Shipwrecked?

Reading from Jude this morning I was struck with the passage beginning in chapter 1:12 the visuals that the author put in my mind of certain people.  Are these people trying to help us or hurt us?

Jude is warning us about certain people and in verse 12 he brings to mind several metaphors that help us visualize people that eat and fellowship with us sharing about the LORD'S love, but yet they are dangerous as a reef that can shipwreck you, or they are like shepherds that only care for themselves, or clouds that pass over but don't give any rain, or trees that bear no fruit.  Do you know these people?  Do you wonder if any of these people surround you?

Be strong!  Be faithful!  Read God's Word and know in your heart the words are true!  God's Word is God Breathed and He provides the guidance to our ship's path!  He is our GPS system for life!  WE need no other director.  If we are tuned in to Him, the ones that are dangerous will not be able to penetrate and place doubt in our small brains.  Tune in to the right frequency and we are able to shout no worries mate!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Love another

Christmas Eve is here and people are rushing about to and fro.  Checking list to be sure everything is done and the craziness is everywhere.  Horns honking, sign language in a whole different way, and just not feelin' the love, when you get in your car to go anywhere!

I picked up the Word this morning and these words just touched my heart from 1 John (and there were so many today)  

Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other, let us show the truth by our actions.

Today, show the truth of love to others.  Let today be a new beginning of walking the talk and sharing Christ's love with others through something as simple as a smile, a pat on the back, allowing someone over ahead of you in your lane...that's a big one!  Remember, that more than likely you will still get there at the same time!

Merry Christmas to all!  Love you and remember the reason for the season as you go through this special day.  Remember that night long ago in a manager where that special baby was born and the angels appeared to the shepherds.  The shepherds people that all the elite looked down on, but that is who the news was announced to - one of us!  Think about it - the news of Jesus was announced to someone simple, that needed a bath probably, but believed what they heard!

Believe today and celebrate the birth of Jesus,

Debbie

Secure footing

I loved this photo!  It spoke to my heart about the passage I wanted to write about this morning from 2 Peter 3:17 and 18

...Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of wicked people and lose your own secure footing.  Rather, you must grow in grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

The lady above made the choice to climb that rock ledge and her footing is definitely not secure.  She might say it is, but I don't think a little piece hanging out is big enough for my foot to rest on and one thing I have is small feet.  Small feet still wants big ledge!  Along with the rest of me!

Our choices sometimes cause us to have insecure footing.  We allow others thinking to influence what we believe God's Word tells us.  We think they know more and we love them, so we take their word for it and what they believe is not what God's Word tells us!  Did you pick up on the words be on guard?  Do you remember God's Word telling us that Satan is like a prowling lion waiting to pounce on us at all times?  Well, sometimes he uses people that we least suspect and they don't realize to cause us to become unbalanced on our feet and fall!

We must know God's Word for ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide!  We must trust the Spirit to lead us and show us the way!  When we follow the guide we will be on firm, solid ground and know exactly what we believe.  We will grow and in grace and knowledge and know that our feet are based solidly only in God's Word!

Today, pick up God's Word for yourself and allow the Spirit to grow you!  Don't be hanging on the edge insecure in exactly what God's Word says - know it!  Allow His Word to be your life line!

Sweet blessings,

Life's Uncertain Path

One phone call.  One Doctor visit.  One letter in the mailbox.  One wreck.  One anything and your world is turned upside down  - just like that...

A friend's bad mood and words are spoken that you will never be able to take back, or a relative that just speaks words that drives you crazy and once again words are shared and it's never the same, or the boss tells you something in a tone that today you just can't stomach and suddenly forever your world is forever changed.  Any of these things happened to you?  If not, wait it will.

The photo above is titled Life's Uncertain Road and that is exactly what it is...we take so much for granted that tomorrow we might be able to fix those words that just flew out yesterday, but we don't get the chance.  Everything in this world is ever-changing except for the words shared today in Hebrews 13:8 ~

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Give thanks today that Jesus never changes!  He loves us yesterday, He loves us today, and He will love us tomorrow in spite of ourselves.  Celebrate Jesus birth that He came into this world to save each of us an act that we are all so undeserving!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Let us think...

Do you wonder what she might be planning?  Isn't it, wonderful trying to figure out a way to surprise someone with a wonderful encouragement?  I love to encourage someone that needs that special surprise that they aren't expecting!

Today, in Hebrews 10:24 these words were shared with us

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

Have you ever considered that perhaps with a little prompting by you to someone else that they might be encouraged to  serve in a way  they never dreamed?  Perhaps all they need is that friend that believes they can do it...Step up and speak out is going to be the motto today!  Encourage others in their gifts, so that they will stronger in confidence to get out of their comfort zones.  

Another believer encouraged me to take a huge step out of my comfort zone, because he saw something I didn't.  He encouraged me to rock my world, just by his suggestion to walk away from all that was familiar and comfortable to me.  I will never be able to thank him enough just for the vote of confidence by asking me to take a new job with the local church.  My life was forever changed and I haven't even gotten to my walk with the LORD and how it's changed, because this opportunity changed everything about me!  Thanks Dave!

Daily we are given opportunities to look deeper into someone and share how they help others through the gifts God gave them.  If we share this with them, God will use them in ways they never imagine!  Our box of comfort keeps getting bigger and bigger, because we are encouraged by not only others, but God!

Ponder today the way you might encourage someone to step out and grow!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A Better Hope

The picture fit perfectly this morning!  God is just amazing how He helps even in the little things of everyday life!

Reading Hebrews 7:19 just spoke to my soul this morning - 

For the law never made anything perfect.  But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

We are able to all draw nearer to God.  We don't have to allow someone else to do this for us, we don't have to - we may draw nearer to God!  The law saved no one.  Jesus saved us all, if we believe all He did for us!  Jesus came into this world as a baby, walked and talked on this earth like each of us, was condemned and placed on a cross to die for you and me...he arose and lives again!  Do you believe it?

Confidence is the right word to use, if you believe the paragraph above.  Say with confidence that it is true and you know because of this where you will spend eternity.  Spend time with Him and you realize it more and more that we don't have to wait till death to know.  We have the hope right now because we draw near to the one that knows.  Don't stay behind the bars break through into the LIGHT!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Rest

I love the beautiful words of Hebrews 4:1

God's promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.

Just yesterday, Frankie and I were discussing that is why we are in ministry to women is to help them gain the peace one experiences when we get it!  We trust God, we believe His Words and we Know Him daily through His word and a peace that truly passes all understanding now is in our life.

I remember the days before I truly trusted, I believed who God was that He sent His Son, but I didn't have the relationship through His Word that provides the love, the intimacy, the understanding of God.  So, I didn't have peace.  I was filled with worry of every move, of every decision, of every moment, and of death.

Indeed, according to this whole section of Hebrew 4 we may be at rest.  Study it for yourself and practice the words.  It is true!  I am an example.  We may feel this right now, don't wait too late!

It's a promise from God to us to experience HIS REST.  

Need peace?  Pick up God's Word and truly share time with Him and the peace will overtake you before you know it.  Claim it!  Live it!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Do we all have itchy ears?

Are we like the big guy in the photo?  We close our ears to things we don't want to hear?  Do we only go to church where they make us feel good or where they tell us truth?  Do we only hang with people that feed our own egos and not God's Word?

It struck me this morning reading from 2 Timothy 4:3- 4 ~ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and whole some teaching.  They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.  They will reject the truth and chase their myths.

Is the above not true?  Truly search your heart and see if God isn't speaking to all of us about our whole life!

If kids don't like what their parents tell them, they rebel.  If you don't like what your boss says, you quit or make trouble.  If you don't like what your spouse says you look for someone else.  If you don't like what your friends tell you then you find new friends.  If you don't like what the church says, you don't go back.  If you don't like God's Word, you don't open it.  Oops...

I wish I could remember the statistic I read the other day about how few people are actually reading God's Word, it's terrible.  Google it for yourself, ask your friends, ask where you work - you will see people are only moving further and further away from God's Word and listening to only what makes us all feel better.  We all want a feel good religion, don't dare give me truth.  I can't handle truth, I want to feel better.  So what ,if it isn't the truth according to God's Word, if it makes me feel better that is all that matters...not true, but it's what most people want nowadays.

Give me truth.  Do I always want to hear it no, but moment to moment I need God's truth to get ME back where I need to be.  To get me back according to His Will and not my own!  I have a strong will and believe me I would rather it be my way and the words I like, but that is not what I need or desire in my heart - no only in my itching ears!

Today, ask for God's truth and not something that will just give you a momentary feel good moment that is fleeting.  It will not last.  Only God's truth last forever and ever and that is what I want!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Shepherds living out in the fields

Shepherds with their sheep really impress me and especially after this past summer when we came upon a shepherd at the top of Cinnamon Pass and Engineers Pass in Colorado with his sheep all down in a valley below.  Sheep filled the valley and this individual was all alone with the sheep.  So many and they covered such a huge area of land there in the mountains.  Absolutely breathtaking and I am only able to imagine the scene described in Luke 2 of the shepherds being out in the fields nearby watching over their flocks.

Suddenly an angel appeared and the glory of the LORD shown all around.  Imagine, the beauty and the feelings of awe these men felt when suddenly the news of Jesus was given and suddenly a heavenly host appeared with the angel and began to sing praise to God.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Imagine it!  Imagine the honor of being one of those shepherds that was working that night!  How these men could even speak afterwards amazes me.  I wonder how long they were quiet after it was over before they spoke the words - Let's go...they left and found the baby laying in a manager.  

Special people to God that they were able to share such an awesome moment!  God uses all of us whether we rank high or low in other peoples estimation.  Only God picks those He will use, but I think it is really about who is willing to say "YES"!

He knew the shepherds would leave immediately and share the moment!

He knows!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Waiting Forwardly

Okay, how many of you want to correct the title?  Well, don't!  A reason awaits for the title, but not yet.  

Today, I felt lead to write about something other than our reading in the Chronological Bible.  I hope this is okay with those that follow, but if not oh well....

When I say the word anticipation, who or what do you think of?  What times in your life were  filled with eager anticipation?  Waiting the day you got married to walk the aisle?  Waiting for the ept test to show you were going to have a baby?  Waiting for the baby to arrive?  Waiting for school to be over?  Waiting for the teenager to walk through the door okay?  Waiting on your spouse to walk through the door and reassure you everything is fine?  waiting for the parent to say you did good?  Do you remember waiting for these things to happen?

Do you remember in Luke 2 the man "Simeon" that was waiting at the temple?  In fact, he had been waiting to see the Lord Christ.  The Spirit revealed to him that he would not die until this had happened.  We are told in chapter 2:25...he was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

I learned something so important this morning about this story from Max Lucado.  Max Lucado stated that Simeon's looking was as "waiting forwardly." The original word used to describe Simeon's actions was prosdechomai.  Dechomai meaning to wait and Pros meaning forward.  When you combine them you have  a wonderful image of "waiting forwardly".  Terrible grammar for teachers or others that mark papers up in corrections, but a fabulous picture of Simeon for us!  A picture of a man eagerly waiting, not wanting it right now, not hurry up, but just waiting for the LORD to appear!

Imagine the joy that went through every fiber of this man, when Jesus and his parents came to the temple on the 8th day.  The words that Simeon and Anna said about baby Jesus!

I want to close this morning with this question for all of us to ponder today; What are we looking forward to in life?  Is it temporary or eternal?  In Luke 2:25 the consolation of Israel was speaking about Jesus.  Is He alive and at work in your life?  Is He our hope and comfort?

It is my prayer that indeed He is our hope and comforter!  In the coming days, cling to Him!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Error! Error! Try Again!

Don't you love those flashing red lights coming up behind you in the rear view mirror, indicating you made a error?  Or when you were in math class at the board, much like the photo above and you got it wrong?

I was reminded of such times this morning reading James 1: 22-24:

away, and fBut don't just listen to God's Word.  You must do what it says.  Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don't obey it, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.  You see yourself, walk away, forget what you look like.  Oops...

We must be doers of the Word.  We must be careful with this scripture though.  It's not about simply doing.  We do because we are forever changed.  We are not able to earn anything for doing it -  it's the Word, it changes us and we must act because of the change.  Just like when you get stopped by a police officer, you learn a lesson that you try very seriously not to repeat.  You change to do better, hopefully!

Your entire being changes, because of God's Word!  The word in the original context meant deceiving or reasoning beside or alongside.  Meaning if we are just content to hear the Word and not live it we are making a very serious adding error!  WE messed up the equation.

God's Word definitely changed me and does change me daily. I goof up moment to moment and God's Word reminds me in a very loving way to get it done!  To try again and that I am forgiven, if I'm truly sorry.  

Do you know that mirrors in the early days were made of bronze or silver, no glass?  It would be pretty hard to get a clear picture of how one would look, wouldn't it?  It would have been pretty easy to forget what they look like looking into an imperfect background.  We must act quickly to change our ways after reading God's Word to allow it soak in and become a part of us, we need to be able to reflect about it before we put it out of our minds!

Thank you Father for your Words that definitely Light the Way for each of us to go!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Looking forward

I loved this photo to capture what looking ahead might look like to some us at times!  At times we may feel so uncertain that it makes us feel as though we are about to step of the edge of a cliff high above the ground.  

The words Paul shared this morning from Philippians 3, really hit me between the eyes!  I struggle with looking back and longing for things gone by at times.  I make them look really rosy in my memory bank rather with the real issues that might have been involved.  I remember the good and none of the bad.  Anybody with me?  Does it cause you at times not to be able to really move forward with what God might be calling you to do?  Well, it happens to me.

Paul's words reminded me to focus on one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  I love it!  We must daily make a choice to forget the past and move ahead.  It's not as easy as it sounds, but a good thing!  We must move towards whatever God is calling us to with excitement and the willingness to step right off that cliff into the unknown!

Adventure!  The path Christ calls each of us to can only and should only be called an adventure!  It is filled with thrills, upside down choices, mixed up turns, uncalled for bumps in the road, but when we arrive oh what a glorious day it will be...Hallelujah!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A Letter in the Mail

It saddens me that hand-written letters are a thing of the past, it seems!  I love to find a surprise in my mailbox handwritten from a friend telling me something special.

Imagine, Philemon receiving a letter from Paul.  Now it would have been hand delivered by a two men one Tychicus who is traveling to Colosse with the letter to the people of this city, Colossians and another man by the name of Onesimus.  The letter handed to Philemon is personal from a man that he respects greatly and probably loves - Paul.

Paul is imprisoned and meets a man that he leads to Christ.  Onesimus who is the former slave to the man receiving the letter is the man Paul leads to Christ.  This same man delivering the letter once stole from Philemon and ran away to Rome.  He meets Paul is forever changed, but Paul and "O" realize that he must make things right by returning to Philemon and facing the wrong.

I wanted you to have a little background on the story behind the letter.  The man begins to read the letter and he comes upon  these words - I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love for all of God's people.  It struck me how powerful these words were to this man's ears.  Imagine, hearing from a man that you admire, you respect, you learn from, these amazing words.  Pause for a moment and place yourself at your mailbox, open the door and in it is a hand written letter.  You smile and so excited that it's not a bill, that it's  a hand-written letter by someone you love,  and you immediately tear it open.  To find the words from your loved friend, teacher, mentor, saying 

I always thank my God when I pray for you, __________, because I keep hearing about your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love for all of God's people.  What wonderful words to hear from anyone much less someone that you look up to, you respect, you know truly knows the Man Upstairs with all His heart.  Wow...don't you think Philemon was dancing in His driveway with that letter?  I would be!  What a reassuring word to remind you about your walk and talk when you are least expecting it.  Encouragement to last for days!

What do others say about you?  Are they hearing of our faith?  Are they hearing about our love for others?  Oh I hope so!  It is my prayer that this is true of all of us as it was Philemon.  He goes on and tells Philemon that his love has given Paul so much joy and comfort and that his kindness refreshes the hearts of God's people.  Is our love refreshing the hearts of others?

What could Philemon do after receiving such an opening to a letter asking him to show forgiveness to this man?  After all, Paul reminded him  who he was and who he currently is suppose to be and this would mean forgiveness shown!  Wow, what an approach.  I think all of us should follow Paul's example.

Oh, for days gone by and hand-written letters expressing sweet wonderful words of wisdom to each other...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Rescued

Colossians 1:13-14

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

What an image of going from the Kingdom of evil, darkness, satan to the Kingdom of Christ filled with light and love!  Yes, LORD!

The Greek term for delivered means to "draw to oneself" or "rescue" we are spiritually liberated by God from Satan's clutches!  In verse 14, it goes on to tell us that Christ literally delivered payment for each of us.  In Greek that is what it means Christ paid for me and for you.  Christ paid the price freeing of from our slavery to to sin without Him we are filled with sin with Him we proceed to be more and more and more like Him!

The chains are broken!  We are freed because of God's love for each of us!  During the Christmas season, always remember why Christ was sent to be born in a manager it was for each one of us to be freed!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

How deep is His love?

Beautiful words from Ephesians 3 this morning about God's love for us!  Words that we are unable to fully understand or comprehend, pretty much like the trees above, how?  How did these trees form a heart?  Well, maybe the trees had some help, but God's love is just a WOW!

The words that touched my heart this morning were verses 17-19 chapter 3:

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as your 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.  May you experience the love of Christ, through it is too great to understand fully.

Indeed, WOW!

His love is too great for us to understand!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Are we all dancing yet?  We should be!  His love is huge and absolutely beyond our comprehension.  Yes, LORD!

Nothing more to say other than Thank you LORD for loving this short, lady that loves you, but she is so happy that you love her way more than she can possibly grasp!  Don't all of us want to be loved like that?  Well, we are!  Hallelujah!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A Gift from God

Gifts to find, gifts to purchase, gifts to deliver, gifts to return, gifts, gifts, gifts...

Do you ever think about how much the "true meaning" of Christmas is lost, because of the focus on buying each other gifts?  We hurry to find just the right gift and we worry whether it is the right gift and it becomes a huge job for everyone.  No longer is the joy of Christmas being felt, instead it becomes a jumble of emotions that Christmas is not suppose to be about...

Reading from Ephesians 2:8 this morning these words -

God saved you by his grace when you believed.  And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Indeed God gives us the gift of grace that we are so unworthy of, but because He sent His son so many years ago to be born, to walk this earth, to share His Words, and then to the cross to die for me and for you; we are able to be forgiven.  It is a gift that we are each allowed to open for ourselves.  It is our choice to open or leave unopened .  A gift that is so hard for all of us to grasp.  How?  How can God forgive us?  We don't have to understand it, we just have to accept the gift of love and open it.  The only explanation are the words that are shared with us in John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Nothing we have done or will do earns us grace.  Absolutely nothing other than to believe God and open His amazing gift!  Once we open this gift the "true meaning of Christmas" is opened as well.  It's not about the gifts under a tree; no it is the baby born a long time ago in a manager.  A baby sent by His Father to show His Amazing Love to all who open the gift of grace given only by Him!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

For I Believe God

Reading Acts 27 today, I continued to think who do we believe?

Who do we really believe?

When you are in an airplane and suddenly it hits bumps, do you trust the still small voice that reassures you that it will be okay?  Or perhaps that crazy, screaming woman across the aisle?

When you are on-board a ship when you hit waves that make everyone on-board sick do you trust the voice or those around you?

Acts 27 is a lesson for all of us to hold on to about believing God.  

Rough seas, strong winds, dangerous weather and Paul's words were God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.  So take courage!  For I believe God.  It will be just as he said.  But we will be shipwrecked on an island.  Paul knew and he believed.  The word goes on to show all of this true!  Of course!

I loved that the men began to want to get off the ship, Paul encouraged them no to do this and of course they finally began to see Paul knew what he was talking about.  He encouraged them to eat and He took the bread, gave thanks and all 276 people ate.  After two weeks of not believing God they finally believed and trusted enough to eat.

Believing God allows all of us to relax in knowing that He is in charge!  We trust and it doesn't matter how big the waves of life are; we know we are okay!

Today, imagine yourself on that ship with this man named, Paul encouraging you that everything is going to be okay - just trust!  Are you able to say the words it's okay for I Believe God!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Annouce

Announce God's Light!  I loved the words Paul used this morning before King Agrippa, when he was sharing about being obedient to God's command on his life and that he was to announce God's Light to Jews and Gentiles alike that was shared in Acts 25!

When I think about announcers from events I've been at some of the most profound that really stick out in my mind are the ones from NBA games with their deep voices, or truly announcers from any sporting event.  They grab your attention and they do not let go.  Paul was this way.  He spoke with confidence, he spoke with honesty, he spoke with knowledge, he knew the subject he was talking about with others.

It hit me this morning perhaps we announcers about God's Light need to get to know Him more personally like Paul did.  Do we know that His Word is a Lamp Unto Our feet?  If we know His word;  then we know the route we should take in life and we also are given the word to help others.  I love God's Word.  I immerse myself so deeply in the stories that I almost feel them unfold before my eyes.

Picture the scene of this story ~ A great outside auditorium with a lot of pomp and rules with all the important people of that day and age that were in that town up front, center, and the smaller, less important in society standing perhaps standing along the edges just wanting a peek at the event.  A King with all of his folks that attended him very regal, very important all eyes on him commands that Paul be brought in.  Paul enters the room from a side door possibly with chains - at least lead by guards.  The King begins to tell Festus to speak and he listens and then he gives Paul the floor.  

Paul probably took control of the room.  Moved with confidence speaking to the King first and foremost, but also to that person standing against the wall that didn't think he mattered.  Probably that man began to feel like he was the only one in the room, because Paul was speaking to all lost souls in that auditorium.  Paul was not just speaking to the King.  He was sharing his testimony of being lost and now found to everyone in attendance.  He was announcing God's Light!

Do we announce God's Light?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Encouraged

Now I don't know about you, but this little guy walking towards me with his shades, hat, and a bunch of balloons would definitely bring encouragement!  He is adorable!

Reading today in Acts about Paul being attacked by his fellow citizens and then being threatened with the whip, then the plan to kill him.  Paul was under attack and he had to be feeling pretty low.  Waiting alone in a prison cell, but he wasn't alone.  In Acts 23:11 these words were shared, "Be encouraged, Paul.  Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well."  Now not  just any messenger brought this news the Lord brought this good news to tell Paul you will return to Rome your desire will happen. The is one of Paul's visions that he experienced at very crucial points in his ministry.  What a gift God gave him!  Imagine at one of the lowest points, the LORD shares news of your heart desires with you!  Happens doesn't it?  If we are paying attention, God does this for us too!

Today, reading I was encouraged that on the tough days He sees me and He brings me a good word, just like He did Paul!  He saw me today through His Word.  What happens if we aren't reading His Word?  Do we miss His encouraging Word that fits that moment in your life that you so desperately need HIS WORDS not that of a friend, but the Savior of the Universe is who you need!

Paul was alone in a cell.  Cold, Dark, Concrete, not a luxury cell - no this is a true cell!  No comforts were in Paul's cell.  It was hard, it was lonely, it was cold, it was dark - kind of like the world that surrounds each of us, but God does show up to offer encouragement! He does not leave us alone! 

Lord, Thank you for the gift of Your Precious Word.  The Word that tells me that indeed you see me and that I am not alone to face the path that is ahead.  You are holding my hand to accompany to the dance of life that is sometimes hard, but I am never alone because YOU are always with me.  I love you.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Why?

Yesterday, I was speaking with a friend that went on a mission experience to Africa.  I ask many questions that I had waited a little while to ask such as:  What shocked you the most?  Where have you seen God the most?  Even about bathrooms, but I'm not going to share those details!

Some of what she shared with me broke my heart, but it opens my eyes to things going on around the world that I try to shut my eyes to.  One thing I was told was how the street kids walk down the street with glue bottles sniffing it to get high to try to forget just how hungry they are;  when I think about the last time I was hungry I still could not relate.  I can't place myself in their shoes, because I've never been there and yet we want to say we understand, but we don't.  

Where God is seen the most was in the beauty of Africa.  The animals, the street kids, and the country itself.  One moment that really grasp the attention of some of the people was when a woman purchased a soda for one of the street kids.  A simple act, but such a big act of kindness for this child.

I ask what are you doing with your time?  13 books so far read and working on another.  I stated that might be easy with no family, friends, school, tv and such.  I was quickly corrected that they had 2 tv channels, but they were in Swahili.  So it doesn't do much good to watch.

God is continually opening my eyes to the world surrounding me and it shocks me the way some of our brothers and sisters live daily.  Oh, you don't have to go to a foreign country to see it; no it's right around the corner from each of us.  WE just choose to shut our eyes to the things going on, perhaps, because we aren't directly involved.  Well, watch out because God will involve you in things that break your heart and when you lie down at night you are no longer able to sleep.  You worry, you fret and you pray because God is the only one that will solve these problems.

I am reminded of God's Word in Matthew 25: 35 ~ 36

For I was hungry and you gave ME something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink;  I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.

Are we feeding the hungry?  Are we giving them water?  Clothes?  Taking care of the sick?  Prison Visits?  How did you do on the checklist?  I didn't fare so well...

Father, forgive me the times I fail to open my eyes and see my brothers and sisters that are hurting.  Please Lord help these children be provided with the food they so desperately need and let each of us wake up to do something.  I know Lord we can't all do something big, but we can all do something!  Open our eyes to the something that each one of us are able to do.  Help us Lord to see the One thing!  WE love you.

Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Ambassador

Who do we represent?  Who are we an ambassador for?  Do you know that an ambassador is a representative for something?

Okay, I know all of us sport the proud jerseys for our teams!  My jersey win or lose is always Arkansas Razorbacks - Go Hogs Go and I am surrounded daily by LSU Tiger fans that rather loudly, constantly remind me that they are tiger fans (like I can't read your shirts)  I know I may have blond hair, but I know who you support!  It is written all over us who our sports teams are and I tell you proudly that if my nieces or nephews are playing I am probably next to the loudest in the stands.  (Pam wins)  We get loud with the support of whomever we represent in the sports arena.

When we love a particular person that is running for office, some of us will put stickers on our cars, banners in our yards, and let our names be printed on materials.  We support them rather loudly.  I don't really want to even go to far in this area, because truthfully I think we all need to send most everyone of them home and start over with all of them.  We are way past supporting a particular party or whatever...we just need to clean house like we do in the spring!  Anyway...no one wins this discussion just turn on the news.

Recently, someone dropped by my office and we have the cutest t-shirts with Scripture on them.  She loved them, but stated very simply no need to buy those.  I said, really?  Yes, young people don't want to offend anyone by wearing scripture on their backs.  What?  You will wear a sports team that I don't care, if you are a hog, a tiger, a longhorn, a buckeye, a sooner, a gator it offends someone somewhere, but you wear it proudly! Where are we folks?  What is happening to us?

Christ came and died for us and yet we don't want to be ambassadors for His Kingdom?  Today, from 2 Corinthians 5 we are told to be ambassadors for God and that He knows if we are sincere!  Oops, we don't want to offend someone, but we call ourselves ambassadors?  Now, I know we need to be careful with our approach sometimes and allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct, but what is easier than wearing a t-shirt that states who you belong to?  Nobody, but you picks the clothes you wear each day.  I don't comment on other peoples clothes, do you?  Unless, I like it.  Perhaps, it might cause someone to pause and think, but offend?  I don't think so and it if does...let it!  Start offending for God after all we don't mind offending others about our teams, do we?  Ponder this thought today.  

Choose to be an Ambassador For the Kingdom.  Next time you reach for your team's t-shirt pick the Kingdom building one.  We never know when game day is going to happen!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

YES!

Yes!  Yes!  Yes!

I'm always telling people we just have to answer Yes and it will forever change our journey to an adventure!  The key word is Yes!  God allows us to say yes or no.  The free will thing gets a lot of us in trouble, it would be so much easier if He made the choice for us, but He wants us all to say Yes we pick you LORD!

In 2 Corinthians 1:19 these words just spoke to me this morning ~ "For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between "Yes" and "No".  He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God's ultimate "Yes," he always does what he says.  For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" and through Christ, our "Amen" (which means YES)  ascends to God for his glory.  Don't you love this?  No wavering back and forth, nope it is a firm YES and His firm YES was definitely a firm YES for all of us!

No flip flop answers from Jesus, No maybe answers from Jesus, No no's from Jesus - HE SAID YES for you and for me!  Thank you Jesus for your resounding YES!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Stumbling

I love it when God shows you that without a doubt He wants you to look at a certain thing, a certain topic, a certain choice, a certain scripture, so He reinforces it for you! It always sends the chills up and down my spine, when I realize that the Savior of the Universe sees little old Debbie. What about you? Does it send the chills up and down your spine? Have you forgot to look for these moments lately, because you are so caught up in everyday living? It's so easy to do, but don't miss out on these special moments.

Reading from Romans 11: 11 this morning this verse caught my attention and gave me such hope. Did God's people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. God made the way for our poor choices or another way to put it our stumbles! When we step on the banana peels along our path and we are truly sorry and ask forgiveness God provides the way through Christ and this always just humbles me beyond words. I mean really think about it for yourself. It wasn't something easy, no He sent His Son for you and me. I truly can't even wrap my little, small brain around that fact, but I know it is true! I believe it with all my heart and I thank God for His provision, because without it I would be forever lost in all my stumbles.

I went on reading and came to Romans 14:12 - 13 which stated, "Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." Indeed, let's don't throw a banana peel along someone else's path to cause them to loose their footing! So easy for us to entice another to join in our poor choices after all we all like company even if it's when we are able to take our tumble on the banana peel. Instead, we need to remember that encouraging another to stumble will cause us to answer for it when the time comes before God. I don't know about you, but I have enough that I will be taken to account for, but thank God - He loves me and I believe His Word that He forgives me, because I believe that He sent Jesus!

So, if you take a stumble today remember that God provides the way to recover!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Groanings...

Reading Romans gives each of us so much hope. Hope that is needed in a world that is in a hurry to get to the next point. We get to one point and it's on to the next and so on and so on.

The earth is groaning and so is everyone in it. Have you thought about recently how many earthquakes this old world is having? How often they are happening? The earth is groaning. Do you listen to the television and hear all the groaning happening around us?

I want to encourage you to read the Message from Romans 5 -8 it says it so beautifully! So many verses that speak to me...Romans 5:18-19 - Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right!

Another, I love is Romans 6 - Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us! Hallelujah! I love Romans read it for yourself!

We live in freedom because of God sending Christ for each of us! WE have hope, we have light, we have eternity and freedom! Indeed, Romans reminds us to quit the groaning and start the shouting hallelujahs!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Parts

When I teach in a class with lots of older people I am always amazed that they have begun to feel that their time is done in kingdom work. We've done our time, so to speak is the message that I get from some, not all.

Reading this morning from 1 Corinthians 12 beginning in 12-31 about how many parts make up the body, it struck me it takes every last one of us! Verse 18 says it beautifully, "but our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it." The Kingdom needs all of us!

When our car's motor messes up? Will it run? Nope, not without the repairs. It needs all of its parts to run. The same is true with the body of Christ. God developed a plan that includes each of us in a particular role. He doesn't have to use us, but He wants to use us. So His plan does include you and me. Do we want to let Him down? It makes me think of when we disappoint our parent or another loved one and the pain they feel because of our disappointing them. God gets disappointed with us and I hate to think about how often...but we will not even go there. No, we will stick with how it takes each and everyone us with the plan that God developed with each of us in mind.

Today, use the gift that God gave you. If we each use our gift, the world will shine brighter today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Mystery

Mystery books, do you love them? I love a good mystery. One filled with how, when, where, why, and so many other questions.

God's mysteries are good too. Oh, we will never figure out the answers, but it is fun to discuss and toss around. I wonder if? I wonder how?

I love that God is sooooo big, sooooo much more than our small brains can possibly comprehend that never ever will we figure it all out. God doesn't need us to figure it out. He just wants us to trust and believe in Him. He knows the hows, the whys, the ifs and we don't need to concern ourselves with it!!! I love it!

If you are wondering one word jumped out at me this morning it was mystery from 1 Corinthians 4 about explaining about God's mysteries. I don't think any of us are capable of explaining His mysteries and that gives me a great comfort! A comfort in knowing that we serve a MIGHTY, POWERFUL SAVIOR who doesn't need to explain anything to anyone!

Trusting and walking by faith,

Debbie

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The Same or in Harmony

I love this photo! The tulips are in harmony with one another.

Reading from God's Word the verse from 1 Corinthians 1:10 about living in harmony with each other just grasp my attention. Do we as a people exist in harmony about anything anymore?

Pause think about the United States is it an argument about everything? I refuse to watch much of the television news anymore. I don't watch the debates, I don't watch the commentary on Fox or CNN...Why? Everybody wants their own way and it is just a shouting match! Truthfully, I just see a bunch of people that don't really care about where we are as a country it's about where they are as a person. They seem to want more power and this is the way to achieve it. It's not about where is our feelings SHOULD BE with we are ONE NATION UNDER GOD. When we as a nation were great we were definitely one nation under GOD! Look back over history our nation was formed to find religious freedom and now if we even mention God we are nuts...we are crazy...what does that have to do with anything? Look back...let history speak for itself. Our forefathers didn't force anything on anyone yet they knew that GOD was leading us and we consulted with Him. Now I wonder if our leaders consult God before making decisions that cause us to fight rather than live in harmony. Or perhaps we as a group aren't praying for our leaders? Today, pray for Our President, pray for Our Congress, pray for anybody that is in a role of leadership to come together and back where we stood as a nation once upon a time - ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Be a cheerleader today!

Did you ever want to be a cheerleader, but just didn't fit the requirements? Well, you do now!

We are all able to offer words that help those that cross our path everyday! WE might offer you look fabulous today, your smile is just contagious, I love your outfit, you always make my day so much better just by being in my life...so many ways to encourage those around you! Today encourage someone!

The reading today from Paul was to the people in Thessalonia and he was encouraging the people. Days were going to be tough, but they could do it! Always keep thanking God and keep pleasing Him not the people. Paul warned the people tough times were coming and soon and you know it! Be strong and be strengthened by God's Words. Encourage, Encourage, Encourage share God's love and be a friend today!!!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Inside our jail cells

We make choices daily that forever affect our journey! We makes some good ones and others it feels like we place ourselves inside a prison cell.

A cell where we wonder, if we will ever be freed again. Reading, this morning from Acts 16 where Paul and Silas find themselves inside a prison cell for talking about Jesus I was struck by their actions while inside the cell. What did they do? They prayed and sang hymns to God!

When we find ourselves inside our prison walls for whatever reason, do you find yourself singing hymns and praising God? What a witness these two men were to all around them and then God provided and earthquake to open the doors and chains to fall off and still they set an example for all of us to learn from they stayed put...They did not run! Knowing a man's life would be at stake they stayed put and witnessed by their example. Imagine, this scene in your head. Wow, what a testimony this jailer had to share with all that would listen. A man that was about to kill himself knowing the price was going to be his life, if these two men had escaped. He just knew they had and was about to take his own life, when suddenly this voice shouted, "STOP!"...

Are we allowing God's Light to shine through our prison cell?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Today, reading from Galatians 3:23 reminded me of the old hymn Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know...

Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak until the way of faith was revealed.

Thank you Jesus!

Sinners all of us. Oh our sin may be different, but we are all sinners! Only way to Our Heavenly Father is through His Son and we must believe. We cannot earn it, we cannot be good enough, we cannot do anything Jesus did it all on the cross for each of us.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

How?

How can I?

What a question that each of us should give some thought to - what is the man saying in Acts 8?

The man only knew of the old testament no written word about Jesus yet. No one had spoken about Jesus with him, but still his heart was searching for answers. Jesus was pursuing him.

Today, we have people all around us that don't know Jesus. Some think they do, Some don't want to, Some have never even heard of Him, Some balk at the thought of Jesus, Some love Him with all their might, but are afraid to stand up for Him, so do they really believe? So many thoughts went through my mind when I read this statement. "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" The original greek word was Hodegeo which meant leads on ones way. Are we leading any one on their way? Are we leading them the right way?

I guess what was really placed on my heart is are we leading people along the way? Are we sharing Jesus with others by our walks? I love WWJD, because truly our actions sometimes speak louder than our words. Are we truly walking the talk or just running at the mouth? I ask these questions aloud, because I am searching my own heart for truth as I write. Any time, I write I am also asking the same words of myself. Never ever do I want anyone that reads this blog to think I think I've got it all together. I fail moment to moment, but I want to improve moment to moment as well. I want to share what Jesus did for me with others. Yes, He died on the cross for me. My Sins cost Jesus His Life. He would have died just for me or just for you! He loves each of us this much.

Today, ponder are we leading people the right way? How do you define the right way? I am very Kingdom minded and I know that God loves me enough that He sent His Son to die for me and it's not much to ask of each of us to share this with others by our actions, by our words, by our journey! Go today and lead!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Oh to be different

Reading today it wasn't a particular passage that just took my breath away it was a person and that person was Stephen. Yes, he was unique! Yes, he was brave! Yes, he was special! Yes, he was different! He stood up for what he knew in his heart was true!

When was the last time that we did that? Oh, I like to think I will stand up, but would I really? If my life were on the line like Stephen's would I still stand tall? It is my prayer that I would, but we never know until we actually are in those shoes! Imagine, yourself in Stephen's sandals for a moment. You are shouting to a crowd that doesn't like what you are saying, but you give the history from many, many years to people that knew the history themselves, but refused to believe one part of the history. Christ the Messiah.

He called the leaders of the day out in front of everyone. He was going to make them take a stand. Could you be that brave? Could I? He tells them they are deaf to truth and a heathen! Imagine it! An angry crowd with everyone against you. Shouting their anger and they were enraged, but Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit saw the glory of God with Jesus at the right hand of God and he told them! Knowing full well what this would mean for him. The rocks begin to hit him and he is shouting for God to forgive them of this sin! Do you feel the rocks hitting you? Do you feel the pain with each one? Do you still beg forgiveness for the ones throwing them?

Going through this imagine this morning I knew full well that indeed I felt the pain of the rock being thrown, but I also felt the pain of the realization that indeed I don't beg forgiveness for the one throwing them.

Lord, indeed I ask you to help me be more like Stephen and ask forgiveness when I feel the stone come against me. Only through you will I be able to forgive I need your strength to show forgiveness never on my own will I be capable. I love you Lord and know that through you I will be able to forgive. Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

That's your problem

Have you ever had a situation and you wanted someone to understand, but it seemed no one cared? It wasn't their problem or situation - it was yours?

Well, Judas betrayed Christ. He realized it and went forward declaring he had sinned and that they were about to kill an innocent man. The response was your sin is your problem not ours. Judas realized what he had done. I don't think this ever captured me before today oh I knew he went forward and tried to change things, but the words caught my attention today. Judas admitted his wrong and tried to change things, but it was too late for the others. Judas was so grieved he hanged himself, but he admitted his sin before everyone. Do you think he was grieving being found out as a betrayer not what he actually did? I do and here are my thoughts as to why he was grieving and begging them to see thew wrong he had done.

Judas was being treated like an outcast. He was outcast from the disciples. He was now outcast from the people that purchased his betrayal. Judas made his own choice of betraying Christ and his remorse wasn't truly about receiving forgiveness from Christ or at least this is my thinking he wanted forgiveness of the group that allowed him to complete the betrayal or to appear to the disciples that he was sorry. If he were truly sorry, wouldn't he have spoken directly to Christ? Wouldn't he have hit his knees begging forgiveness? Instead, he runs out and hangs himself.

Our choices may cause us grief, but do we ask forgiveness truly because we want forgiveness or is it about something else entirely? Do we truly ask Christ to forgive our wrongs or is it about appearance?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Who guides your path?

I loved the picture today! It went so along the path that the Holy Spirit was leading me this morning.

Who is guiding you along the paths of life? Do we ask the Spirit for guidance on some things, but keep other things to our own judgment? Perhaps because we are afraid of the answer that we might get?

After having just returned from a trip filled with tour guides. Follow this way, no this way, go this way, don't do that, can you hear me, to just plain getting bored with the directions it hit me that indeed sometimes we go our own path just because we want to! Nothing more needs to be said we don't consult God's word, we don't ask in prayer we simply do what we want to do and maybe it's just me. I kinda of doubt it looking at the world around me. We aren't doing so well, so truthfully I don't think I'm alone in making my own way without the help of the one left to guide us.

I loved the reading this morning about Jesus sharing about the Advocate that was going to come in John 18 and also in John 16. The advocate is our comforter the one who plead's another's cause is the definition from the original word that was used. Now I don't know about you, but sometimes we need someone to plead our case! We also need a comforter that only wants us to pick the right path!

I have to share the verse that truly touched my spirit this morning was John 16:13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. Isn't truth what we all need? I don't want anyone to guide me on the top of the mountain or on level ground that doesn't speak truth! Let's listen for the Advocate and follow this lead along the right path.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I think I can. I think I can...

Remember that children's book? I loved it about the little engine that could...

Well, this morning I woke up feeling terrible and I am repeating these words over and over in my head when God gave me better words...

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Yes, indeed!

Don't feel good, but I know Christ is going to help me get it done and headed home today to my babies.

Sweet blessings,

Deb

Whose your neighbor?

Today I have to write about love your neighbor as yourself.

How good are we at this? Let's be honest with ourselves, if not each other.

Sometimes it's just not easy to love our neighbor. We don't look like them. We don't act like them. We like to be in groups that look and act like we do. Let's don't rock the boat by bringing in neighbors.

Ever thought about it? Who is your neighbor?

Is your neighbor the person that you love or hate? Wouldn't it be anybody other than you? Life just isn't easy sometimes and then God's Word makes it more difficult with Jesus telling us to love our neighbors as ourselves. WE don't even like ourselves half the time - much less our neighbor. Yet Jesus is pretty clear about this in Mark.

Ponder loving your neighbor as yourself when you sit at the red light today, as you ride the elevator with the stranger, or this afternoon when you pull into your driveway and your neighbor is standing there getting their mail...how do you love your neighbor?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The God of the Living

I loved this verse from Luke 20:38 - 39

So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.

Well said, Teacher! remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there.

I loved this often times you hear people refer to God as the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob. I really never gave it much thought until today with thinking of resurrection. I love it!

God is living always and that we are all alive to Him! Yes, Lord!

God is simply beyond our wildest imaginations!

Thank you Lord for being way beyond our small brains or thought processes! So much more than we are able to comprehend and honestly this gives me a peace beyond words. I don't want people to be able to explain You. I love that You are just way bigger than everything, everyone, and after all the Creator of all of us, shouldn't it be? Why is this hard for us?

Again, thanks Lord for ALL you are...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie