TBT You KNOW Me OH Lord!

It has been storming off and on all week and I was thinking of a poem I wrote and have shared before about God being our light in the storm. I have once again included it in this TBT post. I chose this post because I always go back to these verses in Psalm 139 because they remind of how much God loves and cares about us. Hope you enjoy this poem and TBT post.

My Life’s Light

I will trust you where ever you lead me
I will trust you in both the calm and stormy seas
I will follow the path you set before me
I will lean on your love and hope you give me freely
For you are the light that guides my path along my way
You are my guide through each and every day
Like the captain on the sea I will look to the light
Always keeping that beam in my sight.
For you my Lord, are my light
On whom I will keep my sight
By Deb Forbes July 2009
copyright 2009


As I was reading my Bible today I was reading Psalm 139 and the first few verses really jumped out at me. Psalm 139:1-3 NIV 

1You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Wow, think about it. God knows us and knows our thoughts, He know what we are doing and is familiar with us. That is such a comforting and sometimes scary thought to know God knows us in every way. Comforting because God knows us and understands in everything, He has intimate knowledge of us, which to me is a way to show just how much He loves and cares about us. If God didn't love us or care why would He get to know us and watch over us like these verses say.  

Then at the end of Psalm 139 David says 

Psalm 139: 23-24 NIV 

23Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

He is asking God to look at his heart and test and know what is in his heart and if God finds anything that He doesn't like to show him how to change and to lead him in God's way, down the right path.  

I think this should be our prayer each and every day, when we wake up and when we go to bed at night. Ask God to search us and our hearts and thoughts and show us anything we need to change and be forgiven for and then ask God to show us the path He has for us to follow and to help us follow it. God wants us to know Him and He is there willing to help and show us the way if we ask and then allow Him to show the way. 

As I start back to studying and memorizing God's word this really was a good one to start with because I want be more like Jesus and to be what and who God wants me to be. I hope you will join me in this journey through the Bible and Memorizing. I am no scholar but  just a believer who is relying on God and the Holy Spirit to guide me.

I know it is a lot to memorize but I am going to write these verses on a note card and put it where I will see it through out the day to remind me how God knows me in all ways and how I want Him to lead me.

Verses to memorize this week

Psalm 139:1-3

Psalm 139: 23-24

12 Gifts From God GIFT NUMBER 5: SALVATION

GIFT NUMBER 5: SALVATION
By Deb Forbes copyright 2008

Salvation is the 5th gift from God I want to look at. All the gifts we have looked at so far have been connected and Salvation fits right in with the rest of them. First God gives us life and love and forgiveness and sends his Son Jesus. He sent his son so that he could make a way for us to be with Him or to give us salvation from our sins. This is seen in 1 Thes. 5:9 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”KJVSalvation is necessary because we have done things that keep us from God. It is like when we were kids our parents loved us and provided for us and set rules that were good for us to keep us safe, but as kids we always had to try things anyway and our parents had to step in and help us or save us from ourselves. It is the same with God, he gives us everything we need and loves us, but we still stray and sin as it says in Rom. 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” God loved us enough to save us though by sending his son. John 3: 16-1716 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.KJV”Praise the Lord for his gift of Salvation so that we are saved from our sins. All we have to do is accept this gift from God just like the other gifts. In Romans 10:9-10 it tells us how we can receive the gift of Salvation from God it says Rom. 10:9-10 9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”KJV It is just that simple we have to believe and confess our belief in Christ and ask to be forgiven and we shall have salvation. That’s all it takes for us to receive the gift of Salvation that God has for us. It's just as easy as receiving a Christmas gift from someone you just have to reach out and take it.
This gift of salvation from God is for everyone and at this Christmas time my prayer is that many will receive this gift from God. Once we have received the first 5 gifts I have been looking at from God, life, Jesus, love, forgiveness and salvation then the rest of the gifts I will be looking at come along with these 5 gifts. These gifts are a packaged deal that you don’t want to miss out on. Thank you Lord. God is so good and as David says in Ps 145:3 “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable”.KJV And this God is just waiting to hear from you to accept you into his family and to lovingly give you all the gifts he has for you.

#TBT To Love And Help Others

 

 

With Christmas just around the corner I thought that this would be a good post to share again for throwback Thursday. We all need to all year long find ways to show Christ' s love.

 

 

 

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

To Love And Help Others

A HELPING HAND

What would you do what would you say?
If you were the one going hungry today.
There are children all over the world who have little to eat.
Their poor little bodies are ravaged by hunger and disease.

What would you do what would you say?
If you were homeless with no where to stay.
People and families all over have no where to turn.
For a place to stay, for a home they do yearn.

What would you do what would you say?
Would you do what you could to help or just turn away?
Children, families, and people all over the world need hope.
They need to be helped and loved so they can cope.

Will you lend them a helping hand,
Giving them love and doing all that you can
Or will you just turn away, thinking what really can I do
I have nothing to offer and no way to give help to you.

God’s people should reach out to love and help them
God’s people should never turn away or condemn
Will you follow Jesus’ heart and heed the call
Will you give of yourself, giving help and love to them all?

Will you let the love of Jesus be seen in and through you?
Will you help and do all that God asks you to do
Please show them love and do all you can
Give to each one a helping hand

What can you do just ask God to show you
Let God show you how you can help and what you can do.
So what will you do? Will you please answer the call?
Will you please help and show love and compassion to one and all!

By Deb Forbes July 2009©

I wrote this because all of us can find some way to help others. We should love and want to help all that is part of Serving Jesus


Love is an important part of being a Christ follower. It's not just love for God and Christ but love for others and by loving others showing them Jesus and God's love through the way we love and care for them. I John 3:16-18 "16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."(NIV) Like the poem I wrote says we all should love and help and not condemn. We all can find some way to help others and show them God's love. We should all strive to be more Christ like in our love for others. It is also not just saying we love our brothers but by showing it through what we do. Words alone won't work we have to do. I John 4:21 21 "And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."(NIV) God says if we love him we must not should but must love our brother.

We all can serve God and help others. No matter your situation you can do something. Ask God and he will show you ways to serve and help and then follow through and do what he shows you to do. I hope we all find ways to serve and help others

God Has A Master Plan For Each Of Us TBT Post

Ulman Christian Church Ulman MO

I decided to repost this with my poem because I know so many people who are struggling right now. We just have to trust and believe and stay on the path that God has for us. This poem and devotion has a copyright so please do not use with out my permission.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Master Plan

MASTER PLAN

WHEN YOU LOOK ALL AROUND
AND YOUR TROUBLES SEEM TO ABOUND
DON’T WORRY OR DESPAIR
GOD REALLY DOES CARE.
SO REMEMBER NOT TO FRET
AND YOU CAN ALWAYS BET
YOU ARE SAFE IN GOD’S HAND
BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU AND HAS A MASTER PLAN.
SO DON’T LET FEAR AND DESPERATION CONTROL YOU
JUST GIVE IT TO GOD AND HE WILL HELP YOU THROUGH.
GOD LOVES YOU AND HE UNDERSTANDS.
THAT’S WHY HE HAS A MASTER PLAN.
SO REST ASSURE THE STORMS WILL BE OVER
AND WITH GOD’S LOVE WE WILL BE COVERED.
WHEN WE HAVE THE LORD IN OUR HEARTS
THEN GOD WILL NEVER LET US PART
WE WILL ALWAYS BE SAFE IN HIS MASTER PLAN!

BY DEB FORBES 2005
Copyright 2008

When I was a kid we went to South Dakota and one of the highlights of that trip was when we stood and watched an artist paint pictures. My parents and grandparents got one but I think the thing that most impressed me was that he used regular house painting brushes to do the paintings and they ended up beautiful. The ones we took home were of deer by a stream in the mountains and they were wonderful. To watch him do it you would think they wouldn't be anything at all beautiful but nothing but a mess, but as he continued on it all started to take shape and eventually turned into a beautiful painting in the end. The artist knew all along what it would look like and that it would turn out just right and beautiful but we by just looking at it at first couldn't see that it would turn into anything at all. We didn't know or see what the artist saw until when what the artist knew and saw in his mind started to reveal itself to us.

It is the same way with God's master plan for our lives. We don't always know or understand what God is doing, but he does and he knows that it is right and perfect for us. We just have to trust that he loves us and has a perfect plan for us. It will start to reveal itself to us, just like that painting did, and in the end we will see the whole wonderful perfect plan God was working in us. Rom. 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."(KJV) This is a promise that all things will work to good when we love God and are walking in what he has for us. We don't have to worry because we are assured of God's love and since he loves us we know that he is caring for us and walking with us in all situations. We don't have to understand but we do have to trust. Prov. 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths."(KJV) It says to trust and he will not might but will direct your path. God is good and loves us and will walk with us through out. Just trust in God and his love and eventually his perfect wonderful plan will be revealed to you. PRAISE GOD

TBT What's Next

I posted this after having been in the hospital twice with heart problems but it was written in 2006. At the end of Sept 2009 God saw fit to have me walk again, but this devotion I think back on all the time because no matter what you are facing God goes ahead of you and with you. If you are struggling with something I hope this will lift you up. Let me know if I can pray for you.

Friday, September 18, 2009

What's Next

I have not written in my blog for awhile. I had been sick with problems with my heart but God has seen fit to heal my heart thank you Lord. I decided to share a devotion I gave 3 years ago about how I trust and set my mind on God even in trying times.


Romans 5: 1-8
1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through whom we have gained access by faith in to this grace in which we now stand And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance: 4 Perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."(NIV)
These verses tell us that we can rejoice when things are wrong and that we have power to do so because of God’s love and that love is shown from Christ dying for us even when we didn’t deserve it. So when troubles come along this is how I look at things.

WHAT’S NEXT!
This statement can be meant in more than one way. It can mean, so what else can happen to me, OR, it can mean, alright I am done with this so what next needs to be done. It’s all in the way you choose to look at it. It’s all about choices we make. We can choose to have a good day or a bad day even in the midst of trying times. We can either look at things that happen as a challenge or a tribulation. It’s all in how you choose to go through it.

The easy way is to look at what you are going through as a tribulation and throw a big pity party, sitting around feeling sorry for yourself and complaining all the time. Or, you can put your faith to work and look at it as a challenge that you are going to meet head on with God’s help. You have to put you’re faith in action. Faith takes what is a big problem, and through our faith with God’s help, they are turned into smaller challenges, as long as we trust in God and let him lead us.

Which are you, an ostrich or and eagle? You can choose to be either an ostrich or an eagle. Do you stick your head in the sand, waiting and moaning and groaning about everything God is letting happen to you, or do you, like the Eagle overcome the difficulties with strength and cunning with God’s help?
I don’t mean that it isn’t difficult at times, but nothing is too difficult if we go through it with God. Phil. 4:13 says, "I can do all things (not some things) through Christ who strengthens me."(KJV) The key to any problem is not worry, anger, pity, or questioning, even though these are normal feelings. The Key is GOD and our trust in him.

It’s easy to say I trust God, but then when the sickness or troubles come along we crumble, we stumble, we complain, we think God’s forgotten about us or is mad at us, and we just know we aren’t strong enough. We think How could God let this happen to ME or Why ME! Or, when those troubles and illness come we say God is going to see me through, but, then we never talk to God or even if we talk to him we don’t listen to him because we are too busy worrying.
Is it a mountain or a hill?
Something Impossible to overcome or something we can overcome with God’s help.
Tribulation or challenge?
We have to set our minds on God and the mountains will be hills, the tribulations will be challenges and we will overcome and the peace and joy of the Lord will be ours.
In Nehemiah 8:10b it says, "The Joy of the Lord is our strength."(KJV) Is it easy to think this way? Not always, but it can be done. When I became sick I remembered how important prayer is and believing that God has a perfect plan and to draw on my faith. This helped me to never question, Why me? But I said, Why not me. I just say thank you Lord for trusting me enough to use me in this way and help me to be able to be a witness to others for you.

We can know that God loves us and like it says in the song I like so much “Sheltered in the Arms of God” “So let the storms rage high the dark clouds rise, they don’t worry me for I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God. He walks with me and naught on earth can harm me, for I’m sheltered in the arms of God.”
God shelters us from whatever we have to face. Being sheltered by God’s arms goes beyond God just putting his arms around us. It’s more than just a hug from God. It is protection, strength, and love. The best thing is it’s for each and every one of us. We are sheltered and God is our strength. We can make it through anything if we choose to face it with God’s help.

So I say
Hill not Mountain!!
Challenge not Tribulation!!
Winner not Loser!!

So in closing What’s Next? I say it should be us as Christians overcoming, with God’s help, in everything. So we can say this is finished what now do you have for me to do Lord! We need to be on fire for God in all aspects of our lives including the hard times. Remember there is nothing to big or too small for God to see us through. Let the world see that we are believing and living for God in all parts of our life’s, hard times or not. Let’s live by the faith we all have. Remember in Ps. 121:1 it says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help, my help comes from the lord who made heaven and earth.”(KJV)

Written by Deb Forbes
Copyright 2008

TBT In God's Plan Right Here, Right Now, Right Where I Am Suppose To Be re post

I wrote this in Feb of 2009 and in Sept 2009 God saw fit to use me in a different way and let me start to walk again. This still fits because I still am right here, right now, right where I am suppose to be living the life God has for me. Praise God.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Right Here, Right Now, Right Where I Am Suppose To Be

I was thinking that this month, March 2009, I will have been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and in a wheelchair for 9 years now. That got me to thinking about how my Grandkids said they can't really remember me not ever being sick and in a chair and that they feel bad for me. I had to laugh when they said that and when I think about it now because that is not how I feel at all. Do I miss the days of being able to do what I want and get around on my own? Well of course, I wouldn't be human if I didn't, but I am not sad or depressed or upset in anyway because I know that I am right where God wants me to be.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"(KJV) it talks about a season and time for everything and my season and time for being out of the wheelchair is done and I am now in the season of being where I am right now. I know that God is using me by my having Myasthenia Gravis and other chronic illnesses and being in the chair. I have grown so much in my faith in these last nine years. I have had more time to spend with God and to study and grow and to depend more on God. I have had more opportunities to witness than ever and I am able to understand and talk to others who are facing similar things like I am. I have been able to slow down and concentrate on the things and the work God has for me to do and I truly believe that I am in God's perfect plan for my life. God walks with me through this journey and season so I have peace and I am content knowing that I am doing God's work. God uses us in different ways and our jobs change from time to time but I know that God doesn't make mistakes and that what others see as weakness I see as God's using me to reach others. In a poem I wrote "Vessels" I wrote how others might see me and others like me as broken but we aren't we are just being remade into vessels capable of doing the job God has for us. I wrote this poem after I read Jer.18:4 "And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.(KJV)"
God is the potter and we are the vessel that he will make to be used. Never look at an illness, or handicap as being a broken person but a wonderful vessel that God has made to use for his wonderful work.
As Paul said in II Cor.12:9-11 9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.(KJV)" our strength is made perfect in weakness because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the power that I can draw on at this season of my life when I have illnesses and am in my wheelchair. I may not physically be able to do what I use to but I have the power of Christ and that makes me able to do so much for him. God's power surges through me and gives me that peace, joy, and contentment and understanding for where I am now. So yes right here, right now, I am RIGHT WHERE I AM SUPPOSE TO BE PRAISE GOD! I thought I would include my poem Vessels that I wrote. It is copyrighted but if you want permission to use it pls send me a note at lhxpmdj@aol.com.

VESSELS

I’m not a broken vessel, just a different one than you.
God made us both different, with different jobs to do!
God is the master craftsman and we are the clay in his hands,
He works us till he forms us into what is in his plans.
He lovingly creates us into vessels for the job he has for us to do.
The job he gives to me is not the same as the one he has for you.
Each job has its requirements to get the job done,
Each vessel is made a special way and matched with just the right one.
Sometimes our work it changes as life continues on,
So the vessel that we now are may need changes to get along.
The job that we are given is a very important one,
We have been specially chosen to make sure that it gets done.
So God never throws the vessel away, but changes he will make
A new vessel you will become, and remember God doesn’t make mistakes.
So I’m not a broken vessel just a different one than you,
God with his loving hands has made us just right for the work that we must do.

Deb Forbes January 2006
Copyright 2008

TBT Post From Past God Has Good In Store For Us.

I wrote this 6 months before God decided to have me walk again and to be out of my wheelchair. God has a perfect plan and we know He loves us and wants what is best for us. Things will change but we have Hope and Peace when we understand God is in control and loves us and has a perfect plan for us. Just put your trust in Him and live in his plan.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

God has good in store for us.

I was told the other day that they don't know how I can think that being sick and my life being changed by my physical limitations is not upsetting. I told them that it is all in God's plan for my life and he has good in store for me.
Jer. 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."(NIV) God loves us and because he loves us He watches out for us and takes care of us. He has a perfect plan for us and as it says in this verse: He has a plan to prosper us and not harm us and that His plan for us gives us hope and a future Praise God! We don't have to understand it all just have faith that God is in control and it is a perfect plan. He uses each of us in different ways and though I may not be the same as before the illness I am still his child and I am still loved by God and I know His plan for me leads to hope and my future is bright. Now faith is what gives us that hope because we have faith in God's love for us and faith that He wants the best for us. We all as Christians have hope and our futures are good no matter what is going on here on earth because our hope is in Christ and our eternal home with Him. Because of God's love and grace we can persevere through anything that comes our way even illness. He makes us strong and we just have to know that God has us in his loving arms helping us through his plan for us. Trust in him and then happiness is right there for you. Rom 5:1-4 " 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope"(KJV) This tells us that through it all we can know that it all works to good and hope is ours even through our troubles. Troubles last for a short time but our hope, peace, and strength from God lasts forever as long as we trust Him. Rely on God and his plan for your life and then you, can like I am, be happy and at peace even through illness and trouble. God Loves You and Me so hang on to that assurance and ask God to help you through and to help you stay in his perfect plan and it will all work for good.

TBT Words A Powerful Tool

Today even more than when I wrote this it is important to watch what we say. So this is a reminder to us that our Words are powerful and we need to think before we speak.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Words A Powerful Tool

Words are powerful tools that can be used to help, uplift, and encourage or they can be used to hurt, destroy and discourage. As a kid do you remember the song that the lyrics say "be careful little mouth what you say" well as we get older sometimes we forget this little warning. I was shopping with my husband one time and these teens were being rude and obnoxious and when they came by me in my wheelchair they said "hey look an extreme makeover reject" and then they laughed as if what they said was really comical. These few words were hurtful and degrading and if I had let them they could of really depressed me. Someone else in my place may have been destroyed by these few words. They didn't do anything but speak but those words could be like daggers if I had let them. I considered the source and figured they hadn't been taught better but I also prayed that they would someday realize what they were doing was wrong and change.

This example may be extreme you think but look at all the bullying that is done in schools and online between kids. Look at put down humor that is out there or just name calling that goes on. Words can destroy and hurt and we need to be more aware of what words can do and teach our children to be aware also.

As Christians we need to think about this also. Sometimes Christians can be cruel too with what they say. Gossip is nothing but hurtful, discouraging words. Then there are those who think they are more holy than the rest and proceed to tell others where they are wrong and how much of a better Christian they are than them. Where are these Christians being encouraging with their words when they are putting others down; they aren't! How are they any better than those teens saying what they did to me in the store? We should uphold each other and be encouraging in what we say and do for others not discouraging. James 3:8-10 8 "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." We need to think before we speak and make sure what we say are blessings and not evil as it says in these verses. If we have something negative to say we should stop and pray instead and then pray blessings on the person we were thinking about. The old saying if you have nothing nice to say say nothing at all is true but maybe we could add to that and say a blessing on that person also.

Think about how nice it is when someone says something encouraging to you or tells you you are great or smart or wonderful. Remember how that feels when these things are said. We should try to say something nice to people everywhere we go. It can just be have a good day with a smile and that can be encouraging. We try to do this when we go into the stores where we shop and now we are known there and some of the workers come to me to get a hug and a smile and a kind word and all it took was being nice and speaking to them and telling them to have a good day. Blessings not curses should flow out of our mouths. Remember to say encouraging words to the ones you love and to the people you meet. Pray for those who are negative and have nothing good to say and keep trying to encourage them. Remember words can be powerful to the good or the negative. Let's try to make our words powerful to the good and see how things are changed. Remember like the song says "Be Careful Little Mouth What you Say"

TBT repost of Dash Between The Years

 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16 KJV  

I am re-posting this for TBT because it is a good reminder that we need to make the most of our lives and to live for God. We need to be the vessel that God's light shines through to the world around us. Happy TBT

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Dash between the years

I heard more than once from our pastor friend that on our headstone there will be the year we are born, then a dash, and then the year we die. That small dash between the years represents our life. It is such a small thing that represents all that we are and have done. This got me to thinking what will that dash represent for me? What will I have accomplished and how will I be remembered.

I want to be remembered for being a good wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, mother in law, and friend. But most of all I want to be remembered for being kind, compassionate,loving, and above all else as an obedient, loving, follower of Jesus. I don't want to be remembered for the things I have or for being famous, but for being a person that loved God and my family and did good for others. What really is a better legacy than to leave with the people you love the knowledge of your love for God and your love for them.

I want to live life where I can serve God and others. I want to give love to as many people as I can and make their lives better. I want to tell all I meet about my God. I want, in every part of my life, to glorify God. I want to share and spend time with my husband and family and make good memories with them.

At church, Westside Family Church, our new series is on Treasure Hunt and what treasure do we hunt for, is it stuff or God. I want my life to be a hunt for the treasures of God and heaven and not stuff. The verses we studied were Matt.6:19-20 (19)Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20)But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.(NIV)I want, when people think of me, to know that I was on a hunt for heavenly treasures through out my life, treasures I willing shared with all.

Here are some of my quotes I have made into bookmarks:

MEMORIES TAKE A MOMENT TO CREATE AND A LIFE TIME TO ENJOY

REMEMBER WHEN ONLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER

WHAT IS A LEGACY? SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU RICH AND FAMOUS OR SOMETHING I CAN LEAVE TO YOU TO REMEMBER THAT I WAS HERE AND I LOVED YOU

GO THROUGH LIFE MAKING SURE YOU TOUCH THOSE AROUND YOU IN A POSITIVE WAY

STRIVE TO BE KNOWN NOT JUST FOR HOW YOU LIVE BUT ALSO FOR HOW YOU GIVE

MAKE SURE WHEN PEOPLE SEE YOU THEY SEE CHRIST

copyright 2009

Let us all take time to make that dash between the years stand for a life well lived loving, giving, and sharing but most of all serving and glorifying GOD!

TBT The Beauty of God's Hands

It is raining here this morning as I write this and I was thinking about what to use as my throwback Thursday post. I then remembered the post about the beauty of god's hands and decided on it because of the pictures of the sunset with the storm clouds that we took. since I wrote that post I have taken a few other pictures of nature that I want to include in this post because the beauty of God's hands are all around us so here they are.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2009

The beauty of God's hands

Ps.19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."(KJV) 

Have you ever just sat and watched a sunset or sunrise? The beauty of it, like in the two pictures above that we took of a sunset in the summer of 2007, is breath taking. How many times did you watch a deer or bird or sit by a stream and think about God's creation. King David said it well in the Psalms verse above. We so often take God's handi-work for granted. We rush through our lives never slowing down to take time to appreciate nature around us and all that God has made. When I sit in my wheelchair out in the trees along a stream on one of our favorite trails I don't think about why I am in a wheelchair but I think and meditate on God's wonderful creations. It is peaceful and beautiful there and I could sit for a long time praising God and feeling close to God. Take time to see what God has made. Make time to watch a sunset or sunrise and then praise God for all He has made and done. We as Christians need to slow down and appreciate God. God loves to hear our praises and our worshiping. Think about and Thank God for His wonderful works.
Ps. 8:1 "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens."(NIV)

TBT Courageous Faith repost

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Courageous Faith

The last example of faith I want to look at is a courageous faith in God. This example of courageous faith can be found when we look at Daniel who because of his obedience and faith in God he is put into a lions den. Daniel has favor with King Darius and he is going to appoint him chief overseer of the whole kingdom and the other leaders decide they have to find away to get rid of Daniel. They could find no wrong with him so they decided to use his faith in God against him. They get the King to order a decree that no one in the kingdom can pray to anyone but the King or they would be put in the lions den. When Daniel heard this he still went three times a day with the window open and looking to Jerusalem and prayed to God just like he always did. Daniel was not afraid to stand up for his faith in God and not for his own safety to just go along with the decree. The other leaders knew that Daniel had that strong of faith in God and would not even for safety sake go along with the decree which says a lot about Daniel’s witness and his faith. Dan. 6: 3-9 3“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. 6Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”(KJV) As soon as they saw Daniel praying they brought him before the king and the king could not get out of the decree he made but he was upset that he had to put him in the lions den. The king tries all day to think of a way but he couldn’t so he had Daniel brought and he put him in the lions den and sealed and then said to Daniel your God will protect you. So even the king understood Daniels strong faith in God. Dan. 6:10-18 “10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.”(KJV) God closed the lion’s mouth and when the king came the next morning and opened up the den Daniel was fine. God had rewarded Daniel for his steadfast and courageous faith. The king proclaimed that all in his kingdom while he was king would worship this God of Daniel so Daniel’s faith that didn’t waiver but even in the face of death was strong brought a king and his kingdom to God. Dan 6:10-28 “19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 24And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. 25Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”(KJV)We need to have a courageous faith like Daniel and not be afraid even when it isn’t popular in the world or our families to believe and have faith in God. God will reward and protect us just like he did Daniel and the world and our families will have a witness of God and his faithfulness to us also. Never let fear come between us and God.

TBT Continue with Simple Faith in Action repost

For this throwback Thursday I am continuing with the posts from the past on Faith. This is about having Faith and putting it into action. Happy Thursday

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Simple Faith in Action

Two more examples of faith is when a ruler tells Jesus his daughter is dead but that if Jesus would just come and lay his hands on her she would live again and Jesus followed him and as they were going there in the crowd was a woman who was sick for many years and she knew if she could just touch Jesus’ garment she would be healed and when He passed the woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and Jesus knowing this had happened turned and told her that her faith had made her whole. Matt. 9:18-25 18 “While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose” (KJV) These two people had a faith that was simply knowing that Jesus was who He said He was and they knew they just had to ask or do and it would happen plain and simple they were confident that Jesus could help them. What a faith to have to just simply know with out question that God can do what is needed but not stopping there to be bold enough to then just put into action that faith expecting the miracle to happen. Because they believed that Jesus could and would help them then because of this faith it happened. So many times we think we can’t ask God for things or if we do ask then we never believe it really will happen so we limit God by not asking or believing. We need to be like the ruler and the woman in the crowd and believe, ask and know that God will. We have at our church a sign that say Expect a Miracle. It is a reminder not to just ask for a miracle but expect it to happen too. We need to have faith and act on it knowing that if it’s God’s will it will happen. Next time you pray for someone or yourself remember to not only believe in God’s ability but have faith he will take care of your or the one you pray for. Expect and answer and Expect a miracle.

TBT Faith Like Job

For Throwback Thursday I am continuing with past post group on faith. This TBT post is on Job and his faith in God. Faith in times of trouble, never giving into despair always trusting in God and His perfect plan.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Job a faithful Servant

Job's faithfulness to God

We all remember Job. The people in the world were wicked and full of sin and Satan says to God that he is running around the world and the people are following him not God and God says have you considered my servant Job. Job 1:6-12 6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.”(KJV) Job was so faithful to God that God told Satan that it wouldn’t matter what happened Job would still be faithful to him. This means that we all should strive to be like Job that our faith is so strong that no matter what comes our way we stay faithful to God. Job lost his family, his wealth, his health and still he was faithful. Even his wife and so called friends told him to curse God and he refused to. God knew Job would stay faithful and that is why he allowed this all to happen. Sometimes, today even, people see someone going through tough times or a sickness and they say to them you better get things straightened out with God because you must have made God really mad at you, just like Job’s friends told him. Maybe God is just using that person to touch others by their faithfulness to him through trouble. When you become like Job’s friends then you show your lack of faith when you believe that God is out to get you is the only reason that trouble is there. God didn’t forget Job but trusted him to stay faithful. Because of Job’s steadfast faithfulness God gave Job more than what he had lost. Job 42:10 “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”(KJV) What a testimony that 1. Job was so faithful to God that God trusted him to be tried by Satan, 2. That all through the trials Job was steadfast in his faith to God even when his friends tried to get him to curse God, 3. Job even through all his troubles obeyed and prayed for his friends and 4. Because of Job’s faithfulness God rewarded him. God is always a just and loving God and he rewards our faithfulness. I hope that the next time there is a bump in the road that we like Job will be steadfast in our faith and trust in God. Let us be good uplifting friends helping those around us to be strong in their faith too and not be like Job’s friends and be more of a hindrance than a help. Let us be faithful to God so that God can say of us have you considered my servant.

TBT Noah's Faith

For throwback Thursday I continue with the thoughts from past post on Faith with Noah.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Noah's Faith

Noah Builds An Ark

Another example of a man of faith is Noah.Gen.6:12-22 12 “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 17And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. 21And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. 22Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” (KJV)God told Noah to build an ark and Noah did. He showed faith because he built the ark even though the world was ridiculing him. He obeyed God even though he didn’t understand all that God was asking of him. He shows faith in just being picked by God to build the ark. God picked him because he was faithful. Gen 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (KJV) God knew that Noah was faithful and that he had been following him so he laid this job on Noah and Noah stepped up to the task and not only started it but faithfully completed it. Noah exercised his faith by building the ark and doing it exactly as God asked and not straying from the plan God had and trying to make it his own. Noah was a faithful man of God so that is why God could use him. We should try to be this faithful also so that God can use us in anyway He sees fit. Then Noah had a complete faith in God and God’s plan and did exactly what he was told. How many times do we tell God your will be done and then try to tell God how we think it should be done. We try to improve on God’s plan and in the end we just mess everything up. Or better yet we tell God we will do his will and we start doing the job God has for us only to never finish it because it becomes hard or we get bored or we decide we aren’t getting enough attention for our work. What ever the reason we just never get it finished. We need to be more like Noah with our faith and follow through on our work for God. Noah completely trusted God and did what was asked of him with out question. Gen 6:22 “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”(KJV) We should strive to be faithful and live for God so that he is able to use us for his work and then like Noah to follow God completely and finish the task as God has told us too. We should have a complete and trusting faith in God. That is my prayer to be ready at anytime for God to use me.

TBT Faith Peter's Stroll

This is the next thought I had on Faith TBT

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Peter's Stroll

Peter Walks on water towards Jesus

The next example I think of when I think about examples of faith is Peter when Jesus came to the disciples walking on water and Peter was the only one who stepped out of the boat to go to Jesus. Matt. 14: 22-32 22 “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear 27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”(KJV)Now you may question why I think this is faith when Peter failed and began to sink but really think about it. Peter was the only disciple in that boat who had enough faith to even step out of the boat onto the water and even attempt to walk to Jesus. His problem wasn’t a lack of faith but his problem was he momentarily took his eyes off Jesus and began to doubt and only then did he begin to sink; but then he showed faith because he cried out to Jesus to save him. Jesus reached out to him and they both went back to the boat. So Peter showed faith when he trusted that Jesus could and would save him. He stepped out on faith and started to Jesus but was distracted by the storm; took his eyes off Jesus, and then he began to sink. How many times do we live by faith but when it gets a little tough and storms or troubles come into our lives do we like Peter get distracted and forget to keep our eyes on God? The key to this is that we like Peter should only let our doubt last for a short time and then like Peter we should return to our faith and cry out to God to help and save us. Don’t get so distracted and forget all about your faith when trouble comes along, but remember that like Peter we can cry out to God and then believe and know that he is there to save us. Peter’s faith was not lost but was momentarily shaken by the storm but he never forgot totally his faith. How many times do Christians slip and then just beat themselves up instead of by faith call out to God for help and forgiveness. So to me Peter put his faith into action and then stumbled but recovered and again exercised his faith and asked for help. Do not be one who stumbles and slips and then continues down because of feeling like a failure. God is waiting for us to step back out on faith and call on him. Remember too that we should always keep our eyes and minds on God and then we will be less likely to stumble and be blind sided when things get bumpy in life. Step out on faith, live daily by your faith and remember that if we stumble to ask God to save us and help us and then believe he will.

TBT Faithful Abraham and Isaac or Unquestioning Faith

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Faithful Abraham and Isaac

First when we think about examples of people who showed great faith one of the first to come to mind usually is Abraham when God told him to sacrifice his son Isaac to Him. Gen 22:1-3 1 “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him” (KJV) Abraham trusted God and so took Isaac his son to sacrifice him and in so doing showing his faith and trust in God. Abraham didn’t question God he just got up; got the things he needed, and went never asking any question of God. This is true faith and trust. Again when he came to the spot that God had told him to go to he once again didn’t question God but took Isaac up bound him and took his knife and was going to slay him but God stopped him and God sent him another sacrifice and Isaac was spared because Abraham was faithful. Gen. 22:6-13 6 “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 9And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” (KJV) Abraham had unquestioning faith in God. When he came to the place he never once hesitated but bound Isaac and set to slaying him never asking God to spare his son but just obeying God knowing that God had things in control and would provide. What wonderful faith to never question when God asks anything of us.
I think that we have to look at Isaac as having a great deal of Faith also. He didn’t fight Abraham but had faith that his father Abraham was doing what was right and obeying God. Isaac asked where is the lamb for the offering but when Abraham bound him and laid him on the altar he didn’t fight him he trusted his father. He had faith and trust not only in his father but also in my opinion God. He showed enormous faith in the act of submitting himself to his father and ultimately to God. Isaac had to have great faith in God himself to go without fighting and pleading to be saved. So when I think of faithful men I think Isaac has to be included with Abraham.
The next time you are asked of God to do something you are uncomfortable with like witnessing to someone, or to pray for someone, or go somewhere to bring His message, then remember about Abraham’s unquestioning faith and remember God has a perfect plan and will provide for you