Even More of God's Promises

Over the weekend I received the book I ordered from James MacDonald's ministry, Walk in the Word!  WOW!  I haven't had a lot of time to read it, but I'm already on page 37.  I am marking it up like crazy!  It is AWESOME and I do not use that word lightly.  Most people who know me personally know that I simply don't use that word, except for praising God or a God-thing.  But this book truly is Awesome and a God-thing!  I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone!  In fact, I am considering buying an extra one and giving it away to one of my followers, if I can get some people to start following my blog.  So, please, sign up!!  :o)

I found the following devotional over at Walk in the Word, also written by James MacDonald and it is continuing on the Promises of God.  It is really good stuff.  One of the things that Pastor James says in his book is that "God's promises are the assurances that He gives His people so they can walk by faith while they wait for Him to work."  That is truly walking by faith.   That's awesome!


God Is Always In Control; I Will Not Doubt

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
　
Someone has said that doubt is cancer of the soul. Like a wrecking ball against your house, doubt pounds away and damages the structure of the most important thing about you - what you believe about God.

However, if in times of doubt we take our questions directly to the Lord, then our faith increases. We can't claim we won't doubt; instead, we aim toward knowing what to do with doubts when they do come at us. The promises of God and His character can stand under the most microscopic scrutiny. Doubts should drive us back to God's promises, not cause us to back away from Him! When you say, "I don't know exactly what God is doing, but I know He's in control" —that's evidence you're trusting Him. You don't realize how much you need God's promises until your smooth and easy life suddenly turns sideways. That is the time to dig into God's Word and get something to wrap your faith around.

As we've already seen, God makes two kinds of promises — conditional and unconditional. This one is conditional - you've got to do something. You have got to trust in the Lord with all your heart. You have got to acknowledge Him in all of your ways without leaning on your own understanding. If you do your part, God will do His part. "He will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:6b). The wording I memorized as a kid says, "He shall direct thy paths" (KJV). That means He will make your paths smooth — God will make the way passable.

Proverbs 3:5–6 is really quite a commitment on God's part. There are no illusions here. This is God we're talking about. "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14). He can handle anything that's in your path with one hand tied behind His back. A common way we express this is by saying, God is in control.

 There are times when all we can see is the hard road and the heavy load. But the Lord promises that if you trust in Him with all your heart, and that if you do not lean on your own understanding, and that if you acknowledge Him in all your ways, then He will make your paths smooth. God will pave the way for you. ~James MacDonald

A Cute, Free Valentine Printable

I found these adorably cute Valentines from Sweet N Salty girl, Amy @ http://peptogirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/free-download-print-valentines.html.  Are they not the cutest?  I've already downloaded and printed them out and used one of the cute owl ones!  I know, I know, it's not Valentine's Day yet, but I love owl's and they are just so cute!  ;0)  While you are at Amy's blog, take a look around.  She has some other free printables. Plus you can become a follower of her blog, a Facebook fan and also check out her Etsy shop!  She's very talented!  :o)

Hopefully you guys will not be too hard on me for not knowing html code.  ( I understand a few things, but not much.) I am just now learning and am going to get my brother, Matt, over to do some teaching.  So, my link above looks like a mess, and I apologize, but I've been working on it for an hour or two and it just ain't cuttin' it.  Well, rather that putting off posting this link, I decided to go with it and figured you would give me a little grace.  :o)  I'll have it all down soon, I promise!  :o)

God Bless!
"God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

The Father's Love Letter

The following is a love letter, a message from God to You.  It will tell you just how intimately He knows each and every one of us.  Every word is backed up by Scripture and I highly recommend that you go look up the Scripture verses.  How awesome to know that God even knows how many hairs are on our head!  WOW!!  When I think of the vast knowledge and awesomeness of God, I am just truly amazed!!  :o)

Father's Love Letter
An Intimate Message From God To You.

 

My Child,
You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad~Almighty God

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications
© 1999-2010 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

If you would like to accept this gift (eternal life in relationship with God), Jesus Christ has secured it for you. All you need to do is to tell God that you want to be saved. You are saved by believing, and the words below might help you express your thoughts to God. It's not these exact words that will save you, but the attitude of your heart towards God.

Father, I'm coming home. Please make me your child. I turn from my sin. I accept your forgiveness made possible through Jesus Christ by his death and resurrection. I place my faith and trust in Jesus alone. I receive him as my Savior and Lord. I want to follow and serve you. Let today be the beginning of my new journey as your child and a member of your family. Thank you for making a way for me to come home. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Steps To Help You In Your Walk With God

1. Get a Bible and read it each day.
2. Begin to cultivate "talking to God" in prayer each day.
3. Go to a church that believes and teaches the Bible.
4. Share your decision with a close friend

More of God's Promises

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Does life have you down? Are your burden’s many? The Lord does not promise to take away all of our pain and sorrow, but He promises to be with us through every trial.

“(2)When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (3)For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..” Isaiah 43:2-3

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22

But you say, I just can’t take it any more. It’s just too much. I’m about to lose my mind. No, the Lord knows just how much you can take:

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

I can attest to this. There have been times in my life when I truly did not think I could take any more. I saw no light at the end of the tunnel. I really was truly in despair, but God faithfully brought me through. Just when I thought I couldn’t make it, things got better. God will pull you through any circumstance, any situation. If you are a child of God. He is faithful, He will do what He says He will do. Every single time.

He is on your side and He will turn back your enemies:

(9) On the very day I call to you for help, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, God is on my side. (10) Oh God, I praise Your word. Yes, LORD, I praise Your word. (11) I trust in God; So why should I be afraid? What can man do to me? Psalm 56:9-11

How awesome is that? God will turn back our enemies!!! It can’t get any better than that! But let me be very, very clear on one point. HE will turn them back and HE will take care of them. That is not OUR job. It is HIS. His Word is clear. We are to love our enemies:

“(44) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44-45

And, of course, the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37), and the second one is like it - to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).

Tomorrow I will continue with more Promises of God. I hope this has been a blessing and encouragement to you.

God Bless! :o)
　

Pride + Time = Judgment

Well, I had it on my mind to continue with the Promise's of God theme, and I will tomorrow, however I came across this great devotional by Pastor James MacDonald that I wanted to share:

Pride + Time = Judgment

Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!

The tree you saw... it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. (Daniel 4:19, 20, 22)

Pride plus time equals judgment. Always. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). You cannot change that law. Pride is the attitude of heart which exalts itself above others and above God.

That's the application of .Daniel's words to King Nebuchadnezzar, "The tree you saw... it is you, O king." You're the tree about to get chopped down. Daniel goes on to basically tell him, "You're gonna go insane. You're gonna lose your mind and act like an animal, sir." Those who study these things believe that Nebuchadnezzar actually developed a form of mental illness where he believed himself to be an ox. And it was a judgment from God. 

Daniel 4:27 records Daniel's counsel.  He says, "Dude, if I was you, I'd humble myself before God right now! Maybe God will give you a little bit more time before you lose your mind and start living like an animal."  The next verse tells us a year later the dream came due. Nebuchadnezzar didn't do anything with the warning!  And twelve months later he's walking in the palace, talking pride-fully to himself (see v.30-31). "While the word was in the king's mouth" (v.31). How sudden is that? One moment boasting; the next, out of his mind.  A voice breaks into the palace declaring all the details of the dream are now a done deal. 

Fast-forward seven years. We can laugh about this crazy picture of the king turned ox, but this guy is one of the greatest leaders known in human history.  He eventually gets his kingdom back. Verses 34-37 record the king's personal, humbled testimony. The climax comes in v.37:  "And those who walk in pride he is able to humble." God is able to (and will) humble those who walk in pride.  Every person needs to hear this, "God is able to humble those who walk in pride" It's not a problem for Him.  He's not stretched in any way.

Why is this crucial? Because as long as we walk in pride, we can't walk with God. We are never commanded to be humble. We're commanded to humble ourselves—the lesson all of us, even a king, need to learn. And we will; one way or another.  --James MacDonald 

Wow, is this good or what?!  We definitely need to humble ourselves, Amen?!  1 Peter 5:6 says, "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in His good time He will honor you."   Good stuff.

I hope this has been a blessing to you!
God Bless!  :o)

Facing the Giants

Here's a devotional from Love Worth Finding, the ministry of Dr. Adrian Rogers, who has gone home to be with the Lord.  This is really good.

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." Mark 11:23

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:Did you ever play “king of the mountain” as a child? When you were on high ground, you could shove the others down, even though they were entrenched and determined to overtake you.

In Joshua 14, we read that Caleb faced a city of giants, and yet because he had wholly followed the Lord, he had the strength of the Lord and said, “Give me this mountain” (Joshua 14:11-12).

All of us face giants every day – giants of doubt, fear, discouragement, financial ruin, sickness, broken relationships. Do you think the giants in the Promised Land took God by surprise? God knew they were there all the time – they were part of His purpose to strengthen His children’s faith.

ACTION POINT:
It’s time you got a bulldog grip on the Word of God and believe what He says to be true.
(Devotional Thought from the messages of Adrian Rogers.)

I hope this has been an encouragement and blessing to you!  Just another reminder that God's Word and promises are true!

God Bless!  :o)

A Cute Idea for Valentine's Day

Ok the cute idea is the Sweetheart box, and not my "love" words all around my picture!  I only put those around the picture to dress it up because it looked so boring!  Lol!  I found this idea a couple of years ago in one of my scrapbook magazines, but I couldn't tell you which one (Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks, Etc, Papercrafts or Simple Scrapbooks, which is no longer in publication) and I cannot give credit to the person who came up with it, either.  But it was such a cute and simple idea!  I made one for my hubby, daughter & son-in-law, son & daughter-in-law and my mother & father-in-law. I think I may have even made them for my nieces and nephews. 

The one I made above was very basic. I just cut a picture down to size.  I matted it on a piece of cardstock and adhered it to the Sweetheart box.  Then I simply wrapped a ribbon around it.  You could put stickers, buttons or word-strips on it to really dress it up.  I was going for really simple here.

I'm going to make some more this year for my precious grandbabies.

Happy crafting and God Bless!

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 

God's Promises Are Always True

I believe this with every fiber of my being.  God has proven Himself over and over to me in the last 15 years that I have been a Christian.  Now, He may not answer every prayer in the way that I would like for Him to, but He answers it in the way that He knows is best.  He can see the future that we cannot see. And every time I look back at a prayer that was not answered in the way I wanted, I see that God's way was always the best way. And, any promises that He makes in His Word, He keeps.  God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) and He never changes (Malachi 3:6). Some of His promises are conditional, i.e. we have to do something in order for Him to do what He has promised, however, others are not.  I do not intend to go into all of those in this post, though. 

I have been listening to Pastor James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin, Illinois for the last week or two teaching on the Promises of God and more specifically on a series called, "Always True."  It has been just awesome!  And the first lesson covered 'fear,' which is something that I personally struggle with, even though I know that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  2 Timothy 1:7.  Still I do struggle. So his teaching was an encouragement and blessing to me. Anyway, I got this devotional from his website, https://www.walkintheword.com/, on God's Promises and wanted to share it with you:

God Is Always Victorious; I Will Not Fail

"No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD." Isaiah 54:17

I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about trials. At the end of the day, if you pinpoint what's difficult about the trial, it's the not knowing. The biggest reason why I fear and doubt; despair and falter—is that I don't know how it's all going to end. That's why I'm so thankful for this great promise: God is always victorious; I will not fail.

It turns out that I do know how this all ends—God wins. In Him, so do I! That's the promise in Isaiah 54:17.

This is one of my absolute favorite verses in the whole Bible. Read it again. God made this awesome assertion to the postexilic Israelites as they came back to the land that He had promised them. Judgment was over and now blessing was coming. God gave them this promise and extended it by His grace to all of His children.

This promise literally means that nothing "formed against you shall prosper." Nothing built, sharpened, aimed, or fired against you, your family, your church family, God's kingdom, or God's people will succeed. They may seem to win for a while—a job may be lost; a child may wander and be lost; and a life may even be lost—but in the end even these tragedies will assist God's prospering of those who are truly His.

Today is your chance to honor God. This is your opportunity to prove the superiority of the life lived in Jesus Christ. Now is the time not to be held back!

Just like you, I have uncertainties. I have health concerns. I have burdens in my family and in my marriage and in my career. I'm going through the same struggles that the people who don't know Christ are going through. The difference is, I have the Lord. I have the Spirit of God alive inside me. I have the grace to love when I'm hated. I have the strength to give when I'm taken advantage of. I have a supernatural capacity as one of God's sons or daughters to live in Christ.

I have the promises of God. So do you.
-James MacDonald

Isn't this awesome?!  I highly recommend you checking out his website above and finding a station in your area to catch his broadcasts.  He is a wonderful Bible teacher and man of God.

God bless!  :o)

How to Hear's God's Voice

A few weeks ago I was watching Pastor Robert Morris from Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.  He was doing a series on How to Hear God's Voice.  The following is an outline that he gave. This is basic stuff that many Christians may already know, but I thought I would share because I thought it was really good.  Some of the words below the outline (the numbers 1-4) are my own and/or are my interpretation of what Pastor Morris said.

How to Hear God's Voice

1. Set an Appointment and Be Still.

Set aside time with God everyday.  If you are not spending time with Him, you are not going to be able to recognize or hear His voice.  To have a personal relationship with anyone, you have to spend time with them. The same holds true of your relationship with Christ.

“Be still, and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

2. Worship

Worship prepares our heart to hear from God.

"All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You [affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise You]."  Psalm 145:10

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."  John 4:23

3. Pray and Read.

Pray about what is on your heart that day.  Then read.  If it's on a specific subject, read verses about that.  You can look up verses in your concordance. Find a starting point and start reading.

4. Listen and Write.

Write your prayers.  Write when you are meeting with God. Write what you are thinking. God's answer will be for your prayer.  Write what you think God is saying to you through His Word that day. 

"My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer."  Psalm 45:1

 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the LORD’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.” 1 Chronicles 28:19

"Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it." Habakuk 2:2

The Word of God is valuable and precious.  And in order to hear His voice, we must spend time with Him.

"The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions."  1 Samuel 3:1

I hope this information is a blessing and that it helps to draw you closer to God and to hear His voice. 

God Bless!!

One of My Favorite Verses

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

I believe this with all of my heart. 

God Forgive Our Sin and Heal Our Nation

In light of this, the anniversary of Roe V. Wade, I wanted to post the following quote from Mother Teresa.  As a woman who was formerly pro-choice myself, I praise God for opening my eyes about 15 years ago to see that life starts at the point of conception.   God's Word is clear.  He knew us BEFORE he formed us in the womb:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” – Jeremiah 1:5

"America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has shown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate human relationships. It has aggravated the derogation of the father’s role in an increasingly fatherless society. It has portrayed the greatest of gifts ~ a child ~ as a competitor, an intrusion, and an inconvenience. It has nominally accorded mothers unfettered dominion over the independent lives of their physically dependent sons and daughters. And in granting this unconscionable power, it has exposed many women to unjust and selfish demands from their husbands or other sexual partners. Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being’s entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life does not depend, and must not be declared to be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or a sovereign.” Mother Teresa

I do not condemn anyone who has had an abortion.  Not at all.  There is total and complete forgiveness and healing in Christ for anyone who has had an abortion.  Many women do not realize this and suffer immensely because of guilt and shame over having had an abortion.  But as a nation, we need to stop this senseless tragedy and make women realize that it is a life and there are other options, such as adoption. 

"Children are a gift from the Lord." Psalm 127:3.  They are to be cherished and loved. Abortion is the senseless killing of a baby in the womb who has a completely different set of DNA than the mother.  It is a child, a baby, a life. Not a choice.  I realize that this is a heated subject but it is very near and dear to my heart.  And it is especially dear to the heart of God.  It grieves His heart dearly that 45 million babies in the U.S. alone have been killed since Roe V. Wade.

Please join me in praying for our nation and about this great tragedy that needs to be overturned.