CHILDREN COME WITH A PLAN

 Children come with a plan. Yesterday was child dedication at our church. (HighRidge Ft. Worth) It's a time when parents make a public profession that they are going to raise their sweet little ones according to God's ways and teach them about Jesus. It's also a time when the church family makes a promise to support and help them. During the dedication God dropped this thought in my spirit, children come with a plan. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11 and tells us that God knows the plans he has for us. They aren't to harm us but to give us a future and a hope. God formed and fashioned every child to fit perfectly into the plan he created for them. (Including me and you!) He created your parents and others to help you fulfill that plan. Do things always go as planned? Absolutely not! Is God able to get us back on track. Absolutely yes! Over lunch with my friend we were discussing God's promise that if we train up our children in the ways of God when they are older they won't depart from those ways. Later in the afternoon I received a text from a family member saying that God had just reminded them of that same promise. (Proverbs 22:6) Wow! God created your child (and you) for greatness! That sweet little one came with a plan and it can be fulfilled at any age! Let's pray for God's plan and purpose for our children, grandchildren and all those we love today and get excited to see them fulfilled. Remember you are greatly loved!

IT'S SETTLED!

 So grateful for this truth! Whatever it is, what God's word has to say about it is the the truth! It's settled! It is settled forever! God won't change his mind, not ever! You may not like it but it will be what brings the best result. You may not even believe it but in the end you will be amazed at how it works...every time! I remember reading some Bible verses and saying, God are you kidding me? You want me to do that? Like the one that says love always thinks the best of everyone. I asked the Lord once, Do you even know them? He does. He knows you. He knows me and he loves us just the same. If you have a situation in your life today find out what God has to say about it. And remember you are greatly loved! Blessings on your day!

“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. They stand this day according to Your ordinances…”

SO MANY CHOICES

 Did you know that according to some studies we make between 300 and 1700 hundred choices and decisions every day? No wonder sometimes we feel overwhelmed and confused. We make decisions and those decisions make us. They not only make or in some cases break us, but they can affect others for generations to come. God says I set before you life or death, CHOOSE LIFE! I can't tell you what choices to make but I can tell you that I've never regretted a choice I made based on God's word. He has never led me wrong and he won't you either! I hope you have a great day living the best life, the one God has planned for you! Remember you are greatly loved!

SOW SOME SEED!

 

Morning thoughts. I woke up this morning thinking about the incredible goodness and faithfulness of God and how he blesses the tiniest seeds we sow. It is beyond what we could ever dream of how he takes the the smallest, seemingly insignificant thing we do or give or sow and gives it back to us just when we need it, and multiplied many times over. And what's so amazing is we usually never even know that's what we are doing. God knows what we will need and gives us opportunity to sow the seed that he even provides for us in the first place. Isn't knowing God the most amazing life? Have a great day and sow some seed! It'll come back to bless you beyond what you can imagine! Remember, you are greatly loved!

THE FIRST AND THE LAST

This is a memory from 2017. I wanted to share it here this morning as I think it is relevant to every year and season of our lives. God is truly the God of the First and the Last.

Life without Lawrence - First and Last. One of the things God spoke to me during this week of prayer and fasting was about first and last. He said 2016 was a year of last. It was the last time I would hold my sweet hubby’s hand or hear him say, “Hey baby or I love you.” It was our last anniversary, our last time to serve together at church, his last breath, our last goodbye. It was a year filled with last. Then God said 2017 will be a year of first. Last week was the first time that I can remember welcoming a New Year without Lawrence for most of my life. Even yesterday it struck me that it was my first snow without him. It seems like such a silly thing but at the first snowflake he would have called me to see what the weather was like and where I was and if I was OK. There will be many decisions and experiences that I will face and make for the first time on my own.

Isaiah 44:6 says, “For the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts says this, ‘I am the First and I am the Last; And there is no God besides Me. God said, “Sherry just as I was with you in all the last, I will be with you in all the first.” We all face many first and last in our lives. Some bring pain and uncertainty others bring joy and hope. I believe that God’s reminder was not just for me but for all of us. I don’t know what 2017 will bring for you. This may be a year of last for you or like me you may be facing a year of first. Remember in the moments of joy or pain God is there. He is the God of the first and the last. His promise for 2017 is that He will be there every minute of every day! Blessings on your year. I love you all! 

HE KNOWS BEFORE YOU ASK!

 I was really struck this morning by something God said in the book of Isaiah. it says, It will come to pass before they call I will answer. (Isaiah 65:24) It's always fascinated me that God is outside of time. Our time is in his hands. He knows the choices we are going to make during our time here on earth and even the prayers we will pray and he has prepared accordingly. The answers are already prepared, ready and available. We've all probably heard that you can't put God in a box. That's so very true nor can we put him on our timeline. What we can do is ask, we can call and we can pray! I think I'm going to make one of my goals this year to ask a lot, a whole lot! It's not too late for answers, things that might look next to impossible! With God all things are possible! We just have to ask! I hope you know today that you are greatly loved! Have a wonderful day everyone and don't forget to do some asking! God's already got the answer! Wow!

HELLO 2022

 The story of 2021 is over, it's in the books. While thanking the Lord for all he did during the past year what struck me most is what a full year it's been! 2021 will certainly go down as a year filled with blessings, challenges and changes! There is so much to thank God for and so many great memories were made. Yet with all the wonderful memories there was loss, tears and great sadness that will remain through the coming years. What I know is this. Every moment was full of the presence, love, help and goodness of Christ. The spirit of God walked with us every step of the way, ahead of us clearing the way, around us giving us strength, behind us holding us up by his mighty hand and rejoicing over us in every moment of joy. And so today we say Hello 2022! I pray it will be filled with all the fullness of God every step of the way! Happy New Year friends and family! God's got this!