Wow!!!

I didn't intend to post tonight... and intended my next post to be about something totally different... BUT, church was Really Good tonight and I just had to share.

I got preached to big time.... Jen, you would have loved it!!.... Who are you telling about Jesus? Is you're light shining to the world or do you hide that you're a Christian? What has God placed on your heart to do that you're not doing?

And, what really resonated with me because I have been there.... "What the world is dying for, searching for, hungry for, would give anything to find.... you're wanting to throw away" Wow!!! It's so true. I've been in that place where it seemed like living this life was too hard. Satan will try to deceive us and say that what we need is out "there" somewhere... when all along we have the answer and the truth that everyone out "there" is searching for.

I'm so thankful tonight that I have that answer... that I know the Truth. And that I have a pastor who is not afraid to step on toes and speak that hard truth.

Friday’s Testimony

 

Ok, it’s been a while and I have a lot on my mind… but not a lot of time, which is why it’s been a while!  But I do want to share how once again God has provided just what we need.

I know we aren’t the only ones struggling to pay for gas lately, but this month’s gas card bill was CRAZY! So last week I paid almost Brian’s entire check on that one card… just so we wouldn’t have to pay a late fee… it barely made a dent in the month’s balance. All week I’ve know that today’s check would have to go entirely on the gas card, and we’d stuck back some extra we’d gotten from another job to help, too.  While I’ve been thankful for that extra, it’s still a strain because, obviously, we have other bills to pay than just that one!

We got Brian’s check today… and praise God!!… it was $1 more than the balance we owed on the card!!  That may not seem like much of a praise but this check was quite a bit more than he’s been earning lately.  I shouldn’t still be surprised, but it always amazes me when God provides just exactly what we need at just the right time!

I have more to share, but that’s all you get for now.  

Coming soon…  why I’m in love with Dave Ramsey!!

 

Wake Up Oh Sleeper

 

I woke up this morning thinking about this song.

And this verse… Matthew 21:44… go read it!

We heard a great message on breaking up your fallow ground Saturday night… I’ve realized I’ve become way to complacent lately.  I’ve become content with just doing my daily bible study…. daily prayer… attending church… it’s time to arise and shake myself, Isaiah 52:1-2.

 

Matthew 25:40

If you have a moment go here and read about some of the work my church is doing to help widows and orphans in Africa.

About three years ago my pastor was contacted by Bro. Michael in Kenya. He had been praying for God to send someone to teach him and explain to him the things he was reading in the Word and miraculously a newsletter from our church found it's way to his mailbox! To make a long story very, very short Bro. Swain and a missionary team from my church traveled to Kenya that year to meet Bro. Michael and his family and minister there. After that trip they set up the New Testament Holiness Church International and things have not slowed down since. It's amazing to see what God is doing! At this time we have over 20 churches in Africa... with e-mails coming in all the time from churches and individuals all over the world.

If you go here you can see pictures and names of orphans and widows we are helping. If you feel led there is a paypal link for offerings or if you're unable to give at this time please pray for them. I'm thinking about printing out the pictures and spending a week praying with the boys for each one.

He Lives in Me

 

I intended to post this Wednesday night… obviously I never did but I’ve been thinking on this for the last couple of days.

I’m stealing thoughts from Bro. Cody, this was part of his testimony Wednesday night, but I’ll probably wind up adding to it!

I’m often guilty of thinking how much easier it must have been for the disciples because they had Jesus right there with them in the flesh.  We read were John would lay his head on Jesus’ bosom. How great that would be… to talk face to face with the Lord, to reach right out and touch Him.

But here’s the kicker… if Jesus were walking this earth today He most likely wouldn’t live in my house.  Sure I might be able to go see Him or He might come see me but most likely He wouldn’t be right here with me every day. 

Jesus said in John that it was expedient for man that He go away… be crucified.  That He was with them, but He would be IN them.

Really we have it so much better. 

We don’t have to wait for Jesus to come to our town.  We don’t have to push through a crowd to touch Him in order to receive our healing.  We don’t have to climb a tree just to get a glimpse of Him.

Any time, no matter where we are, we can call on Him and He’s right there. 

There’s a song we sing… I looked and couldn’t find it online, but the chorus says

He lives, He lives, He lives in me, oh, He lives in me.

Jesus Christ, the King of all kings, oh, He lives in me.

It’s a great song, I wish I could remember all the verses.  But just think how very, very blessed we are.  He doesn’t just live with us, walk with us, but we are His temple… He lives in me… how humbling that is.

Draw Me Nearer

I woke up this morning with these words in my heart...

Consecrate me now to Thy service Lord, by the power of Grace divine.
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope
And my will be lost in Thine.

Yes, Lord, draw me nearer to You each day... until my will becomes only to do Your Will.

Angel of the Lord

I’ve gotten to Joshua now in my bible-in-a-year plan…. yeah, I’m a little behind!  Yesterday I read this passage…

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?"   And he said, "No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant?"   And the commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, "Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.

About a year or so ago Bro. Swain taught a wonderful lesson on The Angel of the Lord, you can hear it here.

I’m just so thankful once again for this reminder that He is a personal God, that all along He has desired to walk with man, to lead us and be with us and is not a far off God. 

A little tidbit that I found in my study bible… the word commander used there can also be translated as Prince.  

I really pray you can take the time to listen to the message… it’s long, but so good!