This past year at work we drew for prayer partners, we do not know who gets our name until the end of the year. We pray for each other and give small gifts throughout the year or whatever you want to do. The person who had my name has very limited means. So, thoughout this year I really enjoyed receiving my favorite candy bar. I recieved a Christmas gift from her. She had embroided flour sack towels with apples. My kitchen has an apple theme. Her gifts really humbled me. She gave from her heart. Now, I am not saying that a boughten gift is not given from the heart, but it is given out of our abundance. So, for me to recieve from someone who I know has a hard time making ends meets. It is humbling. It is not the gift, but the thought behind it that counts. She is one of Christ's servants. I know that she didn't go to her dept Christmas party because she couldn't afford to buy a gift for the gift exchange. She does make handmade things, which are worth more than any item you could buy.

I pray that all of you who read this has a very blessed Christmas and New Year.

The count down is on for Christmas. I have been trying to prepare myself for God's message for this season. I am not doing a very good job. Life seems to be getting in my way. But, I will persevere. I am finding that my attitude this year has been better and every time I start feeling threatened with overload I have handed it over to God. God is faithful, he will grab hold of us when we grab hold of him. I have prayed to him that I don't want him to ever let go of me.

I wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Christmas. I pray that all will enjoy Christmas with their families and friends.

Have a Blessed Christmas and A Great New Year!!!

I started to say that it has been awhile since on have been here. but, that would not be the truth I have logged on to see if there has been any comments made to what I have already, written here. I was visiting with God this morning and he told me it doesn't matter about any comments he just wants me to put in words what in my heart.

Today, I am feeling very sad and trying to find the joy in this season. This time of year is very hard for me. This isn't something new. It has been going on for many years. It started when I moved with my husband to his hometown, a very small town in Nebraska(by the way Nebraska is home to me now). I had been lived my whole life (22 yrs) on the south side of Chicago. We did share holidays, but something changed. His family did everything different from what my family did. So, I tried to start our own family traditions. But, that did little to relieve my seasonal blues. My husband always made this statement about me. Stay away from her from Nov 1st till Jan 2nd. He wasn't off the mark. It was like this demon took over. No matter how hard I tried, I could not and still struggle, with this season. Even after experiencing Christ. I love Christ with my whole heart and some wouldn't know it by my behavior at this time of year. I know that part of the problem is the getting ready. All the extra cooking(and I love to cook). The shopping, the expectations. So, I have decided to really focus on the reason for the season. I will do the cooking and the present shopping and wrapping and all that stuff for God's glory. I will call on God this season to rid me of the demon that takes over. The enemy knows what this season means and will do all he can to discredit Christ's followers. He doesn't want the gospel message to spread, so he tries to thwart the messengers. I do feel that I am a messenger of the word.

So, for any of you out there that may be struggling and just trying to hang on there is hope. Grab hold of Christ and God's living word. His word will thwart the enemy.I John 4:4 He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. God is greater and is our help in times of struggling.

A little earlier I posted a devotion called "Is My Jesus Enough". Lysa TerKeurst made a declaration in this devotion, that Jesus was enough. I will declare this myself. I think Jesus is Enough. I say that because, looking back over my life, there were days when the hurts and trials were too much to bear and I didn't think I could make another day without slipping into some black hole. But Jesus came and picked me up, dusted me off and whispered, it will be ok. You can make it with me because I am all you need. I will not disappoint you, I will not leave you. You are never alone when you have faith and trust in me. God's word tells us he will never forsake us. God's word reassures me. When I have picked up my Bible and asked God a question or need reassurance, I have found it in scripture.

Is my Jesus Enough?

This is a devotion I received this morning. I found this very thought provoking. What do you think? Leave me a comment.


Is My Jesus Enough?
By Lysa TerKeurst

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

Devotion:
I was stopped in my tracks the other day as I was mindlessly singing a beautiful praise song. I say mindlessly not because I wasn't focusing on God. I was definitely lifting up my heart to Him. But the mindlessly part came when I realized I had no clue of the weight of the words in this song. Did I really mean what I was singing? The song said this: "(Jesus) You're all I want. You're all I ever needed."Really? Did I really mean those words? Is my Jesus enough? Ultimately the question should be: Is my relationship with Jesus in such a place that if He was truly all I had today, would I still stand and sing those powerful song lyrics?My husband Art is flying on a small private plane today. You know the ones you hear about that crash with no survivors... yes that kind of plane. As I kiss him goodbye in a few minutes can I send him off with full confidence that no matter what, Jesus is enough?My son Jackson just got his driver's license and will be driving to a friend's house to watch the football game in a few minutes. His friend lives less than five miles from our house. But don't the statistics show that most car accidents happen on the roads we are most familiar with, closest to our homes? Will I be able to smile, tell him to be careful and let him drive down our driveway with full confidence that no matter what, Jesus is enough?I don't know what kinds of twists and turns might come during my life journey. But, I know the only way to travel with a joyful peace is to settle in my heart the answer to this question once and for all. So, today, I declare Jesus is enough. Before I even know in what way this declaration will be tested, I've made the decision to say it, believe it and settle it.Jesus is enough. I think this is why one of my favorite portraits of a godly woman in the Bible says, "she can laugh at the days to come," (Proverbs 31:25). She was filled with such incredible joy not because life was perfect but simply because she had decided to make laughter, peace, and true happiness the hallmark of her life. Proverbs 31:30 goes on to say this was a woman to be praised because she so reverenced God in the shrine of her heart that she knew without a doubt, He was enough.
Dear Lord, Thank You that in this world we don't have to live consumed with fear of the unknown. For You know all things. Nothing will happen to us that does not first pass through your hands. May I find peace in Your love that is so consuming for us that You only have our best interests in mind. Help us to believe and trust that truth no matter what. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Do You Know Him?
Lysa's Blog

Application Steps:
The next time you start to fret over the what if questions, verbalize that Jesus is enough no matter what. Write down the power verses below and keep them in your purse until you've memorized them. Being able to have access to God's truth will guard your heart and your mind.
Reflections:
Have you ever thought about whether or not Jesus is enough in your life?
What are some ways to put this devotional thought into practice in your life today?
How would your relationships improve if you had this kind of peace?

Power Verses:
Psalm 23:4, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me..." (NIV)

Isaiah 54:10, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (NIV)

2 Timothy 1:12, "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (NIV)


Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

I do hope someone is reading this. I am posting my answer to my own question about if you struggle with what you think God wants from you and what the world expects.

I do struggle from time to time, but I am so happy that God pulls me back, when I go wandering off the path he has set before me.God has chosen a path for all of us, that path that leads us to become like Christ.There are other paths and He gives us the choice of which path we will chose to follow. The path/journey we all embark on should have one destination, eternal life with God. But only one path will take us there. The choice is ours. God's path for us is not always an easy path, it may have lots of side journeys, which just helps us to become more of what He wants us to be and intends us to be.

One of my favorite scriptures: Philipians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

This says He will keep working in me. That gives me hope. Knowing that I am not finished yet.

My prayer for all of you,
Dear Father God,
Give Your hope to all those struggling between you and what the world wants from them. Let them hide Philippians 1:6 in their hearts. Being confident of this very thing, thata He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus' Name Amen

any comments appreciated.

I have a question. Do you struggle with what you think God wants from you and what the world around you expects?

I made a mistake in Pastor Waynes blog it is http://pastorwayno-biblestudy.blogspot.com. He also has a new blog. That link is http://newpreachin.blogspot.com .

I truly feel that God is leading me to share my life.When life is hard we feel like we are the only one that is facing a problem, but somewhere out there, there is someone else dealing with the same circumstances,maybe not identical, but close. My prayer is that this blog will speak to your heart. I want to give you other resources, to encourage you, to light a fire, to let you know you are not alone, and that God is just a prayer away. God is moving throughout the earth. He has known you, your name was written in His book of life. Psalm 139:13-15 says, For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mohter's womb. I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. So, I invite you to journey with me. One thing you will learn about me is that I am thirsty for the word of God.

I believe with all my heart that God is a 24/7 365 days a year God. God isn't just a Sunday God. He will meet you, where you are at. I met God at age 30, and I haven't been the same, sinceI started travelin' with God. I have gone off the road and once in a while I end up travelin' alone, at my choice, not God's. God is always there, he is faithful, but only shows up when invited.

So, if you are weary, discouraged, or joyous and travel with God, let's do some travelin' together.

Some resources: the Bible (of course), but sometines we need others to inspire us, check out http://pastorwayno-blogspot.com ;
Johanna Weaver author of Having a Mary Spirit in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit, Donna Partow, Max Lucado, www.proverbs31woman.com .

Just a note; I truly encourage anyone reading this, to go to Pastor Wayne' s blog it is life changing.

Stewardship with Pastor Wayne

I don't know about anyone else, but I feel I need to be learning everything I can about God's word and I don't think that I can learn that on Sunday morning alone. Sunday is a day for group worship. I think the real learning comes from actually doing Bible studies and sharing what you are hearing from God. I like learning with and from others. This last month I have been having some Ah Ha moments if you will. I feel I have been led to step out and share with others and hopefully others will share on this blog, with comments and questions. I know that sometimes it is hard to make that commitment to attend a Bible study. But if you like being on the computer, it is another way to study and not have to leave your house. You can do it when you want to. No time frame. You can log on anytime you want.

I named the blog, I have hidden your word in my heart. It is from Psalm 119:11. Because without knowing God's word how can we stand against the enemy we face daily? The whole scripture is: I have hidden your word in my heart; that I might not sin against you. The enemy we face daily is the sin we commit, knowingly and unknowingly. The story that inspired this for me, is from "Having a Mary Spirit" by Johanna Weaver. She tells the story of her 4 year-old son, they came home late one night form church, it was a very dark night and as they were walking up to their house, the deep-pitch of a large dog started barking and in a quivering little voice her son began to quote, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrew 13:6,He didn't look to her,but to God. That where we need to go, but do we? Do we have his word hidden in our hearts and can if we know the scripture do we know where to find the reference. I don't. I know it woul help me to be a better witness. I haven't always felt memorizing scripture was important, partly because I was having trouble memorizing scripture. I have been reading "Having a Mary Spirit" by Johanna Weaver and she tells how to memorize scripture it seems to be working for me. Will share those tips at a later time.

Yes, we do face the enemy every day. We just aren't always aware that, that is what is happening. The enemy, Satan knows our weaknesses and he nudges us ever so subtely, to usually do the very thing we do not want to do. Then we are like, I shouldn't have said that or reacted like that. But, we can overcome those thngs if God is in the fore front of our lives. I want to be a good witness for Christ and through some things that happened recently, I realized I haven't been the witness I need to be and want to be.

I am doing a study on a blog. It is on stewardship and it is awesome will have the link on here. So check it out.

So, I do welcome your comments.

Hello

Well, not sure where this will go. But hope that if you read this blog, you will also respond. This is new for me.