Listen to me!!!

1 Kings 18:36-37 "And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again."

This little bit of scripture has meant a whole lot to me this week. I have learned so much (again!) this week. I pray that I take everything God says at His word. My goal is to truly listen to what he tells me and have total confidence in Him. It saddens me that this group of people we call the church doesn't truly listen to what God has commanded us to do. For years we have sat in our comfortable pews in air conditioned/heated sanctuaries closed off from the outside world. While we sit and listen to a nice entertaining "feel-good" message, the outside world is hurting. PEOPLE ARE CRAVING SOMETHING!!! We see it everyday. People are hungering for acceptance, love, truth. While they are hungering and thirsty, we have Sunday services where we feel if we come to church we've done enough. For years we have just tried to get people saved and that be good enough. It's so not enough! We think that if we put money in the plate or we sponsor missionaries, we've done enough. It's not enough. We have to come to the conclusion that JESUS commanded us to love our neighbors. Every neighbor...no matter what race, affliction, or illness.

A scripture that I have kept going back to the past two weeks has been Matthew 9:36 "But when he (Jesus) saw the multitude he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

My friends, fellow believers in the one true God, be moved with compassion for the multitude of people around you. If you want to see a multitude, let me know and I can now show you one. Look around you at the many faces. Each one has a story, each one is longing for something. Are you going to do as Jesus commanded us to and share His love with them? Or are you going to pass them along as you head to church next Sunday? What are you going to do??

Crazy!!!!!

Over the past few weeks I have been so convicted about how I am living my life. I have learned over the past two years that just being a part of a church, just being a "Christian" is not enough. I have been praying over the past few weeks that God would open my eyes to those in need around me. I pray that He would use my hands and my feet to bring honor and glory to HIM. I have been wondering if my life impacts those around me. Do people that don't know me see the love that I have for my KING? I have been praying that I would be so filled up with Christ and HIS love that it would overflow to those around me. If I have to tell people I am a believer, then I'm not living right. I have been asking myself some hard questions lately. I feel God has asked me to do some hard things. I want my life to be so much more than just living and breathing. I am praying that God will continue to show me ways to reach out to those around me.

I am so thankful that God has put me in a place where I am growing and learning something new every day. I have met people that have helped to totally change my way of thinking. Let God work on you. He loves you so much and He desires to spend time with you. You are HIS creation. My desire is to fall totally in love with my SAVIOR--a crazy, first-love kind of love. I love you my GOD.

Wow! I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted anything. I guess that just shows you how time can get away from you when you get busy. BUSY! I despise that word (Being Under Satan's Yoke) ugh!

I could start telling you some of the things I've learned and the experiences I've had lately, but that would take wwwaaayyy too long :) I have joined a group of women at Jamokas on Thursday night. I have been learning about the believer's authority. I have totally enjoyed learning this with this group of women. They are so smart! I never even thought about have authority over the enemy. Man, I do now! I have used my authority lately for sure. The enemy is trying to use my weakness to bring me down. I am not going to let him. He has no authority over me. I am in the world, but I am not of the world. The Bible said we must just believe. Jesus gave us authority to do great things. I must admit I'm not doing anything great for Jesus. I am going to be His vessel that he can use.

I was also challenged today to notice who I hang out with. Am I hanging out with people like Jesus would have? I know I have lots of friends that are believers. But, who do I need to start investing in that I would be able to share the gospel with? That was a tough question that Q threw out there at me this morning. I am still seeking God's guidance on that. I do know that when God lays something on your heart to share with someone else, you need to do it. There are so many hurting people in this world, so many at our back door. I pray that God will use me to share with them. Open my eyes, Father, that I may truly see and give me the courage and boldness to actually speak to them about your love and mercy. I pray that you, too, will allow God to use you. He loves you so much! He died for you, cares for you...he cares for every little part of you. Oh, what a glorious Savior, friend, lover of my soul. To him be the glory and honor forever amen!

New Year, new me!

I have vowed over the past few years that I would not make a new year's resolution. What's the point? Every one I have ever made I have broken usually within the first two days after. I went to church last week, took communion with my church family and decided to fully give myself to to my GOD. And, during the past week I broke every vow I made. I have been a lazy believer in Christ this week. Doesn't satan love a lazy Christian? Aren't we the best...doing nothing for our Savior?

Then this morning Matt preached on regrets. Man, do I have them. So I asked for forgiveness again this morning. I counted the homes of the neighbors I do not know that live close to me. I decided that I will pray to find a way to reach out to them during the next year. I am also praying that God will reveal His purpose in my life this year. A friend told me this morning that while we want to do big things for God, sometimes He only wants us to do little things. I urge you to pray and seek God's will for your life this year. Seek Him above all others. I, too, am going to do the same. I love my Savior. I want to be peculiar, strange, different in this world because this world is not my home. I want to take as many as I can to my eternal home.

Who me?

Tonight someone told me I was a warrior. I don't feel like a warrior. I heard someone say we trust God with our eternity, but not with everyday things. I know that's me...ugh! I heard it preached that God already knows what we are going to pray for and he has already answered. WOW! God is speaking to me. He is using people around me to speak his words. I am going to listen!

Right now I am praising God because of what HE told me tonight. He is going to change the dynamics of my family and PRAISE GOD I cannot wait!!!! I am going to BELIEVE IT, and CLAIM IT! God has promised it to ME! HALLELUJAH!

Our GOD is an awesome GOD. He reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love, our GOD is an awesome GOD!

What's good enough?

Who decided that just being a good person is enough? Someone recently told me, " I know that you want to do a lot at that church, but you are doing a lot by just being who you are." While people seeing God's light in me is an example to the lost world, I believe it is soooo not enough. I have learned over the past year that just existing isn't enough, just being a good Christian isn't enough. Jesus commands us to go out into the world make disciples. I can't do that by JUST being an example. I have learned that it is my job to WORK, to be about my Father's business.....every day. I love my GOD. I know it is my job to share HIM with the world.

I know what God is calling me to do. I am praying that I listen to His voice and wait for His perfect timing. It IS NOT ok just to be a good Christian. Please get mission-minded....listen for God's calling...He has a plan and a purpose for your life! I love you!!!

Happy Birthday, Dylan!

Today is my son's birthday. Eight years ago I became a mother. This morning Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been on my mind. She was such a strong woman, in my opinion. I look into the eyes of my son and my heart just wants to burst with love. I love my husband, but the love between a mother and her child is so different. I truly believe that the love of a mother and son is unique. I am thinking of Mary and I wonder what her thoughts would be today of her experiences. I cannot imagine the agony of watching your child in horrific pain and suffering...to know that he did it all willingly, to know that his love for mankind went exceedingly beyond anything we could ever imagine or ever, ever deserve. I am sure that as she stands in his holy presence today, she knows it was well worth every agonizing moment. Praise God!

Mary...the mother who held that baby in her arms, looked into his eyes, smelled those baby smells. Mary...mother of our Holy God. Mary, I thank you.

Praise God this morning for my salvation. He is my rock, my ever present help in trouble. He is my all in all. I praise him this morning for my son. Thank you, God, for blessing me beyond my wildest expectations, more than I ever deserved. Lord, help me to be like Mary. I give you my son. Use him Father for your honor and glory. May he grow in your grace and knowledge, may he follow your perfect will. Use him, Lord Jesus, to share your salvation with the nations. All I have and all I am I give to you. AMEN.