Author: skydivingmemaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 576

April 26, 2022///

I want to call your attention today to the yards and properties we see or have.

Some are cut and maintained consistently. In addition to that some have beautiful flowers trees and plants. Some have trees with amazing blooms, and all are a testimony to the amazing resources God has given us to take care of and enjoy.

Then there are the yards and properties that are so overgrown with weeds, and underbrush, etc. the houses and buildings cannot even be seen!

Some of these are abandon but others are just neglected!

Let us look at the third kind of ground Jesus taught about in Luke 8:14!

Luke 8:14 (KJV)
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

The setting here is that the word needs to find good ground to flourish and grow. This description of the third ground, actually shows those who receive the word and go forth to walk it out and live it but get caught up in the snare of worry, making money, having fun, until the weeds and wild bushes have grown up and the good that the person intended is choked out with the living of life!

The amplified shows Luke 8:14 this way:

Luke 8:14 (AMP)
And as for what fell among the thorns, these are [the people] who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked and suffocated with the anxieties and cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not ripen (come to maturity and perfection).

The fruit referred to is the Love and example of Jesus that He will produce in us as we commit all to Him and meditate or think on His truths that are found in the word!

The houses on the properties I mention were built on grounds that were no doubt green and attractive at the beginning. The grounds were an awesome setting for the house and the family it represented and the beauty of architecture and workmanship it displayed!

Perhaps at the beginning the owners worked diligently to maintain the beauty that would lift others as they looked at it and would encourage them to work on their own houses and properties.

There are many today who walked with the Lord Jesus in passion for showing the world a better way and encouraging others.

But over time busy lives, concerns, situations, hurts, confusions and all manner of things and attitudes begin to choke out the word and although this person may feel like they still love Jesus they are showing no fruit or attractiveness to the Gospels better way. They are showing weeds and thorns and a life of surviving rather than thriving!

We must maintain our relationship with Jesus Christ by allowing the word to grow deep roots in our spirit!

We do this by taking the time daily to release our day and all we need to accomplish, our thoughts and our needs to the Lordship of Jesus. Casting all our cares on Him!

The enemy, satan, is out to distract us from the good that we are created to do!

May I tell you that riches will not satisfy. May I tell you the pleasure will not last for very long. And the fact is that worry never helps anything. It only makes you weak and weary!

The good life, the life that brings lasting joy, peace, and contentment, is found only in a life surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. A heart that understands how to love because it has received the unending, matchless, love of God the Father through the Lord Jesus!

We must, however, be on guard! No matter how much we Love Jesus and want to serve Him, if we do not maintain our relationship and walk with Him, through prayer, the word, and fellowship with other believers, we will begin to drift, to worry and to be fruitless because the good has been choked out!

Our lives are to be examples of Jesus and that is how we make a difference!

Do not let anything choke the word so that it is not effective in our lives!

_______________________________

Father, in Jesus’ name I come! Help each of us to be aware of all the things that tempt us to worry, fret, and be to busy to maintain a close relationship with you through Jesus. Help the maintenance of our spiritual life be the number one priority of our days! Busy does not always mean fruitful! Give us wisdom in every decision and may our priorities line up with your word! Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 575

April 19, 2022//

Psalm 90:12 (KJV)
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Colossians 4:5 (KJV)
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Ephesians 5:16 (KJV)
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

What time is it? We probably ask that question or at least look at our watches or clocks several times each day!

The Bible teaches us to number or make our days count by living in wisdom. The true wisdom that comes from the Creator God is the only real wisdom!

What are we doing with our time? Are we living the way we please and expecting God to bless what we do or are we committing our days and our lives to asking and obeying what He has created us to do?

James 4:14 (KJV)
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

James tells us in the verse above that our life is like a vapor! We are born heading toward death. What are we doing in between? Whose lives are affected for good each day we are on this earth?

We are to redeem or make the most of the time we have on earth to Glorify the Father with our lives and bring His Kingdom here!

What does it mean to redeem the time and number our days? It means to live with an eternal focus! It means to understand that we are to do everything we do as unto the Lord! Whatever our hand finds to do, we do it with all our might!

We live each day in the yoke with Jesus whose burden is light, and yoke is easy, and He does all the hard part!

We commit ourselves and our families to the lordship of Jesus Christ and understand that His way is best!

We spend time meditating on the word and sitting in His presence to receive instructions for our day, our way, our life!

We are to cast all our care on Him, for He cares for us!

We are to live our lives as a light in the darkness, as we work, study, take care of our kids, homes, businesses, and ministries with Jesus as our partner!

Romans 13:11 (KJV)
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Do you ever feel like you want to shake local, state, national and world leaders, and yell: “Wake up, wake up, use your brain”!

Do you think the one that created us and put each of us on earth for a specific purpose feels that way!

Romans 13:11 above gives us His instruction! It is high time to wake out of sleep!

Look around! Evil is dark and darkness needs light, and we are that light!

The true born-again believers, the church of Jesus Christ, must awake out of our slumber, lethargy, discouragements, and despair, and rise up like a mighty army and tear the devil’s kingdom down!

The end is near! We must love, show, and speak truth as we live our lives!

Jesus is the way! Our walk with Him shows the world the better way!

Are we sleeping? WAKE UP!

Are we sleeping not praying? WAKE UP AND KNEEL DOWN!

Are we sleeping not speaking? WAKE UP AND SPEAK UP!

The world groans for a better way and does not understand that it is a relationship with the Creator God through Jesus Christ our Savior, that they long for and need!

We must be bold and live in the freedom and power of Almighty God.

Jesus taught by telling, but He taught more by showing! He showed compassion! He showed peace and He showed trust in the Father’s will!

What are you showing with your life? Redeem the time! Make your days count!

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Father, what amazing plans you have for each of your precious creations! Help each of us to do all you have created us to do, one day at a time, one prayer at a time, and one task at a time, as we understand our days are numbered and we redeem the time! I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth our Savior and Lord! Amen!

Love, Live, Laugh!

MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 574

April 12, 2022///

In light of all we see going on around us today, I want to reprint a “Me-Maws

Thought” from November 2019. Think about the changes even since then!

MEMAW THOUGHTS//NUMBER 451//NOVEMBER 19, 2019

Have you ever just looked at all that is going on around us and felt discouraged because it seems that chaos, compromise, deception, and anything goes attitudes rule?

Have you ever wondered what God thinks as we murder babies by the thousands and live as if there were no eternity, no morals, and no consequence for ignoring God’s Word, will and ways?

Even in our Churches we have many times rejected Holiness for acceptance and being politically correct.

We do not seem to understand that yes God is Love but God is Holy and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ made a way for us to be Holy and have the Holy Spirit live in us.

I am not referring to perfection but to the desire to please God and do good and live a life that is an example to all of those around us!

I admit that even during prayer and time in the word this morning, I was discouraged by all that goes on in our world and our churches and those who call themselves Christ representatives.

In the midst of tears as I asked God to touch those I know, who have Him as a crutch and live the way they choose, as I was praying the scriptures over my family, I felt that God was weeping with me over the mess humans have made of this beautiful world God has given us! I believe He is saying to us what He said to Jerusalem in the following scripture.

Matthew 23:37 (KJV)
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

I believe He is saying oh, America, America, ye who could win the world for me and was established on the Bible, how I want to gather you under my wings and protection, but you will not let me.

I believe He is saying to each of us, oh (insert your name), how much I want to Love you and fellowship with you and fill you with the Holy Spirt and right choices and ways, but you will not listen.

I think we are living in an age of rebellion, which the word says is as the sin of witchcraft. We want to do it our way and will!! 

But God reminds me that He is Victorious, and He will judge the world in righteousness, and He can move mountains, invade people’s hearts, and turn nations to Himself as we give our self to prayer and decreeing and declaring that His Glory covers the earth.

Job 22:28 (KJV)
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

Matthew 21:21 (KJV)
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

John 8:32 (KJV)
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

May we begin to declare His Glory, revival, truth and right in our homes, our families, our churches, our towns, our states, our country, our continent, and our world. May we begin to decree that rebellion is sent back to hell where it belongs, and may we show the world we are Christian by our love and our obedience to shun evil and embrace right.

I believe it is time to quit the compromise and live the way we were created to live, in the freedom of truth and light. Jesus is the answer and Jesus is not defeated and we can walk in Faith and Victory, and we walk hand in hand with Him.

Live, love, laugh in the purity of the Holy Spirit in us, and with Jesus, the Hope of Glory!

Let’s take back all the enemy has stolen from us, and the wonderful world God has created!!

Father, thank you that you are Holy. I ask you to be Holy in me! Cleanse me and purify my heart and that purity will flow out to the outward living. Forgive all our compromise and desire to fit in. Forgive our weakness and may we understand that when we are weak, you are strong, so we just lean on you. Thank you for Love and Truth that can change our world. May we be examples of that wherever we go to whoever we meet. Amen

Let the truth of God’s Word rule in your heart and life!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 573

April 5, 2022///

“A little boy stood crying at a busy street intersection. When he was asked why, he said he was lost. Yes, he knew his name but not his home address.

Upon further questioning of landmarks near his home, the church was mentioned. The boy brightened up and said, “There’s a church with a cross that’s lighted at night near my home.” He thought a bit, then said, “Take me to the cross and I can find my way home.”

Out of the mouths of babes comes wisdom!”

Take me to the cross! There is life changing powerful truths in this story!

Are you confused about life? Are you desperate for Peace? Are you lonely or hurting? Are you worried and stressed? Are you lost and wondering aimlessly with no satisfaction or joy!

Get to the Cross!

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

You can get to the cross any place you are! Just ask Jesus to help you and release your life to Him and receive all He did on the Cross!

Have you wondered from His peace and power in your life?

Just know coming back to the Cross, you will find your way!

Do you have friends, family, those at your work who are desperate for answers to life’s problems?

Point them to Jesus and the Cross of Calvary where He paid the ultimate price!

When we point others to the Cross, they will find a true home for their heart and true peace for their turmoil!

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

You were created for good to point others to the Cross and through the cross comes the resurrection of all every person was created to be!

You have heard me say many times, you are crested on purpose, for a purpose!

This means you are not an accident; you are not a failure; you are not bound to fail or to hurt and lead others astray!

You have a purpose that is waiting for you as you kneel at the cross as give your past, present and future to Jesus and His perfect will for your life!

The warmth, peace, joy, and love of home will be yours and you will be able to spread that to others!

The Cross is pointing up and pointing out. When we truly accept all Jesus did and believe it with all that is within us, we Love the Lord God with all our mind, soul, body, and spirit which is love straight up and we Love others as Jesus loves through us, out to each other.

When we yield to that our lives reflect the Cross! And the power of the resurrection flows freely through us to others!

If the worlds situation and the crazy decisions we see being made are burdening you down with care, get back to the cross and you will find your way home to Trust in the one who Loves you and is able to give you Peace and Joy!

Run to the Cross! Point others to the Cross! The Cross is empty but points us to a risen Savior who is victorious and will hug us back home!

John 3:16 (KJV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

“Take me to the Cross!”

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come! Thank you for the Cross where the price was paid for every sin that was ever created. I ask you to touch each person who reads this to receive this precious gift of everlasting life you offer! Let us always remember the price paid on the Cross and the Power it brings! May we all lead others to the Cross and thus to Jesus! Amen

“Take me to the Cross!” Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 572

March 29, 2022///

“The enemy we see today, we will see no more!”

Today I want to share some truths with you that I believe we are shown in the story of the Israelites crossing the red sea.

God had delivered them from Egypt with a mighty hand and according to most Bible scholars, the number of men, women, and children were between 4 and 6 million.

That many people are hard to picture crossing the wilderness toward the red sea and relying on Moses to lead them as God directed.

After they left, Pharoah changed his mind and pursued them with his army.

When we are free from something and are going to a better place in life the enemy will pursue you with that habit, failure, hurt, offense, or whatever you have been delivered from! We call it temptation!

We must keep going forward to the calling of Christ Jesus to be like Him!

When the Israelites came to the red sea, they found the sea before them and the Egyptian army behind them and they were afraid.

The enemy wants to use fear to defeat us! Fear is the enemy of Faith!

They saw no way out! Maybe there is something in your life today that you see no way out of, but GOD WILL MAKE A WAY! Just obey!

So, much like us, the people began to complain about and to their leader Moses and accused him of bringing them out to die in the wilderness and they would have been better to stay in Egypt!

Please never fall for the lie from satan that it was better back in the bondage of the enemy! The enemy wants you to look back and when you look back you tend to go back.

God had a plan then and God has a plan for your life and your continued deliverance!

Whatever enemy you are free from but find it is pursuing you is defeated as you obey and go forward as God leads!

Exodus 14:13-14 (KJV)
¹³ And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, YE SHALL SEE THEM AGAIN NO MORE FOR EVER.
¹⁴ The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

The Lord wants to fight your battle of deliverance as you rest in Him and the power of His might!

God was not saying, do not do anything, but He was saying just obey and let me do the deliverance. You see deliverance is not up to us except to obey and go forward toward all God has placed in us!

Exodus 14:21-23 (KJV)
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.
²² And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
²³ And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

Exodus 14:27-28 (KJV)
²⁷ And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
²⁸ And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

The people did not fight, they obeyed, went forward into the sea and that enemy was destroyed, not one left!

May I tell you the enemy that is pursuing you is destroyed as you obey! Other enemies will rise as you walk through life just as they did against the Israelites but with Faith in God through Jesus Christ, we can walk in Victory over every one of them!

But the habit, hurt, confusion, pull back in the world’s way, or whatever is pursuing you today you will see no more, as you obey and go forward!

/////Father, in Jesus’ name I come! Thank you for your Love that is amazing and thank you that your desire to fight for us is true and real! May we just rest in you, pray, and obey and let you give us strength and direction in every situation! Struggle and fear come from the enemy. Rest and peace and deliverance come from you Father, through the sacrifice of Jesus! We rest in you in the walk through our busy days! Amen!

Rest in the Lord and the Power of His might!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 571

March 22, 2022///

I pray your day and your way is filled with the amazing joy and peace that comes from trust in our Heavenly Father, that comes through receiving all Jesus did for us! This morning, I want to reprint a Me-Maws Thought from 2014. I pray this will encourage each of us to be all we were created to be!

Me-Maw Thoughts /// Number 200

November 18, 2014

Buttons……I want to talk to you this morning about buttons.

There are small buttons, large buttons, and in-between size buttons. There are delicate buttons and heavy-duty buttons.

There are bright colored buttons and dull colored buttons.

There are buttons on our clothes that we can see and there are hidden buttons.

Then there are decorative buttons that look pretty but serve no real purpose.

If the Kingdom of God on this earth were described as buttons, what kind of button would you be?

Maybe you are a large button that many see, and you are serving the purpose you were created for by bringing people together and meeting their needs.

 Maybe you are a heavy-duty button whose purpose is to be in the hardest places doing the work of the kingdom.

Maybe you are a delicate little button that in the power of almighty God is doing the very task that God has placed in your hands.

For functioning purpose, it does not matter what color a button is but when we allow the inner beauty in us to shine on the outside, we can draw people to the Lord of all by our attractive Joy and Peace. Some may attract more than others but if we are fulfilling our purpose, we will draw all men to Jesus.

Maybe you feel like a hidden button. You are doing what you feel like you are supposed to do but no one sees you. Think about the function of a hidden button. They keep your clothes or scarves or caps in place with continued service. Without them your outfit would fall apart. The hidden buttons serve a great purpose and the person doing the un-herald work in the Kingdom of God is keeping it all together.

Then we have the decorative buttons that look like they are serving a purpose but all they are doing is looking pretty. Your outfit would not come off if they were not there. Nothing would quit working if they disappeared. They actually are useless and not serving any purpose.

Are you the decorative button? Do you look like you are a Christian? Do you look like you are fulfilling your destiny by just hanging there? Are you really doing the work for which you were created? Is the outward appearance all there is to your Faith in and your walk with God?

If that is you, I encourage you today to change! A decorative button when removed from its place of no service and sewed where it is needed becomes the thing for which it was created. If you will allow the Father God through the Holy Spirit to move on the inside of you and show you the destiny you were created for and then allow Him to place you in that position, you can become all you were created for.

One more point on buttons. If they are not secured in place with good strong thread, they will fall from the purpose they were created for. If we are not bound to our destiny with the word of God and the power of God, we will begin to lose our purpose.

Your daily communication with the Father through Jesus Christ and your study of the word will keep you strong and functioning in your purpose.

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Father what security in knowing that we are created on purpose and for a purpose. May we place walking in our divine purpose above all other desires in our lives. May we all know the peace, joy, and abundance our obedience to you brings. Thank you for your plans. I desire and determine to be the button you created me. Amen

Have a wonderful incredible week being the button you were created to be.

Love, Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 570

March 15, 2022///

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! Did you know we 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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Who is driving your life? Are you allowing the creator of the universe to drive or are you speeding through each day with no idea who is at the wheel?

Or maybe you think you are driving, or your ambition or talents and abilities are driving, when in reality the social systems of this world and the enemy of all that is good, is driving through your mind, will, emotions, and circumstances!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)
⁵ Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
⁶ Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

When we drive our cars, we need to make sure we are alert and always on guard, and even then, we tend to get distracted and make blunders, or end up the result of someone in other cars blunders.

But imagine you are on a train or plane or even a bus. There is usually no thought of who is in control of this made of transportation, other than maybe praying for them.

We trust they know what they are doing and unlike when we are behind the wheel we can relax, read, use our computers, or nap. We do not worry about what is up ahead or if the pilot or driver has control.

Why, because we are not in the driver’s seat. We have allowed ourselves to give that task to another!

How much more should we trust in the one who created us and knows us better than we know ourselves and wants only good for us!

When our children are in the car with us, they never concern themselves with speed limits, red lights, or staying in the right lane. They just know that the parent who is driving loves them and would never do anything to hurt them.

We are the apple of God’s eye, and He can see the road ahead and He knows the curves, the potholes, the detours, and He will guide us in every way. But we must release our day or way and our life to Him and be alert to His voice of direction, encouragement, and instruction!

Have you ever ridden in a car with someone, and you found yourself tense and concerned about your safety? Have you ever been the passenger who is not sure the driver knows where they are going? And yet we are with them!

But when we are in the car with one we know is capable of getting us to our destination, we relax!

Do we really know and trust the one who desires to guide us every day in every way and into all good things?

Enough said!  “WHO IS DRIVING YOUR LIFE!”

_________________________________________________________

Father, in Jesus’ name I come! What a wonderful loving caring Father you are! I ask you to let the truth of your Love and desire for our protection and good flood each of us as we allow you to guide, lead and direct us in every way. We cannot do it, society cannot do it, others cannot do it and so we sometimes flounder. But you Father have the most wonderful plan for us. As we follow each day we can walk in security and peace and a spirit of ease!  Amen!

Love, MeMaw!

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 569

March 8, 2022///

Years ago, I read a funny article about how different parents treat the first child versus the second and third child. Here are four of the points!

WORRIES:

1st baby: At the first sign of distress, a whimper, a frown, you pick up the baby.

2nd baby: You pick the baby up when he wails and threatens to wake your firstborn.

3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

PACIFIER:

1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.

2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby’s bottle.

3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

DIAPERING:

1st baby: You change your baby’s diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.

2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.

3rd baby: You try to change the diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.

GOING OUT:

1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.

2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.

3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

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A little amusing but it reminds me of our walk with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

When we first give our heart to Jesus, we are full of Joy and exuberance and want to tell our friends and be with other believers as often as possible.

We get to church early and linger afterward to share God’s blessings with others and hear about their week.

We make sure we pray and read the word on a regular basis.

After a while, the new wears off, and we sometimes struggle to smile and share and may be prone to use small things to keep us from gathering with other believers.

We barely slip into church as it is starting and slip out at the amen and feel we have done our duty for the week.

We pray some and read the bible when we have time, but it is not a priority.

If we are not careful, we will slip back a little further. We will forget to share and gather with other believers even though, if asked, we would say we love God and are a Christian.

We stay home from church saying we can pray and worship at home, but we rarely do, and we pray and read the word when we think about it which is not often.

May I encourage you this morning with a few scriptures to keep us loving and living for God with our whole being, mind, will and emotions and spirit!

Galatians 3:1 (KJV)
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
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.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Timothy 2:8 (KJV)
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

We are to grow in the Lord! And we can do that by prayer, the word, and fellowship with others and gathering in church services to be fed!

We should be drawing closer to Jesus each day. We should be more, not less excited than when we first believed. Don’t become weary or stagnate!

Are you growing in your Christian faith and walk or are you in a familiar place where you know the Christian phrases, consider yourself a believer, but have no real relationship with the Lord Jesus on a daily, hourly, minute by minute basis?

_________________________________

Father in Jesus name I come. I ask you to help us examine our life to determine if we are growing or cooling. You gave all for us, may we give all we are and all we are not to you! Amen

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 568

March 1, 2022//

How many of you remember this old jingle that was a TV ad?

“I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan, and never ever forget I’m a woman”!

How many of you, male and female alike, feel sometimes like you are expected to do everything! You are looked to as being all things to all people!

And do you every put yourself down because you just cannot do it all!

As part of my Bible Study each day I read a chapter of Proverbs, (the book of wisdom), that matches that date.

Since February has only 28 days this year, I finished proverbs this morning reading Proverbs 31.

 “I HEAR THE GROANS”!

For those of you who are not familiar with what we refer to as the Proverbs 31 lady, let me share this verse!

Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

May I say this is only the beginning! I have heard this woman called the woman we all want to hate, and the impossible woman! I have heard her virtues referred to as “no one can do all that”, and I have heard groans when this woman is mentioned!

May we take another look at Proverbs 31:10-31. I am impressed as I read this that if we look at it as impossible to live up to and write her off as a saint with unquenchable energy, we are missing the whole point.

Let me share what I see in the description of this women.

As Solomon is sharing all she does I think the key is in verse 25 & 26.

Proverbs 31:25-26 (KJV)
²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She showed strength in the Lord and Honored the Lord and those around her. She rejoiced. She did her task with joy!

This woman spoke with wisdom that can only come from God and she was always kind, having compassion just as Jesus has!

So, tell me that with Jesus living in us can we not walk each day with Strength, show Honor, do all with joy, speak in wisdom and be kind?

Jesus in us, the Hope of Glory allows us to live that kind of life!

If we are walking in those virtues, we can do all things as unto the Lord and with all our might! That is the bottom line, do all we do as unto the Lord!

Colossians 3:23 (KJV)
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

I have heard one view on this scripture as seeing all the different things this woman of God is shown doing as different things we are called to do, not all done by one person!

However, you want to read this, we need to understand it was what was inside that caused her to do well the things she did on the outside!

Solomon sums it up in verse 30:  Proverbs 31:30 (KJV)
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

To live a life of worth, we must allow the Holy Spirit to change us deep inside, starting with turning our life over to Jesus and believing and receiving the salvation He has purchased for us!

We then with the guidance and help of our Lord God Almighty can live each day with joy and go about our task and taking care of our families, jobs, etc., with wisdom and kindness!

We will understand that when we are weak, He is strong. And as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, we are to enjoy the fruit of our labor!

My point, if there is one, is to rest in Jesus, let His attributes guide your life and follow His direction in what you need to do and do it all with Joy!

Never fret because you cannot live up to the Proverbs 31 woman!

Live, Laugh, Love, as you walk with Jesus!

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Father, thank you that you made each of us different, and for different purposes, but all to serve you and each other. We are each called to love and be kind to each other and encourage and lift each other up. Thank you that you help us understand that we cannot do everything, but we can do the things you have placed us on earth to do! In Jesus name I pray! Amen

Love one another and be kind! MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 567

February 22, 2022///

I am sure that most all of you who are reading this have applied for a job at some point. As part of the interview process, we are all interested in what we call the benefits. These are the good things in addition to the pay.

Vacation days, holidays, retirement investments, tickets to events, working from home, even food if you work at a restaurant. Benefits can take many forms so today I want to share with you the benefit package that comes from receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and following Him!

Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)
¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

There are seven different benefits in these five verses that we are admonished not to forget, and to Bless His Holy Name for these!

1. HE FORGIVES OUR SINS.

Psalm 103:12 (KJV)
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

• HE HEALS OUR DISEASES AND SICKNESSES.

1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

•  HE REDEEMS US FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF SATAN.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV)

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

• HE CROWNS US WITH LOVINGKINDNESS.

Psalm 42:8 (KJV)
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

• HE CROWNS US WITH TENDER MERCIES.

Psalm 145:9 (KJV)
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

• HE SATISFIES OUR MOUTH WITH GOOD THINGS.

Psalm 107:9 (KJV)
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

• HE RENEWS OUR YOUTH LIKE THE EAGLES.

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
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.

I have shared just one scripture for each benefit, but the word of God is full of His Promises to those who love Him!

Just as we could have various benefits as an employee but not have to use them, we have all these benefits and all we need through Jesus Christ, but it is our choice if we use them, avail ourselves of them or receive them!

My dad was a Pastor but also had a job as security at night in a building downtown! When he retired, he had about one year of leave he had never taken! These were days he could have rested, visited, or spent time with those he loved but he was dedicated to his job, which was admirable, but it was unnecessary to not use those benefits.

May I say there is nothing good or admirable about not locking into all the benefits provided to us by Jesus, birth, death, and resurrection. They are ours and the desire of our Father in Heaven is that we walk consistently in these benefits and never forget them.

I encourage you to join with me and write these benefits on a 3 x 5 card or piece of paper and put them where they are very visible to you so that you will not forget!

God is good, all the time!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come. Thank you for your benefit package that not only ensures us eternal life hereafter but abundant life in the here and now. You are loving and kind and give us all good and perfect gifts. Amen

Do not forget God’s benefit package. Love, MeMaw