Come

Revelation 22: 20

Come, Lord Jesus!

Wow, what a blessing this year has been reading God's Word daily. Thank you for The Word, the promptings to read, the messages that were for me daily…I give thanks for this experience and can't wait to begin again tomorrow!

The reading today was beautiful. God shining all throughout the reading today! In Revelation 21, when it told us that God's home is among his people. Yes!

The city has no need for sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. Wow!!!

For the Lord God will shine on them.

Praise the Lord!

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

Indeed, praise God! God wins over evil all the time!

In verse 20, we are reminded "Yes, I am coming soon!"

And the closing is beautiful…

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's holy people.

Yes, only by your grace are we saved. Thank you Jesus!

Happy New Year,

Debbie

Evil gone

Revelation 15:3-4

"Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty.

Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.

Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed."

 

Remember, way back when we studied Exodus? Moses celebrated Israel's deliverance from Egypt in Exodus 15. This is called the song of the Lamb and the ultimate deliverance of God's people from the power of Satan.

Celebration! Imagine the worship and praise that will finally happen…Evil will finally be gone. Finally, no more evil in this world. What a beautiful thought and it will happen!

Imagine a world with no evil!

Beautiful, great, and marvelous INDEED!

Sweet Blessings,

Debbie

Do you care?

Revelation 12:6

…to care for her

The story of the woman fleeing to the wilderness caught my eye and my heart. How often have you been to a wilderness? A death of a loved one, the illness of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job, unexpected diagnosis for you, angry family members, and the list goes on and on. We often experience a wilderness time.

I think of wilderness time as alone. A time that you may have many people around you, but you walk the path alone except for the one who truly cares for you. This verse speaks to this time we will all face.

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her.

We are never alone. God is tending to our broken hearts, our anger, and our lack of understanding, our impatience, and our humanness. God alone helps us to understand the things we don't understand while He is caring for us. We don't realize at the time what is happening, but God is wiping our tears like we learned yesterday and mending whatever is broken.

So cared for,

Debbie

Wipe our tears

Revelation 7: 17

For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Christ is taking care of us and God will wipe our tears! Wow!

I treasure this verse.

Of course, I had to look for original meanings to the words.

Jesus is still tending the sheep and guiding us. The word used was odhgew, the same word used describing God guiding Israel, God guiding our individual live and the Holy Spirit guiding us as used here with Christ guiding us.

God will wipe away is the same language used with removing our sins. The word is "exaleipw" which means to wipe away, off removing the guilt of sin.

Every tear (pan dakrunon) God will comfort us like a mother comforts…

Do you not now love this verse as well?

God is going to wipe away all our tears and comfort us like only our mother is able to do at times.

Thank you Lord for always comforting us in our most desperate hours! The comfort only that YOU are able to provide!

Comforted,

Debbie

Intentional

Revelation 3: 1-3

…I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive-but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left of you is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.

 

The tug on felt on my heart as I read this and to the side I wrote modern day Christians, do you agree? Are we alive, but not really? Are you tired?

Remember how excited you were when you first came to Christ? Everybody refers to it as the mountaintop experience and then back to reality. Well, we need to return to the mountain.

I believe all we need to do is truly remember what Christ did for us and we are able to return. I also, believe that if we are intentional in our walks…it is easier. Did you get the word intentional? We must make the efforts, we must sign up for studies, we must study the word, we must look for God everyday…we must be intentional. Why? I believe because we are human..we will mess up, so the only way to stay is to continually repent and return and this becomes a new way of living without even realizing it. Intentional is good!

So with a new year right ahead and making those resolutions everybody makes and then breaks. Make a new one. Go back to what you first believed…Go back to the mountaintop and hold to it. Repent and turn to the one that saves.

Being intentional,

Debbie

Safe

Jude 1:1

…keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.

I loved the picture today. It seemed to speak to this verse so much.

The moment we are born all through our life, Jesus has been taking care of us. Long before we were born He took care of us. We are safe because of Him.

What is our part in this equation?

Acknowledging this fact and accepting this undeserved gift.

We are safe…

We had nothing to do with the fact that we are safe…

Just like a baby we have been taken care of because of God's love…

Look at verse 24…

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

God is able to keep us strong, full of faith, full of joy, courageous, patient, kind, the list goes on and on…Only God keeps us!

Blessings,

Debbie

Oh, what Love!

1 John 4: 9 and 12

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.

God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Today's reading reminded me over and over of Christ love, of God's love and how we are to love one another.

The words are powerful and stand alone!

We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:19

Merry Christmas and Love,

Debbie

Know

2 Peter 1: 2

…to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

 

The last few years God placed on my heart that I wanted to truly know Him better. I wanted to learn for myself things about Him and not be spoon fed any longer from others. I wanted the knowledge of knowing God for myself.

I attended a lot of conferences and learned quite a lot about what others thought. I took bible studies and learned what the writers thought. In the past year, I've learned a lot for myself by study of His mighty word! It has been the most marvelous intimate journey between My Father and me. I've learned a lot, but there is still so much to learn that once again I am going to take this journey through the Word.

I know that God will teach me so much more and it is a journey that my heart longs to take once again. It is one shared by others, but the focus is truly on the journey between God and me. The journey is one that The Spirit shows me something most every day that teaches me, grows me, disciplines me, loves me, wants me to share with others, wants me to experience and know. I have an intimacy that is hard to explain until one takes the journey for oneself.

I feel God's mighty hand at work in my life. I see His mighty Hand in my life. One will ask how do you know. I haven't talked to anybody about the prayers in my heart, but God. He is the one that Knows and He is the one that answers. Don't you want this for yourself?

In today's reading from 1 John 4:4 ~ we are reminded that because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. It is so true and the only way to know this is to let God teach you.

Don't be spoon fed in the upcoming year. Read and experience The Word with the One who wrote the Word! Share in His marvelous glory and excellence like you have never experienced it before and be blessed beyond measure!

Knowing and wanting more,

Debbie

God cares

1 Peter 5:7

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Whatever your load is, big or small, give it to God!

Everything! Each and every anxiety throw it or place it with God.

I love this scripture. It is a wonderful reminder that God wants to be a part of the little things that worry us as well as the big, the big things that happen as well as the small, the small things we are excited about as well as the big…God cares about little ole you and me!

I read a story about worry that puts our worries into perspective for us:

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. George Muller Massena, one of Napoleon's generals, suddenly appeared with 18,000 soldiers before an Austrian town which had no means of defending itself. The town council met, certain that capitulation was the only answer. The old dean of the church reminded the council that it was Easter, and begged them to hold services as usual and to leave the trouble in God's hands. They followed his advice. The dean went to the church and rang the bells to announce the service. The French soldiers heard the church bells ring and concluded that the Austrian army had come to rescue the town. They broke camp, and before the bells had ceased ringing, vanished.

So, whatever your concerns are this Christmas season place it with God. He cares and remember these statistics:

40% of things we worry about will never happen

30% are things in that past that can't be changed

12% criticisms from others mostly are untrue

10% health issues that stress makes worse

Most of all keep in mind that God is in control and most of all He cares!

We don't need to know another statistic or story all we need to know is

God loves ________________(place your own name here) and He cares about all of my cares and worries and He wants me to toss them all over to Him. So here goes….throw them over (actually throw them to Him)

Loved by God,

Debbie

 

Reason for the Season

Hebrews 12:2

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus….

Yes, I know this was part of yesterday's reading, but I had the prompting to remind everybody that we should keep our eyes on Jesus every day.

Right now with the hurry and run during the holidays it seems even more so that we should keep our eyes fixed on Jesus after all He is who this season is suppose to be about!

Today, fix your eyes on Jesus!

When someone breaks in line in front of you remember the reason for the season - Remember Jesus!

Today, when someone honks their horn because you are waiting on the light to change – Remember Jesus!

Today, when someone yells at you because you are in their way – Remember Jesus!

It is so sad to me that during the season that we celebrate Jesus birth we (humans) become less and less like Jesus. After all, the impatience, the hurried feelings, the short tempers…none of this comes from Jesus…it comes from not keeping our eyes on Jesus.

So, today stay focused on Jesus and His birth not you're to do list that might not get done…it's okay if it doesn't…

Focusing on the reason for the season,

Debbie

Pleasing God

Hebrews 11:5

…he was known as a person who pleased God.

Being a people pleaser most of my life, I've come to a realization in the past few years. To be a people pleaser is not always what is pleasing to God.

Think about this statement for a little while and ponder it.

Sometimes people want us do one thing and God is calling us to another. Sometimes the people that love you most want one thing and God wants another.

You may ask how you know.

Well, the peace you have in your heart that is indescribable only comes from God. Moment to moment peace that is fleeting is usually provided by a person or thing and it will not last.

After many difficult decisions these past few years I've realized that pleasing people really can't be done ~ other than for a few moments. We must do what is right with God and let Him take care of the rest.

To please God is most important, but not always easy! I want to be known as a person that pleased God. After all, people come and go…God is forever.

After all, we (people) change our minds quite regularly…God doesn't.

After all, we (people) might be selfish in our desires…God isn't.

After all, we (people) our feelings change about people sometimes because of a different choice that is made…God doesn't.

So, in the end which is more important to please people or God?

In the end, it's all about faith ~ isn't it?

Just like the opening verse in today's reading…

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Motivate another

Hebrews 10:24

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

 

Growing up my parents always encouraged us to have goals. A goal was something to strive for and enjoy the journey along the way. Along the way we laughed, we learned out to deal with successes and failures, always learning along the way.

 

I read a quote by Robert Schuller that seemed fitting to this scripture today.

 

"Goals are not only absolutely necessary to motivate us. They are essential to really keep us alive."

 

I believe the same is true of our spiritual journey. We need to encourage those around us to grow. I was challenged at the beginning of this year to read the bible chronologically through this year. Wow, it has been fantastic! I have grown so much through the time I've spent in the word.

 

The same is true of encouraging others to go on a mission trip. A mission trip will grow a person as much as anything around a person. You go on a trip expecting to help others and they help you!

 

So encourage those around you to step out in faith! Step out and go on a mission trip that will change you from the inside out or it takes the scales off your eyes to situations that you may have a harden heart about ~ because you may not truly know how people end up in the situations they are in.

 

Set a goal this upcoming year. To read the bible all the way through, take a trip to help others and help yourself along the way, volunteer to mentor a child, volunteer at the local rescue mission and grow.

 

Continuing to grow,

Debbie

 

God’s promise

Hebrews 6: 18 – 19

¹⁸ So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. ¹⁹ This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary

What wonderful words to be given to us. God's promise and his oath; what more do we need?

We all face storms in our journey. We know they are coming, but we know that we have safety in Him. During the difficult days I rest in the knowledge that I am able to run right into the arms of My Savior for His support and comfort.

Lately, I run grab the Word and see what message God wants to give me. Never ever am I disappointed because of God's promise given above. We need to hold to the anchor that keeps us sure and steady. God gives us grace and we beg for mercy…then we rest in knowing that Christ is our hope and we rest our sights on things above.

Resting in God's promises,

Debbie

More Jesus

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and powerful.

I love the picture today! I've actually used it once before the only time this year that I've reused a picture. Why, because it speaks to this scripture so well.

When I studied this scripture it was given that many things might have been meant by it, but the one I liked was and is that Jesus Christ is the Word. The word of God was a known name of the Messiah among the Jews. Christ was the son of God, he was the word that was promised, he is our advocate with God, and definitely alive and powerful.

Remember the old song; what the world needs now is love sweet love...is that the way it goes? Something along that line…well I believe what the world needs now is Jesus and more Jesus. It saddens me greatly when you step into a church now and you don't hear talk of Jesus. What you hear is about what a church may be doing, but not Jesus...this is not true of all churches, but some. Listen closely is the focus on the one that gave so much for us or is it on what we are doing for him?

Read what I found below and see if you don't agree that we should indeed get our focus back on what truly matters?

JESUS, name of

There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.

Billy Sunday, in a sermon, "Wonderful," quoted in The Real Billy Sunday.

 

Indeed, Jesus is alive and very powerful!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Running the race

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

Do you remember one year in the Olympics the Tanzanian runner who fell in the race, but he continued on with knees bleeding and bandaged grimacing with every step to finish the race. His appearance in the arena caught everybody's attention. Why did he finish the race? What made him endure these injuries to the end? He answered; my country didn't send me 7000 miles to start this race. They sent me 7000 miles to finish it.

The story above just speaks to my spirit. We are sent by God to fight the good fight, to finish and remain faithful. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?

Life.

It's not so easy some days.

The day you get the unexpected phone call of a loved one's death, or a loved one doesn't love you anymore, wouldn't it be easier to give up?

Some days you feel like you are in the 9^th round about to be knocked out, how will I be able to finish the race?

To remain faithful means to trust in God always.

Now that sounds a little bit easier, doesn't it?

I know that with God ~ I can do anything! I can run the race and finish it, but only with God!

So today, remember God sent us to run the race and finish it ~ just like the runner in the Olympics, but we don't have to do it alone. God will help us along this track called "life"!

Finishing the race,

Debbie

Telling others

2 Timothy 1:8

So, never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.

I was a person that believed I don't want to push my faith on someone else. Now I believe that it is something so special that I want to be sure that all people know the Lord. It is something to good not to share with all people.

A sad statistic is that only 2% of believers regularly share our faith. 2% of people that know that The Lord is awesome, He makes each step we take easier and better, that He holds us up when we could never do it alone and yet we keep it to ourselves. Did you know that it takes between 7 to 9 times of being exposed to Christ before one will make a decision for Christ?

How do we keep the Good News to ourselves?

How do we not want all people to dance with Our Savior right now?

How in the world could we ever be ashamed to tell others about our Lord?

To feel shame over something wonderful how does this happen?

Well, the devil for one. He wants us to keep our mouths shut. So he puts thoughts of they will laugh at you, they will tell you to hush, they will walk away…Some of this might happen, but so what…

Do you share about something that happened to you at work?

A new recipe? A new restaurant in town? A new hobby?

Why not Christ?

Read the following story…

Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn't able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector's emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It's yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it."

Isn't the same true about Our Savior? Shouldn't we take it to the world?

Shouldn't we be sure that others hear about The Good News?

Share today!

Sharing,

Debbie

Content

1 Timothy 6: 8

…So let us be content.

When I read this scripture I wanted to shout YES …Let us be content Lord!

We rush through each day from appointment to appointment, rush home with each chore marked off of a list and the feelings of insecurity surface. Why? Because we aren't content!

Content means satisfied with what one has. When you look at that definition are you content? Would you allow yourself to be content, if it weren't for looking at what society tells us we need?

You may have heard me share after my house fire that I realized things were just stuff. Oh we all like our stuff, but it really doesn't matter much. I have a jar of ashes that I keep as a reminder of what happens to our stuff. Stuff is just that it is stuff and we allow the desire for more stuff to take our feelings of contentment right out of the picture.

I read this story from The Daily Bread and thought that's it…

Philip Parham tells the story of a rich industrialist who was disturbed to find a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat. "Why aren't you out there fishing?" he asked.

"Because I've caught enough fish for today," said the fisherman.
"Why don't you catch more fish than you need?' the rich man asked.
"What would I do with them?"

"You could earn more money," came the impatient reply, "and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. Soon you'd have a fleet of boats and be rich like me."

The fisherman asked, "Then what would I do?"
"You could sit down and enjoy life," said the industrialist.
"What do you think I'm doing now?" the fisherman replied as he looked placidly out to sea.

The picture is one that looks like me…I love to grab a book, lay on a float and just be satisfied with life. I love to reflect, refresh and renew lying on a float. I talk to God and thank Him for this feeling of contentment. Satisfaction the only way one ever feels content with Him!

Content,

Debbie

Pray

James 5: 13 -15

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.

I read a story about Robert Stevenson and prayer. It reminded me of these scripture.

When Robert Louis Stevenson was a boy he once remarked to his mother, "Momma, you can't be good without praying." "How do you know, Robert?" she asked. "Because I've tried!" he answered. This brings to mind a story about another little fellow -- one who had been sent to his room because he had been bad. A short time later he came out and said to his mother, "I've been thinking about what I did and I said a prayer." "That's fine," she said, "if you ask God to make you good, He will help you." "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me be good," replied the boy. "I asked Him to help you put up with me." (Daily Bread)

We should pray about everything. I know this is true, but I don't always. I always think well God is busy with someone else's stuff and doesn't need mine as well. Well, I'm not following what I need to be doing, when I don't lift my prayers to God.

When my prayer life is what it should be, my life period is better. I walk easier, I work better, my relationships are better…everything is better.

In the hospital these past two weeks, I've felt the prayers of others. I've felt comforted, I've felt strength and I know that The Lord is with me. The whole experience was and is easier because of prayers. My own prayers, my friend's prayers, and the prayers from those that I don't even know help to ease the concern. It brought peace and strength. So, let's pray!

I loved the picture today. Let's start early with the little ones about talking to God. Let's teach them to talk to God just like they do with us.

Praying,

Debbie

Looking into the Mirror

James 1: 23-25

²³ For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. ²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. ²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Mirrors, they aren't what they used to be ~ or they? Or is it the older we get we like what we see less and less?

I hate to really look in the mirror. I notice a line that wasn't there the last time that I really looked or I notice a new dimple that wasn't there the last time…it is not something I like to do anymore or ever for that matter. Insecurity issues make mirrors not one of my favorite items. I always felt they were more like a microscope rather than a helper to see.

Did you know in the times that bible was written that a mirror would have been made with silver or copper/tin? They were a polished metal.

Look at verse 25 closely but whoso looketh, /~parakuqav/~ means to stoop down nearby anything; to bend forward near, so as to look at anything more closely. The meaning is if we attentively looked into, and continued to look at the laws, and not look away or forget when we walk away, we would be blessed. The emphasis of this passage is not in the manner of looking, but in the idea of continuing or the act of being able to preserve in the law.

Do you forget what you see in the mirror or just block it out?

Do we forget what we read in the Word and just choose to forget that it applies to us?

Let's take a look in the mirror…What do we see?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Working

Philippians 2: 13

For God is working in you, giving you desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Wow, when I read this I shouted "isn't it the truth"! The past two weeks have been some of the most difficult I've experienced since I've been in ministry. I had the house fire, but nothing seems quite like someone you love being so sick. The news that Drs. Share one day is good, the next not so good and you are on this roller coaster ride – all the while you have things already lined up. Events that you are to go and share about what God is doing in your own journey with others.

I've discovered once again over the past few weeks that, if I will just show up God is going to do the work. My prayer each time has been Lord I am so tired, but I know you will give me the words that you want shared about what it is you are doing in my life. Lord, I know I'm tired, but I'm willing and you give me the strength to put one foot in front of the other. I had the desire and I had the power and once again God did the work.

I am up early once again preparing for a day in the hospital. I've been amazed through this hospital visit of the nurses that want to talk to me about God. They open a door and I walk through…sharing what God placed on my heart to share and you know what they did too! It's been amazing how God is constantly working and lifting us up!

Thank you God for loving me!

Debbie

Be bold

Philippians 1:20

For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ…

Think back over your life, when have you been bold? Just for yourself…nobody else…just you…?

Well, I thought back and the trip to float the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon came to my mind. After all, the definition for bold is to not hesitate or show fear in the face of danger or a rebuff; and danger was definitely a part of this experience! We have made this trip 3 times, the first we went the first part of the river got off and hiked out, the second we hiked in the canyon and got on the boat, and the third we did the whole river at once. You might be wondering why Debbie, we all know this isn't your favorite type of trip…Well, I knew that too, but it was an awesome experience that I wanted to be bold in the face of danger! I experienced things that I would never have dreamed of, the hidden waterfalls, the native dwellings, the beautiful natural pools and the beautiful night sky with so many stars.

Not to mention the hike in and out of the canyon. All of you that know me - well you know I'm no exercise queen not even a princess, but I was so proud the day I hiked out of that canyon. Now I don't think I ever want to do it again, but I did it! I remember sleeping on top of a picnic table 3 miles up at Indian Gardens and looking up at the edge of the canyon and praying Lord please help me out…if you get me out I promise…ever done one of those prayers? Well, I did…but this trip is a treasure in my memories and I was bold!

Why is it so hard to be bold for Christ? After all, we all know what Christ did for each of us…and yet we find it so difficult to go without fear or hesitation in the face of being rebuffed by another. When I read this scripture I kept thinking thank you Lord for not fearing what you did in boldness for all of us. Thank you for not being ashamed, thank you for showing us how to be bold and how to show courage to be bold for you!

Being bold for Christ,

Debbie

Encourage others

Colossians 4: 17 – 18

"Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you."

HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING –PAUL

Remember my chains.

We are all to be ministers. The Lord gives each of us something that we are called to do. I was so struck when I read this closing that Paul reminded the people of his chains.

Paul was encouraging people to follow their calling and to encourage that he (Paul) was still doing this in spite of the chains that bound him. His right hand was bound to the left hand of a soldier that kept watch over Paul and yet he was still ministering. Also, he desired their prayers and encouragement as well.

Oh the imagery…picture Paul writing with the soldier bound to him and writing with the other hand. The cold hard stone…and yet he was ministering. He was answering his calling.

Sometimes, it isn't easy, but it is our calling. I love the scripture in Colossians 2:2 ~ I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. When we began to build our women's ministry at Noel this was our team verse. We may not all be gifted in certain areas, but we are all able to offer one another encouragement. We can offer a smile, a hand, a shoulder, a hug, a phone call, a prayer, a meal, some flowers, love…the list goes on and on. Everyone can encourage.

So encourage someone today! It helps – I know!

Encouraged,

Debbie

Are you armored up?

Ephesians 6: 10 – 20

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power…

Please read the rest of this passage for yourself.

God gives us what we need to face our enemy. He doesn't want us to run; he wants us to face our foe. He gives us all the armor we need to fight evil.

I think the thing that got me when I was reading this today, was that just as God wants good things for us and has wonderful plans…the devil wants our life to be terrible and for terrible things to happen…Definitely good vs. evil!

No fears because God once again gives us the equipment that we each need to face the devil! So, instead of leaving any of the armor at home in the closet we must daily equip ourselves with every piece to fight the enemy.

Belt of Truth and Body Armor of God's righteousness

Shoes the peace that comes from the Good News

Shield of Faith

Salvation as our helmet

Sword of the Spirit which is God's word

Pray in the Spirit

Stay Alert.

Don't you love it! When we go to battle daily, God provided everything we need…once again it is our choice what we wear!

Blessings,

Debbie

 

Living in Love

Ephesians 3: 17 – 19

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

Remember, the children's hymn…

Deep and wide

Deep and wide

There's a fountain flowing deep and wide

Deep and wide

Deep and wide

There's a fountain flowing deep and wide

 

Hmmm and wide

Hmmm and wide

There's a fountain flowing hmmm and wide

Hmmm and wide

Hmmm and wide

There's a fountain flowing hmmm and wide

 

Hmmm and hmmm

Hmmm and hmmm

There's a fountain flowing hmmm and hmmm

Hmmm and hmmm

Hmmm and hmmm

There's a fountain flowing hmmm and hmmm

 

I loved this song…and I love these verses.

Jesus wants to dwell in my heart and be settled in it! He wants it to be like the tree firmly rooted in the soil or the foundations of our homes firmly in the ground…don't you love it?

 

When my home burned the foundation didn't have anything wrong with it…everything else was ruined, but not the foundation! It was strong; it weathered the fire, the water, the smoke and was settled…just like Christ is in my heart!! Deep and wide!!!

Feeling so Loved,

Debbie

Full of Hope

Ephesians 1:18

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called…

Last year I received a challenge when attending the Proverbs 31 ministries conference to read the bible along with them this year. It is the most amazing experience I have ever undertaken. I will have read the bible through on December 31 this year and I intend to begin again on January 1^st!

When I read this scripture this morning it spoke to my heart about what this had been like to me. It opened my eyes to some understanding of things of God and I only want more and more. I want more of God, I want more of Jesus, I want more of the Word, I want to have more knowledge myself…not just from someone else that read it for themselves but for me…

I have found hope in the Word. I have found Jesus in the Word. I have found myself in the Word.

So, I challenge each of you to take this challenge for yourself. Truly hope is found in the Word of God. It is our choice to pick it up or to leave it on the table. It is our choice to take a study and read only portions and being spoon fed by the teacher…What will your choice be?

Full of Hope,

Debbie

Take Courage!

Acts 27: 25

So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.

I imagine Paul on this ship with the captain, the owner and the men that worked on the ship and the fact that they would not listen to Paul. He warned them, but they didn't take his advice.

Do you think when the storm hit their ears perked up?

Do you think they were angered a bit when Paul started talking with the words…Men you should have listened to me….I have images of fear showing in my head and tempers might have been close to the edge and Paul went on to tell them that an angel of God granted safety to everyone sailing with him.

Paul had been right so far. So, do you think this comforted their fears?

It does mine. When I go through the storms in my life I take courage and believe that God is with me! God doesn't tell me that storms aren't coming, in fact He tells us they are and to be ready…Are you ready?

Battling with Kenny's illness this week I have been steadily reminded that God is with me and that we are not alone! So I take courage and I believe…

Believing,

Debbie

Go Away

Acts 24: 25

…"Go away for now," he replied, "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again."

Convenient. – When it is more suitable or agreeable for the purposes or needs …

Is anything ever more convenient?

If it's not what we want to hear is there ever a better time?

I put myself in Paul's place. Two years in prison, been beaten, chained, the list is long.

Don't you think Paul wanted to explode when the Felix replied…Go away for now. I'll call you when the timing is better. Probably not Paul, but I would. After all, look at everything he had been through and he knew in his heart more was coming.

I am once again reminded of the verse in Acts 4:20 ~ for we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Paul knows he must share whether it is the best time or not. I sometimes get this feeling that I have to share what God is doing in my life and once again the words just imagine go through my head. Paul must have been so eager to talk. He was in a cold prison cell, bound and chained, and brought up to talk with Felix and his wife. He had to share and the words must have just been flowing and Felix was afraid.

I just picture Paul just letting the best sermon out and the illustrations and then Felix lifting a hand…Go away…

Don't tell the Lord to go away today…Share your dance and let the words flow to others about what He is doing in your life! Don't wait for a convenient time it may not happen….

Sharing,

Debbie

Be encouraged!

Acts 22:11

That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, "Be encouraged, Paul…."

Just imagine. The crowds were once again shouting the words Kill him, Kill him. He had been bound and whipped. He was being held in the fortress while his fate was being determined.

I picture him on the stone floor or bench and hearing the words ~ Be encouraged Paul from the Lord. The room was probably lighter, the floor wasn't quite so hard and things were going to be okay…

The same is true for each of us. The Lord tells each of "Be encouraged, Debbie"..

Be encouraged…. Why? He loves us so very much.

Wherever you are...imagine...what is pulling on you, what is holding you down, what is making your world dark …Listen for the Lord…He will encourage!

Encouraged,

Debbie

Share

Acts 20:24

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good news about the wonderful grace of God.

 

Isn't it true? Then why is it so hard at times?

It's easy to share about the latest good restaurant in town?

Or what about the best movie you've seen lately? (check out Blind Side!! Wonderful)

Or the name of your hair stylist?

Where you bought your latest outfit - all of that is easy to share!

So, today share the best gift you ever received….the most unbelievable, undeserving, truly amazing gift of God's grace…Share about it with others…It is not that difficult.

 

Amazed,

Debbie

Joyful

2 Corinthians 13:11

…Be joyful. Grow in maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

 

I was so happy to read this verse today! I do want to be joyful. I do want to grow in maturity. I do want to encourage others. I strive to live in harmony and peace….and I definitely want God to be with me!

The last few weeks have been difficult. I've had travel, meetings, and illness all to deal with in the midst of the holiday season. When I read this verse this morning…I said yes to being joyful…it is a choice…Yes, I want to grow in maturity…this time will grow me. Encourage others…definitely want to help others. Harmony and peace – couples definitely need this when helping another deal with sickness.

Sunday, as I sat once again in the ER with Kenny and he was dozing…I fell asleep perched over the railing of his little er bed and the scripture was in my head once again…Have I not told you Debbie to be strong and courageous and that I am with you? Yes, Lord…but…was going through my head…He answered there is no but Debbie - it is the truth! God never promises us that we will not have these difficult times…in fact, he prepares us for them.

I read this story about Leo Buscaglia and thought it was so fabulous that I would share it with all of you…

Author Leo Buscaglia tells this story about his mother and their "misery dinner." It was the night after his father came home and said it looked as if he would have to go into bankruptcy because his partner had absconded with their firm's funds. His mother went out and sold some jewelry to buy food for a sumptuous feast. Other members of the family scolded her for it. But she told them that "the time for joy is now, when we need it most, not next week." Her courageous act rallied the family.

Christopher News Notes, August, 1993.

So the time is now for joy…not next week. The time is ripe to show joy!

Showing joy,

Debbie

Sweet Aroma

2 Corinthians 2: 14 – 15

…Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.

I fell in love with this scripture! The imagery is beautiful.

I learned that The Greeks and Romans always made a triumphal entry after they had won over the enemy. They rejoiced in victory and this is what Paul is using here to place in our mind how he was a victory for Christ!

He wants us to picture these men returning they would be making a grand entrance back into their town. Pompey when he was victor over Africa was lead in by elephants leading his chariot, Mark Antony was lead by lions, another by tigers, and Airelius was lead by deer. Also, the people may have been throwing either flower petals or burning incense to their Gods. So Paul was spreading the knowledge that he was spreading the knowledge of Christ just like a warrior did in his victory.

The word "euwdia" was used in the original text meaning a person or thing that was pleasing to God, they were grateful to God. One commentary shared that we are Christ sweet offering to God, which he continually makes to Him.

Are we Christ sweet offering to God?

Do we smell beautiful for God or do we stink?

Are we a beautiful sweet aroma or we a bad odor?

Well, with each step we take today remember we are to be a Christ-like fragrance everywhere….a sweet perfume.

Hope to smell of sweet perfume,

Debbie

Resting in His Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:4

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

It's three in the morning. Trouble sleeping…hubby is hurting..I listen, I do what I can…God calls me to the Word…His Word…

It was as if God placed me in a warm blanket and once again handed me my own letter…He comforts me, so that I can comfort Kenny.

Is it easy? NO…but then again it's probably not easy for God to always comfort us either..but He does…

The Word goes on to tell me to stop relying on myself and to rely on Him! Oh how I needed to hear those words from Him this morning…I will be able to provide the comfort needed, because I know I am able to rely on my Father! Thank you Father for bringing me into The Word early this morning to be reminded just how much you love little old Debbie…the same is true for you!

Resting in his arms,

Debbie

Working together

Romans 8: 28

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

 

Have you ever worked on a project with someone that you don't normally get along with that well and things seem to just gel? What about someone that normally the friction is so much between you could light the room with your own electricity?

But in the end the project is the best ever? Did you think it was you? Well, it wasn't…

God is so good! I am amazed how God will work out situations and grow us right through for His mighty purpose! He manages to get us interested, then places someone in our path to encourage us to try, then we take one step that direction and two back and something else happens to encourage us to take the plunge…God does have a purpose for each of us and it is so amazing when we allow Him to work..

Journey of Sisters was born much like described in the paragraph above…I took the plunge with God and it is awesome. We have women coming together to serve and be about Kingdom building together. We come together from different churches, denominations, races, and economic means to encourage one another and to go about God's business by working together.

Give thanks today and every day that just like it tells us from Romans 8: 38 ~ absolutely nothing can ever separate us from God's love!

I request prayers today for Kenny. We left in a ambulance shortly after I posted yesterday for the hospital. The pain was terrible. The medicine is helping and they seem to think he may get out today, but we are thankful for the emt's that helped get him to the hospital, the nurses, the drs., and friends that helped us through their support and love!

 

Thanking God,

Debbie