Sacrifice must cost us something...

Psalm 90, Leviticus 1, 2 and Mark 5: 1-20

God's timing never seizes to amaze me!  My prayer before reading this morning was Lord I so desperately need a word from you.  A word, a reminder that it is not for naught.

Don't get me wrong I love ministry, but I also have a long list of Debbie things that I personally want to do just like everybody else in this world.  Daily I must choose God's list or Debbie's list and lately Debbie's list has been pulling very strongly at my desires.  The pain of someone you are working with that makes a choice different from what you would make, a person you love moving along a different path because God calls them to a different spot, the list could go on and on because it is the list of things that hurt.  A list that makes it difficult to stay on God's list of things and not your own.

God hit me between the eyes this morning in the reading.  I love it when He does that even when He is telling me that I need to straighten up.  I must admit that I was having a morning of saying Lord how could this person do this and this person do this and it was like the LORD said, Debbie why do you do what you do?  I was hit right between the eyes with my own wrong choices or wrong paths!  It hit me the pain I feel is nothing compared to what God feels moment to moment with ALL OF HIS CHILDREN!  I only minister to a few and we all mess up. (me included)  But God never stops loving us and pursuing us!  Thank you LORD!

Psalm 90 was so powerful for me this morning starting around verse 12 with help me gain a heart of wisdom and have compassion on your servants.  Yes, the author was asking the LORD to have compassion, but He used it to tell me to have compassion that I was no different from anyone else I made poor choices just yesterday myself.  Yes, He pointed them out!  IT was NOT pretty!

He even went further with me about being satisfied with HIS LOVE and how He established a work for me to do and to be satisfied!  Do the work and quit your complaining!  I heard you LORD and thank you once again for the scolding!  Lord, use my scolding to help someone else!  

God is so good.  He then lead me to Leviticus and the first thing that struck me was that sacrifice that the LORD calls us to do will cost us.  It will hurt us at times, but we must give it to HIM. 

Then it was on to Mark with the man and the demons.  The man finally freed from the chains, the loneliness and the LORD telling him to go and share how much the LORD has done for you.  Have we shared lately how much the LORD has done?  Share today!  Tell someone about how amazing it is when He sees you even if it is discipline, especially then!  Also, the times that you need to know He loves you so much and He lets you know just how much He loves you by giving you that Word you so desperately need to hear.  Just this week I had a very special friend know exactly at  a moment she needed so desperately to know He was with her and loved her and He did!  He showed up!

Share about Our Amazing Savior today with someone that so desperately needs to feel compassion and love from another believer!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Sowers of the Word

Exodus 36, 37, 38 and Mark 4: 1-20

Today, what struck me was how deep in me is the Word getting?  Is it soaking in?  Is it going to be where I am able to reach in when I so desperately need a Word from God and get it or will Satan have taken it away?

Everyday I am growing in God's Word and I celebrate this truth!  I know that when the difficult times come and they will - I will have something very strong to cling to (PTL) God's Word!  Today and the story of the sower and the seed struck home with me once again about the importance of knowing God's Word.  It is to help us through the difficult times, to help us make decisions, to help us celebrate when we realize the Savior of the World sees us and wants to share with us!  It is so important to sow the seeds of truth all through our fields that surround us!  

I have never been a outdoorsy, get in the dirt girl that plants seeds to watch them grow!  I am a girl that tries daily now to plant God's seeds from His Word in the lives of those around me.  I try to show them that God will help them grow and grow and grow.

Plant your seeds,

Debbie

Book Review on Embraced by God written by Babbie Mason

Endorsements for Embraced by God are pouring in ...

Here's what I love about Embraced by God: it's as warm and caring, as biblical and wise, as Babbie Mason herself. Filled with passion and compassion, flavored with memorable stories and lyrical lessons, Babbie's devotional invites you to spend twenty-one days basking in the truth of God's love for you. A splendid new resource from a gifted sister. - Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author of Bad Girls of the Bible

If you want to enjoy the peace of knowing 'everything is all right' because of who God thinks you are, then read…Embraced by God. - Jan Silvious (Speaker, Life Coach, Author, Big Girls Don't Whine and Same Life New Story)

Are you longing for the truth of God’s love and tenderness for you? Read this book! Babbie Mason has authentically, passionately, purposefully, and powerfully written words of healing for you! - Dr. Thelma Wells

{More about Embraced by God}

Have you ever wondered, "Does God really love me? Do I really matter to him?" HE LOVES YOU. As a matter of fact, God loves you just as much as he loves His own Son. In the pages of this heartwarming, thoughtful and life-affirming 21-day journey, award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and teacher Babbie Mason reminds you, when you know you are loved by God and that you are in His eternal plan, you’ll never again wonder if your life matters. Click for more info.

{More about Babbie}

Babbie Mason is a Dove Award-winning and Grammy nominated gospel singer, songwriter, author, creator of the Embrace: A Worship Event for Women ministry, professor of songwriting at Atlanta Christian College and Lee University, and a television talk-show host. She was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and has appeared on numerous national television and radio programs. Babbie has been honored perform for Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Colin Powell, Steve Forbes among many others. Babbie performs a holiday special at Carnegie Hall every year. Babbie lives near Atlanta on a farm with her husband Charles.

{More about the Embraced by God Giveaway}

Embraced by God is a 21-day encounter that shares the unconditional love of God. "If you watch what the media says as to where we should find our identity--" says Babbie, "--money, beauty, power and technology--you'll just be confused about who you are and what your purpose is. As a culture we are trying to buy or sell what can only be administered to the soul by Jesus."

Celebrate with Babbie by entering her Nook Tablet Giveaway!

One beloved winner will receive:

·         A Brand new Nook Tablet with Wi-Fi

·         Embraced by God by Babbie Mason

·         Babbie's Embraced by God Music CD

·         Babbie's Embraced by God Notecards

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/5/12. Winner will be announced at Babbie's "Embraced" Facebook Party on 3/6. Babbie will be hosting an evening of chat, music, laughter, and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, Embraced by God music CDs and Notecards, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club.) 

So grab your copy of Embraced by God and join Babbie and friends on the evening of March 6th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

Embraced by God written by Babbie Mason

I highly recommend this book if you desire MORE in your relationship with the LORD!  Do you desire a more intimate relationship with God?  Do you feel like you haven’t heard from the LORD in a very long time?  Well, this book is for you and anyone that wants more in your relationship with the LORD.

Intimacy is defined

the state of being intimate,

a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship with another person or group.

a close association with or detailed knowledge or deep understanding of a place, subject, period of history, etc.: an intimacy with Japan. (www.dictionary.com)

Do you want the LORD to be familiar to you?  If you answered yes, then this book will help you with a daily for 21 days to growing into a much deeper, real relationship. 

Quick and easy reading it’s not, but this is if you desire more.  You are at that spot in your Spiritual journey that you are longing for more, more, more…that is the key to this book in my opinion.  If a woman is so busy that she will not take the time to ponder, respond, and listen then this might not be the book for you.  On the other hand, if you are ready for deeper thinking.  Open up this read and get ready for God to show up!

Babbie shares through being real about her own relationship with Jesus and encouraging each of us to look at scripture perhaps in a whole new way.  To pray about the writing for the day and what you desire from God’s word, your reading, and your thought process.  I’ve only been able to read a few days so far and I am truly enjoying the new approach that Babbie suggest with each day.  It is a wonderful reminder of God’s love for each of us and reminding us to cling to Him. 

I am finding the book easy reading, but with much to think about and ponder with the LORD.  It is a book that will help you to grow in your Spiritual Walk with the LORD.  So order your copy today and check out the details given above for a possible nook giveaway and check out the blog tour on other blogs to get more from other bloggers about this wonderful book.  Go to Litfuse Publicity to find out more details!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie Covington

True Love...

Genesis 19, 20 Matthew 27: 27-50

Today, being Valentine's it hit me reading that the one that truly loves each of us more than words could ever express only His actions say it...

Matthew 27: Jesus died on the cross for you and for me...

Surely he was the Son of God!

Yes, indeed this is true love shown for each of us!

Today is Valentine's remember the one that died, so that we might have eternal life!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

What shall I do with Jesus?

Exodus 16, 17, 18 Matthew 27: 1-26

The words from Matthew 27 have recently really touched my heart...Pilate is sitting listening to the crowd about Jesus and he ask the question in verse 22 "What shall I do, then with Jesus who is called Christ?"  A very profound question for each of us to answer.

Once we have heard about Jesus we all get to decide the same question for ourselves.  What shall I do, with the one called Jesus?  Will I allow Jesus to change my life forever or will I reject Him?  We each get to answer the question for ourselves.  We may answer like Pilate and weakly reject Him or we allow Him to forever change us from the outside in or the inside out, whichever way we are forever different once He enters our life! He comes into our hearts and we are never the same!  Praise the LORD!  Things bother us that we use to turn our backs on.  We notice words that never use to bother us.  We see someone that desperately needs help and we try to help.  Jesus entering our life causes us to be people of action.

No longer do we turn a blind eye or act like things don't matter because of Jesus we aren't able to just sit and ignore things.  Change is a  part of Jesus entering our life and sometimes change is difficult for set in our ways women that don't like change, but we just can't help it anymore.  We have to act, not because of us, but because of Jesus living in us!  Nothing to do with me He lives inside me and that forever changed me.  

So I close asking the same question, "What shall I do, then with Jesus who is called Christ?"  What shall we do?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

LORD went ahead...and still does!

Exodus12, 13 and Matthew 26: 1-35

The last several months I've been in a study by Priscilla Shirer entitled "One in a Million"  I highly recommend the study!!!!  It is a difficult study, but a life changing study!  A study that shows us about these particular verses from Exodus 13 about the people leaving Egypt.

God sometimes will lead us into the wilderness so that we will look to Him.  We will grow close to Him.  Look at chapter 13: 17-18...God did not lead them the shorter route, because knowing if it was shorter and they come upon travel they would return to Egypt!  Imagine, even though they were free from slavery and bondage they would still pick to go back once they came upon a difficult time!

Isn't this us?  Don't we want the easy no difficulties route?  Even if in the long run the other route is so much better, we would still pick slavery!!!  Let that sink in a moment.  God knew difficult times were coming and He was in front of them, but still He knows us.  He knows that we want easy.  He knows that we choose to relax and with our chains holding us down, but it's easy...

Don't settle for easy!  Don't settle for no problems!  God goes before you, so when it's difficult He carries us through!  He leads the way and helps us handle the difficult situations and it is so true!  Don't get me wrong I don't want hard times, but they are going to come and I want God with me.  I want Him going before me, because I know I can't handle anything without Him!  I don't care if it looks easy behind you difficult times are still going to come, so I want God going before me.  I know that if I keep my eyes on Him ahead of me, I'm never alone and He will get me through!

Keep your eyes on Him and you can handle whatever comes your way!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Joy, Joy, Joy

I remember growing up and on Sunday evenings we could pick our hymns in church and I loved Sunday nights.  Now I was very shy, so it took all I had to request Joy, Joy, Joy, deep in my heart, deep in my heart.  I loved that song and now I truly do!  We must pick joy daily!  Good days and bad pick joy and before long you really are feeling joy in your heart!  Deep in your heart!

I love the new devotional by Angela Thomas about joy!  It is really making me think about picking joy daily and it is truly touching my heart.  I highly recommend it and just felt lead to share about making a choice of having joy in your heart, on your face and everywhere else today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

You intend harm, but...

Genesis 49, 50, Matthew 23:23-29

We humans are sure less than what God intends us to be, aren't we?  I know I am...reading this morning I was struck when the brothers of Joseph were immediately concerned with their own welfare with their father gone.  Did they not see Joseph's heart?  Were they so wrapped up in themselves they could not see who Joseph truly was?  How could he harm them?

Joseph wept.  I imagine his heart was broken that truly these people so close to him just didn't get it...Oh he was hurt, but he felt pain for the ones he called brothers that were still not realizing what God was doing and the words that their own father spoke on his death bed about the future and their blessings.  Joseph knew God and his reply was so revealing ~ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, to save so many lives.  so then, don't be afraid.  I will provide for you and your children.  And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

It reminds me of the time that the two words are spoken in Luke 11, when Lazarus had died and Mary and Martha were so broken.   The words of Why didn't you come sooner Lord?  If you only...such words and in verse 35 the words were Jesus wept.  Pondering this morning several things struck me from this passage Jesus wept because nobody got it...even those close to Him!  Also, He truly felt their pain of losing their friend, but He knew He was going to bring Him back, so the real heart break to me was that no one was getting it...

What do you think?  Do we get it?  Do we think friends have gone off the deep end, when they just want all the people they love and the ones that don't know Him to know Jesus.  I use to think people like me were a little out there or a little nuts, but know I know deep inside their heart just breaks because I just want everyone to know Jesus!  Don't get me wrong I fail moment to moment and mess up bad, but I do know Jesus and I have no doubts about that fact.  I don't know a lot about much, but I do know in my heart the difference that He makes in my life and how He truly changed me and my thinking.

Joseph shows us how to respond in difficult times.  

Also, I wanted to mention that perhaps Jacob loved Leah more than we think, because he ask to be buried with Leah not Rachel.  Perhaps after Rachel died Jacob truly came to love Leah too, so he ask to placed beside her. Sorry but I had to mention this too...it just touched me knowing the pain Leah suffered loving Jacob and desiring him to feel the same about her.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie 

Tough times, but never alone

Genesis 39, 40 and Matthew 21: 23-46

Wow, every time I read about Joseph I am amazed that he always kept his eyes on the LORD!  Knowing full well this woman was going to tell untruths and something bad was going to happen he still kept God as his focus knowing in the end God would handle it all.

Imagine, the wife of your boss shouting such lies and knowing your time here was about to end for a prison cell because of lies.  In verse 21, we learn exactly how Joseph managed throughout this terrible ordeal it was -

the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.  Wherever Joseph went God was kind to him and took care of him.  Always going before Joseph whether it was in the pit, in slavery, in a prison cell God was right there with Joseph!

Today, whatever you face know the LORD is going before you!  Together you will be able to face whatever comes your way!  Hold tightly to His hand and keep your eyes focused on the LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Doubt...who me?

Genesis 36, 37, 38 and Matthew 21: 1-22

The story of a fig tree withering is a wonderful picture about believing without a doubt something is going to happen!  Do we really believe?

It's easy to believe when we are rolling along and we have the world by the tail, isn't it?  What about the days when out of the blue you or I our world changes in the blink of an eye?  Well, it happens daily to each of us at different times.

Will we believe like Jesus?  WWJD?  Will we?

Will we know in our hearts that we can move a mountain?  Will we trust and place it all in God's hands?

It is my prayer that we are all able to say "YES" and mean it!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie