What Does God Dream About You?

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]. – Ephesians 3: 20 (AMP).

God’s plans for your life are always greater than your plans. If you can dream them, they aren’t big enough for our God. God is into doing exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask, think or dream. Beyond our wildest dreams. I wonder what God dreams about you. Why don’t you ask Him today?

- Annagail Lynes

Fears

I know that I have fears. We all do. And I know that I battle those fears all of the time. The mind is a very powerful thing. Fears can rule you and dictate what choices you do and do not make for your life.

I think we forget that we are not here – we do not exist for ourselves. There is a far greater plan at work here. And Satan knows it. Oh believe me – he knows it! And he does everything he can, to hinder our efforts, to squelch our desires, and to scare us to death into staying at home and huddling up into a ball.

Fear. I have to fight it, just like you. I have let it shake me, just like you.

I am humbled to think that I consider my life to be more valuable than spreading the Word of my Lord. And that gives me such pause to think today…..

~ Dionna Sanchez/Founder – EmphasisOnMoms.com

“Parade of Hope”

Click here for a “parade of hope” from Max Lucado:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HBW714foL0

 

Shared by:

Kristine K. Lowder

http://www.HEvencense.wordpress.com

http://wwwacenturyoffaithfulness.wordpress.com

 

 Just released from Uncial Press! 

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Guys via this light-hearted look at some wild and wacky adventures from a real-life “testosterone farm.” Told with mouth firmly planted in cheek by the mother of four sons, ages “Mawwwwwwwwm!” to Knows Everything.

Chapters include: Mutiny on the Broccoli, Survivor, Remember the Alamo, Getting Annoying, Dishwashing 101, Attractive Nusiances, Romulan Ale and Nothing Says “I Love You” Like a Blender.  Just released in ebook format from Uncial Press.

“Hilarious, heart-warming and beautifully written. Here’s one mom who knows how to `make lemonade from lemons’ – leaving us in stitches the whole time.  A great read.”

– J. Denby, Publisher and Author

 Available at: http://www.uncialpress.com/books/guysando/guysando.html

Anguishing Over The Cup

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. – Matthew 26:39 (KJV).

On a smaller scale, have you ever wished that God hadn’t asked you to do something? Did you ever anguish over it? Maybe to the point of being sick to your stomach with worry? The key is to do what Jesus did and commit yourself to the Will of God no matter what and to do it, fear and all.

Imagine if Jesus didn’t go to the Cross. We would all be going to hell. Aren’t you glad He submitted to God’s Will for His life and went to the cross to take the judgment and punishment for our sins? And that He rose from the dead? I know I am.

- Annagail Lynes

Worship Service

 

 “For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God,

and Him only you shall serve.’” Matthew 4:10b NKJV

 

‘Worship’ is more than a word given to our church assemblies. Worship is service to God, as the priests of old worshipped God by their tabernacle or temple service. In Greek, one word for ‘worshipper’ means a temple servant, or one having charge of a temple to keep it clean and adorn it. Our word ‘worship’ is derived from the old English word meaning ‘worthship.’

 

Paul tells us of the highest worship-service we can offer God, “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you…to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship,” (Rom. 12:1 AMP).

 

Therefore, we offer God not only the temple service of our praise and worship but also the temple service of our bodies and hearts, keeping them clean from the contamination of the world, adorning them with a lifestyle that honors and glorifies the worthship of God. In all we do, we are to “Worship and serve Him with (our) whole heart and with a willing mind,” (1 Chron. 28:9 NLT).

 

PRAYER: Father, as You seek true worshippers, may my words, my actions, my total life, be a service of true praise and worship that honors and glorifies Your worthship. Amen.

~~~Lynn Mosher~~~ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Can God Do With You?

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21 (NIV).

Many are the plans in our hearts. When we are younger, we might flip-flop on what we want to be like I did. A teacher. A lawyer. A doctor. But the Lord’s plans always prevail when we yield our lives to Him.

I wanted to be a school teacher. God wanted me to teach His Word through writing. Although I was on the right track, wanting to teach, God knew how to make better use of the gifts He gave me.

If you yield to God, imagine what He could with your life.

- Annagail Lynes

A Good Gift

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a nake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to gi ve good gifts to your children how mch more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those that ask him?
Matthew 7: 9-11

The other night we were driving to Carson’s Boy Scout meeting when Bobby started talking about a couple of quad runners he’d seen for sale lately, but each time he drove back, they were gone. I guess he’d been thinking about getting the boys one, but had never mentioned it to me. They have a go cart, but I guess little boys, or big boys, can’t have too many toys with motors.

But the quads are quite expensive, new, so I guess Bobby’s had his eye out for a used one. Well, he no sooner finished talking about quad runners, and we looked up and the truck in front of us had a mini quad in the back, with a for sale sign on it. So Bobby called them and that night there was a new toy for the boys sitting in our driveway.

They were so excited! In fact, those were Carson’s exact words, “This is exciting.” It wasn’t Christmas or anyone’s birthday, Bobby simply wanted to give his boys’ a good gift, something they would really enjoy, because he loves them.

I was thinking about the boys’ gift as I was lying in bed, praying with Chase that night. And I started thinking about the gift that God has given to me, simply because he loves me.

God has given me a wonderful life. I didn’t deserve it, in fact, I did everything in my power to destroy that dream, but not God. Nope … he gave me a wonderful husband and two very precious little boys. He gave me the family that I’d always dreamed of, and He didn’t stop there. He also gave me a heart for Himself! A heart that is only satisfied when I’m sharing Him with others. Sharing the wonderful healing and hope that can only come from knowing Jesus in a personal way.

And I will echo Carson’s sentiments, “This is exciting!”

Father, thank you for your never ending love. Lord, thank you for this life that you have given me, not because I deserved it, but simply because you love me. My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude. And Father, I know little boys need excitement and adventure in their life, please keep Carson and Chase safe while they experience it.

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

God Bless You!

Love,
Joyce

Submitted by:
Joyce Schneider
A Life Decisiion
http://www.alifedecision.org

 

Unashamed to follow

This year the theme at our church has been ‘unashamed to follow’ with an emphasis on discipleship and the importance of not being scared to share our faith outside of the walls of our church.

This used to be such a challenge for me.  I have loved Jesus since my early teens but until a few years ago I was not very open about my beliefs, only answering questions or saying something once I knew where the other person stood in their life.  In 2001 I went to work at our local church office, using the corporate skills I’d developed over many years.

I was confident in my abilities and knew I would be able to bring their office up to date and get it in shape – in return they did the same for my faith.  I learnt to pray at the drop of a hat when someone would burst into the church in need and the Pastor wasn’t around. I learnt to pray for another staff member or even a Pastor when asked.  I learnt that God is in everything in our lives, not just when we are looking for Him.  I learnt so much and when it was time God released me back into my working world, sending two prophets to confirm that it was time to move on.

My Pastor and his staff were sorry to see me go but I will always be forever grateful for what they taught me.  I am no longer afraid to share my faith and I’ve been on an amazing walk.  I’ve pushed forward on the path that God has set for me and although it has had its challenges (no road is ever smooth), I’ve had the most amazing experiences because of being open about my faith.  People I might not have connected with are now drawn like a magnet and we find we have a common bond in Christ.  And each person has contributed something to my continued journey.

Are you ashamed to follow?

Your sister in Christ,

Kathie M. Thomas
http://www.kathiethomas.com

Failure? God’s Will?

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). – Psalm 55:22 (AMP)

Like many Believers today, I have started businesses and projects and when they failed, I thought it was God’s will. One of those erroneous teachings I was taught in church.

But according to this Scripture, if we release the weight of our burdens onto the Lord, He will never allow us, the righteous through Jesus’ shed blood, to be moved, to slip, fall or fail.

God doesn’t want us to fail. In fact, every thing we put our hand to is supposed to prosper (Deuteronomy 28:8).

Why isn’t it? Because, according to this Scripture, we don’t release the weight of our burden to God?

- Annagail Lynes

Finish With A Bang

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

Yesterday was the boys’ last soccer game. Truthfully, they’ve not had such a great season. I think they only won a couple of games during the regular season and then in last week’s tournament, they only won one of their three games. And then yesterday, things seemed to change. They had two games to play to finish out the year, and they seemed like a whole different team. They played great and won both of their games. I was so proud of them.

I was especially proud of Chase. He scored his first goal yesterday. This was his first season of playing soccer. He’d had his try at flag football, baseball and karate, and finally decided to give soccer a whirl. And although he enjoyed the game, truthfully, he was having a bit of a struggle getting into his position and understanding how to work in that spot as a team player.

He was all over the field, all the time. I was always hearing his coaches telling him, “In your postion Chase, in your position.” But the poor kid just wasn’t getting it. He had a pretty shaky start with the game and I wondered if he’d play again next season. We have a rule at our home, when you start something, you finish it. You can not start next time, if you wish, but you always have to play out a season. No quitting.

But yesterday, Chase was actually in control of himself; where he was to be and he stayed in his spot and made several key plays and at one point, right into the goal went the ball after he kicked it.

I was so excited for him. I think I was the loudest one cheering for him. And he had such a grin on his little face when he ran back out to his spot.

They won the game, 3-1. They won their second game, 2-1. Carson scored a goal in that game. I was very proud of him as well, but Carson had been displaying a little more control over his game all season, this was his second time playing the game and he had it down a little more this second season.

The boys as a whole and Chase in particular had a very shaky start to their season but really finished it off with a big bang! We won’t remember those first games when we think of this season, but rather the way they played that last day!

I can relate to my little Chase man. I had a very shaky start in my journey with Jesus. And a slow start. I didn’t start my walk with him till I was 40 years old. And then as hard as I’d try, it seemed like I was always messing up. Falling down. Missing his directions. Not hitting my goals.

But I want to be like Chase and the other boys … I may have had a shaky start, but I want to have a big finish! I want my life to count for something with Him. When I stand before Him, I want to hear Him say, “Well done Joyce my girl … well done!”

Lord, I do so desire to make a difference for you. So many times, we hear the thought of … what’s in your dash … those dashes from the day of birth to the day of death. There has been a lot of stuff in those days that I am not proud of, but Lord, you have cleaned my slate and now my focus in life is to share your hope, healing, and love with those who are hurting, those who are searching, those who don’t know you. Father, you have begun a good work in me, but I am so thankful that you aren’t finished with me yet.

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

God Bless You!

Love,
Joyce

Submitted by:
Joyce Schneider
A Life Decision
http://www.alifedecision.org