Looking Forward

It's been a while, but I hope that this turns out to be my return to the passion filled world of blogging. I've missed each of you and and the sweet fellowship that we have shared through this powerful medium.

I've spent a little time in recent days looking back over the triumphs and trials of 2009. What a year it has been. Too often we can spend so much time looking back that we forget about looking ahead. I've determined that 2010 for me is going to be a year of 'Looking Forward'.

I am 'Looking Forward' to seeing what God is going to do in each of our lives and the lives of those that we love.

I am 'Looking Forward' to seeing God take what we see with our eyes and watch Him turn it into something totally different in a true reversal of destiny.

I am 'Looking Forward' to falling more in love with Jesus as we take another step out of the shallow waters, into the deep pools of spiritual growth.

I am 'Looking Forward' to a new opportunity of ministry yet to be revealed. My heart is open and my YES is already on the table. Here am I Lord, send me.

I am 'Looking Forward' to becoming the woman of God that He is calling me to be. A woman of integrity. A woman of deep faith. A woman of prayer. A woman of sacrifice and service to others. A woman after God's own heart.

Psalm 27:4 is a verse that I have been meditating on for the last few weeks and is my goal for the year 2010. I hope it resonates with your heart as well.

One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in
the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4

I hope that you will join me in 'Looking Forward' as we journey together. I know that God has great things in store for each of us.

What are you 'Looking Forward to'?

Saturday Steps of Faith #35

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?
Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives.
It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

Who can take a hopeless situation and turn it around? Only God!
Who can bring healing when the Dr.'s have given up? Only God!
Who can give strength when the journey has become long? Only God!
Who can bring peace when no peace can be found? Only God!

10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
Psalm 30:10-12

My God is a Reverser of Destiny. No matter what we see with our eyes, what we hear, what we feel; God is working in the heavenlies on our behalf and will use it to bring Him glory.

I am believing in Him!

How about you? What are you believing God for this week? Will you join me?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing. • Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

Sometimes You Just Have to Praise

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.

6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.

O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
Psalm 36:5-9

Thank You Father for Your amazing love!

How high, how wide, how deep it reaches to show us your faithfulness.

Your righteousness - there is none like You!

How do we describe your tenderness toward us - Priceless!

And when life begins to bear down on us - even scorch us,

we find refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

You prepare a banquet fit for a King, and you invite us to dine!

Thank You for being my Father, my God.

Amazing, simply amazing!

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?
Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is
faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9

Does that verse ring true with you? Just reading it stirs up something deep within my soul. It's a beautiful picture of my relationship with the Lord. Who was the initiator? God! He called me! He pursued me. His desire was for me.

Why? Because at the very center of His being, God loves. His desire is for us to enter into a wonderful love relationship with Him, through fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Though life may take it's dips and turns, if you ask me to describe God in just one word, my word would be faithful. He is faithful to love, faithful to forgive, faithful to protect, faithful to restore, faithful to meet our needs. He is all of that and so much more. He is faithful.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9

How about you? Will you join me?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing. • Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

Thankful Thursday #33

It's Thankful Thursday and I am again joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey once again. Click on the button above and feel free to join in with 5 items of Thanksgiving.

1. Thank You God for answered prayer. I love how You love me. I love how Your desire is for me. Thank You for hearing and answering beyond my belief.
2. Thank You God for friends who reflect You. Friends with a word of encouragement on their lips and a joy that flows from a fulfilling relationship with You.
3. Thank You God for peace. Unsure times. Unsure people. A God who is the I AM of my present, my past and my future.
4. Thank You God for Your Provision. Day by day every need is met - and then some. You are the God of 'more than we ask of imagine'.
5. Thank You God for a season of thankfulness. It's nice to see people really stopping and taking stock of Your goodness and blessing on their lives.

How about you? What are you thankful for?

It's not the way things ought to be

I wrote this post back in March, but God brought it back to my mind this morning. I love this poem by Jill Briscoe and it really resonates with my heart this morning. I hope it speaks to you in some way too.

Have you ever thought about how different this world is than God planned? As God created the heavens and the earth, the sun and the moon, the animals and creatures to roam the earth, Adam and Eve; each stage of His magnificent creation God saw that it was good.

Man and woman in a beautiful garden fashioned by God's own hand. He would even come walking in the garden in the cool of the day, just enjoying all that He had made. Sweet fellowship with the ones He loved. It was truly paradise.

What a difference a day makes as Eve is deceived and takes a bite. Adam also partakes. Their lives are forever changed as God banishes them from the garden forever. Lives can be changed in just a moment - forever.

It's not the way things ought to be

And yet the way things are,

I look above and see a void

And not one single star.

Then in the day the blue is grey,

The winds of change are stilled,

My heart it seems

Must die to dreams

I'll never see fulfilled.

It's not the way things ought to be

And Yet the way things are,

Then God walks in,

Forgives the sin

And lights my evening star.

He tames my rebel doubts with love,

Rebukes my frantic fears,

Then asks my why

I sigh and cry

And counts my many tears.

One day the things that "ought to be"

Will be the way He planned,

So I should live

And freely give

My hopes into His hand.

I'll live in light of ever-ness

With eyes upon the Throne,

He'll give me grace

To run the race

Till I am safely home.

- Jill Briscoe -

From the book, "The Deep Place Where Nobody Goes"

Oh how I look forward to the day when things will be as they "ought to be". One day, in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, we will see Jesus, face to face. We will fall on our faces before Him saying,

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelation 4:11

But until that day Lord, I place all of my hopes is in Your hands. My eyes are upon Your throne, fixed upon You until my race is run!

Saturday Steps of Faith #33

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?
Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

This past week has been a very full one. Sunday afternoon I headed to Indianapolis to spend the night with a girlfriend before beginning a heavily scheduled week of work in the Home Office.

Each morning began with three hours of training as the instructor literally read to us from a 6 inch binder describing the inner workings of a computer language I need to learn. As you can imagine it was thrilling.

Each afternoon for three and a half hours I led a group of Systems Analysts and Business partners through the steps of defining a new credit card application for our Payment Entry System.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with
power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell
in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21

How can I do the things that I do? It's all God my friend! It's all Him! I didn't finish college but instead got married to a man in ministry at the age of 19. And yet God had a plan for my life that included great opportunities.

With His hand guiding me, I have been able to accomplish things I never would have dreamed of even trying. With His strength I have endured and grown through trying times. With His love I have been fully established and my feet have been set firm. With Him leading and guiding, all things are possible.

This one thing I do know, no matter what my future may hold, I trust the One who holds my future. He is so worthy! He is a loving Father! I am believing in Him.

How about you? What are you believing God for this week? Will you join me?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing. • Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

Saturday Steps of Faith #32

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?
Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 2:19-21

One thing I know for certain, and this I truly believe, Jesus did not die "for nothing".

• I have lied.
• I have cheated.
• I have stolen.
• I have gossipped.
• I have spoken angry, hurtful words against others.
• I have had idols in my life.
• I have....., (and the list can go on far too long).

The Bible says, "For the wages of sin is death is death". It's what I deserve. The verse goes on to say, "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I deserve death and Hell. I earned it. I chose to disobey God. But by His grace, because of what Jesus did on the cross, I get to choose something different. God said, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

• I choose forgiveness.
• I choose to turn from my way and follow Him.
• I choose the righteousness of Christ.
• I choose grace.
• I choose life.

I choose to believe God, to take Him at His Word, and to walk by faith.

How about you? Who or what are you placing your faith in? Only Jesus can save.

I believe God for my future.

What are you believing God for this week? Will you join me?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing. • Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

Thankful Thursday #32

It's Thankful Thursday and I am again joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey once again. Click on the button above and feel free to join in with 5 items of Thanksgiving.

1. Thank You God for my families health. With so much sickness around us we have been blessed with good health. Thank You Lord!
2. Thank You God for giving me a Word - just when I need it. When I was feeling discouraged last week and opened Your Word, hope and love came flooding out. Thank You Lord!
3. Thank You God for the beautiful sunset last night. As I drove to Bible study the sky was captivating. The sun, the clouds, the colors all reflected Your glory to me. Thank You Lord!
4. Thank You God for pursuing us. As Susan shared her story last night, what kept running through my mind was, "What amazing love". Through the good times and bad, Your hand prints were all over her life, drawing her to You. The same can be said of each of us. Thank You Lord!
5. Thank You God for lifetime friend. Some are for a season. Some are for a reason. But some You give for a lifetime. Thank You Lord!

How about you? What are you thankful for?

For Such A Time As This

Image via Wikipedia

An edict had gone out all across the land. In 11 months the Jews of the diaspora would be "destroyed, killed and annihilated" as ordered by King Xerxes right hand man - the evil Haman.

Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and little children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. Esther 3:13

Their hope, a orphan girl named Esther, now Queen of Persia, and their God from whom they had strayed.

As the Jews heard of the death sentence they would be living with for the next 11 months, they spilled out into the streets of every city and province bewildered, weeping and wailing.

Inside the palace, Queen Esther had no clue of the heartbreak that was taking place just outside the walls. She had no idea that she herself would be staring death in the face right along side them.

Her uncle Mordecai sent word to Queen Esther telling her all that had been done. Detail after gut wrenching detail was vivdly explained to her eunuch who in turn brought the message inside the gates to Esther.

She was the one who would have to go to the King and plead for her people. But what he was asking of her was too much. Going before the King without an invitation was prohibited. If he did not show her mercy and extend the gold scepter whe would be immediately killed.

Can you imagine being place in a situation where there was a 50/50 chance you would be immediately beheaded? The consequences were too much! This decision was too hard! The responsibility was too great! What would she do?

Mordecai's response to Esthers words brought clarity to her dire situation. They made her choice become very clear. "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Esther had a destiny to fulfill and the events of her past and present each played a role in bringing her to this critical crossroad.

• The death of her parents.
• Orphaned at a young age.
• Her adoption by Mordecai.
• Living among the diaspora Jews in Susa.
• Mordecai's position as a Jew in the government.
• The banishment of Queen Vashti
• The search for a new Queen
• Finding favor with the King's eunuch
• Finding favor with the King.
• He was captivated by her.
• She was crowned Queen of Persia.

All of these things and more..., "For such a time as this".

So often we go through life thinking and believing that things "just happen". When in reality, God may be preparing you and I "for such a time as this".

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

If God is preparing you for what He has prepared for you, are you ready?

What will your answer be?

Thankful Thursday #31

It's Thankful Thursday and I am again joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey once again. Click on the button above and feel free to join in with 5 items of Thanksgiving.

1. Thank You God for providing the funds to fix our van 2 weeks before we needed it. When Randy took the car in for what we thought was a minor repair, we found out it was going to be a major repair. And yet God knew what we would need and He lovingly provided it ahead of time. He is our Faithful Provider.
2. Thank You God for providing me an alternate workplace today. Yesterday the phone company showed up and wanted to go in our backyard. I said OK. Little did I know that when they left I would have no phone or DSL. Since I work from home..., not a good thing. God provided a sweet lady at the front desk of the Comfort Inn and free DSL in the lobby to meet my needs. Once again.., He is my Faithful Provider.
3. Thank You God for my new friend Robyn. We share a common love for our Lord and just had such a sweet time of fellowship last night. He is my Faithful Provider.
4. Thank You God for teachers who impart truth. Thank You for not allowing me to be satisfied with milk, when there is meat to be eaten. He is my Faithful Provider.
5. Thank You God for working in the lives of my family. I see You moving. I hear You speaking. Your love at times is overwhelming. Thank You for pursuing us and never letting us go.

How about you? What are you thankful for?

My Child

My friend Debbie shared this with me and I just had to share it with you. The Bible is truly God's love letter to us. Read this and you will get a true picture of God's love for you, His child.

• You may not know Me, but I know everything about you... Psalm 139:1
• I know when you sit down and when you rise up... Psalm 139:2
• I am familiar with all your ways... Psalm 139:3
• Even the very hairs on your head are numbered... Matthew 10:29-31
• For you were made in My image... Genesis 1:27
• For in Me you live and move and have your being... Acts 17:28
• For you are My offspring... Acts 17:28
• I knew you even before you were conceived... Jeremiah 1:4-5
• I chose you when I planned creation... Ephesians 1:11-12
• You were not a mistake... all your days are written in My book... Psalm 130:15-16
• I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live... Acts 17:26
• You were fearfully and wonderfully made... Psalm 139:14
• I knit you together in your mother's womb... Psalm 139:13
• And brought you forth on the day you were born... Psalm 71:6
• I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me... John 8:41-44
• I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love... 1 John 4:16
• And it is my desire to lavish My love on you... 1 John 3:1
• Simply because you are My child and I am your Father... 1 John 3:1
• I offer you more than your earthly father ever could... Matthew 7:11
• For I am the perfect Father... Matthew 5:48
• Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand... James 1:17
• For I am your provider and I meet all of your needs... Matthew 6:31-33
• My plan for the future has always been filled with hope... Jeremiah 29:11
• Because I love you with an everlasting love... Jeremiah 31:3
• My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore... Psalm 139:17-18
• And I rejoice over you with singing... Zephaniah 3:17
• I will never stop doing good to you... Jeremiah 32:40
• For you are My treasured possession... Exodus 19:5
• I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul... Jeremiah 32:41
• And I want to show you great and marvelous things... Jeremiah 33:3
• If you will seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me... Deuteronomy 4:29
• Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart... Psalm 37:4
• For it is I who gave you those desires... Philippians 2:13
• I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine... Ephesians 3:20
• For I am your greatest encourager... 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
• I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles... 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• When you are broken hearted, I am close to you... Psalm 34:18
• As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart... Isaiah 40:11
• One day I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth... Revelation 21:3-4
• I am your Father, and I love you even as I love My son, Jesus... John 17:23
• For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed... John 17:26
• He is the exact representation of My being... Hebrews 1:3
• He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you... Romans 8:31
• And I tell you that I am not counting your sins..., 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
• Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled... 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
• His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you... 1 John 4:10
• I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love... Romans 8:38-39
• If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive Me... 1 John 2:23
• And nothing will ever separate you from My love again... Romans 8:38-39
• Come home and I will throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen... Luke 15:7
• I have always been your Father, and will always be Father... Ephesians 3:14-15
• My question is..., Will you be My child?... John 1:12-13
• I am waiting for you... Luke 15:11-32

Love,

Your Dad, Almighty God

If you do not know Him like I know Him. I would love to share with you how you can. Like the letter says, He's waiting.

A Voice Behind You

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Father, That's the clarity I desire. I want to hear your voice. I want to know your voice. I want your will to be so clear to me that I can make no other choice but to obey. Lead me down the path of righteousness, whisper in my ear. I am YOURS and I'm listening!

Saturday Steps of Faith #31

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?
Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this. Psalm 37:3-5

My desire is to do good.
My desire is to dwell in the land.
I want to enjoy safe pasture.
I love to delight in the Lord.

I must commit at a deeper level.
I must trust and obey.
No more walking in the shallow.
The deep place is where I must dwell.

Father, I am believing You. Take me to the deep place. I know the road may be hard, the path narrow. I must commit and not settle. I trust You to do this!

How about you?

What are you believing God for this week? Will you join me?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing. • Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

Thankful Thursday #30

It's Thankful Thursday and I am again joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey once again. Click on the button above and feel free to join in with 5 items of Thanksgiving.

1. Thank You God for providing the funds for my trip to Houston. Attending the Siesta gathering seemed so out of reach 40 weeks ago. But in faith believing, I began to memorize my verses to qualify to attend. Sometimes Lord, You just blow me away.
2. Thank You God for providing for Debbie to go. I so wanted to share this trip with my friend, but it wasn't looking good. Again, you came through in a big way.
3. Thank You God for Your revealed Word. You have revealed Yourself to us page after page; and in the same way You reveal me to me.
4. Thank You God for teachers who impart truth. Thank You for not allowing me to be satisfied with milk, when there is meat to be eaten.
5. Thank You God for working in the lives of my family. I see You moving. I hear You speaking. I don't ever want to take this for granted.

How about you? What are you thankful for?

Saturday Steps of Faith # 30

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?
Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor. 9:6-8

Today I just want to take a few moments and give praise to my Faithful God.

This last year has been full of challenges, but God has been Faithful. There have been times when the enemy would come and whisper in my ear, "You can't afford to give that. Where is it going to come from?" Sowing seeds of fear, hoping they would take root.

And yet I knew down deep in the bottom of my soul, God has always been Faithful to provide for my every need.

This week He has done it again. We have been blessed financially in an unexpected way. As I sit here and think about it, tears fill my eyes. What love! I feel so unworthy. Any yet He loves, abundantly, overflowing, endlessly.

Throughout His word He says,

• Ask - and I'll answer.
• Seek - and you'll find.
• Knock - and the door will be opened.
• Give - and it will be given to you.
• Share - and I will bless.
• Go - and I will go with you.
• Trust - and I will be found faithful.

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your
love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1

So today I give Him the Glory. The Glory only He deserves. I will continue to walk by faith, and not by sight. You are MY GOD and I will forever love and trust You!

How about you?

Who are you putting your faith in?

What are you believing God for this week? Will you join me?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing. • Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

Thankful Thursday #29

It's Thankful Thursday and I am again joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey once again. Click on the button above and feel free to join in with 5 items of Thanksgiving.

1. Thank You God for Great Bible Teachers. What a privilege to be able to pick up a book or a study and glean truth found in the Word of God.
2. Thank You God for my job. It not only provides for our needs, it provides me with an opportunity to share your love and grace with those who have yet come to know you.
3. Thank You God for our Pastor and Staff. October is Pastor appreciation month and I thank God for our Pastor, each Associate Pastor and their wives. They work so very hard to lead and to serve and to share. Bless them Lord in a special way.
4. Thank You God for Your perfect timing. I waited and prayed. It was in Your time, not mine. And now I can see Your timing was perfect. Thank You for teaching me this lesson once again.
5. Thank You God for the great year Jonathan is having in school. All A's with one B in Art. Thank You for giving him great teachers who inspire and challenge him to live up to his potential.

How about you? What are you thankful for?

My Mind's Made Up

Joseph had his mind made up. He was not going to give in to the demands of Potiphar's wife. (Genesis 39)

Mordecai had his mind made up. He was not going to bow before the the evil, slimy, Haman. (Esther 3)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had their mind made up. They would would not serve the gods of Nebuchadnezzar or worship the image of gold. (Daniel 3)

Daniel had his mind made up. He opened his windows and bowed before His God to pray in defiance to the King's decree. (Daniel 6)

Day after day temptation knocked on the doorstep of their hearts, but they each stood firm.

As I thought about this today I was reminded of an old Southern Gospel song that a friend of my husbands loved to sing. The lyrics go like this:

I started out to win this race
To serve the Lord and to look upon His face.
But the ways been hard, and the ways been rough
But there's one thing for certain, I've got my mind made up.

Now Job was a man tempted in every way,
The devil took his family, he lay sick night and day.
His wife she came a sayin', "Curse God you've hade enough!"
He said, "You talk like a foolish woman, I've got my mind made up."

The devil he will tempt you and fill your way with strife,
He'll make you sick in body, even try to take your life.
Just put your trust in Jesus and say, "Lord I've had enough!"
The Lord will say, "Move over Satan, he's got his mind made up!"

Chorus
I've got my foot on the rock and my mind's made up.
Though I walk through the lonely valley,
Though I drink from a bitter cup.
When the devil comes a-knockin,
Showin' me an easier way.
I stand right square on my feet,
I throw my head in the air,
I look him straight in the eye
I say, "My foot's on the Rock and my mind's made up!"

In 1 Kings 18:21 the prophet Elijah goes before the people and asks, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing.

How often do you and I falter or fail because we have tried to waver between two opinions? We have failed to take a stand.

It is time that we, "Set our minds on things above, not on earthly things". We must be intentional and determined about "who we are in Christ Jesus" and what that truly means. How it affects our thought life, activites and actions. It's time that we become "set" in our ways - His way!

In the Esther study, Beth Moore encouraged us to pray this prayer for ourselves as she would pray it for us.

My beloved sister, may God be allowed to work such steadfastness of mind in you that "the bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days" (Deut. 33:25).

Today I'm praying this for you. Will pray it for me too? Let's join our hearts together and detemine to have our "minds made up"!

Our Best - Far Less

Who doesn't love a wedding? Jesus and His disciples joined His mother and family at a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee. The hearts and lives of a bride and groom had been joined together in holy matrimony - in the presence of God - literally .

Everyone was enjoying the festivities (see John chapter 2) when the servants began to notice the wine was down to it's last drops. This was a tragedy and would be a disgrace for the newly married groom. Mary gets wind of the situation and goes to her Son Jesus with a plea for His help.

Although Jesus rebukes her gently for her request (due to its timing), He begins giving instructions to the servants. Six stone water jars (holding 20-30 gallons each) were filled to the rim with water. Jesus, then told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." And they did just as He directed.

Upon tasting the miraculous wine, the chief servant called the groom over and remarked, Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

As I read these words this morning I began to wonder, "What in my life have I thought to be the best, but in reality is just a cheap imitation when compared to what God has for me?" Are there areas where I am settling for less than His best?

I've been working through the Esther study and have been learning about destiny. A young orphan girl, adopted by her male cousin, living in exile, herded into the Kings harem, destined to be queen - destined to save her people.

I don't know about you, but I want to fulfill my destiny. I want Gods best and nothing less.

11 Jesus performed this first sign in Cana of Galilee. He displayed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

Father, I want to bring You glory. Keep me from settling for anything less. Esther fulfilled her destiny. Jesus fulfilled His destiny. Lord, I don't want to fall short. Fulfill Your destiny in me.

Saturday Steps of Faith # 29

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?
Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 13:1-4

• Allah is not God.
• Budah is not God,
• Reverend Moon is not God.
• Lao-Tse is not God,
• Brahman is not God.
• Hare Krishna is not God.

Yahweh (or Jehovah) means literally, "He who will be". He is the God of the Bible is the one true God.

• He was before the foundations of the Earth.
• He is the I Am of my daily life.
• He forever will be my God.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. " John 14:5

• I Love Him!
• I Follow Him!
• I Revere Him!
• I Obey Him!
• I Serve Him!
• I will Hold Fast to Him for all of eternity!

I am trusting God for my salvation. No one or nothing else.

Who are you putting your faith in?

What are you believing God for this week?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing.
• Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.