Some of us today are in the midst of a storm in our lives. Some have just recently survived one, and some may feel as though they have not experienced a large scale storm or any storm for that matter. And there are those who have not had a storm for some time and think we are due. Sometimes when we hear of other people and the pain they are in we can let fear creep in and distract us. The enemy loves to take anything and make it a distraction. This is where I found myself last week. My thoughts were consumed with when and how the next storm would hit my life. I was asking myself if it would be me or maybe one of the members of my family that would be hurt. I started playing different tragic scenarios in my mind and dwelling on the “what if’s” of life. Then I realized I was gripped by fear, and I was very distracted. I got on my face before the Lord, confessed and asked for a word from Him. He answered me in my heart and I wrote it down. I want to share it in hopes that it will be an encouragement to your heart as it was to mine. Also I want to remind you that in the battle of your mind to take your thoughts captive.
Do not fear Me child, I love you.
I will only allow what is necessary to make you more like Me.
I love you so much I gave up My own Son.
You are safe with Me, no matter what happens in your life.
I am your strong tower.
I love your husband more than you do.
I love each one of your children more than you are even capable of loving them.
Remember child, I am love, but I also have a plan.
Trust Me and know that My plan is perfect and My grace is sufficient.
I will walk through it with you.
Remember child, I am the Masterpiece Maker.
I am highly skilled in the art of clay.
Be moldable in My loving yet strong hands.
Allow Me to do amazing things with and through you.
I have chosen you dear one.
Put your faith and trust in Me.
I do not make mistakes.
I neither slumber nor sleep.
My eye is on you and you are engraved in the palm of My hand.
Please don’t waste time.
Do what I’ve called you to do.
Never forget My love for you.
It is stamped on every cell of your body.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Great Quotes on Prayer
I read these in the Daily Bread reading for today.
God wants us to come to Him with our complaints. If we march through life pretending to smile while inside we bleed, we dishonor the relationship. -- Philip Yancey
Give Him each perplexing problem,
All your needs to Him make known;
Bring to Him your daily burdens—
Never carry them alone! —Adams
The best thermometer of your spiritual temperature is the intensity of your prayer. —Spurgeon
God wants us to come to Him with our complaints. If we march through life pretending to smile while inside we bleed, we dishonor the relationship. -- Philip Yancey
Give Him each perplexing problem,
All your needs to Him make known;
Bring to Him your daily burdens—
Never carry them alone! —Adams
The best thermometer of your spiritual temperature is the intensity of your prayer. —Spurgeon
Monday, January 12, 2009
Mommy Pray For Me
"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints," Ephesians 6:18
Today the snow hit us hard, but not until after the schools in our area already posted "normal" status. So, driving slowly and carefully I got Little Professor and Lover Boy to school. In my hustle and bustle state of mind, plus not wanting to spend any extra time outside in the elements, I sent my 7 year old into the building. I called out after him, "I will be in your classroom after I drop off your brother," (I volunteer on Mondays).
I dropped off Lover Boy (his first day back since before Christmas) which is only a few feet away, but seemed to take forever as we walked through the not yet plowed walkway. Then I went into Little Professor's class room and started sorting papers. He goes into a different class for the first part of the morning so I was quite surprised when he walked up to me with tears in his eyes. Very concerned, I asked what the matter was. He couldn't even speak and pointed angrily at me. I was the problem and I had no clue why. He had forgot to pick out his lunch so when he finished, before he went back, I asked him what I did. He said, "Mommy, you didn't pray for me!" trying his hardest to not cry out. I was crushed! Not only does he appreciate me praying for him every morning before school, but he desperately needs it. I sent my child to face his day without connecting him to the Heavenly Father and it truly affected him. I gave him a hug and prayed quickly for him. He smiled through his tears and said, "I will be okay now". Before I left he was back in his home room (there were a lot of papers today!). I waved to say goodbye, and he motioned for me to come to his desk. "Pray again for me Mommy", he said. I was glad too. I whispered a prayer in his ear and gave him a squeeze.
Prayer is so incredibly important! It puts us in contact with the Star Breather, our Creator God! With whom nothing is impossible!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. " Ephesians 6:10-13
Today the snow hit us hard, but not until after the schools in our area already posted "normal" status. So, driving slowly and carefully I got Little Professor and Lover Boy to school. In my hustle and bustle state of mind, plus not wanting to spend any extra time outside in the elements, I sent my 7 year old into the building. I called out after him, "I will be in your classroom after I drop off your brother," (I volunteer on Mondays).
I dropped off Lover Boy (his first day back since before Christmas) which is only a few feet away, but seemed to take forever as we walked through the not yet plowed walkway. Then I went into Little Professor's class room and started sorting papers. He goes into a different class for the first part of the morning so I was quite surprised when he walked up to me with tears in his eyes. Very concerned, I asked what the matter was. He couldn't even speak and pointed angrily at me. I was the problem and I had no clue why. He had forgot to pick out his lunch so when he finished, before he went back, I asked him what I did. He said, "Mommy, you didn't pray for me!" trying his hardest to not cry out. I was crushed! Not only does he appreciate me praying for him every morning before school, but he desperately needs it. I sent my child to face his day without connecting him to the Heavenly Father and it truly affected him. I gave him a hug and prayed quickly for him. He smiled through his tears and said, "I will be okay now". Before I left he was back in his home room (there were a lot of papers today!). I waved to say goodbye, and he motioned for me to come to his desk. "Pray again for me Mommy", he said. I was glad too. I whispered a prayer in his ear and gave him a squeeze.
Prayer is so incredibly important! It puts us in contact with the Star Breather, our Creator God! With whom nothing is impossible!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. " Ephesians 6:10-13
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Broken Hearted
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
After all the kids were in bed and asleep (or so I thought), I heard crying so I went in their room to see who it was. Little Professor was the one crying. When I asked him what the matter was, he said he was missing Tata. He had been remembering and thinking about the funeral.
How does one comfort a seven year old? Somehow telling him his Great Grandfather is with Jesus just doesn't seem to do it.
I told him, it was okay to be sad. And as I cried with him, I told him about the verses in psalms where God says he heals the brokenhearted. We prayed together, and then we prayed for Grandma and all of her sons and daughters who miss Tata also.
We talked about emotions and how we were created by God to express them. Then we talked about what Tata might be doing right now with Jesus.
Little Professor said he knew he was very lucky to have known his Great Grandfather, especially since he fought in WWII. Then the topic turned to war and we talked about as many wars in the Bible that we could think of. We said goodnight and even though he was sad, I really believe he went to sleep knowing that his God is in control.
I'm still sad, even three hours later.
My tears fall freely because, after all, I miss my Grandpa too!
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Fresh Start
Happy New Year!
I just love January 1st. I get to leave behind the year before with all it's unfulfilled goals and dreams and start fresh. It is encouraging to me to be able to start over.
I've already been thinking about how I'm going to better myself this year. I have lists and goals swimming around in my head for 2009. I even have goals for my kids.
One thing I love to do is review my journal to see what God did last year. This always opens my eyes to what a personal God He really is. I think I will get to that right away!
1 But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator,… He who formed you
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
7 Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”
10 "You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no savior besides Me. 18 Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. 19 Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. 21 The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.
25 I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Isaiah 43:1,3,5,7,10,11,18,19,21,25
I just love January 1st. I get to leave behind the year before with all it's unfulfilled goals and dreams and start fresh. It is encouraging to me to be able to start over.
I've already been thinking about how I'm going to better myself this year. I have lists and goals swimming around in my head for 2009. I even have goals for my kids.
One thing I love to do is review my journal to see what God did last year. This always opens my eyes to what a personal God He really is. I think I will get to that right away!
1 But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator,… He who formed you
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
7 Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”
10 "You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no savior besides Me. 18 Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. 19 Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. 21 The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.
25 I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Isaiah 43:1,3,5,7,10,11,18,19,21,25
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