How can you not?

I was reading Ephesians chapter 1 today and was immediately drawn into the passage.

I love how the apostle Paul went straight from his greeting the believers at Ephesus - right into praise. Look at verse 3.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in
the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

How do you chose to give God praise? Do you do it with singing? Through prayer? Do you write your heartfelt thoughts in poetic form or as random thoughts in your personal journal?

Why do we praise Him? Because He alone is worthy of our Worship. He alone is Holy. He alone is to be exalted above all others, above all things.

Why do we bless Him? We bless Him because He has so richly blessed us. When we bless Him we praise Him for who He is and for what He has done.

How has He blessed us? He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Notice the completeness of that blessing. Every blessing - nothing is lacking.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless
in his sight. Ephesians 1:4

We have been given the benefit of knowing God.

• We were chosen by Him for salvation.


• We were adopted as His children. He has forgiven our past. He has secured our future. He has fulfilled our present.


• We have been given the Holy Spirit as a comforter and guide. The Holy Spirit bears fruit in our lives with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.


• We have truly been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

And it's all because of Jesus. Because of what He did on the cross. He took upon Himself our guilt, our shame, our punishment so that we could have forgiveness, eternal life and hope.

I don't know about you..., but like Paul I just have to praise Him!

Saturday Steps of Faith #18

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.

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice. Psalm 112:5

In a world where integrity, honesty, generosity and kindness are no longer considered values to be treasured, I believe what God says in His Word.

• I believe God brings good to those who give a drink of water in Jesus name.
• I believe God brings good to those who give a financial gift to those in need.
• I believe God brings good to those who give of their time to help a friend or stranger.
• I believe God brings good to those who do business with integrity.
• I believe God brings good to those who reflect Jesus to a world that so desperately needs to know that Jesus saves.
• I believe God!

How about you? Will you please 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 #21

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 time off of work. It was good to slow down and just rest.
2. Thank You God for spiritual friends. Once you have had godly girlfriends, you never want any other kind.
3. Thank You God for being my provision in every way - spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, financially. Out of Your heart abundance flows.
4. Thank You God for being my hope. My hope comes from You alone.
5. Thank You God for teachable moment in my life and in the lives of my family.

Hidden Treasure

Growing up I always looked forward to finding my new copy of the Highlights Magazine in our family mailbox.


The first thing I would do upon flying into the house after school was open it up and find the page with the hidden pictures. Like Sherlock Holmes looking for the smallest of clues, I would peruse the page over and over again until every hidden item was found.

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:1-6

As I did my Bible study today, God reminded me that I need to dig into His Word just as diligently; scouring the pages not wanting to miss anything. Searching the Word as if looking for a hidden treasure. Does that describe your approach to the Word of God?

Wisdom starts with opening up your Bible, reading it, listening to the voice of God. If you come across something you don't understand, cry out to God. Ask Him for understanding.

He wants you to know His Word, to know His heart. For to know Him is truly find that hidden treasure.

Father, may I never lose the wonder of your Word. May I never tire of digging in until I hear a specific word from you. Grant me wisdom and knowledge and understanding as your love jumps off of the page, a hidden treasure definitely worth looking for. In the name of my Savior Jesus I pray ~ Amen

Saturday Steps of Faith #17

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.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Who in this world can give you peace? Only the Lord of peace himself.

When can you have this peace? At all times.

In what way can you have peace? In every way.

Jesus himself spoke these words to His beloved disciples.

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

This week I am believing God for peace. When the Dr. says that there is nothing else that can be done; one thing is for certain, he doesn't know my God. My hope and my trust is in God and God alone. My eyes are on Him.

Father, I thank you for peace that only you can give. Peace that truly passes all understanding. Our lives, our hope is in you and you alone. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear your will. I love you from the depths of my heart ~ Amen.

How about you? Will you please 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 #20

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 Jonathan's connection with the Youth at our church. From a kid who didn't want to go to camp to a kid threatening to walk 40 miles to church if I didn't take him last night. He stayed 45 minutes after youth group talking and the first words out of his mouth in the car were, "I love my church". Only God can be given the glory!
2. Thank You God that my hope is in you. The spinal cord stimulator Randy had implanted on Monday has not been what we hoped for. They will be removing it on Friday. I thank God that He has a plan and that He will never leave us without hope. He is our hope!
3. Thank You God for leading me to a peaceful place on the Morse Reservoir last night for my quiet time. It was such a beautiful night to spend alone in your Word.
4. Thank You God for hearing my prayers and answering. Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. But always hearing and answering with what is best.
5. Thank You God for for the truth that you speak over me and to me.
   

A Simpler Way of Life

Today I took a road trip with a friend of mine to Shipshewana Indiana. This is the heart of Northern Indiana's Amish country.

As we drove through the countryside we would quickly come upon horse drawn buggies making their way into town. I have to admit that the Amish people have always fascinated me. Their determination to live a plain and separate life built upon the bedrock foundation of their faith and family.

I've often thought of the Amish people as living a "simpler life". But honestly - no electricity, telephones, indoor plumbing, microwaves, air conditioning, cars, tractors - not exactly simple. Maybe we could call their lifestyle simplified..., but definitely not simple.

One thing is for certain, the Amish have a sense of community that often puts the modern church to shame. My thoughts today went back to the early church found in Acts chapter2

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Maybe it's time for the church of America to turn our hearts to the simpler things:

• Teaching of the Word
• Fellowshiping together
• Sharing a meal together
• Praying together
• Sharing with those who are in need.
• Praising God together with glad and sincere hearts.

Maybe if we focused on these simpler things, we would once again see God adding to our numbers daily those who are being saved.

It's something to definitely think about.

Thanking & Praising

As I was thinking about what to write today, the words of the Apostle Paul came to mind.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6

This weekend was such a good weekend. Jonathan returned from camp exhausted and thrilled. I see a joy in him that I haven't seen in quite some time. I thank each and every one of you for praying for him. I know that God rekindled a flame in his heart this weekend and my heart is just overjoyed. I just can't help but praise the wonderful name of Jesus!

• When we seek Him, we definitely find Him.
• When we call upon His name, He hears us and always answers.
• When we give our children into His hands, He loves on them and returns them changed.

This afternoon, Randy had his trial spinal cord stimulator implanted. We have been waiting for this day for such a long time. The procedure went well and the stimulator is doing its thing. Now we just have to wait and see if he can tolerate the stimulation, if his pain is reduced by at least 50%, and if he is able to increase his mobility. Once again, it is in God's hands.

Once again I would like to ask that you join me in praying for him. As we seek God, call upon His name, I am trusting Him into God's hands. There is definitely no better place for any of us to be.

I have come to love each of you and thank God for your friendship and support. May He bless each of your homes and families! We serve an amazing, loving, kind, compassionate, joy-giving God!

Saturday Steps of Faith #16

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.

Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

I wonder how often I tie the hands of the Lord with my unbelief? Unbelief that leaves me stagnant and still instead of moving forward. Though I consider myself to be a woman of deep faith, someone who takes God at His Word; I still have many more miles of steps of faith to take.

I have to wonder if sometimes I am like the father of the boy whose son was possessed by an evil spirit who was desperate for an answer to his greatest need. He boldly brought his son to Jesus only to say, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus responded,

" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24

Father, I know that EVERYTHING is possible in You! I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. I want my walk to match my talk; knowing, believing, trusting, confessing, walking by faith. In the name of my Savior, Jesus I ask believing ~ 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.

Work-athon

I just wanted to pop in and let you know that I'm working in Indy all week and will not be able to post or visit your blogs. I hope to get all caught up over the weekend.

If you get just a moment, please remember my son in prayer this week. He left for youth camp this morning and I am so looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in his life.

Love to you all!

Mountain Mover

Image via Wikipedia

This morning as I was worshipping we were led in a chorus that I love to sing. The title of the song is "Mighty to Save".

As we sang, God really moved on my heart. The words of the chorus are,

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Something that has been on my mind and on my heart, God showed me has become a mountain in my life. It's something that is standing in the way of our family moving forward.

As I lifted my heart to the Father, He reminded me that He is the mountain mover! He is the calmer of the storms. He is the the I AM!

He is not only mighty to save, He is faithful to redeem.

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.
Psalm 71:23

Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name.
He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land,
but unrest to those who live in Babylon. Jeremiah 50:34

If my Jesus, my Savior can conquer the grave, there is absolutely nothing in my life that He cannot accomplish, move or make right.

I am taking God at His word! I am believing God for my family!

How about you? Do you have any mountains that need moving? Let me introduce you to someone who is in the mountain moving business. his name is Jesus!

Saturday Steps of Faith #15

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.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

I love this wonderful promise from God. I especially love verses in the Bible that give us an "if", "then" scenario.

God has told us if we will:

1. Humble ourselves
2. Pray
3. Seek the face of God
4. Turn from our wicked ways.

Then God will:

1. Hear our prayers from heaven
2. Forgive our sin
3. Heal our lands.

I am believing God for the healing of our nation.

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.

Thankful Thursday #19

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 finally receiving insurance approval for Randy's spinal cord stimulator. We know the timing and outcome are in your hands.

2. Thank You God that Jonathan is making connections in the Youth group. He was rattling off the names of people and conversations he had last night. I know you have heard my prayers and the glory belongs to You.

3. Thank You God for being with Connie today as she buries her mother. I know how much you love her and I thank that you will be walking with or carrying her in the coming days.

4. Thank You God for speaking to my heart. When I seek You, I find You - every time.

5. Thank You God for the Me, Myself & Lies study. Thank You for teaching me that my thought closet needed some cleaning out. Thank You for reminding me daily to meditate on things above, not on earthly things.

How about you? What are you thankful for?