February 23, 2023 Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. If we were to sit and ruminate over our lives, there are times that we have been consumed with enormous challenges and decisions to make. Decisions that could change the trajectory of our lives. When concerns like this occur, most of us seek to resolve them with our own understanding. However, when our concerns become domineering, and there is no resolution we can begin to lose hope. When this happens to me, I go to one of my favorite scriptures; Proverbs 3:5-6, because it gives me confidence. When I read these verses the word “trust” resonates within and gives me assurance that God makes my path straight. Trust in these verses, implies both the decision to trust God but also a commitment to creating a habit of trusting in Him. Trusting in the Lord with all your heart means that you have placed your hope in Christ alone. Nothing else. No one else. Remember to lean not on your understanding but trust in God and let go of everything else.
November 2, 2022
See yourself as God sees you
I believe that we all enter a season in our lives that we should be looking ahead and not looking back. Not only in the physical but we need to look ahead in our spiritual journey with Christ. We know the current condition of our own lives, we know there are some up, and there are some downs. But as we press toward the mark of the calling of Christ, we can overcome all these obstacles that may come to block our progress. As I read Phil 1:1-30, I understand that Paul often dealt with disappointment, however Paul was always thankful for what God was doing or what He has done. Our testimony, should desire to be thankful in what God is doing Even in prayer: “that our love may grow more and more for one another” Yes, there are always disappointments and challenges in life, but We must not live a life filled with disappointment, but we are chosen to …… We must do the things that God has commanded us. He has called us to live purposeful, to look ahead, to focus on what’s next. Paul knew this even when he was in prison, and yet he was not deterred from the mission of God. We are called to suffer, even when we don’t want it, but in the text, Paul calls us to live a life that honors God, in everything we do. How will you honor Christ and be a part of Immanuel mission and vision as we are looking ahead.
Oct 7, 2022 1 Thessalonians 4:14
God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him
It is so comforting to know that every loved one has died in the Lord will be with Jesus when he returns to gather His own to himself. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Paul declared that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them. There will be a joyous coming together. This hope was in my father's heart as his life drew to a close. On the day before he died, he called all of us together and said, I really do not want to leave you, but I am ready to receive the promise God has for me. Minutes later he told us all to leave and to go home to get some rest, as we were leaving he said to us, "If I don't see you tomorrow, I'll see you over There." Those were his last words to us, and we treasure those words in our hearts. Christians should never say a final goodbye we should say, "I'll see you over There."
When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing it will be, when we all, see Jesus we will sing and shout the victory.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your promises never to leave us nor forsake us and you have assured us, that those who mourn, shall be comforted. Thank you again for your promises in Jesus name, AMEN!!!
September 5, 2022 Job 42:5-6,10 "Pray for one another "
I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear. But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes. And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Have you ever been sure of something only to find out later that you were wrong? What a terrible feeling we experience when this happens.
One busy day while doing laundry, cooking and babysitting I miss placed my cell phone. I was so sure I placed it on the kitchen counter however it was not there. I searched the kitchen high and low with no success. Asking the four year old if he moved the phone was like speaking in tongues, he gave no response.
The search continued for about 30 minutes still no success then I heard the four year old praying, asking God to help me find my phone, his words touched my spirit. Within five minutes I heard the sound of my phone ringing, praising God I followed the sound and it led me directly to my phone, safely tucker inside a towel.
As I retrieved my phone I saw a sparkle from the carpet bending to get a closer look it was my long lost diamond earring. God has blessed me with a young person who prayed for me and God answered his prayer. Be anxious for nothing but pray for everything and the peace of God will be with you.
Dear God Thank You for being there no matter who we are or where we are on life's journey. Thank You for answering our prayers, leading, guiding and directing our paths. Thank You Lord for friends who will pray for us even when we forget to pray for ourselves. Help us Lord to be faithful servants as You are Faithful to us. Amen
August 15, 2022 Ephesians 4:26 "Let It Go"
“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
One day, while sitting in my garden, I reflected on my childhood. During the summer months when school was out my mom would give us outdoor chores to do. Girls in the garden, boys in the barn, moms in the kitchen and daddy on the farm. Those words became our summer song.
One muggy day in August while pulling weeds from the garden my sister decided to stand in the shade for a cool breeze instead of finishing the work at hand. As I watched her, I felt myself becoming angry, the more I watched her, the more frustrated I became. Suddenly, my mother appeared, my sister quickly got back to work as if she had been working the entire time. Mom could see the frustration on my face and as always, she knew what happened.
Before bedtime Mom reminded me that doing what’s right is always best. She said, the Bible teaches us “not to let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Mom prayed for me that night and as she prayed my anger slowly melted away. Prayer has the power to calm, comfort and heal us. Much prayer, much power; little prayer, little power; no prayer, no power.
Dear Lord, may your love always win over anger. May your light always shine through darkness. Help me to let go of all things that take my attention away from You. Bless me to do what is right according to Your Word. This is today’s prayer in Jesus Name. AMEN!
July 24, 2022 Matthew 5:14, 16 "Leave the Light On"
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14,16)
When my daughter was 5 years old, each night before she went to bed she would always say, "Mama will you leave the light on, please?" She would ask me to leave the light on because she didn't like to be in the dark.
Jesus is the Light of the World. He is the true light in a light that shines forever, a light that needs no bulb or electricity - Jesus Is the light of the world. There are many people living in darkness today because they have not yet responded to God's call. Christ wants to use you, to help let His light shine in a world full of darkness. Keep praying and believing for God's glory to shine through. Lift up a prayer today for your family members and friends to see the light of Jesus. May our lives reflect the love of Christ and the peace of God, today and forevermore. AMEN!
July 12, 2022 Mark 4:26-29 NIV [26] He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. [27] Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. [28] All by itself the soil produces grain---first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. [29] As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come .” … One of the things that I enjoyed about growing up in rural eastern North Carolina, was the opportunity to live on a small farm. What I really enjoyed most about farm life was the season of planting and harvesting. As the planting season began, my father would take my brothers and me down to what we called the “Feed Mill” to purchase seeds to plant in the fields. While we were there, daddy would have a small conversation with the owner about what seeds to buy, and in his conversation and decision to buy, he would not just buy any seeds but he would buy the best seeds that were certified seeds. As a young boy, I just considered seeds to be seeds, but to daddy, certified seeds were the best. After we had purchased the seeds and the fertilizer, it was time to prepare the ground. My brothers, daddy, and I would take turns on the old tractor, preparing the soil and planting the seeds. It was something about the smell of the freshly overturned soil that made me have a connection with nature; I now understand it to be a connection with God and his creation. After all of the preparation and planting, it was a time of waiting. As we waited for the seeds to pop out of the ground to maturing into fully grown plants, it was a joy to see that happening as it was growing and needed cultivating. A few months later, it was harvest time. Harvest time was also a joy because we could sell some grain for-profit and store some for later. As I look back over the planting and the harvesting, I hear the words of Jesus as He tells the parable of the Growing Seed. My earthy father taught me that you must prepare the soil to receive the seed, and not just any seed but certified seeds, and watch the harvest grow as you fertilize and cultivate. What a wonderful lesson to learn about farming. But my Heavenly Father has taught me that the certified seed is the Word of God. So, my sisters and brothers, as we prepare to receive God's certified Word in our lives, we can know that God's promises, that his harvest will be glorious and forever. So as we watch and wait, let us keep our eyes on the great harvest that the Lord will provide for all of us.