Chocolate and Coffee/ A Pastor's Wife

Live It!

2012-01-30T05:45:00.001-05:00

Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and bring Him nearer to our own image.
~ A. W. Tozer ~

Living for Christ requires obedience and submission. It requires a willingness to give up self and follow Christ. It is no longer about me and what I want for my life. Following Christ means putting Him first and seeking His face daily for His complete will in my life. It also requires great sacrifice and unselfishness.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

To give God first place in our life means to turn to Him first for help, to fill our thoughts with His desires, to take His character for our pattern, and to serve and obey Him in everything. What is really important to you? People, objects, goals, and other desires all compete for priority. Any of these can quickly bump God out of first place if we don't actively choose to give Him first place in every area of our lives.

When I read this quote from A. W. Tozer I began to think about the authenticity of my Christian walk. Being real. Walking the talk. Leaving a legacy of Christian influence. Imitating Christ in every area of my life. I crave to be real so others can see Christ in me. I don't ever want to be responsible for leading someone astray because of false actions represented in my walk with the Lord.

Many times Christians give up and bail out during the journey. We fail to discover what God is unfolding around us because we give up before the ride is completed. Some of this response is a product of weak Christianity. We need to prepare ourselves for life's journey and the pitfalls that await us. If we are trying to survive on mere microwave prayers and drive-thru devotions we will never be ready when the enemy comes on the scene.

Then he said to all, "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! Luke 9:23

Accepting Christ and serving Him is not a one time experience. It requires picking up our cross daily, carrying that cross and obeying God's Word. This is where many people fall short of successfully fulfilling God's will for their lives. People often remain in their comfort zones regarding their relationship with Christ and neglect to think about how necessary it is to renew their relationship daily with the Lord. A Sunday morning sermon will not carry us through an entire week of trials and turmoil. Serving Christ is a daily walk with Jesus. It requires cultivating a strong relationship with Christ by reading our Bibles and praying. It means striving to become more like Him every day.

Picking up our cross daily requires demonstrating Godly character and integrity in all areas of our lives. As Christians we are to exemplify Christ in every aspect of our lives. We are to be imitators of Christ. We need to strive to be more like Him instead of us trying to make Him more like us. This life isn't about US. Our focus, goals and ambitions must all be about what He wants for our lives.

So many things today are competing for our attention in this world. Obviously these things are most likely not God things. Many of these things are destructive and will certainly destroy our lives if we weaken to the temptation of the enemy.

As Christians we need to focus on cultivating a contagious attitude so that the unchurched will want what we have regarding our relationship with the Lord. God allowed us to come to Him for salvation even in our imperfect state, while we were still sinners. He is perfect and holy but He didn't wait for us to clean up our act and then allow us to come to Him. He accepted us just the way we were so we could ask God to forgive us right were we were of our sins. He cleansed us and made us white as snow at that moment. He wiped the slate clean. Our sins were forgiven and buried in the deepest seas.

God has a plan and guess what... You and I are in it! Isn't that exciting? He wants to use you and he wants to use me to further the Kingdom of God. That makes my heart jump with excitement. Serving Him is challenging and exciting. We never know what tomorrow will offer but we can know with confidence that our God will be by our side walking with us no matter what the day may bring.

Give Him priority today and thank Him for His awesome plan for your life. Tell Him how much you love Him. We owe God so much for what He has done in each of our lives. Be encouraged. God loves you!

Blessings!

Faith that Moves Mountains

2012-01-23T06:10:00.007-05:00

I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27,28

As I was getting ready for church yesterday morning God clearly gave me this thought. We need to stop confining God to a box of human possibilities. Let's be intentional about believing God for the absolute impossible and watch Him do amazing things! We serve a BIG God who CAN DO ANYTHING! Just believe .......

God's Word clearly states that nothing is impossible with Him. Nothing is too big for the God we serve. It also says that if we have faith the size of a tiny mustard seed, we can move mountains! How many mountains have you moved lately?

God's power has not changed and the mighty presence of the Holy Spirit can still be strong in our worship services weekly but for many churches across the world it isn't........ Have you ever wondered why?

God is sovereign. He is in control of every situation. No matter how hopeless, unpleasant, or discouraging your circumstances are, He has a purpose for them. He has a purpose for you in the midst of the turmoil. And that purpose does not involve giving up or doubting what God can do in your life. It does not involve despair. It does not involve abandoning your faith. It does not involve panicking, lying awake all night worrying and walking around 24/7 stressed to the limit. God isn't at all surprised by what you are facing today.

Matthew 17:20, "....I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Are you facing a mountain today? Praise God because your weakness is God's opportunity to shine. Nothing is impossible for the mighty and powerful God we serve. Speak to your mountains today in the name of Jesus!

The impossible today is well within the reach and ability of God. All you need to do is set your eyes on Jesus. Place your complete trust in Him and allow Him to move in your life. Faith is the key to unlocking the power of God in your life. Just believe...........

Blessings!!

INTENTIONAL IN MY WALK WITH CHRIST!

2012-01-08T06:18:00.002-05:00

I can't believe that we are already into the second week of a brand new year and my calendar is getting very full!!! What about you? It seems the older I get, the busier I become and the faster time seems to fly. The one danger with that busyness is our lack of time with God in devotions and prayer time daily. I am determined in 2012 I am going to dig deeper in Christ. I am reading a book which I highly recommend called The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. If you don't have this book you need to get a copy today! It is inspiring and just what I need at the beginning of this new year.

How often does the enemy mess with your mind? You are aware that feelings of insecurity, inferiority, discouragement and many other negatives in our lives comes directly from the pits of hell! And, when we are tired and weary the doors are sometimes opened wider for these feelings in our lives to come in like a flood.

"The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act."

~ Rick Warren ~

When I read this statement I can't help to think about all the "sad" Christians who are walking around our workplace, neighborhoods and churches, which are constantly dragging their lips across the carpet. Why? Because they have become overburdened with the cares of the world and life has become overwhelming to them. They have lost their joy in the Lord. Even pastor’s wives and ministry women sometimes experience these same feelings. Is that YOU today?

If we think insecure thoughts, we will feel insecure and those around us will recognize our insecurities. If we think we are losers, we will feel like losers and those around us will recognize us as losers. If we think we are defeated, we will feel like we are defeated and those around us will recognize us as being defeated. If we think we are secure in Jesus Christ, saved by the blood of the lamb, pressing towards the prize of heaven, we will feel encouraged and those around us will see us as encourager's. Our attitudes will become contagious and people will want what we have. You are what you think.........

My God is not a loser. He is bigger than anything this world can place upon us. He is our hope. He is our future. He is our encourager and He loves us. He cares about us and He is available to us 24/7. When we feel alone in the middle of the night, God is there. When the enemy speaks words of discouragement into our thoughts, God is there to assure us that we are special. We are His creation and He doesn't make mistakes nor does He make junk?

I know I am nothing without Christ. He has made me who I am today. Each day, part of my prayer to Him is, "Lord, may I decrease and you increase." I want to be a light in this dark and hopeless world. The key to our victory in Christ is spending alone time with our Heavenly Father. We all know that. We preach that to our churches but many times the busyness in our lives crowds out the most important thing we need to do.

Be INTENTIONAL about your TIME with the Lord. The doctor prescribed blood pressure medication for me and I know in order to remain healthy I must take those meds daily. If we desire to remain healthy spiritually, we must take our meds daily. Those meds are spending alone time with Jesus Christ. Studying His Word, meditating on His Word, filling our soul with God’s Word and praying to our God.

Have an incredible and blessed Sunday and an awesome week!

You are loved and appreciated,
Debbie

A Dream List - Why Not?

2012-01-03T06:05:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! So excited to see what God opportunities are in store for me in this new year!

Many times I have been encouraged to write down my goals and dreams both personal and professional. It is interesting to review those goals and dreams several years later and evaluate the list. Some may be accomplished and others may no longer be important to you.

Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it. (Habakkuk 2:2 KJV)

Writing down our goals and dreams - whether personal or professional - is a great tool for keeping them in front of you. As time passes, it's a great encouragement. When you are going through times like you feel you are going nowhere, your list can remind you of everything that you've accomplished. God is the Author and Finisher of your life.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). God knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless hope.

Maybe today is a good day to review your dream list ...........

Blessings and hugs!

Blizzard Blindness

2011-12-20T06:10:00.000-05:00

I don't really like snow. As I get older I despise cold weather and dread driving on snow covered roads. My husband and I pastored a church in Garrett County Maryland for five and half years. Our first winter there we were blessed with over 300 inches of snow!!!! Yippee! I was excited......not!! Anyway, the kids loved it and our son Brandon learned to ski very well during our tenure in that church.

One Christmas we traveled to Hagerstown to visit family for the day. Upon returning late on Christmas evening we encountered a horrific snow storm. There didn't seem to be any road, white lines or pull off area. We drove through incredible "white outs" and finally got off the main highway and decided to travel back roads to our home that night.

I am not kidding you when I tell you that the snow was up to our car bumper. God was with us or we would have never made it through that storm. Our eyes remained intently glued to what we assumed was the road, navigating carefully through the snow. We arrived home safely many hours later.

Do you ever experience days when you feel as though you are in a blizzard? Do you ever feel as though you have no vision as to the future? Are you navigating through a blizzard in your life today?

My Jesus and Savior, can see my road all the way to the destination He has planned for my life. That journey includes many bumps, often curves and numerous blind spots. But He remains with me providing encouragement, comfort and peace daily.

In order for Bobby and I to keep from crashing in that horrible snowstorm, our eyes remained fixed on the road so we didn't end up over an embankment or in a ditch. If I want to keep from crashing each day I need to keep my eyes on Christ, "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2) and follow Him. He will safely navigate us through any storm we face in this life.

Dear Jesus, help save me from today's blizzard. Fill my heart and soul with you Lord, so my life's desire is to do your will. Help me to focus on YOU God and not me. Amen.

Blessings friends!

Has Something Stolen Your Christmas?

2011-12-08T06:15:00.000-05:00

Christmas is far more than gifts and a wish list. It is about a Savior who came to give you and me eternal life in heaven. It is about accepting God's free gift of salvation. It is about walking with Christ so that one day we will spend eternity in a beautiful place with our Heavenly Father.

In a culture, which is increasingly secularized, there are many people who have no clue what Christmas truly means. Christmas in the eyes of the world is combing the stores in frustration. It is searching the Christmas tree lots for just the right tree. It is listening to dogs barking to the tune of “Jingle Bells”. The world is offering a hollow and shallow substitute for the true meaning of Christmas.

The controversies surrounding Christmas have been all over the media again this year. The Christ-child is being asked to leave more and more places. But isn’t that the reality of Christmas? A child is born into the world and the world ignores him. He was unwelcome the first Christmas and many wanted to destroy him. His teachings are still regarded as dangerous by many. We are expected to celebrate Christmas but we are not supposed to remember why. People are still offended at him. People still reject him. People still try to forget him and ignore his presence.

The Gospel of John gives us the true meaning of Christmas. It says: “Now this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). What would it have been like if Jesus never came? What would the story of our lives be? Without his coming there is no meaning, there is no reason. But because he came we can experience a true and fulfilling purpose for our lives.

This is a season to be thankful for all of God's blessings and to be reminded of the gift God gave to each of us. This is a time of year to give and to bless others as God has blessed us. It is so easy to be overwhelmed by all the demands of the holidays. Let's remember why we celebrate Christmas. Don’t allow stress to rob you of your Christmas. Focus on today and prioritize your schedule. Make time for daily devotions and prayer. Even in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays nothing is more important than our relationship with the Lord.

Don't allow your Christmas to be stolen. It can happen when you least expect it. Stay focused during this very busy season. After all Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas! It's such a wonderful time of the year!

Loneliness of Ministry

2011-12-04T06:05:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends!

I trust we are all into the hustle and bustle of the holiday schedule! It happens every year……. We have so much to do during Christmas that often times it is a challenge to find time to sit and relax in front of the Christmas tree. I love Christmas and I love sitting in the house at night with all the lights off except the Christmas trees. I have to make a concerted effort to find that time where I can escape life’s struggles and RELAX! I pray that you will also find time to enjoy the holiday. You deserve it!

Even in the midst of all the shopping, baking, cooking, wrapping gifts, cantata practices, parties, etc., we can find ourselves lonely. Ever been there? How can we possibly feel lonely as pastor’s wives and ministry women? After all, there are people around us all the time but It happens to me and I know it happens to you also. It hurts when you are in the middle of the holiday activities, around a number of people, but feel so alone………………………….

Loneliness can manifest as an inner ache or a craving for affection. Its side effects include feelings of emptiness, uselessness, or purposelessness. But loneliness can be cured, no matter what the cause. If you are lonely, you can confront it in the name of Jesus Christ.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:7) NIV. Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth, not our peers’. Other people (even sometimes Christians) evaluate and categorize us according to how we perform, what we achieve, and how we look. But God cares for us because we belong to him. So we can face life without fear.

God has promised to be with you always, and to never leave you or forsake you. Pray that God will send you real friends that God Himself has chosen for you. Grasp His promise that He will comfort you and cause you to rejoice. Then get ready for the joy!

Merry Christmas dear friends!

Love and appreciate you,
Debbie

Tis the Season to be a........................ SERVANT!

2011-12-01T06:05:00.003-05:00

I love Christmas. It isn't about gifts and parties and shopping. It is about touching the lives of those who are in need. It is about doing something for someone who is less fortunate than ourselves. It is about demonstrating the character of Christ in a world that only thinks about themselves.

The greatest among you will be your servant (Matthew 23:11 NIV).

Jesus was frequently challenging society's norms. Greatness comes from serving in God's eyes. Serving keeps our focus from ourselves and on the needs of others.

As Christians, we need to welcome servanthood and practice touching other's lives daily. Whatever God calls us to do, be ready to help someone. Jesus came as a servant...........

Blessings!

The Power of Our Words

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

The power of words and improper use of the tongue can be totally devastating to individuals and families. It causes needless pain and hurt among our church families because people choose not to bridle their tongues and take responsibility for their words and actions. Pastor's families are sometimes damaged beyond repair by the slanderous words and carelessness of the tongue which creates ugly gossip throughout the community.

According to James, godliness involves bridling the free, uninhibited nature of the tongue and actively controlling the direction of our speech so that it becomes productive instead of destructive. To harness the power of navigation, we need to put our hand to the reins, take control of our words, and steer them in a positive direction.

Remind yourself today that where you go depends on what you say. Let's offer words of encouragement to those around us and refuse to be a part of any negative conversation. Don't get caught in the enemy's trap of repeating things that really are none of our business and only brings frustration to those who are the subject matter. Allow God to use you today for His Kingdom in a way that will be positive and uplifting to all those you encounter. Even when the lion continues to roar God continues to reign!!!!

Blessings!

Our True Identity

2011-11-10T08:55:00.000-05:00

I am reminded of a story I read about a rancher who had been hunting in the mountains of West Texas. Up high on a cliff he came across an eagle's nest. He took one of the eagle's eggs back to his ranch and placed it under one of his hens sitting on her eggs. Eventually the eagle's eggs hatched. The mother hen took care of the eaglet along with her baby chicks who hatched at the same time.

The eagle made its home in the barnyard along with the chickens. It ate, slept, and lived just like the chickens. One day an eagle from the nearby mountain swooped down over the barnyard in search of prey. Trying to get her chicks and the eaglet to safety, the mother hen squawked loudly.

As the giant eagle swooped low across the barnyard he also let out a harsh scream - a scream made only by eagles. The young chicks heeded their mother's warning, but the eaglet responded to the call of the eagle. He took flight and ascended, following the eagle to the mountain heights.

The little eagle didn't know who he was. He was trying to be like all those chicks that surrounded him everyday. He didn't have an identity until he heard the loud, harsh scream from another eagle. He was living as a copy and not an original.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6 NIV

Don't settle for the world to tell you who you are! Listen for His call. Seek His face daily. Meditate on His Word and through Christ determine who you are and what your purpose is for the Kingdom of God.

Blessings as you seek Him more!!!

How Do You Respond to the Bark?

2011-11-08T08:04:00.002-05:00

"A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent." John Calvin

I have had dogs as pets all my life. I love them because they are loyal and will love you unconditionally. Even when I arrive home after a very stressful day, they always greet me with wagging tails and are overly excited to see me. I know they will defend me no matter what the circumstance. They would protect me if someone attempted to harm me or my family. Can we say that about our faith in Christ? Where is our loyalty to the Lord? Do we defend our church, pastor and God no matter what situation we may be facing?

Bobby and I have been pastoring for many years and ministry can be challenging. The one thing that frustrates me more than anything else is hearing about people whom consider themselves Christan's but choose to constantly bash the church, the pastor's, God's people and the Lord. How can we do that and think for a second that we are OK in our walk with Christ? And what about folks listening to these people complain and tear down God's Kingdom? How do they respond to the attack? Do they defend God or entertain the criticism? In my opinion, entertaining gossip and refusing to defend the church and pastor's places you on the same level as those who are barking!

As Christians, we must defend the Word of God in all circumstances. To the world we are weird and different but didn't people look at Jesus the same way? He was criticized and ridiculed. Why do we think we will be spared that same type of treatment?

Our world is full of corruption and compromise. People are hurting all around us. They feel hopeless and need Christ. We may be the only Jesus that some will ever see. What kind of Jesus are you portraying to the world? Is your life full of compromise or are you barking for Christ?

Biblical faith is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Regardless of the circumstance, faith in our Lord means that we believe that God can and God will deliver. It also means that we believe the Bible from cover to cover. This type of faith leaves little room for doubt. If we are truly demonstrating this type of faith in our lives we will automatically stand up and defend the things of God.

Christians must demonstrate faith in their lives and believe that nothing is impossible when serving the Lord. If God said it, I believe it and that settles it! Tests of faith can be severe. They may involve things that deny logic. They may come in the form of a challenge or command that we may find almost impossible to accept. They may occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Our faith tests can involve things that seem to make little or no sense. They can even seem to conflict with things we have believed God for. But we can be confident that the one, the God who tests us also loves us. And He is all-knowing and wise. We can trust Him, even though the test we experience may seem to deny His love and wisdom.

Tests can saturate our minds with questions of why. God holds the answer. We need to tightly embrace Him, trusting Him totally with everything in our lives. As Christians our lives become an example to others who are looking for a reason to hope and believe in this life. A famous hymn from the late 1800's urged Christians to "trust and obey." We may not understand what we are going through when we are tested, but we must trust God and continue to obey Him.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that my God is the real deal. He has walked with me through the valleys and shared the victories on the mountaintop. I have placed my trust and faith in what I cannot see but I know God exists. He has done so many incredible things in my life. Without Him I don't want to think about where I would be today.

We must stand for the truth recorded in the Bible for it is the only sure foundation for faith and practice. If not, we will be victimized by all sorts of false doctrines and those who teach them. Understanding God's love for us personally gives us the strength we need when tested. We also need to be directed into the "patient waiting for Christ." Jesus' example of steadfastness can inspire us to remain steadfast no matter what mountains or obstacles may be in our way!

When our master is attacked we must bark! Whether it is against the church, the pastor, God's people or His Word. As Christians we must be willing to stand up for the kingdom of God no matter what! If not, Satan wins!

Blessings!

Stepping After God's Will

2011-11-01T08:29:00.002-04:00

"Order my steps, in Your word

Order my tongue, in Your word

Guide my feet, in Your word

Wash my heart, in Your word

Show me how to walk, in Your word

Show me how to talk, in Your word

(refrain)

I want to walk worthy, my calling to fulfill

Please order my steps, Lord, and I'll do Your blessed will

The world is ever changing, but You are still the same

If You order my steps, I'll praise Your name.

~A hymn by Glen Burleigh~

The words to this hymn are beautiful. Nothing in a believer's life is more important than following God's will. God's will can certainly be defined as: "you, as a believer, walking in the steps that God has ordered for your life." Success is finding God's will, as early in your life as possible, and chasing it with your entire being.

The person in whom God delights is one who follows God, trusts in Him, and tries to do His will. God watches over and makes firm every step that person takes. If you desire to have God direct your way, then seek His advice before you step out.

As I was growing up I always wanted to be a lawyer. But as I matured in Christ God took that desire from me. My life became more and more about serving Him and doing His will and not my "wants".

So, how do we find this "will" or "plan" God supposedly has for our lives? He certainly orders our steps, orders our tongue, guides our heart, washes our heart, shows us how to walk, shows us how to talk, but we have a responsibility in all of this also in order for His plan to become relevant in our lives.

First, our lives must be pure. The Bible clearly teaches that the steps of a "good" man are ordered by the Lord. Psalm 37:23.

Second, our hearts must be yielded to the things of God. To yield means to surrender or submit to the physical control of another. God is calling believer's to hand over control of our lives to Him and do whatever He wants us to do. Can you honestly say you are surrendered fully? Do you trust him enough to do that?

Third, you will have to delight yourself in the Lord. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, our will is conformed to His. God merges His will and our desires. He transforms our desires and then gives us our desires. Read the missionary journeys of Paul. Repeatedly it says he went to a place "because he had a mind to go".

God leads through His Word. Psalm 119:105, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

A large part of knowing God's will is determining whether the "peace" you feel is what YOU want or what GOD wants. You must bathe yourself in mega doses of God's Word daily. Only His Word can confirm the peace in your heart.

We must first be made good before we can do good; we must first be made just, before our works can please God. When we are justified by faith in Christ, then come good works. Hugh Latimer (C. 1485-1555)

Proverbs 20:24, A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?

If your heart is right before God and God's Word is in your heart and being applied to your life, then the Lord will direct your steps. We are often confused by the events around us. Many things we will never completely understand; others will fall into place in years to come as we look back and see how God was working in our lives. This proverb counsels us not to worry if we don't understand everything as it happens. Instead, we should trust that God knows what He is doing, even if His timing or design is not clear to us.

Having your steps ordered by the Lord doesn't mean that everything will be rosy and smooth for you all the time. While the Lord is ordering your steps, there will be challenges, obstacles, setbacks, sickness, pain, disappointments, heartbreaks and failures. But through it all, as the Lord continues to order your steps, know and believe that all things are going to work together for the good to them that love the Lord, and is called according to His purpose. You must believe and know God is able to order your steps through anything this life brings to your plate. By trusting the Lord you will win in victory!

Blessings to you today as you allow God to order your steps.

We Serve A Big God!

2011-10-25T09:44:00.001-04:00

If we could understand everything God does, then He'd have to be a small God ~ small enough to fit into our hands.

Nothing about God is small. As Christians we are to think big, dream big and pray big. When we do anything less we are placing God in a confined box limiting the completion of His will in our lives.

For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

God's desire is to give you and I the very best. In fact, in many cases God is more anxious to pour His blessings on us than we are to receive them. A.W. Tozer said, "If we yearned after God even as much as a cow yearns for her calf, we would be the worshiping and effective believers God wants us to be. If we longed for God as a bride looks forward to the return of her husband, we would be a far greater force for God than we are now." [A.W. Tozer in Men Who Met God. Christianity Today, Vol. 30, no. 15.]

God has raised us up to succeed and not to fail in life. If we will simply align ourselves with God's will for our lives, we will discover that He is absolutely on our side! He is a big God with big plans but our stinkin' thinkin' keeps Him a small God with small plans for our lives.

Are you in a rut today in your spiritual life? Do you feel your life is stagnant or just going nowhere? Your relationship with God which encompasses your prayer life, worship habits and personal devotion will determine your rate of success in your spiritual life. God is always with us whether we are in the valley or on the mountaintop. "Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou has holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory" (Psalms 73:23-24 KJV).

How can we possibly question whether God is a big God or a small God? Look around you today at the beauty of the earth He created. How could a small God ever accomplish such a task? Look at the lives of people you know who have experienced a total life change when they accepted Christ as their personal Savior. How could a small God deliver someone from the pits of addiction?

God is everywhere all the time. His power can be felt anywhere at anytime. His love can be experienced anywhere all the time. Is that the work of a small God?

God in all His awesomeness is incredible! His plans for you and I are vast. We limit what He wants to do in us. Thinking small produces small results. Thinking big allows God to work in our lives in an enormous way.

Seek Him today with big plans and big expectations for your life. We cannot see the big plan but God can. He longs for you to completely trust Him with your future. He has everything completely in control. That is why He is a Big God!

Blessings!

A Faithless Heart?

2011-10-07T09:45:00.000-04:00

What do you think of when someone says to you that so and so has a hardened heart? Instantly I think of someone who is hardened to the Word of God maybe by life's circumstances or their own choices.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood9d about the loaves, their hearts were hardened Mark 6:50-52.

Now the disciples had just experienced a miracle when Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. They not only experienced the miracle but were actually participants because they served the food that God had multiplied to this massive crowd of people. Afterwards the Bible says that the disciples picked up twelve basketful's of broken pieces of bread and fish. WOW! The scripture says that immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida while he dismissed the crowd.

As the disciples are in the boat in the middle of the lake Jesus approaches them and scares them to death! They were terrified because they thought he was a ghost. These are the twelve men who were with Jesus all the time. The men who were the closest to him experiencing miracle after miracle but it appears they just didn't get it.

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread." Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketful's of pieces did you pick up?" Mark 8: 19.

These men walked with Jesus and apparently there were times when they seemed to forget what he had done. Aren't we like that as well? God performs incredible miracles in our lives but many times we tend to forget what he has done when another storm comes pounding at our door. Does having a hardened heart in these scriptures mean lack of faith? Do we only exhibit a tremendous amount of faith when God performs the miracle? Do we have eyes but cannot see? Do we have ears but cannot hear?

The disciples had not only seen one recent miracle when Jesus fed the five thousand but now he had just fed another four thousand and these men appeared to have a lack of faith.

Many times I believe in my own life that I am distracted by the problem I am dealing with at that particular moment and I fail to remember all the times God has taken care of me. God is able in any situation but often we tend to act just like the disciples. We tend to demonstrate hardened hearts of unbelief or exhibit a lack of faith when miracles do occur around us.

As a woman of God my prayer is that I will reflect a life and heart of solid faith no matter what challenge I may be facing. How about you?

Many blessings!

Beware of Those Traps!

2011-09-27T12:15:00.000-04:00

I was reading from Jude and verses 17-25 hit me like a brick! Verse 18 says, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." Oh my goodness! Does that hit home or what????

There is so much confusion and turmoil in the church today. Many Christians are determined to follow their own ungodly desires which brings much confusion among others. The scripture goes on to say that these men divide you. Imagine that! Division in the church! Wow!

So many want to wear that "Christian" banner across their chest but their lives certainly do not measure up to the characteristics God expects from His children.

Satan is setting traps. Christians often pursue their own agendas. Folks, when has it ever been about us? It should be ALL about God and His Kingdom..... finding ways to reach the lost. People are dying and going to hell daily and we are too busy nit picking about things in the church that really don't mean anything to God. The enemy will do whatever it takes to bring division. He will do anything he can to distract us from what is important.

Bobby and I get busted on often because WE preach the truth direct from the Word of God. That isn't popular in our society today. God's Word clearly states that sin separates us from our Heavenly Father and sin will not enter the gates of heaven. There is no maybe about that. The bottom line - if you have sin in your life you won't enter heaven. That may sound harsh to you but that is what the Word of God consistently tells us. Read it for yourselves. No where will you find in God's Word that you can live in sin and enter heaven. As Christians, we cannot compromise. We are to put on the characteristics of God daily. We are commanded to live by the ten commandments. They were written for you and I and still apply to our lives today.

I know this isn't popular teaching but I also know we are truly living in the last days. The very elect shall be deceived and it is happening all around us. People who have served the Lord for years, pillars in the church, are turning away from the Lord. The enemy knows his time is short and he is setting traps for us. No matter how long you have served Christ beware of the traps. Don't ever think you cannot be fooled. Any one of us can fall if we are not careful.

I encourage you today to read your Bibles and pray earnestly. Jude 20 says, "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." God is our protector, our strength and our security. He loves us and He desires the very best for you and I. Satan hates us and our families. His only mission is to kill, steal and destroy and he is accomplishing that all around us. How many of us know people who are seriously struggling in deep sin? He has a tight grip on their lives and they have no desire to let go. He has filled their lives with blindness and deception to the things of God.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. To the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)

Let's PERSEVERE in the name of Jesus!! Don't fall in those traps!!

Blessings friends!

How Strong Is Your Faith?

2011-09-21T06:35:00.001-04:00

If God said that Jonah was swallowed by a whale, then the whale swallowed Jonah, and we do not need a scientist to measure the gullet of a whale. ~ A. W. Tozer ~

I believe it is safe to say that all of us possess some level of faith. When we flip the light switch when entering a room, we have faith that the light will come on. When we get into our car at the end of the day, we have faith that it will take us safely to our destination. When we mix up the ingredients for our favorite cake and place it in the oven, we have faith that a cake will be created at the end of the baking time. When we place our head on the pillow at night ,we have faith that the alarm clock will awaken us in the morning so we are not late for work.

Biblical faith is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Regardless of the circumstance, faith in our Lord means that we believe that God can and God will deliver. It also means that we believe the Bible from cover to cover. This type of faith leaves little room for doubt.

Our human minds cannot comprehend the possibility of a whale swallowing a man and a man living to tell about the journey. Jonah's accommodations were in Belly Whale Towers for three days. He probably ate fish for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack time! Although this story may be difficult for us to comprehend, it was a real life experience recorded in the Word of God. The devil would love nothing better than for doubt to creep into our minds. Christians must demonstrate faith in their lives and believe that nothing is impossible when serving the Lord. If God said it, I believe it and that absolutely settles it!

Tests of faith can be severe and incredibly challenging to our walk with Christ. Those tests may involve things that deny logic. They may come in the form of a challenge or command that we may find almost impossible to accept. They may occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Our faith tests can involve things that seem to make little or no sense. They can even seem to conflict with things we have believed God for. But we can be confident that the one, the God who tests us also loves us. And He is all-knowing and wise. We can trust Jesus Christ, even though the test we experience may seem to deny His love and wisdom.

Tests can saturate our minds with questions of why. God holds the answer. We need to tightly embrace Him, trusting Him totally with everything in our lives. As Christians our lives become an example to others who are looking for a reason to hope and believe in this life. A famous hymn from the late 1800s urged Christians to "trust and obey." We may not understand what we are going through when we are tested, but we must trust God and continue to obey Him.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that my God is the real deal. He has walked with me through the valleys and shared the victories on the mountaintop. I have placed my trust and faith in what I cannot see but I know without a shadow of doubt that God exists. He has done so many incredible things in my life. Without Him I don't want to think about where I would be today.

We must stand for the truth recorded in the Bible for it is the only sure foundation for faith and practice. If not, we will be victimized by all sorts of false doctrines and those who teach them. Understanding God's love for us personally gives us the strength we need when tested. We also need to be directed into the "patient waiting for Christ." Jesus' example of steadfastness can inspire us to remain steadfast no matter what mountains or whales may be in our way!

Blessings and hugs!

God Wants To Use What Is In Your Hands

2011-09-15T07:05:00.000-04:00

God is calling us to be Great for Him. He will never ask us to go where He has not provided the means to assist us. He will never call us to do a work without completely equipping us to be successful in accomplishing the task.

In Exodus, chapter 4, Moses is involved in a discussion with God regarding his suitability to represent the Israelites."What if they do not believe me or listen to me?" he asks God. "What is that in your hand?" the Lord replies. "A staff,", Moses says.Then God tells Moses to throw the staff on the ground, and when he does, it immediately becomes a serpent.

God gave Moses the ability to use whatever was in his hand at the moment to demonstrate not Moses' power, but God's power! A shepherd's staff was commonly a three-to-six-foot wooden rod with a curved hook at the top. The shepherd used it for walking, guiding his sheep, killing snakes, and many other tasks. Still, it was just a stick. But God used the simple shepherd's rod Moses carried to teach him an important lesson.

God sometimes takes joy in using ordinary things for extraordinary purposes. What are the ordinary things in your life - your voice, a pen, a musical instrument? While it is easy to assume God can use only special skills, you must not hinder His use of the everyday contributions you can make. Little did Moses imagine the power his simple staff would yield when it became the rod of God.

What's in your hand that God wants to use? Whatever is in your hand, God can use it for His glory. He has blessed you with many talents and gifts. God wants to use what is in your hands for the Kingdom........... What are you waiting for???

Blessings!

Inspire, Encourage and Lift Up!

2011-09-07T07:45:00.001-04:00

What wonders a bit of encouragement can do! It’s one of the most awesome treasures God has given us – the ability to inspire, motivate, and reassure others.

~Barbara Johnson~

Life and ministry can be challenging and it is important that we have people in our lives who are encourager's. It is also important for us to be encourager's to others.

As you near the end of a long and intense race, your legs ache, your throat burns, and your entire body screams for you to stop. This is when friends are most valuable. Their words of encouragement helps you push through the pain and agony to the finish line. Christians are to encourage one another. A word of encouragement offered at the right time can be the difference between finishing well or totally falling apart along the way. As Christians, we need to be intentional and sensitive about the needs of others. We need to be an encouragement to others offering support by not only our words but our actions.

Each of us has experienced timely encouragement from someone that truly made the difference between sinking and swimming. “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). Encouragement is one of the most incredible things we can offer our friends!

The two most common Greek words that convey the idea of encouragement is paraklesis and parakaleo. The first, paraklesis, means “a calling to one’s side,” and is translated “consolation” or “comfort” 20 of the 29 times the word is used in the King James Version of the New Testament. The second, parakaleo, means “to call to one’s side or to one’s aid”. In the New American Standard Bible, “paraklesis” and parakaleo” are used 10 times in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7.

We are to encourage one another. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17NIV). Each of us has experienced times in our lives when life throws obstacles in our paths. It is during these times that we need true friends. True friends will encourage and support each other in the midst of storms. True friends offer emotional strength. True friends will encourage and help us do what we have to do by supporting us in the midst of it all.

Encouragement means coming alongside to impart courage to another. This is what a true friend does for us when we find ourselves facing things that we have to go through. They come alongside us to lend support. A true friend encourages you. A true friend exhorts you. A true friend will help you do what you ought to do. A true friend seeks to bring you strength.

People are hurting in our society and they are lonely. A card, note, phone call, email or text message can be such a blessing to someone who is walking through a very dark time in their life. When God places someone on our hearts we need to step up to the plate and take action.

I have been facilitating mentorship groups in my church for a number of years. Those groups were birthed in my heart from God to encourage, support and love one another. I have witnessed women who isolated themselves from everyone make a complete turnaround in their lives. Encouragement empowers. It builds confidence and gives hope. Encouragement also builds leaders.

Look around you today. Do you see someone who is struggling? I encourage you to pray about how you can speak into their lives. Ask God to show you what you can do to demonstrate love and support to them. Encourage them. You will be a blessing to them and God will also bless you!

Blessings friends!

Junk Food Produces Weak Christians!

2011-09-02T09:54:00.000-04:00

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my hearts delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.
Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV)

You can find a food court in most shopping malls. There are fast food restaurants on every corner. Food also plays a pivotal role at movies and sports events. On weekends people will wait an hour for an available table at a nice restaurant. Food definitely appears to be an important part of our culture.

You are what you eat. Our spiritual food determines the destiny of our hearts and minds.

We require food in order for our bodies to remain healthy. If we skip meals or fill up on junk food, (I love junk food!!!) we most likely will become sick and frail. Our spiritual life requires eating God's Word daily. Skipping spiritual meals will result in frail Christianity and weak faith.

Study is ingesting and digesting, chewing and swallowing and being filled with ideas, images, thoughts, and attitudes. To browse an idea, to skim it and dabble in it is like getting a whiff of Thanksgiving dinner! As we plunge into the meat of God's Word we allow it to penetrate our hearts and minds. The Words become our life and our actions reflect Godliness. Our spiritual life becomes healthy and God uses us to accomplish His will.

Eating and digesting God's Word is a biblical concept. How many believers are suffering spiritually, relationally and emotionally because of their choice not to eat the Word of God? It is readily available to us in hardback, paperback, leather, cloth, in pink, green, iridescent orange, with maps and charts, appendices and concordances, and a little sleeve with a CD-ROM that takes you on a guided tour of the Holy Land. So what is our problem?

The spiritual food is out there just waiting for us to partake. Many have chosen to be picky eaters or desire junk food instead of healthy foods. We occasionally taste the spiritual food and sometimes even savor our bites but there is not much evidence of ingesting. We are nibbling, not devouring. We are what we eat.

On a typical evening, an average Christian may sit and watch television for 3 hours, but only read the Bible for 3 mintues. Is it any wonder many lack spiritual maturity? Many Christians are more faithful to magazines, newspapers, blogs than to the Word of God. What would happen within our churches if Christians committed themselves equally to studying God's Word and praying each day? It would definitely change their lives and the lives of those around them.

Our physical bodies need nourishment daily as well as the need for spiritual nourishment. The Bible is a mirror. The Bible shows us the things in our lives that we need to correct so that we will look like the image of God. It fine tunes our character and integrity to the likenss of our Heavenly Father.

The goal is not for us to get through the Scriptures. The goal is for the Scriptures to get through us.... ~John Orteberg~

One writer puts it this way, "Keep looking into the mirror, until you no longer see yourself, but all that you see is Christ.

Be encouraged today to get rid of the junk food and fill up on the nutrition of God's Word. He is so awesome. He never ceases to AMAZE me. His Word encourages and offers answers to the challenges we face in this life.

Blessings friends!

Sunday Morning Encouragement

2011-08-28T06:45:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Girlfriends!! I pray that you are safe from Hurricane Irene, rested and excited about what God has planned in the HOUSE today!!!

It seems everywhere I turned this week God was speaking to my heart about busyness. Hmmmmmmm....... Ministry as we all know can certainly be a busy place. Sometimes that busyness can bring overwhelming discouragement and unbelievable stress into our lives. Ever been there?

An article by Jill Briscoe emphasized being so busy that we find ourselves in a place where there is no time to spend in the Word. Her relationship with God had grown thin because she had not spent time in prayer, like she knew she needed to. Her one statement was awesome, "I felt like a flat camel! The nourishment that should have been stored in my hump was gone!! Keep fresh in ministry. I was busy with ministry stuff, but it was all output and no intake. The inevitable result was a desert experience."

How are you doing today? Are you feeling like a flat camel? Has the nourishment stored in your hump disappeared?

Ladies, we are very busy creatures but we cannot give out what we don't have. We must be intentional about spending quality time with our Lord daily. A flat camel is not going to be very productive for the Kingdom.

I pray that your week will be filled with "special" time with God. Let's face it friends....... Our soul is more important than anything. If we are not careful and intentional, busyness can deplete us spiritually.

Have a wonderful week! You are appreciated!!

Love you,
Debbie

What if I Stumble?

2011-08-25T11:00:00.000-04:00

"What if I stumble, what if I fall? What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all? Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl? What if I stumble, and what if I fall?"

Chorus from the song, "What if I Stumble?"

Artist: DC Talk

Album: Intermission

Proclaiming Christianity brings much responsibility. When we profess that we love Christ and our lives are focused on living for Him, people watch what we do.

Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23 NIV)

People are willing to pay a high price for something they value. Is it any surprise that Jesus would demand this much commitment from his followers? There are at least three conditions that must be met by people who want to follow Jesus. We must be willing to deny self, to take up our crosses, and to follow him. Anything less is superficial lip service.

Will we stumble and fall as Christians? Absolutely! Will we remain crawling or will we pick ourselves up, wipe off the dirt and proceed forward? That decision or choice makes all the difference in the world. There are many challenges that come along with serving Christ but the rewards are incredible! Making the decision DAILY to pick up our cross and follow HIM will determine what choices we make throughout our lifetime as Christians.

Focus on what God has done for you and what you can do for Him. The Lord loves you and has a great work for you.

Blessings friends!

The Real Deal

2011-08-18T10:15:00.000-04:00

Like many of you, I love coffee! I guess you can say I am definitely "hooked". I have a routine each morning and the second task on my list after taking Jericho and Jochebed (my awesome little people with fur) to the potty is brewing a fresh pot of coffee. I am definitely a caffeine freak! Each sip satisfies that craving I long for............ Any coffee fanatics out there?

Do you truly crave God's Word each day? What if you don't have time to read your devotion or pray? Do you receive a "gut check" or is it acceptable to skip God for several days? Are you seriously "hooked on Jesus" or is it merely something you do because you are feelin' a little guilty? Does God's Word truly enrich your life or do you see it as something else you have to cram into an already overwhelmed schedule?

Our lives are busy and if you are like me, I don't have to look for things to fill the time in my day! Sometimes I absolutely crave a little "white space" in my life. It is a rare moment to simply curl up in a comfy chair with a good book and enjoy the evening. There seems to always be something that needs to be done. Just like you, the demands in my life never seem to cease.

Although life is arduous, I don't ever want to place God on a shelf and ignore all that He has has already done for me and wants to fulfill in my life. I am so thankful for His forgiveness, love, mercy and grace. I want to "crave" Him with all that I am. I want to be so "hooked" on God that I cannot tolerate one day without reading and meditating on His Word and praying. I don't want to accept any substitute for my Lord.

I cannot tolerate instant coffee! It lacks everything that fresh brewed coffee offers. And I refuse to settle for substitutes regarding my walk with Christ. I don't want an "Instant Imitation Jesus Fix". I want the real deal. A genuine solid rock relationship with my Heavenly Father. I want everything He has available for my life and ministry.

Blessings!

Be Contagious!

2011-08-16T08:05:00.001-04:00

No one is a member of the body of Christ, the church, because they deserve to be. None of us grabbed God's attention by our perfection. We are sinners saved by the grace of God and although we are grateful for that we are not flawless.

The church is actually a place for people who are needy, afraid, confused and sinful. Nothing is more contagious to the unchurched than to find a place where they can come and not be judged and intimidated by the false notion that the people all around them think they have it all together. No one can be more unapproachable than a group of Christ followers who have forgotten how they received God's grace. Nothing is more repulsive than a bunch of conceited religious people!

On the other hand, nothing is more contagious than a flock of humble sinners saved by the grace of God praising God for His love! Christians struggle also and it is refreshing to hear us admit that sometimes we wrestle with being obedient to the will of God in our lives. Sometimes we also make bad choices which effect our walk with the Lord. Jesus is perfect but we are still in the molding process.

Every spiritually mature person should have an attitude of humility, an attitude of appreciation to God for His forgiveness, for the pardon that is not based on our level of accomplishment but rather based on His grace! Thank God for the blood of Jesus and thank God for the infallible Word that can help each of us pattern our lives daily after Christ.

We must allow others to come searching for Him the same way. We must encourage them to come as they are. We need to destroy any barriers that stand in the way of the unchurched coming to God because they think they don't measure up to our standards or are not good enough. We must guard against sending out the wrong signals to others who don't yet know Christ.

Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you speak and show respect. 1 Peter 3:15 (NLV)

Show genuine interest in the opinions of others, in their doubts, fears, anxieties, even though you don't agree or don't know why they would possess such viewpoints. Sometimes a co-worker may approach you when you are supposed to be carrying out a work responsibility and you can't talk. But as often as you can, make time for others and their perspectives, even if their focal point is diametrically opposed to yours. Respect their opinion. Plant a seed.

Creating a culture of dialogue is essential to healthy faith formation. We shouldn't squirm and frown when seekers ask pertinent questions. We should smile and approve of their interest. Be contagious in your walk with Christ. Let them see God through you .

A contagious Christ follower, a contagious church , is one where we don't boast about our goodness but we boast about the greatness of God! When Christ followers honestly admit that it isn't their goodness that earned them a place at God's table - it's so refreshing that it's contagious.Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory (Romans 15:7 NLT). Be grace with skin on!

If you've ever been to an art museum or art exhibit then you know what it's like to marvel at the work of master artists. Some of these works of art are worth millions and others are considered "priceless" because of the rare talent utilized in their composition. Who gets the credit for painting the great work of art? The Master! The one who created the masterpiece gets the credit - whether it was Michelangelo or Rembrandt or Van Gogh or Joe Schmo. You wouldn't walk into a museum and begin to take the credit for the work and dedication and talent of the artist would you? Neither should we try to take credit for the incredible work God is doing in our lives.

When we brag on God's grace instead of bragging on ourselves we give credit to the One to whom it belongs. Then others around us are able to see God's grace and what it can do for them by seeing what it has done for us!

Be contagious where you are!

Blessings!

Rotten Fruit Stinks!

2011-08-12T12:05:00.000-04:00

I discovered the other night some fruit on my counter that had rotted. It was nasty, gross, disgusting juice running everywhere and was putting off an overwhelming pungent odor!!! Needless to say, it took a giant leap into the trash can.

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to join you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

(Luke 7: 15-20 NIV)

Have you ever given much thought to false prophets? Who exactly are they? What is their assigned task?

This is not a popular topic but needs to be spoken in the times we are living. I refer to the church in this post but am not speaking about any particular church. I am referring to The Church in our society today.

There are signs all around us confirming that we are truly living in the last days and need to get ready for the return of Christ! There seems to be persistent chatter these days about false prophets preaching false sermons in these days. Maybe you know some of them. Preachers not teaching truth. But what about other false prophets? Is it possible that people in congregations can also be false prophets without being a preacher? Don't bail out on me. I have a point I want to make.

It seems that people in churches all over the world are constantly stirring the pot of discontentment. These same people profess to be Christians but behind the scenes they are nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing. They dress the part. They somewhat act the part but they certainly don't live the part. And most of all they bear totally rotten, stinky fruit. Am I being crude? Absolutely not! I am merely being honest.

My heart is breaking as I hear of Christians, or those who profess Christianity, constantly spreading negative comments about everything in churches today. I receive numerous emails from pastor's wives and others in ministry weekly who are frustrated, hurt, and discouraged. They are constantly dealing with those who consistently find fault with everything and everyone. Constantly bashing the pastor and/or his wife and their ministry. Not wanting the church to make changes. Threatening to leave the church week after week after week. No real reason other than discontentment. Could it be they are discontent because the fruit in their lives is soft and squishy, stinky and rotten? Is it possible that their relationship with Christ is also rotten?

The devil uses Christians and non-Christians to accomplish his work. The constant undercurrent in the church is not a positive thing. Church is not about you and it isn't about me. Church is about Jesus Christ. People become anxious when it isn't all about them. They wear their feelings on their sleeves and when something doesn't go exactly as planned BAM! It is ridiculous to witness adults acting like a group of preschoolers who don't get exactly what they want. How in the world can we expect God to do great and awesome things in our lives if all we think about is how someone didn't ask me to do something so I am going to pout or someone didn't look at me at the right time so my feelings are hurt. Me, me, me.... it is all about me..... No it isn't about ME. It needs to be about HIM.

Rotten folks produce rotten fruit. Producing rotten fruit is a choice. Christians who are sold out for the Kingdom of God do not produce rotten fruit. Christians who put Christ first in all areas of their lives do not produce rotten fruit. A fruit tree that is properly cared for produces beautiful fruit.

We have been given an opportunity to do something incredible for the Kingdom of God. I challenge you to focus on God and what He wants for your life. Are you discontent? If so, seek God's face and ask Him to show you what you need to do in your own life to produce good fruit for the Kingdom. Ask Him for a "gut check inventory" and then be willing to do something about it. Pruning is not an easy process but the results can be outstanding.

Blessings!

Counterfeit Christianity

2011-08-11T12:30:00.001-04:00

God warns against anyone taking anything away from the scriptures, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:19 (NIV) This warning is given to those who might purposefully distort the message in this book. We must also handle the Bible with care and great respect so that we do not distort its message , even unintentionally. We should be quick to put its principles into practice in our lives.

God is calling His children to a place of spiritual perfection. We cannot achieve this assignment unless we apply and practice the instructions God has given us from His Word. A Christian's life must reflect Godliness and holiness in all areas. We cannot pick and choose which scriptures would be most suitable for our lifestyles.

There are churches all over the world preaching and teaching false doctrine from their pulpits weekly. Many of these pastors are preaching false doctrine to thousands of members. And worse than that, these churches are filled with Christians who are not able to discern truth from error because they don't know the Bible. Their relationship with Christ is weak and flimsy and as a result, they have placed themselves in the hands of the enemy, being led down a path of deception and destruction. The apostle Paul warned that false teachers would attempt to infiltrate the Christian church from both the outside and from within. (Acts 20:29-30)

The designer of a counterfeit dollar bill does not make the counterfeit bill to look different from the genuine. He designs the bill to look exactly the same as the genuine. The counterfeit dollar bill must be able to come alongside the genuine dollar bill and appear to be a true dollar bill. Those who are trained to work with money must be trained to know the difference between a counterfeit dollar bill and a genuine dollar bill. Spiritually speaking, we can apply these same truths when it comes to exposing false doctrines or teachings that are being propagated in the body of Christ today. We must allow the Lord to minister to us and train us according to His Holy Word and by the power of His Spirit. We must be cautious that we do not allow deception to lead us into error.

A huge problem existing in the church today is that people simply do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Many have settled for counterfeit religion filled with false teachings, much less than what God has to offer. A lack of spending quality time at the feet of Jesus in prayer has opened unending doors of deception. Many have negated the power of God because they do not know Him in the way that they should know Him. Our society has embraced everything or anything that comes from a pulpit. We have not yet learned to embrace the Cross and the Christ who died upon it.

Many people today view the Church as a place to have their needs met. They have no desire or will to sacrifice and serve others. It is self-centered Christianity which focuses only on what do I get out of this church. What is in it for me? The reason there is such turnover in the church today is because people are constantly moving to fill their selfish needs and lack the desire to serve the Kingdom of God. By failing to preach the truth from the pulpits, we are encouraging believers to become self-serving which is a deadly killer of compassion.

The seeker-driven movement with evangelical Christianity has made church similar to shopping. And American Christians are out looking for the best deal. They will turn to emptiness for fulfillment in sports, sex, drugs, possessions, relationships, education and consistently choose these things over and above God. C.S. Lewis said, "We are half-hearted creatures like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased,"

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7: 21-23)

Partial scriptures taken out of context makes "greasy grace" preaching very popular. People love that warm and fuzzy feeling and often feel irritated and uncomfortable when a preacher challenges them with the truth from God's Word. There is danger in preaching only selected scriptures and partial truths. The Bible clearly states that sin does separate us from God and no sin will enter heaven. If only part of the Bible is preached and people do not have the opportunity to hear the truth, they are being deceived into believing that they are doing well spiritually and on their way to heaven, even if they are living in sin.

Churches are convincing people that anything is acceptable because Jesus loves them. These folks are in church but not in Christ. They participate in all kinds of activities in the church but have no relationship with Christ. They are experiencing a Mr. Roger's neighborhood and are being told there is no need for salvation. Authentic Christianity results in life transformation but the truth must be preached because people's lives are hanging in the balance.

Spiritual perfection comes from seeking God, reading and meditating on His Word, and spending quality time with the Lord in prayer. These must be a part of our lives on a daily basis if we are serious about pursuing and demonstrating the character of a committed Christian. Can the people who you encounter each day see that you have a genuine relationship with Christ? Are you producing good fruit or is there an unholy mixture of bad fruit in your life? Are you seeking after the latest charismatic teaching with partial truths or are you really seeking after Him?

If we truly desire to see the power of God manifested in our lives, we must focus our eyes on the things of God. We must be willing to allow ourselves to be saturated with His Word so that we will have the ability to discern between truth and counterfeit. Spiritual perfection as a whole Christian can only be obtained by applying the entire Bible to our lives.

Blessings!

Blessings and Provision

2011-08-09T08:55:00.000-04:00

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways. 2 Corinthians 9:9 (MSG)

Many people are experiencing financial difficulties in this current economy. Many have lost their homes and many families have been forced to live in shelters. Desperate times produce desperate people with no hope. I receive numerous emails weekly asking for prayer regarding financial struggles and what appear to be hopeless situations.

Have you ever been in a situation that seemed quite hopeless? Have you ever been desperate?

I read the following and thought it would be awesome for this post today.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the six million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

2 Kings 4 tells the story of a woman in a very difficult situation, but God offered a solution for her. He did a miracle through a prophet. God had a plan even in a hopeless situation. Even when there seemed to be absolutely no way He offered a solution. He poured blessings upon this woman and her sons and He is still doing that for you and I today.

The scripture tells us that the wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."

Elisha was concerned for this poor woman and asked her what he could do to help. Her situation seemed hopeless until she saw Prophet Elisha. She cried out to him, not because she believed Elisha could give her money because prophets were not rich. But in her times, prophets were spokesmen for God. Her late husband was a prophet, so she wanted to seek God’s help. She wanted to ask God for answers to her problem.

Elisha looked at her and said, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house.” God had a plan and He revealed it to Elisha. Elisha convinced the woman to examine her own resources. He asked her what she had in her house.

God creates something out of nothing. He brings hope to the hopeless. He blesses beyond measure.

When Elisha asked the woman what she had she told him nothing but a little oil. Elisha instructed her to go to the neighbors and collect empty jars. And he told her not to ask for a few.

The passage tells us that the woman left Elisha, shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.

The woman and her sons collected jars from their neighbors, pouring oil into them from their one pot. The oil was probably olive oil and was used for cooking, for lamps, and for fuel. The oil stopped pouring only when they ran out of containers. The number of jars they gathered was an indication of their faith. God’s provision was as large as their faith and willingness to obey. Beware of limiting God’s blessings by a lack of faith and obedience. The woman had faith that God had a plan. She just had a little oil in a small jar, and God used it to solve her big problem.

Look how God blessed them. The woman and her sons trusted God and He helped them, not only to pay the debts but more.

Years ago, in a former pastorate, our finances were very limited. Some weeks we only had a few dollars after paying our bills. Our children were both in high school and we learned quickly how to be very frugal with our income. I remember one week in particular when we had $5 after we paid our bills. I prayed continuously that week asking God to please help us. As I walked to the mail box that week, I discovered a card from a dear friend and a check for $100. I wept as I walked back to the parsonage, ashamed that I had doubted God’s provision for our family.

God has blessed our ministry beyond measure over the years. He always shows up in the midst of the storm. Even when life just does not make sense God brings hope. His blessings are abundant and amazing.

If you are in a mess today, feeling hopeless and helpless, then know God has a plan. Blessings are missed because we fail to put God’s purpose, priorities and plans first.

Blessings!

A God of Hope

2011-08-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:37 (NIV)

Facing trials encourages us as Christians to exercise our faith. We should not pray away those trials. We need to ask God to manifest His power and love in us so we can respond with Christlike character when the enemy is pounding on our doors. Remember - people can only intimidate us if we allow them to use that tool. God is bigger than anything this world and the demons of hell can offer.

No matter how much discouragement you and I have been experiencing, our God is well aware of the circumstances. It may not be today or tomorrow but in HIS timing the Lord will resolve the issues that we are struggling with in a beautiful way. If we trust God and completely hand it over to Him the enemy will be defeated. During these trials God is building our character and integrity. He is solidifying our foundation. The Lord is making us stronger for the bigger storms that are brewing in the seas of life. He continues to groom you and I for the work He has for our lives.

The Message says it all: With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture. Romans 8:37

God is our hope and our strength today, tomorrow and forever. He is our safety, our comfort and our encouragement. He loves His children and He always protects us. If we dread life and fear people how can we possibly say we are trusting God with our lives? If God is for you, who can be against you?

Blessings and hugs!

Purpose

2011-08-03T07:05:00.002-04:00

Life can bring discouragement and disappointment. If we focus on the circumstances around us we often become confused and lose sight of our purpose.

"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel . What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." Philippians 1: 12-18

Paul was a leader who never drifted from his mission. He determined to leave his mark wherever he went. George Washington Carver wrote, "No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it." Paul's sense of purpose kept him in the battle as he sat in prison.

A personal sense of purpose functions in two ways. First we have a responsibility to work on that purpose. Then, the purpose works on us. Once Paul was able to determine his life mission, that purpose daily improved his attitude. Throughout the trials he faced Paul was able to continue to smile because he demonstrated a strong sense of purpose in his life. He understood that leaders can either wimp out and surrender to their circumstances, or they can surrender to a cause that is much greater. When that decision is made their circumstances won't matter.

Life will always throw you curve balls but the true result of the foundation of your relationship with Christ will be determined by how you respond to that pitch. When you surrender to the circumstances in your life you are definitely at the mercy of what happens to you. But when you make a decision to surrender to a purpose that purpose will never die. Paul's attitude helped his purpose go forward, then his purpose helped his attitude go forward! His attitude helped him make a decision that it didn't matter what happened to him as long as the mission continued.

It is easy for us to lose our purpose when life seems to continue to bring adversaries into our path but God encourages us to stay focused. "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14. There is a much larger reward waiting for us that far exceeds anything this world has to offer. The key to attaining that goal is to stay focused on our purpose for being and chase after God each and every day with your whole heart

Purpose in your life is important. A purpose will motivate you. A purpose will keep your priorities straight even when you feel there are no immediate answers for what you are going through. God is doing a work in your life and proceeding to the next level may be determined by your reaction to the circumstance you are facing. A purpose will absolutely develop your potential. A purpose will encourage you and give you strength to live in the present even when life is discouraging and frustrating. And a purpose will help you evaluate your progress.

If you are facing a challenge in your life, seek God's face with passion. He is our rock and always provides everything we need to overcome any situation. Pursue His purpose for your life and don't lose sight of the mission God has called you to complete.

It's a new day filled with new opportunities!

Blessings friends!

Enlarge Our Territory Lord!

2011-08-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

To ask God for a blessing is to ask for all God has for us. We are to use those blessings to benefit the body of Christ.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request 1 Chronicles 4: 9-10 (NIV).

Many years ago a man went into the office of a well known CEO of a major company. The man was requesting some assistance for missionary work. He asked the CEO for $10,000 for a particular project. The CEO had a very disappointed expression on his face. The man asked him if there was a problem and the CEO proceeded to tell him he was prepared to write a check for $100,000! The CEO told the man that he was disappointed he had asked for something so small.We serve a great and awesome God and by faith we need to think large when we pray.

We should pray that God will give us greater opportunities than we have ever had before. Ask Him to increase your influence. Ask Him to open huge doors that no one can close. Pray that God will give you bigger dreams and visions for your future. May we never come to a place in our walk with Christ that we settle for less than the best. Ask God to take you places you have never been before. To give you greater faith and greater power in your Christian life. Pray that God will continually make a way where there just doesn't seem to be a way.

Ask God today to enlarge your territory. Make yourself available. That's all He needs to get started - your availability. If we can make ourselves available to Him, God will make amazing things happen through the greasy, grimy, filthy mess of our lives. God will deliver the priceless, pure, wonderful message of Jesus through the flawed, failed fabric of our lives.

Dear Jesus, we pray today that you would increase our territory! Give us a vision and the will and the capacity to grow in faith everywhere you lead us. Shape us to be flexible in the work and quick to react to changing needs. May we be generous with our time, our resources and the Spirit. Help us to be open to all and to reflect Godliness in all areas of our lives. May we be courageous to grow and to go as you lead each of us according to your will. Make us aware of the people you have so carefully placed in our paths. Lord, make us ambitious to win them ALL, that no one would go through life without the hope and love you offer. God make us assertive and fearless in our spiritual warfare to see lives totally and completely changed. Oh God, enlarge our territory!

Blessings!

Pastor's Wives and Ministry Women

2011-07-31T06:19:00.003-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends!

This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will REJOICE and be glad in it!!!!!

I know for many it is challenging to rejoice this morning because of circumstances you may be dealing with in your ministry and life. And I also know that there are many this morning who are struggling with loneliness. Just remember that God is still on the throne, He loves YOU and is as powerful as He was yesterday and will still reign tomorrow! He truly cares about every detail of your life including the discouragement and disappointments you may be dealing with today.

Here is a simple thought to ponder today….. No matter what you are walking through at this moment, God will help you be a positive influence in a negative situation. Be encouraged. What you have to offer is the life of Jesus, not your own expertise. Encouragement cannot harm people. A loving word from you will always help somehow, if even a little, if only for a moment. As ministry wives and ministry women, our skills and callings are varied, but we can be unceasing encourager's. Encourager's are greatly needed in this lost world filled with hurting people!

I am praying for you today that God’s power and presence will be overwhelming in your services and life. You are amazing women of God!

Love and appreciate you!

Being My Authentic Self

2011-07-27T10:38:00.003-04:00

Each day the world around you commands your identity by attempting to tell you who you are - or who you should be - by telling you what is important, how to spend your time and resources, by shaping your dreams, and telling you what values you should have. What the world is telling you about who you are may be a lie!

I am reminded of a story I read about a rancher who had been hunting in the mountains of West Texas. Up high on a cliff he came across an eagle's nest. He took one of the eagle's eggs back to his ranch and placed it under one of his hens sitting on her eggs. Eventually the eagle's eggs hatched. The mother hen took care of the eaglet along with her baby chicks who hatched at the same time.

The eagle made its home in the barnyard along with the chickens. It ate, slept, and lived just like the chickens. One day an eagle from the nearby mountain swooped down over the barnyard in search of prey. Trying to get her chicks and the eaglet to safety, the mother hen squawked loudly.

As the giant eagle swooped low across the barnyard he also let out a harsh scream - a scream made only by eagles. The young chicks heeded their mother's warning, but the eaglet responded to the call of the eagle. He took flight and ascended, following the eagle to the mountain heights.

The little eagle didn't know who he was. He was trying to be like all those chicks that surrounded him everyday. He didn't have an identity until he heard the loud, harsh scream from another eagle. He was living as a copy and not an original.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6 NIV

We are his children now, not just sometime in the distant future. (1 John 3:1) Knowing that we are his children should encourage us to live as Jesus. Reminding ourselves daily that God designed a unique plan for our lives. His design is not for us to be copies of anyone else. His design for our lives is an original plan.

Don't settle for the world to tell you who you are! Don't allow yourself to become a copy of someone else. Listen for His call. Seek His face daily. Meditate on His Word and through Christ determine who you are and what your purpose is for the Kingdom of God.

I am so thankful today for God's love. He created me to be an original. His desire is not for any of us to become copies of anyone. His plan for each of our lives is definitely not a cookie cutter plan. His unique design for our lives has been purposed to fulfill His will for our lives. Pursuing His plan is exciting and challenging. With God every day is a new day overflowing with opportunities and achievements for the Kingdom!

Blessings as you seek Him more!!!

Thirty-Eight Years Of Marriage!

2011-07-26T08:30:00.002-04:00

Last week Bobby and I celebrated 38 years of marriage!!! We dated four years prior to our marriage so that adds up to 42 years together!!!!! Whew! We were so young and absolutely clueless of many things when we married but I am so thankful for my hubby and our journey together.

Bobby and I met in high school during summer band when I was 15. Little did I know that day when our eyes caught a glimpse of each other for the very first time that I would end up as a pastor's wife..........

Are pastor's wives called to the ministry? In my heart I feel that answer has to be a big "YES". I am certain many women would disagree with me but Bobby and I have been in ministry for 30 years and honestly, if I would not have been called, I would have convinced Bobby to change professions a very long time ago!

For 18 years I worked in Corporate America. I spent many hours commuting when my children were small. I was very much career minded, focused primarily on climbing the corporate ladder to success. Am I saying that is wrong? Not necessarily, but as I look back over my life, I know now that God wasn't first on my priority list for many years even as a pastor's wife. How can that happen when you are serving in ministry? Too much emphasis was placed on my career and what I wanted.

There was little consideration for what God's plan for my life was in the early years of our ministry. I spent countless hours taking evening classes at the local community college and attending leadership conferences and seminars. I was also very involved in Professional Women's Groups. Very little of my time was committed to serving the Lord or focusing on my role as a pastor's wife.

Bobby was an associate pastor during most of my career years. Did I have any idea what was going on in his ministry or the church? Honestly, in the early years of our ministry, very little. I was a young inexperienced pastor's wife that had absolutely no clue what I was supposed to be doing in my role. I was dealing with so many feelings of hurt, insecurity and intimidation and my out was to bury myself in my career. I didn't have a mentor to encourage and pray with me.Those were some very lonely years.

Because of those lonely years in ministry and also the insecurity and hurt I experienced for a long time, mentorship is very dear to my heart. It is vital for ministry women to mentor and encourage one another. In my opinion, it is one of the necessary keys to our survival and success in ministry. I have committed much of my ministry to mentoring women and ministry women.

As a pastor's wife it is our responsibility to support our husband in ministry. We must be there to love him and encourage him. And I wholeheartedly believe that God does call us to this role. I have seen pastors who are doing this thing alone and it is a struggle for many of them. I know how difficult it has been at times for Bobby and I. I can't imagine trying to deal with some of the ministry issues we have faced as a couple on your own. Am I implying that pastor's wives cannot obtain a successful career and still be a support to her husband? Not at all but I do believe that there must be a balance between the career and your ministry responsibilities.

I left Corporate America over 18 years ago with absolutely no regrets. God called me to the ministry as a young girl and I am so thankful that I was able to get my priorities in order before it was to late. God is using my life in ways I never imagined and He continually opens doors for ministry.

Marriage is not always an easy journey and when you add ministry to the equation it can sometimes become extremely stressful and challenging. But if you place God first in your lives, He will help to navigate you through the challenges you will face throughout the years. The Lord has blessed Bobby and I in so many ways. I am so thankful for the man of God that the Lord has given to me. I look forward to growing older together...... lol

Blessings friends. Have a wonderful day!

Blessed Be Your Name!

2011-07-21T08:42:00.001-04:00

"Blessed Be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name..."

~ Matt Redman ~

Lyrics from "Blessed be Your Name"

The lyrics of this song are amazing. Although the song has been in the worship circuit for a while, as a worship leader, this is still one of my favorite songs. God is awesome and His name is blessed!

C.S. Lewis once wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

It is easy to praise God when we are on the mountaintop but it can also be difficult to raise our hands and shout praises to our Lord when we are wading through the muck of life's deepest valleys. Becoming wounded and discouraged is an element present in each of our lives. What do we do when we are hurting and disappointed? PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD! This is truly the antidote to our pain.

Job is a great example for each of us. He was persecuted and deeply wounded. In the world's eyes he had it all but ended with nothing. Throughout life's pain and one discouragement after another Job continually worshiped and praised God. He didn't become bitter and angry. During the numerous heartaches he continued to connect with God, blessing His name and trusting Him for everything. Job's relationship with God was stretched to the limit yet he continued to cling to the Lord. In spite of all the adversity in his life Job refused to let go of God. Even in the midst of his suffering and confusion he knew that there is no other place to take all his problems but to God.

Do we praise and worship God when we are having a major bad hair day? Do we call out blessings to His name when we are sitting in a ten mile backup on the beltway and are already thirty minutes late for an appointment that took one month to arrange? Are we rejoicing in the Lord when we are tired and weary from a long day at the office, our house is a mess, the laundry is piled higher than the washing machine, our children are tired and cranky and everyone is waiting for us to prepare the evening meal? Do we praise Him when we are in the midst of spiritual warfare and a number of hurtful things have been repeated about us and our family to others in the church? Do we truly worship God when everything goes wrong in our lives? It is certainly an easy task to worship Him when all is going our way. It's easy to be a fair weather believer. But when things get tough and life becomes challenging where do we stand?

Praising God turns our attention away from the problems and trials of this life. His name is blessed whether we are in the valley or on the mountaintop. He is certainly worthy of our praise in all circumstances.

My hubby and I have walked through many valleys in our ministry but God never fails to be there for us with outstretched arms. Praising Him in the midst of the storms brings peace and comfort to the weary.

Blessed be His name! God is awesome. He is everything to me. He is my life..............

Praise Him today for all life is offering you. God has a plan. What you are walking through today is not a mistake. Rejoice in it and be glad! Blessed be His name!

Attitudes Speak Volumes

2011-07-20T08:30:00.000-04:00

Have you ever worked around people or been acquainted with people at church who constantly complain? I mean their DNA spells COMPLAINER!!! They complain about the receptionist’s attitude or the pastor’s sermons or the loudness of the drums during worship service. Complain, complain, complain…. Oh, you have met a few people like this!

Life has challenges. Life has bends in the road. Churches have challenges, but having someone constantly point out ALL the negatives can be clearly exhausting.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Thankfulness goes a long way toward developing a POSITIVE attitude. No one looks forward to hanging out with those who have negative attitudes and are constantly complaining about everything. An attitude of thankfulness reflects joy in our lives and faith in the One who is in control.

Blessings!

The Danger of Complacency

2011-07-19T10:24:00.000-04:00

“Oh Lord, take Your plow to my fallowed ground

Let Your blade dig down to the soil of my soul

For I’ve become dry and dusty, Lord I know there must be

Richer earth lying below

For I’ve been living in Laodicea

And the fire that once burned bright, I’ve let it grow dim

And the very Word I swore that I would die for all has been forgotten

As the world’s become my friend."

Lyrics by Steve Camp

“Living in Laodicea"

Many Christians have a basic desire to live a holy life, but have come to believe they simply cannot accomplish it. They have struggled for years with particular sins or deficiencies of character. While they may not be living in gross sin, they have given up ever attaining a life of holiness and have basically settled down to a life of moral mediocrity. Complacency if you will. A life unpleasing to God and themselves.

There is so much danger is allowing ourselves to become complacent in the things of God. We begin to overlook sin, making excuses for the little "non-christian" things we are doing. Soon the sin becomes second nature to us and we no longer have any conviction about what we are doing. That complacency is soon reflected in our speech, integrity and character.

Because God is holy, He requires that we be holy. Many Christians have a "cultural holiness". They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them. God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself. Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God.

When a Christian begins to develop a habit of not reading their Bible and not praying, complacency slowly wiggles its way into their life and begins to eliminate God and all that goes with Him. Sin slowly makes its way into their heart and mind. Bad choices are made. Consequences follow. Disobedience to the things of God are a definite result of complacency and lack of commitment to the things of God.

My husband and I have witnessed first hand the devastating results of complacency in the lives of Christians. We have both counseled men, women and students who were flaunting with sinful choices as a result of complacency for the Kingdom of God. The flashing red lights were all over them and we talked to them until we were blue in the face. We prayed with them and for them but unfortunately their complacent lifestyle allowed the enemy to destroy their walk with Christ. Some of them have been restored, and after severe consequences for the choices they had made, are now living a solid Christian life. Some are currently in the midst of restoration and are dealing with painful criticism and humiliation. Some have turned their backs on God completely. It is heartbreaking for me to witness people who once served Christ with passion and excitement struggle with the torment of stupid choices. The danger of complacency is so horrid.

Through our union with Christ in His death we are delivered from the dominion of sin. But even as Christians we often times find ourselves struggling to stay on the right path and avoid the temptations that daily call out to us. Paul said, "When I want to do good, evil is right there with me" (Romans 7:21). God makes it clear in Jeremiah 17: 9-10 that our hearts have been inclined toward sin from the time we were born. But we can still choose whether or not to continue in sin. Either we can yield to a specific temptation, or we can ask God to help us resist temptation when it comes knocking at our door.

In order to be all that we can possibly be for the Kingdom of God we must chase God 24/7 with perseverance. We must pursue holiness daily. Holiness is not something that just happens because we except Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. Holiness is developed in our lives as we read our Bibles consistently, study God's Word consistently and pray consistently. A quick Bible verse each morning and a micro-wave prayer just doesn't cut it. We can never achieve holiness following this daily pattern in our lives.

The apostle John warns us to not sin. Basically he is telling us in 1 John 2:1 that we are to make it our aim not to sin. That seriously calls us to a deeper level of commitment with God. Can you imagine a soldier going into battle with the aim of "not getting hit very much"? The very suggestion is ridiculous. His aim is not to get hit at all! When we choose to live a complacent Christian life we are like a soldier going into battle with the aim of not getting hit very much. We are going to get hit - over and over and over again with temptation. The question is, "Can you consistently resist temptation when living a complacent life"?

Jonathan Edwards, one of the great preachers of early American history, used to make resolutions. One of these was, "Resolved, never to do anything which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life." That certainly places a different light on things doesn't it? Are we willing to risk it all because complacency has made residence in our Christian life?

Satan is more than willing to keep us complacent, to keep us lazy for the things of God. Being settled in complacency leaves us weak for Satan's evil, immoral attacks. It places us in a very vulnerable position which often allows us to make very poor choices leaving a negative affect on our lives for a long time.

A parable told by a Haitian pastor to illustrate to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ. A certain man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted very badly to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn't afford the full price. After much bargaining, the owner agreed to sell the house for half the original price with just one stipulation. He would retain ownership of one small nail protruding from just over the door. After several years, the original owner wanted the house back but the new owner was unwilling to sell. So first the owner went out and found the carcass of a dead dog and hung it from the nail he still owned. Soon the house became unlivable and the family was forced to sell the house to the owner of the nail. The Haitian pastor's conclusion: "If we leave the Devil with even one small peg in our lives, he will return to hang his rotting garbage on it, making it unfit for Christ's habitation." Complacency is that peg! Dale A. Hays, Leadership, Vol. 4, no. 2.

Matthew 22:37, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." You are to love God with how much of your heart - how much of your soul - how much of your mind? All of it. Every last tidbit. God does not want your complacency. He wants you to crave passion for the things of God. What if Jesus was complacent? What about your salvation? We have a Savior who loves us. He went to the cross for us with passion. He wasn't complacent about what He was supposed to do for us. Why should we be complacent about our commitment to Him?

Blessings to each of you!

Brand New!

2011-07-12T09:52:00.001-04:00

Christians are brand new people on the inside!!! Isn't that awesome? Just like a fresh pot of brewed coffee each morning. Today is a new day with new opportunities to do something fantastic for the Kingdom of God!

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Did you get that? The old has gone, the new has come! That is shoutin' material! The enemy can no longer convince us that we are trash.

The Holy Spirit restores and refreshes our life and we are never the same when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. We are not rehabilitated, reformed, or re-educated - we are recreated into a new creation. At conversion we don't just turn over a new leaf, we are beginning a new life with God! Praise the Lord, Hallelujah and Amen!!!

Be encouraged today! God is working His plan in your life. Be obedient and allow Him to do great things through you.

Blessings!

Ordinary to Accomplish Extraordinary

2011-07-11T11:01:00.000-04:00

Do you know that God uses ordinary folks to accomplish extraordinary tasks? Amazing isn't it? For some reason we tend to have this mindset that God cannot do anything great with our lives unless we are credentialed ministers, we have accomplished something absolutely incredible like many well -known authors, speakers and musicians, or have been miraculously healed from a horrible disease. Obviously these things will certainly win us some level of notoriety but not required for God to use us to accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God!

Reading my devotion the following scripture jumped out at me. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus Acts 4:13 (NIV). The Sanhedrin couldn't take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. I realize that most pastors focus on the portion of scripture that says, "these men had been with Jesus". It is true they had been with Jesus but what really fascinates me, and I believe sometimes is lost, is the fact that Peter and John and all the other disciples for that matter, were just ordinary men.

Our success in Christ should never be limited or measured by man's opinion or evaluation. God has given each of us incredible gifts and talents. As He opens doors for our ministries we should approach them with confidence thanking God for the continued work He is completing in our lives each day. He doesn't necessarily need the most educated and the most talented individuals to accomplish great tasks. Of course He uses them also but He continues to seek for willing, committed vessels who are sold out for the cause of Christ. God equips the called.

God is calling us to be Great for Him. He will never ask us to go where He has not provided the means to assist us. He will never call us to do a work without completely equipping us to be successful in accomplishing the task.
In Exodus, chapter 4, Moses is involved in a discussion with God regarding his suitability to represent the Israelites."What if they do not believe me or listen to me?" he asks God. "What is that in your hand?" the Lord replies. "A staff,", Moses says.Then God tells Moses to throw the staff on the ground, and when he does, it immediately becomes a serpent.

God gave Moses the ability to use whatever was in his hand at the moment to demonstrate not Moses' power, but God's power! A shepherd's staff was commonly a three-to-six-foot wooden rod with a curved hook at the top. The shepherd used it for walking, guiding his sheep, killing snakes, and many other tasks. Still, it was just a stick. But God used the simple shepherd's rod Moses carried to teach him an important lesson.

God sometimes takes joy in using ordinary things for extraordinary purposes. What are the ordinary things in your life - your voice, a pen, a musical instrument? While it is easy to assume God can use only special skills, you must not hinder His use of the everyday contributions you can make. Little did Moses imagine the power his simple staff would yield when it became the rod of God.What's in your hand that God wants to use? Whatever is in your hand, God can use it for His glory. He has blessed you with many talents and gifts. How can He use you to further the Kingdom of God?

I am speaking to myself today as well as many of you who may be reading this blog. God doesn't make mistakes. He gives us the desires of our heart. I truly believe that when we are totally committed to His will, His plan will unfold in our lives in His timing. I realize that we sometimes become impatient because plans just don't seem to be moving forward in our life in the fast lane but God knows what He is doing. Enjoy the journey. Do some sightseeing. Relax and allow God to use you as you travel this journey. He is going to take you places you never thought were possible if you stay focused on Him and committed to His Word and calling upon your life.

You are special. God has created you for a specific purpose. Don't allow the enemy to discourage you by telling you that you are unworthy for the task God has placed before you or you have nothing to offer. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary works for His Kingdom! Even in the small things that you and I are doing this week, God is being recognized and lives are being transformed.

Blessings to all those ordinary people like me, reading this blog today! You are incredible and God is working his plan in your life!

If God Has Given You a Dream, Pursue It!

2011-07-06T08:50:00.000-04:00

"Believer........ banish your fears; cast out all doubts; lift up the happy head; clap the exulting hands; rejoice; give thanks. Your heavenly Father cannot set you in wrong places. Your living Savior cannot lead you in wrong paths. All is well." Henry Law

Dreams. Visions. Hopes. Goals. Sometimes, we have clear direction from God regarding our next steps in life. Sometimes, we have no idea. For many of us waiting for that next step to become a reality can be an incredibly tough process as we trust God and pray for His will day after day after day. What happens between the dreams dreamed and the dreams realized? LIFE!

Between the dreams and the reality of the dreams coming true we patiently wait, NOT, living our lives, but remaining faithful to God and His calling, trusting Him to bring about what He would have us to do. We don't stop being faithful, and we can't stop living as if we were literally frozen in time, but we must be patient. For many of us, that is an extremely challenging task.

Every one of us has at some point dreamed a dream that was beyond us, perhaps even a divinely initiated dream. For some, God has fulfilled that dream. For many of us, we are still waiting for those dreams to come to life. Often times we may even become frustrated from waiting for that God-sized dream and pursue a more manageable people-sized dream instead. Maybe the people-sized dreams feel safer because we feel we can accomplish them more easily. We find the God-sized dreams overwhelming, and so we become creative to find ways to put them aside for fear of failure.

If God has given you a dream pursue it! We should never settle for anything less than what God intends to accomplish through us. We must not allow ourselves to become distracted but consistently wait patiently for the realization of the dreams. Do not allow the enemy to fill your minds with doubt but rejoice because God is still in control!

I know from experience waiting is not always an easy task. I am reminded often that God's timing is not my timing. Between the dreams dreamed and the dreams realized life continues to move forward.

What are you doing with that time today? Don't allow frustration and discouragement to alter your God-given dreams. Remain faithful to the call God has placed upon your life and allow Him to use you where you are while you wait for that dream. One day God will let us know that it is time for His dreams to become a reality in our lives. Even though life happens, God still works His purposes out in detail. The path to our dream may not be exactly how we thought we would get there. Just trust God. We have a responsibility to be faithful and patient as His will becomes a reality for each of us.

Blessings!

2011-07-03T06:42:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Girlfriends!

This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will REJOICE and be glad in it!!!!!

I know for many it is challenging to rejoice this morning because of everything happening around you in your ministry and life. Just remember today that God is still on the throne and is as powerful as He was yesterday and will still reign tomorrow! He loves you and cares about every detail of your life including the discouragement and disappointments you may be dealing with today.

Just want to encourage you this morning with a simple thought. No matter what you are walking through at this moment, God will help you be a positive influence in a negative situation. Be encouraged – what you have to offer is the life of Jesus, not your own expertise. Encouragement cannot harm people – a loving word from you will always help somehow, if even a little, if only for a moment. As ministry wives and ministry women, our skills and callings are varied, but we can be unceasing encourager's. We are greatly needed!

I am praying for you today that God’s power and presence will be overwhelming in your services. You are amazing women of God! Have a blessed holiday weekend!!!

Love and appreciate you!

Hugs,

Debbie

Amazing Peace in the Midst of Life's Challenges

2011-06-29T08:37:00.001-04:00

Oftentimes it is tempting to become weary, worn and discouraged when we experience a series of events in our lives that tend to bring us down. We could easily whine and complain about the weariness of the journey but why elevate the enemy in that manner? Nothing is too big for the God we serve. Maybe it is time we practice what we preach........

There is a contemporary worship song that goes like this, The more I seek Him, The more I find Him, The more I find Him, The more I love Him. God has used that song over and over again to speak into my heart when life becomes challenging and the road tends to be filled with potholes and major detours. I am so grateful for God's peace in the midst of life's storms. He extends His hand to us and guides us through each obstacle that comes before us. He soothes our spirit and gives us strength that is magnificent.
Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The word, STILL, means, motionless, immobile, unmoving, at rest, at a halt, tranquil, silent and quiet. Wow! When was the last time we have been STILL before the Lord? When was the last time we have truly allowed Him to minister peace and tranquility into our spirits? When was the last time we completely came to a screeching halt and allowed God to speak into our hearts in a small still voice? When was the last time we truly experienced an overwhelming renewal in our spirits because we were obedient to what God was asking of us?

Take a moment today and "Be Still" before the Lord. Although our schedules can be hectic and overwhelming, God is still there to lift our spirits. Don't allow the enemy to distract and discourage you. Those are powerful tools from the enemy. Call on God and allow Him to energize and refresh your spirit. Allow Him to bathe your life with peace in the midst of the hectic storms. He is magnificent and His peace is amazing.......

Blessings friends!

Focus

2011-06-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes no matter how hard we try, it seems that we just cannot focus on the things in life that should be most important to us.

Here's a little quiz ......

1. When life gets crazy, does your alone time with God tend to get pushed near the bottom of the priority list?

2. When you attempt to focus on something do you find that you are easily distracted?
3. Would you identify yourself as a worrier?

4. Do you ever have a "self" pity party?

5. Do you find yourself easily angered by others?

6. Do you easily find fault with others?

7. Do you find yourself questioning if God really cares about you and your purpose for life?

Have you ever considered that what we think is important God often considers a distraction? How many times have we put off our time with God to tend to other business we thought was more important?

Think on these common myths that we have all come to believe from time to time:

1. Busy equals important. (God won't ask us on judgement day if we have been busy.)

2. Someone wins the rat race. (God is not interested in what we do. He is interested in who we are in Christ.)

3. Hurrying will buy us additional time. (Do we fill the extra time with more stuff?)

4. "Down time" is just wasted time. (Why did God institute the Sabbath?)

The ultimate tragedy of our busy lives is the very same thing Martha faced in the Bible. She was offered the opportunity to sit at Jesus' feet but she was distracted. Was her desire to serve Jesus the problem? Absolutely not! Martha was fretting over the huge dinner she was preparing. She wasn't focused.

"Are you at that corner of life where you do not know which way to turn? Then, for goodness sake, sit down. Sit at Jesus' feet. Look in His word and see what He has to say. It will help you with your housework. It will make you a better dishwasher. It will help you sweep the floors cleaner. You will dig a better ditch, mow a better lawn, and study your lesson better. Your work at the office will be easier, and you will be able to drive your car better. Just take time to sit at the feet of Jesus." J. Vernon McGee

In the busyness of life it is easy for our lives to become unfocused and distracted. Let's be intentional about focusing on what God has for our lives and refuse to allow the enemy to bring confusion and other distractions into our path. God is our answer to whatever problem we are dealing with today. Focus on Him..............

Blessings and hugs!

2011-06-26T06:19:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Girlfriends!

I know there are many who are struggling with overwhelming issues today. Many of you had restless nights and are extremely stressed over the challenges you are facing in your life. I am so thankful that you are a part of this group of women who can encourage and pray for one another. Many of you have contacted me regarding things that you are currently walking through asking for prayer. Thank you for that confidence and trust.

Each of you are awesme ladies designed by a great God. I know for many of you the future seems foggy and confusing but God is still on the throne and He is in control no matter what we are facing! He can heal a broken marriage, perform a miracle with finances, and give hope where there just doesn't seem to be any glimmer of light.

Look up girlfriends! God loves you and His desire is to do an awesome work through you. Trust Him. The devil has NOTHING over God!! He brings confusion and heart ache but God brings peace, healing and love.

I pray a special blessing upon you, your family and ministry today. May God ROCK the HOUSE today in a way that will definitely ROCK your world. I pray for miracles all over the place today and I will be waiting to hear how God answered your prayers.

You are awesome!
Blessings and hugs,
Debbie

The Roar of the Lion

2011-06-22T09:00:00.002-04:00

Division is a problem in many churches because people constantly gossip and I wouldn't be afraid to estimate 90% of what is repeated isn't the truth. It is simply hurtful words instigated by the enemy to tear down and destroy God's work.

Let's offer words of encouragement to those around us today and refuse to be a part of any negative conversation. Allow God to use you for His Kingdom in a way that will be positive and uplifting to all those you encounter this week. Even when the lion continues to roar God continues to reign!!!!

Blessings!

Influence

2011-06-21T06:59:00.001-04:00

Recently I read in Free to Soar how leadership can be emphasized in ministry, especially for pastor's wives and ministry women. Bobbie Houston asked these questions. Do you realize that people are watching us, whether we like it or not? And more than that, many of those folks are actually following the pattern and the manner of our lives. I don't know about you friends but that scares me to death!!!!!

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7). The Word of God is telling our congregations to look at you and me - to see how we are living our lives. These people watch our relationship with God our husbands and family and with our churches. They observe the way we respond to and raise our children and they watch the way we negotiate relationships - the good, the bad and even the ugly.

People also watch to see what we give priority to in our lives. If something is not important to you as a leader, it is not going to be important to them. If we come in late to church, they’ll more than likely come in late. If we choose to sit down during the worship, are easily distracted and don't enter in, more than likely they will have that same attitude.

I know this book is specifically addressing pastor's wives and ministry women but ALL Christians are influencing their world, either for good or bad. One of my biggest fears is that I will do something on a "bad hair day" to lead someone astray. My prayer for each of us today is that God will help us to be a Godly example at home, at work, at church, etc. I realize how demanding our lives can be and many of us are multi-tasking daily but God is our strength and our source. May His love and peace surround you today. May His sweet spirit shine in and through your life.

Have a wonderful day filled to overflowing with God's abundant blessings!

Run To Him

2011-06-16T06:59:00.000-04:00

"I do not know that the prodigal saw his father, but his father saw him. The eyes of mercy are quicker than the eyes of repentance. Even the eyes of our faith is dim compared with the eye of God's love. He sees a sinner long before a sinner sees Him."

~C.H. Spurgeon~

The desire to leave home and face the responsibilities of adulthood is perfectly natural but restless yearning to flee responsibilities is immature. In Luke 15 the prodigal son grew restless, his polluted imagination conjured up exotic, far away dreams. He could envision the implications of total freedom from authority and pits of pleasurable sin.The father permits his son to leave. Sometimes the worst thing God can do is to give us what we want.

The prodigal son got what he thought he wanted, but lost what he had. Gathering up his belongings, the prodigal departs for a "far country". Many times this "far country" exists in our hearts as well. Like so many of us, his happiness was conditional upon his circumstances. He was not content with where God had placed him.

Freedom became freedom to sin, and pleasures provided a false enchantment. The prodigal son was eager to experience the pleasures of life, apart from God. The lost son lusted for freedom without restraints and ended up enslaving himself. When his money was gone, his friends deserted him. Destitute, he was forced to do for a stranger what he refused to do for his own father. He was forced to work as a swineherd.

Sin promises freedom but it only brings slavery. It promises success, but it only brings failure. It promises life, but "the wages of sin is death".We often meet our destiny on the road we choose to take to avoid it. The lost son "came to his senses", and "found" himself. The prodigal complains about no one but himself, and speaks of no unworthiness but his own. He doesn't point fingers at his former companions. He admits his willingness to leave home and offers no excuses to cover his guilt or justify his sinful choices

When he left home he had a somewhat positive self-image. His companions most likely assured him that he was a pretty likable and generous fellow. When he began playing the comparison game looking at the bums, harlots and degenerates, he measured favorably. Even later when he was forced to work at pig farm , he may have compared himself to the other swineherds. Maybe he assumed he was a better person than them. After all, he was from a privileged background. But when his thoughts focused on home and he began to compare himself to his father he abandoned, he admitted he was no longer worthy to be called his son. He suddenly adopted a new standard of comparison.

We may be guilty of looking around us at people in various degrees of depravity and assume we're OK. Our standard is Jesus Christ - not other people. When we compare ourselves to Christ we see our true condition and how hopelessly far we fall short of His holy example and righteous expectations.

Guilt and shame are painful to face, yet we desperately need to see ourselves for what we are. Before we can respond to God's mercy we must gain a sense of our inability and unworthiness, and the horror of how our sin has debased our lives and offended God.

The now penitent son unconditionally confesses his sin, offering no excuses. Realizing how well his father treated his servants, he turns from his sin and turns toward home. It seemed unlikely to this young man that his father would allow him to return, even as a servant. I am sure all kinds of questions were racing through his mind as he made his journey home. When the father noticed his son he immediately ran to meet him and lovingly embraced him.

Jesus is also waiting for those who have decided to journey away from home. He waits with open arms to embrace those who have made wrong choices. He is waiting today to embrace those who are willing to ask for forgiveness for the sinful choices they have made. He loves us and wants only the best for us. This life isn't about us. It is all about Him.

Embrace Him today. Maybe you are that prodigal today and sincerely yearn to go home. God is waiting. It doesn't matter what you have done. Ask God to forgive you for the bad choices you have made. He can completely change your life. You can make a difference for Him.

Blessings!

Making a Difference

2011-06-09T08:15:00.000-04:00

For me, Monday is far more difficult to roll out of bed than any other day of the week! I am usually exhausted from the weekend and a full day of events on Sunday. My motivation when the alarm begins to "buzz' at 5am seriously needs some help! I hear Starbucks calling my name!

Do you ever feel weary in the ministry? Have you ever questioned God about how you can really make any difference in the Kingdom of God?

God has a plan for you and I and that plan is huge. He tells us in His Word that we are to be imitators of Christ. That tells me that others need to see Jesus in me even when I am tired,weary and basically worn out!

All of us can make a difference for the Kingdom of God. I feel such an urgency in my heart for those who are unsaved. People need to know that God loves them and He is returning soon for His church. Christians need to continue being "busy" about God's business. Some folks have developed a habit of only attending church on Easter and Christmas. Easter is this Sunday so we need to take the initiative and invite them to church! Not just any church but a church where the pastor preaches the truth from the Word of God and is not afraid to step on any toes for fear of losing numbers in their church. OUCH! People are searching for hope in a desperate world. God offers that hope and peace to those who surrender their lives to Him.

I realize that preaching truth in church today is not popular. I also realize that those pastor's are often labeled "old fashioned and not relevant". Well friend, when the trumpet sounds, who really cares about being relevant. I just want to know that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am washed in the blood of the lamb and on my way to heaven! How about you?

Blessings!

Success

2011-06-08T10:00:00.001-04:00

There is a common desire within every person to feel successful. We often measure our worth on the basis of how successful we are. How we measure that success is often based on a worldly standard rather than a godly standard. Success by the world’s standard often means luxury, wealth, and possessions, achievements, notoriety, fame, beauty, and intelligence. If we measure our lives by the world’s standards we will have an inaccurate and incomplete view of whether or not we’re successful. God’s standard of measurement is nothing like the world’s standard.

God’s formula for success works for every person, in every situation. The pathway to success cannot be traveled by anyone who does not practice God’s formula for success. These principles are taken from Joshua 1:6-9.

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

Notice the number of times God brings this command before Joshua. (v. 6, 7, 9). What is courage? Courage has several synonyms: bravery, valor, fearlessness, heroism, confidence, nerve. It also has several nicknames: guts, grit, backbone.There’s one very important thing we need to notice about courage. Courage is demonstrated in the person who has their back against the wall, when the odds are against them, when the pressure is on, when the flaming arrows are close, when the pain is intense, when the attack is at hand.

David demonstrated courage as he walks into the Valley of Elah with his sling to take his stand against Goliath. We see courage when Moses stands eye to eye with Pharaoh. We see it in Elijah when he challenges the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. Why did God tell Joshua that he needed to be courageous? What was Joshua going to face that was so difficult that he would need to be courageous? Besides being the leader of the nation of Israel, God had given Joshua a project to complete. His first task was to lead his army into Canaan and drive out the people who lived there. Sounds like an easy job, but remember, 40 years before this, under Moses’ leadership, he had sent 12 spies into the land of Canaan. They came back with stories of giants living in the land who made them look like grasshoppers. When the people heard this they became afraid and refused to enter the land. Fear can hamper our success.

There were seven nations living in Canaan, all of them larger and stronger than Israel. By all human standards Joshua was facing an uphill battle. He had every reason to turn and jet. That’s why God encourages him so many times: "Be strong and courageous."

Do you ever feel like you’re facing an uphill battle? Do you feel like the odds are against you? Honestly, there are hundreds of times in our lives when we’re faced with situations that seem impossible! There are outward circumstances like illnesses and disabilities, broken relationships, financial hardships, the loss of a job, etc. Then there’s the inner conflicts that test our faith, like attacks on our personal integrity, remaining faithful when no one is looking, enduring the sting of loneliness and separation. There are many times in our lives when we need to hear God’s command to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.”

Real success is not a matter of strength and courage alone, but strength and courage that comes from the knowledge that God is walking with us. In order for Joshua to lead the people into the land of Canaan and claim God’s promise he must be strong and courageous. They couldn’t do like their fathers had done a generation ago and grumble and complain and refuse to enter the land because of their fear.

Don’t think of yourself as being insignificant in the Kingdom of God. Don’t allow the enemy to convince you with his lies that you cannot be used by God. That is nothing more than a weak excuse for a weak faith! In God’s success formula the first thing we must do is be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

God’s formula for success will not look like success in the eyes of the world. God has called each of us to do something awesome for the Kingdom. Of course the enemy is going to constantly knock on your door and discourage you. He will try everything in his bag of tricks to deceive you and convince you that you are not worthy of success in God’s eyes.

My God is so awesome. Dreams are real folks. When God plants a dream for success in your heart run after it. He equips us to succeed.

God is unpredictable and walking with Him is always an adventure!

Blessings!

In "other" Words - Trusting Him in All Things

2011-06-07T12:11:00.001-04:00

"If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the "little" things of life?" ~M.E.Howard

Can we really say that we totally resign our entire life into the hands of the Lord and practice freedom from fear? If that were true there would never again be worry, fear or stress in our lives. We would never again worry about the small things in our lives along with the other challenges. As much as I would love to say that I am at that point in my walk with Christ, I know in my heart that I'm not. And honestly, I don't know if I have ever met anyone who can say that they have completely arrived at that place in their spiritual journey.

In chapter 5 of the Book of Mark, the woman with the issue of blood had such passion, determination and FAITH that she overcame what seemed to be illogical. Logic said, "There are so many people around Jesus. You cannot possibly get through that crowd." Logic said, "You are ceremonially unclean and cannot go near Christ." But her faith and passion and determination said, "I can get to Jesus no matter what my situation or circumstance. He will make it right."

A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed." (Mark 5:25-28, NLT).

This woman had suffered enough, and she was determined to get her healing. Her faith led to a release of Christ's power. "Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my robe?'" (Mark 5:30, NLT). Jesus was not angry with this woman for touching him. He knew she had touched him, but he stopped and asked who did it in order to teach something about faith. Although this woman was healed when she touched him, Jesus said her faith caused the cure. Genuine faith involves action.

I love the Lord with all my heart and I do trust Him with my life but there are times when worry rears its ugly head into my thought pattern or doubt enters my mind. Maybe it is a work issue, or ministry issue and sometimes family issues. When I find myself in those places of doubt or worry I realize I need to pour myself more into God's Word and spend more alone time with my Heavenly Father.

God selected twelve disciples. He is choosing you and I today. He is calling us to be world changers for the Kingdom of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. He has placed passion and purpose in each of us. When we have faith to trust God in ALL things, nothing will be impossible.

Trusting Him today for what lies ahead tomorrow..........

Welcome Urailak, who is the new host today for IOW! Visit her blog at Living for God.

Critical Spirit or Constructive Criticism

2011-06-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

Guilty as sin! We as a society tend to judge, analyze, and evaluate various things. We can give a movie two thumbs up or two thumbs down. We can evaluate a person's attractiveness on a scale of one to ten. We also tend to make judgments about people. Is this being done with a critical spirit or a merciful spirit?

As much as 77% of everything we think is negative and counterproductive and works against us. People who grow up in an average household hear "No" or are told what they can't do more than 148,000 times by the time they reach age 18. Result: Unintentional negative programming. Shad Helmstetter in Homemade, Jan. , 1987.

A critical spirit is an obsessive attitude of criticism and fault-finding, which seeks to tear others down - not the same thing as what is sometimes called constructive criticism. The only criticism that is ever constructive is that which is expressed in love to "build up", not to tear down. Constructive criticism is always expressed face-to-face, never behind a person's back. The person who demonstrates a critical spirit usually dwells on the negative, seeks for flaws, rather than good. A critical spirit is destructive and harmful to our walk, witness, and our world. An unforgiving, unloving, and critical attitude toward another person will hinder our relationship with Christ. When we exercise a critical spirit, it is extremely harmful to our witness because the world is watching and listening to us. They will never be convinced that we serve a God of love, mercy, kindness and forgiveness. We must exhibit those traits in our lives if we are trying to reflect godliness in our character.

A critical tongue causes damage and dissension within marriages, churches and workplaces and families. We ought to examine ourselves first before criticizing others. As Christians, we must avoid the sin of being critical. We tend to speak destructive criticism in very subtle ways. We grumble, we complain, we become sarcastic. We talk about what we should have all the time. We talk about what someone else has that we don't have. When we talk in such negative ways, we run the risk of becoming more destructive in our relationships. We hurt and offend people that we love. When we talk critically all the time, we will hurt someone else. In the New Testament, it is called "judging one another". Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner. James 5:9 (The Message )

Four ways to overcome a critical spirit are:1.Stop walking through life like a whiner. 2.Work to see the positive in each situation and each person. 3.Trust that God wants to help you to overcome your critical behavior. 4.Teach others to be encouraging.

Make an effort to stop criticizing. Actually count how often you criticize your spouse, your children, your friends, your church, your leaders. You may be surprised to see how often you complain and grumble. Stop it for a week. See how much better your relationships will improve because you made a concerted effort to hold your tongue. Then for each time you wanted to say something negative or critical, speak something encouraging. Edify others. Don't tear them down. Matthew 7, A Simple Guide for Behavior 1-5 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment.

That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor (The Message). Is there anyone in your life that you have judged wrongly? Ask God to forgive you today for the negative thoughts you have toward this individual. Even if this person has sinned we are not their judge. That is between them and God. We must concentrate on our relationship with the Lord. If you have ill feelings toward this person seek God today and ask Him to fill your heart with forgiveness and mercy for this person. Pray for the Holy Spirit to saturate your heart and mind today with love and understanding.

Blessings!

2011-06-05T06:30:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends!

I trust your week was fabulous! Luke, our grandson, had his tonsils removed on Thursday and all is well. He is experiencing some pain but that is normal. Thank you so much for your prayers.

As we face this week let us be reminded that the enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy! If he can find just one way to bring discouragement and confusion into our minds he thinks he wins the battle! I know life can be challenging but let us remember that God is on the throne and is fighting the battle with us each day. Nothing we face is too big for Him. It is in the valleys that we learn how to be tough and solid rock Christians!

The devil, according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly shaped tool, which was labeled "Not for sale." Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, "I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement that I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts otherwise inaccessible. When I get this tool into a man's heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire."

While the devil is busy doing his thing in order to discourage Christians, God is also at work encouraging us to be all we can be for His Kingdom. When the devil beats us down, God lifts us up. While the devil is convincing us to throw in the towel and give it up, God is cheering us on to finish the race!

Life can be discouraging at times. Waiting on God to open the right door or patiently waiting for the right ministry opportunity to come our way is not always an easy task. Most of us are very impatient folks and we want results yesterday. Life isn't that way and God often uses this time to prepare, shape and mold us into the persons we need to be to complete the work He has called us to do. I am thankful today that God controls my future.

Have an awesome and encouraging week! When the enemy comes knocking on your life, allow God to answer the door!!!

Blessings!

God is Always There

2011-06-02T08:00:00.006-04:00

Where do you go when facing affliction, anguish, persecution, challenges, tribulation or difficult circumstances? Do you typically SPRINT to the secret place of refuge under the shadow of the Almighty? Or do you choose to GALLOP FAR AWAY from God and attempt to hide yourself from Him? It is important that we make the correct choice and strategically plan in advance so we are prepared when faced with a difficult decision. It isn't a matter of IF the problems come knocking at our doors. It is a matter of WHEN!

No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you. To keep you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:10,11

When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden they made a choice to run and hide from God. God wants to be our refuge. He is our strength, our stronghold and our help in trouble. He has promised us in the scriptures that He will help us if we call upon His name in times of need. He is available to us 24/7 to protect us even when it appears that destruction is encompassing our lives.

Those whose faith is shallow will face danger when difficult challenges come upon them. It is easy being a Christian as long as we are on the mountaintop. But what happens when the mountain begins to crumble and we feel as though the world is falling down all around us?

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to access the damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Startled by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings. She could have flown to safety but refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. She had been willing to die so that those under the cover of her wings would live.

When times become overwhelming and extremely challenging, do not run FROM GOD, but run TOO GOD and avail yourself to the refuge He provides. He is above all our circumstances, all-powerful, unchanging and Lord of heaven and earth.

Blessings!

2011-05-29T06:28:00.001-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends,

Praying that your weekend has been awesome!

Our granddaughter Tori graduated from preschool on Thursday. She is so precious. It was an exciting time for her and our family. I had two teeth extracted on Friday. That was not fun! One of my teeth broke while it was being pulled...... I knew I was in trouble when the dentist said, "This is not good". Anyway, the teeth are gone and I am doing well. There is a little swelling this morning but I feel great!

Please keep our grandson Luke who is seven in your prayers on Thursday. He has had step throat six times this winter and is having surgery to have his tonsils and adenoids removed.

Just want to encourage you today ladies. As I look around I constantly see people struggling with life issues. Some are losing their homes, some are dealing with devastating news about their health, some have lost their jobs, some are dealing with major issues in their marriages and the list goes on. Life is a constant challenge. But, God is our constant.

We truly do have so much to be thankful for and for me; I often take that for granted. I am so thankful that I serve a God who will never fail me or leave me. I am so thankful that even when life’s challenges seem bigger than anything I have ever imagined, my God is on the throne and He walks with me through those deep waters. Life often brings pain but God is always there to bring comfort and peace.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3). Sometimes we fail unintentionally to commit our struggles and challenges to God. Yes we do and I am guilty of this as well. How many times have we given God temporary control of things in our lives only to take back control when things stop gong the way we expect? And sometimes we commit a task fully to the Lord, but put forth no effort ourselves in praying about this situation. We must maintain a delicate balance: trusting God as if everything depended on him, while working as if everything depended on us. By working I mean praying daily for this situation. Think of a specific situation you are walking through right now. Have you fully committed it to the Lord? Are you fully trusting God for the answer?

At the cross I bow my knee,
Where Your blood was shed for me.
There’s no greater love than this.
You have overcome the grave.
Your glory fills the highest place.
What can separate me now?
Song - At the Cross by Hillsong

I love that song! God loves his children so much and he cares about everything we walk through in this life. Whether it is a small challenge or something that is overwhelming,..,,. He cares. Lay the burden at the cross today and then trust God with the results. He has overcome the grave. His glory fills the highest place. Friends, what can separate us now?

Have a wonderful Sunday and an incredible blessed week! Please continue to send your prayer requests to me and connect with one another on Facebook on the Chocolate and Coffee/Pastor's Wives and Ministry Women page. May God’s power and presence be magnified in your life today!

Love and appreciate you,
Debbie

A New Level

2011-05-24T08:05:00.002-04:00

God has a great work for each of our lives. For me, when things are going great in our ministry I fear that I will find myself in a place of complacency. A comfort zone of ministry. In my heart, God is calling me to a new level in ministry. I am not satisfied where I am spiritually. I want ALL He has for my life and ministry and I realize that cannot be accomplished if I am comfortable.

God is calling His children to a place of spiritual perfection. We cannot achieve this assignment unless we apply and practice the instructions God has given us from His Word. A Christian's life must reflect Godliness and holiness in all areas. We cannot pick and choose which scriptures would be most suitable for our lifestyles. Our lives must be credible and our integrity and character a model of what we preach.

There are churches all over the world preaching and teaching false doctrine from their pulpits each Sunday. Many of these pastors are preaching false doctrine to thousands of members. And worse than that, these churches are filled with Christians who are not able to discern truth from error because they don't know the Bible. Their relationship with Christ is weak and flimsy and as a result, they have placed themselves in the hands of the enemy, being led down a path of deception and destruction. The apostle Paul warned that false teachers would attempt to infiltrate the Christian church from both the outside and from within. (Acts 20:29-30)

The designer of a counterfeit dollar bill does not make the counterfeit bill to look different from the genuine. He designs the bill to look exactly the same as the genuine. The counterfeit dollar bill must be able to come alongside the genuine dollar bill and appear to be a true dollar bill. Those who are trained to work with money must be trained to know the difference between a counterfeit dollar bill and a genuine dollar bill.

Spiritually speaking, we can apply these same truths when it comes to exposing false doctrines or teachings that are being propagated in the body of Christ today. We must allow the Lord to minister to us and train us according to His Holy Word and by the power of His Spirit. We must be cautious that we do not allow deception to lead us into error or a place of complacency in our lives.

A huge problem existing in the church today is that people simply do not know the Scriptures or the awesome power of God and the Holy Spirit. Many have settled for counterfeit religion filled with false teachings, much less than what God has to offer. A lack of spending quality time at the feet of Jesus in prayer has opened unending doors of deception. Many have negated the power of God because their walk with Christ is shallow. Our society has embraced everything or anything that comes from a pulpit. We have not yet learned to embrace the Cross and the Christ who died upon it. Those things are somehow not relevant in much of the Christian society today. What has happened to us?

Many people today view the Church as a place to have their needs met. They have no desire or will to sacrifice and serve others. It is self-centered Christianity which focuses only on what do I get out of this church. What is in it for me? The reason there is such turnover in the church today is because people are constantly moving to kepp getting their selfish needs met and have no desire to serve the Kingdom of God. By failing to preach the truth from the pulpits, we are encouraging believers to become self-serving which is a deadly killer of compassion..

The seeker-driven movement with evangelical Christianity has made church like shopping. And American Christians are out looking for the best deal. They will turn to emptiness for fulfillment in sports, sex, drugs, possessions, relationships, education and consistently choose these things over and above God. C.S. Lewis said, "We are half-hearted creatures like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased,"

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7: 21-23)

Partial scriptures taken out of context makes "greasy grace" preaching very popular. People love that warm and fuzzy feeling and often feel irritated and uncomfortable when a preacher challenges them with the truth from God's Word. There is danger in preaching only selected scriptures and partial truths. The Bible clearly states that sin does separate us from God and no sin will enter heaven. If only part of the Bible is preached and people do not have the opportunity to hear the truth, they are being deceived into believing that they are doing well spiritually and on their way to heaven, even if they are living in sin.

Churches are convincing people that anything is acceptable because Jesus loves them. These folks are in church but not in Christ. They participate in all kinds of activities in the church but have no relationship with Christ. They are experiencing a Mr. Roger's neighborhood and are being told there is no need for salvation. Authentic Christianity results in life transformation but the truth must be preached because people's lives are hanging in the balance.

Spiritual perfection comes from seeking God, reading and meditating on His Word, and spending quality time with the Lord in prayer. These must be a part of our lives on a daily basis if we are serious about pursuing and demonstrating the character of a whole Christian. Can the people who you encounter each day see that you have a genuine relationship with Christ? Are you producing good fruit or is there an unholy mixture of bad fruit in your life? Are you seeking after the latest charismatic teaching with partial truths or are you really seeking after Him?

If we truly desire to see the power of God manifested in our lives, we must focus our eyes on the things of God. We must be willing to allow ourselves to be saturated with His Word so that we will have the ability to discern between truth and counterfeit. If we truly desire a new level in our relationship with Christ it requires a deeper relationship with the God we serve....................... For me.... that is relevant!

Blessings!

2011-05-22T06:26:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends!

Another Sunday morning and another week full of busyness. Does this apply to any of you this morning?

I had a great week other than finding out I have a ton of dental work that must be done. I absolutely hate going to the dentist!! When I was a little girl I had a horrible experience and I dread anything being done to my teeth. Because I have put off going to the dentist for so long I now have a ton of procedures scheduled…………

As a worship leader, music is an integral part of my life. Many times when life seems super heavy and overwhelming I play my favorite CD and meditate on God’s Word. Music is soothing to my soul and truly ministers to my spirit in a powerful way.

As I prepared the music schedule this weekend I thought about how many times I have been guilty of leading a beautiful worship song but my actions certainly did not demonstrate the truth in those songs. I may have been dealing with an overwhelming battle in my own life and instead of trusting God to take care of the situation, I worried and lacked the faith I needed for a break through.

There is a song that has been around for awhile, Break Through. Break through all my fears. Break through all my doubts. Break through that I may worship you. Break through all my pain. Break through all my guilt and my shame. Break through like only You can do………… Powerful words aren’t they? But it even gets better. You are brighter than my darkest night;
Stronger than my toughest fight. Just one touch from You; my King, my Friend, and I’ll never be the same again. Break Through!!

We know people diagnosed with cancer and some of you are even dealing with this in your own families. Many are suffering with depression and hopelessness. Marriages are falling apart and families are crumbling. God is brighter than our darkest night and stronger than our toughest fight! Declare that today! God is strength and peace, our comforter and healer.

Friends, I challenge you today to step up to the plate with a faith that cannot waver when the wind blows and the ship is being tossed back and forth. Our God reigns and He is always in control when life seems hopeless. We must be the light to those around us so they can also experience the beautiful love from our Savior. Break through oh God…… we are praying for a break through…………………………..

My prayer for you this morning is that you will see that Break Through TODAY! Trust Him no matter how hard the storm is raging around you. Nothing is too big for our God!

Love and appreciate you,

Debbie

What Opportunities Are Right in Front of You?

2011-05-19T08:01:00.001-04:00

This was my teaching from a Wednesday night service a while back. I decided to bring it out of the archives today.

When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn’t work at zero gravity. In order to solve this problem, they hired Andersen Consulting. It took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on practically any surface including crystal and a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C. And what did the Russians do? The Russians used a pencil!

Too often we focus on problems and fail to see opportunities right in front of us. Winston Churchill once said: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; while an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Likewise the Lord tells us to be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Eph. 5:15-17. In other words, “If you want to understand the Lord’s will, be wise by looking for the opportunities He sets before you, especially in difficult circumstances.”

For me, often times I try to fix whatever is broken in my own strength before I ever call upon the Lord. It isn’t a matter of not trusting God but rather the independence that raises its ugly head when I find myself dealing with something heavy. Many times I will exhaust all avenues on my own and then finally call upon God to bring in the big guns!

Jesus had tried to slip quietly away from the crowds, but the people found out where he was going and followed him. Instead of showing impatience at this interruption, Jesus welcomed the people and ministered to their needs. Have you ever experienced interruption when you were doing something you deemed very important? How do you see people who interrupt your schedule – as nuisances, or as the reason for your life and ministry?

Luke 9: 10-17
Our passage tells us that Jesus and His disciples withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but a crowd in excess of 5,000 learned about it and followed him. As it got late in the day, the disciples came to him with a problem - too many people to feed. But rather than seeing this as an opportunity for the Lord to work, they saw it as a problem they needed to fix. Notice their pessimism, Mark 6:37 the disciples said to him, “it would take eight months of a man’s wages (to feed all these people)! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?"

When the disciples expressed concern about where the crowd of thousands would eat, Jesus offered a surprising solution – “You give them something to eat.” The disciples protested, focusing their attention on what they didn’t have (food and money.)

Is God calling you to do something that you know in man’s eyes is absolutely impossible? Do you think God would ask you to do something that you and he together couldn’t handle? Don’t let your lack of resources blind you to seeing God’s power.

When Jesus asked the disciples to provide food for over 5,000 people, they asked in astonishment if they should go and spend eight months’ wages on bread. A situation that seems impossible with human resources is simply an opportunity for God. The disciples did everything they could by gathering the available food and organizing the people into groups. Then, in answer to prayer, God did the impossible. When facing a seemingly impossible task, do what you can and ask God to do the rest. He may see fit to make the impossible happen.

The disciples dove head-long into “fix-it” mode and not once asked the Lord who was standing right there, what His thoughts were about it. So Jesus looked them right in the eye and said to them, Fella’s, "You give them something to eat." v.13 Now you can almost feel the tightening in their chest, that tingling sensation that creeps up your spine, grabs your neck and sends your brain into panic mode. “You said what?”

"Lord, you don’t just don't get it. You see we had a committee meeting and have identified the problem, assessed our resource pool and have already come up with a perfectly legitimate and natural solution to this problem." Sound like something you may have heard before in your own conversation with the Lord?

Jesus wanted His disciples to stop looking at problems from their natural perspective. Jesus Himself said it. In John’s account, it says that Jesus asked (them this question) to test them, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. John 6:6

Now folks, why in the world would Jesus ask the disciples a question that He already had the answer for? Why would He put them through this exercise when He had already predetermined the outcome?

1. Discipleship is not for spectators.
It has been said that much of Christianity can be compared to a football game; 22 players on the field in dire need of rest and 100,000 spectators in the stands in dire need of exercise. Jesus wants all of His disciples to be engaging in His ministry of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth. That’s why He sent out the 12 in Luke 9:1. The Lord invites us to join Him in His work and that is exactly what He wanted the disciples to do and what he wants us to learn and do as well. Why? Because once we come to believe in Christ as Savior, we can’t stay there, we need to move on in making Him Lord of our lives. It would be like being born and staying an infant our entire life. That’s not God’s plan! His plan is for us to join Him in His work, as we come under His direction, authority and leadership. However, as disciples that come under the Lordship of Christ we need to start looking at the world and the problems we face from His perspective. The disciples on the other hand were looking at this dilemma from their perspective. In fact, they left the Lord almost entirely out of the equation or in many of our cases we first exhaust all our resources before we come to Him.How in the world could the disciples feed all those people? They needed to change their perspective. What about you? Do you also need to change your perspective when it comes to the things of God?

2. Problems are opportunities in disguise.
Remember, John says that Jesus asked this only to test them, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. John 6:6

When Jesus asked Philip where they could buy a great amount of bread, Philip started assessing the cost. Jesus wanted to teach him that financial resources are not the most important ones. We can limit what God does in us by assuming what is and is not possible. Is there some impossible task that you believe God is calling you to do? Don’t let your assumption of what can’t be done keep you from taking on the task. God can do the miraculous; trust him to provide the resources.

Jesus wanted to change the way the disciples thought, the way they processed information and the way they dealt with dilemmas. He wanted them to start looking at the world from His perspective. He wanted them to see that many dilemmas they were facing were really opportunities for Him to reveal Himself to people who know Him and people who don’t yet know Him. Jesus wanted His disciples to use this problem as a blessing for people.

The Lord was asking the disciples to do something they were incapable of doing. There was absolutely no way they could feed all these people without either buying them bread or sending them into town. Jesus was creating for His disciples what Henry Blackaby, in his book Experiencing God, calls: A Crisis of belief. This was a God-sized assignment. This was way beyond their capability to accomplish and if the Lord did not intervene, they would fail and fall flat on their faces.

Please understand that this is the place where many followers bail out. The Lord lays a God-sized assignment before them and they say, “I’m sorry, but I can’t”, which leads to what Blackaby calls a “crisis of belief”. The word “crisis” comes from a word that means “decision.” The crisis of belief then is a turning point, fork in the road that demands a decision. You must decide what you believe about God and how you respond to Him. How you respond when you reach this turning point will determine whether you go on to be involved with Him in something God-sized that only He can do or whether you will continue to go your own way and miss the opportunity He has placed before you. This is crucial because when we aren’t looking for those opportunities God is placing before us, we don’t experience His presence and power in our life and circumstance.

3. When opportunity knocks, we get up and open the door.
By only looking at the problem instead of God’s provision the disciples thought only about how to accomplish this assignment of feeding the 5,000 in their own power and with their own resources. What they said was, ‘how can we fix this, we have only five loaves of bread and two fish v.13. They were thinking, “We can’t do this, it’s impossible! There is no way to feed that many people with what we have.” Their problem was not with the dilemma, but with the way they were thinking. They had already convinced one another that this task could not be accomplished. They had not yet grabbed onto the fact that Jesus was inviting them to join Him in His work. They thought they had to accomplish this task in their own power and with their current resources. They were thinking, “We can’t do this, it’s impossible!” But remember, Jesus already had in mind what he was going to do. John 6:6

How many times have you restricted God’s work in your own life because of your perspective? We often forget that when God speaks He always reveals what He is going to do—not what He wants us to do. We join Him so He can work through us. That’s why Jesus said in Mark 10:27 "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

The disciples had already seen Jesus heal the lame man, the blind man and the man with leprosy. They had seen Him calm the storm, heal the woman with the issue of blood and raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead, all in super-natural ways. But now, when opportunity knocked, it didn’t even enter into their minds that maybe, just maybe God wanted to do something miraculously super-natural through them.

Many of us look around and see what God is doing in other’s lives and allow the enemy to convince us that God could never do a work like that through us. We are looking at circumstances and situations through our perspective and allow the enemy to defeat us before God has a chance!

Now if the disciples pooled all their money and passed the hat among the crowd that day, they may have had enough money to buy something to eat for at least a portion of the people. And in so doing, those who were provided for could say, “Aren’t they devoted and committed followers of Jesus. That was a wonderfully kind thing that they did. Those disciples are all really nice guys.” However, none of those people that day would have explained any of it in terms of what God had done. The disciples could have done it completely separate of God’s intervention. However, the Lord isn’t interested in just feeding people’s bellies for a day. He wants to feed their souls and spirits for eternity. The only way that those people knew that God was at work in and through the disciples was to solve this dilemma in a super-natural way that far exceeded the disciple’s power or resources.

4. God wants to use problems as opportunities to reveal Himself though you and I.
Some people say, “God will never ask me to do something I can’t do.” But I’m learning that God desires to give me tasks and assignments that are far beyond my abilities and power in order to not only reveal Himself to me, but demonstrate His nature, His strength, His kindness and His provision to a watching world. People today need to see the super-naturally visible hand of God working in and through His disciples, so that when something happens there is no question that God had done it. I want to be that disciple!

God told Abraham to father a nation when he and Sarah were well beyond child-bearing years, why? To reveal Himself! God told Moses to deliver the children of Israel through the Red Sea, why? To show Himself! God had Gideon defeat the Midianite army of 120,000 with 300 men, why! To make Himself known!

Jesus told the disciples to feed 5,000 and to make disciples of all nations. None of these things were or are humanly possible. But when God’s people and the world see something happen that only God can do, they come to know God.

God wants people to come to know Him. That is why He chooses to work through us. People know us. They know what we can accomplish. But when they see things happen that can only be explained by God’s intervention, they will come to know Him.

Our passage tells us that Jesus instructed the disciples to have the people sit in groups of 50 and then .v 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Amazingly, there were more left over than what they began with.

5. Where God guides, He provides
The Lord’s hand was all over this. He told them to do something and then He showed them how to do it. When God gives us a directive, we can count on the fact that God has already considered every factor that must be considered. Doesn’t Scripture say he already had in mind what he was going to do? (John 6:6) So as we seek to know and to do God’s will, it is imperative that we clearly know His will and His directions for carrying it out. In fact, 5He tells us if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. V James 1:5-8

If you have ever seen the constant rolling of huge waves at sea, you know how restless they are – subject to the forces of wind, gravity, and tide. Doubt leaves a person as unsettled as the restless waves. If you want to stop being tossed about, rely on God to show you what is best for you. Ask him for wisdom, and trust that he will give it to you. Then your decisions will be sure and solid.

Like the disciples, our wisdom and knowledge will not be adequate, but God’s wisdom and knowledge are always adequate. Why, because He is always able to accomplish all He calls us to do. Ironically, it was Albert Einstein who said, "When the solution is simple, God is answering."

Let’s open our eyes to the opportunities the Lord sets before us.

Blessings!

Crooning for Jesus

2011-05-18T08:24:00.000-04:00

I polled the ladies in my mentoring groups a while back regarding things that hindered the church of today and some things that stood out above the rest: were GOSSIP, COMPLACENCY, CRITICAL SPIRIT, JEALOUSY, ENVY, BITTERNESS, ME FOCUSED , PRIORITIES, DISOBEDIENCE, NON-COMMITMENT. Wow!!! That is quite a list..........

When these things exist in our lives, how can we possibly think that God is going to bring new families into an environment overflowing with such negativity? The church exists to build up - not tear down. As a pastor's wife and co-pastor I get so frustrated with people who are constantly complaining and griping about EVERYTHING in the church but never once take the opportunity to meet with the pastors to discuss the issues. The chatter always makes it's way back to us but not without effecting many people in its path of destruction.

Let's just take a look at the COMPLAINER. A medical survey states that chronic complainers live longer than people who are always sweet and serene.... It actually claims that their cantankerous spirit give them a purpose for living! Each morning they get up with a fresh challenge to see how many things they can find to grumble and complain about. They derive an enormous amount of satisfaction from making others miserable. I am certain that none of you have ever encountered anyone like this in your church.................................. :-)

Chronic complainers may in fact live longer, but they DON'T bless people with a good witness for Jesus Christ. They absolutely do not draw people into the church. In fact, they are probably the reason many folks choose not to attend church! A sure way not to have friends is to be one of those complainer's and a sure way to kill a church is to complain all the time!

THE LORD IS SEEKING CROONERS, NOT COMPLAINERS! A crooner is someone who sings or hums all the time in a soft, soothing voice. Those who croon, those who sing praise to the Lord, and sing the praise of others, cause the church to move to the next level.

Let's croon for Jesus!

Blessings and hugs!

He Is A Big God!

2011-05-17T11:05:00.000-04:00

If we could understand everything God does, then He'd have to be a small God ~ small enough to fit in our little minds.

~Randy Alcorn~

Nothing about God is small. As Christians we are to think big, dream big and pray big. When we do anything less we are placing God in a confined box limiting the completion of His will in our lives.

For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

God's desire is to give you and I the very best. In fact, in many cases God is more anxious to pour His blessings on us than we are to receive them. A.W. Tozer said, "If we yearned after God even as much as a cow yearns for her calf, we would be the worshiping and effective believers God wants us to be. If we longed for God as a bride looks forward to the return of her husband, we would be a far greater force for God than we are now." [A.W. Tozer in Men Who Met God. Christianity Today, Vol. 30, no. 15.]

God has raised us up to succeed and not to fail in life. If we will simply align ourselves with God's will for our lives, we will discover that He is absolutely on our side! He is a big God with big plans but our stinkin' thinkin' keeps Him a small God with small plans for our lives.

Are you in a rut today in your spiritual life? Do you feel your life is stagnant or just going nowhere? Your relationship with God which encompasses your prayer life, worship habits and personal devotion will determine your rate of success in your spiritual life. God is always with us whether we are in the valley or on the mountaintop. "Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou has holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory" (Psalms 73:23-24 KJV).

How can we possibly question whether God is a big God or a small God? Look around you today at the beauty of the earth He created. How could a small God ever accomplish such a task? Look at the lives of people you know who have experienced a total life change when they accepted Christ as their personal Savior. How could a small God deliver someone from the pits of addiction?

God is everywhere all the time. His power can be felt anywhere at anytime. His love can be experienced anywhere all the time. Is that the work of a small God?

God in all His awesomeness is incredible! His plans for you and I are vast. We limit what He wants to do in us. Thinking small produces small results. Thinking big allows God to work in our lives in an enormous way.

Seek Him today with big plans and big expectations for your life. We cannot see the big plan but God can. He longs for you to completely trust Him with your future. He has everything completely in control. That is why He is a big God.

Blessings to you today as you seek God's plan for your lives!

Thorns

2011-05-16T07:50:00.000-04:00

What is a thorn? The American Heritage Dictionary says that a thorn is a modified branch in the form of a sharp, woody spine. It can cause sharp pain, irritation, or discomfort.

How many of you have ever been struck by a thorn? We have an arbor at the end of our patio as you step out into our lawn. I had this magnificent idea to plant climbing rose bushes around this arbor so we would have beautiful flowers blooming all summer. The first summer they were absolutely beautiful. Brandon was married that summer and the rose bush was in full bloom that weekend. It was lovely for our outdoor parties prior to his wedding. That seemed to be a short lived experience. Since then we were lucky to have six blooms all summer. A few summer's ago I decided to dig up the rose bushes and try something else. Even equipped with garden gloves that thing got me again, again and again!!!! Prickly thorns in the flesh are very painful!

Did you know that people can also be a thorn? Have you ever said that so and so is a "thorn" (or maybe the entire rose bush!) in my side or somewhere else? Why do we say this about people? We say this about some people because they simply irritate us. These people may criticize us, talk about us, make life difficult for us, cause problems for us and our families, or even try to disgrace us in some manner. In other words, they make our lives miserable, exasperating, infuriating, maddening, annoying and we don't like it.

We all have thorns in our lives. Many people have faced the thorns and made them roses. Thorns can also be the form of sickness, such as cancer, leukemia, diabetes, heart attack, or stroke. We can have thorns that incapacitate us: loss of a limb (hand, foot, leg, arm, finger(s), or toe(s). We can have the thorn of blindness or deafness. The thorn of paralysis, paraplegia or quadriplegia. Some thorns in life are easier to cope with than others. Thorns can bring about positive or negative changes in our lives.

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

The thorn Paul spoke of was not a rose thorn but a stake capable of impaling flesh. We are given no specifics about this physical thorn. Its purpose was to humble, not humiliate him. A thorn is something we cannot pull out on our own. It is painful and invasive. It may involve the body, emotions, will, or intellect - any harmful invasion of life. Such thorns are messengers from Satan. They have the power to destroy our trust in God and render our service ineffective. They have power to embitter, to cause us to be unforgiving, resentful, and ungrateful. Thorns torment and buffet believers. This is a strong word that means being boxed around or beaten with fists.

Paul prayed three times that God would take away this painful thorn. He received two answers, First, "My grace is sufficient," Paul's suffering was neither over, nor would it be short. Second, "My power is made perfect in weakness." In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers wrote, "If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed - you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed" (Chambers 1992, Sept. 30).
Paul told the Ephesian elders: "In every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me: (Acts 20:23). Have we rejected the idea that the perfect will of God for our lives may involve hardship?

The thorns of life are many, but the grace of God is sufficient in our weakness.

Blessings friends!

2011-05-15T06:07:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends!!

Hope your week was amazin’!! I had a great weekend away over Mother’s Day speaking in West Virginia. I am looking forward to getting back into our church today. Another Sunday and another opportunity for God to Rock the House! Another opportunity for God to do a mighty work in our lives!!

As many of you know Facebook plans to archive many groups and the original Chocolate and Coffee group is one of those groups. I initiated a new group and this week FB upgraded the old group. Anyhow…… Now there are 2 groups but for now I am not changing anything. Unfortunately, I have not found a way to message everyone with the new format so I will be posting a blog every Sunday morning in the group. Many of you have sent encouraging notes about the previous posts. I pray that the messages will continue to bless and encourage your life.

Maybe you are feeling everything but joy this morning. Life can be filled with tons of disappointments and overwhelming challenges. I receive many prayer requests and many have been posted on the group wall. Sometimes the circumstances we are walking through have a way of totally stealing our joy!

Corrie Ten Boom knew that and wrote, “Jesus did not promise to change the circumstances around us. He promised great peace and pure joy to those who would learn to believe that God actually controls all things." Yes, my God controls all things and He is on the throne today!!!

We need to learn to trust God and open the door of our soul to Christ. He promises that He will give us pure peace and joy even when life seems very dark and uncertain.

Think about the song, At the Cross by Hillsong. It is in my worship set today and I love the words. You go before me, You shield my way. Your hand upholds me; I know You love me. At the cross I bow my knee, where Your blood was shed for me. There’s no greater love than this. You have overcome the grave. Your glory fills the highest place. What can separate me now?

Jesus loves us girlfriends! He cares about every detail of our lives. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your job! Sing praises to the mighty God we serve! He is on the throne today and nothing is too big for Him!

I pray your week is filled to overflowing with God's amazing peace and overwhelming joy!!!!

You are appreciated and loved!!!!

Blessings,

Debbie

Who is in Charge of Your Life?

2011-05-04T10:20:00.012-04:00

“We need to get to the point where we are tired of God just being a resident of our life and make Him President of our life, the Commander and Chief, the One in charge.”
David Jeremiah

In our society there is a church on every street corner. All sizes and a plethora of denominations. For someone who is trying to find the right place it can be quite confusing and often times frustrating. You can even attend a church of the same denomination to discover totally different doctrine being taught from the pulpit. So what is right? How can we know that how we are living our Christian lives is what God expects?

God's Word is full of answers to the issues we face in this life. The key to finding peace and knowing what is right and what is wrong is in cultivating a close relationship with Christ. If we make it a priority each day to read God's Word and spend quality time in prayer, we will grow our relationship with Him. If we are considering a questionable choice we will feel a Spirit Gut-Check in the pit of our stomach. The Holy Spirit will nudge our hearts to let us know that what we are about to do may not be the right thing if we are truly pursuing holiness and Godliness in our lives.

Many churches are preaching greasy grace from the pulpit today. People in churches all over the world are receiving warm and fuzzy sermons Sunday after Sunday. The problem with these type of messages is the absence of conviction. The purpose of these sermons is to make folks feel good. There is no preaching against sin. There is no preaching about hell. There is no preaching about repentance.

Pursuing holiness is a daily event in a Christian's walk. God tells us to be Holy for He is Holy. That means we are to pursue holiness daily. He tells us in His Word to be Holy in ALL that we do. WOW! That is certainly a tall order and not an easy one to achieve. Living a consistent Christian life is not an easy task. The Bible says that few will enter heaven. Living recklessly and choosing to do whatever we want will not get us to heaven. When we accept Christ as our personal Savior we are commanded to pick up our cross daily and follow HIM. It isn't about us anymore. It is all about Christ and His plan for our lives. Sin separates us from our Heavenly Father.

It isn't about a certain denomination or a certain church. It is about believing the Bible from cover too cover and following Christ as He commands in His Word. This requires commitment and obedience to the things of God. It means putting God first above all other things in our lives. It means no more compromise. It means following the example of Christ in all that we do. Will we mess up? Absolutely, but God sees the heart and He knows if we are sincere in pursuing Him.

God's plan is so unique for each of our lives. Unless we walk close to Him, seeking His face daily, we will never experience that plan. Serving Him is awesome. And when we truly sell out to Christ we want to do the right thing. Will we still be tempted to do things that we know are not right? Of course! But God is much stronger and much bigger than all the stuff the world has to offer.

Don't watch other people and don't compare your Christian walk to others. Lean on Him. Trust Him and know that He has your best interests in mind. He loves you and cares for you like no one else.

Blessings!

Authenticity

2011-05-04T09:00:00.007-04:00

~ A. W. Tozer ~

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Then he said to all, "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me (Luke 9:23)! Accepting Christ and serving Him is not a one time experience. It requires picking up His cross daily, carrying that cross and obeying God's Word. This is where many people fall short of successfully fulfilling God's will for their lives. People often remain in their comfort zones regarding their relationship with Christ and neglect to think about how necessary it is to renew their relationship daily with the Lord. A Sunday morning sermon will not carry us through an entire week of trials and turmoil.

Serving Christ is a daily walk with Jesus. It requires cultivating a strong relationship with Christ by reading our Bibles and praying. It means striving to become more like Him every day. Picking up His cross daily requires demonstrating Godly character and integrity in all areas of our lives. As Christians we are to exemplify Christ in every aspect of our lives. We are to be imitators of Christ. We need to strive to be more like Him instead of us trying to make Him more like us.

This life isn't about ME. My life is all about Christ and His plan. My focus, goals and ambitions must all be about what He wants for my life. So many things today are competing for our attention in this world. Obviously these things are most likely not God things. Many of these things are destructive and will certainly destroy our lives if we weaken to the temptation of the flesh.

As Christians we need to focus on cultivating a contagious attitude so that the unchurched will want what we have regarding our relationship with the Lord. God allowed us to come to Him for salvation even in our imperfect state, while we were still sinners. He is perfect and holy but He didn't wait for us to clean up our act and then allow us to come to Him. He accepted us just the way we were so we could ask God to forgive us right were we were of our sins. He cleansed us and made us white as snow at that moment. He wiped the slate clean. Our sins were forgiven and buried in the deepest sea.

God has a plan and guess what... You and I are in it! Isn't that exciting? He wants to use you and he wants to use me to further the Kingdom of God. That makes my heart jump with excitement. Serving Him is challenging and exciting. We never know what tomorrow will offer but we can know with confidence that our God will be by our side walking with us no matter what the day may bring.Give Him priority today and thank Him for His awesome plan for your life. Tell Him how much you love Him. We owe God so much for what He has done in each of our lives. Be encouraged. God loves you!

Blessings to you! Have a great weekend!!

2011-05-01T06:35:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends!

I trust you had an awesome Easter! We had an incredible day and mine began at 4am last Sunday. We had a Sunrise Service at 7am followed by a community breakfast. Our Easter service began at 10am. My hubby wrote a drama and that was presented in the 10am service along with special music and a brief sermon at the end. Nine people committed and re-committed their lives to the Lord! God is so faithful!!

I leave after church today for our District Council in Woodbridge, VA. We are expecting a powerful move of God throughout the next few days as 500 pastors and spouses gather from all over the district. I am hosting a Chick, Chat and Chocolate luncheon for the Women in Ministry Tuesday afternoon. Angela Donadio is our speaker and it is going to be a great time together!

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4

When Jesus said “his sheep follow him because they know his voice,“ it shows the intimate relationship between us and our Shepherd. We need to know God so well that in the busyness of our lives we are never fooled by impostors. We hear many voices that may sound right but sometimes are not the ones we are meant to follow. We can by misguided be these voices that sound so similar to God’s.

As a woman in ministry I hear voices call me to compassionate and caring actions. Who is it that tells me to start a new program at church, send a card to a dear lady in the church, accept a speaking opportunity, mentor a young struggling woman? How do I decide which actions to take, given the limitations on my time and busyness of my life? Distinguishing God’s voice above all others is crucial. The Bible is God’s word to me. The distinctive sound of God’s voice resonates in my heart through his word. I need time alone with God to confidently choose my actions. I need to listen to the unique sound of my Shepherd’s voice in order to make the right choices for my life. The closer I walk with the Shepherd, the more familiar God’s voice will become to me.

Friends, busyness can be a tool of the enemy if not managed properly. In the midst of all you are doing this week, make sure there is time set aside for building your relationship with Christ.

Have an awesome week filled to overflowing with God’s amazing blessings!

Love and appreciate you,

Debbie

How Effective is Our Ministry?

2011-04-26T10:16:00.001-04:00

It was an amazing day at church Sunday!! The morning began at 4am arriving at the church by 6am. We began the day with a Sunrise Service at 7am followed by a Community Breakfast. Our Easter service began at 10am. God spoke to Bobby in February about writing a drama for Easter Sunday. It was powerful and anointed! Nine precious souls came to know Jesus Sunday morning!! The Lord is so faithful.....

District Council kicks off Sunday evening so this is a very busy week at the District office finalizing all the details. We are anticipating an outpouring of God's presence in a mighty way at Council next week! I am hosting a Women in Ministry luncheon and am excited about the opportunity to be with the pastor's wives and women in ministry.

There are so many opportunities for ministry. A question has been resonating in my mind lately....... Is your ministry Me-Centered or God-Centered? If God isn't the reason we are doing what we are doing, it has no value. We are nothing without Christ. He makes us everything that we are. He orders our steps each day. If we choose to be Me-Centered and focus on what we can do we will never accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God.

We have all been there at one time or another. You know what I am sayin'. We are having a bad hair day or our makeup ust doesn't look right or our clothes are tight.... The list can go on and on and on. The enemy loves to bury doubt, insecurites, competitive spirits and lies into our minds. Girlfriends, it isn't about us. It isn't about which one of us speaks better or looks better or has more friends on facebook. It isn't about how popular we are in our circles. It isn't about comparing ourselves with one another. It is about Jesus Christ and what He wants to do through you and me to accomplish His work for the Kingdom of God.

Lord, help me to focus on YOU and your will for my life. I pray that I will not allow the enemy to fill my mind with garbage that hinders what You are calling me to do. May the joy of the Lord overflow from my mouth and attitude and may your anointing be evident in my life. In your awesome name I pray. Amen
.
Let's focus on being God-Centered women in all that we do. May you increase Lord and I decrease.....

Blessings and hugs!

Listening.................

2011-04-19T08:19:00.005-04:00

I can honestly admit I have never heard the audible voice of God speaking to me but I have felt God speaking to my heart many times. Sometimes I was even tempted to ignore it but the Holy Spirit would not allow that to happen. God penetrated my heart and there was no peace until I acted upon His instruction. Ever been there?

The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19: 11-19, reminds us that God doesn't only reveal Himself in powerful, miraculous ways. Elijah knew that the sound of gentle whisper was God's voice. To look for God only in something big like rallies, churches, conferences, or highly visible leaders, may cause us to miss Him. God is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart.

Are you listening for the voice of God? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life and listen humbly and quietly for His guidance. It may come when you least expect it.

Blessings!

2011-04-17T06:22:00.003-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends!!

Another Sunday and another opportunity for God to Rock the House! Another opportunity for God to do a mighty work in our lives!!

Maybe you are feeling everything but joy this morning. Life can be filled with tons of disappointments and overwhelming challenges. Sometimes the circumstances we are walking through have a way of totally stealing our joy!

Corrie Ten Boom knew that and wrote, “Jesus did not promise to change the circumstances around us. He promised great peace and pure joy to those who would learn to believe that God actually controls all things." Yes, my God controls all things and He is on the throne today!!!

We need to learn to trust God and open the door of our soul to Christ. He promises that He will give us pure peace and joy even when life seems very dark and uncertain.

I pray your day is filled to overflowing with God's amazing peace and overwhelming joy!!!! He loves you and only wants the very best for you, your family and ministry.

You are appreciated and loved!!!!

Blessings,
Debbie

The Fear of the Unknown

2011-04-13T08:05:00.000-04:00

Fearless now, I trust in God; what can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:11 MSG

Do you realize that the fear of success can hold you back as much as fear of failure? Why? Because the end results are unknown.

Stepping out in faith to pursue a desire God has placed in your heart can be very intimidating. Jumping into the "unknown" can be so overcoming that many of us may never truly pursue that desire that is burning in our bones today.

The only way to completely rid yourself of any level of fear is with the Word of God. Studying and applying the Word of God to your life will enable you to discover what God is saying personally to you. Your faith in Him will increase. You will begin to look at the obstacles in your life as tiny pebbles in comparison to God and what He has for your life.

If you are struggling today with the fear of moving forward with the God given passions of your heart, take time this week to dig into God's Word. Chew on it. Savor the flavor of God's nuggets and allow His Word to penetrate your heart and mind. Search the scriptures for verses that will encourage you as you forge forward to tackle your God given pursuit. Write down the scriptures and read them everyday as a reminder of what God will do in your life if you choose to be obedient to Him. Take those words from God very personal and act upon them. Continue to pray for guidance and surround yourself with positive Christian friends who will encourage you daily.

Fear of the unknown can create doubt and confusion in our minds but with God we can experience peace and encouragement.

Blessings and hugs as you step forward to achieve those God given passions!

In "other" Words - Steadfast Faith

2011-04-12T08:55:00.004-04:00

Today is Tuesday's In Other Words and I have selected the following quote. Would love to read your posts!

"God is not concerned about what is around the corner. He created the corner."

~Anonymous~

My husband Bobby and I have been in ministry for thirty-one years. My husband has been in several staff positions and has pastored two churches. We have co-pastored for the past 16 1/2 years.When he accepted his second staff position we were living in Hagerstown, MD. At that time I held a position as Marketing/Business Development Director in a local bank and had been working in the financial industry for over ten years. My husband's position required us to relocate to Springfield, VA.

The cost of living in the metropolitan area at that time was very expensive. I found a position in a bank but was required to commute one hour and 15 minutes one way each day to work. Our children were enrolled in the private academy at the church and my hubby took them back and forth to school each day. Often times I would not arrive home until after 7 p.m. because of my responsibilities at my job and the dreaded commute. Needless to say my involvement in our ministry and church was very limited.

At that time women were just beginning to climb the corporate ladder in the corporate world. After my second year of employment with this organization I received a promotion to Vice President of Marketing/Business Development and received a substantial raise. My career was very important to me during those years. I admit God wasn't the first priority in my life even though I was a pastor's wife. That subject is for another time and another blog.

During the third year of my position at this bank God orchestrated an incredible makeover in my heart. A position opened at the academy within the church Bobby was working at as an associate pastor. For some strange reason this job looked extremely appealing to me and I couldn't stop thinking about applying for the position. I had no idea what was around the corner for my life but I knew that I was serving a big God who loved me and wanted the best for my family and I. One thing led to another and I decided to apply for the position and was offered the job. I met with the CEO of the bank and submitted my resignation. I began my employment at the academy two weeks later taking more than a $20,000 cut in my annual salary.

Two years after that transition my husband accepted a position as a full-time pastor in a rural community which seemed like zillions of miles away from civilization! It was quite an adjustment for our entire family but God was so good to us during that tenure of our ministry. We took another huge blow to our income since I was not working outside of the home. I became the youth pastor during our tenure which was an unpaid position. There were weeks when we only had dollars to make it from Monday to Sunday but somehow, someway, God always came through for us. We remained faithful to Him and He continued to bless our ministry in an awesome way. We had no idea what was around the corner of our ministry but we learned to trust God during those difficult years as our faith continued to grow and mature. Five and a half years later we were called to a church in Virginia where we have been ministering for thirteen years. God continues to bless our ministry.

Abraham's faith was tested by difficulties (Genesis 12:10) but he continued to trust God. Paul lost his possessions but not his faith (2 Tim. 1:12). God's provision is as large as our faith. We need to be cautious of limiting God's blessings by a lack of faith and obedience. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

If God calls us to a work He will certainly supply the need and equip us to accomplish the task. Maybe not all the luxuries we have been accustomed to but He will supply our needs. Even though we are not able to see with our human eyes around every corner in our life we must learn to trust God enough with the corner to become obedient when he calls us to do something we never imagined.

Our ministry as Christians is all about trust and faith in a mighty and powerful God. We must learn to trust God with the corners in our lives because He created those corners as tools so that we would grow and mature in Him. It isn't about what we want. It is all about His will, His call upon our lives and His purpose for us.

God will help us remain true to our faith through whatever difficult times we must face. The most important step in our faith is getting to know Christ better each day. Growing our relationship with the Lord will build the steadfast faith that we need when we are facing trials and struggles. No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, no matter how mature we are in our faith, the sinful world always will challenge our faith. We always have room for growth. If every day we find some way to draw closer to Christ, we will be prepared to stand for truth in any and all circumstances. We will also learn to trust God more and more with the corners when we cannot see what lies ahead.

Blessings to you!

2011-04-10T06:08:00.001-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Peeps,

Our Women in Ministry retreat was amazing last weekend! The power and presence of God was incredible. Our speakers and workshop facilitators were also outstanding. It was a great time together. You can check out the photos on facebook on my page, Deborah Shank.

From Mark 5: 21-36 we read about the lady with the issue of blood. Have you ever really thought about how difficult it was for her to forge her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment? This woman with the issue of blood decided to believe in Jesus’ power to heal and she did what she had to do to get to Him and touch God for her need. Her story is one that is inspiring. There are lessons to learn for each of us that were taught so greatly in the story of this woman’s faith and determination. She was persistent for help. She was determined to reach out to Jesus. She would not stop until she touched God. She recognized that she had a great need and that no one else could meet that need but God. She also had faith to believe that all she had to do was just get to Jesus, so she would not stop until she reached Him, no matter how long or what it took.

I want that kind of faith in my life. When I am faced with overwhelming challenges I want to demonstrate faith that has no doubt. I want to demonstrate that same faith in my life when everything around me looks dark and hopeless. I want that level of faith when my hubby and I are dealing with conflict in the church. I want that same level of faith when life seems overwhelming and the challenges seem to be multiplying. If we can achieve that level of faith it will take us places we never dreamed were possible in our lives.

God has placed many women in our paths that we can influence. Everyday there are multiple opportunities for kingdom advancement all around us. When we allow those opportunities to pass us by it is tragic. Do you want to impact lives like Jesus did? Maybe you just walked through the driest desert in your life this week and you really are not interested in impacting lives but it happens when we least expect it!!! The enemy is slick and if he can do anything to manipulate our lives so that we demonstrate frustration, anger, bitterness and worry to those around us. He thinks he has won. But we have news for him don’t we friends? He hasn’t won and he won’t win because we serve a Jesus who is all powerful!!!

Isaiah 43: 2,3, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you, When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God………

Going through the rivers with strong currents will cause you to drown or force you to grow stronger. If you go in your own strength, you are more likely to drown. If you invite the Lord to go with you, he will protect you.

Persistent, Determined and Faith…….. Those are my words of challenge this week as I pursue God with everything I am. How about you?

Have an awesome week friends!
Love and appreciate you,
Debbie

God Is With Us

2011-04-06T08:45:00.003-04:00

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NIV)

When facing trials and the fiery darts of Satan we often tend to think that we are the only people who are dealing with such challenges. All of us face discouragement and the enemies of darkness each week. Some trials are stronger than others but we are each treading storms of some magnitude in our lives.

Facing trials encourages us as Christians to exercise our faith. We should not pray away those trials. We need to ask God to manifest His power and love in us so we can respond with Christlike character when the enemy is pounding on our doors. Remember - people can only intimidate us if we allow them to use that tool. God is bigger than anything this world and the demons of hell can offer.

No matter how much discouragement you and I have been dealing with this week, our God is well aware of the circumstances. It may not be today or tomorrow but in HIS timing the Lord will resolve the issues that we are struggling with in a beautiful way. If we trust God and completely hand it over to Him the enemy will be defeated. During these trials God is building our character and integrity. He is solidifying our foundation. The Lord is making us stronger for the bigger storms that are brewing in the seas of life. He continues to groom you and I for the work He has for our lives.

The Message says it all: With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture. Romans 8:37

PRAISE GOD, HALLELUJAH AND AMEN!

God is our hope and our strength today, tomorrow and forever. He is our safety, our comfort and our encouragement. He loves His children and He always protects us. If we dread life and fear people how can we possibly say we are trusting God with our lives? If God is for you, who can be against you?

Blessings and hugs!

Stand Up To the Enemy

2011-04-05T08:32:00.000-04:00

The District Women in Ministry retreat was off the charts! Kudos to all those incredible women who made the weekend an outstanding success. God's power, presence and blessings were all over that place. It was truly amazing! I will post photos soon.

Now......... back to planning and sorting 1,000 details for the upcoming Potomac District Council. Ok... maybe not 1,000...... but many!! I pulled this post from the archives. Forgive me for not posting something new today but the message in this post is still real!

Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

God tells us in His Word that we are to put on His whole armor. He commands each of us to stand up against ALL the strategies and the deceitfulness of the enemy. That is about as forthright as you can get wouldn't you agree? Then why are so many of us struggling daily with things in our lives that continually entangle us and hinder our walk with Christ?

There is something in each of our lives that definitely needs to take a hike! It could be habitual shopping, overeating, overspending, intimidation, lack of self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy and the list goes on. These may not always seem like huge obstacles but they can isolate us from God. When we permit that to happen it allows the enemy to take continuous jabs at our minds in an attempt to destroy us spiritually. We sometimes become so beaten down and discouraged that we are totally ineffective for the Kingdom of God.

God's Word promises if we put on the WHOLE armor (in it's entirety), we can stand up to the enemy and ALL the challenges he chooses to bring into our lives. That means we must read and study God's Word daily permitting God to penetrate our hearts and our minds. Cultivating a relationship with Christ requires getting to know Him on a personal level. It requires spending daily uninterrupted quality time in prayer listening intently for that still small voice. It means showing others the fruit in our lives that comes from serving Him.

Don't be a wimpy Christian partially dressed in God's armor. Dressing ourselves is an important part of our daily regime and we are careful not to miss any articles of clothing needed to cover our bodies. We certainly would not intentionally go out of the house missing our blouse and one of our shoes! Why are we so careless with God's armor? The enemy knows God's Word is our source of power. He has majored in creativity and will present all sorts of distractions to deter us from spending time with the Lord.

Identify one thing you know is a hindrance to your relationship with Christ. Record that on a piece of paper along with the scripture reference from Eph. 6:11 and tuck it in your Bible. Each time the enemy brings that particular thing to your mind I encourage you to read and meditate on Eph. 6:11. Clothe yourself in God's WHOLE armor and proceed to do something fantastic for Him!

Blessings!

Preparation for Women in Ministry Retreat

2011-03-30T14:23:00.000-04:00

I leave in the morning for the district camp to begin preparing for our WIM Retreat which begins Friday afternoon. I am excited about what God is going to do this weekend in the lives of our ministry women. I have been battling laryngitis for almost two weeks and I know the enemy is not happy about this retreat.

Working from home today so I can finish my message for Sunday and finalize the details of the retreat. Appreciate your prayers as many pastor's wives and ministry women from the Potomac District gather together for a weekend of fun, relaxation and great fellowship.

I will attempt to post while I am away. It might only be on facebook but will let you know what is happening! We are also going to video our speakers. I know they will be a blessing!

2011-03-27T06:29:00.004-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends,

I can’t believe I woke this morning to snow! I am certain it will not be a big deal today but the lawn is white as the white stuff continues to fall. What happened to spring?

I am still dealing with laryngitis. I have had this beautiful bass voice for over a week! I saw the doctor Thursday and am taking an antibiotic. Laryngitis is tough on a worship leader. Please keep me in your prayers this week. Our District Women in Ministry retreat is next weekend and I need my voice! There are lots to do this week as I finalize all the details. Looking forward to an awesome weekend with wonderful ladies from our District as we learn how to remove and abandon our ministry masks!

Life can be wonderful, full of laughter and everything nice and it can also be challenging and full of sorrow and many disappointments. We are all facing different situations in our lives today that cause our faith to be challenged.

Last evening my hubby and I visited the funeral home for a lady who in the past five months has lost her son and daughter to cancer and then the dreadful disease took her life as well. The family was so broken and repeatedly told us how difficult the past months have been. My heart breaks for them. Can you imagine the pain they are walking through?

Life happens and even as Christians there will be challenges that we must face. As we face these times of pain and hardship how will we respond? Will we reflect God-confidence or be overwhelmed with fear and doubt?

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 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 (Isaiah 41: 10, 13).

This scripture encourages us not to look around in terror and be dismayed. When you look at your circumstances it is often overwhelming. We must learn to have God-confidence in every situation focusing our eyes on God and not the problem. God can handle any problem we face. He has promised us in His Word that He will strengthen us through our difficulties and He walks with us through those tough times.

Corrie Ten Boom said this, “Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear….. Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength”.

I am in no way indicating that you are weak spiritually if you fear your circumstances but worry and fear are powerful tools of the enemy. When we focus on the problem more than the solution it can be all consuming. Think of all the time we waste worrying about how we are going to fix this thing we are walking through instead of praying and trusting God to deal with it.

Look up today friends and trust in an almighty and powerful God who is capable of doing anything. I know some of your challenges are huge but nothing is impossible with our God. It is true we become spiritually stronger when we are walking through the fire but only if we remain focused on God and not the problem. We certainly cannot be a testimony to those around us if we are constantly whining about our circumstances.
Be confident in the God we serve! He loves you and His plan and purpose for your life and ministry is incredible. Trust Him friends. You won’t be disappointed.

Have an awesome Sunday!

Love and appreciate you,
Debbie

Refuse to be Average

2011-03-22T11:41:00.001-04:00

"Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will." Aiden Wilson Tozer

The dictionary defines the word "average" as typical, common and ordinary. Those words definitely identify what I choose not to be as a Christian!

Rev. 3: 15-16, (NIV) "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink. The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and distasteful and repugnant. The believers didn't take a stand for anything, indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself. There is nothing more disgusting than a halfhearted, in-name-only Christian who is self-sufficient. As Christians we should never settle for following God halfway or accept to be average for the Kingdom of God. Allow Christ to ignite your faith!

Typically we don't settle for being "average" in any other area of our lives. We don't intentionally participate in sports competitions to lose. We don't step onto the golf course with the thought of losing the game. We don't go to work each day with the attitude and mindset of being ordinary. If so, we may be surprised when it is time for the annual salary review and we receive a zero pay increase for the upcoming year! We don't expect our pastor to preach an ordinary or average sermon on Sunday mornings. And we will not be satisfied for a long period of time if our church is typical church as usual. We expect more than average in most areas of our lives.

God also expects more than average from you and I. Mediocrity. complacency, ordinary, and average has no place in God's Kingdom. If we are truly sold out and on fire for the Kingdom of God how can we possibly justify average as part of our DNA as a Christian? Jesus certainly was everything but average when He walked on this earth.

God has equipped us with many gifts and talents. He is calling us to fulfill His will for the Kingdom. I don't believe being average will accomplish the task. He equips us to do His will if we totally surrender our lives to Him and choose to be obedient to His calling. If we have managed to accomplish great things for the Lord, passion reminds us that there is yet more to be accomplished. Phil. 3:14 tells us that we are to press on toward the goal to win the prize.

Paul says that his goal is to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ has in mind for him. This goal absorbs all Paul's energy. This is an excellent example for us. We should not allow anything to take our eyes off our goal of knowing Christ and completing His will for our lives. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective and more than average Christians.

Matthew 22:37, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." You are to love God with how much of your heart - how much of your soul - how much of your mind? All of it. Every last tidbit. God does not want your complacency. He wants you to crave passion for the things of God. What if Jesus was complacent? What about your salvation? We have a Savior who loves us. He went to the cross for us with passion. He wasn't complacent about what He was supposed to do for us. Why should we be complacent or average about our commitment to Him?

Dear Jesus, remove the blinders from our eyes so that we can see those things that are holding us back from doing what you have called us to do. Help us God to be above average for the Kingdom of God. May the Holy Spirit give us boldness to preach the truth and demonstrate Godliness in all areas of our lives. Help us Lord to give the devil a good ole' kick in the comfort seat! Lord, mold us into the people we need to be to further your Kingdom.

Let's go friends! God has an awesome plan. Let's pursue excellence and soar as high as God will take us. The journey is exciting!

2011-03-20T06:21:00.002-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends,

Spring is coming and my bronchitis is in full force! My voice has sounded like a bass singer all week and leading worship today will be an interesting challenge!!

Often I receive prayer requests throughout the week from many of you who are battling fears in ministry and life. Be encouraged today friends. I know all of us worry about something along life’s journey but we serve a God who loves and protects us and promises to be with us ALWAYS.

Exodus 14:13, Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”

Now, I am certain that all of us believe God’s Word, right? And I am certain that all of us believe we serve a mighty God who is capable of doing anything, right? Then why do we allow Satan to convince us that there is no solution to the problems we are facing today? When life’s problems absolutely represents no way out, the Bible says, “Fear not; stand firm and be confident and see deliverance of the Lord which He will work for you today.” Begin today looking for evidence of God’s hand at work in your situation.

We may not be chased by an army, but we may still feel trapped today. Moses called upon God to intervene. Instead of giving in to despair, we need to adopt Moses’ attitude to “stand firm and …. See the deliverance the Lord will bring.” God will not fail you or forsake you (Dt. 31:6). We are in the company of an almighty and amazing God. The One “Who goes with you” has never lost a battle, and He will win this one.

When we feel like we can’t cope anymore, He says, “Do not look around you….. And be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties” (Isaiah 41:10). God typically doesn’t lift us out of our problems but walks through them with us and toughens us up. This is where our faith becomes stronger.

He says: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6, 7).

God’s peace is different from the world’s peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. As a Christian our citizenship in Christ’s kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Allow God’s peace to guard your heart against anxiety. Don’t listen to the voice of fear. God is with you today!

Have a marvelous week friends! May the peace of God permeate your soul!

Love and appreciate you,
Debbie

Do You Crave Jesus?

2011-03-17T10:31:00.005-04:00

Like many of you, I love coffee. I have a routine each morning and the second task on my list after taking Jericho and Jochebed to the potty is brewing a fresh pot of coffee. I am definitely a caffeine freak! Each sip satisfies that craving I long for.

The word crave in the thesaurus means to long for, desire, need, want, yearn for, require, hunger after and pine for. Do you truly crave God's Word each day? Do you long for, desire, need, want, yearn for, hunger after and pine for more of Him in your life?

What if you don't have time to read your devotion, study the Word or pray? Do you receive a "gut check" or is it acceptable to skip God for several days? Are you seriously "hooked on Jesus" or is it merely something you do because you are feelin' a little guilty? Does God's Word truly enrich your life or do you see it as something else you have to cram into an already overwhelmed schedule?

We are busy women. Sometimes I absolutely crave a little "white space" in my life. It is a rare moment to simply curl up in a comfy chair with a good book and enjoy the evening. There seems to always be something that needs to be done. The demands in our lives never seem to cease.

Although life is arduous I don't ever want to place God on a shelf and ignore all that He has already done for me and wants to fulfill in my life. I am so thankful today for His love. I want to "crave" Him with all that I am. I want to be so "hooked" on God that I cannot tolerate going even one day without reading and meditating on His Word and praying. I don't want to accept any substitute for my Lord. I cannot tolerate instant coffee. It lacks everything that fresh brewed coffee offers. I refuse to settle for substitutes regarding my walk with Christ. I want and crave everything He has available for my life and ministry. How about you dear friend?

Blessings!

2011-03-13T06:08:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends,

Spring is coming! I woke yesterday to the birds singing and the smell of spring was in the air. Flowers are bursting through the ground and patches of grass are beginning to turn green. Good bye cold weather and old man winter!!!

I am preparing for an upcoming Women in Ministry retreat in April. Our theme this year is Unmasked. As women in ministry, how often do we wear masks? Why is it so uncomfortable for us to remove those masks? Being real is often something we seem to battle but when we remove the masks we become a source of encouragement and blessing to others in ways we cannot even imagine.

Have you ever had a friend who was never “real” with you? It isn’t difficult to detect that type of individual. She always wears a façade and never allows you to really get too know her. She pretends to be someone she isn’t, preventing a true friendship to develop with you. The relationship you have with that person is “fake” because she refuses to reveal her true identity. You most likely were cautious with her as well in revealing your true thoughts and struggles.

Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, so one man (or woman), sharpens another (Paraphrased).

When we are ourselves around others, we actually set others free to be themselves. We become a source of encouragement and blessing to others in ways we can’t even imagine!

In ministry I totally understand there are times we simply cannot be “real” and remove the masks, but in our sincere friendships, with those we trust, the masks need to come off. Especially with other pastor’s wives and ministry women, we need to encourage one another. That is a tough challenge if we appear to always have it together. Plastic people are not encouraging. When we choose to be transparent with one another, we become a source of strength, and hope for others. Through real relationships we can encourage and challenge others to be all that they are meant to be.

In looking back on your own life, are there areas of struggle that you’ve faced where you can now become a source of encouragement for others? Who is God calling you to help set free by simply being yourself and loving unconditionally? (You Will Set Others Free to Be Themselves, Women of Faith Series)

God’s desire is for you and I to be an encouragement to women around us. I know many of us have been hurt over the years but at some point those walls we have built need to be destroyed. Pray for discernment so that you can feel “safe” to remove the mask and be “real” to those God is calling you to minister and encourage.

Have an awesome Sunday and a blessed week! I would love to read your input on this topic. Please feel free to email me with any thoughts or comments or simply post any comments to the wall of Chocolate and Coffee.

Love and appreciate you,
Debbie

The Right Motives

2011-03-10T10:24:00.000-05:00

I read about a person who attended a concert at a beautiful old art-deco theatre. At the conclusion of the concert, this person noticed two ushers standing near his seat who were applauding harder than anyone else in the entire place. The person attending the concert thoroughly enjoyed the musicians and it also thrilled him to see these two ushers standing and applauding more vigorously than the entire concert goers. His experience was somewhat diminished when he hears one usher say to the other, "Keep clapping. If we can get them to do another encore, we get overtime!" The deception was that these two ushers were serious lovers of music. They were only applauding so long and hard because it would equate to a few more dollars in their pockets.

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases. All a mans' ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs his heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." Proverbs 21:1-3

There are people who do good things for the wrong reasons. It might appear that they are trying to do what is right but it ends up that they only do it for their own benefit. Jesus calls those who do good things with selfish intentions hypocrites. That word means "an actor who wears a mask". A hypocrite in its simplest sense is someone who pretends to be something that in reality they are not.

The Pharisees, who craved the praise of men, sometimes brought much attention to what they gave to the temple treasury. The treasury boxes were set outside the worship area and people gave their money as they came in. If you have to announce and demand recognition when you do something or give something, then you are no better than a hypocrite. God sees our heart and knows why we do what we do.

I saw an advertisement on television that featured an athlete running up the steps of an empty stadium. No one is watching, but he's giving it all he has, sweating and really working his body to the limit. The ad points out that he's going through all that hard work so that he can receive the reward of winning in the competition. He is training himself and learning to discipline himself in order to win the prize.

God asks us to discipline our lives, to deny self and take up our cross daily so that we can be true disciples of Jesus Christ. It isn't about us and it isn't about doing all of this so people will say, "Look at her or him. They do sooooooooo much for the Lord!"

People can find an excuse for doing almost anything, but God looks in the heart to the motives. We can make the right decisions by first identifying our motives and then asking, "Would God be pleased with my real reasons for doing this?" God is not pleased with us when we do things expecting to receive something back.

Ministry today is challenging and for many who long to be renowned speakers or musicians, the journey can be treacherous. It is frustrating for me when often times I discover how much even those in ministry are all about themselves. Pride is a powerful tool of the enemy and we must protect our hearts and souls from the destruction it can bring to our lives and ministry. For me personally ministry is not about what I can do. I am nothing without Christ. I need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit upon my life and God's will in order for my life to accomplish anything for the Kingdom. God's anointing upon our lives is necessary to do awesome things for Him. Keep your eyes fixed on Him and beware of pride that can easily slip into our lives.

How about a gut check today? Why are you doing what you do for the Kingdom of God? Is it seriously for the right motives?

Danger Ahead - Bitterness!

2011-03-09T10:20:00.000-05:00

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

God commands each of us to get along with one another. The Bible also instructs us to go to the person who has offended us and discuss the offense. Anger turns to bitterness and bitterness grows like a cancer causing hearts to become very cold and callous. Bitterness is sin and if the devil has convinced you otherwise you have certainly been deceived. Sin always blocks our vision of God.

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)

Bitterness is clearly described as a root. Most of the time you cannot see a root because it is buried deep within the ground. If the root of a tree is damaged the tree will perish. If we harbor bitterness in our hearts it will most definitely affect every area of our lives. When we bury bitterness and anger deep within our hearts we can never live in victory. We will never be happy. We will not experience peace and joy is totally out of the question. Our walk with Christ will be tainted. If things are not resolved with the person who hurt you, bitterness will contaminate everything about your life. Your personality, your attitude, and most importantly your relationship with Christ. When bitterness shows up in our hearts it overshadows even our deepest Christian relationships. Bitterness brings with it jealousy, dissension, and immorality. When the Holy Spirit fills our lives, however, he leaves no room for bitterness.

Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing - but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. Hebrews 12:14-17 (The Message)

If we are sincere about chasing God and fulfilling His will for our lives, holiness and God's character must permeate our lives. There is no place in a Christian's life for bitterness, discord or complaining. If you have elected to leave your church and have recently started to attend another church don't criticize and destroy the work of the former pastor and church. You are living in a very dangerous place if you are constantly gossiping. The Bible doesn't say some sin or a little sin will enter heaven. The Bible clearly states that sin separates us from God and no sin will enter heaven. The tongue can be a weapon and will keep many from eternity with our Heavenly Father.

We are truly living in the last days and people who served the Lord all their lives are being deceived and have turned away from God. Become intentional about serving God. Seek Him daily by reading your Bible and praying. Grow a close relationship with Christ. Walk so close to God that you will know without a shadow of a doubt that when the trumpet sounds you will be gone! Life is too short to carry bitterness and anger in your heart. Make things right today. No one is worth missing heaven over. And besides that ....... God has a great plan for your life!

Blessings!

2011-03-06T06:20:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends,

It is pouring this morning and forecasts say today promises to be a “soaker”. My prayer this morning is that there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our services today like we haven’t seen in a long time and we can say we had a heavenly rain that truly was a “soaker”!

I hear conversations everywhere about how people are praying for revivals in their churches and ministries. It seems to be the “buzzword” lately in the Christian world. But how can we have revival if we are always discouraged, defeated and ready to quit daily because of the potholes in the road of life?

Revival can begin with you and me. As pastor’s wives and ministry women we need to step up to the plate and determine in our hearts that a revival will begin in us! We need to fan the flame and get excited about the great God who we serve! Nothing is too big for our Him!

I don’t want to be just another ordinary pastor’s wife or woman in ministry. I want the fire of God to be evident in me and I want the Holy Spirit power to seep from my pores!!! I want revival in my life because friends when we have revival in us we will have revival in our church and ministry!

I know God is calling me to a new level of serving Him. He is amazing and still performs miracles and wonders. Do you want to be a part of those things in these last days? Do you want God to use your ministry to touch the lives of those who are hurting, lost and discouraged? Will you believe with me that God is going to do great things through us?

Lord, send revival to my girlfriends! May the mighty power of the Holy Spirit permeate their souls and may your presence be seen in them everywhere they go. Father, we want more of you and less of self. Help us God to be the women of God you are calling us to be. Help us Lord to be mighty prayer warrior’s who are willing to stand in the gap for our sisters in the Lord. Thank you Lord for all you have done in each of our lives and for all you are going to do as we step up to the next level in our walk with you.

Have a blessed Sunday sweet friends!

Love you much,
Debbie

2011-02-27T06:11:00.001-05:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends,

I pray that you have had an awesome week! Our son Brandon was home for a week ministering in the area and returned to MO on Thursday. I love it when our grown children and grandchildren are home. Not sure I will ever really adjust to this empty nest mode.

A number of years ago Bobby and I were pastoring a church in Maryland and God called me to youth ministry. He certainly has a sense of humor doesn’t he? Anyway, we took the youth group White Water Rafting one Saturday and what an experience that was for all of us! As we navigated down the river our guides instructed us how to paddle the boat, especially when we encountered rapids. My hubby actually fell out of the boat at one point and was clinging to the side by a rope until we managed to pull him to safety. The river’s current grew fast and rough and we were challenged with some major rapids! The youth had an awesome time but I am not sure I will ever attempt that journey again……….. at least not in a boat.

I often think about that journey as we work diligently each week in our busy lives, caring for our families, coming and going from meeting to baseball game to worship practice at church and back to work each day – paddling as fast as we can to get through the rapids and down the river.

Philippians 4:13 says, I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Can we really do everything? We paddle vigorously some days but are we truly getting anywhere?

The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do his will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it. As we contend for the faith we will face huge rapids in the river like troubles, stress, and trials. Pray and ask God daily to strengthen your paddles so that it will be easier to navigate those horrid rapids.

We serve an awesome and powerful God. And for whatever reason we often try to fix the problem on our own before using our paddles of prayer, seeking God’s face and asking him to help us.

As you paddle through life this week remember who your source is. Allow him to take charge of the paddles and make the challenges you face much easier as you navigate those challenging rapids.

May God saturate your life this week with blessings and love.

Love you,
Debbie

Honor God With All We Do and Say........

2011-02-24T10:31:00.020-05:00

I taught at church last evening and there was great discussion on Colossians 3:17. One intersting point that was brought up is recognizing the definition of holiness in our lives. I love Bible studies and Sunday School lessons because you have the ability to disect scriptures. God does require us to live holy lives which covers a magnitude of responsibilities as a Christian. We can easily discount the fact that our speech or actions on a given day is not a big deal but the Bible cleary states that we are to honor God in all we do and say.

God is calling His children to a place of spiritual perfection. We cannot achieve this assignment unless we apply and practice the instructions God has given us from His Word. A Christian's life must reflect Godliness and holiness in all areas. We cannot pick and choose which scriptures would be most suitable for our lifestyles.

There are churches all over the world preaching and teaching false doctrine from their pulpits each Sunday. Many of these pastors are preaching false doctrine to thousands of members. And worse than that, these churches are filled with Christians who are not able to discern truth from error because they don't know the Bible. Their relationship with Christ is weak and flimsy and as a result, they have placed themselves in the hands of the enemy, being led down a path of deception and destruction. The apostle Paul warned that false teachers would attempt to infiltrate the Christian church from both the outside and from within (Acts 20:29-30).

The designer of a counterfeit dollar bill does not make the counterfeit bill to look different from the genuine. He designs the bill to look exactly the same as the genuine. The counterfeit dollar bill must be able to come alongside the genuine dollar bill and appear to be a true dollar bill.

Those who are trained to work with money must be trained to know the difference between a counterfeit dollar bill and a genuine dollar bill. Spiritually speaking, we can apply these same truths when it comes to exposing false doctrines or teachings that are being propagated in the body of Christ today. We must allow the Lord to minister to us and train us according to His Holy Word and by the power of His Spirit. We must be cautious that we do not allow deception and false teaching to lead us into error.

A huge problem existing in the church today is that people simply do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Many have settled for counterfeit religion filled with false teachings, much less than what God has to offer. A lack of spending quality time at the feet of Jesus in prayer has opened unending doors of deception. Many have negated the power of God because they do not know Him in the way that they should know Him. Our society has embraced everything or anything that comes from a pulpit. We have not yet learned to embrace the Cross and the Christ who died upon it.

Many people today view the Church as a place to have their needs met. They have no desire or will to sacrifice and serve others. It is self-centered Christianity which focuses only on what do I get out of this church. What is in it for me? The reason there is such turnover in the church today is because people are constantly moving attempting to have their selfish needs met with no desire to serve the Kingdom of God. By failing to preach the truth from the pulpits, we are encouraging believers to become self-serving which is a deadly killer of compassion.

The seeker-driven movement with evangelical Christianity has made church like shopping. And American Christians are out looking for the best deal. They will turn to emptiness for fulfillment in sports, sex, drugs, possessions, relationships, education and consistently choose these things over and above God. C.S. Lewis said, "We are half-hearted creatures like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased,"

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7: 21-23)

Partial scriptures taken out of context makes "greasy grace" preaching very popular. People love that warm and fuzzy feeling and often feel irritated and uncomfortable when a preacher challenges them with the truth from God's Word. There is danger in preaching only selected scriptures and partial truths. The Bible clearly states that sin does separate us from God and no sin will enter heaven. If only part of the Bible is preached and people do not have the opportunity to hear the truth, they are being deceived into believing that they are doing well spiritually and on their way to heaven, even if they are living in sin.

Churches are convincing people that anything is acceptable because Jesus loves them. These folks are in church but not in Christ. They participate in all kinds of activities in the church but have no relationship with Christ. They are experiencing a Mr. Roger's neighborhood and are being told there is no need for salvation. Authentic Christianity results in life transformation but the truth must be preached because people's lives are hanging in the balance.

Spiritual perfection comes from seeking God, reading and meditating on His Word, and spending quality time with the Lord in prayer. These must be a part of our lives on a daily basis if we are serious about pursuing and demonstrating the character of a whole Christian. Can the people who you encounter each day see that you have a genuine relationship with Christ? Are you producing good fruit or is there an unholy mixture of bad fruit in your life? Are you seeking after the latest charismatic teaching with partial truths or are you really seeking after Him?

If we truly desire to see the power of God manifested in our lives, we must focus our eyes on the things of God. We must be willing to allow ourselves to be saturated with His Word so that we will have the ability to discern between truth and counterfeit. Spiritual perfection as a whole Christian can only be obtained by applying the entire Bible to our lives.

Does our speech and actions truly honor Christ? I want all that God has for my life. The anointing, His power, His presence, His passion. I want my life to be a witness for Christ in a very positive and powerful manner. I want people to know that their life doesn't have to be hopeless and full of discouragement. What about you?

Blessings !

2011-02-20T06:41:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Beautiful Friends,

I attended the Potomac District Ladies Winter Conference in Williamsburg this weekend. What a blessing!!!! Susanne Cox is a powerful anointed woman of God with a Word!! It was an incredible time away with great ladies from our church and District. Fellowship and building relationships with one another is so vital in ministry. We left Williamsburg yesterday afternoon to make our way back to Warrenton, VA which normally takes 2.5 hours. Because of intense brush fires along I-295 traffic was re- routed. We were blessed with the scenic route on a two lane highway! Our trip home was 6 hours! But…… we still had the joy of the Lord and I am still praising God this morning for an awesome weekend!

God has so much for our lives ladies. As I watched Susanne minister this weekend and share her incredible testimony the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart numerous times. I think especially as pastor’s wives we often feel challenged to be the woman of God He is calling us to be in our churches. I want the freedom to do ALL God is challenging me to do so I can be a powerful anointed woman of God making a significant difference for the Kingdom! It isn’t a question of can I have it. We can have that too! The Lord wants us to possess that power in our lives but the enemy is speaking lies and discouragement into our minds often hindering us from all the blessings God has for our lives.

Girlfriends, I challenge you today to step out and grasp ALL that God has for your life. Time is short and we have so much to do. The trumpet is going to sound and there are so many people who are lost and need Jesus. God will give us divine appointments in our lives to share the gospel if we pray for them. God will open doors of opportunity for our ministry if we pray for them. God will anoint our lives and ministries and work miracles through us if we pray for them. Do you want all God has for you? Do you really want it all?

We impact people around us all the time and often we have no idea that others even notice us. Yesterday morning I was waiting in line at our retreat for breakfast and one of the servers told me that I had sunshine all over my face. I thanked him and a few seconds later he told me that the joy of the Lord was all over me. Wow!! I truly was standing there minding my own business and had no idea anyone even noticed me. Obviously he was also a Christian and was smiling from ear to ear but what an encouragement at 8am in the morning! Friends, we can make a difference!

Lord, bless my beautiful girlfriends and pour your anointing upon each of them in a mighty and powerful way today. I pray for their ministries and families Lord. Encourage them today Father. We love you Lord so much and want to accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God. Remove any hindrance or obstacle that is keeping them from being who you have called them to be. Empower them and bless them Lord. In your mighty name I pray. Amen.

Have a power packed Sunday! Be encouraged. God loves you and so do I!! The joy of the Lord is our strength!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Living in Victory!

2011-02-17T12:40:00.000-05:00

Are you living in victory today or is the devil shouting with joy because you are proclaiming defeat in your life?

Remember the song Victory in Jesus? It goes something like this, Oh victory in Jesus, My Savior forever, He sought me and He bought me, With His redeeming blood!!!!! With Jesus,we are victorious in this life no matter how many bends in the road or potholes we have faced this week!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:37 (NIV)

Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, even death. When we are facing trials and the fiery darts of Satan we often tend to think that we are the only people who are dealing with such challenges. We face discouragement and the enemies of darkness each week. Some trials are stronger than others but all of us are treading storms of some magnitude in our lives.

Facing trials encourages us as Christians to exercise our faith. We should not pray away those trials. We need to ask God to manifest His power and love in us so we can respond with Christlike character when the enemy is pounding on our doors. Remember - people can only intimidate us if we allow them to use that tool. God is bigger than anything this world and the demons of hell can offer. No matter how much discouragement you and I may be dealing with, God is well aware of the circumstances. It may not be today or tomorrow but in HIS timing the Lord will resolve the issues that we are struggling with. If we trust God and completely hand it over to Him the enemy will be defeated. During these trials God is building our character and integrity. He is solidifying our foundation in Christ. The Lord is molding us and making us stronger for the bigger storms that are brewing in the seas of life. He continues to groom you and I for the work He has for our lives.

The Message says it all: With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for you and I. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between you and Christ's love? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture. Romans 8:37 PRAISE GOD, HALLELUJAH AND AMEN!

God is our hope and our strength today, tomorrow and forever. He is our safety, our comfort and our encouragement. He loves His children and He always protects us. If we dread life and fear people how can we possibly say we are trusting God with our lives? If God is for you, who can be against you?

We are victorious with Jesus Christ! Demonstrate that victory today to those around you. Allow them to see Jesus in you.

Blessings!

Is the Joy of the Lord Visible in Your Life?

2011-02-16T08:50:00.001-05:00

This has been such a busy two weeks! Planning is in force for the upcoming District Council. Last week I spent two days at a retreat with an awesome committee discussing one of the initiatives of our District, Healthy Ministers/Healthy Ministries. We are also preparing for the Women in Ministry Retreat in April and I have a number of other personal ministry assignments on my schedule. In addition to that I am leaving Friday for an awesome women's retreat in Williamsburg and our son is coming home for a week and is speaking at a retreat this weekend! Life is a bit crazy right now and I am certain many of you can relate to what I am saying.

Remember the story about Mary and Martha? It was all about busyness and what can happen in our lives in the midst of all the craziness if we are not focused. As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?" Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-41 (NIV)

In the busyness of life it is so easy to be distracted from the things of God. I truly believe busyness is a powerful tool of the enemy. What a better time to be totally focused on God than when we are in the midst of extremely busy times in our lives. That certainly is a time when we seriously need to rely upon the strength of the Lord for energy and wisdom. With a zillion things on our plates, God can bring peace and clarity to our minds when things seem a bit overwhelming.

I encourage you today to remain focused on the things of God even in the midst of life's craziness. Allow Him to speak into your life as you attempt to navigate through hectic and demanding schedules. Even though we are busy, as Christians, we have the ability to allow others to see the joy of the Lord in our lives even when life is chaotic.

Blessings!

2011-02-13T06:19:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Beautiful Girlfriends!

This has been one of those weeks! A week full of activity and then some. I am sure you know what I am talking about. A week filled to the brim with all kinds of ministry and personal obligations. The end result is a very tired and weary pastor’s wife this morning. And to top it off this has also been an extremely discouraging week. Do any of you understand where I am coming from today? Ministry can be a very discouraging and challenging place even when things are going well at our churches………..

As I was praying last evening for our services today God reminded me how much He loves and cares about me. We preach to our congregations all the time about encouragement and how magnificent God’s amazing love is. Well, when the rubber meets the road, this is where we truly discover how spiritual we are and how strong our foundation in Christ really is. Weak foundations in ministry never succeed………..

God is awesome and He loves you and I. I encourage each of you today to focus on Him and what He has for your life. His plan is awesome and I know from experience that life's busyness often steals our joy. We become so overwhelmed with our daily routines and obligations that we forget our purpose and the mission God has placed in each of our lives.

God has a plan and guess what... You and I are in it! Isn't that exciting? He wants to use you and He wants to use me to further the Kingdom of God. That makes my heart jump with excitement. Serving Him is challenging and exciting. We never know what tomorrow will offer but we can know with confidence that our God will be by our side walking with us no matter what the day may bring.

Give Him priority today and thank Him for His awesome plan for your life. Tell Him how much you love Him. We owe God so much for the transformation He has been responsible for in each of our lives. Be encouraged. God loves you!

Love and appreciate you,
Debbie

In "other" Words - Waiting

2011-02-08T07:06:00.000-05:00

I am hosting IOW today and have selected the following quote for this week. Would love to read your posts and comments on this topic.

Learning to wait on God's timing - and having the patience to follow his lead rather than running ahead of him - is essential for those who are committed to seeing their faith journey through to the end. God seldom rushes things along. Getting used to his pace will help you in the long run.

~Marcia Ford - Essentials for Life for Women~

Not many of us like to wait but we find ourselves doing it often. Did you know that if you lived on St. Paul Island in Alaska and got the urge for pizza it would take three days for the pizza to arrive?????

We wait for traffic lights to turn green......
We wait for trains to pass by...
We wait for the bank line and the grocery line to move...
We wait for the toast to pop up and the water to boil.....
We wait for the movie and the ball game to start....
We wait for phone calls and we wait for people to show up.....
We wait for planes to arrive.....
We wait for our turn in the doctor's offices, dentists offices, beauty salons and nail salons.....
We wait for our next day off work........
We wait for that next special time when our family can spend the entire day together but........
We oftentimes have difficulty waiting on God.............

Nearly 6000 years ago there was a great man of faith called Noah. He lived in a time of tremendous turmoil and confusion. From the lives of Adam and Eve, mankind had quickly fallen to the corrupted world of immorality that Noah lived in. Things had become so bad that God actually regretted that He had created man. Genesis 6:5-6 says, "Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart."

Living in a world of corruption had its toll upon those who considered themselves religious also. Little by little, day by day, their religious beliefs were compromised, their faithfulness to serve Christ became weaker and weaker, their lives for God was replaced by a love for the things of the world. Sounds like the day we are living in doesn't it?

Noah heard from God and began to construct a massive ark. While Noah built this ship, God also instructed him to begin to preach to those around him that the flood was coming. For 120 years Noah built, Noah preached and people laughed and not one single convert. No one had time for this "crazy old prophet". It had never rained before and there had never been a flood.

It would have been much easier on Noah and his family if he had been able to keep all this building stuff hidden. But it is difficult to hide the fact that you're building something when that something is 1 1/2 football fields long, a football field wide and the equivalent height of a 4-story building. Noah had no choice but to make his faith public.

Noah persevered - working and preaching - being faithful to the call God had upon his life. Crowds would gather to make fun of him as they watched Noah and his family build this ship. People refused to accept God's plan, as a result, not one of them, except for the 8 people in Noah's family who obeyed God and built the ark, survived the judgment of God.

Noah was one of the greatest men of the Bible. His life is certainly a measuring stick for all of us to see how we are doing in our walk with the Lord. His life was one of faith, righteousness and endurance.

In order for you and I to persevere and endure the hardships of this life we must trust God in all circumstances. Trusting Him means we believe in that which we cannot see and often times may not understand. Trusting God means that we must admit that we are not in control of our lives. Nothing that we experience in this life is beyond God. As Christians we must learn to rely on God in every situation. There will be times in our lives when things just don't make sense in human terms. The more senseless life becomes the greater our need to trust in God. And there will be times when God will expect us to wait.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Life is sometimes beyond us. Disasters strike and tragedies happen in our lives. Life can indeed be incredibly difficult. Life can be uncertain and beyond our understanding. Often times we are left with unanswered questions.

The writer of Proverbs states it simply and clearly that God wants our full and complete trust. Trust God with all your heart. We must hold nothing back and surrender to Him all that we are, all that we have, all that we may become because without the presence and guidance of God we will go nowhere.

Even when we don't understand God wants us to trust Him. When life just doesn't make sense God wants us to follow Him. When the future seems uncertain God is asking for us to look to Him. God will give us the power of His direction and the power of His presence.

Waiting on God requires Trusting Him, Listening for God's Voice and Waiting for His Timing. Noah waited through trials. " In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month - on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. Genesis 7:11-12

Noah waited and waited and finally the floods came. It would have certainly been easy to quit building the ark when each day Noah experienced ridicule from everyone as he continued to press forward for the Lord. It must have felt at times like an endless journey but Noah never gave up. His faith and trust was completely in God.

Noah waited through uncertainty as the waters came. How horrible it must have been for Noah and his family to hear people pounding on the sides of the ark as the rains came. Noah had exercised a powerful life by waiting upon the Lord and placing his trust and faith in the Lord.

Walking a life of faith as a Christian requires exercising faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The rains will come but our Lord and Savior will prevail. Perseverance is required from each of us as we turn to Jesus for direction in our lives. We must learn to wait and not be anxious. God sees the big picture. We are only capable of seeing the moment.

Waiting builds character in us. As we wait on the Lord He is refining us, designing us into who He desires so we are able to accomplish His will in our lives. We should actually welcome "waiting" from God because with it comes great things for our future.

Blessings to each of you as you "wait" upon the Lord!

2011-02-06T06:36:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Beautiful Peeps,

I trust that your week was fruitful and encouraging. Our grandson Luke became ill last Friday and suffered with a high fever and horrible sore throat all weekend. We had taken him to the doctor on Friday and his throat culture came back negative for strep. Our daughter took him back to the doctor on Monday and guess what? He was diagnosed with strep! It was a busy week at work. District Council planning has begun and there is much preparation for this event in May. Details………. This week I will be traveling to Potomac Park Camp for a two-day retreat. Life is busy……..

This week I also traveled to one of our sections to facilitate a pastor’s wives/ministry women growth group. We had a great time and a statement was made during our time together that has resonated in my heart all weekend. Ministry women, whether it is a pastor’s wife or woman in ministry, often feel not just alone but have deep feelings of loneliness. Ever been there? What an unhealthy way to live!

Why are we afraid to admit that we are not perfect? Why do we hesitate to admit to our girlfriends that we have shortcomings and fail at times? Why are we so determined not to be transparent with our closest friends? If we would only realize that there isn’t a ministry woman on the face of this earth that has it all together 24/7!

When we begin to share our flawed life with our friends we give them permission to remove their masks. It isn’t an easy task but necessary in order to develop close relationships. Solid friendships are built on a foundation of authenticity, trust and commitment. Obviously this process takes time but if we refuse to never step out and attempt to remove our masks the relationship may never happen.

If you are lonely and feel like you don’t have a friend you can share the struggles of life with over a cup of coffee, I encourage you to seek God’s face and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in finding that person or persons. Ministry is a lonely place full of obstacles and discouragement at times but we must be a friend in order to find a friend. I don’t believe that God ever intended for us to travel this journey alone. That is why my passion is so strong for developing pastor’s wives/ministry women growth groups in our district. We definitely need one another. Relationships are crucial and it is a process that takes time to cultivate.

The Chocolate and Coffee Ministry groups I have created on FB also serve as a great source for ministry women to encourage one another. If you have never participated in the discussions I encourage you to check it out. There has been some great insight share during many of the discussion topics.

Have a great week friends. May the Lord continue to bless you and your ministry in an awesome and powerful way! Be a friend and begin to remove those masks………………………..

Love you much,
Debbie