WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! 

One of the first things I remember learning as a new Christian was this. When you don't know what else to do, praise the Lord! God always seemed to give me an opportunity to practice the things I was learning and this was no exception. A friend and I decided to go to a big flea market not far from Fort Worth. Our kids were pretty young and the weather was nice and who doesn't love a good flea market. My youngest was 4 years old at the time and always very adventurous. It seemed as if it happened in a the blink of an eye that I couldn't see him. We looked all around, then started yelling his name but we could not find him anywhere. After what seemed like an eternity of searching knew I had to call the police. We didn't have cell phones at the time and I went out of the grounds to a convenience store across the street to call the police. The phone I called from was a pay phone located outside so I was standing in front of the store waiting for the police to arrive. I was beside myself, upset, crying and afraid when I remembered what my pastor said. When you don't know what to do, praise the Lord! So I did. I stood there with my hands raised, tears streaming down my face and started singing a worship song as loud as I could. You can just imagine what the customers going in and out of the store thought. When the officer arrived that's how he found me. I remember he told me, "Lady, I'm sorry to tell you this but your kid may be long gone by now." I said no sir, God is going to show us where he is! And you know what! God did just that. My friend who was praying asked the Lord to show her where Jared was and as soon as she said Amen she saw him. He was playing with some rabbits. The owner of the rabbits knew he was lost and told him just to sit there and play with the rabbits until his mom came. Maybe you have a situation today that you have no idea how to handle. May I suggest that you just start praising our awesome God? He will come to you. His word says he inhabits the praises of his people. He will give you peace and he will move in your situation! Have a wonderful day and remember He who is worthy loves you very much!

 Are You Living Inside Out?

Have you ever thought that our life without God is like putting on our clothes inside out? Sure they might fit, but something isn't quite right. The pockets don’t work well and have you ever tried to button your shirt or zip your pants when they are inside out? God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan for our lives, a good plan and future full of hope. When we try it our way (inside out) without God it never fits quite right. Just as there is a pattern for our clothes, one that fits and wears well, there is a pattern for our lives, one that will fit us perfectly. I know sometimes when I try to do things my own way, without God, it’s like putting my clothes on inside out. It doesn’t fit or look right. I pray you are blessed with a right side out day today! Have a blessed day everyone and remember, you are greatly loved!

 WE LIVE BY GOD'S PROMISES NOT HIS EXPLANATIONS!

We live by God's promises not his explanations. Yes, I know it's hard not to ask why sometimes. Even Jesus ask why when he hung on the cross. (Matt 27:46) There are things we just don't understand. We can ask why but somehow I'm not so sure we would even fully understand the answer even if we were told. It's not the whys that give us hope but the promises of God. Hold fast to his promises. They are all yes and amen in Christ Jesus! In them is our hope! Have a wonderful and blessed day everyone! 

EVERYTHING CREATED BY GOD IS GOOD! 

The Bible tells us that God gives us all things to enjoy. He created a wonderful world for us. Can't you see His touch everywhere? Yet His most valued possession is you. He put in you the unique ability to create, to enjoy and to celebrate. Take time to enjoy your world this week! Isaiah 45:18 - For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else.

REMEMBER THIS CHILDREN'S SONG?

Remember this children's song? 

“Jesus loves me this I know

For the bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong

They are weak but He is strong.”

Even having an area of weakness is a win when you know Christ. God says his power shows up best in our weakness! That's amazing. God is so rich in mercy that instead of chastising us for being weak he gives us his power to do what we couldn't do on our own. If you have an area where you feel weak don't just tell God about it, ask for his help! He loves to help his kids! Have a wonderful day friends! And…Yes, Jesus loves you!!!

 GO AHEAD! GIVE IT TO GOD!

I have a couple of people in my life that message or text me each morning and one that text me every evening. Invariably one of them will ask, what do you have planned today? I'll respond and ask her the same question and we will pray for each other, especially if there is something big going on. As blessed as it is to have family and friends that wish me a good morning or ask how my day went in the evening, it is even more amazing to me that the God of the universe wants to be involved in my daily life. God says if we submit what we do to him he will establish our plans. One translation says your plans will be achieved and another says they will succeed. I don't know about you but sometimes, no a lot of times, I go full speed ahead without once asking for God's help. So I'm reminding myself and you this morning to take time to submit our plans to the Lord. He not only is interested in what we do but wants to help those things to succeed. He can show us a different way, a better way or maybe even help us change our plans if that's what will be best. Go ahead! Give that list to God! He really does care! Have a blessed day everyone!

 I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING!

This post was written 3 years after my husband passed away. God is the same yesterday, today and forever! It still holds true today!

I was awakened very early this morning by a bad dream. It was puzzling because I pray over my thoughts and dreams every night before bed and at first the dream was vague but quickly became very vivid. The details aren't really important but my late husband and I were in the dream and a thief had been here. As my husband looked at me with that "I'm sorry this happened face," I smiled back at him and said, "I wouldn't change a thing." I knew immediately it was a spiritual dream. During our 36 years of marriage there were many ups, downs and challenges but all those things made us who we were as a couple and as individuals. Life is just like that. There is joy and pain and even suffering. God says that if we belong to him, he takes it all and molds it in to something beautiful. I wouldn't trade one moment that I spent with my husband for anything in this world. And I know that God has and will continue to take even my grief and cause good to come from it. Only God can do that for me and for you! Wishing you a great day!

Love & Blessings!

 ABOVE ALL THINGS!

I've been thinking about this scripture a lot lately. You see, my husband prayed this over me almost every day. I can still hear him asking God to do this in my life and recently God reminded my that he is still answering those prayers. If I could only choose one scripture to pray for you 3 John 2 would be it. I would pray it with confidence knowing it's God's will because he says he wishes this ABOVE ALL THINGS. Wow that's quite a statement. So today I pray that you prosper and have all that you need plus enough to bless others. I pray that you live in the divine health Jesus paid for and that you have peace of mind and wisdom for every situation. In Jesus name, Amen!

Love & Blessings!

 

GOD CAN DO ANYTHING!

How many times have you heard someone say, Well, I guess anything's possible? That's what I would call halfhearted faith. That's really not faith at all. But when we change that to, anything is possible with God well then that's a different story! Now our faith isn't in luck, or if the stars line up right but in our amazing, all powerful God, the creator of all that we see. Are you facing an impossibility today? Put your faith in him. There is nothing impossible with God! Have a impossibly wonderful day friends!

Love & Blessings!

 STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

Do you sometimes feel like you are stuck? There was a popular song, back in the day called "Stuck in the Middle with You." There are times in our lives we all feel like we aren't moving forward. Midweek, midlife, midway, sometimes being in the middle of something can seem tiring, difficult or even impossible. I'm not sure in light of eternity there is a middle with God but I do know that his word tells us not to give up in those times but to keep going and doing good. He even promises a reward at the end of whatever season we are going through. Plus huge bonus we aren't alone! If we feel stuck we are "Stuck with God." He sticks with us to the end, giving us the strength and stamina to make it through even the hardest situations we face. Isn't that awesome news! Have a great day everyone and remember you are greatly loved!

GOD NEVER GETS TOO BUSY FOR YOU

Life is busy. When I retired I wondered what I would do with all that time but it hasn't taken that long for it to fill up. Our days may start off with coffee and quiet time but they don't stay quiet long do they? I taught a Bible study once that I named, A STILL QUIET VOICE IN A LOUD BUSY WORLD. Yet the God of all creation never gets too busy for us. He is with us all day long, leading, guiding and protecting us. No matter what today brings remember he will be with your every step! Hope that blesses you today!

 Love & Blessings!

GOD'S BENEFIT PACKAGE

One of the deciding factors when taking a new position is often the benefit package. Some jobs may pay a little less but have a great benefit package and that makes it the better choice. God tell us he loads us with benefits every single day! God has an endless benefit package that nothing in this world can offer us. Where do we find those benefits? They are in his promises! We have a whole book of them! Wow! Think about that! Have a blessed day everyone knowing God is loading you down with good things!

 Love & Blessings

 

OUR HEARTS REVEALED

We often talk about the darkness all around us but seldom about the places in our own lives and hearts that perhaps we can't see clearly. Recently as part of my prayers I've been asking the Lord to search my heart and bring to light those things that may been hidden so far away in my heart I can't really see them. Sometimes that's the biggest step to overcoming obstacles in our lives. We just need to see them in them in the light of God's word, his truth and his love for us. God wants us to be free from anything that will stand in the way of his plan for our lives. The light always overcomes the darkness! Have a great day and remember, you are greatly loved!

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!