Who Do you Follow?

Follow, Follow I will follow Jesus, anywhere, everywhere, I will follow Him.
Or do you sing
Follow, Follow I will follow the world, where ever and everywhere, I will follow the world.

You and I have a choice - Will it be to follow Jesus or follow the World?

Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two Masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

I'm going to use something that many of use enjoy that's following our friends on Facebook. Do you follow the friend who is critical, negative, curses, post things that are not proper? OR Do you follow the one who is uplifting, encouraging and not afraid to say things about the Lord, church and the Bible?

As Matthew 6:24 says we CANNOT serve 2 masters. You must chose who you are going to follow.
The Lord will lead you in the direction that is straight and narrow. He will give you strength, wisdom and knowledge in what to do with your life. Where as when you follow the world, Satan, he will offer you things such as money, ungodly things etc.

So friend, whom will you serve?


 

Everything's alright in my Fathers house!

If you knew Dr Jack Hyles, or if you attended his church or college you will know this song. Whenever things were hard or something was happening I remember Bro Hyles coming in and singing with us,

Everything's alright in my Fathers house

in my Fathers house

in my Fathers house

Everything's alright in my Fathers house

Where there's Joy, Joy, Joy!

 

Come and go with me to my Fathers house

to my Fathers house

to my Fathers house

Come and go with me to my Fathers house

Where there's Joy, Joy, Joy!

 

As a college student, as worker in the deaf ministry, as a wife, mom, teacher, then later as a Missionaries wife and now a Pastors wife, this song has meant a lot to me! Today is one of those days where, If my former Pastor hadn't of cared for his college students and if he hadn't of been there for us and yes taught us this song; how many of us wouldn't be where we are today.

 

Life isn't a bed a roses and even when we have rough times we can always remember "Everything's alright in my Fathers house!" Now if you are asking who's your Father, in this song it's referring to our Heavenly Father, and yes EVERYTHING is alright in his House! Praise the Lord that I have a heavenly Father who loves me, an earthy daddy who loves and a husband who loves me!

 

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave His ONLY begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should perish but have everlasting life."

 

See if everything wasn't alright in my Fathers house, do you think he would have given His ONLY son to die for you and me? No, I don't think he would because then he wouldn't be perfect. Heaven wouldn't be perfect. Friend if you are having a rough day, going through a trial please know with Christ, "Everything's alright in my Fathers house."

Casting your care upon, whom?

Friend who do you cast your cares upon? Do you depend on self? Do you go to your peers? Or do you go to the Lord?

I Peter 5:7 clearly states that we can cast our cares on the Lord and he will care for you. Now I don't know about you but I'd rather go to one who cares for me than to depend on self or another person.

A dear friend of mine has been through the fire, and she realized that the only one who could truly help her was her Saviour. In a few months I'm going to be asking her to share her story here on my blog. She and I were raised basically the same, but our choices lead us different directions. However a little over a year ago, the Lord allowed our paths to cross again. I praise the Lord that my dear friend has come back to the right choice. I will not go into details but she needs prayer things aren't all roses for her, but her future is bright. So friend what are your concerns, worries, fears? Let me suggest that you "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

If you are unsaved and don't understand how God could care for you, please message me and I will be more than happen to share with you the Gospel. We serve a mighty God, a loving God and God who wants you in His family!

I'm a child of the king! I've been adopted into his family and wouldn't trade it for the world!!

*The picture above was done by Paula Joiner Chapman
 

Be Grateful! Be Thankful!

 

Thank you Lord for saving my soul

Thank you Lord for making me whole

Thank you Lord for giving to me

Thy great Salvation so full and free!

 

Thank you Lord for family and friends

Thank you Lord for house and warmth

Thank you Lord!

 

 



Are you going willingly or being dragged?

Good afternoon, well as I was on Facebook earlier I was reading various post some by Pastors, some by Pastors wives and others by what we call lay people. I read this one comment that I thought to be very interesting. When I went back to find it I couldn't I find it so I'm going to try and give this little story as best as I can.

A little boy was visiting his grandma and saw people walking their small dogs. The little boy wanted to walk a dog but his grandma didn't own a dog just a cat. When he asked if he could walk the cat, grandma said yes but she didn't think the cat would go. Well, he found the cat put a string around his neck and carried him outside. After some time grandma was getting worried because her grandson hadn't returned. As she looked out the door her grandson comes around the corner pulling a cat that is clawing and grabbing at anything it can. When she asked why it took so long he replied, I was determined that the cat was either going to go for a walk or be dragged. 

Is that how God feels about us? He wants us in His will even if he has to drag us? As a 13 yr old, I went to Mexico on a Missions Trip and I had a great time. I learned a lot though on that trip and one of them was God's will for my life. I knew at the age of 13 that the Lord either wanted me to be a Missionaries wife or Pastors wife. The summer of 1981 I surrendered to God's will. Yes I was only 13 but God knew my future. I don't have the testimony of coming out of some deep sin, or being raised by parents who didn't love me, or even being raised by a single parent. At one time I use to think wow my life is pretty dull.... I was raised by my biological parents, they loved me, they cared for me, I was put in Christian School, my parents although unsaved at the time raised me in church. My parents did get saved, they attended church regularly closer to my teen years, my dad ended up being a Pastor, I went off to Bible College, met the one the Lord had for me.... what more could I ask for. That's not a dull life that's living the life God had for me. Have I slipped out of His, I would say, yes I probably have.  I admire those who come from rough situations and get saved and serve the Lord in His Will! I don't know everything and I trust me I don't claim to know everything, but I've heard preached that there are different levels of God's will. God has you in the  part of His will that He wants you at, don't fight him, trust him, depend on him and he WILL carry you through.

Deuteronomy 13:4 "Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him."

Following the Lord is the greatest thing any of us can do or you can be like that poor cat and be drug along until you decided to submit to God's Will. I don't know about you but I think I'd rather willingly go than to be drug. As Christians being in the center of God's is 150% better than being outside His will. If you're not sure if your in God's Will today, pray, seek God's face, ask Him to show you His will for your life.

 

Are you on the right path?

Good afternoon friends, what a year we have had! You say but it's ONLY March 6th. Yep you are right and thus far we have had a year of...... Before I go into that I want to ask, "Are you on the right Path of serving God?"

In a few minutes I will finish my statement but first lets look at some scripture:
John 15:1-5  "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

Are you a fruit bearing Christian? Do you tell others of Christ, do you serve the Lord through your church? How about in your speech, actions etc. See if we as Christians aren't bearing fruit we aren't on the right path. What Path? The Path that is narrow and straight that leads to great things being done for the Lord. None of us are perfect and we all back slide BUT we can all turn around and get back to the right path.

Now, the reason for this scripture is to go back to my the statement I didn't finish at the beginning. You are right that we are barely into the third month of 2014 however after talking with my husband/Pastor this morning we started thinking about what has happened thus far. I'll start with our church and the progress there:

At church we had many things given, I mean Free, to the church to help with our finishing the Sunday School Building. People who didn't want to work on it before have been there almost weekly working and getting things done. We've had former members return. We have seen people saved. Now these aren't just from our family this is our church family as a whole.

Now to look at what has been going on with our family - At the first of the year we decided to daily Thank the Lord for just one thing he had done for us that day. To be wise in our spending and save for future things our family would like to do. A few of us had decided in January to change our way of life as far as health is concerned. Naturally that will take a little more money but we decided that we wanted to do that. We decided to start the WMS (Women's Missionary Society) at our church, To start a Bus Ministry in the Spring, and many many other things...... The biggest decision was when Preacher announced to the church that he had a goal of 100 in church for our Dedication service in April/May. (If you would like more information on that message me and I will get that) all this to say;

In January my husband was laid off of his second job, which was the income that we paid our bills and bought groceries with. Blessing here - The Lord has given us EVERYTHING we need to make it from week to week. Then at the end of Feb (as many already know) I flipped the truck - which incurred many hospital bills, doctor bills AND put us down to 1 car and it doesn't run the greatest! Now you say so? What's the big deal? You are serving God. Yes, we are bearing fruit and ole Satan doesn't like it! Then just last night 3/5 we had a chimney fire! It could, just like the accident, have been fatal, but Praise the Lord it wasn't.

Some look at this as "bad luck" well friend I look at it as a test, a trial, to see if we are serious about serving our wonderful Lord and Saviour here in Maine. I will be the first to admit, I'm not settling in fast to the "way of life' in Maine. As I said in my last posting, maybe I've not done something or should have said something, I don't know but I do know, "I love the Lord and I want to serve him with all my heart, and if having what seems like tragedy to some, happen in my life to make sure I stay on the right path, I will accept it. Is it easy to accept? NO the pain, the sleepless nights, are not easy to endure but through God's grace and the peace and rest he gives I/we make it. I have days with no pain and nights with good sleep which I praise the Lord for.

So even though we are only on March the 6th, it has been a Year! A Year of hardship, Yes. A Year of trials, Yes. A Year of aches and pains, Yes. A Year of Blessing, Absolutely! A Year of seeing our church members grow, Absolutely! A Year of first, Absolutely!

So as you read my blog don't pity me, Pray for my family, Pray for Second Baptist Church, God's NOT FINISHED WITH US YET!

A Heart that's Devoted

Are you devoted  to God? I know the last few post I've done on either of my blogs I have mentioned my recent accident, but may I say that accident although I don't understand why God allowed it to happen if for no other reason it was to bring me closer to Him. I have been questioned how in the world can you say God let you be involved in something that could have been so fatal and in the same breath say it was to possibly or it was to bring you closer to him.

First let me say, although I don't understand it all, especially on the vehicle end of it all, why I had this accident, I don't know. Why, what would have been our 2nd vehicle was totaled, I don't know. Why, my seat belt didn't hold, I don't know. Why God allowed me to live but not even 2 miles away a family lost there 24 yr old son in a car accident just hours after I had mine, I don't know. Yes, I have questioned why? BUT friend a long time ago I gave my life to the Lord. Have I always done right, no. I'm not perfect, but I have tried to be pleasing to my Saviour in several ways. The key being my topic, "A Heart that's Devoted!"

See, I'm not 100% the Proverbs 31 lady (at least in my eyes, I don't think I am) I do all I can to be that Proverbs 31 lady but it doesn't always happen. Reason being, I'm HUMAN!

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies" Proverbs 31:10
I'm going to give a few points on how I believe that I'm "A heart that's devoted."

1. I'm devoted to my husband - When I said "I do" I meant it. It was and still is this day till death do us part. We joke that death will be because of this or that but I LOVE my husband and you know I pity the person who tries to break up our marriage. Reason being HE IS MINE! I am devoted with my whole heart to William P III!

2. I'm devoted to my children - ALL 5 by birth and #6 through marriage :) I love my children and I'm devoted to them to be there when they need me. To listen when they need a listening ear. To discipline when they need correction. I LOVE Tom, Tabitha, Paul IV, Caleb, Samuel and Jason

3. I'm devoted to my Lord - Do I fail him? YES but I'm devoted to serve him, to love him and to Praise him!

4. I'm devoted to my Bible - THE KING JAMES BIBLE

5. I'm devoted to my church - Second Baptist Church is MY CHURCH! I'm devoted Not to the building but the church, THE PEOPLE! I love the members of my church!

6. I'm devoted to my friends - You say friends? YES Friends are important and I'm devoted to them.

See my heart is devoted to several people and things. Why? God wants me to be devoted, not half hearted about life but to give me all and to be what He created me to be. Am I perfect LOL NO.
Am I better than others NO. Do I think because I write these things on a blog for the world to see that I'm some great scholar, NO! I am simply Paula Micheal, born and raised in the South, grew up in church and Christian school, attended Bible college had some of the greatest Men of God as my Pastor through the years. Who met a Godly man who wanted to/and is serving God.

See on Thursday 2/20, which I don't remember, but maybe I said/didn't say or should have done something different, who knows, except the Lord. However, that accident sure has set me thinking, I wasn't going to share this but I feel the Lord would have me share this. On Sunday 2/23, my husband and boys had come in from church (I had gone but needed to return home early) my boys were in their rooms and my husband was going over his evening sermon. I walked into the room and burst into tears, all I could say to him was, "I could have Killed us all Thursday!" I believe I said it two or three times. My dear husband just hugged me and kept saying, "But you didn't, God has a great things planned for our family." He even assured me that it wasn't my fault and that I was one of the best drivers he knew. Friend things that happen in our lives isn't always our fault, sometimes it's allowed to happen for a reason. I believe with all my heart that, 11:45 A.M. Thursday, of Feb 20th was for a reason. What? I really don't know yet except that I decided to:
1. Be more devoted to God
2. Pray more for those who live their lives in Pain and hurting EVERY day.
3. To serve my God like I've never served him before.

So friend, let me ask you, "Are you fully devoted to God with your whole Heart?'


 

Are you 100% you're saved?

Friends you never know what will happen. Today 2/20 I was on my way to be a blessing to a dear family, when all of sudden we're sliding, losing control of our truck and then flipping! As I was laying on my back trapped in the truck I was thanking God that I was saved, I was alive, my boys as far as I could tell were ok. Yes, we had injuries and yes I'm in a lot of pain. But God protected us!

Samuel, who is pictured here had presence of mind to climb out of the car, call 911 and start trying to get help. He himself was hurt slight concussion but Praise God he was able to do those things. Below at the hospital a dear lady from our church showed up and was such a blessing... Jason whom we though was had possible back injury came out of this with only a sprained ankle and headache :) We also though I had a broken collar bone, but again Praise the Lord I'm just very sore through my shoulders and neck with lots of pain, BUT nothing is BROKEN!                                           

God is such a merciful God and a God who protects his own. If you friend don't know for sure that you are saved please feel free to contact me through here.

As I sit here with my 2 boys who were in the truck with me, my other son and husband and thinking of my children who live in other states, I'm praising God for life!

John 3:16 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.  Right here in this verse we see, the Love of God, in that he gave His ONLY son, why? so that you and I could have eternal life! 

 

You don't know when your time is, Please be ready as I was today but God choose to leave my sons and I here on earth. Praise the Lord I'm saved and serving in Him where he wants me!! 

 

Are you Bold?

While at church last night my husband was Preaching the end of a series that he's been on for 49 weeks. The whole 49 weeks focused on I & II Peter. There is so much knowledge, truth, and wisdom in these 2 books. As he taught I thought about it and how do I represent Christ, not just because I'm the Pastors wife, but as a person, a child of God. Some of today's lesson is from my Preachers sermon, added into what I believe the Lord wanted me to share today.

Last night though was on listening to the world or God. Are you bold enough to say No to the world and follow Christ as Paul did in II Peter 3? Are you going to follow the world in its lies or be Bold and take a stand for Christ?

II Corinthians 11:20 "I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak, How beit whereinsoever any is bold (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also." If you cont to read through to the end of this chapter you will see "I am bold also" several many times. Paul took a stand, he was bold. How can we as Christians be like Paul?

One thing is we can do is not listen to the worlds music. Now I know you can't totally avoid it, as a matter of fact our Wal-Mart here, has started playing vial, wicked music. One of church members asked that as we come to the store that we complain to the manager. She doesn't want to listen to the garbage (she works there and has no choice) but yet they say we don't want to offend anyone. Take a stand as many of us have, and say but you are offending me and my children by playing the nasty music.

Another area we can be bold is dress differently - You say but I'll look weird! Guess what the Bible tells us that we are peculiar people. Deuteronomy 14:2 "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth." So be Bold, be peculiar, be different from the world as Paul was.

I just listed two things but you and I both know there are 100's of ways we can be bold! Be bold through soul winning, through your testimony, through your walk with God. Now don't take what I'm saying and say oh so I can stand here or there and yell, your evil, your going to Hell for this or that if you don't repent. No, be civil with your boldness. Christians are under attack enough without someone going crazy and making it worse. If your church has a time where you go down town and Preach the gospel and sing, wonderful be a part of it, that is part of being bold. Maybe you have a Prison Ministry, or Nursing home ministry, Maybe a bus route. You can be bold in your witness without making a scene.

In II Peter 3 Paul wrote to us, that we need to use wisdom, some won't understand and some will. however we need to go in grace, and be bold. Verse 18 "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen."

Go out be a peculiar people, be bold and witness to others but make sure that in your life you are growing in grace and knowledge so that Christ be glorified through it all, not Look at me, see what I did?! No it's to glorify God.

So as you go out and do the things that need to be done from day to day, will you go boldly, will you look peculiar to others, will God be glorified in all you do daily?
 

What's in your Closet?

WOW! That is such a broad topic. What's in your closet? Well, to step into my clothes closet you would see blouses, shoes, dresses, skirts, shoes, jackets, scarves, shoes, purses, shoes, maybe even if you look deep enough gifts for various people. Oh did I mention you would find shoes?! Heehee

If someone who wanted to view what I wear when not at church, or out in public I wouldn't be ashamed for them to view it. I have nothing to hide. What about when Jesus looks at your heart, soul or mind? Of course we all know that God knows ALL, but using the thought of hiding gifts in my clothes closet. What is in your life that you Don't want ANYONE to know about?

Is it: a TV program you watch, what you view on the Internet, maybe your thoughts, or how you really are in the privacy of your own home. Or can you say, "I've given my WHOLE Heart, Soul, and Life to the Lord" Can you say, "I have NOTHING to hide."

Friend just as I am willing to let anyone see my clothes closet, so should my life be to where I'm not afraid of anything being found out about me. Let me insert here, I'm not perfect but I do my best and through the help of the Lord to keep my life right.

Matthew 22:37   

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Friend can you love the Lord with ALL thy heart, soul and mind if you are saying NO to giving up this or that? No you can't you have to serve either God or Satan. You can NOT serve 2 masters. So friend if you say, "I love the Lord, BUT....." Or Well, I love the Lord with all my heart and soul but he can't have my mind. What do you think that does to the Holy Spirit?

Deuteronomy 6:5   

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Not only are we told in the New Testament to Love the Lord with ALL, but also in the Old Testament we are told the same thing. See if the people of the Old Testament were told to do it, then so shouldn't we.

I was curious how many times in the Bible Heart, Mind and Soul were found, upon searching I found them to be listed  1,246 times in different instances.

I would say when the Lord wants us to do something concerning our heart, mind and soul that maybe we might should take heed and follow what he is saying. Personally if the Lord says it once I believe it should be heeded, but maybe some need a little more re-enforcement.

So is your closet clean? your heart? your soul? your mind?
What are you trying to hide in the corner of your heart?
What about your soul, are you trying to hide?
What thoughts that go through your mind, are you trying to hide?

Remember what's in your heart and mind eventually comes out of your mouth. Do you harbor, bitterness, hatred, fear, cursing, lying, cheating etc. Decide today that you are going to give it ALL to the Lord so that when someone/the Holy Spirit wants to see inside.  You can say, "come on in, anyone is welcome!"

Who's your true Love?

John 3:16 -I Love the way this is done!   Now that is LOVE!!

How people do you know that would give their ONLY Son for you? To be honest I don't know that I know of any OTHER THAN the Lord!



With today being Valentines day, let someone dear and near to you know that you love them, BUT don't let it be just today show them, tell them you love them 365 Days a year!!

 

At a loss for words....

A word fitly spoken....

Have you ever been at a lose for words but yet something needed to be said. Maybe it's with a family member, a friend, a co-worker, your boss it could be anyone. Friend whoever it is makes sure it's a word fitly spoken!

Proverbs 25:11   

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

 

Proverbs has so much wisdom, how the Lord could put so much wisdom in just 31 chapters is beyond my understanding, but yet it's not just in Proverbs it's the whole Bible!

Proverbs 15:23  

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it.

 

Do you stop and think before speaking? Is what comes out of your mouth Good??

 

Friend, it doesn't matter who you are, what you do, if your words aren't fitly spoken there is a problem. Do you curse? Do you use slang (which by the way can be just as bad as the curse words)? Do you criticize? Do you take the Lords name in vain? What are you doing that isn't fitly spoken?

 

As my parents told me and as we have told our children, "If you don't have anything nice to say, Don't say anything at all!" Stop! Think! THEN Speak. Do we really practice this?

 

One of my boys has to stop, think then speak he will mumble what he's trying to say. I honestly believe because he has to naturally do this that much of what he might say doesn't get said because he has to think about it first. Now none of my boys curse, they are typical boys and they do say things sometimes that isn't right, but I've noticed with my one son, there's less because he has to think about what to say. He's very smart just has to slow down when talking. Why not even if you can speak eloquently still Stop, Think and THEN Speak? Just remember "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold...."   

 

So Friend, if you feel something needs to be said, make sure it's GOOD and Fitly Spoken!

 

 

 

I'll Live for Jesus

 

This was my practice session yesterday

 

Healthy or Not

I Corinthians 6:19 "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

Do you treat your body like it's the Temple of God? What are you putting into your body that is destroying what really isn't yours?

Recently I decided that being over weight was no longer an option. Now because I've only just begun the journey of weight loss, there's not a whole lot to "prove" yet. However the fact that the Bible tells us that our bodies are not your own, is enough for me to want to take better care of myself. I have a dear friend who's really encouraged me in doing this, just by what she's told me and how much better she feels.

Ladies, you know what there's really no excuse either. I'll be truthful for years I've used the excuse of, "I had 5 children I have a right not to be thin." NOPE that doesn't give the right to not take care of myself.
First off who are my children from? God - he gave me 5 wonderful children and I raised them and taught them to be healthy so shouldn't mom also be healthy.
Secondly God tells me my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.
Another excuse I hear is "I'm over 40" ok yea maybe that is a good reason BUT not really good enough. Why? YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST.
I've heard my health, I just can't do it..... Come on ladies part of the health issue is what? WEIGHT! and what does God's Word tell us? YOUR BODY IS NOT YOUR OWN.

Men, if there are men reading this - You of course can't use the excuse of having a baby, but I know one that I've heard was, "sympathy growth on my part for my wife" Well.... ok that maybe but still YOUR body is also the Temple of Ghost. I'll not labor the topic so much towards men because most of you don't want to hear that from a woman anyway :) :) especially one who's not your wife.

So in all seriousness, Young people, men and Women if you are overweight do some research, find out what is best for you and LOSE that weight! I actually have 3 different things I'm following because I can't afford to do just one plan so I'm implementing a few different things that each one kind of go together at some point of the plan. I believe with much prayer, determination and work I WILL become healthier.

If you want someone to pray for you as you start the journey post a comment and I will pray for you. If you need some help finding or getting started on what is right for you, I'm willing to do what I can.

So rather than giving the excuses that the Devil WILL provide go ahead step out there and start making your body healthier after all, YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST.

:) :)

I shoulda, coulda, woulda..... I did, have, will

Have you ever thought I shoulda done this? I coulda done that. I woulda gone there but.......

OR

I did do this and feel great about it. I have finished that, thank you Lord. I will be starting this.....

 

Which one are you as a Christian? The shoulda, coulda, woulda OR the did, have, and will.

 

I was thinking about a few things this afternoon that I was like, I shoulda done that instead of checking e-mail. There's even been times I've said, I woulda gone to that church function but I'd rather not because of this or that. Yes, I've even said, I coulda been there but I just didn't feel like it. Now what Blessing did I miss because I said, I shoulda, coulda, woulda!

 

Then there's been the other way where I've said, Yes I did that, I went soul winning. Maybe it was I have had my daily devotions. OR Yes, I will be starting that today or the near future. The key is that your "will" doesn't become I shoulda, coulda or woulda.

 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

 

By keeping this verse in mind - you won't need to say any longer that I shoulda, coulda or woulda, BUT rather You can say through Christ I did, I have or I will.

 

Why Lord?

Have you ever wondered what the Lord was trying to show you? What you were missing? Were you in the right place? Did you misunderstand his leading? Well, I can say in the last 6 hours all these questions have gone through my mind.

 

I won't go into details and I won't say a whole lot about the past but 2 years ago a series of events took place which lead to us leaving Maryland/West Virginia area. That move brought us to Maine. Today almost exactly 2 years later the exact same thing the loss of  a job took place. The difference we are in the Ministry as Pastor and family, but our income was the second job. I home school our children 1. we believe that we should 2. it saves a lot of money. I don't work out of the home because my husband and I feel that my place is at home as wife and mom. So therefore my husband pastors and did work a second job till 4:30 afternoon.

 

The question now is, How will God take care of our needs? Simple "But my God shall supply all my NEED according to His riches in Christ Jesus"

 

Are we missing something? maybe but we'll wait and see what God has in store for us and our church.

 

What is the Lord trying to show us? "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles...."

 

Are we in the right place? We believe so - just have to trust in the Lord. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding...."

 

Did we miss understand something? Maybe BUT It will be worth the struggle, the hard ship and maybe even the rough road ahead to learn what we missed.

 

God is with me, my husband, my children through the storm!!! As long as we continue to serve him and win souls for Christ and don't give up God WILL NEVER EVER FORSAKE HIS OWN!!

 

I may not of used a lot of scripture, and there may not be a great truth typed out here but God brought us to it, HE will lead us through it! IF you are going through ANYTHING it's ok to ask questions but then go to God's word find the answer and continue on with your life.  

 

He Holds the Key

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth...."

 

The Creator of ears can hear your cries

Yes the Maker of eyes can see,

Every broken and wounded heart

For the Teacher of Life holds the key.

 

The key to peace and contentment

To help you through turmoil and strife,

The key to strength and assurance

The key to eternal life.

 

He knows everything about you

Your thoughts, your motives and plans,

He knows when you're hurt and discouraged

And don't have the strength to stand.

He won't ever leave or forsake you

He'll reach out if you start to fall,

Holding you firm and securely

Ready to answer your call.

 

For he holds the key to your victory

That He will gladly impart,

He holds the key to your hope and joy

Because He holds the key to your heart.

 

I Corinthians 1:9 "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

 

 

*I'm not sure where the poem came from but it has A LOT of great truth! 

 



Love Thyself as Thy Neighbour

Mark 12:30 "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

One way we can grow closer to the Lord is not only through Praying and Reading our Bible daily, and by being a witness for him. I realize that going soul-winning maybe a scary for some, maybe you are shy (like me) LOL or maybe you don’t like to talk to strangers. That’s ok, you can go with a lady/man that is comfortable talking and witnessing.

So now how can we obey Mark 12:30 which is the first commandment?

1. Make sure you LOVE the Lord that all you do is to please the Lord - Making sure YOU are saved.
2. All thy soul – We can’t keep this or that because we don’t want to give it up. We need to Love the Lord with our whole soul.
3. With thy mind – is your thinking right? Do you look to be Christ honoring in your thoughts?
4. So we are to Love the Lord with WHAT? Our WHOLE being.
5. Strength – I wondered before How can I love the Lord through my strength? Well, he gives us the strength to go forward, to live daily for him. So through our strength we can LOVE the Lord.

 In Matthew 22:39 "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Our neighbours – who are they? They are the ALL the People who live here in Palermo! They are the people who live in Germany, Canada, the Philippians, the 1040 Window, throughout the world, and our Military.

We need to decided right here and right now that we are going to make a difference. You can make difference, I can make difference, if you make a difference to JUST 1 person that’s one more person reached for the Lord. It only takes 1 person to make a difference but if ALL of us make a difference in a person, then that person a difference in another before you know it, we have made a difference NOT only in Palermo, but Liberty, China, Windsor, or where ever you may live in the world.

What do you expect?

Luke 6:31 "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

Core Values, do you expect these things? 

Respectful

Peaceful

Truthful

Patient

Honest

Kind

Gentle

Joyful

Loving

Helpful

Prayerful

Compassionate

 

 

These are things we expect from others. If we expect it we should also treat others this way also.

 

Just a little thought of something we should all probably work on in 2014. 

School fun :)

I thought I would do a few days of stories/devotionals for children. If you have little ones, grandchildren or maybe you babysit. This would be something you could share with them.

Some of this story will come from a book I've read to my children and it will include animals to make it a little more fun.

The setting is at school and it's Monday morning. As we all know Monday's can be rough, because we were at church the majority of the day before and we're tired from a late night. However don't think it was bad to be in church, because that is where we learn about the Lord and how we grow closer to him.

So, we are now at school with our teacher, Mrs Squirrel is calling class to order. Scamper, who's a Porcupine, comes in late and is NOT in a good mood. He did NOT want to spend another week sitting in his desk, listening to the teacher and learning about Math, English, History, Science, Reading and art, but his favorite subject was Recess!  Well, this particular day, Scamper as I mentioned was not in a good mood, when Scot, the Raccoon, jokingly pulled on Scampers hair that made him mad!

In an instant, before Scamper thought, he hauled off and hit Scot right in the eye! OUCH! Yelled Scot why'd you do that? As Mrs Squirrel comes over to them, she had already seen what happened, she asked, "Scamper, why did you just hit Scot? Scamper with his head down, said, "I'm tired and I didn't think and besides he pulled my hair, so he deserved it!"
"Now hold on Scamper", said his teacher, "we don't hit people out of revenge."
"Scot, you know better than to be pulling hair" said Mrs Squirrel.
You both need to apologize to each other and shake hands! I'm sorry, said Scot. I-I-I I'm sorry too said Scamper.
That's better now both of you are going to write a Bible verse to help you remember to be kind to one another. As she turns to the class she says we are all going to learn a lesson from today.

So Scamper and Scot for your homework you will write the verse out 10 times but for now everyone sit down in your seats and open your Bible to: Ephesians 4:32, Nancy, the Rabbit, would you please read this for us? "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Boys and girls, the Bible clearly teaches that we are to be kind, not being mean to one another.
Who can tell me what tenderhearted means?
Chipmunk, Sue raises her hand I think I know. Ok go ahead, "it means that we are to um..... be understanding of how people feel right?'
That is part of it, Sue. Tenderhearted means, being kind and gentle in nature.

So class, how can each of you be tenderhearted?
I know says, Scamper, we can be kind by realizing others may not know your having a bad day when they pick on you.
Sue, or we can be gentle in how we treat others.
Nancy, we can even be kind and gentle at home by not being mean to our brothers and sisters.

So our verse for this week is going to be, Ephesians 4:32 class. Lets see if we can have a better day and week in our class.

So kids of all ages, yes animals really don't talk and yes they don't know these things but in this little story we can learn how to be kind, gentle, and not be mean just because or hurt someone because they hurt us.

I hope you enjoyed this little story today.