudes when we accept it. Believe me, it saved me from many an unnecessary altercation. This verse will make the "I have my rights" attitude go right out the window. The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me....it helps in REAL life.

Guard Your Hearts

Pro 4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

God's starting place for dealing with problems in our lives is to keep our hearts right. To "keep" means to protect, guard, or watch out for. It is so easy to let things into our hearts that are temporal. I had lunch with a sweet friend today and we discussed  how busy we can be, many times even neglecting important people in our lives. If we don't guard our hearts with all diligence (make it a priority) we are going to fill our lives with the wrong things. And sad to say, that leaves little time for people who may need us.  Our hearts have to be protected against the enemy who wants to "steal, kill, and destroy" our lives with carnal, temporal pursuits. If our hearts are on spiritual things and we make that a priority, our lives will have purpose.