"But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (2 Timothy 3:1-9; NKJV)
That verse came to mind this morning when I noticed on my internet provider's home page a news blurb about the President's choice of beer for a meeting. Yes, there was an actual article about anticipating his choice of beer for this meeting, apparently designed to make amends for his wrongs with words. Honestly, I do not follow the news...probably should, but this is one reason why I do not...but, considering all that is happening in our world, media chose to report on this shinning example being made to others that a glass of beer can settle disputes. Am I missing something? I must say that I have not seen a "form of godliness" in politics, and this is not to stir a political debate! I'm just thinking, "How sad. How very, very sad is the state we are in as a nation." Perhaps instead of missing something I am sensing something...
"Therefore comfort one another with these words."
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
(I Thessalonians 4:16-18; NKJV)
I had a twister visual just now! Scott and I recently witnessed what appeared to be a tornado forming during a storm. The clouds were a very strange dark color in appearance and swirling in every direction! We could see it wasn't a normal storm that we are used to seeing. (Moments later as we headed home, we heard a radio announcement of a tornado in that area. Praise God that He protected us!) But when typing the Thessalonians verse I could see almost the same image. Can you imagine!? Our Christian brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, loved ones who have died in Christ being raised first, and then we, alive now, are raised up with them to meet the Lord in the air! WOW! Reflect on that for a bit!
Mosaic Me
Original artwork by Renee J. Moore. Image is not to be used without permission of owner.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Love of the Old-Rugged Cross
Seeking His love this morning, I'm feeling spell-bound. I want to be rooted and grounded in His love. I long to comprehend the width, length, depth and height...to know the love of Christ.
His love is wider than the center crossbar of the old-rugged cross where His hands were nailed...longer than the upright crossbar where His body was offered. His love is deeper than the depth of which it was placed in the ground on the day it was raised up...is higher even than the top of the cross reaching toward heaven. His love flows even further than the blood that flowed for us...from the old-rugged cross.
His love passes all understanding. Oh, Lord, fill us with the fullness of God!
I love you, Lord, because you first loved us! I am humbled by your sacrifice...my head bows in overwhelming gratitude this morning because Your love just amazes me.
(Ephesians 3:14-20; I John 4:19)
His love is wider than the center crossbar of the old-rugged cross where His hands were nailed...longer than the upright crossbar where His body was offered. His love is deeper than the depth of which it was placed in the ground on the day it was raised up...is higher even than the top of the cross reaching toward heaven. His love flows even further than the blood that flowed for us...from the old-rugged cross.
His love passes all understanding. Oh, Lord, fill us with the fullness of God!
I love you, Lord, because you first loved us! I am humbled by your sacrifice...my head bows in overwhelming gratitude this morning because Your love just amazes me.
(Ephesians 3:14-20; I John 4:19)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
She Speaks
Wow! I've just been reading some posts from other sisters in Christ who will be attending the She Speaks Conference in Concord, NC. (Gulp!)...so many sisters...from everywhere! I feel this is certainly part of God's plan and direction for me, but I do feel a bit overwhelmed. The unknown. Who are they? Ha, who am I? My comfort spot right here in little 'ol eastern NC feels cozy, yet I do sense Him saying, "cast your net to the other side! cast it deep and cast it wide!" Think of the big catch the disciples would have missed if they had ignored the words they heard.
So, Lord, I want to be a fisherwoman for You. Strengthen me to cast deep and wide Your Word...Your Truth...Your Spirit. Reflect from the waters of my heart, Lord, that others will see YOU in all I say and all I do!
So, Lord, I want to be a fisherwoman for You. Strengthen me to cast deep and wide Your Word...Your Truth...Your Spirit. Reflect from the waters of my heart, Lord, that others will see YOU in all I say and all I do!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Prayer for the Fireworks of Heaven
God, my heart's desire is to display You to the world. May the passion of my heart collide with the passion of Christ and be an explosive display! May it be as magnificent as the Rainbow of Colors John saw around Your Throne! May it be so beautiful that even You say, "Oooo! Ahhhhh!"
Lord, my heart cries out to you, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!"
I give honor and thanks to You who sits on the Throne and lives forever and ever! For You are worthy, O Lord, to receive all the glory and honor and praise from our lips, our hands, our feet...our whole being!
May the Fireworks of Heaven burst forth between me and Thee! Amen! Amen! & Amen!
Inspiration Scripture: Revelation 4
Lord, my heart cries out to you, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!"
I give honor and thanks to You who sits on the Throne and lives forever and ever! For You are worthy, O Lord, to receive all the glory and honor and praise from our lips, our hands, our feet...our whole being!
May the Fireworks of Heaven burst forth between me and Thee! Amen! Amen! & Amen!
Inspiration Scripture: Revelation 4
Monday, July 13, 2009
Rivers of Living Waters
I only have a moment this morning to share, but I just had to tell you this:
I am part of a ministry called, Three for Thee. It is a trio who preaches the gospel of Jesus through Sign Language, Dramatic Expressions & Speaking the Word of God. We interpret music by popular recording artists and pray the unique experience of worship with our senses of sound & sight will bless others and lead all into a worship experience for themselves. Well, we ministered at New Faith Church in Dublin, NC, yesterday morning. We "ministered" but, really, we were ministered to! God showed up! We worshiped along with New Hope Singers from Bolton, NC, and Evangelist Leonor R. Powell of Raleigh, NC. The presence of His Spirit was magnificient! I am still feeling as though I am literally seated in front of His Throne with the rivers of living waters flowing all over me.
How awesome it was to experience Him for myself, but equally as awesome to witness Him speaking to my sisters in Christ and the rest of the family of God.
My friends, we have an AMAZING Creator who desires, most of all, to have a personal relationship with us, His Creation! He will not force Himself on any of us...He will woo us to Him. The Word of God says that He "draws all men unto Him." He desires that relationship so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that whosoever, (ANYONE) who would believe & receive Him, would not perish but instead have everlasting Life! (John 3:16)
My heart screams with passion today, "Do you see Him like I am seeing Him? His reflection is bouncing from every surface in our lives! LOOK FOR HIM...SEEK HIM and YOU SHALL FIND HIM!" This is a promise from His WORD! Believe - have faith - and speak HIS WORD! (Amen, my sister Leonor!)
ALL Glory, Honor, & Praise be unto God - Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of Lords...Emmanuel - God is with us!
Let us go about today reflecting God to others and reflecting upon His goodness & mercy. His mercy endures FOREVER! Amen!!!Amen!!!Amen!!!
I am part of a ministry called, Three for Thee. It is a trio who preaches the gospel of Jesus through Sign Language, Dramatic Expressions & Speaking the Word of God. We interpret music by popular recording artists and pray the unique experience of worship with our senses of sound & sight will bless others and lead all into a worship experience for themselves. Well, we ministered at New Faith Church in Dublin, NC, yesterday morning. We "ministered" but, really, we were ministered to! God showed up! We worshiped along with New Hope Singers from Bolton, NC, and Evangelist Leonor R. Powell of Raleigh, NC. The presence of His Spirit was magnificient! I am still feeling as though I am literally seated in front of His Throne with the rivers of living waters flowing all over me.
How awesome it was to experience Him for myself, but equally as awesome to witness Him speaking to my sisters in Christ and the rest of the family of God.
My friends, we have an AMAZING Creator who desires, most of all, to have a personal relationship with us, His Creation! He will not force Himself on any of us...He will woo us to Him. The Word of God says that He "draws all men unto Him." He desires that relationship so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that whosoever, (ANYONE) who would believe & receive Him, would not perish but instead have everlasting Life! (John 3:16)
My heart screams with passion today, "Do you see Him like I am seeing Him? His reflection is bouncing from every surface in our lives! LOOK FOR HIM...SEEK HIM and YOU SHALL FIND HIM!" This is a promise from His WORD! Believe - have faith - and speak HIS WORD! (Amen, my sister Leonor!)
ALL Glory, Honor, & Praise be unto God - Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of Lords...Emmanuel - God is with us!
Let us go about today reflecting God to others and reflecting upon His goodness & mercy. His mercy endures FOREVER! Amen!!!Amen!!!Amen!!!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Care to Join Me?
Since about 3:00am, you've been on my heart. My thoughts have been about the Reflections of Jehovah...God...and you. I'm not a theologian (may not have even spelled that right!), bible scholar, nor do I have any degrees of education (other than interpreting) after my name. So, what qualifies me to step into the deep as I'm doing? Jesus Christ transforming my heart. It's not about head knowledge, although we need it, but it's about a heart knowledge. John 3:16 is probably one of the most quoted scriptures: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (New King James Version - all scripture reference in this post will be from the New King James Version)
Whosoever. I'm a "whosoever"...believing in Him within my heart. Not just saying, "yes, I believe there is a God - One True God - Jehovah." It's deeper than that by believing with everything within me! Literally, my heart jumps when I ponder that!
When we read the scriptures, we see people from the beginning of time who believed, but they still fell short of that redemption & relationship with God. Thus came Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1:1-5) "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1: 14)
You see, it was the grace and truth of Jesus that completed my searching heart at the age of 21. I was raised in a home that taught of God, the saving Grace of Jesus Christ, and the power of His Holy Spirit, but we were not "regular church-goers." My mother says for much of my youth we did attend fairly regularly, though not every time the doors were open, but for whatever reason, I only remember the influence of one church in particular, Shiloh Pentecostal Holiness Church, in Wilson, NC. (if interested in receiving a devotional "Seeds of Shiloh" please email me: three4theenc@yahoo.com)
As a teenager, I chose to moved away from my parents' home to a whole 5 miles away to the city of Wilson (instead of county of Wilson). There I began drinking, using, and looking for love in all the wrong places. I worked in a night club as the "door girl." I was the typical party-girl for about 3 years. A lot of damage & destruction can happen in 3 short years. Thanks to the parents of a friend, who were insistent that she must be in church on Sunday morning regardless the kind of Saturday night she had, God poured the water of His Spirit on the soil of my heart and the seeds broke ground! I accepted Him as my Savior on February 21, 1988 at Living Waters PH church in Wilson, NC. I knelt down a broken, searching young girl and rose up with a changed heart. The head knowledge became a heart knowledge!
No, my walk with the Lord has not been without flaw, sin, or pain; however, it has been a walk with the Lord. There has never been a time that He has not been with me. Sure, there were times I didn't feel Him, but I stood, and still stand, on the promise of His Word that He will never leave me nor forsake me.
Since 1988, I've been through one marriage involving two miscarriages, broken-heartedness, adultery, and the struggle for restoration. That marriage ended. The restoration began. It had it's place and purpose in who I am today. God is a God who will place forgiveness within us, when we seek it through Him. I can say, though the scars are still there, God has healed that wound.
I have remarried, and God is not only restoring my heart with this relationship, but also He is restoring a ministry that I thought was a thing of the past. I don't know where He is taking this, but I'm willing to go...one step at a time. Care to join me?
Joel 2:28-32 is the scripture I opened to this morning. I whispered a prayer saying, "Lord speak today." When I opened it and read what was before me, I almost gasped.
"And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls."
My friends, there is soon coming a Great and Awesome Day of the Lord. I ask you to be the whosoever, and call on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and be saved!
Respond to His Call of the Heart. Jehovah calls...care to join me?
(Oh, Father, that I may be Your maidservant whom You pour Your Spirit upon...that I may be Your daugher who will prophesy! I ask that You use me and these words to draw hearts of men & women to you! Glory be given to You for You are Great!)
To receive daily email devotions, Reflections of Jehovah, please email your request to me at three4theenc@yahoo.com
Whosoever. I'm a "whosoever"...believing in Him within my heart. Not just saying, "yes, I believe there is a God - One True God - Jehovah." It's deeper than that by believing with everything within me! Literally, my heart jumps when I ponder that!
When we read the scriptures, we see people from the beginning of time who believed, but they still fell short of that redemption & relationship with God. Thus came Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1:1-5) "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1: 14)
You see, it was the grace and truth of Jesus that completed my searching heart at the age of 21. I was raised in a home that taught of God, the saving Grace of Jesus Christ, and the power of His Holy Spirit, but we were not "regular church-goers." My mother says for much of my youth we did attend fairly regularly, though not every time the doors were open, but for whatever reason, I only remember the influence of one church in particular, Shiloh Pentecostal Holiness Church, in Wilson, NC. (if interested in receiving a devotional "Seeds of Shiloh" please email me: three4theenc@yahoo.com)
As a teenager, I chose to moved away from my parents' home to a whole 5 miles away to the city of Wilson (instead of county of Wilson). There I began drinking, using, and looking for love in all the wrong places. I worked in a night club as the "door girl." I was the typical party-girl for about 3 years. A lot of damage & destruction can happen in 3 short years. Thanks to the parents of a friend, who were insistent that she must be in church on Sunday morning regardless the kind of Saturday night she had, God poured the water of His Spirit on the soil of my heart and the seeds broke ground! I accepted Him as my Savior on February 21, 1988 at Living Waters PH church in Wilson, NC. I knelt down a broken, searching young girl and rose up with a changed heart. The head knowledge became a heart knowledge!
No, my walk with the Lord has not been without flaw, sin, or pain; however, it has been a walk with the Lord. There has never been a time that He has not been with me. Sure, there were times I didn't feel Him, but I stood, and still stand, on the promise of His Word that He will never leave me nor forsake me.
Since 1988, I've been through one marriage involving two miscarriages, broken-heartedness, adultery, and the struggle for restoration. That marriage ended. The restoration began. It had it's place and purpose in who I am today. God is a God who will place forgiveness within us, when we seek it through Him. I can say, though the scars are still there, God has healed that wound.
I have remarried, and God is not only restoring my heart with this relationship, but also He is restoring a ministry that I thought was a thing of the past. I don't know where He is taking this, but I'm willing to go...one step at a time. Care to join me?
Joel 2:28-32 is the scripture I opened to this morning. I whispered a prayer saying, "Lord speak today." When I opened it and read what was before me, I almost gasped.
"And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls."
My friends, there is soon coming a Great and Awesome Day of the Lord. I ask you to be the whosoever, and call on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and be saved!
Respond to His Call of the Heart. Jehovah calls...care to join me?
(Oh, Father, that I may be Your maidservant whom You pour Your Spirit upon...that I may be Your daugher who will prophesy! I ask that You use me and these words to draw hearts of men & women to you! Glory be given to You for You are Great!)
To receive daily email devotions, Reflections of Jehovah, please email your request to me at three4theenc@yahoo.com
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Reflections...
Reflection: the throwing back by a surface of sound, light, heat, etc.; a fixing of mind on some subject; serious thought; contemplation; a result of such thought; idea or conclusion, especially if expressed in words.
My prayer: that my writings will reflect the Sound of God's Voice, the Light of Christ, and the Fire of His Spirit from the surface of my heart to whosoever will receive.
Whew, scary thought in a way. I certainly do not always reflect the heart of God in my thoughts or actions; however, it is my desire to do so. I pray that those who receive these words will be inspired to draw closer to Him. I pray that His Holy Spirit will use each thought and word expressed to penetrate the hardest of hearts and transform it into the most tender. Our tender hearts are pliable and easily molded by the hand of God.
May each thought that is reflected from my heart be received and reflected upon. God will speak to His children in their reflections!
Lord, I kneel before You submitting to You and asking You to anoint, inspire and transform our lives...for Your Glory!!
My prayer: that my writings will reflect the Sound of God's Voice, the Light of Christ, and the Fire of His Spirit from the surface of my heart to whosoever will receive.
Whew, scary thought in a way. I certainly do not always reflect the heart of God in my thoughts or actions; however, it is my desire to do so. I pray that those who receive these words will be inspired to draw closer to Him. I pray that His Holy Spirit will use each thought and word expressed to penetrate the hardest of hearts and transform it into the most tender. Our tender hearts are pliable and easily molded by the hand of God.
May each thought that is reflected from my heart be received and reflected upon. God will speak to His children in their reflections!
Lord, I kneel before You submitting to You and asking You to anoint, inspire and transform our lives...for Your Glory!!
Give Him Glory
For years I've had ideas and visions of ministry but struggled by questioning if they are from God or from me. Why? I have no idea. I just have this burning desire to do what God is leading me to do...to walk His path for my life and not my own. There is proof in my past that when I walk my way I tend to take the wrong route, so I struggle.
Lately, I've been asking God to give me more specific directions regarding ministry. There were a few things that came to mind yesterday, yet I wondered again, "Lord, is that You or just me?" In the next few moments, I sensed this sweet gentle voice say, "If it gives Me Glory, then it's OK if it is your idea. Just give Me Glory." I felt His Spirit giving me rest...some direction.
So, even if my idea, or your idea, is not an announcement sent directly to us from an Angel of the Lord with a light shining down from above...it's OK. He wants us to give Him Glory. If I continue to hold back with my ideas, He's missing on all that Glory...I'm missing the opportunity to give Him all that Glory.
Conclusion: Give Him Glory with all you've got!
Lately, I've been asking God to give me more specific directions regarding ministry. There were a few things that came to mind yesterday, yet I wondered again, "Lord, is that You or just me?" In the next few moments, I sensed this sweet gentle voice say, "If it gives Me Glory, then it's OK if it is your idea. Just give Me Glory." I felt His Spirit giving me rest...some direction.
So, even if my idea, or your idea, is not an announcement sent directly to us from an Angel of the Lord with a light shining down from above...it's OK. He wants us to give Him Glory. If I continue to hold back with my ideas, He's missing on all that Glory...I'm missing the opportunity to give Him all that Glory.
Conclusion: Give Him Glory with all you've got!
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