Well concerning my friend's son who was being prepared for the kidney transplant, received word that the surgery was a complete success, and after spending last night in ICU, he will be placed in a regular room today! As I will forever say, God is so faithful! There is absolutely nothing too hard for Him! I am so happy for him. Miracles still happen, and I believe in them. We are in what has been called a season of miracles. We really do see more great things happen around this time of the year, but God is not limited to just the holidays to perform miracles. He does miracles everyday!
I just returned from lunch with my two sons, afterwards followed by a little shopping. It's a beautiful, cool, sunny day. Too beautiful to be inside.
I just wanted to say to everyone! I'll be back! Later
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Forever Faithful!
I am so excited today! I am excited about life, about being loved by God, about being His child, about being forgiven, and about just being alive! God is so faithful, and He absolutely, positively, LOVES us! God loves His people, and He just continues to be good, and He continues to be Faithful!
Today, I am rejoicing because I received word that a friend of mine, who has a 27 year old son, who is in need of a kidney, is at this time in the hospital, in prep for a kidney transplant! A donor, who is a perfect match, has been found! I am so happy for them. Once again, God has shown how faithful He is. God Loves His children! He loves His people! I have always said that God has spare parts. If one is in need of a heart, lungs, pancreas, or whatever, it is not a problem for God, He has spare parts! Healing stage 4 cancer, is as easy as healing a broken fingernail to God. To God, a new kidney is easy! No big deal to Him! God is not shaken about someone having cancer or someone in need of a kidney, He is happy to heal both. We limit God...in our unbelief, fear, lack of faith. God wants His people well. He hates sickness and disease. It doesn't come from Him. He is the Healer, not the one making people sick. Yeah, I know, people have told you that God makes people sick and that it is His will in order to teach you something. NOT!!! If sickness is God's will, then Jesus was certainly out of the will of God! because my Bible says that Jesus went about healing all! One thing that I know, and no one can take from me, is the truth that God is the Healer!
Back in February, nine months ago, I had a stroke, spent one month in the hospital. Before that night, I knew that God is a Healer, because He said that He is, I read it in the Word. I didn't have to have a stroke to know that He is the Healer. Today, not only do I know with an absolute certainty that He is the Healer, I know that He is MY Healer! I know it because of first hand experience...He healed my body! I had to learn how to walk, talk, drive, write, hold pennies and coins in my hands, hold dominoes, all of those things that we have always taken for granted, I had to learn to do again! But guess what, I can do them again! A testimony to the awesome faithfulness and power of an awesome God! Each day, I can do more and more! I am driving again, after 6 months of not being able to. I give God all of the praise! God did it! God can heal anything. There really is nothing that too hard for God. He can heal your finances, your marriage, your relationships, your emotions, whatever you need to be healed. Don't just limit Him to healing your physical body! Let Him heal that checkbook, that bank account, that hurt!
God is my Healer, protector, provider, shepherd, and He is a keeper! He have to stop limiting Him! He is so concerned about anything that concerns you. He is our Father. We can talk to Him about anything! He tells us to present our case to Him! We have an invitation to come boldly to the throne of Grace. It's a throne of Grace, not condemnation, not rejection, not fear! He is not going to make you leave. He loves you!
Well, I could go on and on about the awesomeness of God! He never ceases to amaze me. I am not surprised by the things that He does, but He always amazes me in the manner in which He does them.
I love Him, and I always will. But I am so blessed about how much that he loves me!
~Gayle
Today, I am rejoicing because I received word that a friend of mine, who has a 27 year old son, who is in need of a kidney, is at this time in the hospital, in prep for a kidney transplant! A donor, who is a perfect match, has been found! I am so happy for them. Once again, God has shown how faithful He is. God Loves His children! He loves His people! I have always said that God has spare parts. If one is in need of a heart, lungs, pancreas, or whatever, it is not a problem for God, He has spare parts! Healing stage 4 cancer, is as easy as healing a broken fingernail to God. To God, a new kidney is easy! No big deal to Him! God is not shaken about someone having cancer or someone in need of a kidney, He is happy to heal both. We limit God...in our unbelief, fear, lack of faith. God wants His people well. He hates sickness and disease. It doesn't come from Him. He is the Healer, not the one making people sick. Yeah, I know, people have told you that God makes people sick and that it is His will in order to teach you something. NOT!!! If sickness is God's will, then Jesus was certainly out of the will of God! because my Bible says that Jesus went about healing all! One thing that I know, and no one can take from me, is the truth that God is the Healer!
Back in February, nine months ago, I had a stroke, spent one month in the hospital. Before that night, I knew that God is a Healer, because He said that He is, I read it in the Word. I didn't have to have a stroke to know that He is the Healer. Today, not only do I know with an absolute certainty that He is the Healer, I know that He is MY Healer! I know it because of first hand experience...He healed my body! I had to learn how to walk, talk, drive, write, hold pennies and coins in my hands, hold dominoes, all of those things that we have always taken for granted, I had to learn to do again! But guess what, I can do them again! A testimony to the awesome faithfulness and power of an awesome God! Each day, I can do more and more! I am driving again, after 6 months of not being able to. I give God all of the praise! God did it! God can heal anything. There really is nothing that too hard for God. He can heal your finances, your marriage, your relationships, your emotions, whatever you need to be healed. Don't just limit Him to healing your physical body! Let Him heal that checkbook, that bank account, that hurt!
God is my Healer, protector, provider, shepherd, and He is a keeper! He have to stop limiting Him! He is so concerned about anything that concerns you. He is our Father. We can talk to Him about anything! He tells us to present our case to Him! We have an invitation to come boldly to the throne of Grace. It's a throne of Grace, not condemnation, not rejection, not fear! He is not going to make you leave. He loves you!
Well, I could go on and on about the awesomeness of God! He never ceases to amaze me. I am not surprised by the things that He does, but He always amazes me in the manner in which He does them.
I love Him, and I always will. But I am so blessed about how much that he loves me!
~Gayle
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!
Well everybody, hello again. It's been a few days since I have blogged, and I must admit that I did miss doing so! I do hope that you celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving, not alone, sad, or depressed, and are in preparation to have an equally happy and joyous Christmas.
As I have said before, this is absolutely my very favorite time of the year. I love Thanksgiving, but Christmas is my time! Everywhere that I go now, I am beginning to see Christmas lights on, more and more. I love decorating...getting all of the trees up and playing the Christmas music, Christmas potpourri all through the house, having family and friends over, and watching lots of Christmas movies! I am "Mrs. Christmas"! As I said, I have been known to go overboard with my decorating. I am a little late this year getting all of my decorations up, but I still have time. I have 9 trees up so far. I have trees in every room, even the kitchen. I usually have everything completed and lights go on by Thanksgiving night. I am still working, and I do believe that I will get all trees completed. Guess what? What I don't get up, is alright! I will not make a big deal about it, nor will I stress about it! I am learning as I get older, that what gets done, gets done; what doesn't, doesn't! I am content either way.
I know that there was a time when I would stress if I didn't have everything just right. I wanted to buy Christmas gifts for everybody that I knew. If a family member came into town on Christmas Eve, I would run back to the mall, and try to buy a gift. I would be running around all anxious and stressed trying to do last minute stuff, but not anymore. It's not that I don't care, I have to know my limit. I decide how much that I will spend for Christmas on gifts, when I reach that limit, that's it. No matter who arrives late, comes in at the last minute, I will stick to what I planned to spend. Of course, I wanted to buy for everyone that I knew, but this is not always possible. I do what I can, pray about it, and enjoy the holiday. Too many people get into debt for one day of the year. We celebrate Christmas, because it celebrates The Christ! It's all about Him! I know that Jesus does not want us unhappy and stressed, and in debt, trying to celebrate Him.
Anyway, I just wanted to say hello again. These next few days will be busy, but I promise to check in from day to day! I'll share some photos of my trees too!
Continue to enjoy your holiday. Remember that this is not the time to be sad, sorrowful or depressed. Join me in decorating. Perhaps you have decorated for some time. You may not want to put up a tree. How about a wreath, some holiday candles, some holiday books or magazines on your tables, a Christmas centerpiece, a bright, red poinsettia, any little thing that brings the Spirit of Christmas.
~Gayle
As I have said before, this is absolutely my very favorite time of the year. I love Thanksgiving, but Christmas is my time! Everywhere that I go now, I am beginning to see Christmas lights on, more and more. I love decorating...getting all of the trees up and playing the Christmas music, Christmas potpourri all through the house, having family and friends over, and watching lots of Christmas movies! I am "Mrs. Christmas"! As I said, I have been known to go overboard with my decorating. I am a little late this year getting all of my decorations up, but I still have time. I have 9 trees up so far. I have trees in every room, even the kitchen. I usually have everything completed and lights go on by Thanksgiving night. I am still working, and I do believe that I will get all trees completed. Guess what? What I don't get up, is alright! I will not make a big deal about it, nor will I stress about it! I am learning as I get older, that what gets done, gets done; what doesn't, doesn't! I am content either way.
I know that there was a time when I would stress if I didn't have everything just right. I wanted to buy Christmas gifts for everybody that I knew. If a family member came into town on Christmas Eve, I would run back to the mall, and try to buy a gift. I would be running around all anxious and stressed trying to do last minute stuff, but not anymore. It's not that I don't care, I have to know my limit. I decide how much that I will spend for Christmas on gifts, when I reach that limit, that's it. No matter who arrives late, comes in at the last minute, I will stick to what I planned to spend. Of course, I wanted to buy for everyone that I knew, but this is not always possible. I do what I can, pray about it, and enjoy the holiday. Too many people get into debt for one day of the year. We celebrate Christmas, because it celebrates The Christ! It's all about Him! I know that Jesus does not want us unhappy and stressed, and in debt, trying to celebrate Him.
Anyway, I just wanted to say hello again. These next few days will be busy, but I promise to check in from day to day! I'll share some photos of my trees too!
Continue to enjoy your holiday. Remember that this is not the time to be sad, sorrowful or depressed. Join me in decorating. Perhaps you have decorated for some time. You may not want to put up a tree. How about a wreath, some holiday candles, some holiday books or magazines on your tables, a Christmas centerpiece, a bright, red poinsettia, any little thing that brings the Spirit of Christmas.
~Gayle
Thursday, November 24, 2011
A little Thanksgiving Day humor!
Well, good afternoon to everyone. I do hope that you are enjoying your day, finished your cooking, and preparing to feast, whether it at home, at a family member or friend's home, or at IHOP, Golden Corral, or whoever is open today. I do hope that you are having a good day!
I am happy to say, that all cooking is completed, last thing just out of the oven-a brown sugar glazed, spiral sliced ham. My husband decided that he wanted a ham, last night. Beginning about a week before Thanksgiving, I started asking everyone in my house, what their food requests were. As I stated earlier, no one wanted the traditional stuff, they stressed that a big pot of gumbo, a special salad that I always prepare for my husband, and a German Chocolate cake for my younger son, was all that they wanted. I finished the gumbo about 5:30-6:00 yesterday evening, the salad about noon yesterday, let's just say, I was finished with all of the requests on yesterday.
I wish that you could have seen my face, to see how happy I was that I had all of my cooking completed on yesterday, and all that I would have to do was warm up food today! I was so joyful. No cooking today, or having to wash up all of those dishes. Just relaxing, watching football, as I decorated a tree, peace and quiet. I had it all planned!
Why did my dear, loving, sweet husband of 32 wonderful years, wait until 10:00pm last night, when I was about to doze off, in my nice,warm bed, why did he tell me that he would really like to have a glazed, spiral sliced ham today? Why did he just decide that! My mouth dropped, my eyes got bigger, almost came out of my head! WHAT! I must be dreaming, somebody wake me up! I know that I didn't hear that in real-time! I had to be sleep, and he was telling me this in my dream. I laid there, silent for a moment. I had to be sure of where I was. When I finally realized that I was not dreaming, was actually in real-time, in my bed, I looked at the clock to see what time it was, then I was so sweet as I looked at him, and asked him to repeat what he had just said. Guess what? He repeated it again! You have got to be kidding me! You have got to be kidding me! The two of us were at Walmart battling the crowd, earlier. I kindly, calmly turned to him and asked him why he didn't tell me that when we were in Walmart. His response was, "I didn't think about it until now".
Remember I said in one of my earlier blogs, that in a marriage, sometimes it takes more than love! This was surely one of those times! LOL! If I didn't really love him, and really love God even more than I love my husband, and want to please Him even more, my husband would not be eating ham today! I would have looked at him, laughed out loud, pulled the covers over my head, and entered dreamland!
After my brain really processed all of this, I just got up, got myself ready to go back to Walmart, (it is now 10:25 PM) in pursuit of a glazed,spiral sliced ham. I din't ask anyone to accompany me, didn't even tell them that I was leaving. I didn't want anyone else to suddenly want something. I arrived at Walmart, and guess what? I got the very last glazed ham in the store! Someone came up behind me and asked the Walmart worker, if there were any more hams, the worker said that they were all out! I firmly believe that God sees everything. He saw that I did not fuss and cut up about my husband waiting so late to present his request, I did not fuss because I had to get out of bed, God sees every labor of love! I do believe that if I had made a big deal about it, I would have gone to back to Walmart, and there would Not have been one ham left for me! That ham was there just for me! I believe that when we sow a seed of kindness, God will make things happen for us. Thank you Lord.
I just had to share this story with you. The ham is done, and I am still going to do as I planned...eat, relax, nap, eat some more, nap some more! It all adds up, enjoying my day!
~Gayle
I am happy to say, that all cooking is completed, last thing just out of the oven-a brown sugar glazed, spiral sliced ham. My husband decided that he wanted a ham, last night. Beginning about a week before Thanksgiving, I started asking everyone in my house, what their food requests were. As I stated earlier, no one wanted the traditional stuff, they stressed that a big pot of gumbo, a special salad that I always prepare for my husband, and a German Chocolate cake for my younger son, was all that they wanted. I finished the gumbo about 5:30-6:00 yesterday evening, the salad about noon yesterday, let's just say, I was finished with all of the requests on yesterday.
I wish that you could have seen my face, to see how happy I was that I had all of my cooking completed on yesterday, and all that I would have to do was warm up food today! I was so joyful. No cooking today, or having to wash up all of those dishes. Just relaxing, watching football, as I decorated a tree, peace and quiet. I had it all planned!
Why did my dear, loving, sweet husband of 32 wonderful years, wait until 10:00pm last night, when I was about to doze off, in my nice,warm bed, why did he tell me that he would really like to have a glazed, spiral sliced ham today? Why did he just decide that! My mouth dropped, my eyes got bigger, almost came out of my head! WHAT! I must be dreaming, somebody wake me up! I know that I didn't hear that in real-time! I had to be sleep, and he was telling me this in my dream. I laid there, silent for a moment. I had to be sure of where I was. When I finally realized that I was not dreaming, was actually in real-time, in my bed, I looked at the clock to see what time it was, then I was so sweet as I looked at him, and asked him to repeat what he had just said. Guess what? He repeated it again! You have got to be kidding me! You have got to be kidding me! The two of us were at Walmart battling the crowd, earlier. I kindly, calmly turned to him and asked him why he didn't tell me that when we were in Walmart. His response was, "I didn't think about it until now".
Remember I said in one of my earlier blogs, that in a marriage, sometimes it takes more than love! This was surely one of those times! LOL! If I didn't really love him, and really love God even more than I love my husband, and want to please Him even more, my husband would not be eating ham today! I would have looked at him, laughed out loud, pulled the covers over my head, and entered dreamland!
After my brain really processed all of this, I just got up, got myself ready to go back to Walmart, (it is now 10:25 PM) in pursuit of a glazed,spiral sliced ham. I din't ask anyone to accompany me, didn't even tell them that I was leaving. I didn't want anyone else to suddenly want something. I arrived at Walmart, and guess what? I got the very last glazed ham in the store! Someone came up behind me and asked the Walmart worker, if there were any more hams, the worker said that they were all out! I firmly believe that God sees everything. He saw that I did not fuss and cut up about my husband waiting so late to present his request, I did not fuss because I had to get out of bed, God sees every labor of love! I do believe that if I had made a big deal about it, I would have gone to back to Walmart, and there would Not have been one ham left for me! That ham was there just for me! I believe that when we sow a seed of kindness, God will make things happen for us. Thank you Lord.
I just had to share this story with you. The ham is done, and I am still going to do as I planned...eat, relax, nap, eat some more, nap some more! It all adds up, enjoying my day!
~Gayle
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Remember, this is not the time to be sad, down, sorrowful or depressed!
The Word of God says, "eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions for those who are without.
The JOY of the Lord is your strength"!
(Nehemiah 8:10)
~Gayle
Taking a Break...
Hello, this is Blowpop girl (LOL), just checking in today. I do hope that everyone is having a good day today. I am taking a short break to blog a little. I am cooking for tomorrow, because I have vowed that I will not be cooking on tomorrow. I hope to only have to warm up food on tomorrow. I fully intend to eat, watch football, decorate one of my trees,(I always light up everything on Thanksgiving Night), nap, and eat more, nap more, and just CHILL!
I am cooking gumbo for tomorrow. My family didn't want turkey and the traditional stuff. Hey that is fine with me. A pot of gumbo is so much easier to prepare, clean up after, and it is their favorite! My husband put in his request for his favorite, "Angel Delight Salad", my youngest son, put in his request for his German Chocolate Cake, and as usual, I always try to accommodate them! I really am grateful that I am getting off kinda easy this year. YAY! I surely am not complaining.
Well, as I said, I was taking a short break from cooking. I must now return to it. I will be back later. Enjoy your day, and your holiday on tomorrow. If you are a Black Friday shopper, be careful! Hope that you find all of the bargains that you are searching for. I was getting ready to say that I will be in my warm bed while ya'll are out shopping at 4am in the morning, but it seems that stores aren't even waiting for Friday, this year. Whenever you are out, be careful, and happy shopping! ~Gayle
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Good morning, Blow-pop!
You know, God is such an awesome God and Father. He has so many ways to get a point across. I am always laughing at some of the ways that He talks to me. We have to be careful not let allow ourselves to try to "lock" God into doing things a certain way, every time. We can become so accustomed to God answering a prayer in a certain way, talking to us in a certain way, that we think that He will perform that way, each and every time. Not so! He has so many ways of moving in our circumstance or situation.
This morning, I was sitting and spending time with my Father, and I asked Him what was on His mind this morning. He said that His people were not living the best life, and they have simply settled! He said that His people are living way below His best. We talked about this a little more, and He showed me that because we are in Christ, nothing can touch us. One thing that I have learned about God is that He has a sense of humor. I know that as a constant visitor to Facebook, I often see letters like ROTFL( rolling on the floor laughing), LOL(laughing out loud), and SMH (shaking my head). I really believe that I could use some of these letters when I talk to God too! I believe that He uses some of the letters too! I can honestly see Him falling off of the throne, laughing! He has said some funny things to me!
He set out to explain to me, that nothing could touch me because I am in Christ. You are gonna think that I am crazy when I say this, but He showed me what it is like being in Christ. He showed me a picture of ME inside of a Blow-pop! Yeah, you heard me, a Blow-pop! He said that I am the gum part of it, and Jesus is the hard candy around it! (Please keep visiting to my blog, I am not crazy!) Believe me, I am shaking my head as I type this!
A Blow-pop! He said that as that gum is inside that hard candy shell, that's the way I am in Christ! Nothing can penetrate that shell (JESUS). He showed me sickness, lack, debt, poverty, depression, stress, it can't get through that shell! He showed me that when He looks at that Blow-pop, He only sees the shell! He said that when He looks at me, He only sees Jesus! I'm in there, but He only sees that outside shell, JESUS! He doesn't see a sinner. He doesn't see someone who keeps messing up. He doesn't see any of the pictures that we see ourselves as, because we have believed the lies of the enemy! satan can paint a ugly picture of you, and have you believing the lie! God showed me this today, I"m like, Really! We both had to laugh. It was funny to me, but I understood. I didn't say to God, but I thought in my mind, I bite down and crack that candy all of the time to get to that gum. (I didn't say that to God, but I sure was thinking it-LOL). All of a sudden God spoke to me and said, nothing cracks this shell that is around you! Whoa! Sometimes we forget that He knows our thoughts. Ok, I had to laugh again!
To me, it was funny how God spoke to me, but He let me see things a little different. He is not some deep God. He wants us "to get it"! I am in Christ, and anything that tries to attack me, has to go through Jesus first, and that's IMPOSSIBLE!!! Sickness can't do it. Lack/debt can't do it, stress, depression, discouragement etc, NOTHING can do it! Nothing can overcome Jesus! Nothing can crack that shell! As long as we stay "in Him", then we can sing M.C.Hammer's song, "You can't touch this"! and do his dance! Anyway, I have had a good laugh to start my day!
Thank you Father!
This morning, I was sitting and spending time with my Father, and I asked Him what was on His mind this morning. He said that His people were not living the best life, and they have simply settled! He said that His people are living way below His best. We talked about this a little more, and He showed me that because we are in Christ, nothing can touch us. One thing that I have learned about God is that He has a sense of humor. I know that as a constant visitor to Facebook, I often see letters like ROTFL( rolling on the floor laughing), LOL(laughing out loud), and SMH (shaking my head). I really believe that I could use some of these letters when I talk to God too! I believe that He uses some of the letters too! I can honestly see Him falling off of the throne, laughing! He has said some funny things to me!
He set out to explain to me, that nothing could touch me because I am in Christ. You are gonna think that I am crazy when I say this, but He showed me what it is like being in Christ. He showed me a picture of ME inside of a Blow-pop! Yeah, you heard me, a Blow-pop! He said that I am the gum part of it, and Jesus is the hard candy around it! (Please keep visiting to my blog, I am not crazy!) Believe me, I am shaking my head as I type this!
A Blow-pop! He said that as that gum is inside that hard candy shell, that's the way I am in Christ! Nothing can penetrate that shell (JESUS). He showed me sickness, lack, debt, poverty, depression, stress, it can't get through that shell! He showed me that when He looks at that Blow-pop, He only sees the shell! He said that when He looks at me, He only sees Jesus! I'm in there, but He only sees that outside shell, JESUS! He doesn't see a sinner. He doesn't see someone who keeps messing up. He doesn't see any of the pictures that we see ourselves as, because we have believed the lies of the enemy! satan can paint a ugly picture of you, and have you believing the lie! God showed me this today, I"m like, Really! We both had to laugh. It was funny to me, but I understood. I didn't say to God, but I thought in my mind, I bite down and crack that candy all of the time to get to that gum. (I didn't say that to God, but I sure was thinking it-LOL). All of a sudden God spoke to me and said, nothing cracks this shell that is around you! Whoa! Sometimes we forget that He knows our thoughts. Ok, I had to laugh again!
To me, it was funny how God spoke to me, but He let me see things a little different. He is not some deep God. He wants us "to get it"! I am in Christ, and anything that tries to attack me, has to go through Jesus first, and that's IMPOSSIBLE!!! Sickness can't do it. Lack/debt can't do it, stress, depression, discouragement etc, NOTHING can do it! Nothing can overcome Jesus! Nothing can crack that shell! As long as we stay "in Him", then we can sing M.C.Hammer's song, "You can't touch this"! and do his dance! Anyway, I have had a good laugh to start my day!
Thank you Father!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Wow, we are almost at the end of another year. It seems like we were just celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, and here it is that time again! I sure am not complaining, because I LOVE the holidays. Well, it is official, we are in the holiday season. Yay!!!
Today has been a good day. Had a great day in worship, heard a great message, had a great dinner following church, now I am at home and ready to decorate one of my many trees.
As I thought about the holidays, I think that I mentioned this before, but this time has become for many, a very lonely, sad and depressing time of the year. Many have lost loved ones around the holidays, many are jobless, many are struggling financially. Whatever the case, this is not a happy time for many, and some are not looking forward to the holidays at all.
But, I want to encourage you today, if you are one of those persons who has decided not to celebrate the holidays.There is a scripture that I want to share, that has lots of encouragement for anyone that has decided that they are not going to celebrate this year. It is found in the Book of Nehemiah, the 8th chapter, beginning with the first verse. Its an account of the children of Israel, gathered together with the priests, and leaders of Israel. The people had come together to hear the reading of the Law, God's commandments for the people to live by as God instructed them to. As the people heard the Law, they were grieved and very sad, and even cried, because what they were instructed to do, they could not do in their own power. No matter how good they wanted to live and to keep the law, they just didn't have the power in themselves to do so. (Thank God, that we are not required to keep the Law today, because just like the Israelites, we can't keep it either! Thank God for His Grace! We don't have to struggle to try to keep the Law to obtain God's blessings. We get the blessings, because of Jesus! We don't have to be sad. ) Anyway, back to what this passage is about, the people were sad, depressed, grieving, they even wept. BUT, Nehemiah stood up and commanded the people not to be sad. He told them that this holiday was holy unto God. He instructed them to be happy, not sad, not depressed, not weeping, but REJOICING! He told them to eat the fat, and drink the sweet. In other words, celebrate! Have a feast! Be glad! Party! God does not want us to be mournful, He wants us to rejoice! He further instructs them to share and to prepare portions for those who don't have food to eat! He tells them not to mourn, don't be sorry, for the JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!
Depend of God's Joy, His Grace, His Love for you, to be your strength! Have Fun, Celebrate! Laugh, Rejoice! Don't be sad. Being sad, or happy and rejoicing, is a choice! You can choose to sit around, sad, depressed, alone; or you can choose to be happy, rejoice!
My mom died in 1987, at age 53. We had her funeral on the day after Thanksgiving. Back then, we were still having, what's called a "wake". For those who are not familiar with the term, it is sitting for a couple of hours either at the funeral home, or a church, with the deceased person, as family and friends come by to pay their respects for the deceased person, and to offer their condolence to the family of the deceased. This was usually held on the night before the actual funeral service. So, in 1987, on Thanksgiving Night, I was sitting in a funeral home, looking at my deceased mom. I am not trying to gross you out, I simply said all of that to make the point that, if I gave into emotions, I would never celebrate Thanksgiving again! Each time the holiday rolled around, I would be sitting around, feeling sorry for myself, and making my family sad, taking from their joy and celebration. I can choose to be sad and think about her and her funeral every time that Thanksgiving rolls around, but I'm not going to do that. She wouldn't want me to. I have a family here that loves me, that I love. Depression, being sad, sorrowful, that's a choice! One chooses to be depressed, sad, discouraged! I know that I have probably made some people mad by saying that, but it's true! We can choose not to be sad, depressed. Why would I be so selfish, and ruin everybody's holiday, just because I want to feel sorry for myself and be depressed? No way! It's not about me! It's about realizing how much God loves us, how much He cares about us. He even wants us to enjoy the holidays, and if we depend on Him, it can be a great holiday. If you need food to cook a feast ask God for it. If you need money to buy gifts, ask God for it. If you need to be with someone and you don't want to be alone, ask God to make it possible to be invited to celebrate with someone, or cause someone to come and celebrate with you. God cares for you. You can ask Him anything! Get the decorations out. Put up a tree, a wreath, play some holiday music, cook a feast and invite someone over. Whatever you choose to do, REJOICE!
THE JOY OF THE LORD, IS YOUR STRENGTH!
~Gayle
Today has been a good day. Had a great day in worship, heard a great message, had a great dinner following church, now I am at home and ready to decorate one of my many trees.
As I thought about the holidays, I think that I mentioned this before, but this time has become for many, a very lonely, sad and depressing time of the year. Many have lost loved ones around the holidays, many are jobless, many are struggling financially. Whatever the case, this is not a happy time for many, and some are not looking forward to the holidays at all.
But, I want to encourage you today, if you are one of those persons who has decided not to celebrate the holidays.There is a scripture that I want to share, that has lots of encouragement for anyone that has decided that they are not going to celebrate this year. It is found in the Book of Nehemiah, the 8th chapter, beginning with the first verse. Its an account of the children of Israel, gathered together with the priests, and leaders of Israel. The people had come together to hear the reading of the Law, God's commandments for the people to live by as God instructed them to. As the people heard the Law, they were grieved and very sad, and even cried, because what they were instructed to do, they could not do in their own power. No matter how good they wanted to live and to keep the law, they just didn't have the power in themselves to do so. (Thank God, that we are not required to keep the Law today, because just like the Israelites, we can't keep it either! Thank God for His Grace! We don't have to struggle to try to keep the Law to obtain God's blessings. We get the blessings, because of Jesus! We don't have to be sad. ) Anyway, back to what this passage is about, the people were sad, depressed, grieving, they even wept. BUT, Nehemiah stood up and commanded the people not to be sad. He told them that this holiday was holy unto God. He instructed them to be happy, not sad, not depressed, not weeping, but REJOICING! He told them to eat the fat, and drink the sweet. In other words, celebrate! Have a feast! Be glad! Party! God does not want us to be mournful, He wants us to rejoice! He further instructs them to share and to prepare portions for those who don't have food to eat! He tells them not to mourn, don't be sorry, for the JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!
Depend of God's Joy, His Grace, His Love for you, to be your strength! Have Fun, Celebrate! Laugh, Rejoice! Don't be sad. Being sad, or happy and rejoicing, is a choice! You can choose to sit around, sad, depressed, alone; or you can choose to be happy, rejoice!
My mom died in 1987, at age 53. We had her funeral on the day after Thanksgiving. Back then, we were still having, what's called a "wake". For those who are not familiar with the term, it is sitting for a couple of hours either at the funeral home, or a church, with the deceased person, as family and friends come by to pay their respects for the deceased person, and to offer their condolence to the family of the deceased. This was usually held on the night before the actual funeral service. So, in 1987, on Thanksgiving Night, I was sitting in a funeral home, looking at my deceased mom. I am not trying to gross you out, I simply said all of that to make the point that, if I gave into emotions, I would never celebrate Thanksgiving again! Each time the holiday rolled around, I would be sitting around, feeling sorry for myself, and making my family sad, taking from their joy and celebration. I can choose to be sad and think about her and her funeral every time that Thanksgiving rolls around, but I'm not going to do that. She wouldn't want me to. I have a family here that loves me, that I love. Depression, being sad, sorrowful, that's a choice! One chooses to be depressed, sad, discouraged! I know that I have probably made some people mad by saying that, but it's true! We can choose not to be sad, depressed. Why would I be so selfish, and ruin everybody's holiday, just because I want to feel sorry for myself and be depressed? No way! It's not about me! It's about realizing how much God loves us, how much He cares about us. He even wants us to enjoy the holidays, and if we depend on Him, it can be a great holiday. If you need food to cook a feast ask God for it. If you need money to buy gifts, ask God for it. If you need to be with someone and you don't want to be alone, ask God to make it possible to be invited to celebrate with someone, or cause someone to come and celebrate with you. God cares for you. You can ask Him anything! Get the decorations out. Put up a tree, a wreath, play some holiday music, cook a feast and invite someone over. Whatever you choose to do, REJOICE!
THE JOY OF THE LORD, IS YOUR STRENGTH!
~Gayle
Great Sunday Morning to you!
Hello everybody, hope that you had great sleep last night. I did! Up early this morning to begin preparation to go to God's House. I love to be in corporate worship with others that love the Lord, and are free to worship and praise Him! He has been so awesome this year, and really all of my life, each and every day! Even when I did not know Him personally, and did not have a relationship with Him, He was still good to me!
As I look back through the years, He was always there! He is so worthy of all of our praise. I know that I can't praise Him enough, but I sure am having fun trying! He probably thinks that it's enough, because its from the heart, but it just never seems to me, that I am praising Him enough. That's just to me.
Anyway, I am always excited to go to Worship, and see what awesome things that God does in our midst, every time that we gather there. I do hope that you have made plans to be in your place of worship this morning. God wants to meet you there! He looks forward to spending time with you. He loves being right there in your praises. He loves it when we all get together, to welcome Him, to praise Him, and to listen to Him speak to us. He likes that.
Well, I hope that your spirit is wide open to hear Him today. I am expecting great things today!
Enjoy your day!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Great Saturday!
Well, hubby and I had a great lunch at The Olive Garden. He loves the all- you -can eat soup and salad. He can never get enough of that soup. He certainly gets his money's worth! Great lunch. Then I shopped at Ellis Pottery. I had not gotten into the decorating spirit, that is, until today. Ellis has decorations at 60% off, some ornaments for $1. Of course, I couldn't pass that up! Then we were off to Hobby Lobby. Their ornaments were 50% off. I bought some ornaments at both places. Now, I am in decorating mode! I was so excited because I wanted a tree decorated with clear iridescent ornaments and crystals this year. I found exactly what I wanted. I thought that I would have to find the clear ornaments online, but God is so good, He brought them to me. So now, I can begin decorating. I feel excitement coming on. Got the Christmas potpourri ready and waiting-check! Winter spiced nuts-check, hot cocoa-check, Christmas music-check, decorations-check! It's a GO!
I love Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Well, I guess I'll get to decorating!
Until later! Bye
I love Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Well, I guess I'll get to decorating!
Until later! Bye
Happy Saturday to you!
Good morning, good morning to you,
Thank you Lord for another beautiful autumn day! Well, would you believe that I am just getting up and out of bed. I wasn't just laying there awake, I was sleeping until about 11:15 this morning. I have just had a wonderful, restful, refreshing sleep. It really was Sweet! Sleeping has never been a problem for me, even as a youngster. I have always been able to sleep. I remember that my grandmother would have to call me two or three times before I would actually get up to start getting ready for school. I am usually sleep before my head hits the pillow! That's a blessing! I have friends who have trouble sleeping, who have taken sleep aids, to no avail. I feel for people who have this problem. If you happen to be one of those people who have trouble sleeping, remember that the ability to rest, is a gift from God. He says that He gives His beloved, SLEEP, and it shall be sweet! It's a gift. Receive the gift. Thank God for the gift, then go to sleep.
I woke up finally, and discovered that my husband wasn't there next to me. He had already gotten up earlier. He had the television off, the ringer on the phone was off, he had the bedroom door closed, everything that would insure that I would enjoy my rest, and not be disturbed. I love him so! He is so considerate. I did lay there for a few minutes, thinking about how it was so nice of him to do all of the little things, so that I would not be disturbed. I started to think about our 32 years of marriage. Yeah, that's what I lay there thinking about this morning, our marriage. Next month will be 33 wonderful years! Thank you Lord.
(I am back, had to stop blogging for a while to discuss something with my husband, he wants to go to Olive Garden for a late lunch).
Anyway, I was saying, I was reflecting over these last 32 years, and we have experienced many things in our marriage, the deaths of many loved ones, friends, both us of have experienced the deaths of both of our parents, we have gone through sickness, personally, as well as with family and some friends, we have experienced some financial issues, things that really could tear up a marriage. But, despite all of the challenges, we overcame them, and won! In 1992, my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. That was quite an experience. Wow, for 6 months I had to change a colostemy bag. I never thought that I would ever have to do this in life, but I did. I loved him. I vowed to take care of him. But through the entire experience, we became closer, loved each other more, and appreciated each other more. He could depend on me, and he did. A bond formed that would become stronger than it had ever been before. Don't get me wrong, we had a good marriage before this happened, but sometimes we are challenged in a marriage, and it takes more than just love to overcome them. I know that this sounds strange, it takes more than love sometimes. It really does. I have seen men blacken their wife's eyes, terrorized them, cheat on them, and then tell them that they love that wife. I just never quite understood that. (Maybe someone can explain that to me). I knew someone whose husband was diagnosed with a disease that would require him to be cared for, for a while. She said that she really loved her husband, but when he was diagnosed, she took him back home to his mother, and left that marriage. Love was not enough to keep her there. I am about to share something that I have never shared publically. Eight months ago, I had a stroke. Even today, many of my friends don't know this. I was in the hospital for an entire month, was in Physical Therapy for 6 weeks, after I was discharged from the hospital. I watched my husband be there for me, every step of the way!. even after working sometimes 10 hour days. We went to work on his job each day, but he was there for me at every turn. He just took up exactly where I left off. He washed and dried clothes, and made sure that I always had clean clothes for physical therapy while I was in the hospital. Everything that I could possibly desire while I was in that hospital, he had it right there for me. I didn't have to lay there and wonder if everything was alright at home. He really stepped up to the plate. These many months since, have been a challenge in some ways. I had to learn how to do everything all over again! Walk, talk, write, dress myself, everything! He has been there for me. These are things that can challenge a marriage. Having to help me do everything, and I do mean everything! That can be difficult for anyone in a marriage. Once again, with God, our love for Him, and our love for one another, we came through it together, and won! I thank God for him. I am truly blessed. It takes love, and it takes loving God more! You can love a spouse, mistreat them, and still say that you love them. But when you love them, and love God even more, you are going to want to please God, and pleasing Him prevents you from being harsh, hitting them, cheating on them, mistreating them. Really loving God, will make you get out of a warm bed, pillow finally like you like it, to go and get your spouse a glass of water when he asks! How many times have I done that, and he for me. It's the little things that mean so much. He is actually sitting now, and waiting to go the the Olive Garden. I guess that I better get ready.
(Sometimes there are typos, it's because the fingers are still in "recovery" mood. LOL)
Wow, I didn't think that I would be blogging about marriage, but sometimes it's good to share experiences!
Enjoy your day. Lunch, shopping, being with the one you love, beautiful weather-Priceless!
~Gayle
Thank you Lord for another beautiful autumn day! Well, would you believe that I am just getting up and out of bed. I wasn't just laying there awake, I was sleeping until about 11:15 this morning. I have just had a wonderful, restful, refreshing sleep. It really was Sweet! Sleeping has never been a problem for me, even as a youngster. I have always been able to sleep. I remember that my grandmother would have to call me two or three times before I would actually get up to start getting ready for school. I am usually sleep before my head hits the pillow! That's a blessing! I have friends who have trouble sleeping, who have taken sleep aids, to no avail. I feel for people who have this problem. If you happen to be one of those people who have trouble sleeping, remember that the ability to rest, is a gift from God. He says that He gives His beloved, SLEEP, and it shall be sweet! It's a gift. Receive the gift. Thank God for the gift, then go to sleep.
I woke up finally, and discovered that my husband wasn't there next to me. He had already gotten up earlier. He had the television off, the ringer on the phone was off, he had the bedroom door closed, everything that would insure that I would enjoy my rest, and not be disturbed. I love him so! He is so considerate. I did lay there for a few minutes, thinking about how it was so nice of him to do all of the little things, so that I would not be disturbed. I started to think about our 32 years of marriage. Yeah, that's what I lay there thinking about this morning, our marriage. Next month will be 33 wonderful years! Thank you Lord.
(I am back, had to stop blogging for a while to discuss something with my husband, he wants to go to Olive Garden for a late lunch).
Anyway, I was saying, I was reflecting over these last 32 years, and we have experienced many things in our marriage, the deaths of many loved ones, friends, both us of have experienced the deaths of both of our parents, we have gone through sickness, personally, as well as with family and some friends, we have experienced some financial issues, things that really could tear up a marriage. But, despite all of the challenges, we overcame them, and won! In 1992, my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. That was quite an experience. Wow, for 6 months I had to change a colostemy bag. I never thought that I would ever have to do this in life, but I did. I loved him. I vowed to take care of him. But through the entire experience, we became closer, loved each other more, and appreciated each other more. He could depend on me, and he did. A bond formed that would become stronger than it had ever been before. Don't get me wrong, we had a good marriage before this happened, but sometimes we are challenged in a marriage, and it takes more than just love to overcome them. I know that this sounds strange, it takes more than love sometimes. It really does. I have seen men blacken their wife's eyes, terrorized them, cheat on them, and then tell them that they love that wife. I just never quite understood that. (Maybe someone can explain that to me). I knew someone whose husband was diagnosed with a disease that would require him to be cared for, for a while. She said that she really loved her husband, but when he was diagnosed, she took him back home to his mother, and left that marriage. Love was not enough to keep her there. I am about to share something that I have never shared publically. Eight months ago, I had a stroke. Even today, many of my friends don't know this. I was in the hospital for an entire month, was in Physical Therapy for 6 weeks, after I was discharged from the hospital. I watched my husband be there for me, every step of the way!. even after working sometimes 10 hour days. We went to work on his job each day, but he was there for me at every turn. He just took up exactly where I left off. He washed and dried clothes, and made sure that I always had clean clothes for physical therapy while I was in the hospital. Everything that I could possibly desire while I was in that hospital, he had it right there for me. I didn't have to lay there and wonder if everything was alright at home. He really stepped up to the plate. These many months since, have been a challenge in some ways. I had to learn how to do everything all over again! Walk, talk, write, dress myself, everything! He has been there for me. These are things that can challenge a marriage. Having to help me do everything, and I do mean everything! That can be difficult for anyone in a marriage. Once again, with God, our love for Him, and our love for one another, we came through it together, and won! I thank God for him. I am truly blessed. It takes love, and it takes loving God more! You can love a spouse, mistreat them, and still say that you love them. But when you love them, and love God even more, you are going to want to please God, and pleasing Him prevents you from being harsh, hitting them, cheating on them, mistreating them. Really loving God, will make you get out of a warm bed, pillow finally like you like it, to go and get your spouse a glass of water when he asks! How many times have I done that, and he for me. It's the little things that mean so much. He is actually sitting now, and waiting to go the the Olive Garden. I guess that I better get ready.
(Sometimes there are typos, it's because the fingers are still in "recovery" mood. LOL)
Wow, I didn't think that I would be blogging about marriage, but sometimes it's good to share experiences!
Enjoy your day. Lunch, shopping, being with the one you love, beautiful weather-Priceless!
~Gayle
Friday, November 18, 2011
Happy Friday...
Good morning all,
Well today is Friday and I am looking forward to a great day. As you can see, it is 5:08 am and here I am up blogging! I decided to give my husband a treat this morning and drive him to work today, after all, it's Friday, and he has had a very busy week at work this week, and besides, he really doesn't like driving much these days. So, I decided to drive him today. Sometimes we have to go the extra, extra mile sometimes, and in this case, it is extra because we leave at 4:25 am. But I love him so much, and I really didn't mind doing it.
As I was dressing and preparing to leave, I was listening to a teaching by Joseph Prince. He talked about, as Jesus IS, SO ARE WE IN THE WORLD! As Jesus is right now, we are just like Him, right now...not when we get to heaven, but right now! I had to stop and think about that for a minute. I knew this verse, and was very familiar with it, but I had to stop and think about it for a minute. As Jesus is, so are we in the world. The next thing naturally that should come up in your mind is, well how is Jesus? I know that's up came up in my mind. Let's see, he is not sick, he is not broke, he is not depressed, he is not worrying about having the lights, water, gas turned off in heaven, he is not worrying about the mortgage in heaven, he is not stressed, he is not worrying about people liking him, he is not down and discouraged, he is not worried about the holidays coming up. Did I catch everybody, your worry. LOL! I am trying to touch on your issue so that we are all on the same page. How is He? Healed, prosperous, after all he walks on streets of gold, he loves being in the Father's presence, knowing that He is a son, not a servant, not running around heaven having to do a long list of things because He has to be sure that he doesn't make God mad, and lose some blessings. He knows that He is so loved, accepted, he is at peace, smiling enjoying life, victorious, Lord of all because He conquered all! Have you got a picture of Him yet? Have you noticed that His picture doesn't quite look like ours? But we are supposed to be just like Him! The pictures don't match. What's up with that??? Something is not quite right! God didn't say one day we'll be just like Him, when we finally reach heaven, He said in this world, in Texas, New York, California, today, right now, November 18, 2011!
Ok, if we are to be just like Him, then why do we walk around and put up with sickness in our bodies, that little ache and pain that has been hanging around too long, that we have learned to live with, that's really not so bad (remember we talked about that yesterday), why are we still letting lack, debt, a stack of bills talk to us everyday and every night, "you know, I am due Friday, what are you gonna do", why are we worried and depressed, stressed and on and on and on? We are supposed to be like Jesus! What's wrong with this picture?
We gotta have a mind adjustment! Renew the mind! We are missing out on too much, waaaay too much.
Earlier this week, I came across a scripture in Jeremiah 33, verse 9 to be exact. The entire chapter is good. It talks about the day when God was going to bring restoraton to His people. He did it! He did it when Jesus went to the cross. It's been done! Verse 9 says that, God was going to put soooo much prosperity on us, that other people around us will see how good God is to us, and they will fear and temble. That's awesome. We are supposed to be so blessed, that people can't help but see it all over us, and they will be scared of us and tremble! WOW! You are probably saying that God is talking about restoring Judah. When we see Judah, Israel in scripture, He is talking about the Church today. (A little side note). We were captives to sin, but Calvary freed us! God has restored. We are supposed to be walking in restoration. As Jesus is, so are we! God does not lie. He said that we are just like Jesus, so we must be. I don't know about you, but I believe God. If He said that I am just like Jesus, then I am!
How about you?
Have a great day! Every day is a good day, when you know the Lord!
Now I'm going back to bed!
Well today is Friday and I am looking forward to a great day. As you can see, it is 5:08 am and here I am up blogging! I decided to give my husband a treat this morning and drive him to work today, after all, it's Friday, and he has had a very busy week at work this week, and besides, he really doesn't like driving much these days. So, I decided to drive him today. Sometimes we have to go the extra, extra mile sometimes, and in this case, it is extra because we leave at 4:25 am. But I love him so much, and I really didn't mind doing it.
As I was dressing and preparing to leave, I was listening to a teaching by Joseph Prince. He talked about, as Jesus IS, SO ARE WE IN THE WORLD! As Jesus is right now, we are just like Him, right now...not when we get to heaven, but right now! I had to stop and think about that for a minute. I knew this verse, and was very familiar with it, but I had to stop and think about it for a minute. As Jesus is, so are we in the world. The next thing naturally that should come up in your mind is, well how is Jesus? I know that's up came up in my mind. Let's see, he is not sick, he is not broke, he is not depressed, he is not worrying about having the lights, water, gas turned off in heaven, he is not worrying about the mortgage in heaven, he is not stressed, he is not worrying about people liking him, he is not down and discouraged, he is not worried about the holidays coming up. Did I catch everybody, your worry. LOL! I am trying to touch on your issue so that we are all on the same page. How is He? Healed, prosperous, after all he walks on streets of gold, he loves being in the Father's presence, knowing that He is a son, not a servant, not running around heaven having to do a long list of things because He has to be sure that he doesn't make God mad, and lose some blessings. He knows that He is so loved, accepted, he is at peace, smiling enjoying life, victorious, Lord of all because He conquered all! Have you got a picture of Him yet? Have you noticed that His picture doesn't quite look like ours? But we are supposed to be just like Him! The pictures don't match. What's up with that??? Something is not quite right! God didn't say one day we'll be just like Him, when we finally reach heaven, He said in this world, in Texas, New York, California, today, right now, November 18, 2011!
Ok, if we are to be just like Him, then why do we walk around and put up with sickness in our bodies, that little ache and pain that has been hanging around too long, that we have learned to live with, that's really not so bad (remember we talked about that yesterday), why are we still letting lack, debt, a stack of bills talk to us everyday and every night, "you know, I am due Friday, what are you gonna do", why are we worried and depressed, stressed and on and on and on? We are supposed to be like Jesus! What's wrong with this picture?
We gotta have a mind adjustment! Renew the mind! We are missing out on too much, waaaay too much.
Earlier this week, I came across a scripture in Jeremiah 33, verse 9 to be exact. The entire chapter is good. It talks about the day when God was going to bring restoraton to His people. He did it! He did it when Jesus went to the cross. It's been done! Verse 9 says that, God was going to put soooo much prosperity on us, that other people around us will see how good God is to us, and they will fear and temble. That's awesome. We are supposed to be so blessed, that people can't help but see it all over us, and they will be scared of us and tremble! WOW! You are probably saying that God is talking about restoring Judah. When we see Judah, Israel in scripture, He is talking about the Church today. (A little side note). We were captives to sin, but Calvary freed us! God has restored. We are supposed to be walking in restoration. As Jesus is, so are we! God does not lie. He said that we are just like Jesus, so we must be. I don't know about you, but I believe God. If He said that I am just like Jesus, then I am!
How about you?
Have a great day! Every day is a good day, when you know the Lord!
Now I'm going back to bed!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Well, I am getting a late start today, blogging. Had a project that I have been avoiding for quite some time, but could not continue to put off doing, so I had to face it today. Have you ever looked at a task, sitting big and very visible right there in front of you, knowing that if you don't conquer it, no one else will? It wasn't major, nothing bad, just something that should have been dealt with a long time ago.Well, I decided that I had to face it today, and I am. That's why I didn't blog earlier. I knew that if I didn't handle the task first thing this morning, but start off blogging instead, I knew that I would never get the task done. I would have allowed myself to put it off, one more day! Isn't it funny how "one more day" suddenly turns into a week, a month and sometimes a year! Anyway, it was as I said, not a major, life or death situation, but it was something that I had to conquer. I have a friend, who has passed away now, but she used to say, "If you cannot take authority over a sink of dirty dishes, how are you gonna take authority over satan and win". Many times we let things go on in our lives that we need to handle, conquer, or take authority over. Often they are not major things, but things that we really shouldn't allow to stay there and take over or bother us. It could be a sink of dirty dishes that we put off washing today. We pass by and look at them, and we tell ourself that we will wash them later. Later becomes even later, and soon we discover that they have sat there dirty all week. (I know that that doesn't happen at your house!) LOL! Maybe it's clothes that need washing, dusting that needs to be done, worry that needs to stop, oh I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that!
We are sometimes guilty of letting things just go, even in our spiritual life. We fall asleep and forget to pray one night. Next time, we don't feel like reading the Word. We don't feel like spending time with our Father. We find ourself murmuring and complaining about a person or situation, we recognize that the enemy is certainly behind a situation in our life and you know that it is dragging on long enough. Maybe you have a bill, that you don't have the money to pay right now. You know that you really need to call the creditor, but because of fear, or just not wanting to deal with them today, you continue to put it off. We all are guilty, even if it only happened one time in our life. We have all just let things hang around, much too long. It may be a problem, a person, whatever it may be to you. Sometimes we just ignore stuff and covince ourself that if we ignore it long enough, it'll go away. Not always so!
I still sometimes struggle in this area. I am learning that there are some things that we are just going to have to face and address! God has given us so much power and authority. How much time have I wasted waiting on Him to change a situation, when all along , He was waiting on me!
Anyway, I said all of this to simply say that I have finally addressed and conquered a task that I should have taken care of a few days ago. Guess what, God even caused my son to lend his help, and I didn't even solicit it! I say God, because my son never would have volunteered for this task, on his own. LOL! Anyway the time was cut in half! Yay!!! It is done!
Perhaps you have been putting something off. C'mon, face it. Address it. My Pastor has always said that God will give you more along the way, than when you first get started! What does that mean? Look at me today-I really didn't want to confront the task. I was about to put it off for one more day. God gave me the wisdom to get started, but along the way after I did get started, right in the middle of the task, here comes my son to help me. Of course we finished in less time than it would have taken if I had done it by meslf. More along the way! Sometimes we are afraid to get started. Like Nike, just do it, and believe God along the way!
Ok now I am in the "go" mood. Now I am looking for someting else that needs doing. Better stop blogging for now, and take advantage of the "get er done mood!"
Enjoy your day! Make something happen!!!
~Gayle
We are sometimes guilty of letting things just go, even in our spiritual life. We fall asleep and forget to pray one night. Next time, we don't feel like reading the Word. We don't feel like spending time with our Father. We find ourself murmuring and complaining about a person or situation, we recognize that the enemy is certainly behind a situation in our life and you know that it is dragging on long enough. Maybe you have a bill, that you don't have the money to pay right now. You know that you really need to call the creditor, but because of fear, or just not wanting to deal with them today, you continue to put it off. We all are guilty, even if it only happened one time in our life. We have all just let things hang around, much too long. It may be a problem, a person, whatever it may be to you. Sometimes we just ignore stuff and covince ourself that if we ignore it long enough, it'll go away. Not always so!
I still sometimes struggle in this area. I am learning that there are some things that we are just going to have to face and address! God has given us so much power and authority. How much time have I wasted waiting on Him to change a situation, when all along , He was waiting on me!
Anyway, I said all of this to simply say that I have finally addressed and conquered a task that I should have taken care of a few days ago. Guess what, God even caused my son to lend his help, and I didn't even solicit it! I say God, because my son never would have volunteered for this task, on his own. LOL! Anyway the time was cut in half! Yay!!! It is done!
Perhaps you have been putting something off. C'mon, face it. Address it. My Pastor has always said that God will give you more along the way, than when you first get started! What does that mean? Look at me today-I really didn't want to confront the task. I was about to put it off for one more day. God gave me the wisdom to get started, but along the way after I did get started, right in the middle of the task, here comes my son to help me. Of course we finished in less time than it would have taken if I had done it by meslf. More along the way! Sometimes we are afraid to get started. Like Nike, just do it, and believe God along the way!
Ok now I am in the "go" mood. Now I am looking for someting else that needs doing. Better stop blogging for now, and take advantage of the "get er done mood!"
Enjoy your day! Make something happen!!!
~Gayle
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Good morning!
Good morning, I am up early this morning, and I am so grateful, and oh so thankful! I woke up this morning, even before getting out of bed, just thinking about the times that we are living in. I have always been a big Christmas decorator. I usually began decorating around here on November the first. This year I have not started decorating yet, although I still have 7 trees up from last Christmas. Yes, I said 7! I had a total of 12 up last year. I have had as many as 17. (I told you that I like Christmas. Don't judge me.-LOL!)
Anyway, I started thinking about how much that I just love this time of the year. Thanksgiving and Christmas have always been my favorite time of the year! I grew up in a home where we were surrounded by love, warmth, and I had a grandfather that never said "no"! I was adopted by my mom's parents, at the age of 12 years old. I loved them so. My grandfather always provided us with so many great things. The holidays were always special around our house! The smells of baked goods, of pine, filled the house. I will always fondly recall my childhood. We always had a big, full live christmas tree. Lots of lights and lots of red poinsettias. My grandmother was a florist, so we were surrounded by potted red poinsettias. I guess that is why I love the decorations so much now. Yes, many would say that it is too much, but not for me. I love it, and is only once a year that I do this.
As I thought on all of this, I also thought about this time of the year, not being a happy time for quite a few people. It has been said that for many, this is a very sad, depressing, lonely time of the year! We live in a time when everything seems to be based upon money. Don't get me wrong, we live in a society where money is necessary, and yes it is good to have money! According to God's Word, we are supposed to have it. However, many people equate happiness and joy in life with how much money they have or don't have. As I grow older, I am coming to realize that my happiness is not based upon how much money that I have in the bank. I just recently celebrated my 55th birthday, and as I grow older, I am appreciating life more, peace more, family more, and just realizing that my joy does not come from things or externals. My true happiness and joy comes from my relationship with Jesus each, and every day!
I remember some Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, (as an adult), when things were not quite the way that I thought that they should be. Things were a little slim and lean, didn't see all of the abundance that I was accustomed to as a child growing up. But in spite of all that, I had family right there with me to celebrate together, and be grateful for life, and love, and God's love . I am not making light of not having enough. I know what it is to want to shop and buy wonderful gifts for family, friends and those special persons who have touched our life. I know what it means to not be able to buy gifts, to provide a table laid out with a feast. I know what it's like. I know that this is a time when people are so depressed. Don't be. Cheer up. God loves us. God is good to all. God's blessings are available to all! He is not a respector of persons. He doesn't like some and not others, He doesn't bless some and not others. He doesn't heal some and not others! He is a good Father. He cares about us and He is concerned about us, more than we know. He loves us more than we know! Trust Him today. Go to Him, talk to Him. We don't have to have the perfect words, pray a perfect prayer, pray a certain way, or a certain length of time. He is not judging us. That was already done 2000 years ago. He is not even thinking about us as sinners, but as sons! He is thinking about how much He loves you, and how much He wants you to love, trust and come to Him.
Trust Him this holiday season and everyday! He is wanting you to come to Him, He will help you, He will always accept you, HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH!!!
Do you want to know Him today?
Pray this prayer with me: "Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, and if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead, I shall be saved. I take you at your Word. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that you raised him from the dead. Jesus come into my heart, be Lord of my life, fill me with the Holy Spirit. Thank you for doing so. Amen.
If you have just prayed this prayer, please let me know. I would love to rejoice with you!
Enjoy your life as a child of God.
Get into a church where the Word of God is taught, believed, and lived.
Read your Bible daily, asking the Holy Spirit who is your teacher to help you understand it.
Live, Laugh, Love!
Anyway, I started thinking about how much that I just love this time of the year. Thanksgiving and Christmas have always been my favorite time of the year! I grew up in a home where we were surrounded by love, warmth, and I had a grandfather that never said "no"! I was adopted by my mom's parents, at the age of 12 years old. I loved them so. My grandfather always provided us with so many great things. The holidays were always special around our house! The smells of baked goods, of pine, filled the house. I will always fondly recall my childhood. We always had a big, full live christmas tree. Lots of lights and lots of red poinsettias. My grandmother was a florist, so we were surrounded by potted red poinsettias. I guess that is why I love the decorations so much now. Yes, many would say that it is too much, but not for me. I love it, and is only once a year that I do this.
As I thought on all of this, I also thought about this time of the year, not being a happy time for quite a few people. It has been said that for many, this is a very sad, depressing, lonely time of the year! We live in a time when everything seems to be based upon money. Don't get me wrong, we live in a society where money is necessary, and yes it is good to have money! According to God's Word, we are supposed to have it. However, many people equate happiness and joy in life with how much money they have or don't have. As I grow older, I am coming to realize that my happiness is not based upon how much money that I have in the bank. I just recently celebrated my 55th birthday, and as I grow older, I am appreciating life more, peace more, family more, and just realizing that my joy does not come from things or externals. My true happiness and joy comes from my relationship with Jesus each, and every day!
I remember some Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, (as an adult), when things were not quite the way that I thought that they should be. Things were a little slim and lean, didn't see all of the abundance that I was accustomed to as a child growing up. But in spite of all that, I had family right there with me to celebrate together, and be grateful for life, and love, and God's love . I am not making light of not having enough. I know what it is to want to shop and buy wonderful gifts for family, friends and those special persons who have touched our life. I know what it means to not be able to buy gifts, to provide a table laid out with a feast. I know what it's like. I know that this is a time when people are so depressed. Don't be. Cheer up. God loves us. God is good to all. God's blessings are available to all! He is not a respector of persons. He doesn't like some and not others, He doesn't bless some and not others. He doesn't heal some and not others! He is a good Father. He cares about us and He is concerned about us, more than we know. He loves us more than we know! Trust Him today. Go to Him, talk to Him. We don't have to have the perfect words, pray a perfect prayer, pray a certain way, or a certain length of time. He is not judging us. That was already done 2000 years ago. He is not even thinking about us as sinners, but as sons! He is thinking about how much He loves you, and how much He wants you to love, trust and come to Him.
Trust Him this holiday season and everyday! He is wanting you to come to Him, He will help you, He will always accept you, HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH!!!
Do you want to know Him today?
Pray this prayer with me: "Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, and if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead, I shall be saved. I take you at your Word. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that you raised him from the dead. Jesus come into my heart, be Lord of my life, fill me with the Holy Spirit. Thank you for doing so. Amen.
If you have just prayed this prayer, please let me know. I would love to rejoice with you!
Enjoy your life as a child of God.
Get into a church where the Word of God is taught, believed, and lived.
Read your Bible daily, asking the Holy Spirit who is your teacher to help you understand it.
Live, Laugh, Love!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Good morning
Good morning everyone,
I do hope that you are enjoying your day today! Every day is a gift from God, so since it is, it is supposed to be enjoyed! I remind you once again, that people, circumstances and situations, should not determine what kind of day that you will have. It's up to you! I have determined that I shall have a wonderful day today, and everyday!
Well, we are fastly approaching Thanksgiving. I was just sitting and recalling all of the awesome things that God has done in my life this year. Wow, there are so many. He has been so good to me, all of my life, but I was just recalling this year so far. It has been great, and it's not over yet! I am always expecting something good to happen to me each day. Yes, I know that God waking me up each day is a good thing, that having a sound mind, good health is a good thing, and I am so thankful! But my Father is a giver. He loves to give, and He doesn't know when enough is enough! He is always using words like-"runneth over, abundantly above, more than you can ask or think, no room to receive, more abundantly" He just loves to give, and He gets little angry when we limit Him! Wow, I like that! I am so grateful, but always expecting His favor and His abundant blessings. He even said that he has "commanded" the blessings upon our storehouses. I tell you what, I love abundance. If you don't like abundance, don't worry, I'll take your share! When I have abundance, too much, and overflow, then I am able to share with others. I am ready for the day when I can write a check and send a child to college, buy a home for someone, a car, pay the mortage for a church building or whatever they need. I live for those opportunities. If I am experiencing insufficiency in my life, I can't help someone else! God wants us to be just like Him- prosperous, abundantly supplied! Thank you Father.
Well with Thanksgiving approaching, my question to you is: "This year, what are you thankful for?"
Would you please share with me what you are thankful for this year. I look forward to reading your comments, and I hope that you would take a few minutes to share. I know that I will enjoy reading them. Thanks!
~Gayle
I do hope that you are enjoying your day today! Every day is a gift from God, so since it is, it is supposed to be enjoyed! I remind you once again, that people, circumstances and situations, should not determine what kind of day that you will have. It's up to you! I have determined that I shall have a wonderful day today, and everyday!
Well, we are fastly approaching Thanksgiving. I was just sitting and recalling all of the awesome things that God has done in my life this year. Wow, there are so many. He has been so good to me, all of my life, but I was just recalling this year so far. It has been great, and it's not over yet! I am always expecting something good to happen to me each day. Yes, I know that God waking me up each day is a good thing, that having a sound mind, good health is a good thing, and I am so thankful! But my Father is a giver. He loves to give, and He doesn't know when enough is enough! He is always using words like-"runneth over, abundantly above, more than you can ask or think, no room to receive, more abundantly" He just loves to give, and He gets little angry when we limit Him! Wow, I like that! I am so grateful, but always expecting His favor and His abundant blessings. He even said that he has "commanded" the blessings upon our storehouses. I tell you what, I love abundance. If you don't like abundance, don't worry, I'll take your share! When I have abundance, too much, and overflow, then I am able to share with others. I am ready for the day when I can write a check and send a child to college, buy a home for someone, a car, pay the mortage for a church building or whatever they need. I live for those opportunities. If I am experiencing insufficiency in my life, I can't help someone else! God wants us to be just like Him- prosperous, abundantly supplied! Thank you Father.
Well with Thanksgiving approaching, my question to you is: "This year, what are you thankful for?"
Would you please share with me what you are thankful for this year. I look forward to reading your comments, and I hope that you would take a few minutes to share. I know that I will enjoy reading them. Thanks!
~Gayle
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Happy Sunday
Well, today is a good day, and I am thoroughly enjoying it! Had a great time at Worship today...awesome message,"Give Me This Mountain", preached by one of my 3 Pastors. We also honored Pastor for celebrating 14 years in ministry, as well as serving for the past 12 years, as Assistant Pastor at our church. He is a dedicated servant of God, and I am soooo proud of him. I am blessed to have 3 pastors. Pastor Lenzia also was present in service today, quite a welcome site! Pastor Lenzia and Pastor R.I. have become so very special to me. She has recently moved away from the area, and needless to say, I miss her so much. It was good to see her today. I am so proud of the two of them, both walking in the path that God has laid out for them. I thank God for the two of them.
Following church, I enjoyed a great dinner with my husband. It is always so nice to enjoy his company, not having to rush; but able to sit and talk and just enjoy one another! We never get tired of each other! After almost being married for 33 years, we are still in love, still date, still miss each other when we are apart, even if it is only because he's at his job. 8 hours, is 8 hours, that's a long time when you want to be with someone! In one month, we will be celebrating 33 years of marriage, and it has been good! I am so blessed and so grateful to God for giving me a husband who loves God first, then me, and his children. I am a happy woman!!!
Well, I just wanted to say hello today. I do hope that you are enjoying your day also!
Bye for now.
Following church, I enjoyed a great dinner with my husband. It is always so nice to enjoy his company, not having to rush; but able to sit and talk and just enjoy one another! We never get tired of each other! After almost being married for 33 years, we are still in love, still date, still miss each other when we are apart, even if it is only because he's at his job. 8 hours, is 8 hours, that's a long time when you want to be with someone! In one month, we will be celebrating 33 years of marriage, and it has been good! I am so blessed and so grateful to God for giving me a husband who loves God first, then me, and his children. I am a happy woman!!!
Well, I just wanted to say hello today. I do hope that you are enjoying your day also!
Bye for now.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Good afternoon...
Hello all,
I do hope that you are enjoying your day, even if you are at your job! You can walk in the blessings of God, accomplish all that you set out to do today, and conquer, overcome and win whereever you are! You have the ability, through God to "set" the atmosphere. Be the thermostat, instead of the thermometer. The thermostat sets the temperature. You set the temperature in your office. You bring peace, love, and the presence of God, on your job. You don't have to go there preaching, but your plan be sure that God is present there.
I am so enjoying my day. I have enjoyed having breakfast out with my two wonderful sons, followed by a visit to the mall, and of course, I must visit Walmart!
I must get a little cleaning done. I think that I am feeling the "Christmas Spirit" about to manifest. I think that the ornaments are calling my name, and are ready to come out and play. I'm sure, we'll see.
Anyway, just wanted to fill you in with what my has been like so far.
Have a great Friday, get out and enjoy this awesome weather that God is blessing us with.
I do hope that you are enjoying your day, even if you are at your job! You can walk in the blessings of God, accomplish all that you set out to do today, and conquer, overcome and win whereever you are! You have the ability, through God to "set" the atmosphere. Be the thermostat, instead of the thermometer. The thermostat sets the temperature. You set the temperature in your office. You bring peace, love, and the presence of God, on your job. You don't have to go there preaching, but your plan be sure that God is present there.
I am so enjoying my day. I have enjoyed having breakfast out with my two wonderful sons, followed by a visit to the mall, and of course, I must visit Walmart!
I must get a little cleaning done. I think that I am feeling the "Christmas Spirit" about to manifest. I think that the ornaments are calling my name, and are ready to come out and play. I'm sure, we'll see.
Anyway, just wanted to fill you in with what my has been like so far.
Have a great Friday, get out and enjoy this awesome weather that God is blessing us with.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
"Faith Begins, Where the Will of God is known"
It is difficult to have faith, if you don't know what God's will is, concerning a matter. If you don't know whether or not God wants to heal you, then you will srtuggle to believe that He will heal you. You may know that He has the power to heal, but you need to know that it is His will to heal you! The same is true for prosperity, protection, whatever you have need of from God.
When you know what God's will is, you can have faith in it!
Trust God!
When you know what God's will is, you can have faith in it!
Trust God!
Good Morning...
Good morning to you. As you can see, it is a little early that you find me blogging today, 5:11 am to be exact. I am grateful to be able to fellowship and commune with God this morning, in a atmosphere of total and complete quietness. No door bells, telephone, or sons asking for the bacon, which is usually in the fridge, in plain site! Why do they always call me to come and find something that is right there where it always is. Gee!
Anyway, I wanted to encourage you to have a great day today. I wanted to say this early, because I have a pretty busy day ahead of me. I have to get the hair styled this morning. Usually not a very long event, (I am praying for favor that it won't be a long stay), and several other things that I have to do.
Just wanted to say good morning, and remind you that you are loved, that God is on your side, that as Jesus is, so are you in the world, today, right now, November 10th, Thursday, on this side of heaven!
This may sound comical, but we forget that we are just like Jesus, the Word says so! (1 John 4:17)
Jesus is not sick, broke, lacking, stressed, fearful, depressed, defeated. He is at the right hand of God, at the seat of the supreme power in the Universe! There is no greater power! He is victorious, powerful, bold, a mighty conqueror, an overcomer, prosperous-after all, He owns everything, He is Lord of all! And, we are just like Him!!!
As you begin your day, meditate on these truths about you! We are in Him! What He has, we have! We have it now, we don't have to wait to get to heaven to get it! Man, I don't need money up there, I don't need healing, peace, authority, dominion, anointing, victory, power, up there-I need it in the right here, and the right now, and guess what, I already got it, and so do you! Ask yourself, "If I already got it, then why am I trying to get it?" By faith, receive all that belongs to you in Christ Jesus! It's yours!
Have a great day! Go out there and slay some giants, and overcome some challenges! You are more than a conqueror. (Through Christ Jesus!)
~Gayle
Anyway, I wanted to encourage you to have a great day today. I wanted to say this early, because I have a pretty busy day ahead of me. I have to get the hair styled this morning. Usually not a very long event, (I am praying for favor that it won't be a long stay), and several other things that I have to do.
Just wanted to say good morning, and remind you that you are loved, that God is on your side, that as Jesus is, so are you in the world, today, right now, November 10th, Thursday, on this side of heaven!
This may sound comical, but we forget that we are just like Jesus, the Word says so! (1 John 4:17)
Jesus is not sick, broke, lacking, stressed, fearful, depressed, defeated. He is at the right hand of God, at the seat of the supreme power in the Universe! There is no greater power! He is victorious, powerful, bold, a mighty conqueror, an overcomer, prosperous-after all, He owns everything, He is Lord of all! And, we are just like Him!!!
As you begin your day, meditate on these truths about you! We are in Him! What He has, we have! We have it now, we don't have to wait to get to heaven to get it! Man, I don't need money up there, I don't need healing, peace, authority, dominion, anointing, victory, power, up there-I need it in the right here, and the right now, and guess what, I already got it, and so do you! Ask yourself, "If I already got it, then why am I trying to get it?" By faith, receive all that belongs to you in Christ Jesus! It's yours!
Have a great day! Go out there and slay some giants, and overcome some challenges! You are more than a conqueror. (Through Christ Jesus!)
~Gayle
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
God's Love for You!
I guess you might ask, "why does she keep talking about how much God loves us?" I can't get away from the truth of how much God really, really loves us. God loves us with an everlasting, eternal love that will never stop, which is forever! We cannot do anything that will stop God from loving us. So many times I hear people talk about God punishing people, judging people, witholding blessings because He is mad at us.
Well I am here to tell you, that I don't agree with this. My Father loves me unconditionally!!! His love for me is not contingent upon my merits, works, my performance. he loves me because He wants to. He loves me because my sins were judged at Calvary! Hallelujah! God is not mad at me, He is not mad at you, and He never shall be. Glory!
A verse that is special to me is:
Isaiah 54:7-10-
7-"For a small moment have I forsaken thee (before the Cross); but with great mercy will I gather thee.
8-In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment (before the Cross); but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
9-For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth (angry, mad) with thee, nor rebuke thee.
10-For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."
Man, if these verses don't convince you, I don't know what will. We can't make Him stop loving us. That is awesome to me. God loves you and He always will.
I can brag on His love for me!
Wow, what a way to go to bed, knowing that God loves you, watches over you and protects. You can sleep in perfect peace. Goodnight! Sweet sleep.
Well I am here to tell you, that I don't agree with this. My Father loves me unconditionally!!! His love for me is not contingent upon my merits, works, my performance. he loves me because He wants to. He loves me because my sins were judged at Calvary! Hallelujah! God is not mad at me, He is not mad at you, and He never shall be. Glory!
A verse that is special to me is:
Isaiah 54:7-10-
7-"For a small moment have I forsaken thee (before the Cross); but with great mercy will I gather thee.
8-In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment (before the Cross); but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
9-For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth (angry, mad) with thee, nor rebuke thee.
10-For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."
Man, if these verses don't convince you, I don't know what will. We can't make Him stop loving us. That is awesome to me. God loves you and He always will.
I can brag on His love for me!
Wow, what a way to go to bed, knowing that God loves you, watches over you and protects. You can sleep in perfect peace. Goodnight! Sweet sleep.
I Am So Excited!!!
Wow, if you could see me! I am so excited about this new blog site. I am almost as excited as I am on Christmas morning! You would think that I just opened a new toy. I am excited because I believe that I will be able to have more interaction with those of you who have visited my other blog site that I was on
first. I really did not like it very much, but I was not as familiar with this one at the time, in fact, I didn't even know about this one when I first signed up with the other one. Anyway, I feel better about this one already! Yay!!!
I look forward to your comments or whatever you might want to share. I hope that you will look forward to visiting each day!
first. I really did not like it very much, but I was not as familiar with this one at the time, in fact, I didn't even know about this one when I first signed up with the other one. Anyway, I feel better about this one already! Yay!!!
I look forward to your comments or whatever you might want to share. I hope that you will look forward to visiting each day!
God Wants You Well!
Healing Promises
My son, attend to my words: incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health (medicine) to all their flesh.-Proverbs 4:20-22.
God wants His people healed! It is absolutely the will of God for you to live in divine health. The Word of God is filled with promises of healing for your body. As a part of Jesus’ redemptive work at Calvary, healing is included. One of the covenant names of God is Jehovah rapha, the God that heals. God revealed Himself to the Israelites in the wilderness, as Jehovah rapha, AND He is still the same-yesterday, today, and forever!
As a believer, we have the right to claim healing for our body, as part of our covenant with God. God promises to keep His covenant, to a thousand generations, and that includes you!
All of the promises of God are ours, and they are all received by faith. God is not a God who heals some and not others. His absolute, perfect will is healing for all!
Healing Scriptures-these are certainly only a few!
Bless the Lord, oh my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thine diseases;-Psalm 103:1-3
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.-Isaiah 53:4-5
God sent His Word and healed them-Psalm 107:20
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with him.-Acts 10:38
These are just a few of the promises of healing for you. Take these promises each day as medicine for your flesh. God watches over His Word to perform it!
~Gayle
No More Sleepless Nights!
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2
Are you one of those who have trouble sleeping at night? Perhaps just this morning you said, “I was up the whole night — my boy was running a high fever,” or “I slept for only two hours — I was awake polishing up my presentation,” or “I couldn’t sleep at all — I was worried about the bills that are piling up.”
God “gives His beloved sleep”. Who are His beloved? You and I! Because we are in Christ, we are His beloved. (Ephesians 1:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13)
God says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows…” In other words, it is pointless to worry and lose sleep because the truth is, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
So let God be the one who builds your career and watches over your financial investments. Let Him be the one who guards your health, marriage and children. Don’t worry and stay up late as if you are the source of the increase, or the one who has the power to make things happen and save the situation. No, God is the one and He says to you, “My beloved child, throw that care to Me and go to sleep.” And while you are sleeping, He is working on your situation. He, who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:3–4), works the night shift for you as you sleep!
But because we are such doers and performers, it is hard for us to let go and let God take over. But when we actually do, casting all our cares, anxieties and worries once and for all into His hands, we will see how He cares for us affectionately and watchfully. (1 Peter 5:7) We will see Him taking care of our problems and working things out for good. (Romans 8:28)
Beloved, trust your Father’s love for you. Cast your cares on Him and have no more sleepless nights!
Thought For The Day
Cast all your cares and worries into God’s hands, and see how He cares for you affectionately and watchfully
Are you one of those who have trouble sleeping at night? Perhaps just this morning you said, “I was up the whole night — my boy was running a high fever,” or “I slept for only two hours — I was awake polishing up my presentation,” or “I couldn’t sleep at all — I was worried about the bills that are piling up.”
God “gives His beloved sleep”. Who are His beloved? You and I! Because we are in Christ, we are His beloved. (Ephesians 1:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13)
God says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows…” In other words, it is pointless to worry and lose sleep because the truth is, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
So let God be the one who builds your career and watches over your financial investments. Let Him be the one who guards your health, marriage and children. Don’t worry and stay up late as if you are the source of the increase, or the one who has the power to make things happen and save the situation. No, God is the one and He says to you, “My beloved child, throw that care to Me and go to sleep.” And while you are sleeping, He is working on your situation. He, who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:3–4), works the night shift for you as you sleep!
But because we are such doers and performers, it is hard for us to let go and let God take over. But when we actually do, casting all our cares, anxieties and worries once and for all into His hands, we will see how He cares for us affectionately and watchfully. (1 Peter 5:7) We will see Him taking care of our problems and working things out for good. (Romans 8:28)
Beloved, trust your Father’s love for you. Cast your cares on Him and have no more sleepless nights!
Thought For The Day
Cast all your cares and worries into God’s hands, and see how He cares for you affectionately and watchfully
New site for blogging!
Well I must say, I am really liking this new blog site already. I think that it is more accessible, and it is a better place to leave your comments. The other site was a little difficult to navigate through. As I said, I want this to be a place where you can visit and find encouragement, be inspired, leave here looking for giants to slay, and leave here glad that you visited.
I am excited!
I am excited!
Taking Refuge in the Secret Place
I believe every word God says in Psalm 91 (and the rest of the Bible too, for that matter). I believe with all my heart that if I dwell “in the secret place of the most High [and] shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty,” if “I say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust,” then surely—absolutely, for sure, without a doubt—“He shall deliver [me] from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence” (Psalm 91:1-3).
What exactly is the snare of the fowler? It’s any trap, hazard or harm that Satan might throw in our path.
What’s a noisome pestilence? It’s any damaging or deadly sickness, disease, plague or substance that has ever existed in the past or will ever exist in the future.
When you think about it, just those two phrases offer us all the protection we’ll ever need. They cover every kind of danger we could possibly encounter. But even so, Psalm 91 doesn’t stop there.
It goes on to tell us that when we’re under God’s protection, we will “not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day” (verse 5). We don’t have to lie awake at night worrying about what might be lurking out there in the darkness, we can sleep in peace. If we or our loved ones are serving in the military, we don’t have to be afraid of arrows or bullets or missiles or grenades or IEDs. We don’t have to fret about natural disasters like fires, earthquakes, tornados, tsunamis, storms, or any other kind of “destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday” (verse 6, The Amplified Bible).
As massive and destructive as such things might be, God can get us through them all in perfect safety. He can surround us with His power so that, as verse 7 says, even if “a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.”
If you think that kind of protection sounds too good to be true, all you have to do is keep reading and you’ll see that Psalm 91 promises it again and again. It says, for example, that “because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling” (verses 9-10).
The word refuge means “a tent or a covering.” It’s something that encloses you. Think of it! When we trust God as our refuge, we walk around enclosed by the Spirit of the living, Almighty God!
—this article by Gloria Copeland is an excerpt from “Taking Refuge in the Secret Place”—Believer’s Voice of Victory Magazine October 2011.Read Full Article – CLICK HERE (opens PDF of October BVOV magazine))
Sin Cannot Stop God's Grace
Sin Cannot Stop God’s Grace!
When a top executive is charged for corruption or a church minister is caught in the very act of adultery, you will probably hear the phrase “fallen from grace” being used of them. We have come to believe that when someone falls into sin, he falls from grace.
But God wants us to know that when someone falls into sin, he does not fall from grace — he actually falls into grace! Thank God His grace is there to put the person back on his feet.
The Bible tells of prostitutes and corrupt tax collectors — sinners — who fell into God’s grace and got back on their feet. If the sin in their lives could stop God’s grace, they would never have been able to receive His grace of healing, help and power to live right.
Now, it is important you understand that God hates sin because it destroys our lives, relationships and bodies. Sin is evil! But sin is not overcome by us talking about it and relying on our willpower to overcome it. It takes God’s grace to destroy sin. In fact, it is when you are under His grace that sin has no dominion over you. (Romans 6:14) It is when you see His grace in providing His Son to put away your sins and make you eternally righteous that sin will not dominate you.
The devil will say to you, “You think that you can still expect God’s blessings after what you did this morning?” That is when you must remind yourself that Christ alone is your perfection and righteousness. All of us have faults. None of us deserve God’s blessings. That is why we plead the grace of God, which is His unearned, unmerited and undeserved favor toward us.
Sin does not and cannot stop God’s grace. If His grace can be cut off by sin, Jesus would never have come to save us because we were all terrible sinners. But praise God, “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more”!
My friend, God’s grace is bigger, deeper, wider and more powerful than all the world’s sins put together. Receive His grace right now to walk in total victory over that weakness or evil habit in your life! Nov. 5, 2011 1:09 PM
Romans 5:20
20Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
When a top executive is charged for corruption or a church minister is caught in the very act of adultery, you will probably hear the phrase “fallen from grace” being used of them. We have come to believe that when someone falls into sin, he falls from grace.
But God wants us to know that when someone falls into sin, he does not fall from grace — he actually falls into grace! Thank God His grace is there to put the person back on his feet.
The Bible tells of prostitutes and corrupt tax collectors — sinners — who fell into God’s grace and got back on their feet. If the sin in their lives could stop God’s grace, they would never have been able to receive His grace of healing, help and power to live right.
Now, it is important you understand that God hates sin because it destroys our lives, relationships and bodies. Sin is evil! But sin is not overcome by us talking about it and relying on our willpower to overcome it. It takes God’s grace to destroy sin. In fact, it is when you are under His grace that sin has no dominion over you. (Romans 6:14) It is when you see His grace in providing His Son to put away your sins and make you eternally righteous that sin will not dominate you.
The devil will say to you, “You think that you can still expect God’s blessings after what you did this morning?” That is when you must remind yourself that Christ alone is your perfection and righteousness. All of us have faults. None of us deserve God’s blessings. That is why we plead the grace of God, which is His unearned, unmerited and undeserved favor toward us.
Sin does not and cannot stop God’s grace. If His grace can be cut off by sin, Jesus would never have come to save us because we were all terrible sinners. But praise God, “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more”!
My friend, God’s grace is bigger, deeper, wider and more powerful than all the world’s sins put together. Receive His grace right now to walk in total victory over that weakness or evil habit in your life! Nov. 5, 2011 1:09 PM
Just Like Jesus!
I am not the woman in the mirror! In my spirit, I am identical to Jesus! I have the mind of Christ, the anointing of Christ, I am pure, holy, righteous just like Him. (I’ll give you a few minutes to get up off of the floor. I know that you fainted! This is not something we hear often. We are accustomed to hearing that we are so sinful, fallen short, filthy rags, worms, and all of the other “religious” stuff!) If you have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, then all of this is NOT true of you!
God has really been dealing with me about GRACE! Grace is so awesome that it is almost too good to be true, but it is true!!!
My life in the Spirit is not performance based. It’s not about me having to perform. I know that you heard me say something earlier today along this line, but God is really wanting to me to get this-it’s not about keeping a set of laws, it’s about just believing that God loves me because of what Jesus did, not because of what I do or don’t do.
Wow, I know that this may be hard to grasp. It is hard for me because I was raised in church, and was always taught that I had to perform in order to receive the blessings of God. It will take a renewing of my mind, but I believe God! The Holy Spirit is revealing so much to me. Please bear with me if I dwell on this topic, but it really is revelation for me, and I want ALL that God has for me. It is so awesome!
If I don’t get the prayer just right, say the perfect words, if I fall asleep and don’t pray before I go to bed, if I don’t spend an hour a day doing something for God, guess what? He still loves me! He won’t be mad at me. He won’t start deducting blessings! He won’t punish me! Wow!!! GLORY!! More to come later. Goodnight.
~Gayle Nov. 5, 2011 10:29pm
My life in the Spirit is not performance based. It’s not about me having to perform. I know that you heard me say something earlier today along this line, but God is really wanting to me to get this-it’s not about keeping a set of laws, it’s about just believing that God loves me because of what Jesus did, not because of what I do or don’t do.
Wow, I know that this may be hard to grasp. It is hard for me because I was raised in church, and was always taught that I had to perform in order to receive the blessings of God. It will take a renewing of my mind, but I believe God! The Holy Spirit is revealing so much to me. Please bear with me if I dwell on this topic, but it really is revelation for me, and I want ALL that God has for me. It is so awesome!
If I don’t get the prayer just right, say the perfect words, if I fall asleep and don’t pray before I go to bed, if I don’t spend an hour a day doing something for God, guess what? He still loves me! He won’t be mad at me. He won’t start deducting blessings! He won’t punish me! Wow!!! GLORY!! More to come later. Goodnight.
~Gayle Nov. 5, 2011 10:29pm
Awesome!
God is so awesome! I know that you have heard this many times before, but He really is so awesome. Earlier today, I had to go to HEB to pick up a few items. I was one of many persons in the Express line. I had my items on the counter, and a man standing in line behind me, proceeded to put his items on the counter as well. I then put a divider between our items. He then told me jokingly, “you may pay for mine too”. He didn”t know me and I didn’t know him, but many times I have paid for someone else’s groceries. I have learned that every action is a seed, and I am always anxious to plant seeds. God has blessed me to be a blessing. The man and I laughed about what he said, and he then said that he was joking, he said that people don’t pay for other people’s groceries anymore. Times are too hard.
I told him that that was not true. I told him that many times I have paid for other people’s groceries.
A few minutes ago, I discovered that I forgot to buy something earlier, so I looked at the clock and discovered that it was 9:15pm so I hurriedly returned back to the store to buy that forgotten item, before the store closed. It was the very same HEB. This time, a man was in line ahead of me, with his young son. He was checking out and I put my one item on the counter. He asked me if that was all that I had, I said yes it is. He then tells the cashier, ”I will purchase this lady’s item! Wow!
I thanked him, and told him that I believe that he will receive a hundredfold return, in Jesus’ Name. He was so kind, thanked me for telling him that, and that’s it!
Little things like this, count to me. It may not be a big deal for some people, but it is big to me. My word to you is, don’t ever discount the things that you do for others, no matter how small they may seem. Every action is a seed-giving money, time, talent, help to someone else, love, encouragement etc. Every seed reproduces after its own kind! Just had to share. Nov. 5, 2011 9:55pm
Psalm 91:9-10
Verses 9-10. Before expounding these verses I cannot refrain from recording a personal incident illustrating their power to soothe the heart, when they are applied by the Holy Spirit. In the year 1854, when I had scarcely been in London twelve months, the neighbourhood in which I laboured was visited by Asiatic cholera, and my congregation suffered from its inroads. Family after family summoned me to the bedside of the smitten, and almost every day I was called to visit the grave. I gave myself up with youthful ardour to the visitation of the sick, and was sent for from all corners of the district by persons of all ranks and religions. I became weary in body and sick at heart. My friends seemed falling one by one, and I felt or fancied that I was sickening like those around me. A little more work and weeping would have laid me low among the rest; I felt that my burden was heavier than I could bear, and I was ready to sink under it. As God would have it, I was returning mournfully home from a funeral, when my curiosity led me to read a paper which was wafered up in a shoemaker’s window in the Dover Road. It did not look like a trade announcement, nor was it, for it bore in a good bold handwriting these words:
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. The effect upon my heart was immediate. Faith appropriated the passage as her own. I felt secure, refreshed, girt with immortality. I went on with my visitation of the dying in a calm and peaceful spirit; I felt no fear of evil, and I suffered no harm. The providence which moved the tradesman to place those verses in his window I gratefully acknowledge, and in the remembrance of its marvellous power I adore the Lord my God. The psalmist in these verses assures the man who dwells in God that he shall be secure. Though faith claims no merit of its own, yet the Lord rewards it wherever he sees it. He who makes God his refuge shall find him a refuge; he who dwells in God shall find his dwelling protected. We must make the Lord our habitation by choosing him for our trust and rest, and then we shall receive immunity from harm; no evil shall touch us personally, and no stroke of judgment shall assail our household. The dwellinghere intended by the original was only a tent, yet the frail covering would prove to be a sufficient shelter from harm of all sorts. It matters little whether our abode be a gypsy’s hut or a monarch’s palace if the soul has made the Most High its habitation. Get into God and you dwell in all good, and ill is banished far away. It is not because we are perfect or highly esteemed among men that we can hope for shelter in the day of evil, but because our refuge is the Eternal God, and our faith has learned to hide beneath his sheltering wing. ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Gayle says: “Psalm 91 has always been my favorite psalm. I have relied on its promises for quite some time. I have often read some of the comments of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. I wanted to share these comments with you, because they have been a source of encouragement for me. When I am at home, driving down the highway, out shopping, sending my husband or son off the work, or any place that we may be, this promise of protection has always given me security.” I am sharing it because I hope that you will depend on it too and find peace in knowing that God protects us!
~Gayle Nov. 8, 2011 2:19pm
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. The effect upon my heart was immediate. Faith appropriated the passage as her own. I felt secure, refreshed, girt with immortality. I went on with my visitation of the dying in a calm and peaceful spirit; I felt no fear of evil, and I suffered no harm. The providence which moved the tradesman to place those verses in his window I gratefully acknowledge, and in the remembrance of its marvellous power I adore the Lord my God. The psalmist in these verses assures the man who dwells in God that he shall be secure. Though faith claims no merit of its own, yet the Lord rewards it wherever he sees it. He who makes God his refuge shall find him a refuge; he who dwells in God shall find his dwelling protected. We must make the Lord our habitation by choosing him for our trust and rest, and then we shall receive immunity from harm; no evil shall touch us personally, and no stroke of judgment shall assail our household. The dwellinghere intended by the original was only a tent, yet the frail covering would prove to be a sufficient shelter from harm of all sorts. It matters little whether our abode be a gypsy’s hut or a monarch’s palace if the soul has made the Most High its habitation. Get into God and you dwell in all good, and ill is banished far away. It is not because we are perfect or highly esteemed among men that we can hope for shelter in the day of evil, but because our refuge is the Eternal God, and our faith has learned to hide beneath his sheltering wing. ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Gayle says: “Psalm 91 has always been my favorite psalm. I have relied on its promises for quite some time. I have often read some of the comments of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. I wanted to share these comments with you, because they have been a source of encouragement for me. When I am at home, driving down the highway, out shopping, sending my husband or son off the work, or any place that we may be, this promise of protection has always given me security.” I am sharing it because I hope that you will depend on it too and find peace in knowing that God protects us!
~Gayle Nov. 8, 2011 2:19pm
Today’s devotional, November 09
… for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
To the Jews, the feast of Pentecost is a celebration of the giving of God’s law. It takes place 50 days after the Passover feast. When God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, it was 50 days after they had celebrated their first Passover and come out of slavery in Egypt.
But what happened after God gave them the law on the first Pentecost? Three thousand people died! (Exodus 32:28) Contrast this with another Pentecost in the New Testament. In the book of Acts, it says that when Pentecost had fully come, God gave not the law but the Holy Spirit, and what happened? Three thousand people got saved (Acts 2:41), which goes to show that “the letter [the law] kills, but the Spirit gives life”!
The law, which was “written and engraved on stones”, ministered death. It killed 3,000 people. That is why the apostle Paul calls it “the ministry of death” and “the ministry of condemnation”. (2 Corinthians 3:7–9) On the other hand, the Spirit ministered life — 3,000 people got saved.
My friend, when you come under the law by trying to keep God’s commandments in order to be blessed, it will lead to death. There will be deadness in your marriage, ministry, health, career… in your life. But when you depend on the Spirit of grace, it will lead to life. You will see breakthroughs and miracles (Galatians 3:5), and manifest the fruit of the Spirit.
So if you want to be blessed, make sure that you are on the right mountain. You see, the law was given on Mount Sinai, but the Spirit on Mount Zion. That is why the Bible says that “you have not come to the mountain [Sinai] that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest… But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels”. (Hebrews 12:18, 22) The Lord blesses you out of Zion (Psalm 128:5), and not Sinai!
Beloved, by grace you have been saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) Now, continue in the Spirit of grace. Remain on the right mountain and He will continue to supply miracles in your life!
Thought For The Day
When you depend on the Spirit of grace, you will see breakthroughs, miracles and life.
Continue In God’s Grace
… for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:6
To the Jews, the feast of Pentecost is a celebration of the giving of God’s law. It takes place 50 days after the Passover feast. When God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, it was 50 days after they had celebrated their first Passover and come out of slavery in Egypt.
But what happened after God gave them the law on the first Pentecost? Three thousand people died! (Exodus 32:28) Contrast this with another Pentecost in the New Testament. In the book of Acts, it says that when Pentecost had fully come, God gave not the law but the Holy Spirit, and what happened? Three thousand people got saved (Acts 2:41), which goes to show that “the letter [the law] kills, but the Spirit gives life”!
The law, which was “written and engraved on stones”, ministered death. It killed 3,000 people. That is why the apostle Paul calls it “the ministry of death” and “the ministry of condemnation”. (2 Corinthians 3:7–9) On the other hand, the Spirit ministered life — 3,000 people got saved.
My friend, when you come under the law by trying to keep God’s commandments in order to be blessed, it will lead to death. There will be deadness in your marriage, ministry, health, career… in your life. But when you depend on the Spirit of grace, it will lead to life. You will see breakthroughs and miracles (Galatians 3:5), and manifest the fruit of the Spirit.
So if you want to be blessed, make sure that you are on the right mountain. You see, the law was given on Mount Sinai, but the Spirit on Mount Zion. That is why the Bible says that “you have not come to the mountain [Sinai] that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest… But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels”. (Hebrews 12:18, 22) The Lord blesses you out of Zion (Psalm 128:5), and not Sinai!
Beloved, by grace you have been saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) Now, continue in the Spirit of grace. Remain on the right mountain and He will continue to supply miracles in your life!
Thought For The Day
When you depend on the Spirit of grace, you will see breakthroughs, miracles and life.
Welcome!
Yes, it's me at a new address! I am excited to welcome you to my new place. Still posting things that I hope will inspire, encourage, and empower you for daily living, and daily victory. Please feel free to leave comments or your words of encouragement to me.
You may leave comments using the "Anonymous" tab, so that you don't have to set up an account. Even if you sign up using "Anonymous", if you desire, you may identify yourself. Thanks!
Gayle
You may leave comments using the "Anonymous" tab, so that you don't have to set up an account. Even if you sign up using "Anonymous", if you desire, you may identify yourself. Thanks!
Gayle
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