Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
LOOK UP
2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" NIV
I received this devotion today and was so touched by this scripture. Maybe it's because the Lord spoke to me a few weeks ago and told me not to see things in the flesh, but to see things in the Spirit. I'll never forget the first message I heard Sister Marie preach about looking through spiritual eyes rather than human eyes. That is exactly what the Lord wants us to do. WHAT IS UNSEEN AS OF YET IN YOUR LIFE?? WHAT HAS GOD PROMISED THAT HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED YET IN YOUR LIFE...YOUR CHILDREN'S LIVES....YOUR CHURCH...YOUR FINANCES...YOUR FAMILY??? LOOK FOR IT, GIRLS!!! HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE AND EVERLASTING.
Here's the devotion:
The Bible clearly talks about the battle between the visible and invisible. What we see and hear is in the natural. The heavenly battle is in the spiritual realm. While we see what is around us --- we do not see what is taking place above us. The answer starts with looking up.
In these examples I believe you'll see what I mean.
If you put a buzzard in a pen six or eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of his ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten or twelve feet. Without space to run, as is his habit, he will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A bumblebee if dropped into an open tumbler will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
There are many people like the buzzard, bat and bumblebee. They are struggling with problems and frustrations --- not realizing that the answer is right there --- above them. They just need to start looking up.
PERSONALLY, I DON'T WANT TO BE A BUZZARD, BAT, OR BUMBLEBEE. WHAT ABOUT YOU?? LET'S TAKE THE CHALLENGE, LIVE BY FAITH AND KNOW THAT GOD HAS GREAT THINGS IN STORE FOR HIS CHILDREN!
I received this devotion today and was so touched by this scripture. Maybe it's because the Lord spoke to me a few weeks ago and told me not to see things in the flesh, but to see things in the Spirit. I'll never forget the first message I heard Sister Marie preach about looking through spiritual eyes rather than human eyes. That is exactly what the Lord wants us to do. WHAT IS UNSEEN AS OF YET IN YOUR LIFE?? WHAT HAS GOD PROMISED THAT HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED YET IN YOUR LIFE...YOUR CHILDREN'S LIVES....YOUR CHURCH...YOUR FINANCES...YOUR FAMILY??? LOOK FOR IT, GIRLS!!! HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE AND EVERLASTING.
Here's the devotion:
The Bible clearly talks about the battle between the visible and invisible. What we see and hear is in the natural. The heavenly battle is in the spiritual realm. While we see what is around us --- we do not see what is taking place above us. The answer starts with looking up.
In these examples I believe you'll see what I mean.
If you put a buzzard in a pen six or eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of his ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten or twelve feet. Without space to run, as is his habit, he will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A bumblebee if dropped into an open tumbler will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
There are many people like the buzzard, bat and bumblebee. They are struggling with problems and frustrations --- not realizing that the answer is right there --- above them. They just need to start looking up.
PERSONALLY, I DON'T WANT TO BE A BUZZARD, BAT, OR BUMBLEBEE. WHAT ABOUT YOU?? LET'S TAKE THE CHALLENGE, LIVE BY FAITH AND KNOW THAT GOD HAS GREAT THINGS IN STORE FOR HIS CHILDREN!
Monday, May 18, 2009
BEHIND THE VEIL
Ladies, I found a video tonight that I must share with you. I was looking for something else totally different and somehow came upon this. I believe it was from God. It is called "Behind the Veil." This song calls to us to not linger in the courtyard or outer courts, but to enter into the Holy of Holies. In the Old Testament, only the High Priest could go enter the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenent (which represented the presence of God) was located. Everyone else had to stay in the court yards. Upon the Lord's death, the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the court yards was rent and we are now allowed to enter into the Lord's presence.
This all goes so well with Pastor's sermon yesterday. I BELIEVE GOD IS CALLING US INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A CHURCH TO BE SO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT WE ARE OR EVER HAVE BEEN.
My prayer is that each and every one of us would take this to heart. I pray that we would get such a hunger for God that it would drive us out of the outer courts and into the Holy of Holies - that we will be driven out of that maintenance mode and into a relationship like we've never had before - for our own sakes and the sake of the lost around us. May this video bless you as it did me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbqtCe4dxFs&feature=related
This all goes so well with Pastor's sermon yesterday. I BELIEVE GOD IS CALLING US INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A CHURCH TO BE SO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT WE ARE OR EVER HAVE BEEN.
My prayer is that each and every one of us would take this to heart. I pray that we would get such a hunger for God that it would drive us out of the outer courts and into the Holy of Holies - that we will be driven out of that maintenance mode and into a relationship like we've never had before - for our own sakes and the sake of the lost around us. May this video bless you as it did me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbqtCe4dxFs&feature=related
Saturday, May 16, 2009
REFINER'S FIRE
I heard this story some time ago and thought it was so good. If you have read it already, may it be a good reminder of God's watchful eye and care for each of us. If you've never read it, I know you will be blessed and encouraged. Have a great Saturday. I look forward to seeing my Sisterz tomorrow.
The following story is a great example of how the Lord teaches and molds us through life's trials.
There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot--then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.
She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you.
Author unknown
The following story is a great example of how the Lord teaches and molds us through life's trials.
There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot--then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.
She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you.
Author unknown
Thursday, May 14, 2009
STILLING THE STORM
The Sea of Galilee is only twelve miles long, seven miles wide and seven hundred feet deep. Yet over these waters come some of the most ferocious, vicious storms in the Middle East.The Sea of Galilee is located scarcely fifty miles from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. To the northeast rise the Syro-Phoenician mountains of Lebanon. When a low pressure system comes off the Mediterranean and clashes with a high pressure system from these mountains, the calm surface of the Sea of Galilee can be suddenly transformed into a raging storm with waves fifteen to twenty feet high.
There is constant danger for fishermen caught on the lake in the springtime and early fall, when the storms most frequently occur. During these seasons, the weather may be perfect when the fishermen leave shore, but within minutes the sky becomes overcast and large swells mount to toss their boats about.Mark 4:36-41 records just such a day when Jesus and His disciples had gone out on the sea. "A great windstorm arose, and waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling" (v. 37). Jesus, who had been asleep, now rose, and standing in the middle of the boat, rebuked the storm saying, "Peace, be still" (v. 39)! Immediately the storm subsided. The disciples wondered among themselves, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him" (v. 41).
There are times in our lives when everything seems to be calm. But like one of the sudden storms on the Sea of Galilee, problems can suddenly arise, transforming our lives into a raging storm of stress and difficulty. Without someone to turn to, these problems seem overwhelming. Yet with faith in God, we rest assured that the voice of Jesus and the presence of God will still any storm of problems with a word: "Peace, be still!"
Lord, You still the raging storms in my life through Your presence and offer peace and calm when stress and trouble threaten to overwhelm me. In faith I rest assured of Your protection and deliverance. Thank You.
"Better to go through the storm with Christ than to have smooth sailing without Him." – Vernon Grounds
There is constant danger for fishermen caught on the lake in the springtime and early fall, when the storms most frequently occur. During these seasons, the weather may be perfect when the fishermen leave shore, but within minutes the sky becomes overcast and large swells mount to toss their boats about.Mark 4:36-41 records just such a day when Jesus and His disciples had gone out on the sea. "A great windstorm arose, and waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling" (v. 37). Jesus, who had been asleep, now rose, and standing in the middle of the boat, rebuked the storm saying, "Peace, be still" (v. 39)! Immediately the storm subsided. The disciples wondered among themselves, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him" (v. 41).
There are times in our lives when everything seems to be calm. But like one of the sudden storms on the Sea of Galilee, problems can suddenly arise, transforming our lives into a raging storm of stress and difficulty. Without someone to turn to, these problems seem overwhelming. Yet with faith in God, we rest assured that the voice of Jesus and the presence of God will still any storm of problems with a word: "Peace, be still!"
Lord, You still the raging storms in my life through Your presence and offer peace and calm when stress and trouble threaten to overwhelm me. In faith I rest assured of Your protection and deliverance. Thank You.
"Better to go through the storm with Christ than to have smooth sailing without Him." – Vernon Grounds
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
One Way to Get a Man!
Three Hymns
One Sunday a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.
After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in the offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.
And there sat Rosie all the way in the back shyly raising her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns.
Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, "I'll take him and him and him!"
One Sunday a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.
After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in the offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.
And there sat Rosie all the way in the back shyly raising her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns.
Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, "I'll take him and him and him!"
Sunday, May 10, 2009
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
I am so sorry I have not posted the past few days. The storm Friday took my internet service (again)! I love this high speed stuff, but I do lose service way too often. Just can't make myself go back to dial-up - which was reliable, but slow. Out here there aren't many choices (or should I say any choices), so I guess I'll have to put up and shut up.
Enough said, I hope all of you are having a great Mother's Day. We had something funny happen at our house. Pastor bought me the same purse for Mother's Day as Nickie picked out for her birthday. Now we're twinkies. We drug him along shopping for a purse for Nickie yesterday. She saw one she liked at the first store, but we decided to go to all the other stores we could find in Jackson to see if she found anything else she liked better. I really liked the one she picked out in the first store. Pastor, feeling sure that she would find something else at another store and that she probably would not come back and get that one, snuck back to the store and bought it for me. He just knew with all the other stores we were going to, Nickie would find something else - especially since she didn't get that one during the first visit to the store. Well, you guessed it - 3 hours later, we returned to the store and purchased the same purse for her as he had purchased for me earlier. Our challenge now - not to grab each other's purse on the way out the door!!!
I do hope all of you have a wonderful Mother's Day and that your children bless you today. There's nothing better than being a mother!
Love you, ladies!
Sister June
Enough said, I hope all of you are having a great Mother's Day. We had something funny happen at our house. Pastor bought me the same purse for Mother's Day as Nickie picked out for her birthday. Now we're twinkies. We drug him along shopping for a purse for Nickie yesterday. She saw one she liked at the first store, but we decided to go to all the other stores we could find in Jackson to see if she found anything else she liked better. I really liked the one she picked out in the first store. Pastor, feeling sure that she would find something else at another store and that she probably would not come back and get that one, snuck back to the store and bought it for me. He just knew with all the other stores we were going to, Nickie would find something else - especially since she didn't get that one during the first visit to the store. Well, you guessed it - 3 hours later, we returned to the store and purchased the same purse for her as he had purchased for me earlier. Our challenge now - not to grab each other's purse on the way out the door!!!
I do hope all of you have a wonderful Mother's Day and that your children bless you today. There's nothing better than being a mother!
Love you, ladies!
Sister June
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
PRAYER
We all want to effectively pray for the ministries God gives us to lead. So here's a helpful prayer guide that assigns a different area to pray for each day of the week. And it just so happens that each day's prayer "assignment" begins with the same letter as the day of the week. It's easy to remember and helps us ensure that we've got it all covered.
Sunday...Studies
Pray for the Bible studies, mentoring groups, book clubs and any other small groups that will meet in the coming week.
Monday...Ministry
Ask for God's direction for yourself and those who lead with you. Pray for specific ministry needs.
Tuesday...To Do's
Need we say more? We all have a list. Let's pray about it - what we should and should not do, when and how. Lord, help us redeem our time wisely.
Wednesday...World
Pray for the nations, the missionaries, the persecuted church and governments around the world.
Thursday...Those in Need
Lift up those who are hurting, lonely or poor. Pray for those who need a Savior.
Friday...Future Plans
We all have dreams. Let's commit the future of our ministries to God.
Saturday...Sunday Services
Pray for your pastor, for others who serve and those who will worship with you this week.
Sunday...Studies
Pray for the Bible studies, mentoring groups, book clubs and any other small groups that will meet in the coming week.
Monday...Ministry
Ask for God's direction for yourself and those who lead with you. Pray for specific ministry needs.
Tuesday...To Do's
Need we say more? We all have a list. Let's pray about it - what we should and should not do, when and how. Lord, help us redeem our time wisely.
Wednesday...World
Pray for the nations, the missionaries, the persecuted church and governments around the world.
Thursday...Those in Need
Lift up those who are hurting, lonely or poor. Pray for those who need a Savior.
Friday...Future Plans
We all have dreams. Let's commit the future of our ministries to God.
Saturday...Sunday Services
Pray for your pastor, for others who serve and those who will worship with you this week.
Monday, May 4, 2009
WONDERFUL DEVOTION
I received this devotion today and it ministered to me so much that I just had to share it!!!
Scripture: Matthew 28:20"I am with you always, even to the end of the age" NKJV
There is a Cherokee Indian legend that defines a child's rite of passage from childhood to being a MAN. It's a Cherokee rite of passage!
A young boy's father takes him into the forest. There he blindfolds him and leaves him sitting alone on a stump. The young boy is required to sit on the stump the entire night. He may not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night --- the legend says he is a MAN. Most important --- he can't tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified as his mind displays all kinds of fear. He can hear noises --- perhaps wild beasts are all about --- maybe even another human out to do him harm. The wind blows the grass, shakes the trees and his stump grows unfriendly and cold. But the boy must sit stoically, never removing the blindfold. He knows it was the only way for him to become a MAN. Minutes drag on --- they turned into hours as the sounds of the forest got louder and louder. Then a silence starts --- the horrific night --- is coming to an end and he can feel the warmth of the sun. Then the sun begins to seep through his blindfold and he knows it is time. He then removes his blindfold and discovers his father sitting on the stump next to him. His father had been on watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. What a wonderful analogy for us to understand that we are never alone. Even when our worst fears are over coming us --- even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us. And Jesus is "sitting on the stump" beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out --- It's a rite of passage.
Scripture: Matthew 28:20"I am with you always, even to the end of the age" NKJV
There is a Cherokee Indian legend that defines a child's rite of passage from childhood to being a MAN. It's a Cherokee rite of passage!
A young boy's father takes him into the forest. There he blindfolds him and leaves him sitting alone on a stump. The young boy is required to sit on the stump the entire night. He may not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night --- the legend says he is a MAN. Most important --- he can't tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified as his mind displays all kinds of fear. He can hear noises --- perhaps wild beasts are all about --- maybe even another human out to do him harm. The wind blows the grass, shakes the trees and his stump grows unfriendly and cold. But the boy must sit stoically, never removing the blindfold. He knows it was the only way for him to become a MAN. Minutes drag on --- they turned into hours as the sounds of the forest got louder and louder. Then a silence starts --- the horrific night --- is coming to an end and he can feel the warmth of the sun. Then the sun begins to seep through his blindfold and he knows it is time. He then removes his blindfold and discovers his father sitting on the stump next to him. His father had been on watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. What a wonderful analogy for us to understand that we are never alone. Even when our worst fears are over coming us --- even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us. And Jesus is "sitting on the stump" beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out --- It's a rite of passage.
BLESSING
Good Monday Morning! I just want to pray a blessing over you this morning as we begin a new week. Father, I thank you for my sisters in Christ. I thank you for the love we share both between one another and in You. I pray that you will bless them as they begin this new week. I pray that you will bless their going in and coming out. Bless them as they work, bless them as they play, bless them in your Word and in their prayer time. God, I ask you to go before them and be their guide and protection against the wiles of the enemy. Guard their minds and hearts that they may hear and know You in their lives. Lord, I pray that You would meet their every need - physical, spiritual, financial, and emotional as they trust You. Bring peace and joy into their hearts, homes, and lives. May they find You to be richer and greater than ever before as they set themselves before You this week. May your goodness and mercy be extended to them in great measure.
God, I pray that you will also bless their families and their homes. May their homes be filled with Your presence and power, with love, joy, and peace. May our homes reflect You in every way.
We thank You for this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Ladies, may this be one of your best weeks ever. I love you.
Sister June
God, I pray that you will also bless their families and their homes. May their homes be filled with Your presence and power, with love, joy, and peace. May our homes reflect You in every way.
We thank You for this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Ladies, may this be one of your best weeks ever. I love you.
Sister June
Friday, May 1, 2009
MOTHER'S DAY
Well, it's almost here - Mother's Day. We are planning a wonderful Mother's Day service. We hope you will be a part of it. The theme is A Mother's Legacy. We have a gift for each of you that I'm sure you will like. I hope you will join us.
Opportunities
I have received invitations from a couple other churches to attend their events. One is a Mother's Day event at First Assembly in Portageville on May 8. The other is a women's conference at Bro. Robinson's church in Kennett. This is the district church for Sister Johnson. This event is May 5-8. If you are interested in either of these, please let me know. I am going to try to attend one night with Sister Johnson and would love to have you join me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
