The Thief

John 10:10 says; "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly," Satan is only here to do one thing, destroy us. The closer we are to God, the better we are. Does it mean that satan won't attack us? No,he will, and he attacks those who are living for Christ. He already knows those who are away from Christ, he wants to destroy those who are close to Christ. I have a friend who says," Atleast we know we are living for Christ, since we are being attacked, nonstop!" We use that as a way for us to get through, knowing that we are serving Christ, and living for Him, we are getting attacked. The thief comes to our families, our schools, and towns, and our country. He touches those who are weak, and strong. The thief came, and almost destroyed my family, almost destroyed me. We cannot give in to him, we cannot let him have one cornerstone of our lives. He comes when we least expect it, and attacks with a vengence,for he does not want anything good to work for God. Though we already know how the chapter ends, we already know Christ is the winner, we may have to suffer long. Is it worth it? Is it worth the hurt? I have to say yes, it is,since I know Christ is my Savior and He will overcome, and He is there for us when the thief strikes. God can change all into the good of eternity. Get close to Christ, and watch out for the thief, who will stike, but we can be prepared, by knowing God's word, and the will of God. We have nothing to fear. Fear does not come from God. With God we can have peace knowing He is in control. Jer.29:11.

Saul, he wasn't a hopeless case, was he?

Many times we look at others and say, goodness there is no help for them, or maybe, they should not be forgiven for that, or nothing is going to help them, or why should we help them, do they help anyone? We could go on and on with the comments that we choose to make about others who have gone astray, or have made mistakes. Are we not all sinners? I think we tend to forget that at times. Some think that since I am a christian I am better now. No, you are still a sinner, just a saved one. If God could change Saul, one who persecuted Christians, had Stephen stoned,and was one of the most evil people in that time, He can change anyone. He changed Saul into Paul, and Paul gave his all for Christ, he was a martyr for Christ. Paul did great things for Christ, because he allowed Christ to change, and mold him, and to be used of God. If God can do these wonderful things He has done through Paul, He can do them with anyone,anyone willing to open their hearts, and walk with Him. No one is hopeless, no one is unchanging, no one is a lost cause. Jesus wants all His children to be saved and walk with Him. We can be the light upon the hill, instead of the judge in the stand. We need to change the way we look at others. Not through our eyes, but with the eyes of Christ. That is how people will be changed, and come to know Him. They will look at our example, and what example are we giving them? I was once a Saul, and God was able to change me, what about you?

A new friendship I cherish

I have a friend that I get to decorate our church with. She has become a wonderful friend to me. As we began this new adventure,we really were not sure just how things were going to go, but it has been awesome. She is so very wise, in her relationship with the Lord, and just in life. She has taught me so many things about decorating, that I never knew before. I can remember how excited I was when I made my first flower basket all by myself. This was a great acievement for me, since I had never made one before. Its funny, she knows all about color schemes, and all kinds of things. If I dare to pick up a bunch of flowers that really look good to me, she wont really say anything, and I know thats her saying, that no, it does not match, and we are not using that one!! We get to go shopping together, and when we do, we have so much fun together.You just never know how much you have in common with someone, or how great something will be, unless you are willing to try something new. I am so glad we tried this out together, she has taught me many things, and we get to share so much. I am thankful for my new friend, and our great adventure.

Where is your prayer closet?

Where is that you go to spend time with the Lord? Is it outdoors, a long walk, maybe sitting out on the deck, listening to the frogs, curled up in your bed, in your closet, in your car, or just in a favorite room? Maybe is it not even just a place, but just doing something? When you are cleaning, are you spending time with God, doing the dishes, mowing the lawn,hunting out in the woods, or cleaning out the gargage? Many people have one special place where they can go and be with God. We can worship Him, and pray in the quiet of the day, the darkness of the night, or in the middle of the day with all the noise of the city. My point is, God is everywhere. It is awesome to know that we can go to Him anywhere, anytime of day, with anything,and He is always there. I happen to love cleaning with my music up loud, and praying as I go, and being in the car alone, just me and God, with the music up loud, and my hand raised, I worship Him, and pray. We don't just have to be in church, or with our head bowed. Its not just one prayer. We can go to Him with respect, but like He is our daddy, our friend, and one who loves us, and just share all we have. Open our hearts up to Him, and open our ears and listen also to what He says to us. Let us not just be the ones who are always talking, but let us listen and learn from our Father. Our prayer closets can be anywhere or anything we choose, just choosing a spot and spending that time is what truelly matters. Where is your prayer closet?

Prayer Friends, are you surrounded with them?

I am so very blessed as I wake this morning, I find myself thinking of my circle of friends. Not just my close friendships, but my prayer friends. They are such a part of my life. In one moment, in any situation, all I have to do is pick up my phone, call them, or leave a message, or text them. Then in moments they are texting back, letting me know they are praying. Prayer is such a big part of our lives, I cannot imagine life without it, or without my prayer circle. To know that others will take the time and pray for you or your family is so very special. You become connected to one another, giving each other a part of yourselves. Asking for prayer at first was very humbling to me, it was though I had to admit I couldn't face things on my own. You know what? We cannot. We are not suppose to. We are to bare one anothers burdens, carry each others loads, and lift each other up in prayer. We were never made to walk alone, nor do things all alone. With the support of Jesus, and our prayer circle, we can conquer anything.

If there was one show that described you perfectly, what would it be?

This is one just for fun, but it is true to my life. If there was one show on television that descibed me perfect it would be, "Everybody loves Raymand". Yes, and I, I would be Debra. Laugh if you must, but I have seen almost every episode, and yes, it is my life. Not that my husband is really Raymand, but he could be, I suppose, but its more the in-laws. Those that tend to drive you up a wall, and no matter what you do, it just will never be good enough for momma's baby. Since Momma can do it all better than you. I have even been told, I am not a real woman because I do not garden, do not can, and do not cut wood!!!I could give her a few people to choose from though...Its that you try, and try, but no matter what, there they are, and you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I stopped crying about it a long time ago, now I just simply laugh. You have to laugh at some things in life just to get through.Debra and I would be wonderful friends, I just know it. It was like her character was picked out right from my life. We watch the show and just laugh at the resemblance to our lives. We cannot choose our in-laws, but we have to choose to love them, even if they drive us up a wall.

Refine Me

Psalm 66:10 says; " For you, O God, have tested us, You have refined us as silver is refined." When we come to Jesus we come as we are. He does the rest, He refines us like gold or silver. As it is found it melted down, all the impurities are taken out, and it is made into something beautiful.That is my prayer for me and for you, that Jesus would refine us, take all our impurities and make them new. That He would change us and mold us into something beautiful. Change our hearts to look like His, and change our attitudes to be like His. That He would look down upon His children and be proud. Can you see Him in Heaven? What would that be like to hear Him say He was proud of His children.If we will just give in, let go of ourselves, our wants, our needs, and focus on Him, and let Him refine us to look like beautiful creations, created only by Him. Refined by the best, what else could be better than that?

How many times have we denied Jesus, is it more than three?

Matthew 26:34 says;"Jesus said to him, " Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Some look at Peter and say "How could he deny Jesus?" He even denied Him three times. Why did he deny? Was he afraid? Was he thinking of himself? Did he think he was more important? How many times have we denied Jesus? Has it been more than three? I would take a guess and say yes it has been. I think we deny Him all the time, even when we are not realizing it. When we disobey, when we turn the other way when He wants us to go one way, when we live for ourselves, when we wake up and say what do I want to do today, when we see a need and we choose not to fulfill it because maybe we dont know that person or just maybe we dont like them. How many times could we give, and we choose to keep for ourselves? If we really take a deep look inside ourselves, we may believe with all our heart, but we still deny Him in many ways. When we hurt others, gossip, lie, cheat, and walk a different way, we are denying Him to live within our hearts. When we choose not to listen to His word, and apply it to our hearts, we deny Him. I believe Peter was a lesson for us to learn about denying. The amazing thing is, is that Jesus forgives. We are all sinners and we deny Jesus, and ourselves to be used greatly by Him, for reasons that satan plant into our minds. At some point, we have to stop and listen for that rooster. Is he crowing in your ears, as he is mine? Don't waste time and deny Jesus one more day. Choose to listen, and walk with Him,and lets learn from Peter.

Fear

What is it that you fear? Is it the lose of your children, your parents? Is it the lose of your job, or income? Is it the lose of your reputation, or friends? Maybe its heights, elevators,spiders, or snakes? Is the fear of storms one for you, or maybe the fear of fire? Is it the fear of regret, or mistakes? So many of us carry so many fears with us. Some have fear of needles, doctors all together. I happen to be claustrophobic, and hate elevators. My two that people laugh at are grasshoppers and grand-daddy longlegs.Yes, go ahead and laugh...I have the same fears as you do, losing my children, illness in my family or friends. If we allow it, fear can overtake our lives.It can consume every part of us.We then become that fear. We cannot have faith if we have fear. Do we trust the Lord or not? Do we understand He is in control, and has a plan or not? Fear does not come from the Lord, it comes from satan. Why do we allow ourselves to fear things, the unknown, and things we cannot change one moment by worrying?Either God is our God, and Lord over all or not. We either trust Him or not. We should be able to face our fears with His strength and power. We need to face our fears head on, and know that God is with us all the way. Trusting and knowing that He is there makes all the difference in the world. In Isaiah 41:10 it says; "Fear not for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." We should be able to open our hands and give Him everything we have,and trust Him with all, and have no fears. Knowing He is in control, and He is with us always. Not just some of the time, but always. Who else can you say that about? His love covers all, and it should be enough for us not to have any fears,knowing He will take care of us in all situations. The next time you have a bad dream, or you let a fear come to mind, don't allow it to consume you. Give it to Jesus, and let Him turn that fear into power. Power and strengh that only comes from Him.

acceptance

Why is it that we all so desire to be accepted by others? From growing as a child to being an adult,we all just want to be accepted no matter who we are.Why does it hurt so much when we are not accepted by others? We hear all the time,"Well,it doesn't matter if they like me or not",but doesn't it in some way or form matter to all of us? We all have struggled to fit in and make friends. Our young people today have no television shows to guide them to believe that they are important, beautiful,and special just the way they are.As far as that goes,adults don't have much to choose from,going from the wife being a nag, to the husband being really dumb, or lazy. Where are the examples? God accepts us just the way we are. We don't have to change our dress, our hair color, or our looks in anyway to go to Jesus. We don't have to drive the right car,live in the biggest house, or have the coolest clothes.We don't have to know the right people, or go to the right schools, or even have the right name. All we have to do is show up and answer the door when He is knocking.He accepts us, He accepted others along the way,and loved them into His arms. We don't have to change for Jesus, He does that all in His time, He molds us, and creates in us a masterpiece. That only He can do with His hands and with His love. We don't turn into Billy Graham over night,it takes time to teach us, and help us understand why we are here and what are purpose is. So does it matter if we are accepted by the cool crowd? Does it really matter if that one person just doesn't like you for some reason? No, it doesn't. A wise girlfriend helped me see, we cannot please everyone. We cannot be everyone to everybody all the time. That is for Jesus to do. We are the person God made us to be. The only person that matters in the end is Christ. Does He love us. Yes. He accepted us, why not accept Him in the same love?