Choice Silver

Lesson Learned in My Hospital Gown

2012-01-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

I spent this last week at a large medical clinic in Minnesota. For this small town girl, it was a little overwhelming at times. With the help of my wonderful Heavenly Father, my sweet daughter and a wheel chair, I made it through the week.

I came away from this experience with many thoughts and some new perspectives. It comforts my heart to know that nothing just "happens". God knows and sees everything. He allows…what He allows. There are lessons to be learned every day and in every situation that God allows in our life. Even the disappointing and overwhelming moments have a purpose.

I am praying that somehow I can share these moments in my life with the ladies I know and love. Not to get attention for myself, but to turn that attention to God, for He is more than wonderful and worthy of all praise.

One particular appointment I had this week was rather unpleasant. After my name was called, I was brought into a room, given instructions, and sent to another room to wait. I was kind of embarrassed walking down the hall in my hospital gown to the next waiting room! When I opened the door to the waiting room, there were about ten other ladies sitting in the room waiting as well! Interesting enough…we all had the same gown on! We all had an IV in our arm and we all had the same look of dread in our eye! My heart couldn't help but go out to every one of them because I knew exactly how they were feeling.

Before our wait was over, we were all talking to each other like we were old friends. We expressed words of comfort as each lady left for her turn to be examined. It didn't matter which of us was rich or poor. It didn't matter who was pretty...fat...skinny...quiet...talkative...strange...talented or smart. We were all in the same boat. This moment made me think about my church family and how we many times don't see each other as being in the same boat. We create in our heart different boats for different people. A boat for those we think are weird and another for those we think are spiritual giants. Then there are boats for those we don't think quite fit in some way and so on it goes.

It's sad when we think this way because it's not godly, and it causes the boat to be unbalanced. Without exception-- someone will always get hurt. The Bible tells us how to keep that balance we so desperately need. Not only for us but for the lost around us.

Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

If I think too highly of myself, I will not reach out to those that I think are "lower" than me or I will reach out to them in a condescending way. If I think too lowly or self-deprecating, I will never reach out to those that I think are "higher" than me because I will be feeling inferior and thinking I am not worthy to talk to "them".

You just never know what may be going on in the heart of a person, or what they are really going through. The outside may look great and all put together, but God sees the heart. None of us are better than anyone else. It might seem like it to us at times when we have our act together and things are going well in our life and our health is good... our finances are good and our kids are acting decent. But in real life we're not so much of a much! If I think I am, I am deceiving my own self.

Galatians 6:3 “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

I'm not taking it easy on myself. I have been personally guilty of the very thing I am writing about. I don't want to live my life holding back love or friendship from people because I am thinking to highly or too little of myself. God remembers who we really are and He loves us anyway. Who are we to not do the same for each other?

Psalm 103:14 “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”

Please dear Lord, help me to have a heart like the man in this verse.

Luke 18:13 “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

From my heart to yours,

Dianne

Teeth Like Sheep? Oh, Really?

2011-11-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

I almost died of loneliness today. It was like a horrible wave of emotional insanity. So I started to read the Song of Solomon. What is up with that book of the Bible? I felt myself blushing half of the time and smiling so hard I laughed out loud the other half. I don't mean any disrespect at all. It's just so....I don't know...over the top. I am trying to imagine my husband talking to me like the writer talks in Chapter 4:2.

Song of Solomon 4:2 “Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.”

As I am reading this, I found myself running my tongue across my teeth and in the imagination of my heart, I can hear my husband who is NOT a romantic saying... “So glad you haven't lost any of your teeth yet babe”. Trust me, I have scolded myself several times over the crazy thoughts that I've had running through my mind today….. and it’s because of the Song of Solomon!

Oh yes, here is the real reason I wanted to share my findings today! As I was reading, and right in the middle of all the over the top romantic stuff, I found this verse.

Song of Solomon 2:15 “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

I might not understand all the meaning behind the Song of Solomon but I do know that little things, like lonely days, are a little fox that can spoil our life. It can be anything… pride, anger, jealousy and so on. Little bits of our flesh rising up to influence our thoughts and we can find our feelings taking over. Before we know it…. and in an instant….a little fox is running the show and our whole life!

Maybe when I am older and more mature I will be able to deal with the Song of Solomon better.
For now I am watching out for those little foxes!

Dianne

Don’t Give Up the Ship!

2011-10-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

I read this verse today and thought to myself...I've never seen the righteous forsaken either. From the outside looking in it might look like some righteous people have been forsaken, but if you talk to them you will find out that it's simply not true.

There is something special that can happen in the life of a Christian when it seems all hope is gone. When all hope is gone, you will find that God is still there. Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us. I'm learning that the Christian life is not about enduring to the end, it's about a steadfast faith in my God who will never leave me. Faith in God and His Word can carry us through
anything and everything.

Faith rejoices when there seems to be no answer.

Faith praises God when the answer is no.

Faith keeps our heart and mind fixed when the storm is raging strong.

Faith waits on the Lord.

Psalm 27:14 “ Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

My heart is so burdened for young people who will not wait on the Lord. They want what they want and will go out and get it at all cost. Why not just wait on the Lord and delight yourself in Him. Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Faith believes this verse!

I've read these verses in Habakkuk many times and have thought about them a lot. It sounds like God has forsaken this man. It doesn't look like anything is going well for him at all. Habakkuk 3:17 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls." Seems like everything he worked so hard for had failed and there was nothing left. I've learned so much from his response in verse 18.

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

This is what happens in the heart of a Christian who has faith that God has not forsaken them. Their faith produces joy in the God of their salvation. The devil would like us to believe that God's Word is not true. Hard times that seem to have no end does not mean God has left us. God always has a purpose and plan. God will not forsake us. He knows exactly where we are.

Job 23:10 “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Whether you come forth as gold or fall flat on your face. God has still promised He will never forsake you.

Psalm 71:14 “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.”

Simple Thoughts About Life…and Eternity…

2011-09-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

I know this is going to sound weird to some, but yesterday, on my 40 minute drive home from
Grand Forks to the little town we live in, something unusual happened. I love this drive because
it gives me time to spend with the Lord and with my family when they are with me.

On my way home yesterday, I noticed these pretty white butterflies. They were everywhere!
They caught my attention because of the magnitude of them. It almost looked like it was snowing at times. Hundreds maybe thousands of them were flying around my car and also into my car!
After awhile it started to kind of gross me out. From time to time I would hear a little thud and then see the cute little butterfly float dead to the ground. I almost pulled over because it was really bothering me that so many of them were flying carelessly into my car, to meet their death! That is when Matthew 7:13-14 came to my mind.

I think my heart broke into a thousand pieces as I began to think of those butterflies…. as the souls of people! So many are still on the broad road! So many are still lost and carelessly heading for a Christ-less eternity. Am I praying for them? Do I even care? It bothers me to watch people young and old, say no to God week after week. They go through life in a careless manner, seemingly unaware of the destruction ahead. But, it is coming! God's Word said it is!

There is a narrow way that leads to life and Jesus is that way.

John 14: 6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

I am praying for those on the broad road--- that very soon they will start seeking for that narrow way…. before it is eternally to late. If you are one who is uncertain of where you will spend eternity….please don’t let yourself carelessly fly through this life without making certain of where you are headed when your eternity arrives.

My Dirty Window

2011-08-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

The window in my kitchen faces the east. I get the morning sun and I just love it. Over the winter months though, the window has gotten dusty and spotty. For weeks now it's been driving me crazy. When the sun shines on it in the morning I can see how awful it is. Every morning I see it and every morning I tell myself, I need to do something about it. Every morning as the sun moves to a different
side of the house, I try to forget about it. I was thinking this morning how really annoying this whole process is and today needs to be the day that I do something about it!

Then I got to thinking about my own heart. As I read the Bible and the light of God’s Word shines in and reveals the dirty and spotted places, I find myself not wanting to ignore the dirty places like I have done with my kitchen window.

The Bible says in James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Just acknowledging I need to change is not going to change me. Just like knowing the window needs to be cleaned is not going to get the window clean. I have to get out there and do what is necessary to clean it. It's my choice. I can leave the window as it is and get annoyed every morning until the sun moves or I can ask for help to clean it. The same is true for my heart. I can get annoyed every time God reveals sin in my heart, or I can cry out to Him for help to change me.

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Pretending the window is clean when the sun isn't shining on it… almost sounds crazy. Pretending my heart is ok when it is not, is far worse. I am deceiving my own self. That is scary to me.

My Daughter’s Getting Married…

2011-07-04T16:25:00.001-07:00

I just have to get this out and deal with it. I didn’t realize how hard letting go would be. Some moms make it look so easy. Some daughters pull away or run from the home. They are eager for adventure and wish to find it on their own. Sometimes they break their parent’s heart in the process.

Not my daughter. This child of mine would cry if her shoelace got dirty and has barely left my side from the time she was born. Now she's getting married and I don’t know what I will do without her. I don’t want to let her go, for I can’t imagine our home without her sweet spirit in it.

There I said it!

She doesn’t know it, but I've cried almost every morning when she leaves for work for about a month now. She always looks back and waves good bye. I know the day is soon coming when she will wave good bye and drive away for the final time, with her new husband. They will make a new home … together.

I feel silly, emotional, sad and happy, all at the time. In other words, I'm feeling a bit crazy. I hate it that time has gone by so quickly. How did we get here so fast? I'm sure these feelings will pass. Hopefully soon! We prayed a long time for her and her soon to be husband. For her, this is all dreamy and wonderful for the most part. For me, I feel a lot like I did when I held her in my arms for the very first time.

What a fragile and precious gift God has given me. My responsibility is huge and I don't want to
mess it up. I must press on. There are new adventures ahead. I think God understands if I stop and cry now and then. After all….He gave me tear ducts and a mother’s heart.

God has been so good to me.

The View From My Nest...

2011-06-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight I sat and listened to my daughter play the piano. She was playing, “His Eye Is On the Sparrow” and I was prompted to look up the words. I’m glad I did!

His Eye Is On The Sparrow.

Civilla D. Martin

Verse 1:

Why should I feel discouraged,

Why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart feel lonely

And long for Heav'n and home,

When Jesus is my portion?

A constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches over me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he watches me.

Verse 2:

"Let not your heart be troubled,"

His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness,

I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth

But one step I may see:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Verse 3:

Whenever I am tempted,

Whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing,

When hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him,

From care He sets me free:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He cares for me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He cares for me.

This song really encouraged my heart. It's a Biblical song reminding us that God is watching over us. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to fear or be troubled. I don’t have to be depressed, live in doubt or feel lonely. I can rise above it all and sing.

Why not! This world is packed full of all kinds of darkness. People are lost and need to see some glimmer of light. It might as well come from those who say they are Christians. I ask myself real often...”What am I doing here?” Not what am I doing living in North Dakota. But what am I, as a Christian doing… that makes any difference for eternity right now... right here.

Just this week I saw an ad for a movie that is coming out. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out the name of an actor playing in it. What a waste of time! It made me angry that I actually remembered the actor’s name. Immediately the Lord smote my heart with the realization that I don’t even know the names of all my neighbors. The Bible tells us to redeem the time.

Ephesians 5:16 “ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

This verse describes our world today (evil) and it gives me a job to do. ( redeem the time.) I can’t redeem the time if I'm troubled, discouraged, lonely or distracted by the world’s system. How can I reach anyone for the Lord in that state of being?

The song, “His Eye is on the Sparrow”, reminded me that God knows and sees what I am going through and He is able to take care of me. I don’t have to carry my own burdens around. I can let them all go to Him. When I let them all go, it enables me to see past me... so I can see my neighbors, my family and my sisters in the Lord who have needs too. I can sing and be happy no matter what may come my way, because I am truly free. My wonderful God takes care of me!

Luke 12:24 “ Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

LORD, help me to trust You for everything in this life, so that I might be a better witness of You to those around me that need you too!

I Can Hold On One More Day….

2011-05-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

Psalm 27:13 “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

This verse is my reason to not give up today! I have seen the goodness of the LORD many, many times. And... it is... unexplainably good! I've been in a health crisis valley for so long now that I don’t even remember what it is like to wake up and feel ok.

It doesn’t do me any good to long for the mountain top. I have to be content right where I am. I am in the land of the living. I am living. With my gentle Shepherd's help, I want to leave wells in the valley for those who may pass by this way too. If I fail to do it, what good am I? What would be the point? Others need to know and see that even in the valley God is good and He is there for us.

I don’t always understand why I am going through the physical things I am going through and if you could see how scared I get sometimes, and how hard it is for me to just trust God when I can't see my next step, you may wonder if I'm even worth listening to.

Yes! I am desperate for the Lord. I will not and cannot make it without Him. In the valley...especially in the valley, I hear His voice speaking to my heart reassuring me that He is there. I know I can trust Him. While I am in this valley, clinging to the Lord and learning to trust Him, I am looking for wells left behind by those who have been this way before. I need them. I found a well today in a little booklet of verses my friend and pastor’s wife gave to each lady in our church for Christmas. I see that she has been this way before. She left a well and I can go on because of it. That is the goodness of the LORD! I will praise Him.

Hugs from my heart,
Dianne

Today I’m Feeling Useless…..

2011-04-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for another day! What a peaceful, April snowfall I am watching out my window. I'm feeling rather useless and unproductive this week, and to top it off I had a dream last night that the missions apartment at the church needed to be cleaned and I didn’t get it done! In my dream… when I finally got to it, it was a wreck and there was no way I could get it done before the missionaries came. I was horrified and I was so glad I woke up and found it was just a dream!

But it also made me feel bad. Before I became so sick, it was my privilege to keep the missions suite clean and tidy for our visiting preachers and missionaries. I miss doing what I used to do! I miss being busy and able to go and do. Maybe I took some things for granted then. I don’t know.

When I was praying this morning, I asked the Lord if there was anything at all that I could do for Him today. Immediately Mark 12:30 came to my mind. I know the Lord put this verse on my heart because this is what it says...

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

He just wants me to love Him with all that I have. If my heart is right and I love Him the way I ought to love Him.

Everything else will fall into place. I don't need great strength of body or super brain power to love God with all of me. I don’t know what God has planned for me today. I don’t know what I will get done or what I will even have strength to do, but I know for sure that I can love my God and thank Him and praise Him all day long. He is worthy of all praise, just because of who He is!

Psalm 118:28 “Thou art my God, and I will praise thee:

thou art my God, I will exalt thee.”

After all....He loved us first!

I John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.”

We are never useless…when we love Him who first loved us!

Spring Cleaning!

2011-04-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air around here! It makes me want to spring clean my house. My girls are convinced that I spring clean all year around, but they exaggerate I’m sure. Still, it is true…

I do love to spring clean and get everything back in order and arranged in a nice clean place. I love the fresh, starting over, cleaning out the old clutter and bringing in that new feeling that comes with spring cleaning.

People are the same. We have to be empty of us--in order for God to fill us with Himself and it can get kind of messy sometimes in the process of “cleaning our house”. Is it corny to want to spring clean my heart? I don’t think so. Have you ever taken the time to check for cob webs and search out the messy places of your heart? Maybe things are in the wrong place or there are down right dirty places that I would be embarrassed
if anyone saw them.

In my “spring cleaning” the last few weeks, I've made some decisions. I have pin pointed some places in my life that I want to clean up and make better. I've been praying hard and long for my family. I think having one daughter married and one planning a wedding this year, has made me take a hard look at how I've raised them. What kind of baggage will they have to over come because of things I failed to change and clean up in my life? What good things have I passed on to them that will help them be or do anything for God?

True introspection is not an easy thing. If I get critical and judgmental, I see nothing good in anything or anybody and I get depressed. If I allow pride in my heart then I'm not being honest and that dishonesty will distort and cloud my own thinking. It's just my opinion but I think it's easier for others to see our faults, than it is for us to see our own!

One decision I have made is to value and take seriously, the people who feel they see a family curse or something in my life that I might be doing, that is wrong. It doesn’t feel good to sit and listen to someone tell you what they see that might be wrong with you and your family. But if it's a true friend and they are Godly, you will be better for it and they are going to love you anyway!

Proverbs 27:6 says, “ Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

One way I have found to weed out real friends who want to help, from those who just want to judge, is to
measure them by God’s Word. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron so a man sharpeneth the
countenance of his friend.” Does the conversation with my friend leave me confused and discouraged or am I challenged to want to change for the better to be more like the Lord? Good Godly counsel is worth more than most people realize. It seems the older I get, the more I realize that I have not arrived! In fact, I'm not even on the right road sometimes.

What a blessing it is to have God’s Word and godly friends who are willing to step out on a limb to speak a word in due season.

Another decision I have made is to simply call sin in my life exactly what it is…. Sin! It's so easy to justify and make excuses for myself and it's so easy to blame others for my actions. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 This is a powerful verse. The truth is, I can pretend all is well and try to impress others. I can also make myself look needy, to get attention I want from others. My heart is deceitful above all things! I am capable of anything. Praise God I don’t have to live that way! I have a God who can search out my heart and convict me of my sinful thinking. If I am willing to ask, He will help me see what He sees and will help me to change.

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

What a gracious God! His Word changes my heart every time I read it. What God has shown me in the spring cleaning and introspection of my heart is to not be afraid to ask Him to reveal what He sees in me and to find Godly friends to ask as well. Godly counsel is priceless. When my girls and I clean the windows of our house, we do it together. One can usually see what another cannot. It may get annoying to have every little spot pointed out but the end result is so good.

I’m learning that it is important to be honest with myself. It’s not ok to look good on the outside and still be ugly on the inside. I don’t like it when my kitchen looks good and then you open a cupboard door and things fall out all over me. I think the Lord feels the same way about my heart!

Psalm 51:6 “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”

I just need to clean it all up. God already knows what is inside! I’m so thankful that my Lord doesn’t give up on me. I’m a work in progress and He is so good to keep working His cleanup job on me!

Will You Be The One That Cares?

2011-03-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

I read a little devotion recently and it stirred my heart. It was called, “Does Anybody Care?”.

Sometimes it just feels good to know that someone cares.

There is a song I heard recently and one of the lines in it says..."Will you be the one." Yes, it’s important that Jesus cares when we are going through hard trials, but He always has and always will care. The question I have to ask myself is...Will I be the one who cares? The one who will take the time to sit and listen and help carry the burden or heartache of another. Will I be the one who is willing to be the only Jesus someone else may ever see? Some call it...being a Jesus with skin on. I like that. What a blessing it is when someone comes up and says...I just felt led to give you a hug, or to make you a meal, or... send you a note of encouragement.

Who is it that does the leading? If it's God, then you are the vessel He is using to show someone else how much He cares. No one can ever take the place of our wonderful Lord and Saviour. He is the ultimate Comforter and Friend. I wouldn't trade His presence for anything. But, I don’t want to take myself off the hook either. We are left here for a reason. We are left here for the benefit of everyone someone else.

There is nothing that depresses me faster than when I have my eyes on me and all that I think I need. There is nothing that encourages me faster than doing something for someone else or meeting the need of someone else. Does Jesus care? He sure does! He proved it all the way to the cross. The question is...Do I care? Do I prove my love by how I care for others? Do I pick and choose who I will care about? Do I want something in return?

This thing about caring for and loving one another is a way bigger deal than we make of it. It's the very thing that tells others who we belong to. It's our official mark of identification!

John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Please don’t take what I am about to say wrong……I am in total agreement with what Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We should be different from the world but I'm just kind of tired of just being known as one of those ladies from the Baptist church that wears skirts all the time. I think it would be such a blessing to be known as one of those ladies from that Baptist church that truly cares and loves everyone.

Will you be the one who cares and shows it?

There Will Be No Kidney Stones in Heaven!

2011-02-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

As I deal with yet another health issue, it was either write my thoughts down or go out and stick my head in a
snow bank. So I determined that writing would be the better choice!

II Corinthians 4:16-17 “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

The Lord put these verses on my heart today. I needed them. I have a kidney stone that is tormenting me today. It hurts a lot and I'm trying to occupy my mind with something other than hurting. So heaven is on my mind. Heaven is going to be wonderful!

I know this to be true because the Bible tells me so.

Revelations 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Imagine the God of all creation, wiping away the tears from your eyes! Just that thought alone renews my heart. It will be worth it all!

Ok... back to II Corinthians 4…..

There was a situation that happened this last week, that to me looked hopeless and I really wondered how it was all going to work out. My heart was broken and I may have fallen apart if it were not for the fact that I had two of my daughters watching me deal with it all.

I admit I am a hypocrite sometimes. My emotions get the better of me and I forget that nothing takes my heavenly Father by surprise. So...I told them in all faith that we are going to pray and claim the promises in Romans 8:28!

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Over night we saw God work that bad situation for good! You should have heard my daughter bragging about her wonderful God and how she never actually saw that verse work like that before. It was amazing!
Something that the Lord allowed me to see after the dust had settled was the fact that the very things that brought suffering into my life, were the very things that God was using to work in the life of someone else.

If I'm really praying and God is working, I need to be real careful what I complain to God about. It may be that while I'm falling apart and not trusting God He is working to reach that person I am so desperately praying for. I know...our light affliction can seem awfully heavy sometimes but in light of the big picture, it is worth it!

Besides I don’t have to carry my burdens alone. When hard times come, I have a hiding place and a hope that is rooted in something that will never fail and will never change.

Psalm 119:114 “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.”

I guess the deal is this. If I am going to fervently pray, I shouldn’t be surprised or discouraged when hard things start happening. God knows what He is doing. God's ways and thoughts are far beyond my tiny bit of understanding.

It says that very thing in the Bible in Isaiah 55:8-9. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

I am really tired today but I am so happy in the Lord. He really is all I need. I believe the Bible is right. My outward man may be falling apart but the real me has so much to look forward to!

It's just a matter of time…

My Thoughts in the Night...

2011-01-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 43:2 “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

It's the middle of the night, and the burdens of life are keeping me awake. I know what I must do. I need to pray and run to Gods' Word. He meets me in it's pages and encourages my heart. I need the refuge He gives. I love reading the Psalms.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

I read Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

And… before I know it, peace floods my heart and I remember once again that my heavenly Father sees what I cannot see, and I am determined to trust Him. Before I fall asleep, I ask God to do for me what He did for King David. Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

I can sleep now… for my heart is safe with the Keeper of my soul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Its morning… and my heart and mind are fixed on the truth of God's Word. Today I remember the sweet fellowship I had with the Lord in the night.

Psalm 77:6 “I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.”

My circumstances have not changed. The same trials that tried to steal my joy and my night’s rest yesterday, are still knocking at my heart’s door today. But I am not alone. I never was to begin with.

Isaiah 43:2 says, "God will be with me through everything."

I read my "encouraging words for women" calendar this morning and this is what it said.

God doesn't say "if you pass through the waters," or if you pass through the fire; No, He says "when". It's a given that we will have those experiences. But God does say that we will not go through those experiences alone. He will be with us.

I just want to encourage the heart of someone that may be going through a fire or flood time. Cling to the Lord and His Word and trust Him with all your heart. He will never fail you.

If you find that you cannot do this…please search your heart for His indwelling Presence.

The best part of all is finding precious treasure in your time of suffering. Suffering isn’t all bad. It can do some wonderful things in our life if we surrender to it.

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

That I may know Him….What ever it takes.

Hugs from my heart,

Dianne

Lord, You Are Everything to Me!

2010-12-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

I can face today because… no matter what, my Lord is with me! I can do all things through Him and with Him by my side. I can’t even take my next breath without Him.

Exodus 15:2 ~ The LORD is my strength and song…

II Samuel 22:2 ~ The LORD is my rock…

Psalm 23:1~ The LORD is my shepherd…

Psalm 27:1 ~ The LORD is my light…

Psalm 94:22 ~ But the LORD is my defense…

Lamentations 3:24 The LORD is my portion…

Zechariah 13:9~ The LORD is my God…

Hebrews 13:6 ~ The Lord is my helper…

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

I think I might be ok today. I just might make it. Life really is worth living because He is more than wonderful! He is everything I need and means everything to me!

Hugs from my heart….Dianne

I Just Love You….Forever and Always and No Matter What!

2010-11-01T18:54:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

I am one of the most insecure people I know. People tell me I'm way too sensitive and I wonder sometimes if I'll ever feel "normal" like everyone else seems to feel.

There is nothing particularly special about me outside of the fact that I am the only me there is. And... you are the only you there is. I don’t know how special that makes us, but we are all unique that is for sure.

I have friends who almost never cry. I have some who cry all the time. Some are quiet, some are funny. Some are healthy and some are sick. Some talk a lot. Some are home bodies and some love to travel. Some are bossy and some let others boss them around. Some are laid back and some are very high strung. The list of differences could go on for a long time.

All I know is... I love them all. I learn so much from my sisters in the Lord. They help me when I'm feeling insecure and being way too sensitive. Some give me just the kick in the pants I need to wake me up and some give me a hug that comforts my weak heart.

Somehow God fits us all together and if we allow it, He can use all of our differences to help make each other better, and become more like Him. Sometimes those differences can be annoying if we're not careful.

I know this is no big secret, but the devil loves to see walls of all kinds built up between God’s people. For one thing he hates the Lord’s church! For another, he hates God’s children.

It really shouldn't matter so much to us what kind of personality we have or what makes us different from others. We are supposed to die daily to self anyway!

God is the one that made us all different. It was actually His plan for it to be that way.

I Corinthians 4:7 “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

God has a perfect plan and a perfect place for each of us to serve Him. We need to respect that in one another.

The Bible explains it for us in I Corinthians 11:1-31 and in I Corinthians 12. God tells us the manner in which we are to serve. Nothing we do is worth anything without love. It needs to be the unfeigned, fervent kind.

I Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”

I'm so thankful for those who know me and love me anyway.

I Peter 1:22 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

God is so good and I am beyond thankful for my church family.

Please dear Lord, help me have a heart that is pure. Help me do my part where you have placed me. Please keep my love for others that unfeigned and fervent kind.

Dianne

Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

2010-10-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Written by Isaac Watts

Am I a soldier of the cross,

A follower of the Lamb,

And shall I fear to own His cause,

Or blush to speak His Name?

Must I be carried to the skies

On flowery beds of ease,

While others fought to win the prize,

And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace,

To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign;

Increase my courage, Lord.

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,

Supported by Thy Word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war

Shall conquer, though they die;

They see the triumph from afar,

By faith's discerning eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise,

And all Thy armies shine

In robes of victory through the skies,

The glory shall be Thine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really like this song. It convicts my heart. It seems like Christians in this day have it so much easier than those that lived years ago. It seems that we have more, and suffer little in comparison. On top of that…we complain more and do so little. Please don’t get me wrong, I'm talking to myself here too. I am burdened that I have not personally done my part to reach the lost. I find myself wasting time on worldly things when I could pray. Praying for the lost and those who reach them is a huge deal! I think of our missionaries and those in full time service for the Lord who need us to be praying and interceding for them to the Lord.

But, what about me and my neighbors, family and friends? Do I even pray for them? I mean really pray for them. So far in this great country of ours, we still enjoy the freedom of religion, but the day may come when this world will not tolerate true Biblical preaching. What will we do if real persecution comes? If I can't even deal properly with the slights of others or have a good attitude through the trials I face now…. how will I ever stand when the line is drawn between those who are real and those who are not? If I cannot stand now, when things are relatively easy, I know I will fall when things are truly hard.

I must purpose in my heart now to do what is right and I must practice those things that a soldier is supposed to be doing. Like praying without ceasing and studying God’s Word and hiding it in my heart. I need to practice bringing into captivity every thought. I need to be sober and be vigilant too.

The ultimate goal of a Christian is to bring glory to God, so I have to ask myself these questions:

Am I a soldier of the cross? Really, am I?
What kind of soldier am I? Do I cave and give in easily? Am I a lazy soldier or one who goes AWOL half the time? Do I complain about the other “troops” a lot? Am I committed to our eternal cause?

There are too many things that need to be done in the Lord’s army for us to be half-hearted soldiers.

From my heart...Dianne

Do You Know How To Sing?

2010-09-01T18:00:00.001-07:00

Psalm 137:4 "How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?"

This verse reminded me of the song "This World is Not My Home." It reminded me once again, that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world. I'm not supposed to feel at home here! I am just passing through.

Hebrews 11:10 "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

Sometimes I just want to go home to Heaven. I get tired of fighting my flesh. Sometimes I feel my heart getting hard and I start to get critical and judgmental of those around me that don't seem to care much for living God's way.

Matthew 24:12 "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

This is just the way things are in our world and even among many Christians today. Everything from the music played in stores, the magazines at the check out line, to the way people dress these days, cries out for our attention. I don't want to give these things a moment of my time and yet... It's right in our face! We have no choice… we must fight against it!

I Peter 2:11 "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;"

I'm so thankful that God did not leave us here to fend for ourselves. He gave us armor, a protection for our body, soul and spirit. Then He tells us what to do with it!

Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

I'm also so very thankful He has given us a Comforter. His own precious Holy Spirit!

John 14:16-18 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

What a promise!

As bad as I just want to go to heaven and be with the One who saved me, I have to remember that I am left here for a purpose. God has a plan for me every day, even in my weak, physically sick state of being. He wants me to reach the lost that He has for me to reach. So I must not allow my love to wax cold and I cannot give up now!

Matthew 9:37 "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;"

It may be that laborers are few because so many Christians just give up!

We have to tell those who don't know yet, that Jesus loves them.

I Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

Maybe the cares of this life are getting the best of you. Maybe you have fallen down for the hundredth time and don't feel you have the strength to get back up. Maybe you are physically and emotionally tired. Maybe your faith is small. As they say... this too shall pass. It isn't always raining. There are sunny days too.

Trust God and take your refuge in the shadow of His wings.

Psalm 57:1 "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."

Don't give up now!

Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. IF WE FAINT NOT."

We can sing the Lord's song in this strange land. We can praise God every where we go. We can give thanks no matter what. We can make a difference in our home and in our town.

Psalm 18:49 "Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name."

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

and...

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

God wants to hear you sing! So….LET'S SING!

The Mercy of God

2010-08-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

I just want to praise the Lord… that's all.

I am simply in awe of my Great God! I'm amazed by Him every day. His Word alone, fills every longing of my heart. His presence is more than I deserve or ever imagined it would be. Because
I find myself in a needy place in life most of
the time, I am learning that God is more than
adequate.

I cannot thank Him enough for all He has done. I'm thankful for His grace that has been more than sufficient for me. How can I explain grace? It's something I can't see with my eyes. Not with my human eyes anyway. But, I depend on it as if it were a person standing right next to me holding my hand and at times carrying me. God's grace truly is... Amazing Grace!

His mercy to me is almost unbelievable. The Bible tells us that His mercies are new every morning.

Lamentations 3:21-23 "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

I don't understand how God can be so merciful to me. I know how much I fail Him. I wish I didn't… but I do. Yet, somehow His great compassion finds a way to have mercy on a wretch like me. I want so much to be more like Him. I just don't want to write about anything else except for how good God is! When we recognize that truth, nothing else matters.

God can do anything. He is there for us and He loves us. I wish I knew how to say properly what I really feel and what I know is real. All I want to do is praise Him! He is so worthy of all our praise!

King David once again expresses it best. Psalm 150: 1-6 "Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."

Just imagine what the days of our life would be like if we would sincerely and happily just praise our LORD.
He is worthy of our praise. Let's just do it!

Never Fear….He is There!

2010-07-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

This verse means so much to me. I take it very personally and I believe it with all my heart.
God will never leave me and He will not forsake me. I've gone through some hard trials, emotionally and physically, the last few years. I know others have been through more and worse. I'm not complaining. It's just the truth. There are times when I don’t think I'm going to make it. Sometimes I just "feel" alone. Then I remember this verse…...

Sometimes I look at others and it seems like their faith is rewarded in such a huge way and it seems that there is no mistaking that God did something for them. I think that's why God tells me in this verse to be content.

I can see that my faith has grown through every trial. Every time a new blow from the world comes along, I dig my heels in a little deeper and I cling a little tighter to God’s Word and pray. I pray because I don’t want to believe the devil’s lies.

God said He will never leave me… and I believe Him!

I think one of the lies the devil tries to use on me is when he tells me that I don’t really believe what I say I do. He causes me to doubt my own resolve! What a deceiver my adversary is! He preys on my “feelings” and causes me to doubt the power of my Almighty God!

I "feel" bad when bad things happen. I "feel" sad when sad things happen. I "feel" a lot of things. But, that doesn’t mean I'm not trusting God that all things will work together for good. Satan loves to use our feelings to lie to us. I must always go back to where the truth is…

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

I'm writing this down to encourage myself in the Lord today. David had to encourage himself in the Lord. So why should it be any different for me.

I Samuel 30:6 “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters:
but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

David was "feeling" greatly distressed. Sometimes I feel the same way too. I'm so thankful for the times that God does huge wonderful things for other people and for me. I love to see answered prayer! It makes my faith grow even more.

But what I love most of all, is the everyday- every moment- abiding truth… that God has said He will be there. In every situation…He is there. He has ordained my trial. My faith in Him is what pleases God and faith is what will keep me going.

Maybe tomorrow will be a great day. Maybe I will feel well. Maybe the things I have been praying about will be answered. Maybe I will come forth as gold at the end of my trials or maybe I will be a huge flop. Only God knows. Either way, God has promised that He will be there.

How can I give up? How can I not love Him and fall at His feet in adoration. He's more
than wonderful to me.

I’m so thankful that He is there…

I Can’t…But God Can!

2010-06-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

Psalm 39:4 “LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.”

I was laying in bed this morning just thinking. Have you ever had one of those days when you just “feel” sad? It’s probably a hormone thing but nonetheless, on this day, I was feeling sad. I don’t often tell people that. It just doesn’t sound right coming from a born again, child of God to say they are sad. But I was.

I'm sad when I watch those I love making decisions that will ruin their life and I can’t do anything to stop them. I'm sad for friends who carry such heavy burdens in life that you almost see the weight of it all on their shoulders and in their eyes.

I wish for myself that I could get up in the morning and work hard from dawn until dusk like I used to, but I can no longer physically do that. It is easy to ask the Lord why all these things are this way, but a better question reallymight be, “What is it that I am suppose to learn from it all”? What is the bottom line?

This is what He put on my heart.

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

Yes…there is the bottom line and the ‘why’. “That I may know Him.”

How bad do I really want to know Him? How much and how deeply do I want to know Him? Am I willing to do what ever it takes to know Him like He wants me to know Him? Am I willing to give up anything and everything to know Him?

This thought sure changed my perspective this morning and I found myself feeling more glad… than sad. It's not my business to know all the why’s or to fix anything. I can’t any way. But, God can. The verse at the very beginning (Psalm 39:4) reminds that I am frail and that’s about as good as it gets.

I'm suppose to be this way. It's all about depending on God and His power. The more frail I get… the more power God seems to have.

When I'm at the end of all I can do. God has not even begun to do all He can do!

There is nothing that God can not do because His power is endless. I’m beginning to realize something. I think I am anyway…. God knows that the cares and burdens of this life are real. We all have them. That's life! He sees everything we go through. every moment of everyday, and He has a plan for those “things” in the lives of those who love Him. That truth is found in Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Just let God take care of it all. I need to be burdened enough to pray about things and ask God to do what only God can do, but then I need to get out of the way and let Him have His way!

I can’t really know God and I will never see His power--- if I don’t follow His plan.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

I'm reminded of the hymn we often sing called, “I Surrender All”. All means all.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

We just need to do it.

Dianne

Search My Heart

2010-05-17T19:56:00.001-07:00

I've been reading the book of James today. I love James, but I always forget how convicting it is. James 3 especially …. In the middle of chapter 4 there is kind of a break when it says,

"Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you."

That feels good. It gives hope. I'm not satisfied with my walk, talk or manner of living when I'm reminded how I'm really supposed to be.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised with that dissatisfaction because I'm always asking God to do for me what He did for King David.

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

I'm just not always expecting it when the "searching my heart time" comes. I'm not always aware of how off - I really am. I think it happens a little bit at a time and before I know it I'm spiritually sluggish and weak in my heart. Praise the Lord I don't have to stay that way!

I love the convicting, comforting power of God's Word. I'm humbled today and I love my God more than ever. He has been so good to me.

Job 23:16 "For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:"

“Are You Caught in the Fence?”

2010-05-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

“Jealousy is such an easy trap to fall into.

It poisons a household and distorts reality,

until imagined slights become sore wounds.

It serves no useful purpose and renders me

unable to do God’s will.”

~ From Whispers of Friendship

I read this a few weeks ago and have been thinking about it ever since. I don’t know who wrote it but it sure is true. Being jealous steals our joy and makes it hard to be truly thankful for all God has done for us, because we are really thinking He has done far more for another sister in the Lord.

It's awful when you think about it. You can’t really rejoice honestly with those who are in a time of rejoicing when you're jealous of them. After a while you can’t be happy for anyone about anything because in your heart of hearts….you wish it were you!

If jealousy is not dealt with quickly, you will begin to notice only the negative about people,

and why you think they don’t deserve anything good from the Lord. You may even start to question God.

You might begin to ask questions like:

Why am I sick and someone else is healed? Why wasn't my child chosen for the character award this month and that bratty kid was? Why do they always get to go on a vacation? Why do they get so much attention? Why do they get to have that position in the church? The list could go on and on and gets uglier as it grows!

It's so ugly to God, that He made the tenth commandment as a warning to us.

Exodus 20:17 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”

Jealousy is dangerous because it's one of those things you can hide in your heart where no one can see….at first. It is possible to fake a smile and tell someone "I am so happy for you",

while seething on the inside all at the same time.

Matthew 15:8 “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”

Eventually… the real contents of the heart will come out, because God’s Word is true.

Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil:

for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

We can always find someone who is just as weak as we are, that will listen to us. I have to ask myself. What kind of treasure did I leave behind when I talked to my husband, a child or friend?

The truth is, it's none of my business why God blesses others the way He does, or why some people go through many trials. It's God’s business!

My business is stated in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

Then…. leave everything else up to God.

Here is a story from God’s Little Devotional Book For Women .

"Several years ago, a newspaper cartoon was drawn of two fields divided by a fence. Both were about the same size, and each had plenty of lush green grass. Each field had a mule whose head was stuck through the wire fence, eating grass from the other’s pasture.

Although each mule was surrounded by plenty of grass, the neighboring field seemed somewhat more desirable even though it was harder to reach. In the process, the mules' heads became caught in the fence. They panicked and brayed uncontrollably at being unable to free themselves. The cartoonist wisely described the situation with one word: "Discontent."

Like the mules, when we focus on what we don’t have we become blinded by the blessings which surround us. There is nothing wrong with desiring something, but to think life is easier in someone else's pasture is unwise.

Besides no matter where we are, we will still have to deal with the attitudes of our own heart.

If there is something you desire in life, no matter what it is, look to Jesus to help you bring it to pass. Meanwhile, remember to find pleasure in what He's already given you!

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content

with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee is good enough for me!

Let’s just be satisfied…and content!

Love, Dianne

Just Thinking Again….

2010-04-02T18:03:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 5:22 "Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?"

This verse gives me goose bumps. It makes me want to bow down and worship my Great God. It fills my heart with adoration for the One who created everything. My God is such a great God!

I've been thinking about something though….

If God made a boundary for the seas, what makes me think I can do just any 'ole thing I want? We humans sure are prideful. Just this last week I allowed sin into my life. I knew the way I was feeling was wrong, but I let myself feel that way anyway... on purpose. By time I came to my senses, I was so full of regret and shame! I felt like I was tossing and roaring as the waves described in Jeremiah 5:22.

I knew the boundary God had set for me and I was trying to live outside of it. I can't allow my mind to think and feel whatever it wants to think! It's not right… because the Bible says it's not right!

II Corinthians 10:5 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

The truth is, I have it made in the shade, with pink lemonade, because all my boundaries are written out for me-- right in God's Word! If I read it, believe it, and live by it every day. I can have peace and I am safe. Nothing can harm me when I am living within the boundary of God's Word.

I'm reminded of the account in Mark, when Jesus rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, "Peace be still". Can you just imagine it?

Mark 4:41 "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

It was Jesus Christ the Son of God!

Jesus was there at the very beginning when God spoke everything into being. The wind and the sea know His voice and obey it. Those who belong to Him know His voice too.

John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"

If you belong to Him, do you listen and obey?

Trust and obey... for there is no other way... to be happy in Jesus... but to trust and obey.

Wait…

2010-03-15T20:47:00.001-07:00

Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

This verse has been on my heart for several days now. It encourages me every time I think about it. Obviously, no matter how long I wait I will never be able to fly like an eagle! So this must be something that happens in the heart. Eagles see things differently than we do. They have a totally different perspective. Sometimes I think I run out of strength because my perspective is all wrong to begin with. I can wear myself out worrying about things or I get so busy with life that I forget to remember Who is really supposed to be running the show. I add things in and take things out of my day… as if I'm in charge. No wonder I need my strength renewed!

This little verse in Job seems like a big deal to me.

Job 31:4 "Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?"

I have to wonder if God wants me to be so tuned in to Him each day that I will not take one step more or one step less, than what He has planned for me. God knows how far we can run or walk before we will become weary and faint. He knows us better than we know our selves. That is the truth, based on God's Word!

Matthew 10:30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Do you have any idea how many hairs you have on your head? God does. I don't know why or how He knows, but this verse says He does!

Do you know how many steps you take in a day? God does. Maybe God wants to be closer to us that we could ever imagine. That thought convicts my heart. Our God is so gracious and good. He knows we will become weary, whether by our own doing… or just because life is hard. All He is asking us to do-- is wait on Him. Just wait. That's all. Wait…because of His promise…. "They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength."

I'll do my best to wait…

Remembering Why I Love Him…

2010-03-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful that God spoke to my heart years ago and helped me to see that I was lost and how awful my sin was in His eyes. I'm so thankful He forgave me and came into my heart and changed the real me. I have not been the same since the night that I repented of my awful sin and put all my faith in what Jesus did for me on the cross. I love Him for what He has done for me!

I love Him for never leaving me alone. I love Him for how He is always teaching me things about myself and about Him. I love how He convicts my heart and chastens me when I'm out of line. I love Him for hearing me when I pray. I love Him for giving me joy through heartaches. I love Him for giving me His Word…His love letter to us. I cannot even begin to explain how incredible God's Word really is! It's my Light and my Lamp. I love Him because His love for me never changes. I love Him for being my Abba Father. I love Him just because He is God. If all He ever did was forgive me of my sin (although that is not a small thing), it would be more than enough. I cannot thank Him enough… and I can't stop thinking about Him.

When I remember these things, I can't help but want to tell someone about it. When I remember these things, it helps me forgive and love those who have wronged me. When I remember these things it helps me love those that don't love me.

This last week a friend of mine was having some problems at her work place. She is hated by some of her co-workers just because she's a Christian. It isn't hard for her to stand up for right and be all she can be for the Lord in her work place. She's not ashamed or afraid to share the gospel. But, when they started lying about her, just to make her look bad and then tried to set her up for failure, it became hard. We talked about her situation for long time. At first, our flesh got mad and wanted to fight back. But, we both knew that wasn't the right response. We also knew that God was not taken by surprise by what was happening and He already had a plan.

It's hard when you are wronged and it seems like there is nothing you can do about it. Our flesh wants to lash out and make things right. But God... God is the One in charge of making things right. We don't have to do anything! Just simply trust God and watch Him work.

Romans 12:19 " Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

It's wrong for us to plan our revenge on people when they do things that hurt us. Where is the love in that? How are the lost around us going to know that there is something different about us if we act just like they do when they are wronged? After a lot of prayer we came to the same conclusion. We took a look at what Jesus did for us at Calvary. What a difference that thought made! We were reminded that it's so easy to love those who love us. But it's something all together different to love those who hate us.

But that is just what Jesus did for me. Before I even knew who He was… He loved me.

Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus didn't wait around for me to love Him. He loved me first.

I John 4:19 "We love him, because he first loved us."

The Bible tells us how we should handle these kinds of situations in our life.

Matthew 5:44 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Luke 6:28 "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."

Romans 12:14 "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."

If our goal is to see the lost around us saved, we have to live our life in such a way that there is no doubt in their mind that we are a real Christian. We are to love and pray for those who hate us. On our own, that is a hard thing to do. But not with God.

Romans 5:5 "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

When we are so in love with the Lord because of what He has done for us, it can't help but spill out and affect others.
What a blessing and encouragement it would be if that mean co-worker, neighbor or cashier at our favorite store got saved and was able to say all those things I stated at the beginning.

I can see it happening. If God could save a wretched sinner like me-- He can do it for anyone! I have to ask myself the hard questions. Is my life a true reflection of Jesus?
Could someone spend time with me and see a difference? What kind of love do I have?

It's hard to sing "Oh how I love Jesus" when bitter, unloving thoughts about those around us, are running loose in our minds. I don't know what will happen with my friend and her job, but, I do know that if she lives her life in obedience to these verses, it could possibly make all the difference in the world to some lost soul. Would it be worth it?

From my heart...Dianne

What Are You Expecting?

2010-02-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

Psalm 62:5 "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him."

Our expectations sure can get us into a lot of trouble! I've noticed this in my own life. I expect my husband to understand how I'm feeling. I expect a friend to be there for me. I expect plans I make to work out just the way I plan them. I expect God to answer my prayers a certain way. (shame on me) I expect my children do things that make me look good. I could go on and on. I'm sure everyone could make a list of their own.

But this verse is very clear. I am to wait on God only… and all my expectation is to be from Him. This sure seems like an obvious way to live. Living with this kind of mind set would eliminate all other disappointments, discouragements, frustration and evil thinking of others. It would be like saying to God…

"Whatever You want is ok with me! I trust You so much that whatever You allow or don't allow is just fine! (Not that He needs our approval.) My heart is totally and completely resting in You Lord. I believe every promise in Your word. I totally abandon everything else, because You are everything to me!"

Am I going too far?

There have been too many times when I have put my expectation in things other than God. Those are the most disappointing times in my life. What a mess I get myself in to! I set myself up for the devil to just walk in and mess with my heart and mind. I become judgmental of those around me because they didn't do what I expected them to. And eventually…. nothing seems to make me happy.

The truth is, most people are just doing the best they can. It seems sometimes that our expectations of each other, exceeds even those of our Heavenly Father.

Psalm 103:14 "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust."

I don't want to come across as pious, but wouldn't this way of living cause us to exhibit more real joy and peace? Wouldn't we be such a blessing to others if we could just make this verse real in our everyday life? It would make us peculiar that's for sure! But, that's what we are supposed to be anyway.

Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

I read this quote from Matthew Henry. "We may depend upon God's promises, for He will be as good as His Word. He is so kind that He cannot deceive us and so true that He cannot break His promise."

This is what we can expect from our God. And... if all our expectation is in Him, then there is no reason to worry, fret or become discouraged. Our days are in His hands and our great God never has and never will make a mistake!

Psalm 84:11 "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Whatever happens today or next week or next year is ok with me Lord…… because I know, as your child everything that happens is for my good.

And not only that... you are right beside me all the way! You really are all I need.

Dianne

The Strokes of Our Lives

2010-01-14T18:35:00.001-08:00

Dear friends of my heart....

So many thoughts have been running through my mind and there is so much to be learned from them.

Here is one thought I've been contemplating.…

~ If our life was like a painting, the strokes that are being added to the canvas today may not make much sense when viewed alone. However, God doesn't waste any strokes... for He sees the final picture... You may think the color being used today is too gray... but... the time will come when you will see that...the meaning of the painting would be weakened- if the gray strokes were not included in the exact places they appear.~

This thought encouraged my heart today. I often feel like a whole lot of gray is being added to my canvas lately.
Because of my health, I wonder quite often if I'm useful to God at all anymore. I start feeling sorry for myself because of the things I can't do... that I used to do, not so long ago.

As I go on and on telling my Heavenly Father my sad story.... that He already knows about….He reminds me of Psalm 46:10a " Be still, and know that I am God:"

Oh... man!!! I have such a loooooooooong way to go! I'm so thankful for the way God loves me and for His patience with me. Makes me love Him even more!

Lord, I love being nothing, so that You can be my all in all.

Just something I'm working on…

Dianne

Making The Best Of Your Days

2010-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

There are some things I've noticed as I'm growing older.

One thing is... It happened a lot faster than I expected.

And... another thing... gray hair does not curl like blonde hair. In fact my gray hair does not curl at all!

At first I just pulled those gray hairs out thinking they were rebellious and needed to go. But, now there are way too many

I have lots of gray hair!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure there are many other things that will surprise me along the way… if I live long enough to experience them.

I just kind of wish someone would give me a heads up on some of those things. I wish I could be warned ahead of time.

My skin has changed, my hair has changed, my strength has changed, my brain has changed and everything mostly hurts.

This is just how I am now. I'm dealing with it pretty well I think. I'll be ok I guess.

Proverbs 20:29 "The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head." WHAT! Oh… wait! It says men!

Hosea 7:9 "Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not."

I can see that growing older is inevitable, so I must succumb. I'm so glad I can make this journey with my Lord.

Job 14:1-2 "Man that is born of a woman is of a few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not."

Make the best of your short days. Pluck the gray hairs if you must. Take care of your temple as best you can and be happy on this ride!

A Christ Filled Christmas

2009-12-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

Luke 2: 1-7 1 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;  (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

I get goose bumps every time I read this account in the Bible. I think it's because I'm amazed that Jesus left heaven's glory and came to this wicked world. He came for us. If that's all I knew about Him… it would be enough. I love Him so much for the sacrifices He made for a sinner like me. And what a sacrifice it was!

Philippians 2:6-8 " Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

He knows everything about us. He understands every trial every burden and every temptation we face. Because He came, He knows exactly how to help us.

The Bible says... Hebrews 4:15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

What a wonderful Saviour! How could I praise Him enough. I cant!
But... "I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." Psalm 104:33

The Christmas season is an interesting time of year to me. I often wonder if we are much different from the people back when Jesus was born. Everyone was so busy. The inn's were packed. The cities were crowded with anxious people. I'm assuming this because the decree went forth that the whole world should be taxed. The whole world was thinking about money and very few even noticed the star pointing the way to the most amazing thing that was happening.

Prophecy was being fulfilled.

Matthew 1:23 " Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

God With us!

How could they have missed it? I think it's the same way we miss Him today. They were preoccupied with the cares of this life and what they thought was important, instead of the miracle happening right under their noses.
I wonder sometimes if we would really be happy and content, if Christmas really were--- all about Jesus?

Simply Jesus.

I mean, we say things like "Jesus is the reason for the season", but I wonder if we would experience real peace in our hearts like we've never had before, if we would just take a whole day or even a whole season, to think only about Jesus and thank Him for what He did. What if we really thanked Him for why He came, and what He is about to do… in the very near future. He IS coming again! But, it will be different this time.

Revelation 1:7-8 " Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

Every eye shall see him.

Everyone will notice Him then. But by then, for many it will be too late. I pray that it will not be you. Why not take this Christmas season to notice Him. Why not give Him just one whole day of undivided attention.

I really do love this time of year. I love the feeling in the air. But, what I love most of all and what I celebrate most of all, is that Jesus came. For me! Knowing everything He would endure on our behalf… He chose to come anyway. This thought overwhelms my heart!

John 10:17-18 "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

How absolutely incredible!

Let us never lose the wonder of it all.

Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Merry CHRISTmas! I hope it's the best you've ever had!

Dianne

Never Alone

2009-11-21T20:00:00.001-08:00

Remind me dear Lord, that this is more than enough for me…

I John 3:2 " Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

This is enough for me. Thank you, Lord, I'm not going to be the way I am forever.
I don't know exactly what it is I'm going to be, but I know it has got to be something good!

I Thessalonians 4:16-17 " For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Dead or alive...either way… this is enough for me. My eyes are looking to the sky and my ears are listening for the trumpet.
While I'm waiting....I John 3:3 "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

John 14:3 " And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

This is enough for me. I don't really know what that place will be like. But, I know Jesus will be there. That's all that matters to me.

Hebrews 13:5 " Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

This is enough for me. Mountain top or valley I am never alone .

What To Do On One of Those Days

2009-11-01T12:43:00.001-08:00

Ever have one of those days when you're walking along minding your own business, skinny, dumb and happy?

You're even thinking Philippians 4:8 kind of thoughts. And then… out of nowhere, it seems like someone comes along and just pulls the rug out from under you? There you lay… flat on your face and wondering what just happened and… how did I get here?

I've had some days like this lately. I don't like them at all! I know almost everyone has had times like these. A friend of mine reminded me of this verse just this morning. I Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

While laying there flat on my face, I thought it might be a good idea to pray and ask God what I needed to learn and what I should do.

This is the answer I got.

1. Proverbs 24:16 "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."
Don't stay down. Get back up even if you feel like you can't!

Remember...II Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

It's all about God's grace and His strength, not what we can muster up. He is all sufficient. We are weak. The Bible describes us like this. Psalm 103:14 "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust."

2. Hebrews 12:1 " Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Maybe God needs to get our attention. Ask Him to search your heart. Psalm 139:23 "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:"

If need be, get rid of the sin and the weights. We all know the things that easily trip us up and cause us to fall. Get rid of them! And remember there are those that are watching us. One more thing... this verse says to run with patience.

James 1:4 "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Pastor has been teaching on this a lot lately. Won't it be great to get to that "perfect and entire wanting nothing" stage!!?

3. James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

Don't allow the devil to mess with your mind and cause you to doubt things you once held on to, from God's Word. Instead draw closer to God. Have you ever watched little children when they fall and get hurt. They always look for mom or dad and run to them for comfort. They found comfort in their arms before and know where to go when hurting again.

Luke 11:13 " If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

Luke 12:7 "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

I don't care what the devil says. God loves and cares about us. Our heavenly Father knows when the devil is trying to hurt us and cause us to fall. He wants us to run to Him!

Psalm 32:7 "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah."

Psalm 18:2 "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
He is all we need!

4. Psalm 112:7 " He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD."

Fix your heart and mind on the truth of God's Word and don't let go of it! We don't always see that trouble is right around the next corner. But, God can see around every corner and winding path. He knows everything!

Isaiah 42:16 "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."

"We can trust Him completely. Don't give up! Often the last step is the winning step. It is when heaven's heights are in full view that the gates of hell are the most persistent and full of deadly peril."
~Unknown

Let's determine to stay faithful to the one who never gave up on us. We may fall, get knocked down and have the rug pulled out from under us some days, but remember this….

Psalm 37:24 "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."

Being in God's Hand is not a bad place to be.

My Heart Is Fixed

2009-10-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

Just want to share the thoughts of my heart with you today.

My something better than--- list...

Something better than life...
Psalm 63:3 “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.”

Something better than gold and silver...
Psalm 119:72 “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.”

Something better than hanging out anywhere in this world...
Psalm 84:10 “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

Something better than all the seemingly precious stuff this world has to offer...
Proverbs 8:11 “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”

Something better than living by feelings...
Proverbs 16:32 “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”

Something better than fake friendship...
Proverbs 27:5 “Open rebuke is better than secret love.”

Something better than individuality...
Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.”

Something better than laughter...
Ecclesiastes 7:3 “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”

Something better than a life with no trials to learn from...
Ecclesiastes 7:8 “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

Something better than depending on yourself...
Matthew 6:26 “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”

Something better than having a pity party...
Luke 12:24 “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?”

Who is better than me? Everyone...
Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

The Mindset of Leaving a Church

2009-10-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

Last month, I shared one of the many ways that Satan uses to cause us to leave a church. Since then, I’ve been digging deeper into the mindset that Satan used on me, to cause me to consider leaving the Lord’s church. These are my honest, out on the table admissions. Perhaps they will be a help to you …

Here is my profound answer… It’s our own pride that the devil uses to cause this “leaving the church” mindset. Somehow, we think we deserve better or something different than what is happening to us. We think our way is better. Pride. We think our children are ok and nobody better tells us otherwise. Pride. We think our opinion matters. Pride. We think we are ok the way we are. Pride. My own pride makes me sad. I really hate it! It's hard to write about real heart issues. I don’t want people knowing how wretched I really am. Pride. But, time is short and there is so much at stake. I must be honest.

We can make all kinds of excuses for why we react wrong or have a wrong mindset. Our excuses typically include the fact that someone did something and it caused me to react. It’s not as if we have no control over our own actions! I know we've heard this a hundred times. But, it's true. We cannot live by our feelings! But we always seem to do that very thing! Feelings come and go like the wind. Kind of like my morning. This morning, before my husband left for work I felt like I wanted to box his ears in. He did or said something and I reacted wrong. I got mad. He's at work now and I'm thinking right again! Now, I feel like making him his favorite meal for supper tonight. How ugly is that!

This same thing happens when it comes to our church family. Our flesh wants to be in control when things happen. Please don’t misunderstand what I’m trying to say here. I don’t want to make light of a serious matter. There are very hurtful things that can happen to us.

For example.... Psalm 41:9 “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” It hurts especially bad when a trusted friend turns on you and somehow becomes your enemy. It hurts a lot when you can’t do anything to fix the problem or if you don’t even know for sure what the problem really is.

It's hurtful when you have a serious trial happening and it seems as if no one really cares. Here is an example.... Matthew 15:22-28 “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” This was a really big problem. How did Jesus react?
“But he answered her not a word.” Ok... right here is where most people would lose it! Fine, we would say.....you obviously don’t understand the seriousness of my situation. You don’t care! You are insensitive….. so...I'll react. I'll just leave altogether…. or better yet, I'll stick around and stew in my bitterness! Why would Jesus, who loves us so much, “answer her not a word”? Can we grasp the idea that in everything that happens, God has a purpose? Every problem, every heartache, every situation, is a way for God to show Himself mighty on our behalf.

There is something to be learned from everything that happens! We may not like it. We may not agree. It might hurt a lot! But if we could just stop for a moment and ask God to help us learn what He wants us to learn, we would see everything in a different light. There was a lesson Jesus wanted to teach this woman in Matthew chapter 15.

“And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.”

Do you feel like people in the church don't like you? Do you feel misunderstood? Do you feel like sometimes certain people don’t want you around or they just don’t care? I'm sure the reaction of the disciples was disheartening.

“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.”

She didn't give up! She worshipped Him! Oh, man what a message this must have sent to her daughter and those around her!

“But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.”

This answer would definitely send most people into the pit of anger and depression. But what did she do? “And she said, "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

She humbled herself.

“Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

What would have happened to this lady and her daughter, had she let her pride and feelings control her actions?

I think way too many times we don’t hang on long enough, to see what God can do. Our pride says we deserve better right now! When really we deserve nothing. We allow or own pride to deceive us.

Galatians 6:3 “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

Because this lady had the right heart attitude about herself and her situation, Jesus was able to do a great thing for not only her, but her child as well! This is so important, because not only will a “leaving the church mindset” affect our children, but everyone around us will be affected too.

Hebrews 12:15 “ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

I looked up the definition for the word defile. It means to pollute, sully, contaminate, soil.
It's like carrying a bag full of toxic waste around with you, not realizing that there is a hole in the bag and a little bit spills out everywhere you go. Not only is your own health, happiness, and home affected, but it will do the same to everyone around you.

We may not see its affect right away. But, eventually it will be made known, because the Bible says in Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” What I love about this verse is that it includes the good and the bad.
The Bible wouldn’t tell us to root out sin in our life, if it were an impossible thing to do.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” We are the ones who have to change. We will only reap good, when we sow good.

And... it doesn’t happen over night. Don't give up!

As Christians our goal is to be like Jesus. It can only happen when we are willing to die to our flesh…. including our pride.

These verses have really helped me a lot. It's hard to have wrong thoughts about anything, when meditating on these verses.

Philippians 2:5-8 “ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Psalm 34:18 “ The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

How close I am to God… is up to me.

I still have to work on this myself. I don’t always react right and more times than I want to admit, I feel like giving up and running away.

But I've learned some very valuable lessons during the hard times in my life. Here are a few:

1. You take yourself with you where ever you go. If you want things to change---you have to change. It's not always everyone else that has the problem. It might just be me.

2. Jesus suffered more on my behalf than I can even imagine or express.
Isaiah 53:3-10 “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand”.

So, after reading these verses I have to ask myself...

Who am I to want to quit and leave the Lord’s church? Even if it is just leaving in my own heart where I think no one can see. People do see and they are affected. God sees too.

From my heart.
Dianne

One of Many Ways to Leave a Church

2009-09-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

This subject has been so strong on my heart lately. This is a very personal subject, and one that I can't help but share.

Did you know that there is more than one way to leave a church? Some people get offended, hurt and angry and then leave. That’s it! They just don’t come back to church anymore.

But some stay. They sit in the pew... offended, hurt and angry every week. They fill their spot in the pew and may even do their part to serve. But their love for the Lord's church and His people is as dead as it can get. This condition should be alarming at this point. Red flags should be flying and whistles should be sounding off!

Maybe you are here right now in this position. I know this is a real thing, because I've been here myself. I so regret those days in my life.

Years ago, I was hurt by some things that happened at our church. What I mean by that is... things happened… that I didn’t like. Somehow I thought I deserved better. I didn’t like what was happening to me. I justified my feelings by reminding myself of all the things I was doing at the church or of all the things that my husband was doing. I'm not just talking off the top of my head here. My husband was on the staff of our church for many years, so we were really busy in our church!

It was easy for me to say to myself, “Of course I love the church. It's our life. See... I'm here. I'm busy...”

But, hard testing times came. People didn’t seem to love us or appreciate us anymore. I became offended, and in my heart... I left the church. I don’t mean that I didn’t attend church anymore.
I mean, my heart was not in it anymore. I had lost my first love.

When you get like this, the devil has won. He loves to lie and distort situations because he hates the Lord's church! Do we really understand that? He uses what ever he can, to cause as much harm as possible. I hate to say it but... we are the ones that let Satan have free reign in our minds. We make the choice, to think the thoughts, that are provoked by the devil.

This is so clearly seen during times when we are hurt or offended. This is what happens.... When an offense happens, all of a sudden your mind says that everyone at church is your enemy. No one really loves you or appreciates you anymore.

The pastor’s wife only acts like she cares. It’s her job. She has to care about everybody! You start imagining things in your heart about what you think people are thinking about you. They may be real and they may not (mostly not), and the list goes on and on.

Does any of this sound familiar? Am I the only one who has ever thought this way? I think not.
If this is where you are at, let me tell you…there is hope. I remember years ago when I got sick of living this way, I started begging God to help me! I wanted out of this emotional bondage.

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

These verses became the cry of my heart every day. They still are today because I never want to go back to that place of bitterness again. When I got serious about asking God to help me, the most amazing thing happened! He did! I learned that in the times when I come to God like I'm already cleaned up and every thing is ok with me, and I just kind of want to check in and say “hi”; He is not listening. I had to get real! I had to come to Him just as I was. In humility and honesty like the Bible says.

Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

We heard this verse at church just yesterday. Our heart’s attitude is so critical! God already sees the condition of our heart. But He wants us to see what He sees!

Romans 7:13 “Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”

This is when real victory is won! I remember like it was yesterday, when it seemed to me that
God had pulled back the curtain of my heart and let me see the real me. I could not deny what I saw. The real me was the angry, bitter, offended person that I described earlier.

I have not been the same since that day!

I can hardly write this because of my tears. I am so thankful for what God did for me, in freeing me from this sinful emotional bondage. I sure didn’t deserve it, but He forgave me and He changed my heart completely!

Let me tell you how I really feel now….

My church owes me nothing. I am so unworthy to even have a church to come to. I'm unworthy to get to sit in a pew each week and listen to great preaching. I sure don’t deserve a pastor and pastor’s wife who will cry with me and pray with me when my heart is broken, and who will tell me when I'm headed down the wrong road. I am unworthy to get to serve in any way at all in the Lord’s church.

Do you see where I'm coming from? I am the one who owes…. I owe my whole life to Jesus. I am so unworthy. He is so worthy! He is our example.

I John 3:16 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

This should be our heart’s attitude about the Lord’s church and God’s people. It's so easy to get
caught up in our feelings and let them be the dominating thing in our life, rather than the truth of God’s Word. I can not express that enough.

Have you left the church lately? Is your heart of love for God, His church, and God's people,
as fervent and real, as it once was? It can be.

Just cry out to the Lord in honest humility and ask Him to change you!

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

God is still forgiving sin and winning victories. He did it for me and I know He can do it for you.

There is a song that the Epley’s sang at one our family camps years ago. It rings in my heart today. Here are some words from that song….

"So Much the More"

As the darkness closes in on this world filled with sin.

Look around you, not many are left standing.

The Word of God has been compromised, holy living criticized, while iniquity on every hand is abounding.

So if you have a place to go where the old story’s told, and a man of God will preach the word with power;

Don't forsake it my friend as you’re nearing the end.

For it's the strength you need for this hour.

So much the more, as you see the day approaching.

So much the more, as his coming is at hand.

You need the church, the saints, and the worship of the Lord.

To stand faithful to the end…. so much the more.

From my heart....Dianne

God Is So Good

2009-08-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

Psalm 107:8 "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
Psalm 107:15 "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
Psalm 107:21 "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
Psalm 107:31 "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"

I think it has been almost a year now since the "Beautiful for Thee" blog was first posted. I can't help but to reflect and be reminded, of all that God has done for us in just one year. My heart is overwhelmed with gratefulness.

Sure there have been trials, but I am seeing, in the midst of our trials, that there have been many victories won. Hearts have been changed for the better. I see how God is helping us. He is still doing great things. Can you see it? Are we looking? It seems like every day with Jesus just gets sweeter all the time. I tell my girls this almost every day. Even the really bad days are sweet, because we are never alone.

God's grace is proving to be more than enough for all of us. But then again… it always has been.
How God meets all of our individual needs, is so beyond my puny comprehension! There has been nothing too big or small, but our great God knows how to take care of it. (when we let Him.) What a great God!

I've been so encouraged by God's Word this last year, and I'm looking forward to digging deeper.
There is no end to what we can learn. Just when I think I fully understand a verse, I see something new. It's amazing! It's exciting!

I'm so thankful for answered prayers. God is still listening to us. How incredible! I am so excited for the souls that have been saved this year. We really need to pray for them, and encourage them. What better time for the roaring lion to come in and hurt them. We know he will try for that is what he does. We have to pray.

I'm thankful for the help God has given to the sick in our church this year. We're all still here. No one has died. Some are still struggling hard, but they are still here for us to give a hug or a word of encouragement to. We need to love each other while we can.

God provided a liver for our friend Cindy and is helping precious sister, Jean, who is going through chemotherapy. He is still helping our dear brother John who is dealing with prostate cancer.
And... just a few days ago God helped a sweet baby boy come into this world. He really is a beautiful baby. Our mighty God did that!

I really find myself at a loss. I feel like I can't adequately praise our great God enough. I wish I could write a Psalm like David did, or a song of praise like the great song writers of the old hymns. With my whole heart I want to praise Him!

Psalm 86:12 “I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”

I guess I said all that to say this. If the Lord allows, we will have another year ahead of us.
We can't quit now! I can't quit now! I'm sure there are trials ahead this next year. But look what God has brought us through.

Look what He has already done! Maybe this year we will see our lost children come to know the Lord. Maybe our friend’s cancer will be healed. Maybe we will see a neighbor get saved. Maybe the depression that has hindered many will be lifted. Maybe Jesus will come back again!
We don’t know. But we are safe in the hands of the One who does know!

No matter what happens this next year we can be happy in Jesus. We can trust God and His Word, and we can love and pray for each other more than ever.
It is my prayer that today your heart will be lighter and your burden will be lifted in some way as you remember how good God has been.

Let's just praise Him!!! He is worthy of our praise.

Dianne

My God is SO Good

2009-07-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

My mind is foggy and jumbled. My body is hurting and worn out. But, my heart is fixed like super glue on the Lord. I don’t care what happens. I don’t care what anyone says. I don’t care how hard the battle gets. I don’t care how fierce the storm. My God is a great God!! He is worthy of all our praise. My Bible says resist the devil and he will flee. That is amazing! I'm resisting........

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

I've spent some time praying about what to share with you this week. So many things are on my mind. My heart is heavy for the condition of the world around me, yet hopeful. Hopeful, because God's Word will never change! And… my Great God will never change either!

The Lord has encouraged me with these verses lately. In fact, they have become a life line for me. You know... a life line... one of those things someone throws out to a person who is drowning at sea. When you're drowning and someone throws you help, any sane person will cling to it and be thankful! I am thankful, and I'm asking the Lord to help me make these verses a habit in my everyday life.

Can I challenge you to try and practice doing these verses for one whole day? I promise you will be busy. I promise you will not be disappointed!

Here is your lifeline:

“Rejoice evermore...”

We take so much for granted don't we? The truth is, there are few things that are certain in this life. We don’t know what tomorrow holds. A husband could die. A child could walk away from God and every good thing their parents have tried to teach them. A family member could become sick. Our house could burn to the ground.

Good things can happen too! A healthy baby can be born. Promotion at work. All our debts paid off. A healthy body. The Bible tells us we won't know about tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1 "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." But I know the One who does. I am comforted by this truth. I feel safe knowing God holds every moment of my life in His hands. The good moments and the bad moments. God is so good to us.

Just imagine always knowing what will happen tomorrow or next year. When hard times come, I sometimes find it difficult to rejoice. But the Bible tells us to “rejoice evermore...”. I wonder what there is to rejoice about when it seems the devil is winning and there is no light or end in sight in the valley? Right away I have to remind myself that the devil is not winning. He may win some battles but in the end he will be the ultimate loser!

I've read the end of the story. We don’t have to listen to his lies and we certainly don’t have to believe them. The Bible tells us in John 8:44 that he is the father of lies. Expect his lies, but remember these things:

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

1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

And James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

We hear these passages of scripture all the time, but do we really believe them? These verses give us a reason to rejoice. We can rejoice dear friend, because no matter what happens, God's Word will never change! Every promise God has made, He will keep. Every principle He set for us, will stand fast.

The Bible tells us that God cannot lie. Do you believe it? Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” I am excited just writing this down because I know it's true. We can whole heartedly depend on God and His Word. Don't give up in the battle! Don’t lay your armor down and don’t let your faith waver. Set your roots deeper in God's Word every day. We have a God who can do anything.

Our eternity is in His hands… and it is safe there. We don’t have to wonder. This is a reason to rejoice! We can also rejoice in the fact that God knows all about us and cares about everything. Good or bad our Heavenly Father is concerned.

The Bible tells us in Psalms 103:14 “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalms tells us God is thinking about us. A lot!

Psalm 139:17-18 “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”

What a gentle and compassionate God. Don’t you just love Him! Don’t you just want to draw close to Him? Don't you just want to be like him? I hope this is encouraging to you. I pray that you can see that no matter what happens, we have a reason to rejoice!

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King! The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find, None other is so loving, so good and kind.

I hope you have a week full of rejoicing!

Jesus Never Fails!

2009-06-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

I have had one thought on my mind day and night lately, and I encourage myself with it.

Jesus Never Fails! He has never failed in any area. He has always come through for us. So many times we see His answers to our prayers and His timing… (that never seems to be the same as ours)… as failure. It's not.

Remember the account of Lazarus? Lazarus died. You can't get any more done, than dead! Almost everyone thought Jesus had failed. Why didn’t He show up earlier? Doesn’t He love us? How could He let this happen? We trusted Him, and believed He could help, but He didn’t do what we wanted Him to do, when we wanted it done. It wasn’t that they didn’t believe Jesus could help them. It was just that He didn’t do it their way!

What is wrong with us? Why do we live so selfishly? Ever notice how we just seem to want more and more?

It wasn’t enough that Jesus loved them. It wasn’t enough that He had helped so many times before. Instead they got discouraged, and seemed to almost accuse Jesus of failure.

We don’t want to admit that this is the way we think sometimes, but it is. I need this thing from you now Lord! I need this question answered. I need this problem solved. I need to see you do something Lord to remind me you are there. We have been praying about this thing for so long Lord. Why won’t You answer?

Can't we just be still and wait? Can't we just trust God? What perfect peace we could have, just resting under the shadow of His wings.

I want that perfect peace, and the only reason I won't have it--- is because of me.
Because... Jesus never fails. He had a plan that day for Lazarus. His plan was bigger and better than anyone could have dreamed. He brought Lazarus back from the dead!

That seems like a big deal to me. That same Jesus is alive today, He is seated at the
right hand of God praying for us.

Romans 8:34 "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

What more could we ask for? When you really think about it…God is more than good to us!

Yes….He is!

Is Anybody Really Listening?

2009-06-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not faint." Luke 18:1
According to this verse, God wants us to pray all the time. This verse uses the word always. I decided to look up always…. what a great word! It means... at all times, always, ever. We are to keep praying no matter what.

Obviously we can never pray too much. Sometimes it may seem like nothing is happening when we pray, but have faith! God is always working.

I have a friend that says, God never even dozes off. Sometimes we have to pray a long time before we see an answer. But don't ever give up! There is a man in our church who prayed over forty years for his lost sister, before she got saved. What if he had stopped praying after twenty years? Would she be in Heaven today?

Even when we sleep and when our faith is small, God is working. Even when we neglect to always pray like the verse says, God is still doing everything He said He would do. Just because we can’t see Him working doesn’t mean He isn’t.

We have to remember when we pray, that God can do anything. Do you really believe that? You should, because it’s true!

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

If God spoke everything into existence, surely He can take care of our problems, carry our burdens, and hear our cry for help!

Here is the parable:

Luke 18:2-8 "Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary. And he would not for awhile: but afterward he said within himself, though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest her continual coming weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

God is nothing like this unjust judge. He wants us to pray and pray and pray. It's ok. Tell Him everything.

I Peter 5:7 "Casting ALL your care upon him; for he careth for you." God cares about us. This overwhelms my heart. Because really, who am I? I want to trust Him more. I want all my faith to rest in Him every moment.

“Jacob won the victory not by wrestling, but by clinging. We, too, will not win the victory in prayer until we give up our own will, and throw our arms around our Father's neck in clinging faith.” J.R. Miller

What truth! Keep on praying dear friends! Our God hears and in His time….He wants to answer.

Dianne

"Be Sober, Be Vigilant"

2009-05-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Have you ever noticed the times when it seems like everyone in the church is going through a hard time? You can’t quite put your finger on it, but something is definitely not right.

In medical terms this is called, “Malaise”: A feeling of discomfort, one that cannot be pinned down but is often sensed as, "just not right".

I've noticed it many times before and especially after, special meetings such as, family camp and revival services... I think we've come to expect those times and realize that God is doing something good and the devil doesn’t like it.

But... what about everyday life and times we don’t expect it? I Peter 5:8 is a great warning for us. I don’t see a time limit in this verse like... “watch out before special meetings because our adversary will be out seeking those he can devour”. The only instructions we have are to “be sober” and “vigilant”. It sounds like an every day way of life, kind of thing to me.

As we see here, the Bible describes the Devil as a “roaring lion”. Many times we as Christians are described as sheep and sheep are known as prey. That is why we have to be sober and vigilant and on the constant look out. That's what vigilant means.

Not only are we to be looking out for... "just us four and no more", but... those sitting around us in the next pew too. We have to be sensitive and concerned enough to protect the weak and sick who don’t have the strength to keep going, and the young and inexperienced sheep that maybe don’t understand the ways of our adversary.

Just out of curiosity, I read about the lions’ hunting techniques. I'll share a little of what I read.

“Lions are known for their speed which can reach 40 mph. However they do not have high endurance levels. A lionesses’ kills must be well planned. When females are hunting in a group, they utilize their stealth to stalk prey as closely as possible. Once they close in on a herd, it is then they choose the closest and easiest prey. Thus their attack is a short burst of immense energy. They surround the herd and work together to isolate and kill.”

I thought this was interesting. When I think about it in a spiritual sense, I can see how this works.

The devil knows us better than we think. He's been watching humans for thousands of years. His workers know the signs of a weak prey! Too bad we are not more discerning to see this. They know how to push the right buttons to cause divisions. Satan’s workers know how to use words and actions to make some people feel isolated.

It's the devil’s job to wear out the saints of God. But... we can’t let him win! Our God is greater!

One thing that was encouraging to me about the lion is that it has little endurance. The attacks may be hard and intense but... they won’t last forever.

The Bible tells us to “resist the devil and he will flee.” James 4:7

There are things we can do for protection. Our Gentle Shepherd has given us help in His Word.
My favorite idea is to just shoot the lion in the head and kill it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But... the Bible says in Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

We have had armor given to us by God! We must use it to guard our heart, (Proverbs 6:23) and guard our mind ( Philippians 4:8).

We have to have the right mind set. Philippians 4:8 helps us to know what kind of thoughts will help us defeat our enemy.

Just know that if the Devil can defeat us in our mind….we are done!

Oh... and one other thing. What ever you do, precious sheep, don’t pull away or wander from the herd. It's not safe at all!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe unto him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

We really do need each other.

I just love ewe! .....Dianne

Something I Must Do

2009-05-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

In the abundance of quiet moments that I have had lately, the Lord has been speaking to my heart. Actually, it’s been more like chastening my heart. I've had many days and nights of unrest.

It seems like there is more trouble than ever in the world, and in the lives of people I know and love. Our prayer list is full of people with sicknesses…even cancer. Families seem to be struggling, and young people and children seem almost unaffected by the things of God. There are many unsaved that we have been praying for that are still lost.

I'm not really a doom and gloom type person but something seems wrong. I think it's me.

Have you ever heard the definition of insanity? It's doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. People say it as a joke many times, but I am beginning to see the truth in the jest. The same old prayers and Bible reading are just not cutting it anymore. God has not changed. God still answers prayer. There is still wonder working power in the Blood of Jesus Christ to save lost souls.

When I read these verses with the mind set that I have right now, I’m seeing them different.
James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” And Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

I'm seeing something I have never seen before. My pride…. which I hate, wants to say, “I do these things!” I'm confessing my faults, I'm praying, I'm trying to be righteous, I love my church and want to be there as much as my sick body will allow me to be, and I want to be an encouragement to others.

The truth is... my puny efforts are only a drop in the bucket. It's just my reasonable service. Romans 12:1 says, “I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

The Bible is clear. It says to pray fervently, and to exhort one another so much the more…..as you see the day of the Lord’s return approaching. I think I have missed this when I've read these verses before. I've just been patting myself on the back for trying to do these things.

I now have to ask myself; am I really fervent in prayer…… and beyond that, am I really righteous? Do I really want to be an encouragement to others? Am I willing to die to myself so I can be? Can I be honest? I'm sick and tired of feeling comfortable as a Christian. Pastor shared a verse with us Sunday night that has been stuck in my mind all week. It was about chastening. Hebrews 12:11, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

I can't say that what I'm feeling right now is a good feeling. I really don’t like it that much to tell you the truth. I'm ashamed and so convicted, but it can’t stop there. The chastening on my spirit doesn’t feel good, but I want the “afterward” part. I want the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” that will come with this spiritual discipline.

I have to change. I have to confess my sin and repent. 1 John 1:8-9 tells us... “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I'm claiming this verse today.

I can't be satisfied with my old ways. I can’t be satisfied with just doing what is only my reasonable service. I have to hunger for holiness and be willing to dig deeper into God’s Word, and to pray without ceasing, for the kind of righteousness that will get my prayers heard and answered!

I have to die to myself more, so I can be a real blessing to others.

We live in troubled, dark times that seem to change by the moment. But our Great God will never change! His promises still stand true! I don’t want to fail God for He has done so much for me.

From my heart...Dianne

What Are My Trials Doing For Me?

2009-04-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

I've just been thinking today and tried to write it down.

Sometimes it bugs me when I read about Job. It makes me mad at the devil, but, it also makes me ashamed to think that I would ever complain about my own trials.Mine seem so small and few, in comparison to Job’s.

It's good to keep things in the right perspective. The reality is, we all go through hard times. Some seem to go through more than others. Some trials are harder and some longer, and... each person's trials are big to them.

Isn't it a comfort to know that God has promised to never leave us?

The thing is... How would we ever know what God can do if we never have to trust Him? And... how would we ever know the condition or strength of our faith, if we never had to exercise it?

Have you ever felt like Job did?

“Behold I go forward, but he is not there; I go backward but I cannot perceive him: On my left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himself on the right hand,
that I cannot see him.” Job 23:8-9

This is a hard trial to go through. Only a real heart of faith in God can say the next verse and really mean it.

“But he knoweth the way I take: and when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

I may not know why God is allowing certain things to happen. There may be times I don’t "feel" Him helping me. But my heart of faith believes what God said.

He will never leave us. God will answer...

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." God wants to show us things about Himself that we never knew before. That is such a precious thought.

I don’t want to miss those things because I was kicking and screaming all the way through a trial.

Psalm 46:10 tells us... “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Don't worry. Don't get discouraged... don't even try to fix anything. Just be still and meditate on God. Our God is able!

I have a long way to go. But, I really want to know my God better. I want to trust Him more
and I want to love Him and praise Him as much as I can this side of heaven.

David expresses it best in Psalm 73:25. “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon thee earth that I desire beside thee.”

Even in our darkest trials, God has been so good to us. I can never say that enough.

Just a thought...It requires eleven tons of pressure on a piano's strings for it to be tuned. God will tune you to perfect harmony with heaven's theme if you will withstand the strain.

Dianne

God's Comfort

2009-04-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

This verse was such a comfort to me today. Psalm 94:19 “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”

I have seen how my own thoughts can make a day miserable or delightful. This verse tells me once again that it's all up to me. There is no doubt about it. I will have a multitude of thoughts within me every day. I can choose to capture and throw away the negative thoughts
and set my mind on "thy comforts." Or... I can wallow in what ever depressing, ungodly thoughts the devil throws in my path.

I woke up this morning feeling miserable once again. My many health problems weigh me down some days and I struggle to stay encouraged. I'm not kidding when I say... my very first thoughts today were something like this...

“I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. No one can give me answers, I'm unfixable. I might as well just stay in bed and shut myself off from the world and wallow in my sick, sorry state.

What must people think of me? Maybe God is chastening me for something. I would call and cry on the shoulder of my one and only friend in the whole world, but she's probably sick of me too.
My husband doesn’t really understand where I'm coming from and he freaks out when I cry and…..”

Sounds pretty pathetic huh? But all too often, that is exactly how we women think. It's true! I know this because...there is no temptation taken me, that has not been a temptation for others.

It amazes me that we know the devil is our enemy and he is a liar, but it’s almost like we believe his lies above the Truth we read in God’s Word.

God really is all we need. He has every answer to every question. He is the Ultimate comforter. He knows about all the secret longings and prayers of our heart. I am convinced that there is no human being in the world that is able to meet the vast emotional needs most people have. But God! He alone is able to do all these things.

When I remember these things I am humbled and thankful. God is not going to come and forcibly drag me out of the pit I allow my mind to sink into. But, I have found that when I get sick enough of my depressed, ungodly way of thinking, and repent and surrender my thoughts completely to God, He has never pulled His hand of help away.

He pulls me out, cleans me up and says... “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

Thy comforts delight my soul... God is so good!

Dianne

I Want To Be A Conqueror

2009-04-01T08:50:00.001-07:00

This morning, I found Romans 8:37 such an encouragement.

Romans 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

I love Romans 8…. the whole chapter is incredible! Isn't it just like our wonderful God to go above and beyond what we could ever imagine. This verse says, "we are MORE than conquerors".

First of all, I have to be involved in some kind of battle to even be a conqueror. In this case, it's a battle between my flesh and the spirit of God that dwells within me. Chapter 8 talks a lot about this. It becomes even more clear when I go back and read Romans 7:18-19. “ For I know that in me (that is my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good thing that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do.”

This sounds all too familiar. We know God's Word has the answer for any given situation and all the circumstances we find ourselves in, in this life. We know the right thing to do. But... our flesh...

Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: (sounds like a battle to me) so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” But... our great God...

Romans 8:31 “What shall we say then to these things?” Those battles, the trials, the hard questions, our own flesh. Here’s what I have to remember… “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

The battle is on. I only have two choices in the matter. Submit to my flesh and feelings, or submit to the Spirit of God that dwells in me. The battles really are not mine anyway. They belong to God. Romans 8:37 tells me so. It says, "we are more than conquerors THROUGH HIM that loved us".

The statement "more than conquerors" reminds me of the account in I Samuel 17 when David came against Goliath. You have to read it, it's so good! Not only did David kill Goliath, he cut his head off too. Why?

I Samuel 17:47 “And all the assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with the sword and spear: For the battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands.”

Our God can do the impossible. When we hand the battle over to God... everyone--- our family, our friends, our neighbors- they will see what a great thing God did for us. He will get all the glory. And you never know, maybe one lost soul will finally believe and be saved.
Our God is a great God!

I love how Chapter 8 ends in Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ( breath...:-) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Even in my hardest times, I’m safe in the Lord’s hands!

Well... these two verses pretty much cover every battle we could ever imagine facing. And God has promised that absolutely nothing will ever be able to separate us from His love. We must surrender all the feelings of our flesh to God. Just hand them all to Him.

And... in that moment we are more than conquerors. All because God loves us so much.

Dianne

Blizzard Day Thoughts

2009-03-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

During this time of year, warmer climates are experiencing flooding season. In North Dakota we still have blizzard warnings. We've had several this winter. Most of them turned out to be nothing. Even on the really bad storm days, people were still out and about helping a neighbor shovel or delivering cookies or a meal to a friend. Life pretty much continues as normal with maybe a few inconveniences at the most.

This week’s storm warning was no different. About three days ago we started to get warnings that a blizzard is on its way. Last night, school was called off in anticipation of the coming storm. I watched out the window for a long time last night. The sky was clear… not a snowflake was anywhere to be seen. The wind was barely blowing and I thought to myself, “I doubt anything will come of this warning, just like many of the others”. That’s the way a lot of people think about Jesus coming again.

II Peter 3:3-4 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” It may seem like life is continuing as normal, but the reality is, every moment - is a moment closer to Jesus coming again. The warning signs all around us may seem so small they barely affect us at all. In fact, we may not even see them as warnings. When reading II Timothy 3:1-5, some may casually think, awww, this is just the way things are these days. People in general are getting worse and life is getting harder. But these verses are given to us as warnings! Look at these verses again…

II Timothy 3:1-5 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
This sure describes our world today, doesn’t it? Just watch the news for a few minutes. We have road rage, crooked politicians, children killing their parents, parents killing each other, countries at war over broken promises, preachers being shot and killed in the pulpit and so called Hollywood "royalty" receiving awards for the garbage produced in the movies they sell to the masses.

These verses are just some of the warning signs God has given to us in His Word. And... today is the day to heed them. Now is the time to take seriously the warnings. Don’t wait until judgment is upon us to heed the warning given.

II Corinthians 6:2 “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is day of salvation.”

Christians are given particular warnings about how we ought to be living while waiting for the Lord’s return.

II Peter 3:11 “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” Verse 14 “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

Mark 13:33 “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Verse 36-37 “ Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. (That would be such a shame.) And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

Luke 21:28 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

After I thought about these things while looking out the window last night and watching for the predicted storm; I looked around at my children and said, “It may not seem like anything is happening right now but we need to get things ready just in case tomorrow morning, when we wake up, we find that the weather man was right!

It won’t be long now….. Make sure you are ready...Jesus is coming again!

Watching and praying...Dianne

“Oh The Places Our Thoughts Can Take Us”

2009-03-03T17:52:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

This is a powerful verse. It's short and easy to memorize. It's a good verse to hide in our heart. And the best thing about it is that it really works! I find it impossible to have an anxious thought when my mind is thinking about Jesus and all that God has done for me.

The reason this verse works is because God said it will. That’s all there is to it. When God makes a promise we can count on it. I used to think this verse was not possible for me. But... when I really put it to the test, I found that it was my choice all along. Once again I have to do my part.
I must keep my mind stayed on thee.

There will always be situations happening that can cause worry. We can't stop them. But... we can choose to turn our mind instantly to God and take captive our own thoughts. The Bible says every thought. II Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God , and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Part of having perfect peace is trusting in the fact that, no matter what happens God knows about it. He cares and has a purpose for everything He allows to happen. Sometimes it may just be that the potter is working on the clay. Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we are the work of thy hand.”

Nothing takes our heavenly Father by surprise. Sometimes we ignore this fact when things don’t work out the way we thought they should or the way we thought would be best.
That’s pride in our heart and it's the very time we need to put into practice, casting down those imaginations and high things in our thoughts! They will just steal our perfect peace anyway. II Corinthians 10:5 I have to remind myself that I am the clay and He is the potter. The potter knows best and can see things the clay cannot see. The potter knows what he wants the end product to look like.

It is amazing how longsuffering God is with us and how precise and personal He is when dealing with our hearts. I don’t think I will every get over the fact that the creator of the universe is thinking of me. Psalm 8:4 “ What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that thou visitest him?”

I wonder often, what our lives would be like, if we just took God at His Word and believed all of it no matter what. I'm sure we would have more peace than we ever dreamed possible. This is what it means to live and walk in His Spirit. When thinking about verses like... that walk uprightly.”

I can’t help but feel at peace when I submit myself to Biblical thinking. What precious promises from God! As Christians we have so much good available to us. If we will humble ourselves and do our part...

Perfect peace is available. Isaiah 26:3 Peaceful thinking can be a way of life. II Corinthians 10:5 Personal and unique, one on one molding from the Master Potter can be ours. Isaiah 64:8
Protection from our enemy is available. James 4:7-8 Provision and pleasure is ours when we are walking uprightly. Psalm 84:11 Even in the valley and in times of chastening God has promised to never forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 “ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. "

What more could we ask for? God is so good to us!!!

I love you all.

"All That Night"

2009-02-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

I read something this morning that spoke to my heart. I needed it. Now I will share it with you…

~ The real work of God for the children of Israel, did not happen when they awoke in the morning, but it occurred "all that night." Through the night of your life (the scary dark days), as you trust God, He works.

Exodus 14:21 “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided.”

God made a way through the night. He didn’t just take their problem away. He could have, but they would have missed out on seeing Him do something awesome for them.

The trial came...they cried out to God… They only had two choices. Take the way He made or be taken by the enemy.

I wonder, if in the middle of the night some got scared and confused? I wonder if the strong east wind made it hard for the weak to walk through without falling down. Maybe some of them lost their belongings along the way.

This reminds me of Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth
so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

I'm sure the less "stuff" the children of Israel had to drag with them through the night, the easier the night trip was. Probably, those who had been trusting God long before the trial came, were the very ones who helped the fallen, weighted down ones.
I'm sure it made them tired.

I read the next chapter. I wonder if we miss out on a lot when we don’t do what they did? I mean-- they made it through the night! But... maybe what happens after the night is just as important as how they made it through.

Exodus 15:1-2 “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously. The horse and rider hath He thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.”

Everyone knew the night was over and everyone was ok, AND God did an incredible thing for them. But they did not fail praise Him.

What do we do after God delivers us from our dark night? I so want….to praise Him more! I know within days they were all wretched and unthankful again but... that is another story.

The Craziness of Inauguration Day….

2009-02-02T07:42:00.000-08:00

I watched the inauguration of our new President today. I was sad to see the last good bye of our former President, but intrigued by our new one. I watched the crowds of people cheering and screaming as they caught a glimpse of the new first family,
and I couldn’t help but wonder what was happening in heaven all day.
Not to take a way from the importance that this day holds for our country, but...I just can’t help it…. Heaven is on my mind a lot!

Heaven is where the real important stuff is happening. We get so worked up... excited and almost crazy at times over the things we can see with our eyes, you know like...sports... meeting someone famous... great cars and beautiful houses. But the Bible says in Luke 15:10 “ Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

In the imagination of my heart I can see the angels in heaven waiting in anticipation as one lost soul comes to the valley of decision. I can see them waiting for the moment that soul repents and is forever more, a child of God.
It's easy to get discouraged when looking at all the things we can see with our eyes….like what might happen to us in the next four years.

It's also easy to get encouraged when we look for the things that make joy in heaven.
I wonder.... If we would pray without ceasing for the lost we know and love, maybe the angels will have cause to rejoice more than we could ever imagine.

No matter what happens God is still God. He still wants to save lost souls.
Heaven and hell are still real. And... we still have a job to do. We have to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal.

Remember... This world is not our home we are just passing through. Let’s not live like permanent residents.

The Center Of The Flame

2009-01-26T08:42:00.000-08:00

written by Helen Steiner Rice

In the center of the flame, there is a hollow place,
And nothing can burn in this sheltered space.
For the fire builds a wall, scientific fact claims,
And ensures a safe area in the midst of the flames.
And in the hurricane's fury there's a center of peace
Where the winds of destruction suddenly cease.
And the same truth prevails in life's tribulations,
There's an island of calm in the soul's meditations-
A place that is quiet where we're shielded from harms,
Secure in the haven of a kind Father's arms.
Where the hot flames of anger have no power to sear
And the high winds of hatred and violence and fear
Lose all the wrath and their savage course
Is softly subdued as faith weakens its force.
So when the fires of life burn deep in your heart
And the winds of destruction seem to tear you apart,
Seek that small haven and be guided by prayer
To that place of protection within God's loving care.

On Whom Do You Rely?

2009-01-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

About 3:00 A.M. I woke up to a funny sound. Normally my husband would check on funny sounds, but he is gone for his job, so I got up to do it. Knowing that my human protection was not there, I felt a little fearful. It only lasted a moment because the Lord reminded me of II Timothy 1:7 " For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. "

You never know how you will react until something actually happens. It's always easy to boast after everything turns out well. I didn’t know when I got up to check on the noises of the night, what I would find. It turned out to be nothing but stormy weather, tapping rather loudly on the windows.

As I laid back down, I couldn’t help but thank God for His protection and for the comfort His Word can bring. I am so thankful for the seemingly odd situations in life that cause me
to depend on the scripture I have hid in my heart. These things make my faith a little stronger every time. It's good to memorize scripture and hide it in our heart. It is comforting when it comes back to you, just when you need it most.

But really, what good is scripture, if it's not real and alive in our every day life, or in our every day problems, big or small? I mean... what good is memorizing Philippians 4:8, if I never "think on these things"?

This was a very small thing that happened. Almost so small it doesn’t seem worth mentioning at all. But I am convinced more than ever, that God is interested in even the very small things in our life.

Matthew 10:30 " But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Not even the closest person to me is one bit interested in how many hairs are on my head. But the God who created everything is not just interested, He knows! He cares about what our reaction will be even in the small situations. Because all those little faith building times, will help our faith grow for the times when we need faith, for the big things.

God cares if we trust Him and depend on His Word. And...He is watching us. Psalm 33:13 "The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men."

When the Lord looks from heaven, I want Him to find me looking toward Him and trusting His Word. No matter what!

Only Believe

2008-12-10T08:56:00.001-08:00

1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

This verse is awesome! If we would only believe it. Some may "feel" like no one could possibly understand their temptation and trial, but take comfort in the fact that no matter what has happened or is happening to you, it is common. Someone, somewhere, has, is, or will be facing, the same trial and temptation as you are facing. The devil who is the father of lies likes to make us think that we are all alone and somehow the exception. Don’t listen to him!

Hebrews 13:5 tells us that God will never leave us or forsake us.

1 Corinthians 10:13 also tells us that God is faithful. What a wonderful, loving and merciful God.

Psalm 103:14 " For he knoweth our frame; and remembereth that we are dust."

If you think about it, you can't get much lower than dust. So even if you "feel" like you're nothing more than dust, this is an excellent day to rejoice in the Lord because that’s what the Bible says we are, and God loves us anyway!

If the Bible says that God will not allow us to be tempted above "that ye are able", then we should just believe it, and do what ever it takes to find the "way to escape" provided for us by God.
It sure seems like God asks so little from us and gives us so much in return.

Matthew 4 tells the account of how the devil came to tempt Jesus. It is worth reading over and over. Who better to learn from than Jesus. We don’t have to be, nor should we be, satisfied with just getting by and barely making it through our trials and temptations in the Christian life.

Psalm 17:15 "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."

Jesus is our example in every way. We are to pattern our life after Him. We can be satisfied only when we are acting, talking, walking, responding and thinking like Jesus. When in the valley of temptation remember...

Psalm 84:6 "Who passing through the valley of Ba'ca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools."

You never know, maybe tomorrow or next week one of your friends or family members will be facing the same temptations that you have.
It will be so worth it to be able to say I've been where you are, and this is how God and His Word helped me.

Temptation: Trial, a being put to the test
Common: Ordinary
Suffer: To give up, let go, leave, allow, let
Above: over, beyond, more than
Escape: an egress, way out, exit
Bear: endure

As long as we are in this world, we are exposed to temptations and we need to always be on our watch against them.

Love and prayers.
Dianne

The True Vine

2008-12-01T05:53:00.000-08:00

There is a tree growing right outside my bedroom window. It's close enough that in the spring I look for signs of new buds. In the summer, I watch birds hide their nests in the leaves and when autumn arrives, bright red berries appear, making it even more interesting. But in the winter, when the tree is bare, it's kind of ugly and I can see that it needs to be pruned. Some branches are broken off and laying on the good branches. Some branches are dead and show no sign of fruit at all.

I got to thinking about "The True Vine".

John 15:1-2 "I am the vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."

I looked up the word "purgeth" because it sounds harsh, yet at the same time the verse is giving us such hope.

Purgeth: To cleanse of filth, impurity. To prune trees and vines from useless shoots.

What a blessing it was when I read this, because it's what my heart wants. To be clean before God, to be pure. Purging is meant to be a good thing in order to get rid of all the useless junk in my life that just hangs around looking "ugly". What a comfort to see in these verses that God is the husbandman. He knows exactly where and how we need to be pruned. He sees right into our hearts.

The Bible says in Hebrews 4:13 "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

He sees the changes that need to be made in me. Do I trust Him enough to let Him prune those changes in me? I think of the times when God allowed some kind of trial to come to help prune some ugly impurity out of my life, and I bucked against it. At the time it didn’t feel so good. How foolish I was! It's obvious when I read these verses now, that we need to be purged and pruned in order to bring forth much fruit. Fruit, is proof that we are abiding in Him. If there is none, then we are more like the dead broken branches on the tree outside my window.

The Bible says in John 15:6 "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."

God doesn’t want us to just bring forth some fruit. The Bible says much fruit. The only way that can happen is for those who abide in Him, to allow the loving hand of the husbandman do the work only He can do. Not only will the husbandman clean us up and take away the ugly useless things in our life. But...

John 15:7 "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."

Sounds like it's worth it!

Wow!

Love you bunches, Dianne

Stayed on Him

2008-11-17T00:44:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

I don’t know about you, but my brain wakes up long before I get out of bed in the morning. Most mornings, I lay in bed thinking and praying for a while. This morning, the first thing on my mind was how wonderful my God is! What a sweet way to wake up.

I hate it when the first thoughts of the day are burdens, from yesterday. That kind of takes the fun out of "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

I think our first thoughts when waking, are extremely important. Before making lists for the day's tasks or asking God to do anything for me, my mind should first be stayed on Him. I looked up the word "stayed", and found these definitions of how our minds should be thinking concerning God.

Stayed: Lean upon, sustained, holden up, stand fast, lieth hard and rested.

When I read these descriptions it reminded me of things like, the railing we hold on to when walking up or down stairs, or the steering wheel of a car. It's something we need, to help keep us from falling or driving off into a ditch. Some times we can slip or swerve. You know that feeling that comes when you feel yourself getting ready to fall and you try and grab onto the nearest thing available, to keep from going all the way down? That’s how it is with our minds, when troubling, scary, or ungodly thoughts come to try to cause us to fall. Stand fast, lean upon God's Word and keep your mind stayed on Him. Fix your mind on Him. We have to do our part. God will never fail to do His.

Perfect peace is available to us any time and in any situation. Well... now that I think about it, every thought from dawn till dusk is extremely important.

Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure.
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be
any virtue , if there be any praise,
think on these things."

Psalm 104: 34
"My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord."

Love, Dianne

God Is Still In Control

2008-11-05T20:31:00.000-08:00

I watched our country vote tonight. It seems that our nation has spoken...

The Lord reminded me of these verses. I just wanted to share them because there is nothing more comforting, real or satisfying to the soul than God's eternal Word. No matter what happens, God's Word will never change.

God is still in control...
Proverbs 8:15-16 "By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth."

He said He will come quickly...
Revelation 22:20 "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Our God is still greater than all...
1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."

Our God knows what is best...
Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Our God will never leave us...
Hebrews 13:5 " Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for He saith, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

I am comforted...

Listening and Following

2008-11-01T16:02:00.000-07:00

John 10: 27 "My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me."

This verse has become such a comfort to me. It's a "done deal" kind of verse. So many voices are clamoring to be heard in our life each day. Everything from the music played in restaurants and stores, to the abundance of entertainment in television and movies and all that it has to offer us. Just go shopping and try to stick strictly to your list. There is so much for our eyes see and want. It can almost become overwhelming at times.

I'm reminded me of the account in I Kings when Elijah was running from wicked Jezebel and ended up hiding in that cave. The Lord came and spoke to him there.

I Kings 19: 11-12 " And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and break in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake: but the Lord was not in the earthquake; And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

Our Heavenly Father's voice has not changed. It never will. You will hear it in quiet moments spent with Him, reading His Word and learning about Him and His ways. You will hear it in time spent praising Him, because He is so wonderful and worthy of all our praise. You will hear it when you spend time in honest prayer talking to Him about ... everything.

I think of one of the songs we like to sing. It goes like this.... "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

The voice of this world can scream out all it has to offer, as loud as it wants to. But if our mind is stayed on the Lord, His still small voice will be all we hear.

Love, Dianne

An Extreme Makeover

2008-10-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

I decided tonight that I want an extreme makeover. Not of my wardrobe, body, or any room in my house. Although that would be fun. I want an extreme makeover of my heart.

Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Someone asked me a few days ago, if I am still as happy and excited today as I was the day I got saved? Good question. What a miracle! What an awesome thing God did for me! It reminds me of Psalm 40:1-3, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and trust the Lord."

I have to be honest. I was convicted by that question. A lot has happened since the day I got saved. Trials have come and left scars, dents, and cobwebs in my heart. I have to admit, my heart is dull and dreary too often. I don’t want to live that way. I am a daughter of God. I love to see the transformation that takes place in a room when something as simple as a new coat of paint is applied. Or the difference a new haircut makes. It changes everything!

God has supplied everything we need for an extreme heart makeover. He has given us His Word and His Holy Spirit within us. Sometimes we might not even realize where the problem area is, we just know something is not right. That is why reading the Bible is as important as the needed air to breath.

Romans 4:12 " For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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."

If we ask and seek...God will show us exactly what and where the problem area is. It's simple really... Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Had I applied this verse more often, maybe there would be less scars, dents and cobwebs in my heart. I am so thankful that our God is full of compassion and remembers that we are dust. I am so thankful that our God is the Master of renewing the heart. He sees the dull, dreary places and knows exactly how to fix them. What a wonderful God!

Dianne

The Choice Silver of God's Word

2008-10-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

Did you know that in Psalm 119, "Thy Word" is mentioned at least 40 times? That doesn’t count phrases like... "Thy testimonies, Thy law, Thy commandments, Thy judgments, Thy statutes, Thy precepts or Thy way". There are 176 verses in this chapter alone. In every verse David puts his trust in God's word. Who can't relate to David? He went through everything imaginable. We have the same opportunity to put all of our trust in God too. Every one of us go through hard situations everyday. I think the key to handling life's hard times is found in these verses. Psalm 119:72 "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." Verse 162 says, "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." And... Verse 164 "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments."

We have to desire God"s Word and His way more than we desire anything else. Nothing else can matter as much. Including my own feelings. I am so thankful for God's Word that never changes. Verse 89 "For ever, O Lord thy word is settled in heaven." We can"t make it without God's Word helping us. In Job 23:12, the afflicted Job said, "...I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." God's Word meant everything to Job. It was his life line in hard times.

Psalm 119: 141 "I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts." Psalm 119: 92 says it like this..."Unless thy law had been my delights, I should have perished in mine affliction." But...Psalm 119:2 "Blessed are they that keep thy testimonies, and seek Him with the whole heart." Where do we run in affliction and hard circumstances of life? Lets seek Him with our whole heart in every way, in every situation, and be blessed.

Love you bunches!!!

Dianne

2008-09-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

Hi friends, I hope you are having a good day. What a comfort to know that if we draw nigh to God He will draw nigh to us. How incredible is that!!!

I read something this morning that was exactly what I needed. Thought I would share it with you because it made my faith a little stronger. It also reminded me of some of the things Pastor told us about prayer, on Wednesday night. The preaching was and still is a blessing to me.

"Difficulty is actually the atmosphere surrounding a miracle. If it is to be a great miracle, the surrounding condition will not simply be difficult, but an utter impossibility."

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible." That’s the whole verse. It gives me goose bumps when I think of the incredible things God could do, if we just ask.

That is just my thinking. But the Bible does say, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,....." Ephesians 3:20

I could use a miracle...how about you? Let's ask!

Love,
Dianne

2008-07-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

About 2:00 this morning, my hurting, aching body woke me up. We all have nights like that, right? So, I got out my prayer list. You know...the one Mrs. Shaffer handed out two G.A. meetings ago?

I went through it as I do real often. Over the last year or so, I've written next to the name of each request, the prayers that have been answered! There have been a lot of answered prayers for the ladies of NTBC! There are also some new requests and probably many requests that we don't even know about. Some of us are in the.....wait on God and rest in Him stage. It's ok though, because in that place we don't have to fret about even one little thing. God has everything under control. I know.... because I was reading about it in Hebrews--at 2:00 AM!!!

I found the answer to the million dollar questions of global warming, melting ice caps, hurricanes, floods, volcanos, earthquakes and so on. TADA!!!

Hebrews 1:10-12 "And, thou, LORD, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thy hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail."

I went back to sleep laughing and praising God. He is too wonderful for words! God hasn't changed. He never will! He made everything and it's just getting old. He is getting ready to make a new heaven and a new earth.

So...I guess the real million dollar question is.....are we ready for what is coming? Is our spiritual house in order?

I hope you have a great day!
Dianne