My Foot is Slipping

I love these words from The Message translation of the Bible:

If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it.
The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling,"
your love, God, took hold and held me fast.
When I was upset and beside myself,
you calmed me down and cheered me up.
Psalm 94:17-19

Have you ever felt that way? Maybe during a time of loss, a sudden illness or a catastrophic event. It's as if life just sweeps in and knocks you off of your feet. I have certainly had those times.

During the last 9 months our family has been walking that road. We have suffered the loss of a job, a ministry and income, a debilitating illness, struggles in identity, the loss of a church family, and a time of really not knowing what the future would bring.

And yet God! Those three, three-lettered words may form a very small sentence; but they speak volumes about who holds my future.

I can honestly say with the Psalmist, "If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it." I love how he goes on to say, "The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold and held me fast. " God hasn't waited a week, or a month or a year. The very minute I cry out to Him He responds with his love. For the last nine months He has held us fast. He has never let go.

As a loving Father, He consoles me, comforts me, and when necessary calms me down. He takes my eyes off of my situation and refocuses them solely on Him. Without fail, as my focus shifts - He brings joy to my soul once again.

Though the road has been long, the journey has brought me to a place of surrender that I have never been before. I have seen God provide security in insecure times. I have seen God provide peace in turbulent days. I have seen God bring hope into situations that seemed hopeless. And yet God!

Today I just wanted to Praise God and thank Him for this journey! If I had to choose only one word to describe Him, it would be Faithful!

Father, I'm deep in love with you and I'll follow you where ever you lead. Even the hard roads can be sweet when my gaze is upon you.

** Praise alert **

The insurance company approved Randy's Spinal Chord Stimulator today! In a matter of days, his suffering may be over. I praise God that He has answered in His time and that the results of this procedure are in His hands.

My sincerest thanks to all of you for your prayers over the last several months.

Run The Race

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I am definitely not a runner. I never have been. I guess I'm just not built for it. Yet I have spent many hours watching elite athletes run races of varying distances.

Some runners choose to run very short distances. They are out of the running blocks like a shot and they never slow down until after they have crossed the finish line.

Other racers choose to run long distances such as marathons. These runners take off at a moderate pace and continually monitor their watches and each checkpoints to determine if they are on pace or off to finish well.

Whether short distances or long, there is one thing that each race has in common. They strain to cross the finish line in victory.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

As believers, God has laid out a course for each of us to pursue. This course includes many checkpoints along the way. When is the last time that you stopped and checked your spiritual progress?

Where are you spiritually - right now?

Have you even left the starting blocks? Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If so, you are on your way.

Are you studying God's Word? Do you know more about His Word today than you did last week, last month, last year?

Do you spend time each day in prayer, just talking with the Lord? Have you gone beyond treating Him like a genie in a bottle to really seeking His face?

Have you learned to Worship and Praise Him? I'm not talking about just for what He has done for you, but for who you know Him to be?

Are you striving to look more like Jesus every day? When others look at you who do they see? Do they see you or do they see Jesus living in you?

How about in the areas of holiness, righteousness & selflessness? Are you pressing toward the goal?

Let me encourage you today to leave yesterday in the past. Take steps today that will move you one step closer to the goal. One step closer to the prize. One step closer to the believer that God has called you to be.

There's no time for us to be spectators. God has called us to make a difference for His Kingdom in our homes, our neighborhoods, our communities and even our world.

One day we will cross that finish line and find ourselves in His very presence. Keep on striving, keep on straining to cross that finish line in victory.

10 Ways my Dad Reminds Me of Jesus

Ten ways my Dad reminds me of Jesus:

1. He has shown me a lifetime of unconditional love - just like Jesus.
2. I have seen him give when he didn't have it to give - just like Jesus.
3. He worked long hours every day during the week driving a truck for Nabisco. Every Saturday he was at the church fulfilling the role of janitor and took care of the yards. He provided for all of our needs - just like Jesus.
4. He is the full time care taker of my 94 year old Grandmother. He makes her meals, cleans her house, does her laundry. He makes untold sacrifices - just like Jesus.
5. He would drive miles in a car, van or bus to bring boys and girls to church so they could hear about a God who loves them - just like Jesus.
6. He coached every little league, softball, basketball team his kids ever played on. He taught us to work together as a team - just like Jesus.
7. He has never been one to put himself out there for everyone to see. He is more content to be a servant - just like Jesus.
8. Life the last several years have been hard, but he hardly ever complain. He gets up every day and go about his business, whether anyone ever says thank you are not - just like Jesus.
9. He has taught me as much by example as he has by his words. He have poured out his life for others - just like Jesus.
10. He made sure that Melani, Jeff and I learned that putting God first was the most important thing that we could ever do - just like Jesus.

Thank You Dad for not just telling me about Jesus, but for living him out before my eyes in everything you do. Happy Fathers Day! I love you!

Saturday Steps of Faith #14

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 shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

No matter what life has thrown at me this week, God's Word has promised that victory is mine through Christ Jesus. What a promise! There is no room for fear when you're walking by faith in Him.

You see the God who is mighty enough to save me from a life of sin and destruction, is strong enough to keep me in the palm of His hand. Nothing, no nothing can separate me from His love.

Thank you God for your amazing grace and undying love. Through the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, victory is now mine. You gave your one and only Son on the cross to pay my ransom from the grip of sin and death. Teach me to live a life of holiness, righteousness and sacrificial love. Make me like you! In the name of Jesus I pray ~ Amen

How about you? Will you please join me?
Leave a comment or write a post.

All you need to do is copy the button located on the left sidebar. Paste it into your post. Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing. Maybe it's one you have stood upon in the past. Last, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy.

What are you believing God for?
*** Mr Linky is being very tempermental today. If you cannot get it to work, please put a link in the comments. I've reported the issue. ***

Thankful Thursday #18

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

1. Thank You God for the new Travis Cottrell CD. My friend Debbie calls him a modern day David. When I listen to this CS my heart is drawn right into worship and praise. There's no better place to be.
2. Thank You God for forgiveness of sin. I hate when I blow it and lose my temper. But by your grace I am forgiven. Father continue to chip away at me to make me look like you.
3. Thank You God for old friends that have popped back into my life and brought a smile to my face.
4. Thank You God for everything that is working according to design: my cars, the washer, the dryer, the refrigerator, the air conditioner, the computer, and the list goes on. Thank You for keeping everything running smoothly. These are blessings that are easily overlooked.
5. Thank You God for preparing a banquet table before for me and inviting me to come dine with you. Feasting on your Word, filled by your Spirit, there is no better place to be.

How about you? What are you thankful for?

The Banquet Table

Image by betsythedevine via Flickr

Can you imagine being invited to attend the finest banquet ever to be held? Your neatly engraved invitation has been hand delivered, definitely not mailed. Your transportation and clothing have already been provided by the Master of the home. You have formally accepted the invitation and are so excited to be attending this grand event.

Your mind begins to wander as your imagination takes over and your daydreams being to paint a vivid picture. You wonder what your host will look like; what type of food will be served; who else will be in attendance.

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Luke 14:14

Your tummy is grumbling as your eyes survey the great banquet table that stretches as far as the eye can see. The first thing you notices is a bowl filled with the most luscious of fruit. These fruit are like nothing you have ever seen before. The steward notices the inquisitive look on your face and offers the names of each fruit.

The red ones are love which overflows the bowl itself and pours out onto the table and the fine white linens. There is no way it can be contained. The purple fruit are called joy and cause you to feel like shouting and singing with every single bite. The placid blue fruit brings such peace to your soul as you juice rolls down your chin. The rest of the fruit include patience and kindness; goodness, faithfulness and self control. Each one was beckoning me to taste for myself and see how good they truly were.

Beyond the fruit was a platter of meat. This meat was tender and juicy. I took a knife and fork and cut a small bite just to take a quick sample. I placed it in my mouth and began to chew. The more that I chewed it, it's as if the flavor became more and more intense. This meat was called "the Word of God". Somehow I sensed that no matter how much I chewed this delicate meat, I would never lose my desire to savor just one more bite.

In the center of the table was a basket of bread. Oh how I love bread. It was labeled, "the Bread of Life". All those who eat of this bread shall never die, but have eternal life. Just one bite of this bread is all that you will ever need.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Jesus has prepared a banquet table and has invited each of us to come and dine with Him. You see, He has already extended an invitation. Look at the palm of His hands. They were engraved at the cross of Calvary where Jesus died, just for you. He is waiting for your response. Will you:

• Admit - Admit to God that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
• Believe - Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and accept God’s gift of forgiveness from sin. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• Confess - Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Romans 10:9-10,13 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved...for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Is it time for you to become a Christian? The banquet table is ready.

Dear God,
I know I have sinned and that my sin separated me from you. I am sorry for my sin. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me so my sin can be forgiven. I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. God, please forgive me. I ask Jesus to come into my life and be my Savior and Lord. I will obey you and live for you the rest of my life. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name ~ Amen

Have you accepted your invitation? I'd love to hear all about it.

Truth is NOT Trivial

We live in a world where everything is relative, everything is up for debate. There seems to be no absolutes.

And yet Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Jesus is either the way or just one of the many ways to get to Heaven. He is either the truth and the reality of all of God's promises or He's a bold faced liar. He is either the life that transforms all those who believe or he is just another man. He is either Lord of my life or just another lunatic.

We all have a choice to make. I have made my choice. I believe that Jesus is who He says that He is! I am placing my full faith and trust in Him. I believe He is the way, the truth and the life. There is no other way to heaven except through Jesus.

Truth is true whether we believe it or not.

Truth doesn't change with the tides of our culture or passing the time.

I hope this video by One Time Blind makes you stop for a moment and think.

A Roaring Lion

Image via Wikipedia

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8


Are you on your guard?

Are you prepared for battle?

If the enemy attacks you today (maybe when is a better way to say it) are you ready to defeat him?

What is your weapon of choice? When God equipped you for battle he gave you the sword of the Spirit - The Word of God. Are you ready to wield your sword?

What verses do you have in your arsenal?

Saturday Steps of Faith #13

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 week has been a good week. God's Word has been so alive to me. The more I study, the more I commit to memory, the more I am inclined to use it as the sword that God intends for it to be.

For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deuteronomy 20:4

Two specific times this week someone has spoken words to me that were a direct attack from the enemy. But by God's grace and at the urging of the Holy Spirit I was able to quickly identity who the attack was really from. God reminded me,

My salvation and my honor depend on God he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:7-8

no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

Upon claiming His promises and choosing to re-focus my mind on God's Word instead of lies of the enemy, Satan had no choice but to flee.

I am so grateful to God for His written Word and for the victory that is ours when we believe!

How about you? Will you please join me? Leave a comment or write a post.

All you need to do is copy the button located on the left sidebar. Paste it into your post. Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing. Maybe it's one you have stood upon in the past. Last, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy.

What are you believing God for?

Thankful Thursday #17

It's Thankful Thursday and I am again joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey.

1. Thank You God for leading me to a Church where I feel like I belong. Thank You for the women who have made me feel welcome and truly part of the body.
2. Thank You God for the ladies Bible Study last night. It was a no frills Bible study where we dug deep into the Word, scripture after scripture, line after line, verse after verse. It's amazing how God can lead others to speak truth that ring true with what you are reading and learning in your own personal study - bearing witness.
3. Thank You God for Your Word. I can't over the Proverbs 30:5 which says, "Every Word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." The more I meditate and study Your Word, the more this verse expresses my heart.
4. Thank You God for saving me at a young age. Thank You for walking with me all of these years and maturing me day by day. Thank you for the things you have protected me from that I don't even recognize.
5. Thank You for being the center of my family. In difficult days when many families are falling apart, because of You we remain strong. Thank You for being our "center", our "true North".

How about you? What are you thankful for?

In Any Church

I was in the local Lifeway bookstore a few days ago trying to find my workbook for the LPM Summer Study. As I was scanning the shelves looking for the red-covered book a gentleman came up and stood beside me. I smiled at him and we exchanged cordial greetings.

As he scanned the workbook filled shelves his eyes caught the title of a Beth Moore book that made him laugh out loud. He said, "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things - now that will preach!". Before I could stop myself I replied, "In any church!". His response was, "You got that right!".

We looked at each other and both kind of chuckled and smiled. He began to tell me about his rough day. One of his church members was cross with him over an email he sent out to his regular church mailing list. In it he was challenging each person to examine their lives and to surrender to a life of holy living. But somehow she took offense.

It wasn't long before she picked up the phone and began burning up the lines making calls. Later that day, the Pastor heard through the grapevine how she had been offended. He called her and tried to explain it wasn't directed to her individually. But no matter how hard he tried, his words seemed to be landing with a thud.

Now he was dealing with a family upset and threatening to leave the church as well as half-truths and un-truths that were spread among the fellowship. What was meant to build up encourage the body was instead being used to tear it apart.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20

Several years ago when teaching this passage God gave me this phrase, "We need to take it to the throne, before we ever take it to the phone". As I began to put this into practice, I found myself talking less and less on the phone. I no longer needed to run it by someone to ask if I was reading the situation right, if I heard them right, if I was doing the right thing.

for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say. Luke 12:12

Father, may I continue to learn from You. Teach me to be quick to listen and to let my words be few. Open my mouth when it is appropriate for me to speak and silence my tongue when it is not. Keep my anger in check at the urging of your sweet Spirit. Lord, continue to chisel away at my flesh as I desire to live a life of righteousness. For I know that a life of holiness is what you require of me and is your desire for me. In the name of Jesus my Savior I pray ~ Amen.

Complete, Fulfilled, Done, Finished

What is your mission in life? Is it to be a good wife, a good mother, a good friend, a good employee? What is it?

When Jesus came to this earth He had one mission and one mission only; to do the will of His Father. He left the glory and majesty of Heaven to be born of a virgin, despised and rejected by the religious crown, battered and beaten by cruel men and hung on a Roman cross to die.

Why? Because He had a mission to complete. You see, since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, sin has separated man from God. Only through the the sacrifice of an animal, a substitute, could the sins of the people be forgiven. But the people didn't stop sinning so they had to continue sacrificing - over and over again.

But when Jesus gave His life on the cross of Calvary, He became the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin. What were his last words from the cross?

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

What was finished? The Greek word is "τελέω" which means to pay, to complete, to fulfil. What was finished? The full penalty for my sin and yours was paid. With His death, the complex sacrificial system was ended because the perfect, sinless Son of God took all sin - yours and mine - upon Himself so that we may go free.

You know what else? Satan was defeated at Calvary. FINISHED! Why do we so often live our lives like he has power over us? Why do we say things like, "the devil made me do it".

DEFEATED! That's what satan is! Defeated he will always be. It was FINISHED that day at Calvary when the Son of God laid down His life for fallen man!

I do not trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;
but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.
In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.
Selah Psalm 44:6-8

What is your mission?

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus fulfilled His. How about you and me? We have the authority. Whatever whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. We have His complete Word - the Bible and are fully equipped for everything He asks us to do. What is stopping us?

If Jesus came back today, would we be able to say, "Mission Accomplished"?

Saturday Steps of Faith #12

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.

The promise I am believing this week is Psalm 3:5

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

When I think of the word flawless, what comes to mind is a beautiful, sparkling, clear, diamond. A flawless diamond when sold at auction can be worth millions of dollars. And yet when compared to the value of the Word of God..., in my life - priceless.

Every word of God - flawless. There is no cloudiness, only clarity. There are no flaws, only perfection. It stands on its own merits. Nothing needs to be added or taken away. Flawless!

When I take the word of God and hide it deep within my heart, it becomes a shield of faith. I can believe it. I can stand upon it. It becomes my refuge from the fiery darts of the evil one. When Satan whispers in my ear that I am all alone, I respond with the Word of God,

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the
LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deut. 31:6

I praise you God for your flawless Word. I thank you that it has become my shield and refuge. It is sharper than a double edged sword and far more precious than diamonds or gold. You are my God in whom I trust. I choose to believe your Word, no matter what the circumstance, no matter what I may see with my eyes. I believe You God!

How about you? Will you please join me? Leave a comment or write a post.

All you need to do is copy the button located on the left sidebar. Paste it into your post. Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing. Maybe it's one you have stood upon in the past. Last, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy.

What are you believing God for?

Thankful Thursday #16

It's Thankful Thursday and I am again joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey.

1. Thank you God that when the storms of life come that You bring to my mind Your Word that has been sown deep into my soul and it bears fruit.
2. Thank You God for difficult conversations. Thank You for filling my mouth with words of grace and love that bring forth restoration, not separation.
3. Thank You God that the shouts of your love and compassion are greater than the whispers of the enemy in our ears.
4. Thank You God for friends who love as you love, not as the world loves; those who stick closer than a brother.
5. Thank You God for my husband and son. Thank you for a wake up call that has drawn us closer to You and closer to each other. You are our God and we love you.

   And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:27-28.

How about you? Going through a storm? Can you thank Him? Are things going well? Have you thanked Him? Thank You God!

Be Still and Sleep

Today I picked up my copy of a devotional book titled, "Streams in the Desert" by L.B. Cowman which was first published in 1925. As I read over the entry for June 1st, I thought it was so relevant for the times in which we live.

He said, "This is the resting place, let the weary rest"; and, "This is the place
of repose" - but they would not listen. (Isaiah 28:12)

How about you? Are you resting or are you weary from struggling, worrying or fretting? We call it by many different names.

Mrs. Cowman was a missionary aboard a great ship, in poor health, forced to return to the United States with her ailing husband. She wrote, "Why do you worry? What possible use does your worrying serve? You are aboard such a large ship that you would be unable to steer even if your Captain placed you at the helm. You would not even be able to adjust the sails, yet you worry as if you were the captain or the helmsman of the vessel. Be quiet, dear soul - God is the Master!"

Stop and think about that for just a second. Why do we spend so much time trying to control something that is so much bigger that we are equipped to handle? Why do we spend so much time trying to do in our own lives what only God can do? Is it any wonder that we worry? Isn't that exactly where the enemy wants us to be - overwhelmed, stressed out, discouraged, hopeless and in utter despair?

Listen to this poem (I guess you'll have to read it since I'm not there to read it for you).

Tonight, my soul, be still and sleep;
The storms are raging on God's deep -
God's deep, not yours; be still and sleep.

Tonight, my soul, be still and sleep;
God's hands will still the Tempter's sweep -
God's hands, not yours; be still and sleep.

Tonight, my soul, be still and sleep;
God's love is strong while night hours creep -
God's love, not yours; be still and sleep.

Tonight, my soul, be still and sleep;
God's heaven will comfort those who weep -
God's heaven, not yours; be still and sleep.
- Charles H Spurgeon

God in all of His infinite wisdom, lovingly holds you in the palm of His hands. He is waiting to take all of your cares, all of your concerns from you. He is the Master of your ship, the Master of your life and He will guide you safely home. Will you give up the helm to Him? Or will you continue to aimless steer?

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the
righteous fall. Psalm 55:22

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

He is trustworthy. He is faithful. He is true to His Word. What are you waiting for?