In 1 Samuel 13 King Saul grew inpatient waiting for the Lord God to rescue him. Instead of trusting God he took matters into his own hands
I must admit there have been times I have worried and fretted in situations when doubt was loudly knocking on my door. But, I remember back and for all my life
God has always been faithful! Always!
No matter what lies Satan tells you – you just keep reminding yourself God rewards obedience and He is faithful!
I was brought up in a Pentecostal Church where power through the baptism of the Holy Spirit was central to our religion. When I turned 30 I began to hunger and thirst for more of God, to know Him, to know His love. I began studying His word, digging deeper and deeper and praying more and more. Why? Because when you are living in the real world, struggling through battles you need more than a sermon and a song or some emotional high. You need a deep rooted relationship with God. You need to know, that you know, that you can trust Him. You need to know, He will never leave or forsake you.
Listen, I tell you from experience—I am imperfect, I have failed, but I have found, no spiritual high, no person, not your pastor, not your parent, not your spouse, not even your children will be able to save your soul.
My hope is built on Jesus Christ.
Acts 16:31
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”
Some people will never be able to forget about your past. Because of their unforgiveness and inability to live by faith, they will throw your past mistakes in your face. It will be disappointing and discouraging, especially if it is someone close to you. BUT don’t let their lack of faith in God distract you! They did not call you! They are not your source—GOD is your source! Look to God. Encourage yourself through His Word!
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians
What’s your favorite time of day?
My favorite time of the day in the summer is late evening.
Dinner is finished. Dishes are cleared and the kitchen has been cleaned. I settle down into my comfy love seat with my day planner and begin striking off everything I did on my “To Do List.” Anything I did not get done I write on tomorrow’s list.
A good day is when everything on my “To Do List” has been marked through. This gives me great satisfaction and motivation to continue working and striving to live each day with purpose.
Now, you must realize all of my “To Do Lists” do not contain hard chores or assignments which require great attention and discipline. For example some days these assignments are on my list:
Take a drive and listen to music
Walk and pray
Take a nap
Go to lunch with a friend
Visit your favorite thrift store
Rest for a day or more
A life driven with purpose is needed to live for God, but a life without rest will have no joy.
Today I ask Bobby could we ride to the mini Walmart in West Athens and then on the way back stop by Willie’s and pick up some chicken for our dinner. He said “or fish?” In other words, he wanted Captain D’s instead. I relented, reluctantly and said “Momma would probably rather have fish too, so ok.”
We drove to Athens picked up the few groceries I needed at Walmart Market. Bobby went in Captain D’s got us six pieces of fish and six hush puppies.
When we got home I opened the Captain D bag to make Momma’s plate and I said where’s the tartar sauce? He said “I only got malt vinegar.”
I thought to myself, “Ugh, he is so inconsiderate! He never things about me. He knows good and well I always, always want tartar sauce!”
I made Momma’s plate took it to her gave her all her medicine then did all my supper routine jobs. I was still fuming over the fact I had given up my chicken dinner for him and he couldn’t even remember my tartar sauce!
As I was walking I heard the Holy Spirit say to me “Don’t you plan the menu every week for the meals you, Bobby and your Momma eat?” I said, “yes.” “Does Bobby ever complain or not eat the food you choose to make?” I answered, “No, he never does.” “Then is it so bad that on one day he wanted to choose what to eat?”
Wow, what a humbling revelation! Right?
This whole week has been a time of the Father showing me the need for humility and consideration of others in my life. I pray I continue to stay open to his voice and obedient to His teachings.
I pray the Holy Spirit will always call me out and correct me. May my heart never grow hard and insensitive to His voice.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. “ Philippians 2:3
When our girls were still here at home, I regret we did not have a formal sit-down breakfast. It felt like a rushed game of musical chairs, each of us eating with one hand in a hurry. Now that Bobby and I are both retired, we have a seated breakfast together every morning. I appreciate beginning our day calmly.
Growing up my brother and I always caught the school bus up at Granny and Paw’s house because Momma had to be at work by 6am. We hated having to get up so early every morning, but we were blessed with being served a wonderful hot cooked breakfast before school. No cereal or pop tarts for breakfast. I am talking about eggs, grits, bacon, ham or sausage, biscuits and some mornings red eyed gravy.
Now that Bobby and I are senior citizens, our cholesterol and high blood pressure influence our dietary choices. Bobby prepares a light breakfast for us, which typically includes either toast and oatmeal or grits and scrambled eggs. What I want to eat and what is healthy for me to eat are seldom the same. I personally don’t crave sweets, but I love me some biscuits and gravy or a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich.
Our grandchildren love anything full of sugar. Pop Tarts, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, honey buns and pastries. It hypes them up and before you know it, they are running a round wild like bucks. You must call their name, hold their face in your hands and look them straight in the eyes sometimes just to get their attention! Spiritually, I often find myself easily distracted by superficial things that draw me away from God. I call it my “Pop Tart Things.”
What are Pop Tart things? Well, my definition is anything that appeals to my flesh. It isn’t considered a “biblical commandment’ breaker but, it distracts me and draws me away from God. Many people do not consider these things to be problematic, but they can be distractions that keep me from staying focused on my goals and purpose.
Everyone has their own personal list of “Pop Tart Things” in their lives. Occasionally, it is acceptable to have a Pop Tart for breakfast or a snack, but it is important to ensure that it does not become a regular part of our diet or daily habits. It is essential to maintain a balanced approach. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Nothing on this earth will ever fill us or satisfy any longing we have like Jesus can. He and He alone is able to fill us with everything we need. As He told the woman at the well in John 4:14 “but, who ever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The next time you desire to fill a need with a “Pop Tart Thing” go to the one who can give living water my friend. I am praying for you. Please pray for me
Today as we pulled into our youngest daughter Bre’s driveway we saw a wobbly legged baby deer standing next to the goat fence. We quickly became aware of the mama deer standing inside the goat pen. Mama and baby were separated.
Our second daughter Nikki and her daughter Paisley were in the car with us. We all began to quietly discuss “what can we do to help?” Then we started to argue over what would be the best thing to do.
I told my husband Bobby, “Back up out of the driveway so the mama can jump over and rescue the baby.” He said “No, I ain’t backing out into the highway curve. Somebody might hit our car.”
Daughter Nikki suggested “Just inch up slowly in the car and maybe the mama will eventually jump over.” Paisley chimed in “If y’all don’t quit arguing you’re gonna scare the mama away.”Restlessly we watched in anticipation.
As a mother, I know personally the heartache and fear of being separated from a child. I know the anxiety and pain of knowing they are not just separated from family, but worse separated from God.
I have tried out of love and fear to reach over the fence of divide to the separated child endless times. I pray. I fast. I cry. I get angry! I vow to never cry over them again. I give them to God and then without warning I have a memory of this child that I love and I will want to reach out and hold my child tightly to me and never let them go.
My husband inched up just a little bit closer then stopped. While sitting and watching I thought of all of the mothers and fathers praying for separated children they love. I thought of my Heavenly Father who constantly watches over me. He watches over all of us who call out to Him as we wrestle with the loss of our children. He understands the pain of being separated from children He loves. He loves them and us and He hears our prayers,
“See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to be named and called and counted the children of God.” 1 John 3:1
We continued watching the deer and baby doe finally after a few minutes mama jumped across the fence. Mama and baby ran across Bre’s front yard together into the woods. It was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. In my spiritual eyes I could envision victory. I began to praise God for the day when I know through the power of God’s love the fence between us and our separated children will no longer keep us apart!
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
Late night thoughts:
I remember the first time I saw my husband. My first impression was “he’s a wonderful father. “ This fact mesmerized me. I wanted more than anything to be with a man who would be a loving father who put his family first.
He did. He always has.
Is he perfect? No!
Does he have issues? Yes!
Do I have issues? Definitely!
Marriage and family is not about perfection it’s about forgiveness and love.
It’s about giving, trying, understanding, selflessness, willingness to work together, willingness to do what is best for others.
Self cannot be more important than everyone else.
Should we practice self care? Yes!
Should we live a selfish life? No!
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Philippians 2:3
When I was around 14 years old we had free range chickens in our back yard. Hens and one mean obstinate rooster. He was a full fledged bully! He loved to torment!
Day after day this devilish rooster would chase me when I came home from school. Constantly trying to flog me, jump on me and attack me.
Finally one afternoon I had enough. There was a straw broom propped up outside the back door. When rooster “Red” came charging after me I picked up the broom and began swinging with all my might. I was tired of his intimidation. Exhausted from his relentless bullying. I had had enough! I began to fight back instead of running in fear.
The Devil is a tormentor. He is a bully. He loves to find weakness in us and pick and peck at us until he destroys our faith and hope. He loves to beat us down and he will as long as we allow him too.
How long will you keep allowing Satan to steal your peace and joy?
Take up the Word of God and begin using it to swing at the devil. Let him know you will not be defeated. You will not be destroyed for you are a child of God!
Swing your broom!! The Word of God!!
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
Go to God in prayer search His word and let the devil know you will not be bullied and intimidated by him. If you don’t my friend your life will be filled with constant confusion and torment!
Study and know God’s Word!
Unfortunately Mother’s Day is not a wonderful day for all women. It is actually a day of great torment and agony.
Many mother’s look around their tables and see empty chairs. Chairs left unfilled due to the death of a child, others due to the being ostracized by a child and others because a child is incarcerated or hospitalized.
Mother’s Day is also extremely hard for those women who have longed for children of their own but have never been able to bear a child to full term.
Then there are women whose children are missing and they have no idea where they are or if they are dead or still alive.
Mother’s Day will be a hard day for many. A reminder of the aching pain within that we try to keep hidden as best we can. On Mother’s Day we will be reminded of the reality of the rips in our heart.
Be kind this Mother’s Day. Remember all women and share your love, support and understanding with them. Perhaps the greatest gift you can give is acknowledging them through a loving jester.
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
“encourages mutual intercession, a core Christian practice emphasizing the importance of praying for others’ well-being and needs,” James 15:16
For Real, Elaine?! 