Saturday, December 29, 2012

Prayer Projects

In a sermon, Pastor Bond said that a good way to combat temptation is to have a prayer project. 

Whenever you are tempted or a wayward thought enters your mind, start praying for your prayer project:  a situation for which you most want God's touch.  Mine, of course, is for the salvation of my lost loved one.  If you pray when you are tempted, it does the opposite of what satan is trying to accomplish by tempting you.  Your prayer project can be your way of escape.  (1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.")

Choose a prayer project now.  If you don't have one, you can use mine!!!!  =)

Blessings!!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

It is important to build time with God's Word into your daily schedule. I know it has been such a source of comfort to me:  sometimes a summer rain but sometimes a deluge of peace, comfort and promises!!
The Word always produces good, never evil!
The Word always works its work.

God sends forth His Word, and it ALWAYS accomplishes its purpose.  It is promised in Isaiah 55:11.  It says, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please , and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."  

When I remembered this verse, it was a definite raindrop!!  I know for a fact that my loved one has heard the Word too many times to count and has listened to the Word for comfort!!!  I know the Word is working, accomplishing its mission!!! 

Another time to smile big and wait in anticipation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I feel like a kid on CHRISTmas morning!!!  I can hardly wait!!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

God is our Father. 
 
God is waiting to help us when we ask. 
Deuteronomy 33:26 says, "There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.  The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:  and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them."
I am sure I have shared this verse before, but today I am thinking about how our Father is riding the heavens waiting to help us, if we only ask.  In Luke 11:9-13, Jesus says, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be openedIf a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" 
1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "But as it is written , Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
I am asking Him. 

Friday, December 14, 2012

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

My raindrop recently was this verse, and even though my lost loved one does not love God right now, when (s)he does, all things, including what is going on right now, will work for his/her good!!  That is so exciting!!  What satan means for bad, God will use for good!!  I can hardly wait to see what my creative God does with all of this!!   

Sunday, December 2, 2012

I have been in a shower!!!!  Lately it hasn't been just raindrops!!

Each drop of the shower is saying the same thing:  hold on to the promises God has given you.

That is what I am doing!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

All of God's promises are true!!  What has God promised you, either through His Word or through prayer?  You can count on it!! 

1 Kings 8:56 says, "Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised:  there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant."  Not one promise failed then, and not one promise will fail now, because with our God there is not even a shadow of turning.  He is the same today as He was then.

2 Corinthians 1:20 says, "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."  He will keep His promises for His own glory!!! 

This makes me very happy!!!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Benefits of God

Psalm 103:2-10, 12-14, 17, 19  lists the benefits of God!  They are amazing!!!  It says,
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.  The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  He will not always chide:  neither will he keep his anger for ever.  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all."

The list:
forgives iniquities
heals diseases
redeems from destruction
crowns with love and mercies
satifies mouths
executes righteousness and judgment for the oppressed
made known His ways
is merciful and gracious
is slow to anger
is plenteous in mercy
will not always chide ("to express disapproval of; scold; reproach," according to        
dictionary.com)
will not keep anger
did not deal with us after our sins
pities those who fear Him
knows our frame
remembers we are dust
prepared His throne
rules over all

In case you don't really see all of these as benefits, look at each one again.  I am really glad that the LORD remembers I am dust; otherwise, I might be annihilated.  I am really thankful that He does not deal with me after my sins; that is a definite benefit.  I am thankful He prepared His throne; we can be sure Who is in charge, is Sovereign, Who rules. 

What a benefit it is to serve the LORD!!! 

Monday, November 26, 2012

SO many raindrops have been revealed to me lately.  I will try to refrain from giving them all to you at once. 

Soooo.... today's raindrop came from a song during worship yesterday:  "Through You blind eyes are open, strongholds are broken.  I am living by faith.  NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!!"  That is still moving me today!!  I can feel God's presence as I sit here typing this!! NOTHING is impossible!!!  I am anxiously awaiting blind eyes to be open and strongholds broken ("Nothing is Impossible" as recorded by Planetshakers). 

Acts 18:27 says, "And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

My God is AWESOME!!!

Monday, November 19, 2012

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.       Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."
-- Psalm 37:3-4.   

This verse reminds me of Abraham, who walked land as if it was his own, because God told him it would be, and he lived in the land among strangers as if it was his own, because it was.  It was promised to him by God.   

It is true!!  "Dwell in the land promised to you by God, and feed on His faithfulness."   Keep a prayer journal with dates of the prayers you pray and write the date the prayers have been answered.  It will be a faith builder!!  Pray, and wait for your promises to be fulfilled!

The important factor is to desire God's will.  When you pray in God's will, you will receive a yes answer.  Pray about your desires.  Pray and ask God about everything.  He is your Father.  He is waiting for you to ask.  

This morning, I prayed about something really important to our family, and before noon, two factors in the equation had moved in our favor.  On my way home from work, another factor had fallen into place that could have been a touchy situation. 

Our God is faithful!!!  We can trust Him.  He blows my mind!!! 

Friday, November 16, 2012

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?" -- Isaiah 43:18-19a

This raindrop gives hope, promise, excitement, a looking forward, an expectation.  I am expecting something new and wonderful!!!  God promises!!  And He promised we will know it!! 

This promise does come with instructions, though.  We are not to remember the former things nor even consider them.  We are not to think on the past, but look forward to what God is going to do!! 

Lately, I have been hearing people say they wish they could see things spiritually that has been seen in the past:  the blue haze, the fire coming from the roofs of buildings that were not burning, etc.  I, too, would LOVE to see these things!!  I LOVE moves of God, but today I am thinking this attitude may be limiting God!!  Yes, those would be wonderful to see, but God will do a new thing, a thing that is what we need and will affect us and others for good.  What was good for the past may not be good for the future or for now.  Because He is omniscient, He knows!! 

I wonder in what areas these new things will be!  Blessings?  How people come to know God?  How people are called to salvation?  How people are called to minister?  How the church will be called on to serve?  How things happen in the world?  How things happen in the atmosphere?  How He provides for His children?  How He ministers to His children?  The possibilities are numerous!! 

I am looking forward to "knowing" God's new activities!!  In the meantime, I will try to practice not dwelling on the past, but looking forward more!!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Today I was reminded of God's provision.  He is Jehovah Jireh, the LORD Who Sees and Provides.

The reminder was in a small way.  Yesterday at work, I found on the floor a small disc that is used on the bottom of furniture/table legs or objects sat on furniture to protect the floor or tabletop.  It was about 1/2" in diameter, the exact size I needed for a side table given to me by my cousin.  I had already put four felts discs on the legs to protect our hardwood floor from being scratched.  Because the legs were uneven, I needed another disc to even them out.  My boss told me I could throw it away, but I pocketed it.  Today, when I found that disc in my pocket, I was thought about how God provides even little things we need, and it made me giggle at the obviousness of the reminder. He does see and provide.  He does care about what matters to us!!

He provides HUGE things, too, like redemption and salvation for us and our loved ones.  He is the best Provider!!

That is the raindrop!!  The LORD sees us and provides for us!!

Monday, November 12, 2012

God is ABLE!!!! 

Talking about Abraham, Romans 4:21 says, "And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."  I am fully persuaded, too!!

2 Corinthians 1:20 says, "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."  God keeps His promises to us (and through us--think about that for a minute!)for His glory, and what a reason!!  That makes it completely a sure thing!

Not only is it His nature to keep His promises, but He is also ABLE to keep them!!

Praise the LORD for Who He is!!!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

My prayers matter!!!  They change things!!

Jack Hayford, in his book Penetrating the Darkness, (yes, I am quoting him again!!), says, ". . . as we come in supplication to the Lord, a prevailing, patient prayer pursuit will see wounds bound up, loss recovered, death driven back and destruction's rubble removed as God's grace flows into the world of individuals, families, congregations, communities and nations--recovering and rebuilding the lives of multitudes." (p.110.)  "Supplication in many respects involves a considerably methodical, persistent approach to prayer." (p. 107.) 

Sometimes it feels like I pray and pray (That is supplication.) and do not see my petition fulfilled.  But I KNOW I am making a difference.  I am promised that what I bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and what I loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  (Matthew 18:18)  It is done!!  I can count on it. 

You can, too!  Hold on!  Be faithful to bring your loved ones before the LORD!  Be methodical and persistent in prayer!!

Blessings!!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

". . . the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  (Matthew 16:18)  The words of Jesus regarding His church gave me comfort when I read it in the context of Jack Hayford's commentary in his book, Penetrating the Darkness.  He said, "If we move in prayer, 'warring' in the spiritual realm, where the outcome will be decided, He has already established His Kingdom victory, and given His Church the keys to now unlock the chains that hold people captive." (p. 106)  This makes me know my prayers for my lost loved one are not only essential, but they are effective.  When I pray for my loved one, I know the victory and redemption have already been provided through Jesus' work on the cross.  Above this on the same page, he wrote that we extend and apply "His victory 'on earth,' as it was achieved on that day when His victory was accomplished 'in heaven.'" 

My omnipotent God will effect victory on earth when I pray!!  Satan cannot win this fight!  Bless the holy Name of the LORD!!!

Monday, November 5, 2012

God has a perfect will, and His will is perfect for EVERYONE!!  When I was praying this morning, this thought came to me and gave me reason for rejoicing!!

No one is left out.  He is no respecter of persons.  (Acts 10:34--"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said , Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." )  He does not have a perfect will for one person to the detriment of the other. He does not have a perfect will for one person and not for another.  He has a perfect will.  It is good for you and for all around you.  It is a win-win situation.

The Bible tells us how to find God's perfect will.  Romans 2:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. "  Do not conform ("act in accordance or harmony; comply. . . , act in accord with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices . . , be or become similar in form, nature, or character" or "be in harmony or accord") to the world.  Instead, be transformed ("undergo a change in form, appearance, or character") by renewing your mind.  (Definitions are from dictionary.com.)

My will and yours are not perfect.  God's is.  Ask God for His perfect will to be done in your life and those around you.  When God's will is done, He is like a Marine:  He does not leave anyone behind.  His will is perfect!!  I am grateful!



P.S.  For extra thought about renewing your mind, read Philippians 2:1-5. It says, "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus".  Sounds like when our minds are renewed to be like Christ's mind, we will put others before ourselves and serve the kingdom of God. 

You might also go to crosswalk.com and search "will of God" and read what the Word says about it.  It has a lot to say.  I searche the King James Version for this search.  It is powerful! 

Saturday, November 3, 2012

I am so sorry for the lapse in posting!!  We have been in our house now for six weeks, and we just got the internet running today.  Our server has had some problems.  I will leave it at that!!

Well, my raindrop this time came from another song, sung by Yolanda Adams, entitled "Victory."    The chorus is: 

I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet sweet victory in Jesus.
Yes I do
He's our mighty conqueror.
In him I will trust all my battles he'll fight.
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet sweet victory in Jesus.
For me He died but He rose on the third day.
That's why I have true victory everyday.

I am trusting Him.  He keeps reminding me that He is faithful, and I can trust Him. 

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf3XDnFzf1c).  (My speakers are not hooked up, so I am not sure this is Yolanda Adams singing it, but the lyrics of the chorus were right.)

I have another raindrop, but I will save it for another day.  Thanks for being faithful to check!!


Friday, September 14, 2012

God and I had a good time this morning.  I was recently reminded of a really old song, and I sat down to see if I could remember how to play it.  I got to singing the words, and the presence of the LORD filled my space, and it was wonderful!!!  The words of the song touched me and reminded me to "Praise the Lord."  I believe Dallas Holm wrote the words:

When you're up against a struggle
That shatters all your dreams,
And your hope has been cruelly crushed
By Satan's manifesting scheme,
And you feel the urge within you
To submit to earthly fears.
Don't let the faith you're standing in seem to disappear.

(Chorus) Praise the Lord!
He can work with those who praise Him.
Praise the Lord!!
For our God inhabits praise,
Praise the Lord!!!
For the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him!

Now satan is a liar,
And he wants to make us think
That we are paupers,
When he knows himself
We're children of the King.
So lift up the mighty shield of faith,
For the battle has been won!!!
We know that Jesus Christ has risen,
So the work's already done!!!
Aren't those powerful words?

Live like a child of the King!!  Praise Him!!

Friday, September 7, 2012

"For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.  Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;    Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down , and there was none to help.  Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.  He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunderOh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" -- Psalm 107:9-15.

I mentioned in my last post that I have been having a hard time, being really anxious about my lost loved one, and that God had been faithful in giving me raindrops to help me.  The above psalm is one of the raindrops, a VERY POWERFUL raindrop, especially the verses I quoted.  Most of that psalm spoke to me, and you may want to read the whole thing to see which part speaks to you the most. 

This verse basically told me to hang on and give praise.  Even if my loved one is in the very shadow of death, God is still able!!!  He is ABLE!!!  I will "praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" 
I may have mentioned that I pray scriptures for my children (including my son-in-law) from Jodie Berndt's Praying the Scriptures for your Children, usually praying one scripture prayer a day, filling in whosoever's name fits the prayer that I come across that day, sometimes even praying for children of friends.  Last night I came to a prayer that was particularly pertinent to me, because in the past few days, I have had several "slaps in the face" about my lost loved one.  The prayer said, "As we pray for________, do not let us be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let us always remember to present our requests to you.  And let your peace, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)" 

My faith has been wavering because of the things I have seen and heard about my lost loved one, and I had to apologize to the LORD, because He has remained faithful, and I can trust Him.  Just because my faith wavered does not mean He has stopped working and fulfilling His promises to me.  In fact, when I asked Him to please give me a raindrop and to let me know He is still working, He was faithful to even do this:  to send this prayer, to show me His creation to remind me of His awesome power, and to send so many songs that have helped me praise and to remember Him, as well as many other reminders. 

In fact, this passage of scripture gives us the answer for the anxiety of the wait:  prayer with thanksgiving.  There is a peace that comes when I pray, presenting all my concerns before the LORD, and thank Him for His work and for listening and answering my prayers.   

He is so very faithful, and He has given me a peace that I cannot fathom.  In fact, I almost feel guilty to be so much at peace when so much bad is going on.  But even that is being handled by God.  I cannot be God in my loved one's life.  I cannot fix anything.  I cannot save that person.  I cannot manipulate circumstances for that person.  I am not God.  I am Tami, but I serve God, and He has this under control!!  I am thankful!
 

Monday, September 3, 2012

"(For he saith , I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) --2 Corinthians 6:2

OK.  I guess I am just a little slow, but the phrase, "today is the day of salvation," hit me and hit me hard and made me so VERY happy!!!  The King James Version says, ". . . now is the day of salvation."  I have heard people say, "All in God's time," and that had me a little confused in my prayer time for my lost loved one.  However, Christ came, died, rose, provided redemption, said, "It is finished."  I KNOW it is not God's will for sin to be in anyone's life.  It is His perfect will that all would be saved NOW, TODAY!!  It is not God's perfect will that my loved one stay in sin one more day!!  NOT ONE MORE DAY!!!   Yes, He will work all things for good, but His perfect will is that this person would be saved today!!  I am glad He will use the experiences for the good.  However, I am praying, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  TODAY!!!  I know I am praying for God's perfect will!!! 



Tuesday, August 28, 2012

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?"--Matthew 16:15
". . . According to your faith be it unto you."--Matthew 9:29b

A friend called me to say God had spoken these two verses to her.  The first one is a question, and your answer is EXTREMELY important!!  Who do you say that God is?  Who does your heart say and that He is?  What do you really believe about Who He is?  Remember from before, even if we lack faith, He cannot deny Himself.  (2 Timothy 2:13)  It does not change Who He is, but it can change your outcome!

The last one, ". . . According to your faith be it unto you," is a scary thought sometimes, but teachers to me over the past couple of years, taught me to build my faith by surrounding myself with people who have experienced God and His person first-hand, listening to testimonies of people who have been healed and saved and had their loved ones saved, and refusing to hear the stories of nay-sayers. 

Good advice!   

Monday, August 27, 2012

I have to post twice today, because I have had another comforting raindrop.

Have you ever hugged someone, and it felt your tiredness or your burden or your stress just drained away?  Well, I got a hug like that from the Word of God.

At the suggestion of my pastor, I read the words of Jesus before bed each night and in the morning, usually just reading a verse or two.  Last week, I came to Matthew 11:28:  "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
I stayed there for several readings, because it was like that hug.  I felt comforted, rested, loved, and supported, knowing I am not alone. 

I hope it gives you that hug, too!!  Many blessings to you as you keep up the fight for your loved one!!
Nothing is beyond redemption!!

Please, allow me to quote Jack Hayford from his book, Penetrating the Darkness.  It
made me want to scream a "WOOHOO!!!"  Some people do not like those, so I won't right now!   (Smile!)

He says on page 69:

"There is nothing in the Bible that suggests we are victims of unyielding circumstance. . . . nothing is beyond redemption.  Nothing in your life, nothing in my life, nothing of anything we face--nothing is beyond redemption.  But there is a decisive issue to be settled.

"Where can our conquering Savior find, among those who have acknowledged Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God, those who will then accept and apply the keys of the Kingdom?  Those keys, which represent the authority He is inviting us to exercise, constitute the key component to change. Redemption on earth advances as God's praying people take action, invoking through intercession the victory that is established in heaven."

"So much of the Church lives passively, rather than taking action and becoming redemptive agents of God's Kingdom in our world.  We are called to transmit through prayer the invitation: 'Let Your Kingdom come!  Enter into this circumstance, that problem, that soul that home!  Let your will be done in our family, our town, our nation--exactly as You, Father, will in it heaven.  Release it in Jesus' name.  Shed forth the blessing of His victory--apply what He has 'finished'!'"

"It is finished!"--John 19:30.  Jesus finished it.  He said it.  I believe it.

I am striving to listen, to accept and apply God's will through prayer.  Nothing and no one is beyond redemption!  That makes me so happy!


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. . . . " -- Isaiah 54:17.

I also believe that no weapon formed against my loved one will proper.  I know this: "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." 

I am looking for morning!!!!!  I can hardly wait!!  I KNOW these promises are true!!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

"Remember God's Promises."

This is on a church's marquis in the Toney, AL, area.  The first time I noticed it, it was such a pointed admonition that I burst into tears!  What a wonderful reminder!!  A day or two later, Kevin and I passed that church again, and there was a rainbow over it!!  It was a double reminder!! 

I do remember His promises!!  I hang on to them like a life line. 

I am SO very grateful for these raindrops!!  God is so faithful to me!!

I am sitting here wondering what your raindrops are.  Would you leave a comment, please?   

Monday, August 6, 2012

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ". -- Philippians 1:6

Sometimes things happen or things are said that remind me of the depravity of my lost loved one, the deception in that life, but the Word is clear that I can be confident that God will complete the work!  This morning, I had a moment where I cried.  I mourn the loss of what things could be right now.  I mourn the loss of dreams.  I mourn the loss of true and complete fellowship.  I mourn the loss of ministry.  Then I had to turn around and apologize to the Lord for my lapse of faith.  Now, don't get me wrong:  grieving is not a sin; it is a God-created way of dealing with loss, but this particular instance was seated in a lapse of faith, a momentary pity party in the natural.  I do mourn the loss, but I have to stop and smile when I remember that God has this and is working.  He promised that if I would release this person to Him, that He would work His work, and I believe Him.  It makes me smile!!! 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."  This is a great prayer to pray for a lost loved one, so do you want to stop and pray this right now?  "God, You are Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our Peace, and I am asking You to sanctify ______ wholly, completely; and I pray, God, that his/her whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!!!  Lord, You are faithful!  You have called ______, and You will also do it!!   I thank You for these promises!!  I thank You that You are Faithful!!  I thank You for raindrops!!  You are amazing!!  Praise Your holy Name!!!!  Amen!!!"

Friday, August 3, 2012

Good morning!!   New mercies!!! 


(Lamentations 3:22-23)

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

"Fear ye not, neither be afraid:  have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses.  Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any." -- Isaiah 44:8 

Why is it we fear what will happen in the future?  Really!  Why do we worry, when the God we serve is just that:  the only true God!  There is no God beside Him!  None can compare!  No other is all-powerful!  No other is present in all time and place!  No other god can promise, much less keep that promise.  So..... why do we fear?  Like He said, didn't He tell us from that time?  Didn't He declare it to be so?  Then, as if to seal the deal, He made us His witnesses!!!  It reminds me of that older song that says, "He'll do it again.....  Hasn't He always come through for you?  He's the same now as then."  (Shirley Caesar, as far as I can tell.)   We've witnessed His goodness in action SO MANY times before, and the promises He's made to me WILL come true.  I can take it to the bank and borrow against it!!  That is true faith!!   

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).  The answer is that He WILL do what He has said, and He WILL make good what He has spoken!!  Just you wait and see!!!  I can hardly wait 'til my faith shall be sight.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Pure Bible!!  It has the BEST raindrops, doesn't it?  I came across this verse a little while ago:  Ephesians 5:14 says, "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."  (This is a great prayer to pray for your lost loved ones!!)

This is exactly what I want for my lost loved one. I pray quite often that God would illuminate that life and dispel any darkness.  Jesus said that He is Light.  John 8:12 says, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."  I am rather impatiently awaiting the day when I can rejoice because there has been an awakening, an arising, and a Light-giving!!!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

God amazes me and makes me smile and laugh!!

After what I wrote about worrying about not having done enough for my lost loved one, I read the following from Jack Hayford's book, Penetrating the Darkness (p. 178):  "...many of us fear what we do is not enough.  And let me say here:  you are right.  It will never be enough; because neither the invitation nor the response is based in works.  They are both based in grace."  Then he quotes Ephesians 2:8-10, which says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.He was talking of God's invitation to pray and share in the work of His kingdom.  Later on the same page, he wrote, "Everything has been provided for us by grace; everything has been won for us on the cross of Jesus Christ--our salvation, and the good works God invites us to walk in.  So it may never 'be enough,' but it also 'counts.'" 

I needed to read that!!!  No, what I did was not enough, but it does not have to be; but God is enough!! 

Thank You, Lord, for placing this in my life at this time!!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

God can handle satan. 

This may be a little redundant, but I found something I had written a while back, and it was a raindrop to me today. 

1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour".  If you look back to younger Sunday School days and remember the story of Daniel and the lions's den, you know taht God knows how to handle lions.  Satan may be walking about, seeking whom he may devour, but I have placed my loved one in the hands of the Almighty God, and He can shut satan's mouth permanently.  My lost loved one can know the truth because satan will not be able to speak into that life when God closes his mouth!! 

The raindrop is that God is more powerful than satan.  Daddy said in his sermon a few weeks ago that "there can only be one most powerful being," and it is not satan!  It is GOD, my GOD, our GOD!!  Praise our omnipotent, all-powerful GOD!!!

Monday, July 23, 2012


The Five Loaves and Two Fishes

I have been feeling some regret about my role in my lost loved one’s life, mourning that I had not done enough to make sure their foundation was sure in the Lord; feeling guilty for not living on purpose enough, for ignoring those gut feelings that I should be bolder, for not making fervent prayer my first option always, for not praying and fasting until I saw results, for letting satan have a stronghold in my life that caused me to want acceptance more than godly results.  See?  I have been really beating myself up, even though I have confessed all these sins to my heavenly Father and received forgiveness.  In other words, I am remembering them in detail, but He has chosen to remember them no more!!  I am trying to walk in that scripture that says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  (Romans 8:1)

I was mulling over some of this mess when it felt like God spoke into my spirit and said, “I placed that person in your life for a reason.”  I started crying.  What a raindrop!!  Although I am nothing, I know God used me in that life.  Was my contribution enough?  No, but God can take my efforts and make them enough.

Several years ago, I came across a prayer for parents that I believe was written by Dr. James Dobson.  I do not remember where I found this prayer, but it applies to all relationships and has blessed me so much.  The part that has stuck with me asks the Lord to repeat the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes.  Matthew 14:19-20 says,  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.  And they did all eat, and were filled:  and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.  Just like Jesus took the meager offering and made it more than enough for the hungry, He can take my meager efforts in my relationships and make them more than enough.  I pray that He will do this.  I pray that He will take my meager efforts to be light and salt and make them more than enough.  He can do this. 

So when satan comes at me with feelings of guilt, I can boldly say that I have been forgiven for my shortcomings and blatant disobediences and that my God is MORE THAN ENOUGH!!! 


Thursday, July 19, 2012

We will KNOW Him by Name!!!

Raindrop—When the Lord is done working in our situations, we will know Him by name!!!  Now I know the Lord by name, but then I will really know Him more personally through what He will have done for me.  Through His deeds, the Lord revealed Himself to His people in the Old Testament:  Abraham, Sarah, Gideon, Jacob, etc.  He revealed Hmself as Saviour in the New Testament.  I am honored that He is revealing Himself to me through His deeds, even though my trial is painful and not what I would have chosen!!  I am so glad He is revealing Himself to me!!

In Exodus 6:2-4, the Word says, “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.  And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.  And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.”  Then the Lord tells them what He is about to do.  You should read it!!  It is awesome!!  It is time to “walk the land,” as we talked about ion Wednesday, July 11, 2012. 

Then we come to Exodus 15:1-3 and 11, which says, “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.  The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation:  he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.  The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.  Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”  They were praising Him as Lord, because they finally really knew Him by this name, just as He said they would know Him through the mighty deeds He had done for them.  God did just as He had promised!!! 

He does that for us!!  He hears our groanings and remembers His promises to us (not like He ever really forgot them!), and He does His work!  Then we know Him better!!!  He is Yahweh, the LORD!!  He is El Shaddai, God Almighty, and He will show Himself strong in our situations!!  I can hardly wait for my Exodus chapter 15!!  I just hope I do not mess it up and have to wander in the wilderness for 40 years!!  Perhaps it is time to “groan” to Him some more!!!    

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Ezekiel!!!

I had a great raindrop this morning!!  I am studying about the book of Ezekiel, and so many times in the book, God tells through Ezekiel how He will bring judgment on Israel for their sin.  He says that after He performs His judgment on them, they will know that He is the Lord. 

That is what my lost loved one needs:  to KNOW that God is the LORD!!  God needs to be first in that life, just like He desires to be first in all of our lives. 

Then, after all the judgment stuff, the Lord describes what He will finally do in their lives.  In chapter 36, verses 22-29a, 33-35, the Word says, “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.  And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.  For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.  Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean:  from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:  and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.  And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.  I will also save you from all your uncleannesses. . . .  In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.  And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.  And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.” 

Now I know that this is Old Testament written to Israel specifically, but Romans 15:4 says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”  That gives me so much hope and makes me want to “WOOHOO!!!”  1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”   

Also, remember that 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful:  he cannot deny himself.”  He will keep His promises simply because that is Who He is!!!  In the Ezekiel passage, He said He would do all of that for His name’s sake.  2 Timothy supports that:  He cannot deny Himself!!  He will save my loved one, because He has promised, but through that He will be known among the sinners that witnessed the sin in my loved one’s life.  This person was a testimony of sin but will be a testimony for the sake of God’s name!!   

I can hardly wait!!! 

Monday, July 16, 2012

I know this is a little lengthy for a post read, but every word is worth it!!  So, sit back and absorb all of it!!

Isaiah 44:1-8 says, "Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:  Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.   For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:  And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.  One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.    Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.  And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.  Fear ye not, neither be afraid:  have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any."

Is that not awesome in its entirety?!?!  I especially like the last part that starts with "Fear not." 

I have been singing a song this morning that says, "You are an awesome wonder....the oceans applaud You."  Harbor Light from Pennsylvania sings it.  I am not sure about the composer, but I believe Kurt Carr wrote it, because he sings it as well  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCGoxPT6db8).  Our God is truly an AWESOME WONDER!  He has declared some things, and they will come to pass!!