“LIGHT!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 688

June 18, 2024///

As I got up this morning it was still dark outside and as I turned on a light I could see clearly where I was going!

I could have left the light off and tried to navigate my way in the dark or from the tiny light from the clocks or the electrical things around but could have fallen or knocked something off and broken it.

So, my thoughts today are on our lives in this world.

We would all agree the world is full of darkness. There is evil going on that our ancestors would not believe and even we cannot grasp the depth of evil in the world!

We can try to navigate each day and each situation ourselves in our own way and the best we know how. But how many times do we stumble or break others or our own heart by our words or hurt ourselves or make the situation worse with our actions or our decisions?

We would all agree that if we knew the right way and knew where the snares and pitfalls are we could navigate this thing called life better. But sometimes we just do what we think and hope for the best!

But, God, our heavenly Father sees everything and knows how to lead us to right decisions and right actions. He has written us the road map to living life in the Bible and has declared that He is light!

1 John 1:5 (KJV)

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

And Psalm 36 tells us that we can see light as we surrender our lives to the one who knows us best and loves us most.

Psalm 36:9 (KJV)

For with thee is the fountain of life:

In thy light shall we see light.

It is a perplexing question that comes from these verses! Why would we choose to walk around in darkness when we can walk in the light of our Heavenly Father and He will never lead us in the wrong way?

He is pure light and has no trace of darkness and can see the way clearly and guide us to right actions, choices and give us peace in the middle of a world that has gone crazy.

If we choose to walk in His Light, then our light can lead others to the true light of the world.

We all want light! When our electrical power goes out, we scramble for candles, flashlights, lanterns, or something that will light at least a small amount of space.

We carry that to other rooms as we go into them and truly desire the electricity to come back on!

But let us suppose we have turned off all the electrical switches in our house while the power was off! Then it comes back on, and we are not aware the problem has been solved.

We continue to walk in the small light that a candle or flashlight gives and if it is winter wrap up or if it is summer fan with something, when all we must do to fill that house with light is to turn on the switches.

Oh, how true that is today when we refuse to let the light of the Love of God shine in us, and through us, and all around us!

Think about it: HE IS LIGHT! WHY WOULD WE CHOOSE DARKENSS!

CHOOSE LIGHT AND LIFE IN GOD WHO LOVES US!!

Ask and He will guide us in all we do!

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Father, thank you for being light! You desire to shine the light of life on each of us! Forgive us when we think we know best and forgive us when we do not walk in your light in every situation. I ask that each of us will begin to ask you to give us direction and help us follow the leading deep inside where you guide us with peace and love! I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, our Savior! Amen!

Love! MeMaw!

“LAUGH!”

MeMaw Thoughts

Number 687

June 11, 2024///

In the quiet of the early morning, I thought about a question Katlyn had asked on the internet a few days ago. She asked how long it had been since the readers had laughed really hard. A real deep-down laugh.

I realized it had been a long time since I had really laughed so hard I could hardly get my breath. We see so much hurt and tragedy in the world that even though we may be walking in peace on the inside the world around us causes us to be more serious than perhaps we should be.

So, I decided today to just share some little funny jokes that may make you laugh and lift you up. I pray that as you laugh a little, or a lot you will feel stress leaving and strength flowing into you! Remember the Joy of the Lord is our strength! God is in control! Relax!

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An elderly woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps. “Where would you like to sit?” he asked politely.

“The front row please.” she answered.

“You really don’t want to do that,” the usher said, “The pastor is really boring.”

“Do you happen to know who I am?” the woman inquired.

“No.” he said.

“I’m the pastor’s mother,” she replied indignantly.

“Do you know who I am?” he asked.

“No.” she said.

“Good,” he answered.

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It was the day after Christmas at a church in San Francisco. The pastor of the church was looking over the cradle when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing from among the figures. Immediately he turned and went outside to look and saw a little boy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus. He walked up to the boy and said, “Well, where did you get Him, my fine friend?”

The little boy replied, “I got him from the church.”

“And why did you take him?”

The boy said, “Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus, and I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride around the block in it.

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Little Johnny went to Sunday school one Sunday. The lesson for the day was from Genesis. “God opened up Adam’s side, took a rib from him, and created Eve from it,” was what really struck Johnny.

Later, that afternoon, Johnny started feeling sick, and his side began to hurt. He laid down on the couch, and after about half an hour, his mother came over and asked him if he was feeling okay. He said, “Not really – I think I’m gonna have a wife.”

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Pastor Dave Charlton tells us: “After a worship service at First Baptist Church in Newcastle, Kentucky, a mother with a fidgety seven-year-old boy told me how she finally got her son to sit still and be quiet.

About halfway through the sermon, she leaned over and whispered, ‘If you don’t be quiet, Pastor Charlton is going to lose his place and he will have to start his sermon all over again!’  It worked.”

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Reverend to his congregation: “We have good news and bad news.
The bad news is that the roof needs repairing.
The good news is that we have the money to pay for it.”
(appreciative murmurs all round)

Reverend: “The extra bad news is that it’s still in your pockets!”

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All the way home in the back seat of the car the boy was quiet. His father asked him three times what was wrong.

Finally, the boy replied, “The preacher said he wanted us all brought up in a Christian home, but I wanted to stay with you guys!

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Terri asked her Sunday School class to draw pictures of their favorite bible stories. She was puzzled by Kyle’s picture, which showed four people on an airplane. So, she asked him which story it was meant to represent.

“The flight to Egypt,” said Kyle.

“I see… And that must be Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus,” Ms. Terri said. “But who’s the fourth person?”

Kyle explained, “Oh, that’s Pontius the Pilot!”

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God Bless You! Have an amazing week! Laugh!

Love, Me-Maw

“IF GOD BE GOD!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 686

June 4, 2024///

1 Kings 18:21 (KJV)

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

In the days of Elijah, Baal was an idol or false god or religion if you will that people really believed would help them.

Israels people were blessed and defeated enemies right and left as they followed God. Because of leaders who had forgotten the Creator God the blessings of God were removed from them.

In this scripture Elijah had challenged the prophets of Baal and the people looked on.

You can read the entire story in 1 Kings 18 in the Bible, but the result was that the real God, the living God who created everything proved Himself.

What is on my mind today is what each of us may be serving rather than the true Lord God Almighty!

There are many today that are drawn to things that may give pleasure for a moment, but that pleasure will fade. Things such as success, money, possessions, drugs, alcohol, travel, and many other things.

Idols are anything that we make more important in our life than having a relationship with the Creator God through Jesus Christ and the freedom He bought at Calvary!

This nation was built on the foundation of the Bible and our forefathers used the Bible as a guide to write the original constitution.

As we look around, we see people who forget or who have never been taught or shown that God Loves them and He can give them a life of Peace and Joy!

We see a government that is out of control and the leaders are fighting among themselves instead to working for the people and for the God who made this country great and blessed us with freedoms much of the world has never experienced.

There are those who say they believe in God but are not sure about Jesus or if God really Loves them. They forget that every breath, every step, and day is a gift from the father above. They looked to others or other things to satisfy.

Think with me about what I am saying!

It seems we are facing the same situation the Israelites were in when Elijah posed this question. So, I ask you today:

HOW LONG HALT YE BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS? IF THE LORD BE GOD, FOLLOW HIM!

Some of you reading this today, if asked, would say that you are a Christian. You live in a Christian nation and maybe attend church some. You pray when troubles come your way, but daily your mind is on everything except the Love and Presence of God in your lives.

He desires to help each of us live each of our days in victory, joy, and Peace!

IF THE LORD BE GOD, FOLLOW HIM!

Who are we choosing to commit our lives to? If only we could realize all the good plans God has for us.

What are you committed to? I encourage you to try releasing your heart to the Love of Jesus and understand all the shame and pain He bore for each of us and let Him prove to you that He is God!

HOW LONG HALT YE BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS? IF THE LORD BE GOD, FOLLOW HIM!

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Father, I come in the name of Jesus. Thank you for your Love and patience and plan for each of us. May each person who reads this examine their heart and see who or what they are putting before you! You are God! WE COMMIT TO YOU! Amen!

Love, MeMaw!

“REAL OR FAKE!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 684

May 21, 2024///

Have you ever seen a fake name brand purse or clothes or any item that looked so much like the real that you could not tell it from real, except for the cost.

There are rings and necklaces that look so real it takes an experienced jeweler to tell the difference.

But the person wearing or carrying the fake knows.

What in our lives is fake and what is real.

Society offers success but it is empty of any joy. Money will buy things, but they do not give satisfaction for long.

Jesus said the truth would set us free. So like Pilate at Jesus trial we need to ask ourselves, “What is truth”?

Do we see the things around us as they really are, or do we see what society wants us to see and believe?

Every person has at least heard of Billy Graham, the great evangelist. I may have shared this story before, but it drives home the point that I want to share.

Billy Grham’s mother, Ruth Bell Graham, was invited to a very prestigious dinner party in London, England. As she conversed, she discovered that the distinguished-looking older gentleman seated beside her was the former head of Scotland Yard, Great Briain’s equivalent of the FBI.

Fascinated, she respectfully began to probe him for short accounts of incidents.

As he opened up during her genuine interest, he revealed that the departments under his authority had included those for forgery or counterfeiting.

When she surmised that he must have spent a lot of time studying counterfeit signatures, he corrected her.

He said” “On the contrary, Mrs. Graham. I spent all of my time studying the genuine thing. That way, when I saw a counterfeit, I could immediately detect it.”

Wow, think about that principle! If we want to be able to detect counterfeit truth, we need to immerse ourselves in the real thing.

We need to spend time in the Bible which is Truth and in time in prayer which opens up our heart to the truth of who Jesus is and spend time praising the Lord Jesus for all he did on the cross and through the resurrection.

The Bible is God’s word and has a lot to say about truth! Here is one scripture of many!

Jeremiah 33:6 (NKJV)

Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

When someone is wearing a fake ring or carrying a fake brand name purse, it is no big deal that the observer does not know they are fake. Or maybe the observer knows from the way they live the rest of their life that they would not be able to afford the real!

But they have not paid the price for real!

I want to give you two things to think about!

First, are you seeking truth by spending time reading and studying the Bible which is the handbook of life and praying which is a privilege God has given us, and praising, which is a weapon against the lies of this world? This is the price to pay for the real truth!

Second, do the people who hear you talk about being a Christian, know you are a real believer by the rest of your life, or do they know you are a pretend only Christian by observing your life? No price has been paid for knowing the truth from the word!

The Bible is God’s word and has a lot to say about truth!

Are you the real thing! The world is looking for truth in all the wrong places! May they see it in all who read this.

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Father, fill each of us with the truth of your word. We release our lives inside and out to you. Live truth through us and give us the discernment to know truth and lies in the world around us. We want to be free to be all you have called us to be, and the truth sets us free! I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen!

Love, MeMaw

“WHAT?”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 683

May 14, 2024///

I do not know where this came from, but I have heard this phrase said to people several times: “Just do you”!

This means to me, just be who you are and do what you need to do!

When looking at the comments of a good friend passing, I realized that he lived a life for others which glorifies God and was not even aware of all the lives he was affecting. He just did all he did with joy and love for others, which was just who he was. No striving to impress or be who others thought he should, he followed the phrase “just do you”!

Everybody wants significance. We want to be liked. We need to be validated by other people’s comments or how they see us!

Sometimes that is the guiding principle of someone’s life. We get so bound up in our perception of how others see us, we fail to be who we are!

The expectations of others can help us or hurt us! When it comes to our children our positive expectations can help them achieve success in whatever they are doing.

But when we are so bound by those expectations that our children feel discouraged and depressed if they do not meet them, that is negative and tears down the self-esteem they should walk in.

Why are people so bound by what others think?

I believe it is because we do not know why we are here, in this world. The questions may have come up in your mind: “What am I here for: what is my purpose in life”!

“GOD CREATED US FOR HIS GLORY, THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE!”

Isaiah 43:7 (KJV)

For I have created him for my glory,

I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

This is the final definition of genuine importance or significance to our lives. If we are truly important to God for eternity, then what greater measure of importance could we want?

The apostle Paul tells us to do all we do to the Glory of God!

When we just live our lives to Glorify the Father who is truth and light, we become a beacon to others without striving.

So, I ask you today: What is guiding your life?

Are you walking in “just do you”? Or are you bound up in what others think of what you do or what you say or how you act?

Jesus came to set us free from being bound and free to be who He created us to be!

That looks different in each of our lives! We are in different places and different seasons, but the goal is just to be us and glorify God in all we do!

I must confess I have a habit of rerunning conversations through my mind and questioning whether the person understood what I was trying to say or if I should have said more or less or said it differently.

I am learning that as I release my day to the Lord, I am also releasing all I do and speak. I can depend on His guidance to say what needs to be said in the situation and do what needs to be done and it brings Him Glory! I must “just do me”!

I love the scriptures that say obedience and thanksgiving, and worship is more pleasing to God that any sacrifice we could make!

Our obedience, thanksgiving, and worship Glorifies God!

If you are reading this and have never received or believed the Jesus was crucified to forgive all our past present and future wrongs we do, just tell Jesus you want Him to live life through you and you will find real life.

Then glorifying God with all you do will come naturally.

I know this may sound to preachy for some, but I really feel that too many people, including Christians, live their lives to please other rather than God!

“GOD CREATED US FOR HIS GLORY, THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE!”

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Father, thank you for creating each of us on purpose and for a purpose. You have a plan for us to live each day honoring you in all we do. Let us honor you in the mundane task and the places we may be that we do not want to be. May our heart just love you and help us to “just do us”! I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Love, Me-Maw

“FIRE!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 682

May 7, 2024///

The news last night was showing the results of fires in an apartment and a house. The destruction was devastating.

Fires can keep us warm, cook our food, burn our garbage, and through candles can light our way.

But a fire also can destroy a home, a business, a forest, the sentimental items we all have, and take lives.

What is the difference? One fire is controlled and has boundaries, the other is out of control and goes where it can go and destroys all in its place.

This brought up in my mind what the Bible says about our tongue and the words we speak.

James 3:5 (KJV)

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Our words can bring great hurt and offense or great blessings. We can kindle a fire of Love and Compassion or a fire of hurt and destruction of the self-esteem of others.

We must remember our words are powerful. God spoke the world into existence and created us in His image and we can speak encouraging words and make our world a better place.

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue:

Have you ever had someone speak death to your dream, idea, or confidence, or put down who you thought you were? They spoke death!

One the other hand has someone spoken encouraging words to you, about you, your desires, your situation? They spoke life!

Matthew 12:34 (KJV 1900)

how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Jesus spoke these words as He was teaching the multitudes.

This tells us the condition of the heart controls the type of fire we start. Our words can start fires of vision that will result in someone changing the world around them, or our words and start a fire of discouragement that will destroy their future.

We have our opinions and desires, and we say things we really do not mean at the moment, and regret later, but they have started a fire of destruction.

So how do we change? I go back to the point I made earlier: it is a matter of the heart. If our heart is full of self, of anger, and of hurt, that is where our mouth will speak from. You have probably heard the saying, “Hurting people, hurt people”! But take that a little further: “Prideful people put others down thinking they are putting the other person in their place”, when indeed they are speaking words of death.

But Jesus gives us the answer!

Matthew 11:29 (KJV 1900)

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

When release our hearts to Jesus He gives is rest in our souls which allows us to speak life into others, encouragement to the discouraged, and joy to the despondent, because we have a trust in the creator God that gives us peace.

When we have no rest in our spirit and are angry or bitter or self-absorbed we project that onto others by our attitude and our words.

However, if you run into others who are walking in that type of attitude and hurt, remember they have no peace inside. Respond with the peace you have, and it can start a fire of peace within them.

Remember our words can start a fire of good, or a fire of destruction!

Psalm 19:14 would be an amazing prayer to pray each day. This will allow the creator God to control our mouths and our mind.

Psalm 19:14 (KJV)

  Let the words of my mouth,

 And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight,

 O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

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Father, our words have such power! Power for good and bad can come forth from us and unless our hearts are set on you and understand your love for us, we can destroy with our tongues. I ask you to place in each person’s heart that reads this to pray Psalm 19:14 each day, several times and day. You will help us to start productive fires with our words, not destroy with them. Amen!

Love, MeMaw!

“WHAT REALLY MATTERS!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 681

April 30, 2024///

I do not know if it affects you like it does me, but I just look at the date and shake my head!

We are in the last day of the fourth month of this year, and it seems like the year has just begun.

The things I wanted to get done by this time are not done.

How many of you have said or thought, where did the time go? We say or think this about the year, our life, and even our day.

We start out the day with goals to accomplish before we call it a night and yet we find more times than not we are going to bed with unfinished task.

Sometimes our desire to get something done or accomplish goals makes us feel guilty when we rest or take a break to do something that relaxes us.

We have a list of things to do whether on paper or in our mind.

These thoughts brought forth a question I want to ask today!

What really matters?

The thing you are stressing about: what would happen if it did not get done?

Now I live in the real world, and I understand, children must be cared for, dressed, trained, and meals must be prepared, and clothes washed.

If I have a job I need to be there and do that job the best I can.

But we do not need to stress about being perfect in any of it. We are individuals! Our house may not be spotless or decorated like Better Homes and Gardens.

Our meals may not consist of fresh baked bread and food from scratch and cookies straight from the oven.

Our yard may not be full of beautiful flowers or our grass and bushes perfect. Our car may not be shiny and clean, and new!

We may not have certificates of achievement on our walls!

We may not give 65 hours a week to our job.

But what really matters?

Does our family feel our love and have our attention, or do they pick up our stress and think they have to be perfect? Are they free to discuss their day and situations they face, or do they know you are so busy getting things perfect that you cannot listen to them?

Do we take time to appreciate and love those in our lives and let the Love of Jesus flow freely through us? Do we play with our children or grandchildren or are we too busy doing what we feel is necessary?

What really matters?

One hundred years from now the only thing that will have mattered is the Love and Care you showed others. What do you do to show the Love of Jesus to those around you?

Your home is your Castle, does it feel like one of the castles we see on the TV that has everything in place, everyone looks great, and all things get done? Does it have that stiff, I am afraid I will not get it right, feeling?

Or is your castle like a cottage with warmth and peace and the freedom to be less than perfect? Is it a place where Love abounds and at the end of an exhausting day, those who abide there, can find rest and peace?

Yes, I believe the Bible where it says we can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives us strength. I believe we should do the best we can and do all things as unto the Lord Jesus. I believe we should do all things with an eternal perspective!

But we also need to grasp that He fills us with Joy and Peace and a Spirit of ease!

Jesus said come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest!

What really matters? What will have eternal value!

I encourage you on this last day of April, as you consider where the time has gone, to ask the creator God who loves you most, how you can do the task you must do today with a spirit of ease and peace. Release your day and all that you must get done to His Lordship and then do not stress about perfection.

Live in peace and let go the stress and leave all things in God’s capable, wonderful hands. Show love and make your house a real home of joy and peace!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come. I thank you, that as we release all we do to your Lordship we can walk in a stress-free life, knowing you will show us the way. May we understand what will really affect generations to come and eternity. Fill each person who reads this with a Spirit of ease and let us walk in Faith, Victory, and Peace! You are God and with you all thing are possible. Amen!

Love, Me-Maw

“IS THE SCREEN OF OUR HEART DARK!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 679

April 16, 2024///

I have the Bible on my computer and usually that is what I read in the mornings because the print is larger than my printed Bibles.

As I was reading, praying, and journaling, I noticed something that brought a truth to me that I wanted to share with you.

When I did not touch the mouse or move it to a different spot on the screen for a certain amount of time, the screen would grow dark and then just a roll of the mouse or even picking it up and putting it down would bring the screen to life again.

Deep inside me the truth that this is how our communication with God is, filled me. When we neglect His word, or time in prayer or walking close to Him, the light that we are supposed to be projecting to this world will go out and we are showing no one the way to Jesus.

But Jesus is so Loving and Forgiving if we take one little move toward Him, He will open the communications and guide us in all we do!

A saying I have heard for as long as I can remember is, “If you are away from the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ, guess who moved.”

It is a sad thing when we neglect our Chistian walk because of being busy or just failing to take the time. We have time for everything else but not time to learn from Him and come to Him and let Him refresh us and fill us with the power to walk right, talk right and be the light to the world we are supposed to be.

I believe if we are too busy to spend some time each day in prayer and the Bible, we need to examine our schedule and rearrange our life!

What is more important than our destiny in eternity and fulfilling the reason we are placed here on earth?

God has a wonderful plan for us, but we will never know it or fulfill it if we are too busy or just neglectful of building our Faith and our relationship with God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ!

We are given some instructions in Ephesians 6 regarding our walk with the Lord and these instructions are impossible without the time of growth in the Word and in prayer!

Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Just as food, water and exercise makes our bodies strong our time in the Bible with prayer and praise makes us strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

Ephesians 6:11–17 (KJV)

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Paul gives us the uniform of a soldier in the army of Christians! We are to cloth ourselves daily with this armor and the way to do that is in the specific time dedicated to the word, and prayer!

Whether we believe it or not there is a battle between good and evil and it is in being close to Jesus and wearing the armor of the soldier of God’s army that we can walk in and increase the good in the world.

Notice that of the six pieces of armor, five of them are defensive, we stand in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation. We must have all of these to defeat the enemy of our lives.

The sixth piece of armor is offensive and with it we destroy the works of evil that we encounter. It is the word of God which destroys like a sword in the hand of a seasoned warrior.

However, if we do not know the word, how can we use it as a sword? Jesus defeated the enemy’s temptations with “It is written.” We can do the same and tear evil down all around us.

Do we want to be a good soldier fighting evil or do we want to hold back and let others do the fighting as we struggle day by day instead of walking in Faith and Victory?

Sorry if this is a little heavy today but it is imperative we become strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

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Father, help each of us to grasp the importance of knowing what the Bible says and walking in the truth that Jesus is our Savior, died for our sins and was resurrected that we can have life abundantly! Forgive us when we think we can live right in our own strength. Give us the discipline to spend the time in the word, and in prayer that is needed to grow strong in our Faith. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Love, MeMaw!

“Whose Voice are we Hearing!

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 678

April 9, 2024///

You have probably heard these two mature lady jokes, but I want to share them and then make a point. Really there is a point!

Five old ladies in a car . . .

Sitting on the side of the highway waiting to catch speeding drivers, a State Police Officer sees a car puttering along at 22 MPH. He thinks to himself, this driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!” So, he turns on his lights and pulls the driver over.

Approaching the car, he notices that there are five old ladies — two in the front seat and three in the back — wide eyed and white as ghosts.

The driver, obviously confused, says to him, “Officer, I don’t understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the problem?”

“Ma’am,” the officer replies, “you weren’t speeding, but you should know that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other drivers.”

“Slower than the speed limit? No sir, I was doing the speed limit exactly… Twenty-two miles an hour! “The old woman says a bit proudly.

The State Police officer, trying to contain a chuckle explains to her that 22″ was the route number, not the speed limit. A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error. But before I let you go, Ma’am, I have to ask… Is everyone in this car OK? These women seem awfully shaken and they haven’t muttered a single peep this whole time,” the officer asks.

“Oh, they’ll be all right in a minute officer. We just got off Route 119.”

Two Old Ladies Driving

Two elderly women were out driving in a large car – both could barely see over the dashboard.

As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection.

The stoplight was red, but they just went on through.

The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself, “I must be losing it, I could have sworn we just went through a red light.”

After a few more minutes they came to another intersection and the light was red again and again they went right through.

This time the woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red but was really concerned that she was losing it.

She was getting nervous and decided to pay very close attention to the road and the next intersection to see what was going on.

At the next intersection, sure enough, the light was definitely red, and they went right through, and she turned to the other woman and said, “Mildred! You just ran through three red lights in a row! You could have killed us!”

Mildred turned to her and said “Oh, am I driving?”

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Yes, these are funny or sad whichever way you want to look at them. But let’s look at the truth we can gain from each.

The first one reminds me that many of us are going to slow sometimes and speeding through life at breakneck speed at other times or maybe you are going to slow, and others are going too fast.

It is because we are reading (or listening) to the wrong signs (or voice). When we are not in tune with the direction God our Father gives deep in our hearts, we can be traveling the right road at the wrong speed and miss the great things he has for us.

The second one reminds me that sometimes we do not even realize we are driving our own life rather than letting the guidance deep in our spirits drive our life.

We end up going through warnings and getting in dangerous places.

I encourage you to think about these today. Are you going to fast or slow or running your own life? Let Jesus be your Lord and direct your paths and you will find that is not the better but the absolute best way! Travel with Him at the speed He directs!

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Father, forgive us when we listen to the culture of the world and travel the wrong speed or even the wrong road. Forgive us when we think we can direct our own way through life and do not even understand that we are putting ourselves and others in danger. May we allow you to open our spiritual ears to hear the truth of what you are saying and directing, and we will always be on the right road traveling at the right speed with you driving our life. I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus’ Christ who came, died, was risen, and set us free to be all He created us to be! Amen!

Love, MeMaw!

“RESURRECTION!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 677

April 2, 2024///

EASTER: a Christian holiday celebrating Christ’s resurrection that is observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after March 21

The most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and held (in the Western Church) between March 21 and April 25, on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox.

So, there are no surprises there! We all understand that the resurrection is vital to the Christian Faith! Many of us call it resurrection Sunday!

But what does the egg have to do with it? I have heard some discussions during this season about the easter eggs and why would Christians celebrate with eggs and is it a pagan thing.

I did a little research and want to share some things I found with you!

Easter eggs have been a part of Christian tradition for centuries, and they represent many important aspects of the faith.

The egg shape symbolizes Jesus’s resurrection, while the color of the egg can be a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Decorating Easter eggs is an enjoyable activity that allows families to express their creativity and share in the joy of this special holiday.

Eating Easter eggs is also a meaningful ritual that symbolizes new life and hope. For example, when I was growing up, my mom would always give us a hard-boiled egg on Easter morning as a reminder to have faith no matter what comes our way.

Through these rituals and symbols, Christians are reminded of Jesus’s death and resurrection and how it changed our lives forever.

The egg shape of Easter is a reminder of the Holy symbolism and spiritual meaning associated with Easter in Christianity. It symbolizes new life, renewal, and hope for believers as they look forward to Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

The hard shell of an egg can be seen as representing the tomb Jesus was laid in for three days before he rose again.

The eggs also represent fertility, which is why eggs were traditionally given as gifts during Easter. This symbolizes the promise of abundance and prosperity that comes from faith in Jesus Christ.

The colorful decorations on Easter eggs are also representative of God’s creativity and the beauty He brings into our lives.

Easter eggs have long been a symbol of celebration in Christianity. The egg, when cracked open, is said to represent new life in Christ’s resurrection. The egg’s rich symbolism is integral to the Easter holiday and its traditions.

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These facts were interesting to me, and I pray they help you understand the reason we as Christians celebrate with eggs.

Saturday, I watched kids by the hundreds participating in an easter egg hunt of 13,000 eggs at our church! Knowing there were gifts inside these eggs they did not waste any time.

As I observed this it came to me that they were like the world searching for something to satisfy and that only comes through Faith in Jesus Christ!

Yes, things and events will satisfy for a short while but only Jesus truly satisfies no matter the circumstances.

In this week following the resurrection celebrations, let us hold fast to the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who came as a living expression of God’s Love for His creations, and remember we are here on earth for a reason!

We must never forget the message, whether presented from pulpit or through an egg, that the angel declared in Mark 16:6:

Mark 16:6 (TPT)

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you’re here looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. HE ISN’T HERE—HE HAS RISEN VICTORIOUSLY! Look! See the place where they laid him.

Father, thank you for the resurrection and life in Jesus! May we understand that Jesus lived and died and was resurrected that each of us can have Peace, Joy, and a spirit of ease in the midst of a world that seems to be out of control! Thank you for the Peace that passes all understanding, and that the world cannot give. May we celebrate this not only on resurrection Sunday but every day of the year for the rest of our time here on earth! I ask this in Jesus’ name! Amen!

Love, MeMaw!