In His Presence!

I was just thinking about being in the presence of God; the kingdom of God is within us. Therefore, no matter where we go we take God with us. God is not in the four walls of the church his presence in essence is not there when we’re not there because we bring the presence of God with us when we come to church.
Therefore, we should always be prepared, no matter where we are to be used of God and to be an example of him regardless of our circumstances.

We sing a song
Surely the presence of the lord is in this place
I can fill his mighty power and His grace
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings
I see glory on each face
Surely the presence of the lord is in this place.

This place is within me! He abides and dwells in the very innermost part of my being.

Psalms 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalms 95:2
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

I am so thankful I know the Lord and that He lives within me. He is my everything. I know I could not make it in this world without Him. He is!

God Bless You!
Joy

Quietly Waiting!

Good morning,

Isn't it so awesome how God speaks to us through other people, His Word, His critters and just the earth itself?

“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting system through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” George Washington Carver



Lamentations 3:24-26

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.

The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly waith for the salvation of the Lord.



I have to work at waiting quietly for the Lord to show me His plan for my life. I trust the Lord, however, sometimes I think He is taking too long so I want to jump in and fix everything myself. When I wait paitently and quietly for the salvation of the Lord, He does a super better job of it than I tried to do.



God is so awesome. I just can't praise Him enough!

HE Cometh!

Good morning,

John 9:4-5
We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Jesus wants us to work for Him. He told us in Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
It is our duty as "Children of God" to tell others about Him and to pray with them the prayer of salvation.

I believe the verses in John 9:4-5 are a direct command. We must do the work of the Father. It also says we need to do it while it is day, because night will come and then it will be too late.
There is an urgency sweeping the land, as I believe the Lord is going to send His Son back very soon. There needs to be a cry go out HEAR YE! HEAR YE THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH!

The question many "Christians" need to ask themselves is am I ready to meet Him?

Only By God's Permission!

Good morning,
Anne Ortlund in her book “Disciplines of the Heart inserted this statement by Hannah Whitall Smith said:
“[No action] can touch us except with [the Father's] knowledge and by His permission. It may be the sin of man that originates the action, and therefore the thing itself cannot be said to be the will of God; but by the time it reaches us it has become God’s will for us, and must be accepted as directly from His hands.
No man or company of men, no power on earth or heaven, can touch that soul which is abiding in Christ, without first passing through His encircling presence and receiving the seal of His permission. If God be for us, it matters not who may be against us; nothing can disturb or harm us, except He shall see that it is best for us.”
Anne goes on to say “Only if this is true does 1 Thessalonians 5:18 make sense:
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I now understand Romans 8:28 better as well:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.
Nothing can touch us except by the Father’s knowledge and permission. So instead of getting upset, angry, or bitter about what is going on in our life, we should rejoice because the Father is turning it around for our good. Praise the Name of the Lord!

Mind & Heart!

Luke 10: 27
And He answering said, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

I was reading this verse this morning and thought to myself, what if all people began to read, and follow just this one verse of advice. How would our world be changed if everyone were to love the Lord our God with everything that is within us? What if we were to love Him with all our heart, all our soul, our all strength and all our mind? What if we were to love our neighbor as our self? For some of us that would be easy, because we love our self, but what of the people who do not like themselves let alone love themselves.

I think sometimes we people who call ourselves "Christians" don't love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind. I think sometimes we just go through the motions. I don't know if at times we really know what the word "LOVE" really means. I am seeking God to know His love better; but also I want to know how He wants me to love Him more.
I pray as we encourage each other in the Lord, we will come to know "Agape Love" and to love each other as Jesus loves us.

God Bless!
Joy

He's ALIVE!

HAPPY EASTER!

To many people Easter is just another boring day. But, to many, many people it is a special day! Because of what Easter means we have HOPE! LIFE! PEACE! and JOY! just to name a few words that describes how we can feel, because of the BIRTH, DEATH, and RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD!

You see His birth was not enough, His birth and death was not enough, His birth, death, and Resurrection were not enough. It took all of these and His ascension into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father to be complete. Thru the life blood of Jesus, He gave us redemption from our sins. When we ask Him to forgive us of our sins and strive to live for Him, that is the true meaning of Easter.

Matthew 28: 6
He (Jesus) is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the LORD lay.

HALLELUJAH!
Because of Jesus' love for us, His death was the supreme sacrifice for our sins. Just makes me want to shout!

Today as you go about your day remember this comment by Billy Graham

"Jesus Christ died on a rugged cross for our salvation. We do not worship that cross; we worship Christ, who is alive. Yet among all the emblems of the world, the cross is admired with awe and wonder."

Father, as we go about this special day, may we keep in mind the suffering Jesus went through for our salvation. Let us remember to take time to give you praise. Because, without Jesus dying on the cross and rising again we would have no hope of spending eternity with you. Thank you, Father. Bless and keep each of us and may we experience your love for us in a fresh way I pray.

Have a most blessed day!

Joy

God's Hand!

God is so good. I just stand in awe sometimes as to how good He is to us. Nothing in particular, just a feeling inside of me that rises up and needs to be released. I want everyone I come into contact with to know Jesus lives in me, and blesses me beyond measure. He can and will do the same for you as well.

Isaiah 59:1
Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither Hi ear heavy, that it cannot hear.

I am so thankful that our Lord will hear us when we call unto Him. He will save us and be with us throughout our life if we let Him. He is a merciful God. He loves us more than anything. No matter what we go through, God is there with us, upholding us and giving us strength to carry on. Praise His Holy Name.

Isaiah 58:14
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

I don't know about you, but I want a change in my life. I want to ride upon the high places of the earth, and to feed on the heritage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I can only do this if I delight and spend time with the Lord. I do this by reading His Word and praying.

Father, I would ask you today to help each of us grow in prayer and reading your Word. Help us Lord to desire to spend time with you. Help us Father, to delight ourselves in you. Feed us with the heritage of Jacob, I pray. Thank you, Father. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Seek His Face!

2 Chronicles 7:12-16 (King James Version)
12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

I don’t know why, but I always thought these verses were for the sinner to come to the Lord; however in discussing them Tuesday evening at a ladies meeting at my church, a woman brought out that they were written for the Christians. That almost blew me away. I don’t know if I have had my head in the sand like the ostrich or have on rose colored glasses, but I never thought about Christian’s having wicked ways.

God tells Solomon that there are four things in verse 14 that are REQUIRED in order for Him to hear their prayers.
1. Humble (feeling or showing respect and deference toward other people) yourself.
2. Pray
3. Seek His face
4. Turn from their wicked ways
Then He will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.
I believe verse 15 gives us His promise. He says His eyes shall be open, and His ears attuned to our prayer.

Christians in America (and the world) need to get these verses down into their very spirit. They need to begin to act on them. If we want a change in our schools, our kids, and neighbors, I believe this is the answer. Get the sin and crud out of our life that is hindering our communication with the Father. Then He will be able to do that which He promised.

Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. --George Iles

I was thinking about the above quote, which led me to think about the Three Hebrew men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, now those three men indeed walked by faith.

Daniel 3:17-18
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Think about this for a moment, these three men told the king they would not bow to the image the king had made, knowing that if they didn't they would surely die; however, they stood firm in their faith that God would deliver them. They also believed that if He didn't, everything would still be ok. They were bold in their talk to the king to say BUT IF IT BE NOT, we still will not serve his gods; they knew they would be home with their God. However, it was not time for them to go to heaven. God was not through with them here on earth. They had a work to do for Him that only they could do.
Each of us has a work to do for God that only we can do. Can you say like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we will not bow down to idols, or things that pull us away from the TRUE, LIVING GOD?
Father, I thank you for this day. I thank you for the opportunity you have given me to share your word and my thoughts with these thy people. Bless them and cause your face to shine upon them I pray. Thank you, Father. In Jesus Name I pray.

Joy-Peace-Hope!

Greetings,

It is an awesome morning here on the farm. I woke up praising the Lord. So no matter what comes my way today, it is nothing that the Lord and I can't handle together.

Topic for Today: Gospel
The gospel makes some people sad, some mad and some glad. It is better that people should go out of church mad than merely go out, neither sad, mad, nor glad. Vance, Havner

"Take time every evening you can to view with wonder the spectacular event we know as a sunset. This is your heavenly Father's gift to you, filling you with gratitude for a day well spent with Him, the sweet sleep He will now give to you, and the hope and expectancy of spending tomorrow with Him."

I went into Bible Gateway to copy the scripture I wanted to share with you and it was their verse for the day. How awesome is that?

Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

I am so thankful that our God is full of hope and will fill us with all (CORE MEANING: a grammatical word used to indicate that the whole of a particular thing, amount, group, or area is involved or affected). God doesn't just give us a little joy and peace. He gives us all He has, the whole amount. He gives us so much that we overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now I don't know about you, but I want to be so full of joy, peace, and hope that it oozes out of every pore in my body.

Father, thank you the you will fill us with ALL joy, peace, and hope. I pray that as we begin to really grasp this knowledge you have given us that we will CHOOSE to ask you to have the Holy Spirit overflow us with hope. As the Holy Spirit overflows us with HOPE, help us to pass it on to others that seem to have lost their hope I pray. Thank you, Father. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a joy, peace, and hope filled day.

Joy

Bible - Influence and Power

WOW! What a service we had yesterday at church. We didn't even have our "normal" Sunday school. We started with a couple of worship songs and then the Holy Spirit took over. Was a wonderful time of sharing the Word and the Lord ministering to us. I'm so glad that we are not stuck in a rut where everything has to be the same O same O.

Topic for Today: Bible - Influence and Power
The Word of the Lord is a light to guide you, a counselor to counsel you, a comforter to comfort you, a staff to support you, a sword to defend you, and a physician to cure you. The Word is a mine to enrich you, a robe to clothe you, and a crown to crown you. Thomas Brooks

Isn't the above quote so true. The Word of the Lord has all the answers to any situation we may face. Praise the Lord for giving us such a detailed "Book" to lead us and guide us on our journey through life.

II Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

God is so awesome. His Word is true. When we approach it with an open heart, asking the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear what the Holy Spirit reveals to us about the Word then it is easy to understand. I believe the KEY is to dig into it on a daily basis.

Father, thank you, for you Word. Thank you Father, for giving us the Holy Spirit to quicken our hearts to understand your Word. I know it will guide us in the way you would have us to go. Praise Your Holy Name. Bless each of us and help us to grow in you and in your Word. Thank you, Father.

Have a great day,
Joy

Standing in the Gap!

Good morning,

It is a beautiful morning here on the farm.

Topic for Today: Christian
A genuine Christian should be a walking mystery because he is surely a walking miracle. Through the leading and the power of the Holy Spirit, the Christian is involved in a daily life and habit that cannot be explained. A.W. Tozer

Isn't it cool to be thought of not only as a mystery, but a walking miracle. I know that I am a walking miracle. God has protected me and kept His unseen hand on me so many times, sometimes I feel the angels have worked overtime protecting me. I am so thankful they have, as I feel I have a lot more of God's work to do before I go home.

Are you thankful for God's protection? Are you willing to stand in the gap for someone else?

Ezekiel 22:30
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

I trust when God looks down on America and says to His Son, I can't tolerate their sin any longer, wipe them out. Jesus will say "Father what if there is someone who will intercede in prayer on their behalf?" Are there ones who will begin to fall on their face and plead for God to spare our great country?
Have we as Christians become so complacent that we are not seeking Him for America?

I believe Christians need to arise and begin to beg God to deliver our land and bring us back into right standing with Him.

Father, this country I love is really on my heart today. I ask Father, that each of us begin to bind together in pray for America. I ask Father, that you find us worthy to come before you in prayer that each of us would be able to stand in the gap; to make a hedge around our beautiful country. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Take a moment today to enjoy our great land.
Joy

God Our Strong Hold!

"God will help me feel safe and warm,
He shelters me from all kinds of harm."

Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.

I am so glad that our loving Father, takes such good care of us. When we are weak, He is our strength. He takes care of us when trouble comes. At night you can sometimes hear Him whisper "it's ok I am hear don't be afraid." He knows who trusts in Him. His Word says he will be there with us holding us when bad things happen. The super thing is He is there when good things happen as well. His Word says "He will never leave us or forsake us." Thank you, Father for that promise.

Father, I would ask that you reveal yourself to each of us. That we will know not only that you love us, but that you take care of us. Thank you for strength when we don't seem to have any left. Thank you, for being our strong tower and a shelter from the storms of life. Praise your Holy Name.

Give God Praise!

Greetings,

Well I am up early and on my way to Drain for a District Board Meeting, so not sure what the weather will be, but probably rain. Silly me, I guess I thought if it was dark I wouldn't know if it was raining or not. Well guess what the dark doesn't have anything to do with it; it has rained and stormed all night and is still coming down.

The Lord is so good. You may get tired of hearing me say that, but get used to it as I intend to proclaim God’s goodness until Jesus comes.

Psalms 30:10-12
10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

These scriptures say exactly how I feel. When I call upon God to have mercy on me, then when He turns things around I need to sing praise to Him. This is the year of WORSHIP! The year of new beginnings. This is the year to give praise in everything. What a wonderful year to be living. I don’t know about you, but I am excited about what God is doing and going to do. It’s not just for me, but for everyone. Praise His Holy Name.

Father, please help each of us to not only praise you more, but to lift each other up. Help us to encourage each other. Let us be your hands, feet, and mouth to share your love to all those we come into contact. Thank you, Father.
Have a terrific day!
Joy

Sing to the Lord!

Good morning,

It is a rainy, wet day here on the farm this morning. I was going to take my dog for a walk, however, I'm not sure I want to. I suppose I could get out my hip boots, winter jacket and golf umbrella and make do to take her. (Just kidding as my buddy Caleb says to me)

God is good. He is so good to me, sometimes I just stand in awe of the way He provides for me. How about you? Does God provide for you? Can you think of anything this week that He has done for you? Did you stop to give Him praise?

Psalms 119:169-172 says
169 Let my mournful cry and supplication come [near] before You, O Lord; give me understanding (discernment and comprehension) according to Your word [of assurance and promise].

170 Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word!

171 My lips shall pour forth praise [with thanksgiving and renewed trust] when You teach me Your statutes.

172 My tongue shall sing [praise for the fulfillment] of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.

I just can't get over how much God loves us and when we cry out to Him, He really does listen to our heartfelt cry. His ears are open to us. He gives us understanding and the promise that everything will be ok. Even before God answers, we should be giving Him the sacrifice of praise. I was looking for a scripture "The Lord inhabits the praise of His people." I looked it up in several places so not sure it is a scripture or I just think it is. Anyway, my point is God loves it when we give Him praise no matter what we are going through. Praise His Holy Name.

Father, help each of us as we go about our day to remember to give you praise. It doesn't matter what we are going through, your Word says to praise you continually, so help us Father, to learn to do that. Praise your Holy Name.

Have a super day,

Joy

Standing Taller!

Good morning,

It is a damp, cloudy day here on the farm at this moment. It still is beginning to feel like spring. If I keep saying that one day it will be.

I was talking to Fawnie on Monday, her grandson is in the hospital and several of us have been praying not only for him, but the family as a whole. She told me that Sunday she got up feeling taller, like a heavy load had been lifted. Her daughter called her that day and let them know Nicholas was doing better.
I told her we sing a song in church "I'm standing taller than I've ever stood before"
The words to the chorus are
"I'm standing on the rock Christ Jesus
The gates of hell shall not prevail
and when the winds begin to blow
I'll not be moved O Lord I know
Cause I'm standing taller than I've ever stood before."

Isn't it wonderful to know that when we are standing on the Word of God, Christ Jesus that no matter what comes our way, we can stand taller, and not be moved. Jesus is waiting for us to know Him more than ever before.

Psalms 92:7-8
7 That though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to be destroyed forever.
8 But You, Lord, are on high forever.

I am so thankful that the Lord is on our side. He will lead us and guide us into all truth. In Psalms 96 it tells us to SING unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless His name: shew forth His salvation from day to day. That is my desire to sing a new song unto my Lord and Savior.

Father, bless and keep your hand upon each of us today. Lord may we learn to sing a new song unto you. Father, help us to get out of the rut or box of religion and to come to know you in a new way. Help us to be free to worship you with our hearts and not just from our lips. Thank you, Father.

Have a super day!
Joy

My Heart is not my own!

Good morning,

What a wonderful morning to wake up. It is a super bright day here. The SON is shining down on the farm and into my heart.

Topic for Today: Christ
Since He looked upon me my heart is not my own. He hath run away to heaven with it. Samuel Rutherford

Deuteronomy 7:9

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.”

I John 3:1-2
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Isn't it wonderful to know that when God came into our heart, he ran away to heaven with it. God loved us before we were even born. He made a covenant of love not only to us but to a thousand generations. WOW! That is hard for me to imagine. We are the sons/daughters of God. He has prepared everything for us, both here on earth and in heaven. Just makes me want to SHOUT HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU JESUS!

Father, thank you, for this beautiful day you have made just for us. Thank you, for your many blessings you give us each and every day. Thank you, for your love. We praise your Holy Name.
Have a great praise filled day!
Joy

God will hear you!

"God, you promise to come to my rescue. When I'm in trouble, I just need to trust you."

Psalms 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Isn't it absolutely super wonderful to know without the shadow of a doubt, that we can call upon our merciful God when we are in trouble. Knowing He will deliver us so we can give Him the glory. I believe the last part is the KEY. When He has answered us and delivered us then we have a requirement of Him. We are to glorify Him. Too many times we forget to even thank Him when He fulfills His promises. We are quick to run to Him when trouble strikes, but what about running to Him at all times. What about beginning our mornings when we first wake up in praise to Him. I don't know about you, but when I begin to give Him praise before I ever get out of bed, my whole day goes better.

Sis. Bristow at church said "I want to just love on the Lord. I want to just wrap my arms around Him in a big hug." I decided that is the way I want to begin my day and end my day to just to love on the Lord.

Father, thank you for your love for each of us. Thank you that when trouble comes all we have to do is call upon you expecting you to deliver us. Help us to learn to just love on you and to wrap our arms around you. Thank you for healing for our loved ones as well as ourselves. Praise your Holy Name!

Love in Christ,
Joy

God Listens!

Good morning,

It is a wonderful morning here on the farm. There is a beautiful sunrise.

"God, you know I have lots to say - Thank you for listening to me today."

Have you ever tried to talk to someone, only to realize they really aren't listening to you at all? Sometimes they appear to be listening, and other times you know they are miles away. God is not like that.

Psalms 116:1-2
1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

God always listens to us. He loves us and cares about us. No matter what we do, God is only a whisper away and will hear us, even when we haven't talked to Him in a while.

Father, Thank you for always hearing us and listening to us. Thank you for paying attention to every detail of our life. Bless each of us today with extra strength, joy, and love for each other I pray. Thank you, Father.

Have a great day!