I Asked God

I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessing; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said…Finally you have the idea.

I received this reading in an email. Click here for the link.

Standing on the Promises

Joshua 23:14

You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. (NIV)

The Lord your God has kept all of the good promises he gave you. Every one of them has come true. Not one has failed to come true. And you know that with all your heart and soul. (NIRV)

Know this with all your heart, with everything in you, that not one detail has failed of all the good things GOD, your God, promised you. It has all happened. Nothing's left undone—not so much as a word. (The Message)

My daily calendar had this verse on it today. The more I read it and mulled over it, the more it encouraged me. The fact that every one of God’s promises has been fulfilled and not one has failed is an amazing thought. That gives me encouragement today and in the days to come. No matter what happens in life God’s promises are true and we can stand firm on those promises. As I typed those last words I recalled a hymn we used to sing in church, “Standing on the Promises”. Below are the words and a video. Reacquaint yourself with that wonderful hymn that is full of truth. Through Christ, we can live victoriously regardless of the situations we face in life. Are you standing on God’s promises today?



Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Chorus:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

a difference a hug can make

Today as I was working, one of the older ladies from our congregation came in. She was in need of a ride to the bank. She is definitely a more haggard looking woman and isn't very clean. She has a son that lives with her but he doesn't take care of her. We don't know if she eats and bathes regularly...she is in need of a lot of help. She had walked from her home to the church to look for a ride since the bank was too far. Several of the staff were gone to lunch and the pastor came in and asked if I would take her. Deep down in my heart I was hoping he would take her. I didn't know this woman and to be honest I was a little afraid of having her in my car. I know that wasn't a right attitude to have at the moment but that soon changed. We got to my car and I had to help her in as she was rather frail. As we rode to the bank we had conversation about her life. I found out that after we were done with the bank, I needed to take her home. Since I am fairly new to the area, I had no idea where the road was that she lived on! So here we were, a woman who is loosing her mental capabilities and a woman who had no idea where she was going! We really took the scenic route but after several minutes we found her home. I went around the side to her door to help her out of the car. She just laughed and apologized for the run around and thanked me for taking her. It was then she reached over and hugged me. At that moment I forgot that she was frail and unclean. I hugged her back. I left with a smile on my face and a real blessing in my heart. That incident reminded me of something. We have a choice to react to each and every situation that we are faced with every day. Initially I wasn't too thrilled with having to take her to the bank but as I took the time to listen to her and enjoy getting lost with her I remembered that she is God's creation just like I am. God loves her just as much as He loves me and I should love her as He does. What a lesson! I went back to work feeling extremely touched and blessed by the unexpected car ride.

Slow Fade

This is a great song with a powerful message. Check it out.

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

God shuffles my iPod

In the mornings when I walk, I usually have my iPod with me. When I start my walk I select “Shuffle Songs”. Even in the randomization process, I don’t believe it is totally random. I am convinced that the songs that play are meant for my ears that very morning. God has a hand in my iPod’s shuffling process. There have been many walks where a song comes on that just touches my heart in an amazing way or is a reminder of a truth that I needed to hear at that very moment. This morning that song was, “God Will Make a Way”. It’s an older chorus but its lyrics are overwhelmingly true.

God will make a way
When there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way!

God's Answers to Prayer

Dear Lord, help me understand, as I kneel to pray,
That You, indeed, will answer it, though there are several ways.
The first, of course, is obvious, the one we most like to receive.
If everyone got a "yes" to their prayers, it would be easy to believe.

But, Father, there are two more ways You may handle my appeal.
So, please don't let Your denial dampen my spiritual zeal.
For You alone can see beyond the benefits I ask for,
So help me take "no" for an answer, when You decide to shut the door.

And don't let me forget the third way You may answer my request,
Because You know exactly the time that it would benefit me best.
You see, the hardest answer of them all, develops true virtue -
For we develop patience, Lord, when we learn to wait on
You.

By: Beth Fisher

with all my heart

WITH ALL MY HEART
By: Babbie Mason

In this quiet place with you I bow before your throne
I bare the deepest part of me to you and you alone
I keep no secrets for there is no thought You have not known
I bring my best and all the rest to you and lay them down

With all my heart I want to love you Lord
And live my life each day to know you more
All that is in me is yours completely
I’ll serve you only with all my heart

You faithfully supply my needs according to your plan
So help me Lord to seek your face before I seek your hand
And trust you know what's best for me when I don't understand
Then follow in obedience in every circumstance

With all my heart I want to love you Lord
And live my life each day to know you more
All that is in me is yours completely
I’ll serve you only with all my heart