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