The Power Within

While going through Celebrate Recovery, I realize just how delicate our mind is and how our mind can be so easily manipulated and damaged as we encounter devastating events in our life. And through life's struggles, I have come to understand how important it is to guard our minds and take up our shield of faith daily.
In Proverbs 4:23–26 we are encouraged to, “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” When Solomon refers to guarding the heart, he really means the inner core of a person, the thoughts, feelings, desires, will, and choices that make that person who he or she is. The Bible tells us that our thoughts often dictate who we become (Proverbs 23:7; 27:19) as the mind of a man reflects who he really is, not simply his actions or words. I believe that is why God examines the heart of a man, not simply his outward appearance and what he appears to be to others (1 Samuel 16:7).
We have no idea what our next moments in life will bring about, but keeping our mind strong in the Word allows Holy Spirit to lead and empower us with wisdom to handle each encounter throughout our day, so we need to realize the need to be prayer warriors, true prayer warriors. Prayer Warriors who will put on the whole armor of God very early in the morning and prepare for battle so we are armed to stop the fiery darts satan uses to destroy our mind and the mind of those we hold so dear. God knows how deceptive satan is, so He gave us His WORD (JESUS); and His Word warns us to be on guard, so we will have the power to be more than conquerors in ALL things through Christ Jesus!
Knowing Whose we are and what we are in Christ Jesus gives us the power and authority over satan; as He empowers us to be more than conquerors in Him that loves us(Rom 8:37) with the assurance that no weapon formed against us shall prosper(Isaiah 54:17). God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind(2Tim 1:7) with the boldness to proclaim that no evil shall befall us nor any harm come near our dwelling(Psa 91:10). Boldness to proclaim that in Christ Jesus we are FREE from Every bondage, Free from Every Dis-Ease, Free from Every Sin, and Free to be ALL God meant us to be in Christ Jesus!!! 
The more Word we ingest into the very depths of our soul; the more power we have to conquer attacks against our mind. As we awaken from sleep, we need to armor up early since satan tends to come against us by things we are most vulnerable to: our loved ones, our livelihood, our health, and even the moral standards we were raised on. Anything he can find that grips our heart, he will use in an attempt to break our minds down; so putting on the whole armor of God prepares us to battle the evil forces he brings against us. 
Whenever voices of doubt come into your mind; it's then we need to quickly speak the Word out loud, with boldness! We have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ and He has given us authority over every evil thing and NOTHING can ever cross the blood line of Jesus Christ. So as we acknowledge Whose we are, Holy Spirit and His power begins to rise up within us and the more we proclaim the WORD out loud, the more power comes forth! Having the Word embedded in our spirit gives us to power to speak the Word over whatever satan has whispered and to speak The Word Boldly! Greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world(1Jn 4:4). 
Dear friend, being armed with the Word of God and covered by His precious blood, it's time we take back what the devil has stolen! It's time we begin proclaiming who we are in Christ Jesus and proclaim aloud that We are Children of the Most High God! We are the head and not the tail! We are blessed and highly favored! We are Victors, not victims! We are Not just conquerors; we are More than Conquerors in Christ Jesus! Be quick to speak the Word right back into satan's words and just as Jesus defeated him in the wilderness by speaking the WORD back to his lying and deceitful tongue; God's Word will defeat him in every circumstance; in every situation of our life! So let's armor up, dear friends! With God on our side We Will Not Be Defeated!
Have a wonderful victorious day, dear friends. God loves you and so do I~~~

ARMED AND READY

We've all heard a story where someone displays an incredible amount of strength during a life threatening episode requiring a quick response to save them self or others from impending doom and they seem bewildered at the strength acquired and don't know where that burst of strength came from; but most agree God was in it, and they would be correct. God created within each of us what is known as a "fight or flight” response built within the autonomic nervous system of our adrenal glands that allow hormones to be quickly released at the threat of impending danger to increase our heart rate, our blood pressure, increase the amount of oxygen we breathe in, and increase our energy and strength in a rapid defense mode against imminent danger.
In today's world, we all face impending dangers that can quickly come against us as satan increasingly battles to wound, to kill, and to destroy God's children.....But GOD! God, in all His infinite wisdom, knows of satan's deceptive schemes so he built within our human bodies this defense mechanism that automatically goes to work for our survival physically; while His WORD equips us against the spiritual attacks by being fully clothed with the Whole Armor of God expressed in Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV, "Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."
Everything we will ever need to become Victorious in this world and overcome every obstacle placed in our life has already been provided by our Heavenly Father. All we have to do is open the door to our hearts and ask Jesus in; allow Him to be Lord over our life; and then open the Word of God and allow time with just you and the Word(JESUS) communicating together, forming a relationship that will bless and satisfy you like nothing the world could ever offer. We dare not allow our self to be caught off guard and become defenseless in today's society. We must be ready in a split second, to speak forth His Word over every situation that arises; to defend our life, our families' life, and the Christian values we hold so dear in this land we now live. God has given the resources needed to win every war, if we acknowledge Him and allow Him to lead us in every situation.
Today God stands with arms wide open to welcome us and lead us through every battle of life, as He promises to be with us every step of the way; and He has never broken a single promise He has ever made. No weapon formed against us shall ever prosper, with God on our side. So let's get armed and ready; Let's be prepared and not be caught blind sided. Let's stand guard; clothed in the full armor of God! Let's be all we can be for His sake, in Jesus' name, and win over every battle that is launched our way!
Have a wonderfully blessed and victorious day, dear friends. God loves you and so do I~~~

Brokenness Made Whole

As the Potter, our Heavenly Father molded and created us in Him before we were born. But as life would have it, things often come along to lead us down the wrong pathway and often we don't even realize the misdirection until we find our self Broken. We find that our life has been shattered in pieces and no matter how hard we try, we can't seem to put those pieces back together and be whole again. Desperation overcomes us and we acquire a sense of hopelessness... Broken from pain, broken from grief, broken from abuse, broken from neglect, broken from lack; broken from feelings of torment, broken from loss of self worth. Broken inside... with no hope of ever being whole again. We are overcome by our brokenness, feeling so alone... But GOD!!!
It's in our brokenness that God, the Potter, who created us from our mother's womb, can reshape us into His vessel of honor! Our brokenness allows God to take all those broken pieces and mold us into Children of the Most High God. And It's in that brokenness that as we become still enough, we can hear Him whisper in His still small voice, "I'm here, and I love you, just as you are." We were not alone; He was there all the time; waiting for us to turn around and surrender into His loving arms; and allow Him to take all that brokenness and recreate us into a vessel for His honor.
No matter where you are... No matter where you've been... No matter what you are doing... No matter what you've done... No matter how bad you think you are... No matter how low you feel you've sunk... No matter how unlovable you feel you are... God loves you unconditionally! Yes, You!!! Right where you are; Just as you are. There is Hope in Christ Jesus who is waiting eagerly for you to surrender your life into the Potter's hands. He will take all that brokenness and make you whole again; recreate and mold you into His image through Christ Jesus. So "Pick up the broken pieces and bring them to the Lord, Pick up the broken pieces, Trust in His Holy Word; He will put you back together and make your life complete; Just place the broken pieces at the Savior's feet." As You surrender your brokenness to Him, He can make you whole again!
No matter what you are going through or what you have done, God is always there to pick up your broken pieces and make you whole again. Trust God, He Never Fails! He is forever faithful with an unconditional love. Be blessed, dear friends. God loves you and so do I~~~

No Weapon Formed Against Us Shall Prosper

As I see the world becoming more open and receptive to cunning and deceptive forces in high places that attempt to come against Christian values and cause division within our homes, I am made even more aware of God's faithfulness to those who choose to abide under the shadow of the Almighty; whose delight is in Him throughout each and every day. 
I am forever thankful for being raised in a Christian home where Momma and Daddy made time to read God's Word and pray with us as a family unit. Because I was taught early in life the golden values of God's salvation plan, His provision, His protection, His faithfulness and Unconditional Love; I honor Him for the Mighty Works He continues to do in my life and in the lives of my daughters and their families. He continues to prove over and over again that He never leaves nor forsakes those who trust in Him and will forever hold them in the palm of His hands!
I cannot imagine what others do who have no hope but trust only in material things of this world. I am made more and more aware that things of this world will pass away, but my God is Forever Alive and Well; forever living within me; directing my steps; and preparing my will. No circumstance in life will arise that He is not already aware of, and if I listen to His voice and allow Him to lead me through it, I will come out victorious and better for it! With God on my side, No weapon formed against me will prosper!
So as we go through our day, may we all be reminded of God's Forever Faithfulness and allow Him to lead our path. Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friend. God loves you and so do I~~

I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN

Isn't it amazing that no matter what we go through, we can still experience God's unshakable peace and declare, “I will not be shaken” as David did in Psalm 16:8. God knows what we are going through and all we have been through and He promises peace to the believer through Jesus Christ. 

Peace can be difficult to obtain in our natural realm as our unsettled nature tries to cling to the things of earth, to the “American way” of living; to the here and now; and we will fight for what we think is ours, even to death. It's difficult to understand that every thing on this earth was created by and for Almighty God and His purpose. Even our families are not our own, but God's; loaned to us for a timely season that only God has predestined. As the circle of life goes on families become attached and the death of a loved one brings unbearable grief; as we can't grasp that they didn't die, but were merely called back home with God and we can join them when our time on earth is completed as well. 

All things of this earth are temporal and will someday pass away. Only what's done for Christ will last. We are encouraged time and time again throughout God's Word to put our trust in spiritual things, not temporal things that fade away. When we put our trust in temporal things, we give room for anxiety, fear, jealously, discontentment, greed, and insecurity to have open access to our lives(1 Timothy 6:17-19). Instead of trying to hold on to things we think are ours, we must learn to let go of those things which seem to cause worry that you have no control over. Jesus tells us in Mt 6:31-34 “So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

Learning to seek God first, above and before any earthly thing, large or small; is the key to success in life. Being submissive to His will, to His ways, and to His plan for our lives is what God asks from us. He already knows what we have need of, even before we ask; and He watches over us to supply those needs, if we put our trust in Him. As we learn to trust in Him in all our ways, we gain unshakable peace that passes all understanding. A peace that no matter what comes our way, we too can proclaim, "I will not be shaken!" 

I pray that the peace of God be with you all, and in you all, as you put your trust in God, Amen!  Be blessed dear friends, God loves you and so do I~~~

What's In A Hug?

Ever thought about what a simple hug can do for someone, and even what a hug does for you? No need for words to be spoken, just that simple hug! Doesn't matter if it's a quick hug, a side hug, or one of those warm cuddly hugs, somehow that hug means more than a mountain of words. Why? What's makes that hug so special? What makes a hug so powerful that it can change the direction for someone's life in that split second it's given? And why do some people try to shy away from a hug?I can only speak for myself, but I know for fact that hugs have a way of penetrating the thickest of walls. Too often in life, we encounter hardships and loss too great to bear, so we begin to form walls or to hide behind masks so no one knows the devastating grief buried deep inside. It's a deception of the mind that keeps us isolated as we continue to wear masks and those walls become higher and stronger.....until God....In the midst of it all, God sends that one person who gives that one special hug at just the right time that began to break down years of mountainous walls, and we began to feel accepted for who we are, just as we are. That one person gave that one special hug of acceptance without a word spoken! That one hug let us know it was okay to be Who we really are! No need for pretense, no need to hide behind a mask; it was okay to be Who we are and to feel what we feel- It was OK! That one hug made all the difference in a life filled with grief and despair so the masks could come off; the walls could come down!God accepts us just as we are; and as God's children we can be His hands extended and give hugs of acceptance to others in need. Through hugs we offer Hope needed to find the Savior, a Healer, a Deliverer; to find the One who loves the 'Real You'; that Hope is Jesus! His Love begins to unmask and peel through the toughest of shells, to break down walls, and bring freedom beyond measure; because He Loves with an unconditional love; and He desires to bring Deliverance to all who have lost their way and are weary and heavy ladened. He is reaching out to welcome you into His Loving arms and bring peace like none other! His Hugs are the warmest, the dearest, and the most unconditional Hugs ever given to mankind! His Hugs will set you free you from all your hurts, from all your past hang-ups, and from all the bad habits you've adapted while trying to be that someone 'accepted'. His hugs accept you just the way you are right now, but I guarantee you won't leave those hugging arms the way you entered in Jesus' name.Today is the day of Salvation and the Spirit is seeking those in need of His Merciful and Loving Hugs! Those who will listen and heed His calling for total freedom in Christ Jesus! His arms are outstretched, waiting to welcome you and give you the grandest Hug you will ever receive. And as His followers, we can be His hands giving hugs of hope to someone in need today. Will you be His hands of Hope? Will you give that hug today? Everyone Needs a Hug! I pray you have a wonderfully blessed and hugable day, dear friends, because God loves you and so do I~

Build Up Or Tear Down- All in the Power of Words

While reading this morning, I was reminded how Words hold the power to heal, to build up, to kill, and to destroy as they are spoken. Get into a crowd and just listen to the chatter all around! Words are being tossed out haphazardly, without even thinking, to those around. Some of the words will cause laughter, some will cause alarm, some may spread gossip, some will cause tears, and some will bring hope while some leave others devastated. No matter what word is spoken, ALL WORDS will have an effect on those who hear them. 
From the beginning of time, Words spoken caused the world to come into existence as recorded in Genesis 1; GOD SPOKE..... and things became; one by one creation was formed by the Word spoken..... and even today, Words continue to be the most powerful thing known to mankind. Once spoken, words go forth and begin to mold those who hear them. Some Words will build up, some will encourage and some will inspire; but sadly; some will tear down, some will discourage, and some will even rob one's self worth. 
Words are so powerful that they can bring life or they can kill. Proverbs 18:21(NKJV) tells us "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it, will eat its fruit"...and yet we continue to throw them out of our mouth without taking thought to where they will fall and how they will shape those who hear them. James 3:8-10 tells us " But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so." 
So we see from the beginning, that Words hold the power to build up or to tear down, so let's put a guard over our mouth to assure words coming forth are used to encourage, to inspire and to build up one another in love and kindness as we go through the day. Let's be the Word recreated unto good works; redeemed by the blood of the Lamb Jesus, and let's enjoy this beautiful day God has given. Let's enjoy life and begin to build up one another as Jesus encouraged us to do. Let's be all we can be for His glory sake!
Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friend. God loves you and so do I~~~

TODAY IS THE DAY

We have been given another new day with another new chance to take new opportunities and make them beneficial to someone's life. The new mercies given by our Heavenly Father today remind us that just as He has forgiven, so let us forgive; and to those much is given, much is required. 
I've seen so many young people taken from this life over the past few weeks whose families I'm sure thought they had many more tomorrows with them. Families in shock at how quickly one's life is gone. Time flies by so quickly so why do we wait to tell them or to show them how much we love and care for them?
Today is the time given to be all we can be to make life better for our self and those around us. Let's stop waiting for tomorrows that may never come and take advantage of each day given and enjoy each moment given. Let's enjoy the now, love in the now, laugh in the now and live in the now! God has given us a new day to give our best; not tomorrow or next year, but right now!
So let's live and enjoy every moment He gives; making today the best it can possibly be; as if there's no tomorrow! Let's love with every fiber of our being and make sure those dear to us know how much joy they bring into our life, instead of taking for granted they know it already. Let's learn to live well, to laugh often, and to love much. Let's try to make this world a better place, just by being here. Let's be all we can be for Jesus' sake and for the sake of all mankind!
Have a glorious and wonderful day, dear friends. God loves you and so do I~~~

If Only My People Will Seek My Face

So refreshing to wake up with praises ringing in your thoughts and a song rising up from the depths of your soul, "Sing Hallelujah to our God, Glory Hallelujah to our God, Every praise, Every praise is to our God. God my Savior, God my Healer, God my Deliverer, Yes He is, yes He is! Every praise is to our God, Every word of worship with one accord; Every praise, every praise is to our God. Sing hallelujah to our God, Glory hallelujah to our God, Every praise, every praise; every praise, every praise is to our God!"

Over and over it rings forth from the very depths of my soul as Holy Spirit revives, refreshes and restores with praise to the God of gods, Lord of lords, and King of Kings! Glory Hallelujah to God! Every praise with one accord; Over and over and over and over with joyful thanksgiving and praise! Truly the love of God satisfies like nothing else this world can ever offer. Nothing creates the loving splendor of His grace upon our life; nothing saturates our entire body; mind, soul, and spirit; bringing a sweet spirit of refreshing and satiety in every aspect of our life. Praise His Holy Name, Jesus!

If only.... If only His people will seek His face. If only we will Seek His face in the true beauty of worship and allow Holy Spirit to do the work within each of us and take us from one glory to another; lifting us higher and higher into a mightier form of praise and worship! Then we will be God minded and love our brother as God loves us .... Then we will seek to lift up and encourage, instead of condemning and tearing down .... Then we will share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost and dying .... Then we will look for ways to help the hurting and homeless, instead of shunning them and finding excuses to pass them by .... Then we will know His inner joy and everlasting peace of an abundant life in Him.

As we Seek His face and learn to truly Love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind(Mt. 22:37); we will find there is no other way to express His Love than to share Him; not to just a few chosen ones, but to all we encounter along our way; in word and in deed. To those much is given, much is required. "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near; Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon."(Isa 55:6-7)

May God bless your day and give you peace beyond measure as you seek His face and begin to worship Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. He is truly worthy of all our praise, of all our worship, and all that is within us.

Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friends. God loves you and so do I~~~

Wherever He Leads You He Will Not Leave You

What reassurance we have in knowing that wherever God leads us, He will never leave us there. Wherever He takes us, He will lead us through. He will be whatever we need Him to be at that appointed time. He is always with us, walking beside us, working within us, bringing that sweet victory with peace of mind as only He does best.

Such a warm reassuring beauty in knowing God is with us through thick or thin, in the darkest of nights or stormiest of days; working whatever is needed to grow us into that person of victory; overcoming every battle with the Lord by our side. He is our Watchman, our High Tower, our Deliver; leading and guiding, protecting and providing all that is needed to win each battle in life while taking us from one level of glory to another.

He is our water when we're thirsty; our shield from the fire; our guiding light in the darkest of nights; He is our Guiding Light. And when we're steeped low in grief and sorrow, He is our Comforter; and when we feel we can't go on, He scoops us up into His loving arms, holding us close to His breast and nourishes us back to health. Wherever He leads us, I know He won't leave us. Wherever we go, whatever we do, He is there; working within us; building us up into that stature of an over-comer in all our ways. So hold your head up high and look unto the hills from where you draw your strength! Your strength comes from the Lord God who has saved you by His marvelous grace in Christ Jesus!.

You are a Victor and not a victim! You are a Child of the Most High God, designed by God's own hand. You are Strong in Christ Jesus! You are Invincible with God on your side! No weapon formed against you shall prosper(Isaiah 54:17). Just as God told Moses to tell Pharoah, "I AM" sent him; even so, God sends You forth in Jesus' name; knowing that All you will ever need, He is! He is your Healer, your Deliverer, your Shield and Defense, and So much more. There is nothing He will ever lead you to, that He won't see you through! He gives power to do ALL things in Jesus' name! So Be Strong, in the Power of His Might!

Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friends. God loves you and so do I~~~

Learning To Sense Him In Everything Around Us

How wonderful to behold God's creation as He cares for us in many ways; always working toward the good for all mankind. Wonderful to feel His provision in every aspect of life; to hear and sense the many blessings He places within our life. Wonderful to hear the sound of thunder as it clears the friction from the skies. Wonderful to hear the sound of rain falling upon the earth; refreshing and reviving our much needed plants and gardens; while showering us with the beauty of flowers and blooming trees. Wonderful to feel the warmth of summer after the chill of winter, or to feel the cool of winter after the long summer heat. Wonderful to see the beauty of flowers and trees burst forth in spring after the dead of winter. Wonderful to see the beauty in autumn as trees take on their magnificent fall colors that accompany the cool down following a heated summer. All things within our world can be so wonderful if we stop long enough to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.

God has provided for our well being in every season of our life, nothing lacking; while replenishing, restoring, and reviving creation from one level to another. How we perceive the little things God has given, both good and bad, can be the start of a beautiful relationship with God, with mankind, and within our own mind. If we look for beauty, we will find beauty. If we listen for good things, we will hear good things. If we sharpen our senses, we can even begin to behold His glory in all that is around us. He has provided so many things for our enjoyment if we can learn to look beyond what we see naturally and learn to see Him in all things. It's Wonderful to know that in all things, day after day, He watches over His creations, including you and me, to bring forth joy into our life.

However to enjoy this abundance of life, we must learn to behold Him and be strengthened with His might. It is in Christ Jesus that we behold true life in this new light. It is in Him that we behold beauty in this world He created. It is in Him that we begin to sense all the wonderful things He has created. It is in Him that we are strengthened and begin to move forward in beholding His glory; one step at a time, one day at a time; as He leads us through this life unto life eternal. We begin to behold Him by purposely acknowledging Him; by repenting of our sins, and making Him Lord over everything in our life. It is then that we begin to see His glory with eyes wide open to our surroundings; to hear with ears that hear His voice in all He has created; and enjoy a fine tuned heart sensing His love in all we do, in all we think, and all we say.

I pray that today you can be strengthened by beholding His glory and that you enjoy a wonderful life recreated in Christ Jesus. May you be wonderfully blessed and always remember that God loves you and so do I~~~

Wading Out A Little Bit Deeper

The rains have certainly been falling over the past couple days and sitting on my patio listening to it fall, reminds me of childhood days when me and my brothers and sisters would sit on our big front porch, bare feet hanging over the banisters. and the rain falling against our feet. We chose how much or how little we wanted our feet or toes or legs to get wet; and then memories of times we would go out to play in the rain; taking off across the road to an old dirt road where we would run thru mud puddles and squish the mud between our toes; we knew the deeper the mud holes the better. It didn't matter that we were getting covered in mud until we heard Momma calling us home. Then we'd run to the back of the house and use the water hose to wash each other off, while some would just stand under the eaves of the house giggling, while the rain water helped to rinse us off. So much fun enjoying the rain.
Such wonderful memories of childhood, just playing and having fun, didn't matter what the weather was. and it shows me that I can still enjoy life at my age, in my physical condition, regardless of what's going on around me. Good times are found by learning to dance in the rain and not being afraid to get wet.
That it's okay to get muddy while enjoying life in those squishy mud puddles. or to wade out a little bit deeper to obtain the fullness of God's blessings! Just as we accepted what came our way and made the most of it as children, it's time we do the same in our adult life as we seek to fulfill God's will in our lives. God is looking for people who will lift up His standards as workers in His field and lead others to Christ Jesus as their Savior! He needs people who will not only step into the waters, but who will trust Him Fully and wade out a little bit deeper; as noted in this song:
"It's time we the people stand up for what is right; It's time we squared our shoulders back and raised our swords to fight; for the Bible is my weapon and the Spirit is my shield; The church needs more of its members to be workers in the field. Step into the water; wade out a little bit deeper; wet your feet in the waters of His love; step into the water; wade out a little bit deeper; come join angels singing praises to the Lamb of God. There is victory for the Christian who walks the narrow way; There has been a prize appointed for the soul that does not stray; Oh I want to live for Jesus and be all that I should be So that I can rest with Him forever to live eternally. Step into the water; wade out a little bit deeper; wet your feet in the waters of His love; step into the water; wade out a little bit deeper; come join angels singing praises to the Lamb of God." 
Although many groups sang and recorded Talley's words, I loved to hear the "Benson Family" sing this in church years ago as altars would be filled and souls would be forever changed as they dared to step out into the water and wade out a little bit deeper, spiritually. I am so thankful God allows us to maintain and cherish warm and loving memories from our past, as they serve to be reminders of God's Amazing Grace and Faithfulness throughout the years. 
Today is a new day filled with His fresh mercies and the heavenly rain continues to fall. The waters are rising and becoming deeper than ever before. God is looking for workers in His fields who aren't afraid to wade out a little bit deeper to rescue that soul going under for their final time. Will you be His vessel and help to rescue them in their time of need? Just something to think about as you Have a wonderfully blessed day. God loves you and so do I~~~

If Only We Listen!

When you've done all you know to do, stand. Stand still and let God move. When all else fails, speak the Word over the circumstance. God created the heavens and the earth with His Word and He created you, and loves you with a love beyond measure. He is your direct line for help in times of desperation. we are instructed to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path"(Prov.3:5,6); and as we fully trust in Him, He will never ever let us down; if only we listen and heed His guidance!

Oftentimes, troubles come our way and for a little while, may seem to overtake us if we forget that we don't have to handle things on our own. We may forget in the midst of the storm that we have a Strong Tower we can run to; a Shelter to take refuge in; and a Power Source to gain strength from. He does His best work when we are at our weakest! That's when Holy Spirit rises from deep within us and we are reminded that "My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth" (Psa 121:2). "He sent out His Word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death"(Psa 107:20). "God is my refuge and strength; a very present help in time of trouble"( Psa 46:1); "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint"(Isa 40:31); "So do not fear, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isa 41:10).

Scripture reminds us that God is all we need for whatever may come our way. He is our strength and our refuge for every thing in our life, large or small, we may come against. He will never leave us to walk in anything that He is not right there walking beside us, waiting to guide us; if only we ask and 'Listen' to His guidance! If He brings us to it, He will see us through it! Just as His eye is on the sparrow, His eye is always upon us; ready and able to deliver us in times of trouble and despair. He is the light in our darkness, the strength in our weakness, and the peace in our despair. He is forever faithful and forever standing ready to help in times like these; if only we ask and listen!

I pray you will take His Word to heart and gain strength and courage as you speak the Word over every circumstance; and as you listen to His guidance, you will become a victor and not a victim; knowing that "Greater is He that is within you, than He that is in the world."(I John 4:4) Through every circumstance, trust in God; and through it all, learn to depend upon His Word. He is Forever Faithful. He is Forever Strong, and His timing is always perfect; If Only We Listen! Enjoy a peaceful, safe, and blessed day, dear friend. God loves you and so do I~~~