Chosen and Hand Picked

Chosen: What a precious thing to be chosen; not by accident or by circumstance, but to be specially hand picked and chosen to be that 'special someone' in life. Thinking back over this week and how we demonstrated our love to that 'chosen someone' who fills that special place deep within our hearts, made me think of how awesome it is to know we are also a 'chosen someone' to our Heavenly Father. 
Chosen in God before the creation of the world to be His children; sons and daughters by adoption into the family of God through the redemption of Jesus' blood covering all our sins; making us holy and blameless in God's sight. Through Christ Jesus, we are made joint-heirs and having our eyes enlightened and minds renewed with wisdom and understanding, He makes known to us the mysteries of His will according to His good pleasure, for times like these. 
God is certainly doing a new thing in our world and as times reach their fulfillment, the glory of God is being revealed and realized more now than ever before. As His chosen children, our differences are put aside as we purpose to show love one to another in truth and sincerity, bringing unity to all things in Heaven and on earth; and therefore bringing glory and honor to the holy name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. 
So whenever you begin to feel discouraged and stressed, just lift up your head and look toward the heavens and allow the reality of Who has chosen you to be His child and feel the love of God begin to fill your heart and soul. You have been Chosen by the most High God, Who loves you beyond measure; loves you unconditionally; loves you enough to give you His very best; and Who works diligently to make all things work together for your good. You are not an accident! You are His Child and He loves you beyond measure! 
In all things, you can trust God! Take time to get to know Him and allow His Love to saturate your soul. He loves you like none other! You are His Chosen! Called out of darkness into His marvelous Light to enjoy a wonderfully blessed life. God loves you and so do I~~~

You Are Loved Just As You Are

Just wanted to share a little ray of Son-shine with you today regarding who you really are! Something about rainy days that seem to get people down and right now many are going through some really tough situations in their lives. Many of you may feel you failed in your roles as students, teachers, pastors, wives, husbands, mothers and fathers; but I encourage you to stop where you are and take a slow deep breath, relax, and realize that God has this all in His control. You are not a failure and by placing it all in God's hands, everything will work out for the good of all!
God only expects you to be YOU; Nothing more! He created you to be exactly who you are right now, the apple of His eye! YOU are His rare and precious jewel in His crown that adorns His kingdom. He created you to be His child and He loves you just the way you are! So stop allowing others to describe who you are and what you have to be and begin to know your Creator so you can enjoy His promised abundant life to the fullest! God loves you more than words can describe. He loves you unconditionally and desires to shower you with blessings untold and He wants to love on you with His kindness!
There is nothing in this world you have ever done or will ever do to stop God from loving you. So when negative thoughts come to your mind, remember Whose you are. Remember that you are a creation filled with Immense Power as Holy Spirit abides within; and that you were created in the very image of God. Remind yourself that it is the Father's will to give you an abundant life in Christ Jesus filled with hope and prosperity, of gentleness and love, of peace and harmony, and that your Father desires to shower you daily with fresh mercies and fill you with grace beyond measure! 
As you think on these things, I pray you can smile as your despair is replaced with a new hope in Christ Jesus; knowing that You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Life is good when God is in it and when you can be who you are, just as you are, and realize that the very God who created this universe loves you just the way you are and so do I~~~

Reflecting on Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE! Love is in the air and Valentine's Day is upon us. A time to reflect on those dear to our hearts and celebrate the love we feel towards our special someones. Love knows no reason, no boundaries, no distance; and True Love brings people together to a time called forever! Love is that emotional feeling guarded deep within the depths of our soul that holds precious memories of special moments frozen in time with that loved one and no one can ever steal it away! .

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails......"

As you begin to celebrate this special day of love, I pray you will first remember to honor our Heavenly Father who graciously gave His Love beyond measure. As Jesus taught in John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this; than to lay down his life for His friends." God's love was displayed in the highest degree when Jesus willingly gave His life for you and me and all who would believe and receive His great gift of Salvation! There are no words to describe it and no way we can ever fathom His unconditional Love!

But this beloved song comes as close as possible as it declares, "The Love of God is greater far, than tongue or pen could ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell. The guilty pair bowed down with care, God sent His son to win; His erring child, He reconciled and pardoned from their sin. Oh Love of God how rich and pure, how measureless and strong, It shall forevermore endure, the saints and angels song."

On this Valentine's Day set aside to honor those we love so dearly, I pray you take time to cherish each moment and enjoy the blessing of having your beloved sweetheart close beside you; and if they are no longer here, I pray those loving moments you shared will warm your heart and bring a smile and precious memories as you think of them today. Enjoy a wonderfully blessed day because God loves you and so do I~~~'

Blessings Pour Down As His Name is Glorified

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Even as the rains fall down from the heavens, blessings pour down as His name is glorified; so let us lift our voices and rejoice in the Lord as He has given us another new day filled with fresh mercies and is faithfully watching over us who magnify His Holy Name! Let the Praises ring out; let our souls magnify the King of kings and Lord of Lords! Our Lord God who has done great and marvelous things; and granted Blessings beyond measure! 
"Because of who You are I give You glory; Because of who You are I give you praise; Because of who You are I will lift my voice and say, "Lord, I worship You because of who You are." I worship You because of who You are. Jehovah Jireh, my Provider; Jehovah Nissi, Lord, You reign in victory; Jehovah Shaalom, my Prince of Peace; And I worship You because of who You are! Lord I worship You because of who You are!"
Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him. Give thanks unto the Lord for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are safe. The Lord declares unto us, "Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."(Isaiah 41:10)
Today holds a wonderful opportunity to sing forth His praises; to uphold the life changing name of Jesus and see His marvelous works performed in lives of those who choose to believe and receive Him in His glory. Each morning brings forth new mercies with old things passed away and all things new. We cannot change what was done yesterday; but we can learn from things left undone or mistakes made; and this day allows golden opportunities to start afresh with praises pouring forth from the depths of our soul as we choose to speak forth life and blessings into those we encounter along our way. 
May we forever lift up the name of Jesus and be all He empowers us to be in each new day He gives; and may each of you enjoy a wonderfully blessed day because God loves you and so do I~~~  

Under His Wings

Psalms 91 (KJV) "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.....
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet;
"Because He hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because He hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
Dear friends, we may be confronted with things of this world that cause us to take a step back and be concerned, but Holy Spirit reminds us that God is forever faithful and watches over His Word to perform it quickly; it never returns to Him void. Safely under the wings of the Almighty assures our peace and resting place; so today, whatever may cause you to worry or be uneasy, allow Holy Spirit to comfort you and build you up knowing that GOD already has this in the palms of His hands. Be blessed, dear friends! God loves you and so do I~~~

Out Of Darkness Into Light

"Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost but now I'm found, was lost but now I'm found. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. My chains are gone, I've been set free; my God, my Savior has ransomed me; and like a flood His mercy reigns; Unending Love, Amazing Grace.

The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine; But God, Who called me here below, will be forever mine. My chains are gone, I've been set free; my God, my Savior, has ransomed me; and like a flood His mercy reigns; Unending Love, Amazing Grace."

Chains broken, sins forgiven, former sins forgotten, Called out of darkness into His Light; all by the Grace of a Loving God, a Wonderful Savior. I Peter 2:9 declares, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession; that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

It is our Father's will that we walk not in darkness but as children of Light; reflecting His Love throughout the world. His Light shines in the darkness and only those who choose not to comprehend it are left in darkness (John 3:19). As His Gospel filled with Hope is shared, Light springs forth into the very hearts of men and women who accept Him and the world is made so much brighter simply because of the Light that shines within our hearts. For tho we were once darkness, we are now light in the Lord, so let us walk in the Light as noted in (Ephesians 5:8).

Day by day, moment by moment, we are being made more and more like Christ, Who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Called to walk and talk with Him in a new and God-glorifying way so others can see the light and hope that is within us, through Christ Jesus!(Matthew 5:16). This newness in Him that has broken loose the chains that once bound us and kept us in darkness.

Now that we have been called out of darkness, let us strive to walk in His Light to the very best of our ability so others seeing His good work within us, will believe and glorify our Father which is in Heaven. I pray you have a wonderfully blessed week knowing that God loves you and so do I~~~

Remolded By The Potter

"Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Savior; I know for sure all of my days are held in Your hands; Crafted into Your perfect plan; You gently call me into Your presence, Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit; Teach me dear Lord, To live all of my life through Your eyes; I'm captured by Your Holy calling, Set me apart, I know You're drawing me to Yourself; Lead me Lord I pray; Take me, Mold me, Use me, Fill me; I give my life to the Potter's hands; Hold me, Guide me, Lead me, Walk beside me; I give my life to the Potter's hand."
This beautiful song reminds us that our Creator, the Potter, waits to mold us into a vessel of honor as we surrender our will into His hands.
 Life is so short and the more I come to realize how fragile life is, I choose to walk according to the Potter's design for my life. No one is guaranteed tomorrow or even the next second, and no one knows the day or hour we will be called home. Our time on earth is designated by the God of all Creation who longs to mold us into His perfect plan for our life. Only He knows our length of days so I find my desire deepening to be that light shining brightly in the darkness so others can see the way out; to share hope to those who are hopeless; and to be an encourager to those who need to be inspired along the way in all I do and all I say. I never want to cause someone to stumble just because I don't agree with their behavior or look. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved(John 3:17). So who are we to judge or to condemn others along our way when we can be drawing them in to the Potter's hands by our witness of His Amazing Grace? 
If we are to be His followers and witnesses of His forgiveness, we will encourage others instead of judging and love others instead of condemning, no matter who they may be or what they have done. We are to be God's arms extended that wrap around the hurting and give those warm reassuring hugs; to be His hands needed to reach down to the fallen and help them up; to be His warm smile that assures others it will be okay; and to share the hope given from our Savior to those who are hopeless. We must let others know there is Hope; and that Hope is in Christ Jesus! But how will they know unless we share it?
So today I urge you to search your hearts and become more aware of those around you. Do they know Jesus? Are they in need of encouragement? Are they reaching out to you for Hope? And last but not least, are you sharing the Hope in Christ Jesus with others you meet along your way? Nothing is more important than saving a soul from hell; and nothing is more important than those few minutes you share in caring along your way. May we all have our eyes opened and our hearts receptive to the leading of Holy Spirit as the Potter remolds us into a life reflecting Jesus in every way as not to stumble others.
As you think on these things, I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day knowing that God loves you and so do I~~~