Tuesday, December 31, 2013

I came across Exodus 33:12-17 and thought it would encourage you like it has me.
 
Moses had come down from receiving the Ten Commandments at the hand of the LORD, only to find the children of Israel worshipping a golden calf in vulgar ways.  Moses went back to meet with the LORD, and we pick up the conversation there. 
 
It says, "12 Then Moses said to the Lord, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.' 13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people." 14 And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth." 17 So the Lord said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name."          
 
It seems to me that the conversation was about Moses personally at first, and he confirmed that his relationship was intact with God.  Then he used that leverage to gain favor for his wayward people.  I love verse 17.  I am counting on this to see my prodigal saved, that because the Lord knows me by name, He will answer my prayers for the salvation of my prodigal! 
 
Happy New Year!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

What a revelation this morning!!

My love for a person is flawed, at best!  But God's love is perfect love!  My love as a wife, as a parent, as a daughter, as a sister, as an aunt, as a sister-in-law, is flawed at best.  God's love is perfect.  My love for my lost loved one is flawed, and God's love is perfect!! 

For that I am so very grateful!!  I am thankful that God's love knows best.  God loves this person more than I do and better than I do, and I am thankful. 

This revelation made me cry!  I am in awe of Him!!!

Friday, November 8, 2013

Smile!  (This raindrop was a great reminder for me this morning!)

In the Old Testament, when Hannah could not conceive, she fasted and went to the temple to pray.  "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore."  (1 Samuel 1:10)  The high priest, Eli, saw her praying and went over to talk to her.  She told him about her earnest desire of the Lord, and "Eli answered and said , Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him."  (Verse 17)  Verse 18 is what caught my attention.  The last part says, "So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad."  

Lately, I have noticed that people who have received a promise from the Lord still act and talk as if they are still sad and worried.  Now, I am not saying that I have perfected this faith thing by any means, but when the Lord says, "Let us go over unto the other side of the lake," *(Luke 8:22b), we should launch forth (Luke 8:22c), wash our face, straighten our shoulders, put a smile on our face, and live life as if it is done, because it is!!!!!  

We are still called to pray and fast for our lost loved ones, even after we have received a promise.  This is the way the Lord has ordained for His will to be done on earth, but we can live with the assurance that God Himself is working, pursuing our lost, and drawing them to Him.  He is!!!!            
 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Daddy called this morning.  He was telling me the story of how God told the prophet Elijah the plans of the enemy of God's children so that they could evade and be safe.  God is the same now as He was then, and He has been showing me that He can reveal satan's plans to us so that we can combat them in prayer before anything comes to fruition, rather than praying for healing from the damage after satan works his works.  I believe this is especially true to us who are praying for our prodigals.  God can reveal to us the best way to pray for them and how to pray against satan's schemes, stopping him in his tracks!!!! 

Here is the story from the Bible.  I really like the part about "for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."  Read and be encouraged!!  "Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.  And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.  And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.  Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?  And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.  And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him.  And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.  Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host:  and they came by night, and compassed the city about.  And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we doAnd he answered, Fear not:  for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.  And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw:  and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.  And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness.  And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.  And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek.  But he led them to Samaria.  And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.  And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.  And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them?  shall I smite them?  And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow?  set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.  And he prepared great provision for them:  and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away , and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel."--2 Kings 6:8-23.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Yesterday in church during worship, there were so many encouraging raindrops that I had to share some lyrics.

"Nothing Is Impossible" by Planet Shakers
". . .Through You,
Blind eyes are opened,
Strongholds are broken,
I am living by faith,
Nothing is impossible!

I’m not gonna live by what I see,
I’m not gonna live by what I feel

. . . I know that, You can do anything
I believe, I believe,
I believe, I believe in You."


"Because He Lives" by Bill Gaither

 "How sweet to hold
A newborn baby
And feel the pride
And joy he gives
But greater still
The calm assurance
This child can face
Uncertain days
Just because He lives.


Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives."



"Jesus Paid It All" by Elvina M. Hall
"Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow."


These songs encouraged me so beautifully!  I hope they do you, too!!

 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

This made me smile! 

You may remember the story in Mark 2 where the friends of a paralyzed man tore the roof off of a house and lowered him to Jesus to be healed.  Verse 5 of that chapter says, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."  When Jesus saw "their faith," not the paralytic's faith, he forgave the man's sins!!!  When I read this along with Pastor McGlamery in his sermon, it made me smile!!!

I have been reading a book about intercessory prayer that says that we are the hope of our lost loved ones who will not pray for themselves.  Mark 2:5 confirms this:  when the Lord sees our faith, even if our lost has little to no faith, the Lord saves on our faith!!!!!!  

This makes me smile!!!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

If you have read my blog in the past, you may be aware of my "reading the red" each morning and evening, reading the words of Jesus.  A few days ago I came to Luke 5:4b.  It says, " Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."  I immediately felt like God was speaking directly to me!  I have been feeling like I am on the brink of a wonderful move of God in my life, and then I read this.  Now I have to find a way to "launch out into the deep," but I will tell you that I am excited about it!!!

You can take this verse personally, too.  Launch out into the deep with God; let down your nets for a draught, and see what you catch!!!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

BIG RAINDROP yesterday. 

In my "reading the red," I came across Luke 4:18.  (I added verse 19 today.)  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."  Jesus came and accomplished this, and my lost loved one is included!!! 

Enough said!  I feel like rejoicing!!!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

I know it has been a while, for which I apologize, but my raindrops have been private, and I have been trying to figure out how to share them without causing pain to anyone. 

I can share one raindrop, though.  I dreamt or had a vision of one of my lost loved ones admitting a limited belief in God!!  This person said about God, "He just doesn't understand!"  That is a huge step!!  That confirmed to me that this person is making progress in the path back to serving God, and I am thrilled!!  It also revealed to me more specific ways to pray! 

I also had a raindrop this morning!  I have been reading a book on intercessory prayer, and while reading a scripture reference, I felt the need to do a cross reference.  There, I found Jeremiah 1:10.  It says, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant."  I know I am in a fight for the soul and spirit of my loved one.  This verse gave me another reason for praise because of the victory it promises, but it also gives me more of a sense of responsibility!  I am accepting this challenge and will fight this spiritual battle that is raging against my loved one until that person is walking in victory with Christ Jesus, in favor with God and man!  I will, with the authority given to me by God, "root out...pull down...destroy" and "throw down" satan and his schemes.  I also will "build...and plant" life in Christ for my loved one!! 

Satan likes to make us think we are not effective in our prayers or in our fight for our lost, but this verse tells me yet again that he is a liar!! 

Praise be to our all-powerful God!!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

God let me witness an answer to my prayers!

I have been praying for God to have someone speak truth into the life of my lost loved one.  I got to witness that first hand TWO TIMES in the last few days!!!  The first time, several Spirit-filled people passionately refuted untruths coming from this person.  Hating confrontation, I wanted to stop the process.  I actually had to leave the room.  Once outside, God reminded me of the MANY prayers I had prayed for this to happen.  The second time, someone publicly prayed and basically laid out the plan of salvation and praised God for being Almighty, Wonderful, Creator God, etc.  It was so powerful!!  This time, I KNEW what was happening! 

I thank God for keeping me from interrupting His work, for showing me His hand, and for allowing me to witness His process and His answer to my prayers!!  He is working in this life, and I am so very grateful!!

Two other people for whom I am praying has also shown evidence of God's working in their lives, and I am grateful!!  God is answering yet another prayer!!

Also, Daddy came home from State Convention really sick with a very high fever.  I called a few people whose prayers I trust, and Daddy's fever broke!!!  God moved swiftly, concisely, evidently, and mightily!!  I praise Him!

Talk about raindrops!!  God does answer prayers!!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

What would I tell my 16-year-old self?

A friend posted this question on Facebook, with the answer needing to be in seven words or less. 

I am not sure what I would tell myself at 16-years-old necessarily, but I know what I would tell myself throughout my life:  be honest about your struggles so that people can see the victory when it comes and will know that they can trust God, too.  Perhaps this is one reason why we are to confess our faults one to another.  (James 5:16) 

If I had been more transparent with my loved one that is lost, would that person have seen the struggles and realized that my faith had foundation and that my God is real and present in all my situations? 

Does this mean I should always focus on my struggles?  NO!  But there are times we should be less self-righteous, and focus more on the righteousness that God gives us (Romans 5:19:  "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.") and the power of God unto salvation (1 Peter 1:5:  "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."). 

This is just a thought!  =)  

Monday, June 17, 2013


"Never give up praying for your lost loved ones...NEVER! Please read on..."
A friend posted this to Facebook, and I had to share verbatim.  I could not say it better! 
 
"Open Their Eyes to the Light-

"If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
 
Since God doesn't save anyone against their will, does it really do any good to pray for people who consciously refuse to receive Jesus as Lord?

Yes. Yes! YES! IT DOES!

You see, in spite of the fact that most all unbelievers who have purposely refused to receive Jesus as Lord think they've made that decision of their own free will, the truth is, they haven't. The Word of God says they've been blinded by Satan. He's blocking their perception of the truth. So their decision hasn't been freely made at all.
That's important for you to grasp. Because through the prayer of intercession, you can interfere with the satanic forces and help take those blinders off! You can also change circumstances with your prayers and help create situations that will bring them in contact with the Lord. You're well within your spiritual rights when you do that.
I prayed with a friend of mine once who'd been praying for his lost brother for years. Jesus said in Matthew 12:29 to first bind the strong man and then enter his house and spoil his goods. So we said, "You spirit blinding the eyes of ______________, you stop what you are doing to keep him out of the kingdom of God. In Jesus' Name, you stop NOW!"
Jesus also said in Matthew 9:38, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." So we prayed, "Lord, send someone to ____________ with the Word of God. You know who he will listen to. We claim _____________ for the kingdom of God. We believe we receive his salvation and deliverance. In faith we praise You for it."
In almost no time at all his brother called him. "What have you been doing up there?" he asked. "In the past few days, everybody I've come across has started preaching to me!"
Our prayers had interfered with the forces Satan had been using to blind this man to Jesus and created the circumstances to bring him into the kingdom. Sure enough, within a few days, he was born again.
Use this same prayer for your loved ones and believe when you pray and you'll see the same results.
Don't sit by and let the devil take your friends and loved ones without a fight. Pray. Pray! PRAY! Come against the "god of this world." Take off the blinders and open their eyes to the glorious gospel of God.
By Kenneth Copeland"

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Yesterday, someone shared this song with me.  This morning, my spiritual mentor posted the same performance on her Facebook page.  I am taking it personally.

When I listened to it yesterday, I began thinking about the lessons I have learned in the past two years or so.  You see, when my loved one told me they were no longer serving God, my world seemed to fall apart.  I could do little but cry and pray, walking in circles around my breakfast room table.  Perhaps you have been there!!  But what I have learned since then and throughout this process is that I WILL make it, that what God promises are true, that He is faithful, and that I can trust Him. 

Now, why didn't I know that earlier?  I did, but on a very elementary level.  Now I have truly lived it, and my faith is stronger.  Has my loved one repented?  Not that I know of yet, but I know it will happen, and I am grateful, so grateful, for the lessons learned.

I love my God.  He is amazing!  He is close!!  My heart overflows!!!

I hope this song blesses you!!  It is a good way to start the day!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRerh9GYfSY

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Jehovah Sabaoth--The Lord of hosts, The Commander of the armies of heaven!!

Each week, I pray with a group of people for "prodigals."  We pray for our lost children, grandchildren and other family members.  This past weekend, I was told that three of them have started going to church again, and two of them were right behind me in the altar praying with tears streaming down their faces on Sunday!!!  God is working, and I am thankful! 

This morning, in my prayer time I was thanking God for all He is doing, for the things we are privy to, and the things we know nothing about!  I know He is working all the time to bring them back to Him!   I also thank Him for saving them, because I believe with all my heart that He is!! 

What does any of this have to do with His Name, Jehovah Sabaoth?  While I was thanking Him, I had to thank Him for sending His angels to fight for my lost loved one, because I have asked Him to do that, and I know He has!  This makes me so happy all over!!!!  To know that God's angels are with mine fighting for them gives me such comfort, and I am thankful!!!  It was such a wonderful raindrop for this morning!!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

God is More Than Enough!

Mark 8:19-20 says, "When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.  And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up ? And they said, Seven."

The other day, it hit me!  I was not and am not enough in the life of my lost loved one!!  Then it hit me even stronger:  but God is!!!  He is enough!  He is more than enough!!

I sometimes (really, quite often) question whether I have been enough, said enough, or done enough.  The answer is:  probably not!!  But then, I don't have to be enough.  God is enough. 

In the verses above, Jesus is reminding His disciples of two miracles.  Each time, He took a little bread and a little bit of fish and fed multitudes with full baskets left over!  He was more than enough to those hungry people, and He is more than enough for my lost loved one!! 

I am one grateful lady that I serve a God like that!!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

God Receives my Prayers!!

Psalm 66:20 says, "Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me."   He does not reject my prayers, and has not withheld mercy, and that is reason to SHOUT!!!

         

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

God's Daughter

As I have blogged before, I "read the red" morning and night on most days.  The last few days, I have been in Mark 5.  I came to these sentences of Jesus: 

1. "Who touched my clothes?" (verse 30)  I wanted to scream, ME!!!"

2. "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague" (verse 34).  I want to say, "Deal!!!"  Although my "plague" is not physical, I believe my life will be whole again, in full fellowship with my lost.

3. "Be not afraid, only believe" (verse 36).  Again, I want to scream, "Deal!!!"

These are powerful words! 

I am touching  His clothes in behalf of my lost loved one!!   Apparently, virtue is going from Him to minister to that person!!  I also receive the other two verses, too!!  They have really ministered to me!!   I will not fear, but ONLY believe!!  What an "only!"

Bless the Name of the LORD!!!!

Friday, May 3, 2013

God revealed something to me about Esther.

God made her beautiful for a reason:  to get her into the palace (to fulfill His plan for and keep His promises to His people)!  God made her content for a reason:  to give her favor before the king (to fulfill His plan and keep His promises to His people).  God helped her trust Him for a reason:  so she could call a fast and pray (to fulfill His plan and keep His promises to His people).  God made her confident for a reason:  to give her boldness to go before the king unbidden (to fulfill His plan and keep His promises for His people).  God made her wise for a reason:  so she would know what to say to the king (to fulfill His plan and keep His promises to His people).

God made us all beautiful in such a way that He could use us to fulfill His purposes and to keep His promises to His people.  Will you fulfill your God-given purposes?

 



 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

"Let us pass over unto the other side."

I may have used this verse before, but I came across it again yesterday in my "Reading the red."  In this statement of Jesus is so much promise.  When He said this, the disciples should have banked on making it to the other side!  However, a storm came up, and Jesus said, "Peace, be still."  The storm obeyed and ceased!!  

When the Lord has promised my loved one's salvation, I can trust that we will make it to the other side of this.  And soon, I am expecting the LORD to say, "Peace, be still!"  I can hardly wait!!

 

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Vials of Odours

I have another raindrop to post today!  Yesterday, I had the privilege of spending most of the day with my amazing parents, and Mother told me to read Revelation 5:8.  It says, "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints."

Apparently, when I pray a prayer, it is not simply heard and answered:  it stays before the throne in golden vials!!!  They are before the throne still, not null and void or floating in some great chasm in the universe or dissipated or evaporated or annihilated.  Those prayers are still right in front of God smelling up the throne area!! 

That is a powerful reminder of our role in praying for people who will not or cannot pray for themselves!!  Join forces with God to overcome evil in the lives of those you love!!  Those prayers are eternal!! 
Jesus would have passed by them, but . . . .

In Mark 6, right after Jesus had fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, He sent the disciples to Bethsaida in a boat while He stayed behind to send away the multitude and to pray.  When He was still on land, He saw the disciples "toiling in rowing," because they were rowing against a strong wind, so He went to them by walking on the water.  Now, if you have been in church since you were young, you are probably familiar with this story.  What I do not remember ever reading, but know that I have numerous times, is the end of verse 48:  ". . . and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them."  He would have passed by them!!!  They were struggling, and the compassionate LORD would have simply passed by them walking on the water!!

We will get to what kept Him from doing that in a minute, but I have to paint a word picture here.  Jesus was walking on the water, but apparently the wind was so great that the rowing of the disciples was getting them nowhere fast, since His walking was faster than their rowing.  There is a lesson there in God's timing or the effectiveness of having God's involvement in your processes of life, but that is not my point here; it is just something on which to chew.

The point is:  Jesus would have passed them by.  What stopped Him and involved Him in their process was recorded in verse 49-50a:  "But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:  For they all saw him, and were troubled."  They did not even realize it was Jesus, so their cry was not necessarily a prayer; it was a cry of fear!!  But Jesus's compassion and love for them responded still!  The rest of verse 50 through verse 51a says, "And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer:  it is I; be not afraidAnd he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased".  He handled their fear and their reason for fear!!  He is amazing!!

This raindrop reminded me of two important things:  God sees my toiling, and He is RIGHT THERE always with His heart of compassion toward me, willing to help me if I simply cry out!!  He is, however, a gentleman and will not force Himself into my situations if I do not invite Him.  So. . . I am inviting, crying out for the God and Creator of the universe to help me, to work in my life and the lives of people I love!  I do not intend to stop crying out! 

God, do not pass me by!!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

My Aunt Billie passed away last Sunday, Palm Sunday. 

What is the raindrop in that?  God was there.  I got to spend the bulk of her last two days with her.  She was in respiratory distress, and she would call me to her bedside to pray.  She and I would pray together, and God would touch her and help her, as she asked Him to do.  Her vitals would improve almost immediately, and she would be calmer.  He honored His Word that says, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."  (Matthew 18:19).  He was DEFINITELY "in the midst."  (Matthew 18:20) 

Then Sunday, on Palm Sunday when we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem while the people shouted, "Hosanna," meaning, "Save us," He honored her final request:  to take her to Himself, to save her to the uttermost. 

God proved that He is indeed a "very present help in trouble."  (Psalm 46:1)  I am so grateful that He was there. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Fretting

Lately, I have been fretting, for lack of a better word, about the soul of my lost loved one, but when I do, I hear a voice inside that asks why I am fretting, because God has promised (s)he will not always be lost!   Why, indeed, do I fret?  I either believe God, or I don't, and I DO!!!  So I am striving to live fret-free, because there really is no reason to fret.

The Bible puts it this way in Philippians 4:6:  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God". (NKJV)  The next verse is the promise:  "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  That means my sanity, my peace, my contentment, my faith will all be guarded if I do one thing:  pray.  It is the answer to fretting, because fretting is the opposite of faith, and it does not come from God.

This applies to any promise in the Word:  the righteous will not be forsaken nor his children begging for bread; He will not leave or forsake us; if we confess our sins, He will forgive; when we pray, He hears and answers, ALWAYS.  The Word is full of promises that He WILL keep!

"Be anxious for nothing!"  Pray, and trust!!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Prayer is one big "ONLY!"

Carter Conlon, pastor of Times Square Church, wrote a message entitled, "Why is God's Strength Make Perfect in our Weakness?"  In it, he said, "'. . .And his train filled the temple...' (Isaiah 6:1). What an incredible picture, especially in light of the story in Matthew 9:20-21: 'And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: for she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.' This woman had to press through the crowd to get to Jesus, but when she finally touched the hem of His garment, immediately she was healed.

"At that time His garment was only on one physical body, the man Jesus Christ. To touch it, you would have to travel miles and press through crowds. However, Isaiah said that the hem of His garment filled the temple. In other words, there was nowhere in the temple where you couldn't touch Him and be healed!

"Consider now how you and I are the temple of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament church. The presence of Christ is within us, and what Isaiah saw is now a reality in the actual body of a New Testament believer--the hem of His garment fills the temple! That means there is no area of your mind, your body, your past, present of future that God can't touch. In other words, the healing of Jesus is in every part of you!"

Yesterday, Pastor McGlamery preached that this woman with the issue of blood ONLY had the hem of Jesus' garment, and that we ONLY have prayer!!  What an "only!"  If I "only" pray for my lost loved one, in the hands of Jesus it is more than enough!!  His train fills the temple!!! 

I am praying today that Christians around my lost loved one will bless him/her and show the love of Christ in some way that would be obvious to him/her.  You can borrow this prayer for your lost loved one, too!! 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

I am waiting rather impatiently for the "new thing" God has planned!! (Isaiah 43:19 says, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
 
He is probably already holding back the waters to let us get to the new thing!!! (Joshua 3:15, 16a, 17b says, "and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap . . . and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan."
 
Our part is to sanctify ourselves, become set apart for use by God, prepare ourselves, get ready!  (Joshua 3:5 says, "And Joshua said to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.'"
 
(Thanks, Pastor McGlammery, for such inspiring messages that provide raindrops for my faith!!)

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

I am so excited about this raindrop!!! 

In the mornings and before I go to bed at night, I read words of Jesus.  Last night, I read Matthew 24:35, where He said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."  (This is a very good reason to read the words of Jesus everyday, wouldn't you say?  Thanks for the idea, Pastor James Bond!)  This verse meant so much to me that I decided to keep that marked as my place so that I could read it again this morning!  You see?  God has promised me some things, and I do not intend to give up until they are realized!!!

Then, when I logged onto Facebook, my friend, Betsey Brisson had posted Acts 27:25: 
"Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me."
I DO, TOO!!  

Last night, Evangelist Jonathan Zieglar preached that it is dangerous to give up, that it is dangerous to not believe God for Who He is and what He says!!  I do NOT intend to give up, but I intend to have faith that what God says, He will do, that His words will NOT pass away, even after heaven and earth pass away, that it will be just as the Word says it will be, that His promises to me are true!!! 

(See how God works things when He wants us to know something?  Thank You, LORD!!!)

What has God promised you?  Hang on!  Go after it!!  Do not give up!!!

I BELIEVE!!!!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

I am sorry I have not posted in a while.  There have been so many ups lately!! 

One is this song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-hO57J-s1s.

Another is:  my husband got a new job that he loves.  Through all the ups and downs the last year, our God has remained faithful to us and has proven Himself our Jehovah Jireh, The LORD Who Sees and Provides, and as our Jehovah Shalom, The LORD our Peace."  He has been amazing, "a very present help in trouble."  (Psalm 46:1)

Another is just knowing that what God promised, He will do!!  I am reminded of this over and over.  The song linked above says, "Jesus made a way where there was no way," and He does!!!

The Word tells us in 1 Kings 8:56, "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."  Psalm 89:34 makes it a little more inclusive:  "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."  There hasn't failed one promise that has passed God's lips, period!!!

I may have shared these before, but hang onto these promises.  They will get you through many an attack on your faith!!!

I feel like praising!!!!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

A friend had a dream.

In this dream, two people were lost in the forest where it was dark.  People outside the forest were in a beautiful light.  They looked and looked for the lost people.  Finally, the lost walked out of the woods and were so happy to be in the light and to be found!!! 

This friend recognized one of the people as a lost loved one, but the other was a little elusive.  When this friend awakened and the characteristics were considered, the other "found" person was my lost loved one!!! 

This was a definite raindrop, a reminder of promises that will be fulfilled!

Friday, February 1, 2013

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."  (Romans 15:13)

Good stuff!!  There is joy and peace in believing, in believing what God says!!  This results in abounding hope!!!

Good stuff!!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

God is in Control/REFUGE

God is in control!!!

Acts 17:26-28a says, "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:  For in him we live, and move, and have our being."

He is in control, and He is RIGHT HERE, VERY NEAR!!   Psalm 46:1, one of my favorite go-to verses, says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

I love the "refuge thing."  In the Old Testament (Numbers 35), God commanded the children of Israel to build cities of refuge, fortified cities, to where people who were erroneously accused could run and cry, "REFUGE!!!  REFUGE!!!"  The gates of the city would open to allow them to enter and then close so that those accusing and chasing could NOT enter .

God is our refuge, and satan is our accuser.  When satan accuses us erroneously, or reminds us of our past, forgiven sins, we can run to God and cry, "REFUGE!!!"  He opens His arms to us, and shuts the devil out!!!  We are His children, and we can find Him when we seek Him; when we feel for Him, He is right there, near to us, and we will find Him.  He promised!! 

He will also be refuge for our lost loved ones when they seek Him!!!  They WILL find Him!!! 

Feel and find Him!!!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The LORD is watching for opportunities to show that He is strong in our lives.

The Lord is watching for opportunities to show His strength in our lives.

Jehovah Tsidkenu, The LORD our Righteousness, gives us His righteousness. We cannot make ourselves righteous; we have to ask Him! 

THEN...... ". . . the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9a). He makes us righteous; then, because we are righteous, He watches to see how He can show Himself strong in our lives!!! Our LORD is amazing!!!

I am inviting Him to show Himself strong in the life of my loved one!!  And He will, and He is already!!!  Thank You, LORD!!!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

I know Him!!

I know Whom I have believed!!!

I am persuaded that He is able!!

I am persauded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

2 Timothy 1:12b says, “. . . I am not ashamed:  for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

I am persuaded that He is able to keep WHOM I have committed unto Him against that day!!!!!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Do the Next Right Thing

I think it was Delilah, the popular radio show host, that said her dad always told her to do the next thing.  When she didn't know what to do, do the next right thing.  Get up, get showered, brush your teeth, go to work, fix food, etc.   Do the next right thing until clear direction comes.

That is what David did in 2 Samuel 5:10, as pointed out by my pastor Sunday in a sermon.  It reads, "And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him."  "David went on."  He did the next right thing.  The next part is FABULOUS:  "the LORD God of hosts was with him."  That is how we continue to live, continue to go on when the burden is great, because the LORD God of hosts, Jehovah Sabaoth, the Commander of the armies of heaven, is with us!!

I recently had a friend, who is has a burden to pray for an unsaved loved one, talk about the waiting.  This is how we wait:  we wait actively!!  We pray, we fast, we hold on to the raindrops sent by God to build our faith, we trust God Who loves them more than we do and desires they be saved (2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."), and we do the next right thing.  I think part of trust is not worrying, not letting this burden overcome our lives except for the times when the Holy Spirit is giving us an anxious, urgent unctioning to pray NOW!  I do trust God.  After all, His Word says in 2 Timothy 1:12b, ". . . for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 

So, today, in addition to your praying, do the next right thing!!  Blessings!!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Leave the Past, Look for the New Thing

Isaiah 43:18-19 keeps "coming across my desk," so perhaps I need to share it with you!

It says, "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?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

The past needs to stay in the past!  If the disciples had stayed on the Mount of Transfiguration and built the three tabernacles they had proposed to build, they would have missed the death, burial and resurrection of the Jesus AND the Day of Pentecost, where they received power to do what God had called them to do.  (Matthew 17:1-4 says, "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,   And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here:  if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.")

There are so many examples of our needing to let go of the past and move forward.  (The Israelites' leaving Egypt comes to mind.)  Sometimes the past was good, and we either want to stay there or recreate it.  Sometimes the past was horrible, and we are glad to be rid of it.  Either way, God has a new thing to do in our lives. 

No matter where we are, even in the wilderness or desert, God has promised to provide; AND, He says we will know what He is doing!!  That is so wonderful!!!  

So, it is time to move out of the past and walk into what God has for us!!  I am starting today, striving to break habits that have been distracting me:  fun things, not bad things necessarily, mindless things (TV, games, things that I have been using to fill in the gaps in my life between appointments), and filling that time working on the projects God has given me.  I am such a creature of habit, and this will be hard, but the verse came up yesterday in my Bible study, that ". . . . With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."  (Matthew 19:26)  I know this is taken a little out of context, but I think the meaning still holds!!  =)  I am trusting God to help me "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset" me so that I can "run with patience the race that is set before" me, doing the work He created me to do.  (Hebrews 12:1)

Pastor McGlamery quoted Zig Ziglar yesterday:  "You are the only person on earth that can use your ability."  Guess I better get busy!!  I can hardly wait to see what God has planned for me this year!!!

Thanks for "listening!!" 

Friday, January 4, 2013

My raindrop (faith-builder, reminder that God's promises are true) yesterday came in the form of answered prayer. 

I know that I am vague sometimes about the things about which I pray, but they most often involve private lives of other people and are not my story to tell.  Suffice it to say that I received a text last night that shows that prayer changes things, and I am so excited for this step!! 

Prayer really does change things!!  Thank You, LORD, for hearing and answering prayers!!

I just had to testify!!!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Let me tell you a dream I had a few weeks ago. 

I was driving along a narrow curvy road.  I took a curve going too fast and ran off the road.  There were no trees to catch me, no immediate bottom of the chasm, and my car was going down nose first.  I knew I was about to die, and it hit me hard that I was about to meet Jesus, and I got so excited!!  When I awoke, I was actually a little disappointed that I didn't get to meet Jesus.

I was writing about this to my spiritual mentor, and it hit me what Jeff Lawson said about freefall in a class I was teaching a few weeks ago.  I think when we freefall in our faith, we get to meet Jesus.  I am sure you have given your situation to God so many times, but it is time again, I believe, to let God work, to let God be God, to freefall in your faith regarding your situation.  Invite God to work all the time, but make sure you are not telling God how to work through your prayers.  I still do that so very often in my prayers for my lost loved one, and I get a check in my spirit. 

Only when we freefall in our faith will we see Jesus.  He has this.  God has this.  Do you really trust Him?  It is a place of peace for us that have particular needs and hard situations.  I HAVE to rest in that peace. 

It is a fabulous peace, one that passes all earthly, intelligent understanding.  Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."