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Sunday, December 28, 2014

Quiet Rest

Sometimes I find myself in need of rest.  Not your normal rest that you get by sleeping or just sitting quietly....nothing like that.  It's a different kind of rest.  The kind you can only get from the Lord.  For many days now I have been sick....restless....weary....in need of something that I just couldn't put my finger on.  When I sat down and picked up my Bible I turned to a scripture that talked about quiet rest.  Immediately an old hymn came to mind.  It talks about quiet rest....

Near To The Heart Of God 
(Cleland B. McAfee)

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

chorus
 
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of  God;
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

chorus

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the Heart of God.

chorus;
O Jesus, blest Redeemer;
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us, who wait before thee,
Near to the heart of God.

This is what I have been in need of for days....the quiet rest of the Lord.  At times it is just hard for me to get to the place I need to be to find that rest....which is....near to the heart of God.  As I sit here and sing this to myself tonight I know that the Lord brought this song to my remembrance.  He knows....even when we won't admit it....when we are close to the edge and He wants to help us.  I know that the Lord brought this to my mind to remind me that He is the only place I will find true rest.  And that staying close to Him is the only place there is peace. 

If you are struggling tonight talk to the Lord.  Press in close to Him.  He is where you will find that quiet rest and peace.

James 4:8 (Amp)

Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].













Sunday, December 21, 2014

Glory To GOD In The Highest

Luke 2:14

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Glory to GOD in the highest! Glory to GOD in the highest!! Glory to GOD in the highest!!!
 

When life happens. Sickness....loss....finances....whatever problem has hit your life....just say it again and again....Glory to GOD in the highest!  HE'S listening and HE is there.  Good times....bad times....HE loves us and HE cares.  JESUS was born....lives....died for us....and through it all....HE is with us.  Glory to GOD in the highest! 

I heard a preacher on TV this morning say how if we just continually praise the LORD when things aren't going well that everything will get better....in fact more than better!! Circumstances may not change but you will change because the LORD will touch you.  HE might not fix the problem in the way we want it fixed but we will be better.  He said a good thing to say is....Glory to GOD in the highest!  So today....

I'm going with that. It fits the season we are in and I am believing that the LORD is faithful and HE does inhabit the praises of HIS people....those of us who know HIM as our SAVIOR and call HIM LORD.  My study bible says: The MESSIAH'S coming brings glory to GOD in the heavens and peace to humans on earth.  I believe that today.  HE has been close to me through many things and given me peace when I didn't think it was even possible.  Though I admit at times I regress a little and think....or even say something negative like....what if things aren't better when I need them to be? In fact....I did say that just a bit ago to a friend and I wish I hadn't because I'm just giving satan a crack to get in.  I believe with everything in me that JESUS has got every problem I have and that HE will take care of me.  So today I say again....

"Glory to GOD in the highest!"

"until we see JESUS....face to face"


 


Thursday, December 18, 2014

HE Sustains Us

Colossians 1:17
HE existed before anything else,
   and HE holds all creation together.

Did you get that?  All creation....everything....HE holds it All together!  That means you and that means me.  Oh....I am so glad....so thankful!  Tonight it is hard for me to explain to you just what that verse means to me.  But I can tell you this....I get it.  I get what it means that HE holds all....everything....together.  He protects us....cares for us....sustains us. 

One definition of sustain is this;
to keep (a person, the mind, the spirits, etc.) from giving way, as under trial or affliction.
 
At times the things we go through seem to be more than we think we can deal with but that's really just not true.  As long as we are walking with the Lord....I like to think of it as He is walking with me each step I take....we are going to be okay.  Even when life gets really hard you just have to....rely on....trust in....have faith in the Lord....because He is not going to leave you.  

Thank You JESUS for keeping me together.  For being with me through every trial....protecting and keeping me.  I love YOU. 
 
"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Sunday, November 16, 2014

His Word....Our Hope

This morning I was writing in my journal and I saw a verse....a very special verse....from the Psalms.

Psalm 119:105
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

The morning after I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive me and come into my life I woke up thinking this verse.  I don't even know how to tell you what I felt that morning when the Lord gave that verse to me!  At that point I had no idea where to find it or how true the words of this verse are.  But now....seven years and three months later....I know more and more....every moment of everyday....how true this verse is and what hope and strength can be found in His Word.  My study Bible says this about it....

The Lords word is a lamp that provides perspective, hope, and guidance in darkness.  Even more, this light gives life.

Oh how true this is!  Even though at times I let myself get so caught up in the things of life....and I set aside the things I know I need to do....that when I come crawling back spent and broken....God still speaks and comforts me through His Word.  Isn't that just like Him?  Welcoming us with open arms...giving strength....healing....forgiveness....if we only just give our cares....burdens....sorrows....all over to Him!  Thank You....Thank You....Thank You Lord for Your love....kindness....grace and mercy in my/our time of need.

This morning I have so many feelings and thoughts that I just don't know where to go from here with this post. So....I will just finish with a prayer....

O Father I come to You this morning with much thankfulness in my heart.  Because of You I know there is hope for the day.  Knowing that You are with me....family and friends....brings comfort to me this morning.  I don't know what this day holds for any of us but I do know that You are the one in charge of this day.  So right now Father I want to just give You all of my cares about this day.  All of the burdens I carry for the road that lies ahead for us.  I just ask you to ease the sorrows that are being felt and help us to live knowing that You will grant us grace for every moment that lies ahead. 
Thank You for everything that You have done in  my life and thank You for my family and friends that mean so much to me.  Help all of us to live every moment for You.  Please speak to the hearts of the family....and my friends....that don't know Jesus as their Savior.  Thank You for listening to my hearts cry this morning.  In Jesus name I pray....Amen

May your day be blessed.....

"until we see JESUS....face to face"




Saturday, November 15, 2014

Building Faith

I have been seeing many things about faith lately.  The one I saw today...that I liked most...says this...

Faith in GOD changes everything!

Isn't that just so true?!  Without faith what do we have?  Depending on what you need to have faith for...what comes to my mind first is fear...we have fear!  But if you have faith...and your faith is in GOD...your whole outlook will change.  Now...before you start thinking I have got this faith thing down let me say this...

My faith can wane a lot at times...then there are other times when I have some "intense" faith!  Now those are the times I live for.  When problems and trials seem to "rain" into my life and it's okay...because I have amazing...intense...faith in GOD!  When you let GOD...and faith in GOD...rule in your life you have a lot less fear.  So what is the first thing you need to conquer when you are going through trials?  Well...I read this today as well...

The first crisis you must conquer in the storm is fear.  The Word says "Fear Not".  

So I looked up this scripture...

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’


It's true.  If you stay in the WORD...no matter how bad your storm is...your faith gets bigger and your fear...well...it will go away!  It may still creep back in now and again but that's because satan is always there...jabbing and punching...telling you that GOD doesn't really care and things are much worse than you ever dreamed they could be.  That's when you tell satan..."Just get away cuz you really don't know what you're talking about!  I am a child of GOD and He loves me."  In fact we know that GOD has got us and we have nothing to fear!!  Why...because as we all know...GOD is faithful!!

I want to tell you that at times you may really have to work at having enough faith to know...beyond a shadow of a doubt...that GOD's got you and there is no need for any fear.  At least I have to at times.  In fact...we can consider this post a faith building post...because this is a trial filled night...which serves as a reminder that...GOD's got it and HE has me and you!

Romans 10:17
So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).


Isaiah 40:31
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.


"until we see JESUS...face to face"
 


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

When You Need To Get A Grip

Let's just be honest here.  There are times when life is just plain overwhelming.  Your day can start off good....then it gets crazier and crazier....then before you know it wham!....one more thing just does it for you!  You have had enough.  What do you do when life slaps you down?  Well....there are many things you could do....

You can let the circumstances get you down to the point where you just want to get in your car and drive.  You know....the fast and furious kind of driving!  You could talk loudly....maybe yell a bit as you're driving....and ask when is it all going to stop?!  For some....not me....you could head to the nearest store and buy your favorite "beverage" then go home and drink on it for the rest of the night until you don't remember why you're upset in the first place.  I'm thinking there are many things you could do and we probably all do something.  But then....after you let yourself go for a few minutes....you can get a grip and....


drive calmly through the crowded streets to get home.  Then you can talk to God and tell Him how you are just not happy about life.  You can grumble and complain and let Him know how you want things to just be different!  Maybe just tell Him....God, I'm just done!  I need this all to end!  I know He hears us....I know He cares....about all of the things that are affecting us and making us upset.  Then....

talk to God more rationally.  Ask Him to help you see things in a different light....to look at the good and not the negative aspects of your circumstance.  There is always good mixed in.  Then you pick up your Bible and find some of your favorite verses and read.  Feed your mind and your soul on the good things of the Lord....


Psalms 27:8
My heart has heard You say, "Come and talk with me."
And my heart responds, "Lord I am coming."

Psalms 29:11
The Lord gives His people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.

Psalms 32:8
The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you."

Psalms 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

"until we see JESUS....face to face"



Saturday, November 8, 2014

The Best Remedy

I'm not quite sure how to get my thought across today....the right word to use that describes me and how I look....inwardly....at myself.  Not that it really matters much....normally....but for this post maybe it does.  So....the first word that came to mind was pensive....which led me to contemplative....and then on to introspective.  All good words but I believe introspective fits best this morning.  Actually....they are all quite tied together if you really look at them and what they mean....and I did.  I guess maybe that's the contemplative part of me....prone to sitting alone thinking up thoughts!  Is that good....bad....it can be both!  Which leads me to....introspective....the process of looking into oneself.  Also good and bad. So here we go....

Many times I question my walk with the Lord.  I sit and think....wonder....am I really where I need to be?  The answer is usually a resounding....NO!  Oh....I have so far to go....will I never get it right?  But then....upon further examination....I realize that I am so much different than I used to be....because the Lord has changed me so much....that I just might "make it" after all.  Then I get seriously thoughtful again....pensive....and realize that yes....I will be okay....I will "make it".  I have been forgiven....I have been granted grace....and I do have the "faith to believe"....most of the time....that Jesus is walking with me....beside me and holding my hand....every step of my journey here on earth.  Which brings me to yesterday....

I went to the hospital for a test.  Not a big deal....for most....just taking some pictures.  For me though.... I have found that I am not fond of being shoved into a small....confined....tight little tunnel of constricted air!  The one redeeming factor....people were praying for me which helped me to have faith to believe that I would be okay.  And....I was going to have a little pill.  After I took the pill my thoughts were....so how good is your faith really?!  You did just take the drugs you know!  Yep....there he was....that deceptive little devil....trying to rattle my cage!  But I kept moving on....talking with the Lord....believing that indeed....He....The LORD....was right there with me....and He was.  So while I was laying there waiting my turn they gave me some magazines to pass the time.  One of them was called "Real Simple".  A lot of little tidbits of info designed to make "life simpler".  So okay....I picked it up and started to thumb through.  About thirty pages in I stopped and read a bolded title....

What is the best remedy for a broken heart?

Immediately....even in my drug infused mind....JESUS was my thought.  I didn't even bother to read what the magazine said because what could it matter?  I knew the answer....JESUS.  There is no other answer that fits!  Then the next bolded item said....

What book taught you an important lesson about love? 



Again without hesitation....the Bible.  There could be no other answer for either of these questions!  And that's when it hit me.  Chelle....you truly have changed.  If you were still whom you used to be JESUS and the Bible would never have been your first thought....especially after having had that drug. 

My own bolded title....

Who is the best remedy for all my brokenness?

Now....I know....that this seems like a silly thing to most. But for me....this was huge!  I believe this magazine was given to me for a reason....so I would see those questions and respond with those answers.  God was letting me know that I do believe....beyond a doubt....and that I do have faith.  I know that Jesus is the healer of broken hearts....spiritually and physically....and that throughout this journey....no matter what happens....Gods got it....Hes got me.  And the love thing....well lets just say that my heart has truly been changed.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and of the patience that comes from Christ.

"until we see JESUS....face to face"







Friday, November 7, 2014

Mustard Seed Faith

Luke 17:6 NLT
 The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you!

Most times I feel that all the faith I can muster up....pun not intended....is only as big as a mustard seed.  When something....big for me....comes up in my life I always think....you can do this....you've got this....no problem!  But....when it comes right down to it....I know I do not "got this"!  However, I do know the One who does.  The One who does is God. God has "got this"!  Satan does his best to fill you with doubt....discouragement....fear....about what ever it is you need faith for.  When that starts happening you just need to take a step back....then....with all your might....jump forward and land right on that dirty little devils head and let him know that you are not afraid of any of the doubts and fears that he is planting in your mind!  Tell him that your mighty Lord and Savior is walking with you through your battle today and you will not be defeated!!  Our Lord is a Warrior and He is fighting your battle for you today!  

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Sunday, November 2, 2014

In The Midst Of Us

Psalms 46:1-7 NKJV

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

This Psalm is a song about Gods special protection of Zion. Even so, it can be applied to us and Gods special protection over our lives.     

When I first read vs 5 this morning I knew it wasn't about a person but I also knew....for this moment in time....that's how the Lord was showing it to me. Lately I have known that I really just want....need....more of God.  Since I have started really being serious about telling Him that I want Him more, many things have been happening in my life....some that I have not been so excited about.  Yet, there have been other things that are good.  One being....me just stumbling upon this scripture in the early morning today.  Another being....how the Holy Spirit helped me to see how this verse....actually the whole Psalm....relates to me/us as well.  So, this is what I got out of it this morning exactly as I wrote it in my journal.  No rethinking it or rewriting it....just as the Holy Spirit helped me to see it for me....and you.

Vs 5;  If we know the Lord as our Savior....if we walk with Him....He is in the midst of us.  He dwells in us!  God is not going to allow us to be moved and tossed about....if we stay close to Him.  Yes....we will have trials but....God will be with us through them all.  Helping us and guiding us through them.  At the break of dawn He will be there....He will show up at the toughest time for us.  He. Is. Our. Strength.  46:1 tells us this!  46:6 talks about kingdoms being tottered and moved....total chaos is upon them.  Think about that for you!  Your life may be....what you perceive as....on the edge of chaos!  But....GOD. Has. Got. You!  You may be moved around a bit but as it says in vs 7....The Lord is with us.  This section ends with the word Selah meaning....pause, and calmly think of that!

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Faith To Believe


This verse was God's reminder to me this morning to put down my device and pick up His Word.  Isn't He good?!  He knows how much I love it when He gives me a verse....a song....or a thought from Him....when I first wake up. 

Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

How can I grow my faith  unless I ingest....take in....absorb....consume....devour....The Word of God?!
God knows there is no other way for me to do that.  He also knows that more than ever....for this time in my life....I really need to grow my faith in Him.  Actually....I need to let Him grow my faith.  If I put in the effort....energy....sometimes the struggle....I believe God will help me to have the faith I need to walk out the journey I am on.  He will do that by opening my eyes to things I read in His Word....some of them I may have never even noticed before....still others when I read them will have a deeper meaning than before.  Whichever it is....He will grow my faith if I do what I need to do.

There are many instances in the Bible about faith.  A friend reminded me yesterday about the story of the Israelites when they crossed the Red Sea.  Moses had to have faith to raise his hand over the water and believe it was going to part.  Yet even then....the people still had to have faith to take that first step between the walls of water on each side!  While reading that account this morning these two verses really jumped at me....

Exodus 14:13-14
13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

What that is saying to me is....

As hard as it may be at times I....you....just need to step back from the actual situation and let the Lord do what He does.  Sometimes it's a miracle that lets you not even have to go through the situation....or....it's the miracle of when you take that first step into it He immediately calms your fears and gives you peace to get you through to the other side.  In effect....He puts His arms around you and holds on to you until you're done with what you need to do.  

I have had some really good quotes about faith sent to me recently....

Faith is the step between promise and assurance.
That one reminds me of the Red Sea account.

Every miracle begins with an act of obedience.

Faith is not knowing what the future holds but knowing who holds the future.

And this last one I have sitting on my desk. 
Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.

"until we see JESUS....face to face"




 

 



We all need to have faith.  In fact we all do have faith.  The question is what....or whom....is your faith in?







Friday, October 31, 2014

By His Great Mercy

Today is the day the Lord has made.  Oh....let us truly rejoice and be glad for He is awesome and wonderful.  God is in control of all that happens to us today and all that happens around the world.  He is truly what is holding it all together. 

As I sit here this morning I have turned to 1 Peter.  Just looking at the headings for the different sections of scriptures excites me.  I read the NLT version.

Salvation and the call to holiness.

Verses 3-9....The Hope of Eternal Life.

Verses 10-12....The Greatness of Salvation.

Verses 13-21....A Call to Holy Living.

As I read through the verses I felt just an unexplainable surge of excitement running through me!
Read this first section of verses. 

The Hope of Eternal Life

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Truly....how awesome is this?!  It is by His great mercy....God is protecting you by His power....
there is wonderful joy ahead....the reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls!....just these few words alone can speak peace to your soul if you really stop and think about what they mean!   

The Greatness of  Salvation

10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.
12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

And what about how Christ suffered for you?  What greater thing could anyone have done?  There is nothing....nothing can compare to His love for you!


A Call to Holy Living

13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

This whole section speaks volumes to me.  I read it all the time....and I still fail....all the time.  But I will not be discouraged by my failures because I know that the ransom was paid for me! Paid for me by....the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.  And since accepting this free gift I have placed my faith and hope in God because He did raise Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory!!  

To back up in this a bit Peter tells us....Don't slip back into your old ways. He will judge you or reward you according to what you do.  We are just...."temporary residents" here.  I am excited that even though I fail in this earthly life it's all only temporary.  Why?  Because....
Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.  If our faith and hope is truly where we say it is....in Christ....we have a lot to look forward to and we don't need to fear today or tomorrow. 

I absolutely love this  whole section of 1 Peter.  I could probably say something about every verse and how I feel about it....there is just so much in these verses!  My challenge to you today is to read them for yourself.  How do they make you feel and what do they mean to you?  What is the Lord revealing to you....making known to you....through these verses?


"until we see JESUS....face to face"






Thursday, October 30, 2014

What's Stirring



What's stirring in your heart tonight?  For me it's the same thing I have been feeling for a long time.  It's a desire....a burning....that I just can't seem to quench.  It's always there....just under the surface.  I was wondering if some of you have it?  It's a longing....a longing to go deeper in your relationship with the Lord?  I think as Christians we should all have that desire. To go deeper....what can it hurt?  Going deeper with Him can only do good things for us.  For me it's a longing of my soul....no it's "the longing" of my soul!  At this point in my life there is nothing that I want more!  I want to draw closer and closer to Him!  How about you?  What is your soul longing for?

I've always liked this verse....

John 3:30 NLT
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

The good thing about this is....

As we let the Lord become greater and greater in our life....we will automatically become less and less.  Why?  Because we will focus more and more on Him and less and less on our own desires....on self.  Then Jesus will become the greatest thing in our life.  What could be better than that?!

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Saturday, October 25, 2014

All At The Same Time

I was reading in Isaiah this morning and the Lord brought many things to my attention.  Many things that I so needed to be reminded of today.  There was one in particular that I would like to share simply because I have never thought of  this before.

Isaiah 40:10-11

10 Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.
    He will rule with a powerful arm.
    See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
    He will carry the lambs in his arms,
    holding them close to his heart.
    He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

In vs 10 it says how He will rule with a powerful arm then immediately comes back to say in vs 11 how He is like a shepherd....caring and gentle.  

I've always know that the Lord is all powerful.  That has never been a question for me!  Then there's Psalm 23....one of my all time favorites.  But I guess....I just never put it all together and thought of Him as a mighty warrior....and a gentle shepherd....all at the same time.  For me that just plainly gives me comfort this morning! It helps me with the trust issues I seem to be having.  What comes to mind is this....

While He is fighting for me....holding back the "darkness"....He is at the same time holding me gently....close to His heart....so that I feel His love and protection for me.  Knowing this....putting it all together....helps me to understand it better.  The Lord is my Shepherd and He is fighting to keep me safe....holding and loving me....through everything!  My Shepherd and my Protector!!

In the same way we can all be reminded of how we really are defenseless without the protection of our Lord.  He cares for and loves us....and because of this He is protecting all of us....all of the time.  
We are defenseless under our own power but we are never truly defenseless because we don't live under our own power.  We live with our Savior watching over us. Guiding and protecting us if we will only let Him.  

Psalms 23

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Just Go With It

It's Tuesday morning 7 a.m. and I'm sitting at my desk writing again.  Normally I would be at work but today I have places to go and people to see....as the old "adage" says.  I remember always hearing that as a kid.  I like those types of memories....I was always a word and number person.  My Mom always liked words and my Dad always liked numbers....as well as hunting and fishing.  However....as fun as some of these remembrances are I will save more of them for another post.  But not now.  Today I want to focus more on God.  My parents "gave" me life but....

The Lord is the sustainer of my life.  He keeps me going when I sometimes think I can't continue on.  Sounds crazy I know....that I can't keep on....but my thoughts sometimes do get the best of me.  The Lord knows when we need more than we have....more than we are capable of having on our own.  Even though deep down somewhere I know that Gods got me....got "it"....I let my thoughts and fears get the best of me.  The "it" in my life becomes stronger....in my thoughts....than the Sustainer of my life.  But this morning....

This morning I was hit first thing with words from the Lord.  At 4:17 I was wide awake and started finding things to read.  I looked at my e-mail first and saw one from a friend.  It said....HE loves you, and wants your complete trust to be in HIM.  All I could think of was....I know....I know....but I'm having a hard time with that!  So I read it a couple more times trying to get that thought process to sink in!!  Then I went to what some call a bad thing....Facebook.  I get a lot of scripture and good things on my Facebook....this morning those things seemed more than normal. 

Deuteronomy 31:8
"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Then there was a devotion from Greg Laurie titled Bring Him Into Your Boat....it was very good!  It is about the disciples when they were in the storm tossed boat. 

John 6:20-21
20 but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” 21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

For me....right now....today....I don't know that it's fear....I'm not sure....well....in all honesty....maybe some fear it's just hard to admit that.  I think I'm just tired of fighting this continually and I need it to be done.  I do know that I need to be at the final destination for this thing....the "it" that Gods got....in my life.  

I'm not sure how to finish this except to say....

I know that the Lord is with me all the time....even when I don't feel Him.  He will take care of me and has His best plans for my life.  Just as He does for all of you.  

"until we see JESUS....face to face"





Saturday, October 18, 2014

Morning Musings

Take me back Lord to when I first knew You....when I first beheld Your face....when I first knew of Your wonderful love....when I heard Your voice above all others and I knew....I knew that it was You. Take me back to the beginning of our relationship....when it was all new to me....when I called out to You and You answered....take me back.

This morning came earlier than normal for me....three a.m.  After a bit I picked up my phone and started scrolling through facebook and played a word on a game....at sometime between 3 and 4....really?!  My thoughts were something like....What's wrong with me?  I should be sleeping!  I turned out the light and begin to think of the stuff going on in my life.  Thinking turns into more than thinking....anxiousness starts to set in.  Then....something I used to always do when I was anxious....scared....feeling alone....flashed in my thoughts.  Something I haven't really done in a long time.  I use to place my Bible on my chest and hold it there when I couldn't sleep....when the remembering happened....when I had to leave the lights on to sleep....when I just needed to feel closer to the Lord.  With the Bible on my chest I would talk to Him and He would calm me....sleep would come.  It always worked for me.  The Lord knew that I just needed to feel Him closer....He would respond.  So this morning I reached over and picked up the Bible beside me and placed it on my chest.  A connecting point between me and the Lord....His Word....then comes prayer....conversation really....connection. 

Did I go back to sleep....no.  I find myself sitting at my desk....Bible open.  I read a few verses then started to write....not knowing where I was going with this....just writing....not knowing why I'm sharing this with all of you. Then I looked at the verses I had read and what I had written when I first sat down here....

John 10:27-30

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

Perfect words for a mind/heart that is a bit confused.

There has been a lack within myself....something amiss....not quite right.  I've felt it....I've known it....I don't like it!  You know....it's easy to step back from how you know you should be living.  Not really turning from things you believe....not turning your back to the Lord....just not always dong what you should be doing for Him.  Maybe it's just....letting a bit too much of the world into your life.
Not spending the quality time with the Lord that you know you should.  Wanting to hear His voice  like you did in the past....but knowing that maybe the problem is....you just really haven't listened when you last did hear Him!  Maybe....just maybe....that's why the feeling of lack.  The feeling that things within just aren't right.  Jesus wants us to listen.  How can we truly follow if we aren't truly listening for....and to....His voice?  
 
What I wrote at the beginning of this post is true....I want things to be like they use to be in my relationship with the Lord....yet better.  I want to know Him more than I did back then.  I want to know Him with more fervor....more intensity!  I want to know Him more....and more....and more....until I feel as if I will explode with His love!  I want to hear Him more....know Him more....and follow Him with all I have inside me!  I want to have a radical love for Him!!  Jesus gave me something that I never thought I would ever have....something I always wanted....His love....Salvation....Eternal life!  

It is now 7:15 and I have found calm....and another verse....

Psalms 27:14

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Sometimes....through all of life....we just have to wait.  Things don't always happen as we expect or want them too.  But if we do as this verse says....which is rarely easy....in the end....it will all be okay.  

One day soon we will see Jesus.  Won't that be an amazing....breathtakingly beautiful day!
We shall see Him just as He promised....

"until we see JESUS....face to face"



 













Friday, October 10, 2014

It's Jesus

What do you want more than anything?  If you could choose just one thing in your life....for yourself....what would it be?  Would you go out and buy something new and extravagant?  Maybe go in search of a new friend because you feel your current ones just aren't giving you all you need to survive the "daily" of your life....in the way you want them too?  Or maybe....if you stop and really think about it....would you take a good long look inside yourself and realize that what you really want....really need....is something....someone....that you have maybe pushed to the outer extremities of your life.  Well....

Obviously....I've been thinking.  I didn't have to think too long....or too hard....because sometimes you just know what it is you need and what it is you want!  Before I go any further here's a side note....

I want to say that I am a Christian....I do know that Jesus saved me and loves me....but sometimes I'm just not staying as close to Him as I know I should and as close to Him as I need to be!  Because of this....I let things rock my boat more than they should!  But....one thing I have learned over the last seven years is this....He is faithful....God is faithful!  He allows people to speak into my life and kind of jolt me back to reality!  So what is it....Who is it....that I want more than anything....

Yes....It is more of the Lord in my life!  More of His love....His peace....His hope....His strength.....His joy....His power to change me....His calm in the midst of it all....His reassurance....His living water....His blessing....His mercies that are new every morning....His song in my heart and soul....His light in the middle of my darkness....His straight path for my life when I'm twisting and turning....His goodness....His compassion....His still small voice in the midst of all my noise....His soothing comfort when I am hurting....His sure and steady hand when I am flailing about....His greatness when I am feeling small....His correction when I need to submit....His soothing ointment of healing when I am sick....His forgiveness when I have turned my back towards Him....His arm around me when I am hurting....His amazing....amazing....Grace....because I need it so so much....and the last is the same as the first....His Love that washes over all of me!!

That my friends is what I need and what I want more than anything....because the Lord is who I need and who I want....more than anyone.  Jesus Christ is the One that can fill all the needs and all the wants in my life....and yours....we just have to open up to Him and allow Him to do what He does!

1 Corinthians 1:9Amplified Bible (AMP)

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.









Thursday, October 2, 2014

Verses

Tonight I could sit and write a lot of things that really just don't matter....or I can just post some scriptures.  I weighed those two choices and decided that you all would be much better off if you just read these.  Gods Word is always needed in every situation of life.

Matthew 11:28-30New Living Translation

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Isaiah 40:28-31New Living Translation

28 Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Psalm 4:8New Living Translation

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.


Psalm 73:26New Living Translation

26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.


Psalm 62:5New Living Translation

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.

Psalm 119:114New Living Translation

114 You are my refuge and my shield;
    your word is my source of hope.

Proverbs 3:24New Living Translation

24 You can go to bed without fear;
    you will lie down and sleep soundly.

Philippians 4:13New Living Translation

13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 
"until we see JESUS....face to face"


Monday, September 29, 2014

Always Pray

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Never stop praying.

Love this scripture!

It reminds me that....in good times or bad times....happy times or sad times....never stop talking to the Lord.  At times we think that surely He must not be hearing anything we say....but He is.  In the silence....His silence....we become more and more dependent on Him...we learn....we grow.  When we open up our heart to Him during these times we become stronger.

On a more personal level....

One day last week while driving to work I was trying to pray but really....I just talked....and all I could manage to say was....I need you....Lord....I just need you!  Sometimes those types of things are all we can verbalize....but that's okay.  He knows when we just need Him....we need Him to calm us down and let us know that everything....really will be....okay!  God didn't talk to me and circumstances didn't change....but I did feel more peaceful.

Good things happen when you pray....God steps into our circumstance and does what He knows is best. 

"until we see JESUS....face to face"





Sunday, September 21, 2014

Listen and Be Calm

Tonight I've been sitting at my computer wishing I had the words to say what I'm thinking.  Sometimes you just don't.  At times I find myself with way too many thoughts....about way too many things....hard things.  Then....in the midst of my thinking....I really start to think....

Who is it that is always with me through everything....easy and hard?  That's right.  The One that is always right beside me....holding me up when I start to fall....picking me up when I have fallen.  Sheltering me when the storms start pounding down....hugging me when I'm sure I just can't take anymore.  Giving me strength when I'm too sick to make it on my own....giving me comfort and hope to cast away all the doubt in my mind.  There are so many things He does for me...everyday....and I am so thankful

Sometimes you just have to open your eyes....your heart....your whole self up to the Lord....be still and listen and think calmly.  Psalms 62:5-8 says this....

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.
He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.
With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!
Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

I like that passage.  He really is all we need.  At times it can be hard to get there....for me to understand that no matter whats going on God really does have it all under control.  We just have to trust Him and know it will all be okay and not let things shake you.  Then continue to pray....worship....and give thanks to the Lord for He is good.

Psalms 118:1
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!

 "until we see JESUS....face to face"

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Radically Faithful

What is the cry of your heart today?  What is it that you want....more than anything....spiritually speaking?   Better yet....

What has the Lord been impressing upon you that needs to change in your life with Him?  

For me it's getting back to spending time with Him on a regular basis.  Reading his Word and talking with Him are essential to my life....to all of our lives.  I can say all the right things to people and they think I've got it together.  But when it comes right down to it....what others perceive of me doesn't make it so.  I'm not where I want to be in my spiritual life because I don't do what I need to do to get there.  You only grow....on a continual basis....when you put your whole heart into the way you need to live....the way God has called us to live as Christians.

This morning I started reading in Genesis.  Actually, I read something else first and went to Genesis 1:1 because of a study note....and then continued on.  The words of creation captivated my thoughts.  Then I read Genesis 4:25-26....

Adam had sexual relations with his wife again, and she gave birth to another son.  She named him Seth, for she said, "God has granted me another son in place of Able, whom Cain killed."
When Seth grew up he had a son name Enosh.
At that time people first began to worship the Lord by name.

For some reason that drew me in.  So I read the study notes....

....the birth of Seth brought renewed hope.
Enosh was born at a time when people began to worship the Lord by name (literally call on the name of the Lord).  Seth would take Abel's place as leader of a line of God's faithful people.

Oh....I so want to be one of God's faithful!  What the cry of my heart really comes down too!  Then I read on....

Reading genealogies is not something I normally do....but I did.  When I read Genesis 5:23-24 I knew why.

Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God.  Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.

These next words are just my thoughts....

Enoch was so close to God that God just wanted him to be with Him!  In my mind Enoch must have had an insatiable love for God and God didn't want him to have to deal with an imperfect life on earth anymore.  Reading this it's as if God is saying....to me....I love you so much I will do what ever it takes to have you with me.  Live in close fellowship with Me and I will always be with you....for eternity.  I want my love for God to be insatiable.  Again....just my thoughts. 

And then....the story of Noah.

Genesis 6:8-9 and 22

But Noah found favor with the Lord.  This is the account of Noah and his family.  Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.

Noah wasn't perfect but he walked with God....he had fellowship with God.  Noah did everything that God commanded him to do....and God was faithful.  Just like God said He would do....He brought Noah and his family through the flood.

Looking at the first few people in history....that we read about....this is what I see....

The ones that God blessed....that brought a radical change to the way things were going....were faithful to God.  Seth grew up, his son Enosh was born....people began to worship the LORD by name!  To me that is a radical change!  Why?  Because in my life worshiping the Lord was a radical change!!

Then look at Enoch....he never died.  God took him....that is radical as well.  How many people do you know that God has just taken....without dying....off of this earth!  And why did God do that?  Enoch lived in close fellowship with GOD!  WOW!!

Noah....well Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.  How great is that?!  Noah and his family were radically saved....and all human life came from them!

More than anything the cry of my heart is to do what ever it takes to have a great relationship with the Lord!  To be faithful to Him and to His call on my life.  To be radical in a way I have never been radical before!  Whatever it takes....to be radically faithful to the call....to the LORD of my life!!

How about you?  Do you want to be radically faithful to the LORD?

"until we see JESUS....face to face"














Saturday, September 6, 2014

The Water You Need

There is a song that in days past was sung all the time at church....I didn't like it.  This is the first line;

As the dear panteth for the water
so my soul longeth after thee.

I was not a Christian and when I would hear that song...for lack of a better description....it made my skin crawl.  Since becoming a Christian that feeling about it has never really left me entirely....until today.  I think that I just never really understood the real meaning of it.  This morning I read the verse....I have read it before but generally avoid it....and I get it. 

Psalm 42:1-2 NLT

As the deer longs for streams of water,
    so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
    When can I go and stand before him?

My study bible says this;

As the life of a deer depends upon water, so our lives depend upon God.  
Do you thirst for God?

While reading through some scriptures this morning I turned to Psalm 63 NLT.

 O God, you are my God;
    I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
    my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
    where there is no water.

My study Bible says;

Together, soul and whole body refer to a person's entire being.

The point of all of this is....

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations in life that....plainly....we just need the Lord! We long for....soul and whole body together....the Lord to just come in and take over.  We are tired....we are sometimes drowning in our circumstance....and we can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We are thirsting for God!  We need Him!  Down deep within ourselves is a need so great we can't even explain it!  We are tired and weary....in the middle of our own desert where we see no end in sight....and we are longing for His streams of living water to flow through us and give us life....His life!  

Just like the deer needs water to survive we need the Lord....more than anything or anyone!  Things we go through in life are hard.  The good news is....We can go to the Living Water and be refreshed!
Jesus is our Living Water!  He is what we need....Who we need!  So whatever the issue is that you are going through today....go to Jesus.  He is the water you need....the water you are searching for.
 
"until we see JESUS....face to face"



Monday, September 1, 2014

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

Open the eyes of my heart Lord so I can see what You would have me to see about myself and where my heart truly is. 

The Lord has a way of letting me/us know that we have gotten off track from where I/we need to be.  Tonight I picked up my bible and asked the Lord to just show me what I needed to read tonight.  Lately I've been feeling that something was just a bit amiss in my walk with Him. Romans 2 is where I started.  When I got to verse 16 I read this...

Romans 2:16 NLT

16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Secret life....those two words caught my attention.  My study bible says this:

Literally...the hidden things.  Scripture frequently stresses that God will judge people according to their thoughts and intentions.

Then I started following the scripture trail;

1 Samuel 16:7, 10:9, 10:26, Psalms 139:1

As I read these verses it was brought out to me that God sees a person from the inside out.  He sees my true character.  He doesn't care about anything except where my heart is.  God knows why I do what I do....my intentions or motives for my actions.  Only God and myself know the true reason I am doing or saying something and I will be judged on those things....my thoughts and intentions....as you will be on yours.  

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God knows the secrets of all of our hearts....

Psalm 44:21 NLT

21 God would surely have known it,
    for he knows the secrets of every heart.

I read many scriptures and they all talked about the same thing....God searches and knows us by our heart and we will be judged on what we have in our hearts.  The reason we sin is because of what we have in our hearts.  The Lord constantly examines our hearts and secret motives.  We too need to do that and ask the Lord to help us to keep our hearts turned towards Him and to help us to not have secret sin....which in actuality is only a secret to other people not to God.  Everyday we need to ask the Lord to help us to see the sin in our heart and then ask the Lord to forgive us of this sin and help us to flush it out of our life for good!  Without His help we can find ourselves being tempted time and time again by the same things if the Lord doesn't help us to lay it down at His feet and leave it there.  

After I had read many scriptures I went to my e-mail and saw a devotion that had been sent to me.  This was one of the things it said....

Repentance is a condition of our heart whereby we recognize our sin and, in desperation and sorrow, turn and cry out in faith to God for help...the help of forgiveness which only comes through Jesus Christ.

Joel 2:12-13
"'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love."


In the time we are living in it is so important to make sure our hearts are right with the Lord.  Returning to the Lord with a repentant heart....daily....is so importantThe Lord is full of grace and mercy but we have to go to Him and ask Him for His forgiveness. He just wants our hearts to be turned to Him.

Here is a list of scriptures to read....
Luke 16:15  Matt 23:28  1 Chron 28:9  Prov 24:12  Deut 4:29-30  1 Kings 8:39 
Jer 17:10  John 2:24-25  Jer 11:20  Romans 8:27  Ps 7:9  Is 29:13  Matt 15:7-9   

"until we see JESUS....face to face" 


Monday, August 25, 2014

Change Us Lord

Satan....I really don't like him!  It seems that when I am really trying to do all I can to live like the Lord wants me to....up pops satans ugly little head!!  He just really goes on the attack and more often than not I do something....say something....that I regret.  This all takes me back to the same scripture that I used last night...except a little more detail.  I need a little more in depth detail at times!

Matthew 16:24-26(AMP)

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].
25 For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].

Sometimes I get so tired of my own self because I feel as if I am just conforming to the world....my world....around me.  I know that there are times when I need to deny myself....lose sight of....my own interests and only be concerned about what the Lord wants from me.  So why don't I do that?  Because it's hard....hard to conform completely to the will of the Lord.  Satan fills you with thoughts and feelings that aren't from God.  Why?

Because Satan doesn't want me....or you....to be who God wants us to be.  He doesn't want us to do what God had planned for us from the beginning.  Satan wants us to stay afraid....stuck in our own little comfortable (sometimes) world....doing what we have always done.  Better yet....not stepping out and trusting the Lord to do....or accept something....that would make our life better.  Satan wants us to be miserable in all we do....or don't do.  What would make our life better?....

Living our life so that others ask us what is different about us.  Allowing the Lord to radically change us....our thoughts....our words....our attitudes.  Jesus only wants what's good for us.  He knows that if we follow Him....give up our own wants....and live radically for Him....we will have the life we have always wanted.  Jesus will fill our thoughts....our lives....with good things.  If we give up and just say....okay Lord....we will find real life where ever He has us.  

In the day and time that we are living we really need to be radical for the Lord!  I was talking to a great friend tonight who has taught me many things.  One thing she said to me was...."I asked myself, What did I accomplish for the Lord today?"  That one statement....which might not be exact....really hit me.  It made me think....What did I do today?  Did I talk to anyone....anyone at all....about Jesus today?  No....and I believe there is a good reason for that.  I didn't ask the Lord to give me an opportunity to speak His Words into someone's life today!  Have I prayed for anyone today?  Actually....no!   I believe that if we ask Him to give us those opportunities....He will.  

The only way I can think of to end this is with a prayer....

Lord I come to you tonight and ask your forgiveness for not doing anything for You today.  Tomorrow could You please put someone in my life that needs to hear about You.  When You do that could You please give me the words to say....from You....and the boldness I need to say them.  Let them only see You in the words I speak and let them feel Your love.  Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.  In Your name I ask this....Amen