What if?

This song touches my heart and just felt like posting the words:
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Courtesy of lyricshall.com
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Praying that each of us learn to trust in the Lord in the bad times just as well
as we do in the good.

Hugs,

Holly

WHEN WE DESIRE DIRECTION

Psalms 37:3-4 (NASB) "Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord ; And He will give you the desires of your heart."

Trust in the Lord and do good! Lately I have found myself dwelling on things instead of laying all things in the Lord’s hand. God is the only one capable of handling the important details of our lives. I tend to over analyze things when I know the truths of the bible.

If my thoughts are not true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy as Phillipians 4:8 speaks of then it is time to get my thoughts to line up with what the word tells me to think on.

When we desire direction from God, what do we do?
I know from experience that it is our nature to think on a certain issue at hand, then possibly run to others and talk about our issues and if we aren’t careful we begin to let negative thoughts take root in our heart and risk becoming bitter and not better from the experience.
Today I pray that the following scripture may touch someone’s heart as they have mine today and gently remind us that no one is perfect and we all fall short of the glory of God~

Psalm 25:9
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path

Proverbs 2:6-9
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course.

Isaiah 30:21
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left'

What to do when we feel wounded

How many times have we been offended or hurt at our church?

I’m sure each of us has experienced hurt or disappointment in others. What do we do during these times? Do we withdraw from others or do we run to God and his word for the answer?
I find peace in searching the scriptures and asking for direction from God.
God’s word reassures me that we are all IMPERFECT PEOPLE and that our early Brothers in Christ weren’t perfect either and boy does that help when I’m struggling with
every day life…..  The scripture below is a good example of Peter walking in his own flesh and not walking and trusting in what Jesus was teaching:
Paul Opposes Peter
11But(U) when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him(V) to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For before certain men came from James,(W) he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing(X) the circumcision party. 13And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that their(Y) conduct was not in step with(Z) the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas(AA) before them all, "If you, though a Jew,(AB) live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"

Did this cause the Lord not to love Peter or refuse to use him any longer? NO…..
God responds with mercy and forgiveness just as we should respond that same way.
The danger that I do see in this scripture though is that the sin of Peter even caused
Barnabas to be led astray?

What do we do then?
Ask God to help us feel concern for someone who wounds or disappoints us. Then pray for him or her. Prayer can change things! I know that at times I can become prideful and start trying to pick the specks from my Brothers eye and not see the log hanging out of my own. It is my prayer today that God direct each of us and grants us wisdom and understanding to his ways and not our own!

Why do we Pray?

Why Do We Pray?
We had this discussion at our cell group last night and I became passionate over some of the responses…….. I believe that all scripture is the word of God. that James 5:16 is telling us that our prayers are heard and they are responded to by a God of MERCY AND GRACE. In James it says “ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Searching scripture this morning and I realize it is much - but we can't just pull out parts of the scripture - I think its important to know the "whole portion" that we are discussing in order to hear what God was saying at that time and to us today.
God's Character NEVER CHANGES..... He is Sovereign... But do our prayers cause him to
choose mercy, forgiveness, patience???? Do our prayers change our own hearts to line up with his will?
Dear Lord.... It is my prayer that you bring light to your word and cause us to understand your perfect ways and grant us wisdom and knowledge as we seek you with all of our heart!

11And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people(Q) despise me? And how long will they not(R) believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? 12I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I(S) will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they."
Moses Intercedes for the People
13But(T) Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them, 14and they will tell the inhabitants of this land.(U) They have heard that you, O LORD, are in the midst of this people. For you, O LORD, are seen face to face, and(V) your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. 15Now if you kill this people as one man, then the nations who have heard your fame will say, 16'It is because the LORD(W) was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them that he has killed them in the wilderness.' 17And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, 18(X) 'The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty,(Y) visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.' 19Please(Z) pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just(AA) as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now."
God Promises Judgment
20Then the LORD said, "I have pardoned,(AB) according to your word.

2 Kings 20
Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery
1(A) In those days(B) Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD,(C) 'Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.'" 2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, 3"Now, O LORD,(D) please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and(E) with a whole heart,(F) and have done what is good in your sight."(G) And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: 5"Turn back, and say to Hezekiah(H) the leader of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father:(I) I have heard your prayer;(J) I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD, 6and I will add fifteen years to your life.

1 Chronicles 21
David’s Census Brings Pestilence
1(A) Then(B) Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 2So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, "Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number." 3But Joab said, "May the LORD add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?" 4But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. 5And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were(C) 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, and in Judah 470,000 who drew the sword. 6(D) But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab.
7But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. 8And David said to God, "I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please(E) take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly." 9And the LORD spoke to Gad, David’s(F) seer, saying, 10"Go and say to David, 'Thus says the LORD, Three things I offer you; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.'" 11So Gad came to David and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Choose what you will: 12either(G) three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the LORD, pestilence on the land, with the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.' Now decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me." 13Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man."
14So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell. 15And God sent the angel to Jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was about to destroy it, the LORD saw, and he(H) relented from the calamity. And he said to the angel who was working destruction, "It is enough; now stay your hand." And the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 16And David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders,(I) clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. 17And David said to God, "Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people."
David Builds an Altar
18Now(J) the angel of the LORD had commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19So David went up at Gad’s word, which he had spoken in the name of the LORD. 20Now Ornan was threshing wheat. He turned and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. 21As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out from the threshing floor and paid homage to David with his face to the ground. 22And David said to Ornan, "Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the LORD—give it to me at its full price—that the plague may be averted from the people." 23Then Ornan said to David, "Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for the wood and the wheat for a grain offering; I give it all." 24But King David said to Ornan, "No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing." 25So David paid Ornan(K) 600 shekels[a] of gold by weight for the site. 26And David built there an altar to the LORD and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the LORD, and the LORD[b](L) answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. 27Then the LORD commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.
28At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there. 29For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering(M) were at that time in the high place at Gibeon, 30but David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD.
Exodus 32
The Golden Calf
1When the people saw that Moses(A) delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him,(B) "Up, make us gods who shall(C) go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." 2So Aaron said to them, "Take off the(D) rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." 3So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4(E) And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden[a] calf. And they said,(F) "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" 5When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron(G) made proclamation and said, "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD." 6And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And(H) the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up(I) to play.
7And the LORD said to Moses,(J) "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have(K) corrupted themselves. 8They have turned aside quickly out of the way that(L) I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" 9And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold,(M) it is a stiff-necked people. 10Now therefore(N) let me alone, that(O) my wrath may burn hot against them and(P) I may consume them, in order that(Q) I may make a great nation of you."
11But(R) Moses implored the LORD his God and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12(S) Why should the Egyptians say, 'With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your burning anger and(T) relent from this disaster against your people. 13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you(U) swore by your own self, and said to them,(V) 'I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.'" 14And the LORD(W) relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
The People of Nineveh Repent
6The word reached[c] the king of Nineveh, and(F) he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth,(G) and sat in ashes. 7And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh,(H) "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor(I) beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8but let man and(J) beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God.(K) Let everyone turn from his evil way and from(L) the violence that is in his hands. 9(M) Who knows? God may turn and relent(N) and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish."
10When God saw what they did,(O) how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Jeremiah 18
The Potter and the Clay
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2"Arise, and go down to(A) the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words." 3So I went down to(B) the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4And the vessel he was making of clay was(C) spoiled in the potter’s hand, and(D) he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
5Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6"O house of Israel,(E) can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD.(F) Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will(G) pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken,(H) turns from its evil,(I) I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 9And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will(J) build and plant it, 10and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.

Hosea 11
The LORD’s Love for Israel
1(A) When Israel was a child,(B) I loved him,
and out of Egypt I(C) called(D) my son.
2(E) The more they were called,
the more they went away;
(F) they kept sacrificing to the Baals
and burning offerings to idols.
3Yet it was(G) I who taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them up by their arms,
but they did not know that(H) I healed them.
4(I) I led them with cords of kindness,[a]
with the bands of love,
and(J) I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
and(K) I bent down to them and fed them.
5(L) They shall not[b] return to the land of Egypt,
but(M) Assyria shall be their king,
(N) because(O) they have refused to return to me.
6(P) The sword shall rage against their cities,
consume the bars of their gates,
and devour them(Q) because of their own counsels.
7My people are bent(R) on turning away from me,
and though(S) they call out to the Most High,
he shall not raise them up at all.
8How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
(T) How can I make you(U) like Admah?
How can I treat you(V) like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9I will not execute my burning anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
(W) for I am God and not a man,
(X) the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.[c]

Speak to your Storm

DEUTERONOMY 30:19
19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and
cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your
descendants may live;

This scripture speaks to my heart. The Lord gives us choices.
We have the freedom to choose and the responsibility to choose.

All throughout the New Testament we read examples of where God warns us to resist the devil. So if the devil is still playing a part in our lives – do we say “The devil mad me do it” or do we accept responsibility that we CHOSE TO DO IT?

I know in my daily life I often make choices that are based on my own fleshly desires instead of the word of God and his commands.

So instead of blaming God for the situations that we end up in that are messy and in need of repair, we actually accept the responsibility of our choice that landed us there. Would that change our hearts?

Is it fair to expect God to do what he has called and required us to do?

We have to speak to the storms in our own lives. We can’t blame God for the wreck if we aren’t speaking to the storm.


MATTHEW 12:36-37
36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak,
they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words
you will be condemned."

Lord help me to not speak idle words but words that edify and build up others!

When We Are Weak

MATTHEW 26:41
41 "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into
temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

SAY THIS: I will "pray through" every day.
It has been quite some time since I posted anything from the heart. For a time I thought that maybe writing a journal on a my blog wasn't really necessary. Today I believe that any time we can lift the name of Jesus HIGH we should do just that.
Many times we become busy with life, ministry, family, friends and forget why we are doing those things. Is it not to bring glory to the King. To allow others to see Christ in us by our actions and our love?

Today it is my prayer that I will walk that narrow path of Holy living in order to bring glory to God and that others may desire what I have. People in our lives may not always understand our heart for the Lord. They may even attack us at every turn because darkness never enjoys the light shining on their sin...... BUT GOD!
What joy when the Holy Spirit knocks on their heart and they actual respond! Is it not worth it to witness that? :)

Today we may each have a situation that is causing us to want to react in the flesh, but God has called us to a higher calling. His word promises that if we keep watching and praying that we will draw on the strength of the Holy Spirit within us.

Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Prayer

A holy life requires daily prayer. God expects us to have a daily prayer life. Through prayer we receive strength and Spiritual guidance from God.

It is my prayer that this devotional helps remind you in a gentle way to seek the Lord daily, just as it has my spirit.

In Christ,

Holly :)

FOCUS

COLOSSIANS 1:18
He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have
first place in everything.

Does Jesus have first place in your life and in your schedule? If
not, why not? True Christianity is not a religion based on rules and rituals,
but a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

I struggle in this area from time to time. I can get caught up in trying to do right and not sin. Is that what I should be doing? I really do believe I should focus more on God instead of my sin. The more I focus on God the less I naturally sin. Again I’m reminded that I can’t do anything in my own strength but I can do all things through CHRIST.
It is only through his spirit working in me that I can be pleasing to him. I can’t earn it or do enough good deeds to merit his grace.

This morning one of my devotionals asked this question: Do we serve something or someone as a substitute to Jesus?

We can even become BUSY with doing good things for God and leave out the most important ingredient.

I don't want to waste my time focusing on my failures and dwelling on my sin. God is more than capable of taking my sin and forgiving me when I do make mistakes and fall short! Its as simple as confessing,asking for his forgiveness and praying that the Holy Spirit dwell in my heart BIG in order to live a life that is pleasing to God.
I’m praying that today we can each have the same focus in life and that our main focus will remain to be JESUS!


Hugs,

Holly

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday I wrote about my struggle with the ole flesh! This morning I read this scripture:
2 KINGS 6:17
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes
that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young
man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

What we see with our physical eyes is not all that's happening. Isn't God always right on time?
This mornings scripture assures my heart even more that just because I may see and think one thing, doesn't mean that God isn't at work behind the scenes working on others hearts just as he does mine.

It is easy to focus on what we see instead of walking in faith believing those things we call out. Believing that our Sons and Daughters are saved and claiming that. God tells us that we must ask BELIEVING, not doubt that he can ever answer us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ACTS 26:18
18 'to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are
sanctified by faith in Me.'

This is my prayer today. That God would open the eyes of my loved ones (and me) to see his truth and his light. To share that light with the world and the unlovable. Way to often we love the ones that love us back.

I'm reminded today that this is not what Jesus calls us to. He calls us to love those that are our enemies even.

Thankful this Thursday for the Word! For his gentle reminders as he speaks softly to my heart any time I quiet myself and actually HEAR HIM.

Hugs,

Holly

WHERE OUR PEACE COMES FROM

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). This is the same peace the Bible describes as passing all understanding. (Phil. 4:7)

I’ve been struggling in this area lately. I have been wearing my feelings on my shoulders for the past few days. I have been picking certain issues up each morning and putting them on just like I would put a shirt on.

The other day I allowed an issue to just penetrate my heart. Nothing huge, just enough to eat at my heart the more I dwelled on it. I tried talking to myself, telling myself I was being silly and self absorbed. Then I tried to work it off. Get busy and stop thinking…
Well, I’m sure you know what happened as soon as I sat down for a minute after working? Yeap… There it was – taunting me – You know they don’t love you. You know deep down that they don’t want you in their lives, etc. etc. etc.

Finally………….. After trying with all that is within me to get my mind off of the issue at hand I decided to open the word of God. Immediately he began to speak to my heart and I read his ways. Love is patient and kind… Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. That we may suffer light afflictions and even great afllictions BUT GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God is where our peace comes from. I don’t have to allow my heart to be troubled. I can share my burdens with the Lord and leave them there. Knowing and trusting that he is working behind the scenes AT ALL TIMES. That I can have faith that things UNSEEN are being worked on. That he is always, always, always tugging at the lost and their hearts drawing them to him. It will only be through Christ that others will love the way that he desires us to love one another and he is the only one that can penetrate harden hearts and cause forgiveness.

Trusting today that God loves the lost more than I will ever love them. Even when its family. Praying this day to allow Christ to shine through me and cause me to love others NO MATTER WHAT and to never be irritable or resentful~

In Christ,

Holly

Momma

Honoring Momma with my Life

First of all I would like to print the following poem that reminds me of my Momma:

She could not paint, nor write, nor rhyme
Her footprints on the sands of time,
As some distinguished women do;
Just simple things of life she knew –
She was no singer, neither blessed
With any special loveliness
To win applause and passing fame;
No headlines ever blazed her name.
But, oh, she was a shining light
To all her loved ones, day and night!
Her home her kingdom, she its queen;
Her reign was faithful, honest, clean,
Impartial, loving, just, to each
And every one she sought to teach.
Her name? Of course, there is no other
In all the world so sweet – just Mother!

Proverbs 4:5-13
Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.) The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you) if you embrace her.
9She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown."
Hear, my son, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
As we live our lives, do we see the positive values of our parents emerging more and more? As we live our lives, do we gain new understanding and insights as to how our parents were right after all? As we live our lives, do we gain more wisdom and suddenly realize that the wisdom we have discovered sounds a lot like what our parents told us so many years ago? We should. This is part of the growing up process.
Whether your Mom is no longer with you as in my case, or whether you are blessed to still have your Mom to encourage and support you, remember that our lives are a reflection of what Mom has tried to train us to be. What do our actions tell the world? Do we honor or dishonor our Mom? Let us live our lives in such a manner that we honor our Moms. May everyone know that we had parents that loved us enough to teach us the right way to do things. I can’t think of a better way to honor our Moms on this Mother’s Day!

SIT DOWN!

Exodus 2:11-15 (English Standard Version)

Moses Flees to Midian
11One day,(A) when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their(B) burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.[a] 12He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he(C) struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13When(D) he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, "Why do you strike your companion?" 14He answered,(E) "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid, and thought, "Surely the thing is known." 15When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But(F) Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by(G) a well.

When the self-life finally sits down, the well of a new life lies near. When will we ever learn that? Sitting down goes against the grain. Yet when that broken forty-year-old named Moses finally slumped to the ground at the end of a self-driven life, fresh water (spiritual water) was readily available...........

Sit down and be still. Its amazing what God is capable and ready to do in our lives if we just stop and sit down. Then maybe we will have ears to hear what he is trying to say to us..... THIS WAS GOOD WORD FOR ME TODAY!

Have a blessed weekend,

Holly

GOD CARES ABOUT DETAIL.................

LUKE 12:7
7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't
be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

ISAIAH 41:13
13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right
hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

The above scriptures really spoke to me this morning. At times
we can go through life feeling like we are in control and the only
one that can take care of ourselves.

God's word speaks differently. God's word reminds me that I'm not
in this alone. That he is concerned about even the smallest details
of our life, down to the very hairs on our head.

I pray that this serves as a great reminder to each and every one of
us that God is and always will be in control of every aspect of our lives.
The good and the bad. He cares deeply for our souls.

I don't know about you, but it sure is reassuring and a great comfort to
consider he is taking hold of my hand each and every day!

Today I'm very thankful that my Father is a part of my life and walking beside
me and not just a God that isn't aware of each and every moment!

Have a blessed weekend,

Holly

LETS START A FIRE!

In David’s psalm of repentance, Psalm 51:10-13, he says,

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.

This is my prayer this morning. Begin in me Lord. Cleanse my heart and restore my Joy IN YOU!

Elton Trueblood, a Quaker scholar wrote that “Evangelism occurs when Christians are so ignited by their contact with Christ that they in turn set other fires. It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out.”

I never want to burn out or fizzle to the point that I stop GOING and SPREADING, DO YOU?

Today I challenge each of you to seek the Lord with all of your heart in order to reach those hearts that are lost and without Christ.

Hugs,

Holly

GOD IS GREAT

How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. (Job 36:26)

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. (Psalm 145:3-6)

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ ... (Ephesians 2:4-5a)



I chose these scriptures because they spoke to my heart personally.

Just like Job… How GREAT IS GOD – and it is certainly beyond my understanding and the thought that his numbers are past finding out. THAT GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN is more than I can imagine?



The second scripture spoke out to me because this is an area that I desire to share MORE. This scripture jumped out and said MISSIONAL.

That I would share the gospel in such a way that my children and my children’s children would tell of our great God.



The last one sums up the entire message of the gospel. BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE! That is when I cry out Oh my. Because of his RICH MERCY.. I’m now alive. I can see in full view where I once was and where I now am JUST BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE!

WINNING YOU WITHOUT WORDS!

I'm honored to give a review of Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller's new book:
Winning Him Without Words. They have generously given me a free copy of this book to give away. If you are interested in entering for this drawing, please leave your comment and write "enter me".

I can't tell you how much it touched my heart and I know several woman in particular that I'm going to give my book to for the Holy Spirit to speak wisdom in to their hearts in the area of an unequally yoked marriage. If you are in this type of marriage.. Which I know from experience many of us made that leap without regard to what GOD HAD TO SAY ABOUT MARRIAGE... It is my prayer that you will read this book. It will change the way you look at your Spouse and will open your heart to be able to love him the way Christ loves him.

Here is a personal note from Lynn:
Thank you for having me over to your place today. I have to tell you that when I began blogging five years ago, I had no idea what a crazy and fantastic journey God had in store. It’s been a wild ride filled with rich blessings and you are one of them. Thank you.

Who would have guessed that God would take my little website and turn it into a ministry for the thousands of men and women who are unequally yoked? But indeed, our God has great plans and five years later, my passion to serve this community is stronger than ever.

My co-writer, Dineen Miller and I watched the Lord take this ministry a step further this year with the launch of our book, Winning Him Without Words. This is a book written from our personal experience and from a deep place in our hearts and it presents 10 Christ-centered keys to thriving in a spiritual mismatch. Readers are encouraged to commit to Christian community, to release their spouse to God’s capable hands, to believe their marriage is blessed, to pick and choose their battles, and to continue their pursuit of a growing faith and to love their spouse with fresh enthusiasm.

In the book I share, “It matters not how we came to be in our crazy, mixed-up and unexpected marriage situations. What matters is that God desires that we honor our marriage commitment and fulfill our marriage vows through His power and His strength. There were many years of confusion, sadness and unfulfilled expectations, but I discovered it’s possible to love, live and thrive in an unequally yoked marriage.”

Both Dineen and I are Christian women who continue to live and thrive in our spiritually unequally yoked marriages and we believe that God wants every marriage to exude peace and love.

Chapters include:

• Know You’re Not Alone: (Lynn) Recognizing that we aren’t the only person living in an unequally yoked marriage is a key aspect to restoring hope. Having Christ in our lives enables us to view our husbands as the wonderful man God created, regardless of your different beliefs.

• Don’t Save Your Husband – Save Yourself: (Lynn) The best thing I ever did was to get out of the way so that Jesus could be Jesus. I relinquished control and turned my man completely over to Christ and an unexpected, peaceful freedom emerged in our marriage.

• Trade Perfection for Authenticity: (Dineen) I came to understand that many of my disappointments had come from expectations I’d placed upon him to fulfill needs he wasn’t even aware of. In the end, all I really accomplished was a heart full of resentment.

• Keep Your Armor On-You’re at War! (Dineen) Instead of putting on the label of martyr in a spiritually mismatched marriage, we need to put on the label of missionaries. We need to think of ourselves as soldiers on the front lines of our marriages. Other chapters include parenting children in an unequally yoked marriage, praying into the life of your spouse and scriptures to encourage and strengthen you.

Winning Him Without Words empowers readers to create that environment in their homes and thrive as God works.

About Winning Him Without Words:

Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller. Published by Regal Books. February 2011. Trade Paper, 224 pages. $14.99.

You can find more information at our website and enter the drawing for the Marriage Trio. www.winninghimwithoutwords.com

Thank you for allowing me to share the hope I have for my marriage through the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Hugging you, Lynn Donovan

WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?

Why Should We Pray?

Today I have prayer on my heart. So many times I run to my friends and family when I’m hurt or need council for a certain area in my life. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m a firm believer in good, Godly counsel.

Today, However, I feel such urgency in my spirit to reach out to the final Authority in my life.

By Him, all things are possible. Jesus says in Mark 10:27, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible but not with God. Everything is possible with God."

I had a dear Sister in Christ call today in regard to her lost Husband. My flesh was thinking “Why don’t you just leave him!” Then I heard that still small voice.
Why not pray for his soul……………………….OH MY!
Why not? Why wasn’t that my first thought. Each and every day I’m confronted with a moment where I see my heart of flesh!

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!

Daniel 9:18 tells us: “We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so merciful.” (Mercy means showing favor, compassion, and kindness.)

I didn’t DESERVE SALVATION. It was a gift. Just as this wayward Husband doesn’t DESERVE MERCY, KINDNESS OR GRACE! BUT GOD…………………………

Help me Father to love all people. Regardless of who I THINK THEY ARE. Help me see them through the blood of your Son just as you see me! Forgive my heart of flesh and help me to have a heart of Christ!

In Jesus name I pray,

SON-SHINE NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROMANS 14:1-3
14:1 Now receive the one who is weak in the faith, and do not have disputes over differing opinions. 2 One person believes in eating everything, but the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not despise the one who does not, and the one who abstains must not judge the one who eats everything, for God has accepted him.
Ray Stedman wrote:
The story has often been told of the culprits who entered a department store at night and stole nothing—they simply switched the price tags. Refrigerators sold for $9.95 while candy bars were $500.
While I was attending seminary several years ago, the most amazing realization of my study of the New Testament was that someone had switched the labels on the strong and the weak. I had always been taught that the strong Christian was the one who knew he couldn’t. He couldn’t smoke, drink, dance or go to movies. And she couldn’t wear lipstick or make-up. The strong Christian is “… someone who lives in mortal terror that someone, somewhere, is enjoying himself.”114 The weak Christian was the one who spoke of liberty.
Have you ever felt as though your Christian Character was under fire? How do we respond when this happens? I believe that we should respond in love. At times however I have felt my hair stand up and I feel the need to defend myself. That isn’t always the right way is it?
While two Christians may disagree over whether or not a Christian should drink wine or eat only vegetables, no Christian should dispute the fact that lying, stealing, and immorality are sin. These are biblical and moral absolutes!
So in the end we must make a stand. To stand on the inerrant word of God, pray for wisdom and guidance to make Godly decisions and choices and to pray that others see Christ in our lives. It is my prayer that others will see Christ before they see Me.

God will bring you up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up."
Psalm 71:20 (NIV)
One of my morning devotionals started with this scripture! It spoke to my heart today.

How many of us have had a life that has been free of trouble? Not mine for certain.
I’m sure many of you can reflect back on your childhood, your marriage, your family
life and recall times that weren’t so pleasant.
I walked through periods in my life when my Dad and Mom weren’t serving the Lord but
they would still allow me to ride the bus to Sunday school every Sunday. My Brother
and I were still hearing the word even during seasons of our lives when we weren’t
seeing a righteous life displayed.

God’s word is always TRUE! Even though we walk through many troubles and they seem
Bitter……. GOD WILL RESTORE OUR LIVES AGAIN.
In the end…………..My parents came to know the Lord. My Mom became my 4th
grade Sunday school teacher and my Dad attends and serves his local church as well.
Even in our adult lives – My Brother and I may not have walked a life without sorrow
But I have watched God restore life many times in both his life as well as my own.

Thanking God today for his word and the fact that he is with us through all trials
and testing in this life. Preparing us for his glory and his work to be done here
on earth!

RESTORATION

Galatians 5:25–6:2
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

As we live together with other sinners in a world full of sin, this scripture spoke volumes to my heart today! So many times we see how WRONG someone else is and don't seem to view our own sin under that same light.

Prayerfully, when we go to the word of God it will cause us to examine our OWN HEARTS before we pass judgment so quickly over our Brother or Sisters in Christ.

It is my desire that we all focus on the love of Christ in such a way that we reflect his image and not our own. After all, Isn't our natural image sin without the grace of Christ flowing through us?

Thankful for God's inerrant word that always SPEAKS TRUTH TO OUR HEARTS and his Holy Spirit that brings us to "true repentance".....


Hugs,

Holly :)

"Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty."—Hosea 10:2.

How many of you struggle with what you are feeling verses what is right. A HEART DIVIDED. Charles Spurgeon describes a divided heart as a "disease" and what surgeon can join together a divided heart.... Nothing but Omnipotent grace can overcome this disease!

Don't you wish you could just have surgery to repair the many things in life that can cause your heart to divide or feel that it is splitting into.

I'm sure many of you can relate to relationships that have caused your heart to break and in your flesh you want to put band aids on it and fix it yourself. Truth is, there are relationships and issues in this life that only God has the power to change or affect the outcome.

Why do we struggle with trusting God for each and every aspect of our lives. Is God all we need? Is God enough? Is God BIG ENOUGH to be the answer to all my prayers! OF COURSE HE IS.

I'm praying today that my life be transformed into a life of TRUST and not inconsistency. Isn't that what happens when our heart is divided!

Praying for the lost today and the faith to trust in God that he loves even that one sheep that has strayed MORE THAN I EVER COULD!

Hugs,

Holly

OUR DAILY BREAD

This morning I woke up thinking about my weight, my health, my organizational skills, the need to study God's word more, etc. etc. etc.

Basically... I was focused on ME! While working on my homework for a study we are doing at church called "Radical". My heart began to switch over to Godly desires.
Shouldn't I wake hungry for what is truly my daily bread. Shouldn't I hunger and thirst after the Lord.

Amos 8:11 says:
Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD,
When I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water,
But rather for hearing the words of the LORD.

Isn't this what goes on in our flesh at times. We fill up our mind with our own thoughts, wishes and desires when all he requires is our complete submission and surrender to his word!

When my heart submits to his word, its amazing how my thoughts line up as well. Today I desire the bread of life vs the bread of this world!

Hugs,

Holly

Thankful Thursday: Friendship!

PROVERBS 27:9
Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart.

Today I am so very thankful for Godly Friendships. I have an amazing on line group of ladies that are passionate about the gospel and have a heart for Christ and other woman that are hurting or in need. Today is our one year anniversary together!
It doesn't seem possible that Claudia started our group a year ago. Thank you Claudia for your dear sweet heart. I put the picture above because I just felt like it represented what I would love to do with this group of ladies. We have never met in person but we have certainly grown to love each and every heart in our group. One day it would be amazing to share that big ole cup of coffee with them as well as aface to face meeting!

I'm also a part of a cell family at our church "The Bridge" that has become my FAMILY! They have helped keep me grounded and focused on TRUTH and the GOSPEL.........

Thanking God today for a wonderful group of friends - or should I say FAMILY! :)

Hugs,

Holly

SUMS IT ALL UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote by John Piper:

Love must be God-centered, or it is not true love; it leaves people without their final hope of joy.

Leaving the past in the past?

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"
Isaiah 43:18,19a

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I have always struggled in this area. The past has many HAPPY MEMORIES as well as SAD MISTAKES that I wish I could go back and change!

So many days I feel like Paul when he says:
For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

Today my thoughts are for lost loved ones who are very dear to my heart! I pray that they realize they are lost! So many times I go back to the past and desire for things to be like they once were. Then I have to focus on what is true?
What does God desire for TODAY?

Then I can rest in the Lord and trust that as long as I'm living my life for him that he holds tomorrow. I don't have to try and figure it out because he already has ALL THINGS UNDER CONTROL and the only thing I have to focus on is loving him with all of my heart and loving others the same way he loved me!

So for today I won't dwell on yesterday, but I will remember it and praise the Lord that I'm not who I once was but becoming who he had planned me to be. Desiring to have a heart that others can see CHRIST through!

Praying today for our family and friends that they will have ears to hear and the holy spirit will soften their hearts to answer his call!


Holly

Beauty for ashes

Just had to share this devotion today:

Jesus came to give us beauty instead of ashes. To transform the
ashes of our life into something beautiful -- for His glory.

As I was walking one day, I came upon a tree. It was short,
twisted, and poorly shaped. Obviously, it had faced many storms
and had suffered greatly. To be honest, the tree itself, was
ugly.

But that day something transformed that ugly tree into
something gloriously beautiful, and very pleasant to look at.
It was covered with little pink flowers. In fact, the tree was
bursting with life coming from inside its gnarled branches.

As I looked at the tree, enjoying the beautiful sight, it
reminded me of us as believers -- who may not be very desirable
on our own -- but with Jesus' life and love flowing through us
-- we become glorious creatures.

So no matter how twisted and ugly you may have become because
of the storms of life, if you allow Jesus to live and manifest
through you, everyone will see beauty instead of ashes and
ugliness.

JEREMIAH 17:7-8 NLT
7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made
the LORD their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots
that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by
the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves
stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Tuesday's Thoughts!

ROMANS 5:5 NKJ
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has
been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given
to us.

Even though we have the love of God in our hearts, we still
have to choose to allow it to control our actions and reactions
toward people. In this, as in every area, we must look to the
Lord for His help.

Today I woke up with this over whelming feeling of God and his amazing LOVE!
Thinking about how that love affects our attitude toward others here on earth....
I realize today that the only way I love others is only because Christ loved me first
sooooooooooo much! I don't know WHY HE LOVED ME? I'm blown away that he does.
From my seat's view... I would think.. Man... that girl messed up sooo bad and blew it.... Let her figure it out and deal with the mess..... But he didn't....
God held out his arms, called me back and forgave me! How much more should I do that same for others!

Today I CHOOSE to love like Christ loves................Unconditionally and praying each and every day for his love to shine through me and to use me whenever and wherever he CHOOSES!

Just felt the need to praise God today and voice it OUT LOUD! What a MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,

Holly