Reminder...God will make a way so I am not afraid of the storm I am struggling to walk through..
Yesterday during worship, this song was played by the praise team at First Assembly in Heber Springs. It was new to me, but served its purpose as a reminder that, it is not the absence of the storm that is the miracle. The miracle is the fact that we can lean on a Father God who walks with us and not be afraid. His presence will cover us from fear..if we ask. We live in an evil world. There will always be some type of earthly struggle. But be reminded, that just as Jesus was able to sleep in the boat during the storm, we too, can walk through the storm in peace.
Pastor Lee Brown, laid down on the platform as visual reminder of how Jesus knew his father intimately and so knew he was safe..regardless of where he was in his journey. We live in an evil world. We will not escape without some monstrous waves, lighting and thunder claps of life threatening to stop us in our tracks. But, as they come, I challenge you to step into his presence and take a deep breath ... breath in that peace that passes all understanding.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Hidden In Jerusalem
Just a thought: There are those who do not understand why America should stand with Israel. Many have not had biblical teachings and do not understand the relationship between God and his people. For them, it is not enough for us "old people " to explain the blessings and promises of a Bible they don't understand. A book of teachings of past generations they have no relationship with. They continue to align themselves with false information and the tug of the heartstrings of perceived injustice to the Palestinian people.
Just as the heart of Pharaoh was hardened in biblical times, many contemporary hearts have been hardened to the truth of the struggles of Israel. But God has always been a God of patience and mercy....and mystery.
In this age of "open your mouth and let anything speak," I would remind you of...Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Regardless of the fact that this is a biblical reference...it is a value we are taught in grade school. Be kind to one another.
The Lord is working on us all..continue to pray for our country and that our hearts be melted to be one with the heart of God....
Oh and one more thing..remember the mystery of the word of God...the word Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible. You may not have ever noticed, but God' s love for us is hidden in his love for Jerusalem...Jer USA lem.
Have a great day
Just as the heart of Pharaoh was hardened in biblical times, many contemporary hearts have been hardened to the truth of the struggles of Israel. But God has always been a God of patience and mercy....and mystery.
In this age of "open your mouth and let anything speak," I would remind you of...Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Regardless of the fact that this is a biblical reference...it is a value we are taught in grade school. Be kind to one another.
The Lord is working on us all..continue to pray for our country and that our hearts be melted to be one with the heart of God....
Oh and one more thing..remember the mystery of the word of God...the word Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible. You may not have ever noticed, but God' s love for us is hidden in his love for Jerusalem...Jer USA lem.
Have a great day
Friday, October 6, 2017
Heart Change..Not Law Change
And so another horrific, mass shooting has claimed many young lives in a concert gathering in Las Vegas. As usual, immediately following this announcement came the rise of voices claiming more gun laws. This is my thought on this issue as posted on my Facebook site.
....................................
Just a thought....
Las Vegas is another wake up call..over the years there have been many... mass murders..mini murders..mean people taking out their issues on innocents. The media always follows with, what was the motive.
Motive, Really??? In the real world, why do we need to look for a motive to be evil to others? It is none other than the depravity of man. Evil can be seen as early as the first murder in the accounting of Cain and Able. Reality is that motive, starts in the heart. It cannot be law enforced.
Let us go back in time....way back to the cross. The people who just a week prior, thought Jesus was the " best thing since sliced bread." Praising him and telling him how wonderful he was...they expressed it from the bottom of their hearts.
Yet, it was those same people, reacting from those same fickle hearts, that expressed such horrific protesting and ultimate demand for murder of an innocent man...our very own Jesus. Times have not changed, because hearts are still evil. Laws cannot change evil at its core. They can make us feel safer, but when evil raises its ugly head, no earthly law will stop it. It is only by the blood of the cross, that any of us can have a heart change.
....................................
Just a thought....
Las Vegas is another wake up call..over the years there have been many... mass murders..mini murders..mean people taking out their issues on innocents. The media always follows with, what was the motive.
Motive, Really??? In the real world, why do we need to look for a motive to be evil to others? It is none other than the depravity of man. Evil can be seen as early as the first murder in the accounting of Cain and Able. Reality is that motive, starts in the heart. It cannot be law enforced.
Let us go back in time....way back to the cross. The people who just a week prior, thought Jesus was the " best thing since sliced bread." Praising him and telling him how wonderful he was...they expressed it from the bottom of their hearts.
Yet, it was those same people, reacting from those same fickle hearts, that expressed such horrific protesting and ultimate demand for murder of an innocent man...our very own Jesus. Times have not changed, because hearts are still evil. Laws cannot change evil at its core. They can make us feel safer, but when evil raises its ugly head, no earthly law will stop it. It is only by the blood of the cross, that any of us can have a heart change.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Challenge of the day... stand between the living and the dead....
I am still reading and meditating on Numbers 16...to make a long story short... some of the people had come against Moses and declared...we are just as important as you are so we want you gone...(sound familiar) anyway, God dealt with them with a creative miracle and had the earth swallow them up...( might want to make sure you are on the side of God when you rebel...)
But then a plague hit... to stop it, God had Aaron to light a censer and ....stand between the living and the dead (vs. 48)...and the plague stopped.
ladies and gentlemen...we have a plague in our land. Rebellion, immorality etc. etc... open your eyes, light a censer (prayer) a censer created by the millions of Christians around the world. Unite our cries in one voice... we need to stop this division and unite in prayer...we can all pray for Gods purpose over our land....no matter which side of the isle we are on... if the Muslim people can consistently pray to a dead god....surely we can do the same and cry out to our one living God who hears us !!!
It is time to unite in one voice ... 💕
I am still reading and meditating on Numbers 16...to make a long story short... some of the people had come against Moses and declared...we are just as important as you are so we want you gone...(sound familiar) anyway, God dealt with them with a creative miracle and had the earth swallow them up...( might want to make sure you are on the side of God when you rebel...)
But then a plague hit... to stop it, God had Aaron to light a censer and ....stand between the living and the dead (vs. 48)...and the plague stopped.
ladies and gentlemen...we have a plague in our land. Rebellion, immorality etc. etc... open your eyes, light a censer (prayer) a censer created by the millions of Christians around the world. Unite our cries in one voice... we need to stop this division and unite in prayer...we can all pray for Gods purpose over our land....no matter which side of the isle we are on... if the Muslim people can consistently pray to a dead god....surely we can do the same and cry out to our one living God who hears us !!!
It is time to unite in one voice ... 💕
Saturday, September 23, 2017
NOTES from the Desk of Ms. Debbie..
Recently I have been bombarded with petitions for prayer on behalf of friends and their adolescent children. It seems like the evil of the world has come to take over and it has planted seed in the fertile soil of our precious children. As a senior citizen who has raise a few of my own, I would like to encourage those who are walking this road today.
As long as time as been recorded, the enemy has desired to take the younger generation. But even as the years have come and gone, the next generation as risen above the chaos and confusion to eventually make their parents proud. Godly parents have sought the Lord on knees of prayer for generations.
One of the few things my late husband and I did right was to bring our children to him in prayer daily..TOGETHER...because of this, the enemy had to work twice as hard to destroy the good plans laid up in the heavens for our children and grandchildren...
I am here to admonish you to continue bringing your children to the alter each morning. (Regardless of what your eyes see in the natural.) Hold them up to him in thanksgiving and remind yourself of the words spoken in Hebrews 13:8..Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever...What he has done for the Abraham, David, Paul and Peter..He will do for you!!
That said, the following is one of my most resent devotions published in the summer issue of "the Secret Place." Take heart in the fact that what you may see in your children today is just the beginning of a process...the best is yet to come.!!! Have a great day in the promises of the Lord!
Don't Give Up
Galatians 6:9
Thought For Today: Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Many years ago, my son was going through a difficult transition between adolescence and adulthood. I saw no hope that he would ever grow up and be the positive person I had planned for him. I grew weary with the hope that he would ever change his ways and become a functional member of the community.
Raising a child can be a strain..especially when the child thinks they are already raised. All those nights praying that he would make it home safely, eventually panned out and he has made me proud. He has a good job and family, is respectful to others and loves the Lord.
God is a lot like a parent. He will stay with us no matter how long it takes. He will watch over us knowing that, like the prodigal, in due season, we will come home.
Prayer: Lord, help me to not grow weary in doing good. Remind me that in due season you will make all things turn out right for those who love you.
Recently I have been bombarded with petitions for prayer on behalf of friends and their adolescent children. It seems like the evil of the world has come to take over and it has planted seed in the fertile soil of our precious children. As a senior citizen who has raise a few of my own, I would like to encourage those who are walking this road today.
As long as time as been recorded, the enemy has desired to take the younger generation. But even as the years have come and gone, the next generation as risen above the chaos and confusion to eventually make their parents proud. Godly parents have sought the Lord on knees of prayer for generations.
One of the few things my late husband and I did right was to bring our children to him in prayer daily..TOGETHER...because of this, the enemy had to work twice as hard to destroy the good plans laid up in the heavens for our children and grandchildren...
I am here to admonish you to continue bringing your children to the alter each morning. (Regardless of what your eyes see in the natural.) Hold them up to him in thanksgiving and remind yourself of the words spoken in Hebrews 13:8..Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever...What he has done for the Abraham, David, Paul and Peter..He will do for you!!
That said, the following is one of my most resent devotions published in the summer issue of "the Secret Place." Take heart in the fact that what you may see in your children today is just the beginning of a process...the best is yet to come.!!! Have a great day in the promises of the Lord!
Don't Give Up
Galatians 6:9
Thought For Today: Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Many years ago, my son was going through a difficult transition between adolescence and adulthood. I saw no hope that he would ever grow up and be the positive person I had planned for him. I grew weary with the hope that he would ever change his ways and become a functional member of the community.
Raising a child can be a strain..especially when the child thinks they are already raised. All those nights praying that he would make it home safely, eventually panned out and he has made me proud. He has a good job and family, is respectful to others and loves the Lord.
God is a lot like a parent. He will stay with us no matter how long it takes. He will watch over us knowing that, like the prodigal, in due season, we will come home.
Prayer: Lord, help me to not grow weary in doing good. Remind me that in due season you will make all things turn out right for those who love you.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Humble Prayer
IF MY PEOPLE WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND CALL ON MY NAME...
In times past, it often took the Jewish nation to be in great trouble before they would call on the name of the Lord. Case in point would be when they were running from the Egyptians and were surrounded on all sides. Then as you remember, the Lord opened the sea and they crossed over on dry land. Other times too numerous to name, saw the people in a really tight spot that they could not get out of themselves before they would humble themselves and call on the name of God.
Today, now that we are more enlightened, the contemporary thought seems to be that we don't need God...if in fact he even exists..
That said, with the forest fires eating up our land in the West, the floods from Harvey covering the South and now a category 5 storm threatening the the South East coast, not to mention the the political unrest here and abroad, perhaps this may be the hand of God using these natural and man made events to bring a stiff necked people to their knees...to humble themselves, together, in one voice, in mass as a whole group of people praying..... as one nation under God.
In times past, it often took the Jewish nation to be in great trouble before they would call on the name of the Lord. Case in point would be when they were running from the Egyptians and were surrounded on all sides. Then as you remember, the Lord opened the sea and they crossed over on dry land. Other times too numerous to name, saw the people in a really tight spot that they could not get out of themselves before they would humble themselves and call on the name of God.
Today, now that we are more enlightened, the contemporary thought seems to be that we don't need God...if in fact he even exists..
That said, with the forest fires eating up our land in the West, the floods from Harvey covering the South and now a category 5 storm threatening the the South East coast, not to mention the the political unrest here and abroad, perhaps this may be the hand of God using these natural and man made events to bring a stiff necked people to their knees...to humble themselves, together, in one voice, in mass as a whole group of people praying..... as one nation under God.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Celebrate
1Peter 2:9. You are a chosen people....I have called you out of darkness into my light ...
This morning during worship, I had a vision. I saw what looked like a birthday cake with one lite candle. It appeared to be sitting in darkness...in my simple mind I thought..oh yes we are here to celebrate the goodness of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us...I looked around and in the congregation, I saw one hand lifted up..instantly, I knew it, the candle in the vision represented we, his people. in a few seconds, the one candle in the vision changed.. slowly the one candle turned into two and then four and then many.
As the single candle turned into many, the darkness that surrounded the cake, became so light, that it was hard to see the cake. Then I heard these words...
"I WANT To CELEBRATE My PEOPLE."
As old as I am, it still amazes me that Gods people are often on the same wavelength... after this vision, the pastor came up and started taking...his message was on the grace and mercy of the sinner. Nothing new about that. This message in one form or another was probably being preached in many churches of today. But at the end of his talk, he quoted from a book about the life of a well known political man and hymn writer of his time. His mother raised him to believe but she died when he was young.Many horrific things followed him thereafter that caused him to lash out and cause others just as much abuse...as he felt God had brought to him. He lived his life in utter darkness and evil....until he saw the light...once he met the mercy and grace of Jesus, his life was changed.
The fact that we are sinners is as old as Adam. In fact, most of us are aware that the patriarchs of the Bible all had to plow forward through their evil impulses and even Paul, was a killer of Christians. But...he saw the light.
We live in a dark time and we see evil all around us...but we have come to bring the light to a dark world...because we have lived in the midst of darkness and by the grace of God ,have seen the light.
We have all come from a place of sin. But the Lord sees our frame. He wants to celebrate the fact that we do not give up but keep walking in his light to bring others into the kingdom.
Jesus, having walked this earth during a terrible time of racism, poverty, government unrest and evil darkness at every turn, knows our road is hard ... but he celebrates that we are a chosen people who lock arms with each other and thus one light turns into much light... he is the light of the world in us.
This morning during worship, I had a vision. I saw what looked like a birthday cake with one lite candle. It appeared to be sitting in darkness...in my simple mind I thought..oh yes we are here to celebrate the goodness of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us...I looked around and in the congregation, I saw one hand lifted up..instantly, I knew it, the candle in the vision represented we, his people. in a few seconds, the one candle in the vision changed.. slowly the one candle turned into two and then four and then many.
As the single candle turned into many, the darkness that surrounded the cake, became so light, that it was hard to see the cake. Then I heard these words...
"I WANT To CELEBRATE My PEOPLE."
As old as I am, it still amazes me that Gods people are often on the same wavelength... after this vision, the pastor came up and started taking...his message was on the grace and mercy of the sinner. Nothing new about that. This message in one form or another was probably being preached in many churches of today. But at the end of his talk, he quoted from a book about the life of a well known political man and hymn writer of his time. His mother raised him to believe but she died when he was young.Many horrific things followed him thereafter that caused him to lash out and cause others just as much abuse...as he felt God had brought to him. He lived his life in utter darkness and evil....until he saw the light...once he met the mercy and grace of Jesus, his life was changed.
The fact that we are sinners is as old as Adam. In fact, most of us are aware that the patriarchs of the Bible all had to plow forward through their evil impulses and even Paul, was a killer of Christians. But...he saw the light.
We live in a dark time and we see evil all around us...but we have come to bring the light to a dark world...because we have lived in the midst of darkness and by the grace of God ,have seen the light.
We have all come from a place of sin. But the Lord sees our frame. He wants to celebrate the fact that we do not give up but keep walking in his light to bring others into the kingdom.
Jesus, having walked this earth during a terrible time of racism, poverty, government unrest and evil darkness at every turn, knows our road is hard ... but he celebrates that we are a chosen people who lock arms with each other and thus one light turns into much light... he is the light of the world in us.
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