Small morning prayer by Betty H.

 Lord, I don't feel your presence in my life this morning.  The sunshine is hiding its face behind the dark clouds rolling across the sky.  All the excitement of Jesus' birth is now over and the mundane duties and responsibilities have returned.  Come and fill me with your everlasting joy.  Use me today to encourage and uplift someone who feels alone and empty.  Open my eyes to see all the blessings surrounding me and open my ears to hear your words of love so I can share them with others.   You give me life everlasting and I want to be available to share you with another and see them step from darkness into your beautiful light that cleanses away all sin.  Help me today to see and receive all the pearls of wisdom and love you spread across my pathway and make it possible to walk in newness of life in this new year about to open.  Make your word come alive and wonderful for I ask it Jesus' name.  AMEN

The Aroma of Christ

 

Living in a good neighborhood with good people can be a lifesaver. I was sick with covid/pneumonia for over two months. There was intense weakness, painful breathing and coughing. Any exertion, would find myself breathless. Without an appetite, eating was a challenge. Finally I forced myself to begin to eat a teaspoon of what was given to me. I drank a lot of fluids, mostly water, juices and chicken broth and took my medication. During this time people from our church dropped off prepared dishes of food for us to eat. This kept my husband fed as I was too weak to cook. I felt useless and incapable of doing anything. Then, I began to see God’s love in a more intimate way. We both became enriched by those who prayed and helped us. 

Little by little I was slowly brought out of that trial.

The givers, servers, administrators and helper gifts are usually behind the scenes and are not noticed, unlike those who sing or stand behind a pulpit. St. Paul was comparing the Body of Christ with the parts of the human anatomy as he talked about spiritual gifts: 

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the hand cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored every part rejoices with it.” 1Co.12:21-26

What would we do without our liver that keeps filtering out the toxins we eat? You might think, get a new one.  What if your body rejects the new liver? We can live with one kidney, but not our pancreas. Ask your Doctor about the value of your butterfly shaped thyroid, regulates everything in your body. Our heart pumps the blood through the heart valves out and around again through the arteries and veins carrying an army of tools. The red and white blood cells have two main functions: the carriage of oxygen; and the defense against microbial attack. We rarely give thought how everything is functioning together for our good, even while we sleep. Only God can create such a miraculous wonder as the human body.

Compare all these functions to the members of the Body of Christ. We are all specialists. The administrators, helpers, givers and servers are what holds the church up. [the church is not a building made with hands, but people who love the Son of God] Without these hands and feet, we would fall apart. Most of these people are gifted organizers and know right where to find something they tucked away two or three years ago. I tuck something safely away and I never find it again. I have prayed and worked towards being more organized and discovered it is a life time of learning. At least I only have one junk drawer, while the organizers do not have any. 

Why was I here? Who was I? Before Christ I did not know who I was, but after I was born again I was given my identity. I have learned through study and experiences, my mission and who I am in Christ. The fear and love of God has given me the reality of knowing that without Him, I am nothing. With Him, I can do all things through Christ, because He is my confidence, Rock and the Anchor of my life.

There are six homes on our small street and one particular lady, knowing I was ill started to deliver our mail on a daily basis so we wouldn’t have to go to the end of the street to get it. She also retrieved our garbage can from the end of our long driveway. Since we have lived here, this lady has befriended us and never failed giving us cards, presents and even homemade bread around Christmas time. Our life has been blessed with this mega giver, “Beth.” 

Another lady on our street asked if I would like her to shop groceries for us. She had to go to town anyway and she’d be more than happy to do it. Such empathy and compassion is linked not only with prayers but godly works. Thank you, “Melody.”

A sweet lady in our church calls us on a regular basis and asks if we need anything from town and Is there anything they can do to help us in anyway? And, she really means it! She strives to serve and help others. Continued thanks to my friend, “Pam.”

Time and again, another lady has given me words of encouragement in ways I have been unknowingly used by God and it always happens right when I need to hear from Him and be reassured that I am on the mark and loved. My friend loves to cook and feed everyone around her. You are much loved and irreplaceable, “Betty!”

A thankful heart goes to our neighbor “Dave” who took the time to set up our new tv. We couldn’t have done it without him.

More sincere thanks for their prayers, helps and continual giving go to, “ My husband Bob, Ken and Cindy, Dawn, Theda, Vickie, Bill and Cookie, Marie and Barrie, Randy and Kim, illa, Pastor Denny and Ann, Hank and Nancy,  Eddie and Denny, Elaine and Bert, Dan and Sandra, Beth Lacaille and my sons and their families and many more who prayed for me. Some I don’t know, even all over the world! 

They are all going through their own personal life struggles, but they take the time to say a prayer for others. This is the true Body of Christ.  What a blessing it is, to know these people and experience a real family with their transparent love of Christ.

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored every part rejoices with it.” 1Co.12:26

Our love for one another is proof that we have already passed from death to life because we love our brothers [each other]. 1John 3:14a. 

These laborers of love give off the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. These are their callings and wherever they go, they leave a trail of the aroma of Christ for those whom they help. They are not flashy, do not brag about themselves, are gentle minded, they try to think carefully before they speak, they correct themselves, they are humble, learning to forgive quickly, growing in God’s love, always seeking to learn from others and I can see, have strived to be in and stay in, the will of God.  They are obedient because of their tenacious love for God and others. They are the working example of the grace they have received from God. These are the treasured jewels in God’s family and filled with the fruit of His Spirit.  It is with my deepest heartfelt words I agree with MacLaren’s Expositions in saying: Paul considered himself and those who love Christ, “Captive Conquerors” and it is within the highest honor that we willingly take our chains of obedience, experiencing an overflow of His love and joy! We are triumphant!  

Never underestimate the “small” things people do, they deliver in a very large way from God Himself! 

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death, to the other the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?” 2Co. 2:14-16 NIV

How can we offer the grace and kindness of salvation unless His Spirit glows within us to give? 

Something inside of us has to be crushed and crucified, in order to produce the fragrance of the knowledge of him and be that aroma of Christ. When we go through this crushing, our soul begins to yield in the right direction. Some call it our will, self [our own way or reasonings]. Flesh and pride is like the seed, of a weed that has once invaded your soul but in Christ, the weeds begins to disintegrate. Your eyes become opened by God’s truth, through His love. 

The Beloved Holy Spirit ever patient, waits.

One of the most cherished and godly friends I ever had would repeat this verse every morning after she got out of bed. I wanted to be just like Margret. Every single time she prayed she would kneel. 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Ga.2:20 

Jesus said that unless you are born again, you will not enter the Kingdom of God. This means humbly accepting that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was the complete and perfect sacrifice on the cross so we would have forgiveness for our sins and be given eternal life. It doesn’t matter what you have done or how deep your sins are, when you sincerely cry out to God, you will never be turned away. Jesus said:

 

“In reply Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3 

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6   

There is only one way to heaven.  Humbly ask to be born again and He will give you a brand new heart. Being born again is a gift of grace by God through your faith. We do not deserve this gift and cannot work our way to heaven. This gift is a manifestation of His love for you. This means, you will not die in your sins and we have all sinned. Before you believed, you were sentenced to a life in prison [curse]. When you accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, you become pardoned. Every believer has walked through this door, you are not alone. Some are experiencing a tug in your heart as you read. Do not hesitate any longer. 

God brings us through our trials and tests when we relinquish our will for His and this is the beginning of hearing His voice over ours. 

Pray with me:

Heavenly Father,

I believe that Your Son Jesus was sent to be the complete sacrifice upon that cross so I can have forgiveness of my sins. I understand I have sinned and regret everything I have done. Right now I confess my sins to you: _______. Forgive me Father. I want to be born again. Give me that new heart. Make me into that new person Father. Mold me into the likeness of Your Son Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ I ask. Amen.

If you have humbly prayed this prayer, the Bible says that you have been born-again and are a new creature in Christ. Old things will become passed away and you will have eyes that will see everything in a new light…because He is the Light and it is He who is abiding inside of you now. Find a Bible believing church, buy a good Bible [they give them away at thrift stores] and begin by reading the book of John. Connect with making new friends at church and get hooked up in a small group. Your new friends will love you and pray for you and help you grow. Welcome into the family of God! 

 

  

Flowers bloom, do you?

 

The train chugged by the rolling hills that were ladened with bright orange and yellow flowers that were too numerous to count. Looking out of the window I thought to myself: “Could all those countless of flowers be a fraction of the blessings of God that are stored up for those, who fear and love Him?”   

How can this be, you might ask, “How can I know God, love God and fear Him too? Those who believe in God are called His children and we call Him our Father. Consider the love of a good earthly father, who will love you enough to stop you from wounding yourself. He will reprimand his child when he disobeys and so does our heavenly Father! That child will learn that when he disobeys, there will always be consequences to pay and the child will begin to think twice, before he does wrong again. A good earthly father will not allow his toddler to wander into the street to play, but teach him while he grows; there will always be physical and invisible boundaries in his lifetime. Spiritually speaking, making wise choices will keep you from sinning. If you choose over what you know to be right, instead of what you want, could actually save your life.  There are consequences in everything we do [positively or negatively] and these are a part of the benefits we reap in being a believer in Christ. Most people do not think of a Heavenly Father who corrects His people and He does this because He loves us. Hopefully, we learn from our mistakes. If we do not learn the first time, we will repeat it until we do learn. This is a godly law. We are here to learn how to receive and give the love of Jesus Christ.  If we do not receive His love, how can we give His love? How can we give anything that is not inside of us? Once we begin to understand a small fraction of His love, we begin to experience what it means to be in Gods Presence. Think for a moment about being in the Presence of God. Ask yourself, “What does that mean to me?” Being in His Presence means, forgiveness, tasting and seeing the Lord is good.  Everything works for us, no; not against us. We are His children and the salt of the earth. If God is for us, who can be against us? And, it means; our Father fights our battles for us.

“How great is Your goodness, Which you have stored up for those who [reverently] fear You. Which You have prepared for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of man! In the secret place of Your Presence You hide them from the plots and conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter [pavilion] from the strife of tongues.” Psalm 31:19-20. amp. 

I want to look like one of those orange and yellow flowers blooming over the hills in His sight. They are all growing together and could be saying, “See what strength we have in our Father’s eyes. We are growing in His love.”

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for storing up goodness for us, and we take refuge in Your Presence, for we know we belong in Your will. By your Spirit, You hide us from the plots and conspiracies of man and keep us in a secret shelter from the accusers. You protect us with your heavenly angels who encamp around us. You have given us Your sword to fight off the enemy upon all levels. You have given us Your Son’s name, Jesus Christ to take authority over all the principalities and powers in high places. We confess in faith and speak Your word that has transformed our hearts, relationships, lives, given us strength and joy amidst the things we walk through. Thank You Father. We ask that You would forgive us our times of unbelief and times of careless unthinking words and we ask that You would wipe them clean from our records. We repent. We choose to look for good, speak good and do good. We choose to walk in Your Holy Spirit for He is our confidence, our guide and teacher. In Jesus name we ask, amen. 

[I wrote this before I got sick with covid-pneumonia and was sick for about 1 1/2 months. I believe I am closer to my Heavenly Father than I once was, as He never left me during that trial.]

Is He Worthy? (LIVE) - FWC Singers Joseph Larson and Grace Brumley

Small Morning Prayer

 When we pray, we should pray the word. Please pray along with me. Thank You.

Father, Your word tells us that You nullify the counsel of the nations and that you make the thoughts and plans of the people ineffective. Your counsel stands forever and the thoughts and plans of Your heart through all generations. We are blessed [fortunate, prosperous and favored by God] is the nation who declares You as our Lord. And we do declare You as our God Jehovah. For You have chosen us to be an inheritance, ones adopted into Your family through Your Son Jesus Christ. We believe this by faith and by faith, this morning; we yield our hearts, our thoughts and our tongues to Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus we agree and pray. Amen.

Overwhelming Love

 

OVERWHELMING LOVE

A godly husband can have “love attacks” towards his wife. Husbands may have a difficult time expressing these heartfelt experiences and overwhelm both him and his wife. This is called “agape” love. Agape love is not a worldly fleshly love, but is holy and comes from God. Agape love is the spiritual manifestation of His Son’s sacrificial offering of love for His church [those that believe in Him]. This union is sealed by His Holy Spirit within us and we become one in Christ. The Covenant of Love. Agape love grows and is expressed between a husband and wife [and also among the believers] throughout the years as their holy bond is strengthened by Gods Spirit. When the husband manifests a sacrificial love towards his wife, the presence of Jesus Christ becomes overwhelmed within their union. Agape love strengthens their relationship and produces more love.

Is this a beacon on earth of how strong our Father loves His children? I believe this is true. 

Agape love!

This is powerful! This is unshakeable! This is never-ending! 

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 niv. 

The relationship between a husband and wife is compared to the relationship between the Bride of Christ and The Son of God. 

“To this John replied, “ A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I  said, I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of him. The Bride belongs to the Bridegroom.  The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegrooms voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:27-30 niv. 

The Bride belongs to the Bridegroom.

The Believers belong to Jesus Christ.

The Church [not a building] belong to the Lamb of God.

The Sheep [who know His voice] belong to the Shepherd.

The Children of God belong to The Author of our Salvation.

The lists and titles are endless just like all of the many mysteries of blessings given in abundance to those who believe. 

Unless God’s creation be consumed with this overwhelming love, how can they be producers of such love? Unless we accept His love within our hearts, where would we receive our strength? For the very power of the weapons of our warfare was begotten at the cross through His love. The power of His Holy Spirit was given to us for these reasons, all birthed through His love.

We believe through faith.  

This faith is not a dishwater faith that we discard after cleaning up the kitchen! Our faith comes with a holy fire that purifies every single thought, every word, every step and every decision in our lives led by His Holy Spirit. 

The Bride belongs to the Bridegroom! We are HIS!

A man of the sea will tell you about the 3 strand cord of a rope that is bound and strengthened by that 3rd cord. I consider the 3rd cord to be The Holy Spirit within the marriage. For it is His agape love who ties the knot and seals us as His. 

Wherever you are in your beliefs or walk. Pray with me:

Heavenly Father,

I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son and was sacrificed upon the cross for my sins. I realize I have sinned and ask that You would forgive me for all these sins against You and mankind. I come by faith to receive Your deep overwhelming love and ask You to change my life inside and outside. Mold me into that new person in Christ that will strengthen my marriage and life. Teach me how to do this Father. Teach me to hear Your Son’s voice. In Jesus name, amen. 

If you have humbly prayed this prayer, the Bible says you have been born again. Purchase a Bible and begin to study and become connected with other believers that will pray with you. You will draw hope, strength and learn from them. Welcome into the family of God! 

 

My Thoughts

I listen to the news. Not because I like to hear bad news, but I like to glean some kind of a crumb of hope from something I have prayed for and it does come!  I listen to The War Room on America’s voice, Greg Kelly and Stinchfield on Newsmax. The best ones are on The Victory Station, with Victory News and Flashpoint. Though they tell you the truth and horror of what is happening the narrator gently reminds you not to allow the fear to enter into you. I always agree. Did not Jesus keep saying, “Do not fear?” 

I get frustrated when I hear a well intended gov say: “We all need to work together so we can return our land back to where it should be.”  She was talking about the Dems and the Reps working together.  I hear this all of the time. Let me tell you all something. No one can reason with an evil regime. They have an agenda to rob, steal and destroy. In fact, I just read how they cannot go to sleep unless they can think of another way to destroy that which is good. [Proverbs 4:16] It is that serious.

Ah, there is an impeachment against the man who says he is President.  It is a beginning. But getting all the greasy grime out of Capitol Hill and its toxic branches will be something like cleaning your stove from the baked spillovers. This takes plenty of time and elbow grease. Yes, I know, if I cleaned the oven every time I used it, it wouldn’t be in such a bad shape today!. But neither would our nation! As I was scrubbing today, I couldn’t help but see the similarity. When a group of people live to destroy what is good, they need to be scrubbed out!

I’m going to be listening to the frogs and crickets tonight, it’s supposed to get down to 62 and this is why I am always happy to see September!