Daughter of the King

I saw a quote today. It said that "True hope is believing God is good no matter what He decides to do." I like that quote and I dislike that quote. I love the quote because it is true that God is good. I dislike the quote because I know that God doesn't always decide the way that I think that He should. God is in control even when my circumstances look bleak. God is in control when my circumstances look great. I guess the real question is, "Do we trust God no matter what?" I am comforted in knowing that God loves me so very much that He will do what is best. The best is not always in my comfort zone...but I have made a choice that I will believe in Him and His plan...no matter what. God has a way of taking the worst case scenerio and turning it into something good, not just good but amazingly good! Remember the story of Lazarus? If you would like to read the story it is found in John 11. Jesus loved this family. He heard the report that Lazarus was very sick. J

It is amazing to me that I have let the whole summer fly by and have hardly blogged. My apologies. My life will soon be structured again in order to fit everything in so I should be more dedicated in blogging once more. I am amazed that God loves me so much that He knows exactly what it takes to get me to do some things! Let me explain...I have always loved to sing and I have always had the desire to play the piano but never took the lessons or stuck to it to accomplish the skill. God knew that it would take me moving to a church with no one to lead worship or play the piano in order for me to learn. It was a crash course by God! I am so thankful (now that I have actually learned to play) that God placed me in that position so that I had to do it! That was one desire of my heart to play the piano... Another thing that God is working in me right now is a college education. Something that I would have never pursued on my own. He has placed me in a position where it is mandatory for me to

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust You. Psalm 56:3 NKJ I don't always understand things. Sometimes I look for sense in what appears to me to be an absolute senseless situation. There have been times that no matter how hard I look I still don't get it and that is when I have to just take God at His Word. Faith. Not at what is seen but at what is unseen. God's Word says that when I give Him my hurts or burdens that He will sustain me! When I am afraid I will trust in Him! I will to trust Him...I will make a conscious decision to trust Him. It is easy to trust Him when everything goes the way "it should" or "my way." That really isn't faith now is it? Faith is trusting God when things are complex or scary or simply cannot make sense. When that happens run to Him! Run to His Word. Spend time in worship. Quote scripture out loud! And He w

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matt 24:44 NKJ Get ready! Jesus is coming back and we need to be ready for Him! How exciting! We have so much to get done before comes to get us. We need to spread His Word. There are so many who don't know Him that need Him. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, [And] established my steps. Psalm 40:2 NKJ Get set! He lifted me out of the pit and He set me on the Rock! He set me on His firm foundation! I love it because He set me on a safe place (Him) and I want to stay there in His protection and the secure place in Him! And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 15:16 NKJ Go! He saved us, equipped us and then instructed us! We need to go into our community, workplace and world and share His salvation with everyone! We need to live it and show them the way. We need to love the world. He

15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Proverbs 29:15 NKJV Kids are so cute but don't think that they are innocent. Think about it...when you see your child look over his or her shoulder before doing something that he knows is wrong then he is not innocent! If they are "innocent" then why would they "sneak" to do something? Because they know that what they are doing is wrong! If you do nothing to correct them it won't get magically better on it's own! You have to correct the behavior. You need to give guidance and supervision! If you are consistent in your parenting and disciplines then they will have a great start! You desire a great future for your children and it takes work. If only child birth was the hardest part! It takes energy, effort and endurance! Don't think that when they hit jr. high that you are done! Whatever you do, do not give them large amounts of unsupervised time! We tell our par

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 Have you ever had someone think that they were going to resolve an issue with someone by "confronting" them? Then they are surprised when the person is defensive? Wouldn't it be easier to come to discuss something without the confrontation attitude? There is a time for confrontation but we should try to work out things in a "give you the benefit of the doubt" attitude? It is easy to be misunderstood in letters and emails because they can be miss interpreted...you can take one letter or email and reread it in many different tones and voice inflections and get something totally different each time you read it outloud! Same thing in the physical world too. I have come across angry or upset before simply because I was intense about something or I have been misunderstood thinking that I have sounded funny and in realty I have come across harsh or rude. Sometimes it might not be you eithe

God's desire for us is for us to be healthy and flourishing and fruitful. In Matt. 12:20 it says, A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering which He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory. NIV The enemy loves for you to be offended so he can get you to isolate! So what stunts our growth or separates from the vine? I. The Offense Like mold the offense starts to grow and spreads all over you. It's a trap! It's the trigger on the mouse trap. It robs you of your blessing while you are in the trap. However, the offense is an opportunity for growth and release. How to escape from the trap is forgiveness. II. Admit The Offense To Yourself. We have all been trapped and we have all trapped. In Luke 17 Jesus tells us that it is impossible not to be offended and it's impossible not to often people and He teaches that it is hard on both ends. You are not the only on that this has happened to. III. Admit The Offense To The Other Person. Let's state this ve

20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:22-27 NKJV The cleanliness of your heart is really an important issue. When your heart is bitter or entertains things that are not of the Lord it is only a matter of time before it spills out of your mouth and/or actions. Just this week we were talking to a young man about some of these issues. He had been watching some things that “were just funny” but very inappropriate. We explained

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. Proverbs 3 13-18 NKJV This speaks for itself. Jesus help me to gain wisdom and understanding....

10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:10-11 NKJV I am so grateful for my salvation. I love this passage because it says He died to sin ONCE for ALL. I am so glad that the God I serve is not a discriminating God. He died for all. Not only for everyone but for ALL of our sin...no matter how big or how small. There is not one thing that if you are truly sorry, He won't forgive. He knew what we would do (and died for it) even before we did it. I have heard some say that there is no forgiveness for murder...but that isn't true. The apostle Paul (whose name was Saul before his conversion) persecuted and murdered christians before he found Christ. God not only forgave him but used him for great advancement for His ministry...not to mention writing major portions of the bible! Because of this great sacri

17 as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations” in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:17-22 NKJV Interesting...I love the story of Abraham and I have read it many times...but I never noticed that God spoke in past tense to Abraham, "I have MADE you a father of many nations." Then it says that Abraham be

Rom 6:10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. NKJ Just today I was talking to someone about acceptance. My friend, was talking about not being able to measure up to her family's expectations. I explained to her that Jesus didn't want a performance based relationship. He loved her just the way that she is...He died for her sins all at once. He loved her knowing that she would make the decisions that she has made and will make in the future. It is hard to grasp sometimes...Jesus loves us! He loves me! No matter how the world measures success and how I measure up to that...Jesus loves me! He died for everything that I have done or will do. Plain and simple yet amazing. So unlike human acceptance. The best part is that we don't have to be perfect to be loved in God's family. Does that give us license to do whatever we want? No. We need to pursue a relationship with Jesus and become more like Him. He loves us

Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. Psa 31:23,24 NKJ Tonight I heard one word when I was thinking about blogging. The word was faithful. I went and started looking up verses with faithful in it and this one stood out to me. I believe it is meant to encourage someone tonight. The Lord will preserve the faithful! That is you! God loves you so very much and He loves that you serve Him with a faithful heart. It is the enemy that would like to tell you otherwise. The Lord sees what you are doing. He knows what you have invested and it is not in vain. He preserves the faithful! So tonight be of good courage! He will strengthen your heart. Don't give up, just remain faithful. He will take of the rest!

1 God is our refuge and strength,always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Psalm 46:1-3 NLT No matter what we see on the news or hear on the radio or read on the internet we have the comfort of knowing that God is our refuge and strength! I love it where it says that He is ALWAYS ready to help in times of trouble! So when everyone else is freaking out about anything and everything happening in the world today we can remain calm and trust that God is big enough to take care of us...the best part is someone will notice and desire that peace that you have from knowing God. Thanks for taking care of us God!

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15 I have a wonderful daughter-in-law that thinks feet are gross. Not beautiful. It is fun to tease her somedays. Feet are important! They are listed in the bible 243 times! But in this passage they are really important! Why? Because they are on people who are bringing Jesus or Salvation to the people who don't know Jesus! Like my feet! Like me! There are so many who don't know Jesus. They don't have hope or have a purpose in living. How sad...they need a hope and to know that there is a plan for their lives! Jesus loves them so much. We need more people with pretty feet! Feet that bring the gospel. Anyone who knows Jesus is qualified! You don't have to have a degree or be an eloquent speaker. You don't have to be perfect either. All you have to do is to be willing to share with peop

29 “For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness. 30 For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. 31 As for God, His way is perfect;The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 32 “For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 33 God is my strength and power,And He makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. 35 He teaches my hands to make war,So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 36 “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great. 37 You enlarged my path under me; So my feet did not slip. II Samuel 22:29-37 NKJ Isn't we awesome that God is so huge that He can be everything to us? He is the light in my darkness, with Him I can face an army! With Him I can leap over a wall! Now we know that is the only way I can leap over a wall! LOL. But really He has moved "walls" in my life that I

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who has ever loved and guided a child. Happy Mother's Day to birth mom's who gave their children up out of love. May Jesus bless you and comfort your hearts. Happy Mother's Day to people who invested in my life! Happy Mother's Day to my mom. She is with Jesus but she left me a great inheritance! A rich legacy of eternal life with Jesus. She couldn't of given me anything greater! Was she perfect? No. But she loved me the best she knew how. I love you mama. Happy Mother's Day to my Aunt Pauline! She stepped into my mother's shoes when she went home to be with Jesus. I love you Aunt Pauline! You are the best Aunt that I could ever want! You said you would take me from the day I was born and for that I am grateful! I hope that I have as much spunk as you and my mom! To everyone else...find a mom to love if you don't have one...there are many out there! Just have a great day!

12 Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. 13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. 15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:12-15 NKJ This makes sense! When you spend time with someone getting to know them and developing relationship that you would learn from them! If you invest in something it only makes sense that you would benefit from it! I heard once that if you want to become an expert in something study it for one hour everyday for three to four years. I am not an expert by any means but I do invest in my relationship with Jesus everyday. I want to know more...He wants to teach me! What better combo is there than this? The benefit is awesome! I get to be one of His descendants! I'm His kid! How cool is that? There is a

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11-12 NKJ I have seen God pull many people out of deep pits...I have seen Him give them their "dancing shoes" but not always did they choose to put them on. Some times it's because it isn't familiar to them to rejoice or "dance". I have seen some people decide that they would rather stay in their slump than to venture into something new or to learn a new behavior. A lot of times it is painful to go through the healing process and they just don't want to go through the pain to get to the healing. They want a band aid fix but not the surgery to cut out the cancer. Let's face it, no one likes to go through the painful process but it is so worth it once you are all healed up. God desires to deliver us! He desires to t

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:23 Why is it hard for a wealthy man to follow the Lord? I have often thought about this passage. It is where the rich young man came and asked the Lord what it would take to follow Him. One time when I was visiting with my wealthy uncle it reminded me of this scripture.I was walking through the beautiful home and had went and laid by the pool and ate my breakfast in the morning sunshine. It was sooooo nice. My uncle came and talked to me. He said, "Your father would have been a very wealthy man if he had of stayed here. Your old farm is worth millions now. I thought about that. I was later alone and was talking to the Lord about what my uncle had said to me. I told the Lord, "God my life would have been soooo different if my family would have stayed here!" He responded to me, "Yes, but what would have happened if you were to gain th

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:13,14 NKJ No doubt...there would have been many times that I would have totally lost heart if it wasn't for my belief in the living God that I serve. I have no idea how people face the daily grind of life without Jesus. Life would be so hopeless if I thought that there was nothing but this life...no real purpose...I am confident that there is life after death and I know that I have a Hope! His Name is Jesus. He loves you and me so very much. I am fortunate because I have seen the goodness of the Lord here and there is so much more to see! If you don't have a hope please let me share mine with you. Life is so much better when you know Jesus. Your life will have purpose! Those of you who already know Jesus Be of good courage! He will strengthen your heart! He

1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;You understand my thought afar off.3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.4 For there is not a word on my tongue,But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.9 If I take the wings of the morning,And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea.10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”Even the night shall be light about me;12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. Psalm 139:1-12 NKJ He knows my t

Hello Everyone! Just a quick note to say that I will be back to my normal blogging in a couple of days. I am in college finals and I am cramming, working and trying to keep my head above water. I want to say PRAY FOR ME! I need it! And in the meantime I will do my part to not to quit in the final stretch of this particular race....I will finish! Shanin

I just watched the ending of an episode of Deal Or No Deal. The man was down to two cases. One case had $1.00 in it and the other had $1,000,000.00 in it. The offer was $416,000.00 dollars. The choice was his...Deal or No Deal? His mother was telling him to take the money. Another lady was telling him that he had the million dollar case. He chose NO DEAL! He then had the choice of trading the case that he had picked for the other case and he turned that option down. When Howie opened the case that the man had kept it contained $1.00. How awful. The man had $416,000.00 dollars and he turned it down for the chance of more. His mother was just sick. You could see it in her face. We all say what we would do in that situation but most of us will never be in such circumstances. But all of will be in a "Deal Or No Deal" situation. It is a salvation or no salvation situation. I have heard so many people say that "As long as you lead a good life or as long as you are a good perso

9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matthew 9:9-13 NKJ I love this because Jesus wasn't afraid to go anywhere with anyone! He was the same everywhere He went. He looked at the potential in a person. Matthew was a tax collector when He called him. I love it because Jesus knew that relationship with people was important. He ate with tax collectors,

18 And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. 23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Matthew 8:18;23-27 NKJ LOL I love this passage. Why? Because it reminds me of me when I took a different look at it today. I used to think, how could they be afraid when Jesus was right there in their boat with them? But you see, just like me, Jesus told them where to go and went with them and when it got rough they thought they were going to die! How many times has God spoke to your heart abou

I was looking at all of my pictures today for some thing new to place as my computer background and I found this bridge. I love bridges. I like bridges of all kinds, historical, modern, rustic, covered...you name it I like it. I like this bridge because it uses giant stepping stones or rocks as the walkway and it has wooden rails to help you as you cross so you won't slip and fall. It made me think...how am I a bridge? How do I bridge the gap into our community and into people's lives? Jesus is the big bridge but He uses us to be bridges too. We should look like Him! Our churches (our body) needs to bridge the gap into our community. What type of bridge are you and your church? Are you a big modern one? Are you a nice historical bridge? There are all types and they are all needed but the most important thing is that you are a bridge that helps bring people to Jesus!

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7 Aren't you glad that God doesn't look at our physical appearance but He looks at our hearts instead? I am so grateful that God doesn't look at just the "pretty" people and say that they are the ones who will minister or be favored! I am so thankful that God sees past what the world sees and values. He loves me for me! He knows my potential that even I don't always see in myself. David was the youngest brother. He was normally looked down on or "pooed pooed" by his brothers, but God knew David's heart. David worshipped Him when he was alone in the fields tending the sheep. God knew David' potential. God gave David on the job training while he was tending the sheep. He killed the lion and the bear...

Today is the celebration of the ressurection of Jesus. I am so thankful that I serve a God who doesn't "rule" by guilt. He loves us. He desires a real relationship with us. New life. That is what you can have in Jesus. A fresh start, a clean slate. He already paid the price for anything and everything you and I have ever done or will do. We don't have to be "good enough" you see, He doesn't want a performance based relationship He wants the real you. He already sees us where we are so why not be honest with ourselves and God? He loves us just exactly where we are and who we are. He sees the "gold nuggets" inside of us. After all He made us. So celebrate with me today! Jesus conquered death for you and me. Join in the celebration of salvation. Shanin

1 Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle[a] of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” 5 So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. 6 Then the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.) 8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Th

18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. 19 Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the LORD.” Then they would go to their own home. 21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD. I Samuel 2:18-21 NKJ When I read this today I cried. I cannot even imagine the love that Hannah had for her son Samuel and for the Lord. She kept her word that she would dedicate her son back to the Lord. It truly must have been a sacrifice. First of all she had been baren and then when God did give her, her baby boy she gave him back to the Lord for service not knowing if she would become pregnant again. In verse 18 it says, "But Sa

Today at my work they evacuated my half of the building while I was gone to school. The reason was that the owner had sprayed the pesticide on the outside of the building but the fumes came inside. The reports on the effects were different depending who you spoke to but the manager decided to move our office temporarily to a different location until the fumes cleared. I guess one of the warnings said that if you can smell it then it is harmful. I guess that some of the people had gotten used to the smell and hadn't thought of it being that loud until they left the building got into some fresh air and then re-entered the building. Isn't that how sin is? If you aren't careful you can become so desensitized to it that it doesn't bother you anymore. We need to go before the Lord daily so we can get our dose of "fresh air" so we can live in a sinful world but not become desensitized to it. Lord help me to never to get accustomed to sin but to be sensitive to Your v

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[a] being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Cor 4:16-18 NLT Everything here is temporary. We need to remember that when things are going the wrong way. If we keep it all in perspective, (that this is only temporary) and our long term goal is eternal life with Jesus then we can maintain our focus! We need to take advantage of our time here! We have Kingdom business to do and accomplish! We need not to get distracted or wrapped up things that keep us from growing in the Lord! Remember we fix our gaze on things that can't be seen. Thank You Lord that even when our physical bodies g

39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:39-40 It doesn't say that we won't have times of trouble but it does say that He is our strength when those times come. He wil help us and deliver from the wicked and save them....and here are the key words for me... because they trust Him. In order to trust someone you have to have relationship with them. It is easier to trust Him when you have that relationship with Him! We need to trust Him when those tough and scary times come. We have to trust in Jesus to take care of us and not to run ahead of Him to take care of ourselves. When we keep our focus on Him the other things aren't as scary or as big! He is sooooo big! Who else do we have to trust? There is a scripture that says, some may trust in

Tonight I thought I would share from our Wednesday night class notes. It was a great lesson...credit to my Jason, my hubby. Thanks Babe for letting me glean from your teaching! 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me. Phil 4:10-13 NKJV What is contentment? It's not apathy, laziness or complacency. It is independant from circumstance. You do not base your happiness on the situation around you. Happiness comes from within. How to experience real contentment: I. Learn to avoid comparisons! Paul said that he learned to be content! That means we can learn to

Palm Sunday. We celebrate the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday. The day that the disciples went and found the colt, right where He said it would be, and He rode it into town. The people threw their coats and clothing down for Him to ride across their clothing. They waved the palm branches...the children shouting, "Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest!" He should have been riding a fine horse but instead a young donkey...the Savior of the World with the people whom He loved. The ordinary people not the elite and rich just the regular people and the kids... I am so thankful that Jesus loves us, the ordinary people...His kids. I am excited for this Sunday to come and see the kids in our church celebrate Jesus with their Palm Branches. To worship the King...I have been picking the music and when I hear it and imagine the children in my mind waving the Palm Branches for Jesus it makes me cry. I can only imagine how He felt and He knew what was coming! Then I get excited to think how He m

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. I Cor 15:58 Planted deep....immovable...always consistently abounding in the work of the Lord. How do we do this? By staying in the Word and putting one foot in front of the other. Not quitting! Keeping focused on God! Whenever I get discouraged I think that is when I struggle with the "knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." One time I had questioned the Lord about moving to Burley because it just didn't seem to grow like I thought it should. I remember very clearly as I was leading worship. I looked out in the congregation and there was "Aunt Mary" worshipping the Lord with her hands raised. Mary is an elderly woman who didn't know Jesus her whole life. She accepted Jesus late in life through our ministry. I heard the Lord ask me very clearly..."Would you have come just for her to know

4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: I Cor 12:4-7 I am so glad that I serve such a big God that He ministers in many ways in different people! He gives us different gifts! One God but many avenues of ministries. We, as humans tend to put God in a box. Actually it isn't God who is in the box. He isn't limited either! We need to poke our heads out of our box, (that we try to put God in), and look for God moving and ministering! We need to pray and seek God to see if He would have us minister in a way that will reach people out of our comfort zone. Remember there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit! Different ministries but the same Lord! So how do you know? Does it line up with scripture? Because God will not go against His Word.

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape I Cor. 10:12-13 I had a friend many years ago who told me something that I would never forget...it truly was a piece of wisdom that I have kept close to my heart. I had asked her how someone could cheat on their spouse especially when both of them were Christians. She told me as soon as you think it can never happen to you or that you would never do that (no matter the situation or sin) then be very careful because that is just where the devil wants you! It's a trap!That is when or where he will trip you up! Vs 13 says no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man! It is the ordinary everyday stuff that can trip you up especially when you get comfortable and unguarded! The good news is that the

29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous. 30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. Proverbs 15:29-30 NLT I am so excited that God hears our prayers! He is so faithful to answer our prayers. We are what I like to call "prequalified" not by anything that we have done but just simply because He died for us and we accepted His gift of Salvation. It grieves my heart when I hear people say, "God doesn't answer my prayers." He always answers them...it isn't always yes, but He will always give us an answer. God loves to spend time with His kids. The question is "Do we like to spend time with Him?" Do we listen for His answers? Do we work to keep the lines of communication open? Are we keeping our hearts clean? In verse 30 it talks about a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. I think a cheerful outlook and good report (or news) brings joy to the heart! So sometimes I have to go and l

10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; Psalm 103:10-13 I am so thankful that God doesn't treat us like we deserve to be treated! I am really glad that he doesn't repay us according to our sins! Not only does He not do both of those things but it says as far as the east is from the west he has separated us from our sins! YES! He loves us so very much. He has compassion for us! God has compassion for us. He just doesn't put up with us or allows us to simply exist...He LOVES us! He LOVES ME! I think if we could just grasp that He loves us soooo much we would live our lives much differently. He loves us as high as the heavens are above the earth...that is

18 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city. 26 For Joshua did not draw back his hand, with which he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Joshua 8:18;26 Joshua had experienced failure in war against Ai before this victory. He went before the Lord and asked why they lost the battle and God told him that there was sin in the cammp. Joshua then didn't ignore the sin and went on he went and searched it out and then got rid of the sin and then went back before the Lord again and this is when God says to stretch out his spear and that He would give it to Joshua's hand. It wasn't over once God gave the promise. Joshua still had to go take the city or land of Ai. Do you think that it was easy for Joshua? I don't. It was still work, but I love verse 26 For Joshua did not draw back his

21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; 23 for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4:21-24 We need to set up stones so that when our children ask in time, "What are this stones?" We can tell them what God did in our lives! So what has God done in your life? In my life I have seen God miraculously provide for us in ways I could have never figured out on my own! I have seen God heal cancer! I have seen God's hand move in many circumstances. But tonight I want to share a story to you about a man

6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9 NKJ Be strong and courageous!Do not turn from it to the right hand or the left...so how does a person do that? Well, the word tells us how in the very next verse, this book of Law shall not depart from your mouth! Meditate in it da

“Then you shall set it before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God. 11 So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you. Deut. 26:10-11 NKJ This is talking about bringing the tithe before the Lord after they possessed and dwelled in the promise land which God gave them...just because God gave them the land didn't mean that the work was over. They had to possess it and then live in it and work the fields. When the harvest came they gave God the first fruits, that is where this verse comes in. Then you shall set it before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God. I love verse 11 so you shall rejoice in EVERY GOOD THING which the Lord your God has given to you and your house! Man, how often do we get caught up in the work of things that we start to complain instead of rejoicing in every good thing? It wasn't easy to possess the land. Then after th

Hey I was so tired when I posted last night so I thought that now while I am awake I will fill in some of the great details. I said that my husband got to lead someone to Jesus but it was a great example of team work. Someone planted the seed and many of the guys watered the seed. Then yesterday at a meeting the guys had been sharing and my husband got to harvest the seed. What a great example of sowing, watering and reaping. PTL! God is good. This makes the second salvation in a week's time. God is moving. So please remember some of you are planting, some are watering and some get to harvest but everyone plays an important role in the whole process. Don't get discouraged when sharing the faith...because even when it doesn't seem to make a difference because someone is watching! Live your life for Jesus and share when you can and pray all the time! Keep the faith! Shanin

Today I have a reason to celebrate...my husband had the wonderful opportunity today to lead someone to Jesus. Man, that means that the angels were celebrating big in heaven tonight! Yes...another life saved. I have another praise too. I received a raise yesterday. I am thankful for a good job that God provided for me. Have a blessed night and don't forget to reset your clocks tonight. it is time to spring forward! Shanin

46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:46-52 NKJ I love the story of Blind Bart. First of all he cried out to Jesus. They warned him to be quiet but he y

23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24 NKJ Man, I am so there this week. Lord Jesus, I believe but I really need help with my unbelief...the flesh part of me. God has given us promises and there are days that I get weary in believing if they will ever happen during this lifetime. Then I *know* that God's word is true and He says all things are possible to him who believes. I believe that God can change the hearts of Kings...I believe that man cannot stand in the way of what God has planned or promised. Yes! God can do anything! He has a plan...it is so big and so detailed that I cannot even fathom how it will come about but I do know that God delivers on His promises....not in my time in His time, which is perfect! I get excited when I look back and see where the hand of God has moved in my life. Just like Mary did

God's desire for us is for us to be healthy and flourishing and fruitful. In Matt. 12:20 it says, A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering which He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory. NIV The enemy loves for you to be offended so he can get you to isolate! So what stunts our growth or separates from the vine? I. The Offense Like mold the offense starts to grow and spreads all over you. It's a trap! It's the trigger on the mouse trap. It robs you of your blessing while you are in the trap. However, the offense is an opportunity for growth and release. How to escape from the trap is forgiveness. II. Admit The Offense To Yourself. We have all been trapped and we have all trapped. In Luke 17 Jesus tells us that it is impossible not to be offended and it's impossible not to often people and He teaches that it is hard on both ends. You are not the only on that this has happened to. III. Admit The Offense To The Other Person. Let's state this v

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”[d] 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:39-41 NKJ Who can this be?????? Are you kidding me? Who can this be??? They lived with Jesus, walked with Him, saw Him do miracles and then they were surprised when He spoke and the storm ceased. This makes me laugh until I examine my own life... Even though I haven't lived with the physical presence of God I have seen Him do miracles before my very eyes. I have seen Him provide in miraculous ways. He has never left me yet when certain crisis comes up I am right there where the disciples were saying, "Do You not care that we are perishing?” How do I look at that passage and criticize them when I am guilty of the very same thing? Jesus has spoken

29 Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. Mark 1:29-31 Jesus healed Peter's Mother-in-law. The next verse is important...And she served them. Peter's mom-in-law didn't sit and think, "I had better wait and see if I am really healed..." She didn't think that she should rest in case she had a relapse. She got up and served them! She took her healing and then used it. She served Jesus...probably in a practical way like getting them lunch. Whenever the Lord heals you, you need to act on it! We need to take advantage of that healing and serve Him! We need to be thankful to the Lord! Rejoice! But whatever you do, do not let the devil talk you out of your healing! Take that healing and see w

Psalm 121 1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the LORD,Who made heaven and earth.3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is your keeper;The LORD is your shade at your right hand.6 The sun shall not strike you by day,Nor the moon by night.7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. NKJ Somedays I look at the hills or mountains that our city is at the foothills of and I quote this scripture. It really is a good reminder that I don't need to look for the Calvary to save me when I have God. I don't need to look at man for answers or help when I have God. He made heaven and earth!!! Why would my problems seem so big in comparison to that? He is God who can do the impossible!!! I am so glad th

One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. Psa 27:4-5 dwell 2 a: to live as a resident Awww the benefit of being royalty...you can live in the palace! How many of us take advantage of that? To truly dwell in the presence of the Most High. So many advantages for those who do choose to dwell with the King. First of all we will get to really know Him. When you live with someone you really get to know who they really are. Intimacy. You can share secrets and inside jokes. You develop relationship. You can recognise His Voice. You start thinking more like Him when you really spend time with the King. You think about Him... What better place to be than to be protected by The King Himself? When the enemy

Today I am going to suggest that you read a great love story. The book of Ruth (in the bible) is a short love story. It has death of loved ones, respect and love for her mother-in-law and then a journey to a foreign land where she finds love once again. It is a redemptive love story that everyone should read! Ruth goes to work in a field to glean food for her and her mother-in-law where she meets the land barren Boaz. Boaz is an older man who is a compassionate and caring man. Will she find true love with Boaz? Will her mother-in-law approve of this relationship? Or will another man step in the way of this budding romance? This is a "have to read" romance approved for any age! Shanin

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes;But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought,Nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jer 17:7-8 I have never really "absorbed" this scripture before. It doesn't say that we will never go through a drought or hard times.But it does say that Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is in Him! Because when we do go through the drought He will be with us. If our roots are planted deep in Him we don't have to fear! I love this last part...during the "heat" our leaves will be green and we will bear fruit!!! The drought won't effect us like those who don't know Jesus. When tough times come we cling to Him! He is our source of living water! With Him we will bear fruit! Even when we are going through the desert. We w

1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Mark 2:1-5 NKJ When I read this passage this week I thought to myself...how many friends do I know that are paralyzed? Paralyzed in fear, rejection, in hopelessness? I know so many that are paralyzed maybe not in the physical but worse yet but in the spiritual. Do I, as their friend, do everything I can to get them to Jesus? Am I such a good friend, that I would rip open the roof to lower in my friend so

I was reading my husband's blog today and I just loved his devotion on this passage so I thought that I would feature his devotion on my blog today! Enjoy... But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.Acts 16:25-26 NKJV As I meditated on this passage I was struck with the way scripture connected prayer and worship with destroying the prison, opening doors and loosing the captives. These men had been imprisoned for setting a demonized woman free from her spiritual bondage that was being used to profit her masters’ wallet. They had been seized by the crowd and drug before the magistrates only to be beaten by the crowd, beaten with rods by the magistrates’ order and then locked in stocks by the jailer without any of their rights being observed. As Paul a

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 This is wisdom in a step by step formula when you break it down: Step 1 Trust the Lord with all of your heart...don't leave room for any doubt or second guessing... Step 2 Lean not on your own understanding! Boy this would seem to be a no brainer however this one is the one that can trip me up if I am not careful. Step 3 In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Note the first part of this sentence...in ALL YOUR WAYS acknowledge Him...this is back to consulting with Him first on everything and then don't ignore Him or His advice! This is so irritating to me...ask me to do something or consult me then ignore everything that I say! If you are not going to listen to