I wasted a lifetime believing God! By T.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 9:17pm
I thought I would just "keep it real" with you and share my innermost thoughts. If you ever felt like faith was a waste, let me be honest with you and tell you what I really think!
“My faith in God in Jesus name…..lost me my job of 11years last year! All my life i tried to live good……& it was in vain. I am ashamed of believing in the father who i trusted deeply…. Most of what i ever needed i never really got, no matter what or how i asked… God is here for his lost children of israel and not for all! I wasted a lifetime believing in God, a God who obviously hated me & forsook me when i was young…. He never rewarded me, kept me encouraged or helped much… Out of habit i may always fear him…
What you just read was an excerpt of a post that I received today on Facebook. Her phrase, “I wasted a lifetime believing in God” – I was so moved by what I read that I had to not only respond, but in the interest of wondering if there are others who feel this way, I wanted to share it. Not to put Sally’s situation on blast, as my youngest son would say, but with the hope that it may encourage someone else who might be at the end of their rope with similar thoughts.
I pray this post speaks to your heart and helps us all to hold onto the precious gift of faith. Please read below and find a slightly edited version of my response for your benefit. I changed the name of the reader to protect her privacy. In the interest of full disclosure, I fully understand what it is like to lose property and jobs. I have been unemployed, run out of unemployment and was nearly homeless. I am acutely aware of how painful it is to find your lifestyle radically changed.
Sally,
I sense your pain and understand your disappointment. Like many people you have bought into an ideal that says if you love God and serve Him, he pays you back with positive responses. When you did what you thought was right and things went awry, you felt cheated. I understand that…I really understand that. However, the premise that you are standing on is flawed. Bad things do happen to good people. The bible is clear about that. Compared to the disciples who were crucified for Him, burned, skinned alive and beheaded, our idea of suffering and persecution is lost jobs, or He didn’t give me what I asked for, and perhaps some other deeply painful experiences.
While I certainly don’t want to minimize the misery we face, I do want to put them in biblical context. The bible is open about suffering but not the kind we are seeing in the headlines resulting from economic crunches. To be sure, many Americans of all types are suffering real hardship!
Still we haven’t been martyred like the disciples were, or like other Christians still are around the world. They DIED in FAITH! They weren’t disappointed because God didn’t deliver them what they wanted, when they wanted it. They “counted it all joy” when called on to suffer.
Those of us who continue in the faith do so in spite of deep pain, buried children or spouses, some are on ventilators, and others dialysis! We don’t serve God in a “let’s make a deal” sort of way! Rather God would say, “deal or no deal”. He doesn’t negotiate under terroristic threat of the loss of faith! Actually, our faith is a gift from God through which we have eternal life, which will last a lot longer than unemployment, physical infirmities and childhood disappointments!
I am not asking you to reconsider your loss of faith. Faith isn’t a decision, it is a gift. It results from God revealing His son Jesus to you! I pray that revelation comes with real relationships and not just religion. Like all relationships, we go through storms but we go through them with God being with us! His purpose in redemption is for eternal life! Like a flight attendant who is there primarily for your safety and secondarily your comfort, salvation is primarily for eternal life and secondarily for the benefits and blessings we often misappropriate their significance.
One final thing, if you weren’t seeking Christ, you wouldn’t have sent me the note. There is a deep hunger in your soul that your current absence of faith hasn’t filled! Try approaching God with truth. Tell Him you are hurt, disillusioned and disappointed, but you miss the joy and peace that comes from having Him in your heart!
He misses you too and He loves you unconditionally. If you draw nigh to Him, He will draw nigh to you! I wrote this because I care too much for you not to write an honest response to such a pain filled remark. May God bless you on your journey. I know what it is to hurt so bad that you rationalize away the existence of God. But faith isn’t rational, it’s spiritual! I found my way to His mercy seat. There is still room for YOU!
In compassionate, care and concern,
Bishop Jakes
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wisdom From Bishop T.D. Jakes
Change is a gift from God. It is given to the person who finds himself too far removed from what he feels destiny has ordained for him. There is nothing wrong with being wrong – but there is something wrong with not making the necessary adjustments to get things right! Don’t assume that real change occurs without struggle and prayer. However, change can be achieved.
Many times we get so wrapped up in achieving our life’s goal that we miss the opportunity to stop and be thankful for the things we have already achieved. While determination is critical in achieving anything, I challenge you to slow down the pace every now and then, look back at the ground you have covered and applaud yourself for making it thus far.
We do not want to hear anything about process because we want everything to be instantaneous. Our culture has trained us to want everything immediately. We want everything now – a three minute egg and grits in sixty seconds. The process in our life always comes before the promotion.
There is a difference between weakness and wickedness. Jesus hand picked twelve disciples. One denied Him, one betrayed Him, one doubted Him and some accomplished very little and still the church survived. That is because the church isn't built on the finish work of men, but rather the finished work of Christ! We must strengthen ourselves while looking only to Jesus!
True worship is born when true sacrifice occurs – laying upon the altar something you’d hoped to keep for yourself. You can never be really anointed until you personally experience a situation that calls you to lay aside your garments. Who can help but worship Him when we see Him with unclouded vision?
You don’t want to walk in the bread or provision God gave you 10 years ago. You want to walk in the word that says, “Give us this day our daily bread.” You want to know, “God, what do you want me to do right now? If you say raise your hand, I’ll raise it. If you say stop your hand, I’ll stop it. I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”
When we are given the opportunity to start our lives over through salvation in Jesus Christ, we should take full advantage of what it means to be born again. Our new position in the Kingdom of God is not conditional. It does not depend upon what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future. Our title is based on who we are in Christ.
I learned long ago that you don’t lose anything by waiting on God. When the right time came to do certain things in my life, I accomplished more in one year than some people did in 20 years. When you do things in the right time, in the right season and with the right purpose — God will surely bless you!
I want to see the day come when people are running to get into church; afraid they’re going to miss something. I want to call the church back. Let’s return to the power and anointing of God. Let’s return to a real move of God!
Many times we get so wrapped up in achieving our life’s goal that we miss the opportunity to stop and be thankful for the things we have already achieved. While determination is critical in achieving anything, I challenge you to slow down the pace every now and then, look back at the ground you have covered and applaud yourself for making it thus far.
We do not want to hear anything about process because we want everything to be instantaneous. Our culture has trained us to want everything immediately. We want everything now – a three minute egg and grits in sixty seconds. The process in our life always comes before the promotion.
There is a difference between weakness and wickedness. Jesus hand picked twelve disciples. One denied Him, one betrayed Him, one doubted Him and some accomplished very little and still the church survived. That is because the church isn't built on the finish work of men, but rather the finished work of Christ! We must strengthen ourselves while looking only to Jesus!
True worship is born when true sacrifice occurs – laying upon the altar something you’d hoped to keep for yourself. You can never be really anointed until you personally experience a situation that calls you to lay aside your garments. Who can help but worship Him when we see Him with unclouded vision?
You don’t want to walk in the bread or provision God gave you 10 years ago. You want to walk in the word that says, “Give us this day our daily bread.” You want to know, “God, what do you want me to do right now? If you say raise your hand, I’ll raise it. If you say stop your hand, I’ll stop it. I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”
When we are given the opportunity to start our lives over through salvation in Jesus Christ, we should take full advantage of what it means to be born again. Our new position in the Kingdom of God is not conditional. It does not depend upon what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future. Our title is based on who we are in Christ.
I learned long ago that you don’t lose anything by waiting on God. When the right time came to do certain things in my life, I accomplished more in one year than some people did in 20 years. When you do things in the right time, in the right season and with the right purpose — God will surely bless you!
I want to see the day come when people are running to get into church; afraid they’re going to miss something. I want to call the church back. Let’s return to the power and anointing of God. Let’s return to a real move of God!
Monday, January 17, 2011
FaceBook brought so many of our old friends back into our lives. It is good to see they are doing well and to see their families and how they look now. It is how we keep up with our extended families as well. It is also a way for us, and them, to let everyone know when they need prayer, or want to share what God has done in their lives.
I post a lot of Bishop T.D. Jakes on my FB page like I do here. Depending on your level, Christ sends someone who speaks to that level into your life. There have been many times I prayed for someone to address my current circumstance, and when the time was right the answer was there. Some, like Bishop Jakes, speak and you hear what you need, while others hear what they need at the same time.
When Jesus spoke, especially in parables, some understood, and others had no clue. God reveals His word to you as you reach the proper level to understand it. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. God's word comes to life only when He reveals it to you, and only when you are able to understand it.
When you get my age and look back over your life you see how God manipulated circumstances to bring you where you needed to be. There are no mistakes in your life, every word you said, everything you did was to teach you something. God knows what you are going to say and do before you do it. Every situation in your life taught you something you needed to get where you are going. Your purpose, your gift, may be for only one moment in time, or like Bishop Jakes, to affect the world.
This writing made so many things clear to me. I posted this before, but it is worth reposting.
The Tapestry of Life - Unknown Author
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares were. They were filled with giant holes.
Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My Angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had had love in my life, and laughter.
But there had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times.
I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance. In my life I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then I looked upon the tapestry before me.
Light flooded through the many holes, creating an image. The face of Christ.
Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you." "'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before men is such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.'" Matthew 5:14-16
I post a lot of Bishop T.D. Jakes on my FB page like I do here. Depending on your level, Christ sends someone who speaks to that level into your life. There have been many times I prayed for someone to address my current circumstance, and when the time was right the answer was there. Some, like Bishop Jakes, speak and you hear what you need, while others hear what they need at the same time.
When Jesus spoke, especially in parables, some understood, and others had no clue. God reveals His word to you as you reach the proper level to understand it. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. God's word comes to life only when He reveals it to you, and only when you are able to understand it.
When you get my age and look back over your life you see how God manipulated circumstances to bring you where you needed to be. There are no mistakes in your life, every word you said, everything you did was to teach you something. God knows what you are going to say and do before you do it. Every situation in your life taught you something you needed to get where you are going. Your purpose, your gift, may be for only one moment in time, or like Bishop Jakes, to affect the world.
This writing made so many things clear to me. I posted this before, but it is worth reposting.
The Tapestry of Life - Unknown Author
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares were. They were filled with giant holes.
Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My Angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had had love in my life, and laughter.
But there had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times.
I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance. In my life I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then I looked upon the tapestry before me.
Light flooded through the many holes, creating an image. The face of Christ.
Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you." "'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before men is such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.'" Matthew 5:14-16
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
T.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House
What will you do with the rest of your life? The decision you make, based on this question alone, will determine the quality of life you will experience. Take the time to search deep within yourself for the answers to this question. Make a decision. And when you’re ready, begin the transformation process. How you live your life from this day forward is entirely up to you.
You can’t spend your life in the graveyard of guilt dealing with the corpses of the past. Know when things are dead, know when to release them and bury them. If you continue to work with the dry bones of dead issues, you too will begin to decay. No amount of work will resuscitate a corpse. Sign the death certificate and bury the past.
The gift, talent or ability God gave you is your key to success. God did not give it to you to be put on display behind a glass showcase. He did not give it to you to waste. Nor did He give it to you for you to hide and deny it out of a false sense of religious humility. God gave you a gift to be poured out, used and invested.
We are here on this earth to spread the gospel and to reach every living person with a message of hope and deliverance. We are called to enforce what Jesus did on Calvary when He completed His purpose and said, “It is finished.” He was telling us that He had done all He could do and we must carry on that work.
Life will always present broken places, places of struggle and conflict. If you have a divine purpose and life has put you on hold, hang on! Stay on the line until life gets back to you. If you believe as I do, then it’s worth the wait to receive your answer from the Lord.
My prayer is that you will soon experience the fullness of God’s promises in your life. We often limit Him and what He is able to do because our heart dwells in past disappointments. Don’t let what you went through define who you are and what God will ultimately do.
You can’t spend your life in the graveyard of guilt dealing with the corpses of the past. Know when things are dead, know when to release them and bury them. If you continue to work with the dry bones of dead issues, you too will begin to decay. No amount of work will resuscitate a corpse. Sign the death certificate and bury the past.
The gift, talent or ability God gave you is your key to success. God did not give it to you to be put on display behind a glass showcase. He did not give it to you to waste. Nor did He give it to you for you to hide and deny it out of a false sense of religious humility. God gave you a gift to be poured out, used and invested.
We are here on this earth to spread the gospel and to reach every living person with a message of hope and deliverance. We are called to enforce what Jesus did on Calvary when He completed His purpose and said, “It is finished.” He was telling us that He had done all He could do and we must carry on that work.
Life will always present broken places, places of struggle and conflict. If you have a divine purpose and life has put you on hold, hang on! Stay on the line until life gets back to you. If you believe as I do, then it’s worth the wait to receive your answer from the Lord.
My prayer is that you will soon experience the fullness of God’s promises in your life. We often limit Him and what He is able to do because our heart dwells in past disappointments. Don’t let what you went through define who you are and what God will ultimately do.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Who Does God Say I Am
I am a child of God. John 1:12
I am a branch of the true vine, and a conduit of Christ's life. John 15:1-5
I am a friend of Jesus. John 15:15
I have been justified and redeemed. Romans 3:23-24; Romans 6:6
I will not be condemned by God, I have been set free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
As a child of God, I am a fellow heir with Christ. Romans 8:17
I have been accepted by Christ. Romans 15:7
I have been called to be a saint 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2
In Christ Jesus, I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30
My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in me 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19
I am joined to the Lord and am one spirit with him. 1 Corinthians 6:17
God leads me in the triumph and knowledge of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14
The hardening of my mind has been removed in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:14
I am a new creature in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
I have become the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21
I have been made one with all who are in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
I am no longer a slave but a child of an heir. Galatians 4:7
I have been set free in Christ. Galatians 5:1
I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3
I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God. Ephesians 1:4
I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ. Ephesians 1:7
I have been predestined by God to obtain an inheritance. Ephesians 1:9-11
I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13
Because of God's mercy and love, I have been made alive with Christ. Ephesians 2:4-5
I am seated in the heavenly places with Christ. Ephesians 2:6
I am God's workmanship created to produce good works. Ephesians 2:10
I have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
I am a member of Christ's body and a partaker of His promise. Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 5:30
I have boldness and confident access to God through faith in Christ. Ephesians 3:12
My new self is righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24
I was formerly darkness, but now I am light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8
I am a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20
The peace of God guards my heart and mind. Philippians 4:7
God supplies all my needs. Philippians 4:19
I have been made complete in Christ. Colossians 2:9-10
I have been raised up with Christ. Colossians 3:1
My life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
Christ is my life, and I will be revelaed with him in glory. Colossians 3:4
I have been chosen of God, and I am holy and beloved. Colossians 3:12
God loves me and has chosen me. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
Review this powerful inventory frequently, since it reminds us of truths we quickly forget amid the worries and cares of this world. The more we embrace these affirmations from Scripture, the more stable, grateful, and fully assured we will be in the course of our lives.
I am a branch of the true vine, and a conduit of Christ's life. John 15:1-5
I am a friend of Jesus. John 15:15
I have been justified and redeemed. Romans 3:23-24; Romans 6:6
I will not be condemned by God, I have been set free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
As a child of God, I am a fellow heir with Christ. Romans 8:17
I have been accepted by Christ. Romans 15:7
I have been called to be a saint 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2
In Christ Jesus, I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30
My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in me 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19
I am joined to the Lord and am one spirit with him. 1 Corinthians 6:17
God leads me in the triumph and knowledge of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14
The hardening of my mind has been removed in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:14
I am a new creature in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
I have become the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21
I have been made one with all who are in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
I am no longer a slave but a child of an heir. Galatians 4:7
I have been set free in Christ. Galatians 5:1
I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3
I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God. Ephesians 1:4
I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ. Ephesians 1:7
I have been predestined by God to obtain an inheritance. Ephesians 1:9-11
I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13
Because of God's mercy and love, I have been made alive with Christ. Ephesians 2:4-5
I am seated in the heavenly places with Christ. Ephesians 2:6
I am God's workmanship created to produce good works. Ephesians 2:10
I have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
I am a member of Christ's body and a partaker of His promise. Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 5:30
I have boldness and confident access to God through faith in Christ. Ephesians 3:12
My new self is righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24
I was formerly darkness, but now I am light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8
I am a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20
The peace of God guards my heart and mind. Philippians 4:7
God supplies all my needs. Philippians 4:19
I have been made complete in Christ. Colossians 2:9-10
I have been raised up with Christ. Colossians 3:1
My life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
Christ is my life, and I will be revelaed with him in glory. Colossians 3:4
I have been chosen of God, and I am holy and beloved. Colossians 3:12
God loves me and has chosen me. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
Review this powerful inventory frequently, since it reminds us of truths we quickly forget amid the worries and cares of this world. The more we embrace these affirmations from Scripture, the more stable, grateful, and fully assured we will be in the course of our lives.
Monday, December 6, 2010
I can't believe it has been so long
No matter what, life happens. My husband went to the doctor for an ingrown toenail, and it turned into an infection. The infection got worse after the initial antibiotics and he ended up in the hospital After two weeks of doctors debating if they would be able to save his toe, they decided to do vascular bypass surgery from his groin to his toe. He is home and doing pretty well. He is generally so active it is hard to keep the leg from swelling, but we are truly thankful for the outcome.
It was much harder on me most of the time than it was on him because they kept him extremely sedated. Most of the time he didn't even know I was there. We have been together over 33 years and trying to imagine what we would do if he was not able to do the things he loves, including keeping the house and large yard maintained, made me really stop and think. We have lived in our home for almost 22 years. If he were no longer able to get around so many things would have to change. The infection was so bad, there were times when the thought of losing him was overwhelming.
In all our years together we have been through MANY trials and tribulations and made it through because of our faith. When life gets hard I pray, and give it to God. I thank Jesus for giving me that opportunity because He gave His life for me. His bruised and broken body heals us & His blood covers a multitude of sins. I can't imagine not having this faith and hope He died to give us. When it gets too hard to pray, I turn on my praise and worship music, Jesus carries me, and God holds my hand.
It was much harder on me most of the time than it was on him because they kept him extremely sedated. Most of the time he didn't even know I was there. We have been together over 33 years and trying to imagine what we would do if he was not able to do the things he loves, including keeping the house and large yard maintained, made me really stop and think. We have lived in our home for almost 22 years. If he were no longer able to get around so many things would have to change. The infection was so bad, there were times when the thought of losing him was overwhelming.
In all our years together we have been through MANY trials and tribulations and made it through because of our faith. When life gets hard I pray, and give it to God. I thank Jesus for giving me that opportunity because He gave His life for me. His bruised and broken body heals us & His blood covers a multitude of sins. I can't imagine not having this faith and hope He died to give us. When it gets too hard to pray, I turn on my praise and worship music, Jesus carries me, and God holds my hand.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Wonderful Peace, lyrics by Warren D. Cornell
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray.
In fathomless billows of love!
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray.
In fathomless billows of love!
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Chosen By God 3
I grew up on Lake Huron in Michigan. The spillway ran behind our house. An approximately 10' wide x 12' deep channel off the lake that carried excess water inland to keep our homes from flooding . My older brothers put a big plank across it so they could get to their friends houses on the other side. I was four, and decided I would follow my brothers. By the time I got to what we called the “County Ditch”, my brothers were out of sight. The plank was about 2-3' below ground level and about 2 feet above the water, the ground was muddy, and I had on sandals. I slid down the slime to just above the plank. I screamed at the top of my lungs, but no one heard me. I struggled to climb back up for what seemed an eternity, grabbing at tree roots, and making little progress until I got my foot on a big tree root that allowed me to put my arms on the ground at the top and pull myself up. I can imagine what my mother saw when my screams brought her running out of the house. Seeing me covered with muck & slime she ran for the hose, and adding shame to my distress, hosed me off in front of all the neighbors that came running to see what was going on. (I was known for being very loud!) The third miracle in my life.
Friday, October 8, 2010
T.D. Jakes
If you are in a fight, keep on reaping while you fight; fight with one hand and reap with the other. You have a certain season to reap, and the reason you have warfare is that the devil is trying to distract you and make you miss your season. Do not back off, give up or give in. Determine to stand firm, slap him with one hand while you pluck the fruit of your harvest with the other. It is your time and season!
Bishop T. D. Jakes
We have many people who modeled how to get started, but few live long enough to show us how to finish. The Bible says that it is not good for man to be alone. We need someone to show us how to get through the different ages and stages of life; someone who’s been there to coach us through the process and say, “Keep going, don’t give up now.”
Dear heavenly Father, You know how much I long to know who I truly am. Please allow me a deep awareness of what it means for me to be Your child. Give me the confidence of Your promises and the ability to love myself as You love me. Amen.
Dear heavenly Father, You know how much I long to know who I truly am. Please allow me a deep awareness of what it means for me to be Your child. Give me the confidence of Your promises and the ability to love myself as You love me. Amen.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Journey To A Heart Like His - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
(Excerpt) Many of us long to experience a greater sense of God's presence and power in our lives. Our hearts need to be revived. We will never meet God in revival until we first meet Him in brokenness.
"To be broken is the beginning of revival. It is painful, it is humiliating, but it is the only way." Roy Hession.
Brokenness is not a feeling or an emotion. Rather, it requires a choice, an act of the will.
Brokenness is the shattering of my will. It is saying, "Yes Lord!" No resistance, no chafing, no stubbornness.
Brokenness is the striping of self-reliance and independence from God.
Believers with broken, contrite hearts are receptive and responsive to the Word.
Broken people are self-denying and self-sacrificing.
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV
"To be broken is the beginning of revival. It is painful, it is humiliating, but it is the only way." Roy Hession.
Brokenness is not a feeling or an emotion. Rather, it requires a choice, an act of the will.
Brokenness is the shattering of my will. It is saying, "Yes Lord!" No resistance, no chafing, no stubbornness.
Brokenness is the striping of self-reliance and independence from God.
Believers with broken, contrite hearts are receptive and responsive to the Word.
Broken people are self-denying and self-sacrificing.
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Dreams
T.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House: It has been said that, “Whatever you make happen for other people, God will make happen for you.” Until you help someone facilitate their dream, you have no right to expect yours to come to pass. There’s something you learn from helping other people with their dreams that prepares you for your own.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Proverbs 3 NIV
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—when you now have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse a man for no reason— when he has done you no harm. Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—when you now have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse a man for no reason— when he has done you no harm. Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Chosen By God 2
My parents took us to the lake when I was 3 for a family picnic. My mother, her sister and brother, and we three kids, were sitting in the shallow water, and they were taking pictures. When they had finished they left us sitting in the shallow water playing as they went back up the hill to the picnic table. When my mother got back up to the picnic table she turned around. She screamed when she saw only my hair floating on the water. My oldest brother, who was 6, grabbed me, and drug me out of the water, long before they got there. This was the first time he saved my life.
The second miracle in my life.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Window Thru Which We Look
A young couple moved into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast the young woman saw her neighbor hanging the wash outside. "That laundry is not very clean," she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry she would make the same comments.
A month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband; "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life... What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry she would make the same comments.
A month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband; "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life... What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
T.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House
We will always have seasons of struggles and testing. There are times when everything we attempt to do will seem to go wrong. The Lord has a purpose in not allowing us to be fruitful all the time. These periods destroy our pride in our own ability and reinforce our dependency on the sufficiency of our God. (Watch live service online all day Sunday and Bible Study Wednesday night)
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