What Do You Choose?

We all make choices in life. We decide whether we will go out with Fred or Martin. Whether we will cheat on our taxes. Whether we will pursue that career or another one.

This week I experienced some physical discomfort. Nothing serious, but it hurt nevertheless. I tried all the remedies and nothing seemed to work.

I believe that I am healed. I know that according to the Word, Jesus already took all my sicknesses, pains and discomforts when He took stripes on His back at the Cross.

Some times, though, when we are in the middle of the problem, still feeling the discomfort, waiting for God’s Word to manifest, we become discouraged.

In those times, we can complain. We can say things that are contrary to the Word, such as “I’m going to have this pain forever” or “God’s Word doesn’t work.”

Or we can choose to continue saying faith-filled words, such as “By Jesus’ stripes, I am healed,” “God has taken sickness away from the midst of me,” or “God has restored health unto me and healed me on my wounds.”

The choice is ours. We can continue to stay in faith, believing and speaking God’s Word. Or we can allow doubt and unbelief and the discomfort to bully us into saying words of fear and discouragement.

I choose to continue to believe and speak what God says. What about you?

- Annagail Lynes

Sore Muscles

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.  These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

John 14:23-24

Carson started playing soccer last week and he’s been complaining that his belly hurts.  It appears that he’s had to do some exercises that his body wasn’t use to, and as a result, he’s a bit sore.

Bobby and I assured him that if he continued with the exercises, in fact, if he actually did them every day, rather than just at practice, the soreness would go away in no time and he’d be much stronger as a result.

Today at church someone asked me how my week had gone, and I said, “Good, but I’d been challenged this week, and I was a still smarting a bit, from the experience.”  God asked me to step out in faith in a couple of areas that I was just not so comfortable walking through and I must confess, it was a bit difficult for me.  It took quite a bit of effort and left my spirit feeling a bit tender.

John Bevere tells us in his book, Under Cover, that the highest form of worship is obedience.  OUCH … it’s pretty easy to stand in service on Sunday morning with my hands raised in praise and feel oh so holy, but when Monday rolls around, am I really walking in God’s way?  Am I being obedient to His Word?  To what He is asking me to do?

Being obedient isn’t always the easy way … but it is God’s Way!

Father, thank You for stretching me, for asking me to take those steps of faith that are not always so easy, but so vital to a life of peace with You.  Please forgive me Lord when I drag my feet after you have requested something of me.  Lord, help me to hear you loud and clear and to move forward immediately when you call.

I Love You Jesus.

     In Your Name I Pray,

     Amen

God Bless You!

Joyce

 

Submitted by:

   Joyce Schneider

   http://www.alifedecision.org

In God’s Hands

 

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message

is heard through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17

I think trusting God during really hard situations is such a true test of faith.  I was telling a friend today, it’s where the rubber meets the road.  It’s so easy to say I trust you when life is going all honky dory, but boy, when things start getting hairy, sometimes the story changes and then we begin to blame God or even worse, reject Him.

The Bible tells us that:  Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  (Hebrews 11:1)

It’s sometimes extremely difficult for me to be sure of my hopes and dreams when, what I am seeing is in complete opposition.  But that is where true faith comes in.  Not the Sunday morning variety, but the down on my knees, tears streaming down my face crying, Why God?, but knowing deep down inside that He is in control and that it will be okay. 

Maybe not today, but saying, I’m trusting You Lord, I’m believing Your Word and I’m going to walk through this with You, even though You may have to carry me for a time, cause I’m hurting really badly right now. 

I was reminded of a time,  where I was really struggling through an issue.  I was a brand new Believer and there were some stuff going on at our church.  It was a really difficult period, I didn’t understand what was happening, and I was struggling so inside, trying to get a grip on it all.  One night I went to bed, and I was extremly upset; sort of in the mode that I described above; on my face, dying inside, just wanting to let Jesus carry me through this pain. 

I hadn’t really experienced any situations up to this point, where I was facing conflict, so this trust during challenge was all new to me. 

I fell asleep that night, picturing myself curled up in His lap, with His hands holding my face.  It was such a comforting picture and I fell asleep in peace.  As I woke up the next morning, before I opened my eyes, I had the sensation, that my face was being held.  That was odd, I thought.  Bobby had left for work a while earlier, the boys were in bed asleep. 

I cracked my eyes open, almost fearful to see who was touching me, and there stood my little Chase, with his hands cupping my face.  He was about 2 1/2 at the time, just a tiny little thing, who couldn’t even get up on the bed on his own, but there he was, face to face with me, while I was sleeping, holding my face in his little hands.

Chase had never done that before, nor has he ever done that since. 

But what an amazing confirmation God gave to me that morning!  I could trust Him.  I was in His hands  — and He used my tiny little baby to articulate that promise.

Father, thank You for your faithfulness.  Thank You that we can stand on Your Word, even when the circumstances around us are screaming out to us that this can not be what you had planned.  Thank You Father that you are trustworthy and good and that even when life throws us lemons, You make lemonade for us. 

I Love You Jesus.

     In Your Name I Pray,

     Amen

God Bless You!

Love,

Joyce

God’s Positive Reinforcement

This was posted on the on-line Catholic Writers Group I belong to. It was so good, I thought I would share it with all of you.

You say: “It’s impossible”

God says: All things are possible

(Luke 18:27)

You say: “I’m too tired”

God says: I will give you rest

(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: “Nobody really loves me”

God says: I love you

(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: “I can’t go on”

God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: “I can’t figure things out”

God says: I will direct your steps

(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: “I can’t do it”

God says: You can do all things

(Philippians 4:13)

You say: “I’m not able”

God says: I am able

(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: “It’s not worth it”

God says: It will be worth it

(Roman 8:28 )

You say: “I can’t forgive myself”

God says: I Forgive you

(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: “I can’t manage”

God says: I will supply all your needs

(Philippians 4:19)

You say: “I’m afraid”

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”

God says: Cast all your cares on ME

(I Peter 5:7)

You say: “I’m not smart enough”

God says: I give you wisdom

(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: “I feel all alone”

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

(Hebrews 13:5)

- Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com

I Believe

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”

^{Matthew 17:20}

The other night, Chase did not feel well. He said his head hurt.  We went to a Cub Scout meeting and he was eager to get home, he was not his usual social self.   As soon as we got home, he was on the couch with a blanket.  I asked him if his head still hurt and he said it did.  When I touched his face, he seemed quite warm.  In the past, whenever Chase has come down with something, it always seemed to start with a headache.

 

I asked him if I could pray for him; if he believed that Jesus could make his head stop hurting and help him to feel better.  And he said yes, and we prayed.  And we asked the Lord to make Chase’s head better, in Jesus name.   And he fell asleep.  In the morning, when he awoke, no headache, no fever; he was good as new!

 

One night last week I had a terrible headache.  That is not uncommon for me, I am always suffering headaches from back/ neck issues.  But that night the headache was different.  I actually had been fighting a cold for a couple of days and I thought it had went away, but it came back that day and left me feeling not so good.

 

I was at a meeting at church that night and we had a time of praise and worship and then split up into small groups.  As I was heading to my group, a fellow stopped me and asked me if I had a headache.  I told him that yes, I did, and he asked if he could pray for me.  I said of course and we prayed and he asked me to be healed, in Jesus name.  And I believed Jesus would heal my head.

 

And during the study time, I felt a tingling in my head and my headache was gone by the time study was over, and it’s not come back since!

 

Jesus told his disciples that if they had faith, even as small as a mustard seed, which is pretty small, that miracles would occur, in their lives; that nothing would be impossible for them. 

 

It is so cool to know that same faith still produces miracles today; as my little Chase said to me the other night, “I Believe!”

 

 

Father, thank You for giving us faith, even the smallest amount can produce monumental results.  As the disciples prayed, Lord increase my faith.  And Jesus thank You for showing yourself faithful once again to Chase and to me!!  You are truly the BEST!!!!

 

I Love You Jesus.

In Your Name I Pray,

     Amen

 

 

God Bless You!

Joyce

 

Submitted by:

Joyce Schneider

http://www.alifedecision.org

Bad Day?

Ok - so you've had a bad day. It's very hard to shake off sometimes isn't it? You let it build up, one thing goes wrong and then it tends to have a domino effect on everything else (and everyone else) you encounter throughout your day.

Have you ever noticed how your children seem to pick your tough days to misbehave? That's because they pick up on your mood! It affects them. If you're grumpy and stressed they sense it. Then they become irritable and act out, as well. One thing just leads to another.

Our moods are contagious and they affect our whole household. So take a good look at the mood within your home. Cut your children some slack if their behavior is just a chain reaction that came from you.

If you can find a way to take a deep breath, submit your attitude to the Lord in prayer, you just might find Him use your children to help you change it for the better. But don’t teach them bad habits in how to handle stress.

~ By Dionna Sanchez

http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com

“Above All”

   I fell today.  No, not that kind of a fall.  I mean a literal, physical fall as in thwack!  Face-first on the asphalt.  Torn elbows, skinned hands.  Shredded knees.  Ouch!   Out for our morning walk, my yellow Lab and I got tangled up.  Eve zigged.  I zagged.  The result: splat!  I crawled off the pavement and cried.  Even though it wasn’t her fault, my good dog was lavish in her canine apology, as dogs often are. 

My first instinct in a situation like this is to call my husband.  I would’ve too, except I left my cell phone at home.  Blast!  Except for Eve, I was suddenly, achingly alone.  Hurt.  Bleeding.  Embarrassed.  A little scared.  Can I walk?  Will my knees give out?  If they do, how will I get home?  

 Is there anything like a jolt of pain to rouse us into instant alertness?  As Eve licked my tears I had the oddest sensation of everything snailing into super slow-mo.  The sky became blazingly blue.  An overhead barn swallow sang tenor like Pavarotti.  Wet grass pierced like an ice pick. The gravelly, uneven pavement bit into both legs.  Maybe it was the molasses-like moment that caused me to think. 

Can you imagine God with skinned knees?  The sovereign of the universe with scraped elbows, bloody hands?  I think it was author and Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll who opined, “Aren’t you glad He isn’t called Man of Knowledge?  Man of Intellect?  Man of the academic ivory tower?”  Sitting there clutching my bloody knees and elbows, I sure was – and am.  Jesus.  “Despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53;3a).  He chose to enter humanity, scraped knees and all, to save you and me from an Ancient Fall.  Hebrews 4:15, 16. 

Eve and I made it back okay.  I’ll make it Home alright, too.  The way has already been paved by the Man of Sorrows.  God with skinned knees.  Perhaps Paul Baloche’s fine lyrics say it best: 

Crucified laid behind the stone

You lived to die rejected and alone

Like a Rose trampled on the ground

You took the fall and thought of me

Above all

***

Kristine K. Lowder

Copyright 2007

ww.hevencense.wordpress.com

“I will find you.  No matter how long it takes, no matter how far – I will find you.”

Nathaniel to Cora in “The Last of the Mohicans”

It’s All About The Love

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13:4-8
 
The other day the boys and I were returning home from running errands and Chase got on his dinosaur kick. The kid loves dinosaurs. He started in asking me if God made dinosaurs. I said, “Yes, God made all the animals of the earth.” Tonight we just read about that. On the fifth day God made the animals of the sea and the sky and on the sixth day he made the animals on the earth.

Anyway, he was chattering away about dinosaurs and said, “I wish dinosaurs were around today. I want to love on a long neck.” Now, that was not what I expected to come out of his mouth, but somehow, I could just picture Chase hugging on a long neck, riding around on one, just loving it. Chase would have it for his pet.
For Chase, it’s all about the love.  The kid just loves! His little friend was over the other day. He was so cute. Taking her around, showing her all his stuff, riding bikes with her and giving her his bike to ride, teaching her how to play dominoes.He spends hours just lying next to Zeke, snuggling with him. In the evening, I can’t sit on the couch for two minutes without Chase snuggling up to me and wanting to be scratched and loved on.

His brother will tease him and pick on him and five minutes later Chase is right back next to him, just chattering away, no animosity or grudges held, he simply loves his brother and can’t stay away from him very long at all.

The Bible tells of that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
It’s nice to see this fruit in my little son, although the self-control part could use a little improvement, but hey, he’s only eight. God’s not finished with him yet.

So can I ask you … how’s your fruit?
Lord Jesus, it is all about the love! You gave us the greatest example of true unconditional love in every aspect of your life here on earth. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Love!

I Love You Jesus.
     In Your Name I Pray,
     Amen

God Bless You!
Joyce

Activation Needed!

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. – 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV).

    We already have everything we need. According to 2 Peter 1:3, we have everything we need for life and godliness.
    I can just hear you saying, “If I have everything I need for life and godliness, then why am I living in poverty? Why am I sick? Why do I have neighbor trouble?”
    This Scripture says that God’s divine power gives it to us. Through His divine power, we find two forces at work–love and grace.
    It took love and grace to save us. God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die on the Cross for us, to be a substitute for our sins. Because of God’s love, He is merciful even when we don’t deserve it. He pours out His grace to save us, to heal us, to make a place for us in Heaven. All things we never deserved nor did we earn.
    These two forces give us everything we need that pertain to life and godliness. Love and grace allowed Christ to go to the Cross. What Jesus did on the Cross affords us the opportunity to be Born-Again. And when we are, everything we need is deposited in us.
    However, if we have everything we need in us, why are we sick? Why are we broke? Because we have not activated what we need.
    We can have a computer in our house, but if we don’t know how to use it, the computer will sit on our desk, collecting dust.
    We haven’t taken out the instruction manual and read through all the benefits we are entitled to in our salvation package.
    We know we are saved. We know that we are redeemed from Hell, but we are content to live to survive rather than live to thrive.
    We believe that it is selfish to live the abundant life that God promised us, but in order to be a blessing to others, we must first be blessed.

    How do we activate what we already possess?

1 . Stand on the Word. Let’s say our relative leaves us fourteen million dollars. Unless we check the will, we won’t know we were entitled to that money. Second, if we don’t claim the inheritance, we will not receive it.
    The same is true with God. We have to go to His Will, the Word of God, and see what He has given us. Then we must claim them by standing on them–quoting the Scripture, praying it, thinking about it.

2. Believe. We must believe that when we pray the Word of God that God has heard us and that He will answer. The Bible promises that if we pray according to God’s Will, God will hear us and do what we have asked. We have that assurance. We just have to believe.

3. Receive. People think that receiving is hard, hut the same way we received salvation is the same way we receive all the promises of God. We believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths. The key is to believe that we receive what we asked for.  

    We shouldn’t let anyone talk us out of what the Word says we have. It is God’s good pleasure to prosper us, to heal us, to deliver us. Every time. But we must claim the promises and believe that we receive them, then we shall have them. If we wait, never giving up, it will come if we keep steadfast to the promises.

- Annagail Lynes

The Word Works!

Many years ago, a woman leveled an unfounded accusation against my mother.

I decided to take a verse from the Word and stand on it. I thanked and praised God for the answer and quoted the Scripture. I did this day after day, week after week, month after month.

Before we went to court, I had a dream. I saw the court papers with the word “Dismissed” stamped across them.

We walked into that court room, but we were the only ones involved in the court case who showed. Just like in my dream, the judge dismissed the case.

The Word works!

I used to have trouble sleeping. My mind would be tortured at night with worries and fear. Now I read four Scriptures concerning sleep every night before I go to bed. I don’t have a bit of trouble sleeping since I started this routine.

The Word works!

The Word, according to the Bible, is our seed. When we agree with God’s Word, speak it out of our mouths and continually choose to believe the Word, our circumstances will have no choice but to change.

Many people will tell you that our money is our seed. They insist that our time is seed and that whatever we have in our hand is seed. However the primary seed that the Bible talks about is the Word.

When we have a problem in life, we must devise a battle plan. We need to go to the Word and find every Scripture concerning that situation. We can do this by using a concordance–online or offline.

We should write the Scriptures we found on a sheet of paper. After this, we want to widdle the list to three. Then we need to speak those three over our lives every day.

We must keep speaking those Scriptures over our lives every free moment we get–in the washroom, while we are cooking, while we are at red lights, on our lunch break, when we are waiting in line–until our circumstances change for the good.

When we do this, we are interjecting seeds of faith into the situation. The facts of our circumstances eventually have to conform to the Ultimate Truth–the Word of God. Hallelujah!

- Annagail Lynes