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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!

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

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

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 676

March 26, 2024///

John 17:20–21

²⁰ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

²¹ That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

The 17^th chapter of John always thrills me. Each of us is moved when someone prays for blessings on us or answers to needs.

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples and for all who would believe!

He prayed for Peace, Joy and to keep each believer from evil. He desired that He would be Glorified in us.

But I want to zero in on the desire for unity. Jesus prayed in verse 21, that we would all be one in Him, or in unity serving Him.

This is something Jesus talked about while He was here on earth and prays about more than once in this chapter.

Unity, or walking in love and giving grace to others is so vitally important if we want to make a difference for those in our lives, and the ones we encounter each day.

UNITY

: a condition of harmony: ACCORD

: the quality or state of being made one: UNIFICATION

The disciples were in unity when the Holy Spirit came into the upper room.

The people praying for Peter when he was in prison were all united praying for his deliverance and it supernaturally happened.

Do we want the Holy Spirit to fill our church services, and do we want to see miracles of salvation, healings, and deliverances in our midst?

Then we must be in unity.

We see so much division in our world today! It is absolutely vital that the believers in Jesus Christ and all He has done for us be in unity.

Babies are born and are concerned about themselves. They want to be fed, stay dry, and be cuddled. It is of no concern to babies and to toddlers and beyond how much time, love, and effort it takes to take care of them and give them their way.

Many children’s first words are “MINE”. They must be taught that the world does not revolve around what they want.

Sadly, many in the church are only concerned with their way and will argue about all sorts of things because they believe they are right, and they have selfish and inward-looking motives.

May I tell you that the more you let Jesus transform you inside you will know you are not always right, and you will pray and love others anyway.

We all should be desiring to further God’s kingdom on earth more than having our way.

Did you notice the latter part of verse 21. When we are in unity, it brings others to believe in Jesus.

What a sad picture back biting and disagreeing believers show to the world.

If we really have Jesus living in us, we must strive to be in unity we each other.

We can walk in unity when we pray for and with those who disagree with us. When we join hands and begin to pray, unity can enter in.

The world will see Jesus by our Love for each other, and Love produces unity!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come. Touch each of our hearts as we ponder unity. We get so caught up in our way or the highway, we forget there is a world that needs to see the Love of Jesus flowing through us to show them a better way to live. You are truth and let the truth of who you are and the Love and unity you want us to walk in fill each one who reads this. I thank you and praise you for that! Amen!

United we stand and divided we fall!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 675

March 19, 2024///

Over the weekend I wrote an answer to the question

“WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVISE FOR RAISING CHILDREN?”

I feel so passionate about this subject that I want to share it here also.

Whether you have no children, your children or grown or whatever situation you are in, we all have children in our lives. There are children all around that can benefit from our hugs, our smiles, our love.

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I truly feel in the deepest part of my heart that raising children is one of the most important, rewarding, fulfilling, and ongoing responsibilities any parent can have.

Yes, it is important to provide them with shelter, food, clothing, and other needs.

But more important is loving them, hugging them, guiding them, supporting activities, and never being afraid to say, “I’m sorry”!

But even more important than that is raising them to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and teaching them to choose Gods way.

This is done by words, by example and by training them in the Life-giving Word of God.

A parent is the most important person in a child’s life, even if they act like they are not listening. Believe me they are listening, they are watching, and they are learning what they see.

I remember reading a story of a man who was fighting following God although He had been raised in Christianity.

He had a three-year-old boy and one snowy day they were outside. The father was ahead of the child and when he looked back, he saw the child was stepping into the footprints he had left. He was moved to tears.

That was enough to convince Him he needed to follow Jesus! You lead, they are following. Where are you leading.

Because you see, we cannot truly raise Godly kids in an ungodly world unless Jesus is Lord of our own life.

We must pray diligently for our children. For their protection, open spirit to the Lord Jesus, and for wisdom for ourselves to see them as Jesus sees them and guide them to be all God created them to be.

Real love, the God kind of love shows through all we do and not only draws our children close to us but close to the master.

We need to release each of them and everything in their life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, realizing He loves them better than we ever could.

We need to have them established in a Bible Believing, Spirit filled church and we must understand that they are created for a purpose and that purpose may not be the career or avenue of work or ministry we want them to pursue.

Let them be kids, laugh with them, play with them, and as they grow, choose your battles. Ask God what is really the best way to handle situations.

Will you be a perfect parent? Absolutely not? But if you Love Jesus, love your children and hold them close and submit them to His way, He will make up for the blunders, the mistakes and your kids will learn they can make mistakes and keep going.

We hear a lot of discussion about mothers being at home with their children vs working outside the home. Some work outside the home because financially they must, some choose to, some are called to ministries the make it inevitable.

But I believe whatever the situation, the key factor is the quality of time spent loving them, training them, and loving Jesus in front of them. Be there when you are there! You are the one they look up to and will follow.

This subject is so important and powerful to me that I am passionate abouts seeing parents understand that their children are not just a responsibility to see their needs met, but a breathing, God ordained member of each family that is a new piece of clay, to be molded with love and care into a mighty Soldier in God’s army.

I am convinced if all parents understood what an awesome privilege, they have in raising their children, and took it joyfully and seriously, our youth detention centers would not be crowded, and our prisons would not be overrun. Suicide among our youth would dwindle and guns would not be used as conversation pieces.

And for those who name the name of Jesus there are hundreds of thousands of children in this world who have no parent, or no parent present and we can be Jesus’ hand extended and reach out with genuine love and change the wrong direction they are headed in.

If I had to sum up raising children in several words they would be: Pray, Love, Hug, Listen, Laugh, encourage, teach Jesus in word and deed, and don’t take yourself or them to seriously. Let Love reign! And that applies no matter how old they are, or what their situation in life is.

One last thought! We are to be good stewards of all that God gives us. That includes people and especially our children and spouses. Love those God gives you! Handle them as good stewards.

LOVE, ME-MAW