MADE NEW!

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 385
July 17, 2018///

Have you noticed that most Doctors offices have their televisions on the channel that has all the remodeling and house hunting shows on it.

We seem to always be in the waiting rooms when Fixer-Upper is on. I don’t know if you have ever seen this show, but Chip and Jo remodel houses that clients buy with the remodel plan in place. (that is my understanding)

Last week as we were waiting, and my eyes were on the television screen, Chip was banging down walls and cabinets with this enormous hammer type tool. As the house took on a new and amazing look I begin to think how like our life that is.

When we receive Jesus Christ as our Personal Savior He begins a work in us that will, if we allow it, transform us into something beautiful.

Sometimes to get to that beauty we must let Him tear out walls and destroy ugly. If we hang on to the old, there is not room for the new!!

Sometimes just redecorating with paint and new furniture is not enough, we must rip out old walls, plumbing, appliances, etc. and bring in the new.

We do that with old houses by bringing in someone who knows what they are doing, how to do it, and can get it done!

If I tried to tear out and remodel a house it would be a disaster because I would have no idea what I was doing.

In the same way, if we try to fix our lives it is a disaster because we have no idea how to do it. We try, we strive, we work at it, but we are clueless!

Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the experts and they can not just fix us from the inside out, but they can make us new creations from the inside out. If we allow it, they can make real change in us, not just a cover up of paint, etc.

The power of the Lord God Almighty can rip out walls of past hurts, renew your mind from wrong thinking and make all things new. That power will build you into a sanctuary of beauty for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 127:1A (KJV)
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:

We can try to make our lives right and to fix what is wrong, but the Word of God tells us that our labor is in vain, meaning it just is not going to work.

Now on the television program Fixer-Upper they complete the renovation in the time frame of the show, but all who watch know that it really took months for the final product.

In the same way as we allow Jesus Christ to begin a new work in us, it is a process and will continue as we allow it. For instance, we may think we have allowed all the walls and junk to be broken and removed and then discover a hidden room of stuff we have pushed down inside and tried to ignore. We may have attitudes that need adjusting and words that need correcting.

It is a process and we will must understand that we must allow the process to continue.

Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

We are in process until Jesus comes back or calls us home, but we need to remember the initial work of receiving Jesus as Savior makes us a new creation, we just need some refining!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
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Father God, thank you that you continue to work in me to correct my attitudes and words and deeds. I praise your name because I am not a finished work but am in process. I am the clay and you are the potter. Mold me into your image so that the world may see Jesus through me. Amen

God Bless each of you. Have a Blessed and Abundant week!
Love, MeMaw

GOOD VS BAD NEWS

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 384
July 10, 2018///

Murder, Mayhem, Robber, Rape, Lies, Cheating, Deception, Selfishness, Meanness, Abuse of Children, arguing, Wars, persecutions, injustice, I can go on and on!!

Bad News!!!

It seems that all we hear these days is Bad News!! I know that there are still good people in the world doing good things, but we rarely hear about those.

But I have some Good News for you today!! The Bad News is wrong!!!

The Good News is that Jesus came to give us access to a better way than the social systems of the world provide!

The Good News is that when Jesus came out of the tomb on the first Resurrection Sunday, He not only had defeated our enemy Satan, when that Stone was rolled away it represented all the ugly in our life being rolled away.

We live buried under mounds of guilt, shame, and the lies of the enemy that we are not good enough, or that we are less than. Our past mistakes hold us in that grave, but the Good News is that Jesus set us free if we will receive it!!

Romans 12:2 (MSG)
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

The Good News is that we do not have to do life on our own. We do not have to wrestle with situations and decisions with just our own knowledge or intellect!! The Good News is that if we are tired of doing it on our own we can turn to the Creator God and God the Holy Spirit will begin to live life with us and through us!

Therein lies the key: “Through Us”! When we allow the change from the inside out, the change is real, and the pressure is off us to make it happen. The result of walking this journey called life with Jesus as our best and dearest friend is that we never have to do life alone!

The Good News is we do not have to fear!

Proverbs 29:25 (KJV)
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The Good News is that He is our healer!

Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)
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.

The Good News is that He is our provider!

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The Good News is that He gives us Peace!

John 14:27 (KJV)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

There are multitudes of verses in God’s Word that are Good News!!

I encouraged you to find verses that fit your situation and begin to concentrate on those rather than the bad news all around us!

If God’s kids begin to concentrate on and share the Good News, I believe the Glory of the Lord will begin to invade our Homes, Cities, States, Country and the whole Earth!

His “Kingdom” can come to this world as we take our place both believing and sharing the Good News!!

Father, I come in the name of Jesus Christ and I thank you that the Bad News is wrong! Thank you that I do not have to walk this road called life alone! Thank you that God the Holy Spirit is my best friend and guide! Fill each person who reads this with the knowledge that they can choose to walk with you and fulfill all that you plan for them. Fill them with the warmth of your Love and the Peace that passes understanding. Invade each reader with direction and Joy! Amen

Remember the Bad News is wrong!!
Love, MeMaw

WHO ARE YOU!

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 383
July 3, 2018///

WHO ARE YOU?

When we think about this question or we are asked this question many times our response goes something like this: I am a Doctor, a stay-at-home Mom, a Lawyer, a Pastor, an Accountant, a Fire-Fighter, a Mechanic, a Teacher, an Evangelist, a Retail Specialist, a Walmart Greeter, a Lawn Care Specialist, a Housewife, I am the person who checks you out at the grocery store, I am the person who sells products, I am a Senator, a Governor, The President of a company! I am a drunk, an addict, a prisoner, etc.!

I could go on and on, but you get the picture. May I tell you that those things are “What you do”, not “Who you are”!

The world may look at you and declare what you do as who you are but let’s look at the real you!

You are an amazing child of Almighty God and are created in His image. You are a reflection of all that you have experienced in life and you are someone’s role model.

You are the dream God has placed within you and you are the abilities He has given to you! You are Blessed and highly Favored! You are the creator God’s most precious creation!

Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV)
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

You are loved with an everlasting Love!

Isaiah 43:1 (KJV)
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Galatians 3:13 (KJV)
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

You are redeemed!

Genesis 1:27 (KJV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

You are the image of the Creator God!

John 15:13 (KJV)
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

You are God’s Friend!

Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV)
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

You bring out rejoicing and joyful singing from the Lord God Almighty!

Do you get the picture? Who you are is the creation of the Lord God Almighty! You are a Son or Daughter of the most High God with all the rights and privileges of Son’s and Daughters.

Whether the world recognizes you as a Son or Daughter of the Creator of the Universe or not, you need to understand who you are and that knowing will flow to your outer being.

You will begin to reflect the attributes of the Heavenly Father who sings over you with Love.

When you realize who you truly are you will neve feel inferior to anyone! You will never feel like you are defined by your job or your status in life!

We are Loved by our Father God because we are the creation of His hands! We are gifted and talented to change our world and when we realize who we are we will allow those gifting’s and talents to flow out to a world that desperately needs them!

May I admonish you to see who you really are and allow the true you to come to the forefront of your daily walk in this journey called life!

The Lord God Almighty Breathed into each of us the Breath of Life! His Breath, we are His!!

That is who we are, may we walk in that knowledge!
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Father, thank you that you created me, love me, and sing over me. Thank you that you have place me hear on earth FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS! Thank you for filling me so full of your Spirit that your attributes flow out to others! Thank you for redemption! In Jesus name I pray! Amen

Have an incredible week son and daughter of God!
Love, Me-Maw

THE HEART

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 382
June 26, 2018///

Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

This past week I had a stent placed in an artery of my heart to open it up. I already have a pacemaker from last year.

Why go to such lengths for the heart? Because therein lies life. You may have various health issues but if your heart stops beating and pumping blood to your body the other issues will not matter.

May I tell you that just as your physical heart is the seat of life, your spiritual heart, the inner part of you, deep down in your spirit, is the seat of real life. If you want abundant life, eternal life, and joy and peace, you need to take care of the spiritual heart!!

If you neglect the spirit man, the truth is all the other things in life do not matter.

The Word of Almighty God has a lot to say about the heart of man. When the scripture talks about the heart, it is referring to the life or spirit of man. The part of man that will live forever in eternity.

When our heart is right we effect the situations and people around us!

Luke 6:45 (KJV)
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.

What is in your heart is the real you! You need to take special care of it and let the Lord God Almighty do adjustments as necessary.

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

We need to flee evil and follow righteousness.

2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV)
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

So, this all sounds good but how do we do this? We cannot!! We need help and that is what Jesus Christ did on the Cross. When we release control of our heart to His Lordship, He can then do the changes in us that we cannot.

The pacemaker and stent I have do not show to those around me. However, the results show in the fact that I am breathing and walking around and active.

Every attitude, action, word or thought that we do or have comes from our spiritual heart. When we are running our lives, it shows on the outside and when we are allowing Jesus to guide us, it shows on the outside.

Matthew 5:8 (KJV)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

We can walk with a pure heart when we know the word of God, which is life to our Spiritual Heart. Listen to the word; read the word; pray the word!

Then the words and actions that flow from you will be good and right and encouraging to others.

We need to pray Psalm 19:14 each day of our earthly lives, it says:
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.

The Holy Spirit will clean out the junk, make the adjustments and we can walk in the promise Jesus made in John 14:27!!
John 14:27 (KJV)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

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Father, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I come to you. I ask you to do your work in my spiritual heart! Clean out the junk and fill me with the same compassion and love Jesus showed to all as He walked this earth in human form. Guide each person who reads this to a vibrant, vital relationship with you by allowing your spirit to live through us. Amen

God Bless each of you!!
Love, Me-Maw

“OFF THE RECORD!”

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 381
June 12, 2018//

“Off the Record!”

Each of you understand that phrase. When someone wants to make a statement or tell something they know, and they do not want it in a legal document, in the printed page, or in the news, the phrase they will use is “Off the Record”!

This morning I am pondering how many Christians are “Off the Record”?

They call themselves Christians privately but do not want it spread around work, the neighborhood, social media, that they consider themselves Christians.

Why would we want to be “Off the Record” Christians?

Maybe it is because it is not politically correct to call anything sin or to live Godly and above all the smut and filth and selfishness of the world.

Maybe it is because we do not want to be the only ones not laughing at an off-color joke or be the one who has not seen the latest R rated movie.

Or maybe it is just because we don’t feel like we know enough about the Bible or the foundations of our Faith to share with those around us.

I share with you a statement that you should take to heart:
“A MAN WITH AN EXPERIENCE IS NEVER AT THE MERCY OF A MAN WITH AN ARGUMENT.”

People may argue theology, but what they cannot argue with is when you just simply share your experience with the Lord God Almighty.

When you declare that your life is better since you made Jesus Lord and He is with you always to help you and give you Peace; When you tell where He brought you from to where you are now and the many things He has done in your life, no one can tell you that is not true.

In John chapter nine when the blind man was healed, and the Pharisees were asking him who healed him and telling him that Jesus was a sinner, the blind man did not even begin to argue about who Jesus was. He made a profound statement!

John 9:25 (KJV)
He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

If we know Jesus as our Personal Savior, we can be like the blind man and declare who Jesus is to us. To the blind man Jesus was his healer and that was what he was sharing.

What is Jesus to you? How is your life different because you know Him?

These are things no one can argue with.

Now we must mature and grow in the Lord and in the Knowledge of His Word and then at times we can explain or refute other’s questions or arguments.

But we should never let the fear of someone asking or saying something we have no answer for stop us from sharing. Just tell what Jesus means to you!!!

Just as the others could see the blind man had received his sight, others should be able to look at how we conduct ourselves and live our lives and know that we have something different.

Matthew 5:14 (KJV)
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

When we have met Jesus, our light is to dispel darkness and not be:
“Off the Record”!

May I encourage you to let your light shine and be “ON THE RECORD”, as a bonified, born again, child of almighty God who does not bow to this world social system but walks in tune with the Lord God Almighty!!

In Mark chapter eight, Jesus asked the disciples a question He is asking us today.

Mark 8:29 (KJV)
And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

WHO IS JESUS TO YOU!!
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Father God, I come in the name of Jesus Christ and I declare that Jesus Christ is my Savior, my Peace, and my Joy. May I be on record as a born again, changed, washed in the blood, child of you, Father. I ask you to touch each person who reads this with the knowledge of who you are to them and may they be “ON RECORD CHRISTIANS” and light up the darkness of this troubled world. Amen

I declare you “On the Record!”
Love, Me-Maw

PRAYER!!

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 380
June 5, 2018///

I have a beautiful decorative cross on the wall of my home office that my precious friend Dawn gave to me. On the top of the cross it says: “Faith to give you strength”. One side says: “Love to lift you up”. The other side says: “Hope to get your through”. And the bottom says: “All these I pray for you”.

Every time I look at that (which is many times a day), I am reminded how much we need each other’s prayers and support!

I am so grateful for the wonderful people in my life, that I am confident life me up in prayer to the creator of the universe!

I am confident that no matter what situations or turmoil or trials may come my way, I have people who not only will pray for me through the hardships but are also praying for me in what may seem to be an ordinary day because we never know what is just around the corner.

Many times, the apostle Paul in his writings declared he was praying for the people reading his writings. Here are a couple of his types of prayers that we would do well to pray for our families, friends and neighbors!

Colossians 1:9-11 (KJV)
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Philippians 1:9-11 (KJV)
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

We can make these prayers and others our own and put our names and the names of those we are lifting to Almighty God in them. We can pray the 23rd Psalm over our loved ones by inserting a name in the text. For example: You Lord are Patsy’s Shepherd, and Patsy shall not want, and then continue.

There on so many blessings in the scripture that we can pray, and we know that the scripture is powerful. May we understand that our prayers make a difference. May we pray blessings on all those we know and on all those in authority over us.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (KJV)
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Yes, we are to pray for those in authority. Our employers, pastors, political leaders, our judges, congress, and YES, our President and his advisers. Imagine, if all the complaints about our government, both local and national were turned into prayers for their wisdom, understanding, and ears to hear what God the Father is trying to get them to hear.

May I tell you we would see an amazing change in our country. Complaining, and griping, and arguing, never changes anything. But prayer can change everything!

I encourage you to read in John Chapter 17 the prayer Jesus prayed to the Father. I just want to call to your attention about three verses.

John 17:17-18 (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

John 17:20 (KJV)
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Did you notice in that last verse that Jesus prayed for you if you are a believer? What a thrill to know that the Savior of the world prayed for me and not only prayed for me but is still praying for me.

Romans 8:34 (KJV)
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.

Jesus does not condemn us, He prays for us!!!!!!! May we do likewise!!!!!
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Father in Jesus name, I pray the prayer of the apostle Paul for each one who reads this: That their love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That they may approve things that are excellent; that they may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Amen

LOVE AND PRAYERS; ME-MAW

SNUGGLE!!

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 379
May 29, 2018///

Psalm 36:5-6 (MSG)
5 God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic,
6 His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.

God’s Love cannot be measured, and it is abundant and free to all those who just reach out and receive.

I wonder this morning is the Peace of being Loved by the Creator of the Universe filling your innermost being. Do you feel the Love that cannot be explained deep within you? Do you know that God Loves You, God sings over you with Love and He sees where you are and knows all you feel!

He invites you to cling to Him and to just let Him hug you and show you His Love!

Our almost two-year-old grandson will sometimes not want to let you hug Him or cuddle Him or give him a kiss. He wants to get down and do his own thing. And as much as I desire just to cuddle him up he is having no part of it.

Does that describe your walk in this life? Are we so determined to do our own thing we don’t let the Father just show us Love and pour His amazing Peace into us?

Corrie Ten Boom made a statement that I have quoted before but fits beautifully here: “Don’t struggle, snuggle!”.

Please don’t miss what I am trying to say. Picture in your mind yourself in the lap of the huge God of the Universe and you are safe, secure and just snuggling and He is singing over you. What a picture!

Did you know you can walk in the Peace and the inner posture of snuggling and be taking care of the many task of life that you must do each day? As you fulfill your home, work, school, church, and all other duties you can do them better and with ease as you allow the Heavenly Father to cuddle you and sing over you along the way!

Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV)
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

The world we live in would be a much better place if each Christian allowed themselves to be Loved by the Lord God Almighty. What a difference we could make in the lives of those around us as our Peace and contentment flow from us to all those we meet.

I believe that the world’s problems and situations could be solved if each person living understood how much we are Loved by the God of the Universe! It can start with you today as you allow God to Love you and you just snuggle as you walk, run or sprint through your day!

I have a favorite saying that I’m not even sure where it came from, but it speaks to what I am trying to say: “Don’t curse the darkness, Light a Candle!”.

Whatever the question, Jesus is the answer and until we understand just how much God Loves us individually, we cannot show the answer to those all around us.

What steals your Peace? Running late: children slow and lagging: traffic: too much to do in a single day: physical challenges: grouchy boss or coworkers: bills: unfriendly clerk in the store?

When we realize how much we are Loved we can defeat the Peace Stealers. I challenge you today when you feel your Peace leaving as you face certain situations, just begin to imagine yourself snuggling in the arms of Almighty God and His Peace will keep you on a steady course.

I am making up my mind to quit letting the Peace Stealers have any place in my innermost being. My God Loves me and will successfully fight my battles.

How about you? Will you join me in this decision to walk in the Love of God!!

My desire for each of you is the very best God has!!!
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Father, thank you for the Peace that cannot be explained and thank you for your Love that is unconditional and free. Bless each person who reads this and touch them in the depths of their being. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Have an amazing week!
Love, Me-Maw

LIFE

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 378
May 22, 2018///

Birth : death
Living : dying

We are all born, and we will all die, but how we live is up to us! Are we alive or are we living?

Because we take breaths and get up each day does not mean we are living!

True Living consists not in the abundance of things we possess, but in the abundant life Jesus Christ paid for on the cross!

Luke 12:15 (KJV)
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

True Living in not what you are or who you know in this world, but who you know in your heart!

John 10:10 (KJV)
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 (MSG)
A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

Jesus promised that He would give us abundant life. Abundance means:
: existing or occurring in large amounts
: marked by great plenty

Abundance is having more than you need. God wants to give you more than you need in every area of life.

Are you Living in the abundant “Peace that Passes all understanding”? Peace that the world system cannot give! This is the way God wants you to live!

There are people who are born and die 60 or 70 or more years later but they have never lived because they have never met the giver of life!

We are Spirit, Soul and Body. The body is the house, the spirit is our mind, will and emotions and our Soul is what comes alive when we are born again by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

When our Soul is alive with the Power of the Love of Jesus, our mind, will and emotions begin to line up with God’s Word as we give Him control of each of these areas!

Real Living only begins at the New Birth: Being born again by the Spirit of God!

Otherwise there are times you may feel happy and on top of the world but not the deep-seated Joy and Peace that Jesus gives. Without the spirit alive in you the circumstances and situations of life control whether you are up or down, but Jesus gives us real Peace and Joy because it is not dependent on what is going on around us.

We each have a purpose of eternal value and since life is short and eternity is long we need to be lining up with our destiny by real Living!

When we focus on real Living, God will add everything else we need in our lives!

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

When we are finished our short time on earth we can die with fear and confusion like we lived, or we can die with the Peace of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that He is with us through the transition to eternity.

Living or Dying our Trust and Hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ and the Creator God who Loves us unconditionally!

I ask you: Is it birth and death for you or Living and Dying with purpose, faith and peace?

God Loves you and desires Abundant life for you! It is your choice!

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
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,
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Father, thank you for abundant life! Thank you that you want us to have an amazing life and I trust your plans and Love for me! Touch each person who reads this with a desire for Real Living and I decree and declare that each of them is fulfilling their purpose in this world. In Jesus name I pray! Amen

God Bless each of you as you choose Abundant Living!
Love, MeMaw

ROOTS!

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 377
May 15, 2018///

A couple of the gifts I got for Mother’s Day were flowers. One was a dozen red roses and the other a large mixed arrangement with orchids, roses, baby breath and many more amazing flowers.

I have changed the water and will continue to keep fresh water in these vases and I am enjoying them immensely!

However, I understand that in just a little while these cut flowers will die, and I will be forced to throw them out. Although some of them have not even opened yet they will open, and they will die. No matter how good I care for them, this is a fact.

The reason they will die is because they have no roots. Unlike flowers that are planted and may look like they are dead in the winter and then spring forth with new blooms in the summer, these flowers have no root, nothing to bring them back in bloom after they die.

They are beautiful, they smell wonderful and are great for a while, but they have no root, so they will not live.

May I compare that to many who say they are Christians and look good and Christian but have no root, so they do not last.

May I ask you this morning are you rooted and grounded in the word and in your relation to the Lord Jesus Christ?

Jesus said in Matthew 13:
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Matthew 13:20-21 (MSG)
20 “The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm.
21 But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

I know that all of you who have been in church for any length of time know people who were blazing a trail for Jesus and wanted to be His ambassador and made some of our enthusiasm pale in comparison to theirs. But you have also seen that in a little while they are backing off or completely gone.

Why??? The seed fell on ground that was not allowed to be broken up by the Holy Spirit so that the seeds could get deep and produce roots that will stand the test of time.

Just as the trees and plants with good roots go through season, so our life goes through seasons and it may look at times that we are producing nothing. But if our roots are deep and our trust is in the Creator God of the universe, when the difficulty and the storms arise we may bend but we will not break.

If our roots are deep we will call forth the Word of Almighty God that we know and declare that: “If God is for us who can be against us!” and “No weapon formed against us will prosper”.

We will come through with our Faith in tact and our roots stronger than ever!

We will be like another seed Jesus talked about in Matthew 13:
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matthew 13:23 (MSG)
“The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”

What has the seed of the Word of God produces in you? May we allow the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts as we study and hear His word so that we will grow deep roots. The Holy Spirit, if allowed, will break up our hard hearts so the seed can get deep and bring forth fruit.

May I encourage you to have a consistent Bible Study plan and ask the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart each time you open the Word, so the seed will fall on good ground.

May I encourage you every time you attend church or listen to a preacher on TV, Radio, or internet, to ask the Holy Spirit to prepare your ground to receive the word spoken.

Let your roots grow deep!!
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Father God, maker of heaven and earth, I come in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and I ask you to touch me in my innermost being. Soften the hard parts of my heart and let the seed of your Word find good ground in which to grow and produce strong and deep roots. I am your ambassador here on earth but to fulfill your plan for me I need deep roots. Bless all who read this, and may they determine to let their roots grow deep. Amen

Have an amazing week! Love, MeMaw

HARMONY

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 376
May 8, 2018///

The dictionary gives us these definitions of harmony:
1. : the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord
2. : the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords
3. : pleasing arrangement of parts:
4. : AGREEMENT, ACCORD
5. : TRANQUILITY
6. : an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative

Most of the time we may think of harmony in relation to music, but harmony can be in color, in agreement of a process of getting something done, or a common goal that all people involved are heading toward.

Looking at the definitions above we see harmony is musical, arrangement of parts, agreements, tranquility, etc.

I love harmony whether it is two people or an entire choir of people. I believe the cherubim around the throne of God that are saying Holy, Holy, Holy, are in harmony as they praise Almighty God.

If you are musically inclined, you understand what a beautiful sound different voices
joined in harmony can make, but even if you are not musically inclined you want to hold your ears when you hear people singing in discord or music played in discord.

We all understand the difference in harmony and discord.

The planets, stars, sun and moon all work in harmony together to provide us with an amazing view of God’s Glory! The seasons work together to allow the earth to bring forth food and beauty!

If six strong men were trying to move a piano into a second story music room and each of them had their own idea of how to do it, the piano would never reach the music room. If one wanted the lift it and one wanted to roll it and one wanted to get a big board and slide it up there would be great discord.

For a group of people to get anything accomplished they must be headed toward the same goal in the same way.

In the church, there is sometimes discord because everybody thinks their way is best. I know that all of you have met people who think it is their way or no way! This attitude has caused church splits and individual hurts that cause people to never want to be a part of church again.

The Word of Almighty God gives us the answer to this dilemma:

Philippians 2:5 (KJV)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

May we take just a moment and think about that verse. Don’t you think that if we thought like Jesus; if our mind was like Jesus, all discord would cease, and we would be in one accord?

In Acts two verse one they were all in one accord in the upper room and the Holy Spirit fell on them.

If we really want the Spirit of the Living God to rule our lives and control our church services and show miracles and wonders, we must begin to practice Philippians 2:5 and begin thinking (and this will result in living) like Christ Jesus.

We should be in one accord with the Lord Jesus in every moment of every day of our lives. When that happens, we will be in one accord in our churches, our jobs, and our families.

Just imagine if next Sunday people entered their churches with the mind of Christ. The revival we have all been praying for and longing for would be revealed.

May it begin with each of us as we daily or even hourly or maybe every minute, declare that this mind is us that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

What amazing wonders, miracles and harmony would prevail in this world if all the born-again believers begin to think like Jesus. If we have the mind of Christ we would change our homes, our work places, our churches and all our surroundings.

Ephesians 5:19 gives us another way to think like Jesus:

Ephesians 5:19 (KJV)
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Whether you have musical talent or not you can speak psalms and hymns, etc. and that will make melody (this makes me think of harmony) in your heart. We can be in harmony with the Lord of the universe!

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Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I decree and declare that this mind is in me which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. I ask you to stir up a desire in all who read this to think like Jesus. Bless us with a vital relationship with you through Jesus Christ. Amen!

Love, Me-Maw