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“CARE!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 674

March 12, 2024//

I am not into football, but I heard on the news that Kirk Cousins signed a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons for 180 million dollars. That is million with an m.

That does not even compute in my brain.

However, it brought to mind something that was on my granddaughters’ face book page back on February 20th. It is worth printing here.

Some of you would have read it on her page but most have not. Even if you have seen this it is worth a second, third, and fourth, read. Let the truth sink deep in your heart!

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The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip.

You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them. Just read it straight through, and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies.

Awards tarnish.

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money … or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

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I wonder, will I be remembered for caring for people.

Fifteen years from now will anyone remember who Kirk Cousins is?

But fifteen years from now how many hurting children, searching teens, struggling single parents, and discouraged souls, will you have lifted with a smile, a touch, a hug, a gift, a call, a card.

Your worth is not in your successes in the world’s eyes, but in the Love of Jesus Christ flowing from you to others.

I pray the Kirk Cousins of the world will give God glory for the talents He has blessed them with and use the money to help those who need a lift.

But the real question is: Do I care and show it?

1 John 4:11 (KJV 1900)

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

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Father, I ask that you fill each of us with such care for others that we make a deference in the lives around us each day. Help us to see the needs and show your Love through our caring actions. May we understand that caring is living from an eternal perspective. Fill us with compassion and love for others as only you can give us. I ask this in the name of Jesus, that wonderful, amazing name. Amen!

Love, MeMaw!

“Consistent”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 673

March 5, 2024///

This is March and it seems like it was January 1st just yesterday.

Are you like me and wonder where the time went. If we are not careful, our good intentions just stay that: our good intentions!

Sometimes the things we need to do or want to do just stay our good intentions.

Discipline is hard, but if we just ask God every day to help us do what we can that day and commit our way and out task to Him and we will find we get more done.

Of course, you have all heard the saying,” how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

That sounds funny but there is so much truth in it in our lives. The task that seems so overwhelming can be managed a little at a time. One small bite.

I used to be guilty of trying to do a major task all at one time and became discouraged because it was so big.

I had to then conclude that a small amount of time each day will take a bite out until it is finished.

We will never be finished growing Spiritually and in the knowledge of our Savior, but the same rule applies anyway.

Even a small amount of time spent each reading the Bible, praying, and committing everything you are to the Lord Jesus will keep you growing and make your day much more productive and peaceful!

Please keep that in mind as you read this story:

There once was a king who decided to do a little experiment. He had a giant boulder put right in the middle of the street. He then hid near the boulder to see who, if anyone, would try to move it out of the way.

First, some wealthy merchants walked by. They walked around the boulder, complaining that the king hadn’t been maintaining the roads very well.

Next, a peasant walked by, heading home with his arms full of food for his family. When he noticed the boulder, he put his groceries down and attempted to move it out of everyone’s way. It took him a while to move it, but he eventually succeeded.

After the peasant gathered up his groceries to carry on home, he noticed a bag lying in the middle of the road, just where the boulder once was.

He opened the bag to find that it was stuffed full of gold coins, along with a letter from the king saying that the bag’s gold was a reward for the peasant to keep.

The king gave this gift because the peasant had taken the time and energy to move the boulder out of the road for the convenience of others who would be traveling the road in the future.

Apply that to your walk with Jesus. If we do our best to move the boulder from our time with the Lord rather than complain that we are just too busy, we will be rewarded with blessings and will clear the way for others to find Jesus as we let the light of His love shine through.

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV 1900)

           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.

Exodus 14:14 (KJV 1900)

The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

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Father, may we be diligent about spending time with you each day. You will cause us to flourish and walk in peace. You will be our strength and our foundation, and we can walk in confidence and affect lives around us for good. I ask the in Jesus’ name. Amen!

“JESUS!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 672

February 27, 2024

As I am recovering from an attack of satan on my body, I want to reprint memaws thoughts from 2020. It is still the most powerful way to get into His presence.

Be Blessed!

MeMaw Thoughts///Number 472///April 21, 2020

A few mornings ago, I got up early as usual, got some coffee and settled at my desk to pray and fellowship with the Father. I spread the pictures of my family out before me so I could see their faces as I prayed for them.

I have a method of getting into the rhythm of prayer and some ways to press on in if I am having trouble.

But this day, I could not get into praying. My mind and my words were just not there, and my spirit could not swing into gear. I admit that I get radical in my praying but that day it seemed I was stuck in a fog or something.

So, just sitting there I began to do some mindless fiddling. As I was just in a place between fog and alert, suddenly, I just said Jesus. Then I said it again, and again.

I said it again, over, and over, the name that is above all names began to come from a place deep within. I had barely said it the first time, but after a few times it began to roll powerfully out of my spirit.

Tears began to flow as I said earth’s sweetest name. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! My innermost being overflowed with Joy, Peace, and Adoration.

I quit fiddling, I raised my hands and just declared over and over the name of the only Savior of the world, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords.

I was in His Presence and the Presence of Father God! As I just kept saying Jesus, I was declaring just by that one name, JESUS, that the enemy has no power over the beloved who have placed their Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ!

As I declared the name of Jesus, I once again was reminded in my Spirit that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord!

The atheist will bow, the agnostic will bow, the unconcerned will bow, satan, the enemy of all that is good will bow to the Mighty Name of Jesus!!!

Philippians 2:9-11 KJV

(9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

(10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

(11) And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV

(9) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

(10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

(11) and [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

But for the Christian we do not have to wait until the day of the Lord’s coming back to earth to see the power of “THE NAME”. The name of Jesus will bring healing, deliverance, and joy. Covid-19 bows at the name of Jesus!!

The name of Jesus will turn ordinary prayer times into Living, Alive, Powerful encounters so deep in our Spirits that we are swept into heavenly places.

Oh, I love His presence and love praying and basking in His presence but what was so special to me that morning was that in my time of dullness, all I had to do was say that powerful Name!!   JESUS!

Are you discouraged today, tired of all the death and disease? Do you feel like the earth is shaking on its axel? Do you wonder how you will make it? Is your body weak and your Spirt low? Just start saying that precious name: JESUS!

The name of Jesus will put a smile on your face, peace in your heart, and wisdom in your Spirit.

Do you need direction? Start speaking the name of Jesus. Wisdom and ideas will begin to flow as you fellowship with the Creator God through the only perfect, Savior of the world, Jesus.

We are victorious! Use that name! We are secure in Jesus!

Romans 8:37-39 KJV

(37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

(39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus! The name above every name! The name that gets the attention on earth, in heaven and in hell! What a wonderful name! Forgive us when we do not use that powerful name as we should! We are powerful and we are victorious as we walk in the power that name carries! We have authority and dominion through the Victory of the death, and resurrection of Jesus!! Jesus, Jesus, what power is in that name. Amen!

Speak the NAME!! Love, MeMaw

“OUR LIFE!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 671

February 20, 2024//

I have a question that I have been pondering?

What causes some people to serve Jesus with their entire being, others to give halfhearted service to Him, and some to have no desire to know Him at all.

Some have given up because their prayers were not answered the way they wanted.

Some just believe in God but do not embrace what Jesus did on the cross, and some do not even believe in anything to do with God?

Others serve Him consistently for a short or long while and then just stop because of something that happened or just losing interest.

What is the difference?

Maybe you are one who has not received what Jesus, God’s expression of divine Love, did on the Cross and through the Resurrection.

It could be that you were sick for a while and just got out of the habit of going to church or praying or reading the Bible.

Some of you are harboring hurt from those who call themselves Christians but do not walk in the Love that He shows.

May I tell you that whatever place you are in on your earthly journey, God sees you and God Loves you and God desires for you to have the best life and He has provided the way.

But back to the question!

I know everyone has a choice and we cannot decide to receive salvation or dedication to living for the Creator God for others, but maybe we can show the way and make a difference.

I want us to ask ourselves this question:

What does those who are around me see in me that would make them want to be a Christian?

Our Pastor shares a Gandhi quote sometimes. Gandhi said he would have been a Christian if he had never met one. What an indictment on those who name the name of Jesus.

Psalm 71:18 (KJV)

Now also when I am old and grayheaded,

O God, forsake me not;

Until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation,

And thy power to every one that is to come.

I know most of you are not old and gray-headed, but this should be each of our prayers. We should be showing all generations God’s strength and Power.

I love the verses in Galatians that tell us how we can show Jesus to the world.

Galatians 5:22–24 (KJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance.

We need to ask ourselves if we are living out these attributes!

We also must pray for those who have not grasp the truth of Jesus Love and sacrifice.

And even though salvation is an individual choice, we must pray that those who are not walking in that truth would be stirred deep inside with the knowledge that there is a Savior and there is a life where you can walk with peace deep inside even when the world all around is in turmoil.

Prayer is a powerful privilege. Let us use it consistently!

If you are not serving God with your whole heart, may I tell you that is the best life.

Until you walk with the guidance of the creator God deep inside you cannot understand.

God Loves you no matter what but has an amazing plan for each of us! When we surrender our will to His we began the journey of that plan!

GOD LOVES YOU! HE REALLY DOES!

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Father in Jesus’ name I come. Help each of us to live in such a way that others are drawn to life lived in the love and presences of your peace and joy. May we get a glimpse of how much we are loved! Let the fruit of the Spirit Flow though our lives as a witness to who you are! Amen!

Love, MeMaw

“LIGHT!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 670

February 13, 2024///

I have two plants that are sitting in my kitchen window. This has been their spot for a few years. They started out small and then had to be moved to larger pots.

I do not have a green thumb, but they usually do fairly well. But lately I have been having a situation with them that is not getting better. They have leaves that are partially brown or a few totally turning brown.

I know you can overwater them and you can underwater them. I have come at it from every angle. Treating them as if I had overwatered by not watering until I could feel no damp in the soil, to watering them even if the soil was a little damp.

Nothing seems to help, but I will persevere and perhaps discover the problem. A person who is good with plants would probably know right away what to do.

The only reason I am sharing the condition of those plants is that a few days ago as I was looking at them when the sun was shining through the window, a major spiritual truth hit me!

I noticed as the sun shone on these plants that they looked healthier and so alive and so much better!

I must tell you, that night when no sun was shining, they looked the same pitiful way as before the sunshine.

Some of you have probably figured out where I am going with this.

When Jesus the true SON, shines on us, in us, and through us, we appear with life flowing and that life will draw others to the SON, who bought each of our salvation.

However, when we allow ourselves to wonder from the light of His presence and His word, we are back to our old pitiful self.

Let us look at a few verses about the light of Jesus!

Ephesians 5:8 (KJV)

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV 1900)

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

John 12:46 (KJV)

 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

John 8:12 (KJV)

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

If we are full of light and the light shines on and through us, we can dispel the darkness that is against all that is good and right.

The light of Jesus shining on and through us makes all our faults and incompleteness fade and people see a heart that Loves God and Others.

Jesus tells us in the word that we are to let our light shine (His light shining through us), and not hide it (or let darkness overtake the light)!

Some of you reading this are battling situations and problems and have gotten your focus on them so much that you have stepped from the light of Jesus and feel like darkness is overtaking you. Maybe you feel that you are so damaged and hurt that nothing will ever be right again.

May I tell you if you just ask Jesus to shine in, and on and through you and began to focus on His love and power and receive the light of Joy and Gladness, you will view your situations and problems entirely different.

Jesus is light. There is no darkness in Him. When He is shining on you and your life you will see answers to problems you had no idea of when you just sat in the darkness and thought of all that was wrong.

Walk in His light by acknowledging He is with you and has the answers and the direction and the comfort you need. Let Him fill you with the eternal light that shines brightly on the path of life and draws others to you.

Father in Jesus name I come! Thank you that we can walk in the light of the truth of your word, and that light shines in darkness and will draw others to the truth of your promises. Anoint each person who reads this with the desire to stay planted in your light and never wonder from it. I worship and adore you. Amen!

Love, MeMaw

“CHOSEN!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 669

February 6, 2024//

Do you remember when you were in elementary school the games that would have teams. Red Rover, different kinds of ball teams, school plays or even debate type teams?

As we grew to middle school age, study groups or sports team players would involve being chosen.

Beauty pageants and promotions involve being chosen.

We all love being chosen. Many a child has had to be held as they cried because they were chosen last or not chosen at all.

Many in later years have been so hurt by not being chosen for a sports team or pageant winner, or promotion, that it has produced despair or anger.

This subject came to mind this morning in my dedicated time with the Lord as I was reminded of the scripture in John 15:16!

John 15:16 (KJV)

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 15:16 (TPT)

You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, he will give it to you!

I want you to let that truth get deep in your spirit, your innermost being!

YOU ARE CHOSEN! I AM CHOSEN!

God desires all people come to Him and He has chosen that all who come bear fruit and fulfill the plan they were created and place on this earth to do!

We choose to say yes to that choosing as we come to Him and yield to His Spirits drawing. He has chosen to commission us to bring the kingdom’s truths to this earth.

It is important that we pray for those we encounter and even those we do not know that they will yield to the truth of the Cross and all Jesus did for us!

Read that verse again. We are chosen for a purpose! Just as in a game or on a team, we have a purpose. We have a special assignment, and that assignment will show people a better way to live.

Living a life that bears fruit for the kingdom.

We are all created with talents and abilities and when we use those for the kingdom of God, the fruit, or characteristics of a new life in Jesus Christ will shine through!

Galatians 5:22–23 (KJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance.

Galatians 5:22–23 (TPT)

22–23 But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:

joy that overflows,

peace that subdues,

patience that endures,

kindness in action,

a life full of virtue,

faith that prevails,

gentleness of heart, and

strength of spirit.

This is what we are chosen for. When we allow Jesus to help us walk in these attributes, we will change the world around us. The difference will remain, and the kingdom will be shown to others!

Chosen, we are special, we are chosen. We are not chosen last, but we are loved and chosen first. Yes, each of us is the number one chosen vessel. God can have many number ones, He is God!

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Father, thank you for choosing me just as you have chosen all who read this. Then we choose if we will respond. May each one who reads this respond to your call and step out as the chosen one to bring your kingdom more and more on earth as it is in Heaven! Oh! How much you Love each of us and desire we show forth the fruit of the spirit in our lives that will point others to Jesus. We say yes to your choosing and follow you with our whole heart! In Jesus’ name I pray this! Amen

YOU ARE CHOSEN! Love, Memaw

“OUT FATHER!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 668

January 30, 2024///

Sunday a young man came and sat on the row on which we were sitting.

He had by the hand a beautiful little girl about 4 or so. She was dressed perfectly in a beige cute dress with beige tights with designs in them and a pair of cowboy type boots with some shiny diamond type stones circling the boot in one place.

She sat on a seat, and he stood for the praise and worship music.

She sat there for a while and then she got up, slipped around in front of him, and looked up at him and lifted her arms a bit and he reached down and picked her up.

She laid her head on his shoulder and hugged him tight. Then she raised her head and gave him a kiss. He was loving it, hugged her, and cuddled her for a while.

She then got back down, sat in the seat for a while and then she did the same thing and he cuddled her like before.

You could see the love in his eyes and the love and adoration all over her for him.

When Pastor Rick dismissed the Children for JP Kids service, the man took her by the hand and led her to the appropriate place.

Understand, as all this was going on I was worshipping, sometimes with eyes closed and sometimes with hands raised but I could not help seeing this scene unfolding around me.

The Holy Spirit opened my spiritual understanding of what I was seeing played out!

Our Heavenly Father is filled with unfiltered Love for us, and when we reach out to Him, He will lift us up, put His arms around us, and cuddle us, until we decide we can go about our way.

God will do that same thing over and over and as we come to Him and lift our hands and hearts to Him. He lifts us up and cuddles the cares and concerns away.

God the Father will clothe us with garments of blessings and righteousness and shoes of peace, joy, and favor.

As the Daddy led his loved child to be taught in the kids’ program, God leads us into places we can learn and be taught.

You see, we must understand, that as much as that little girls Daddy loved his child and would protect her at any cost, our Heavenly Fathers Love is so much greater than that it cannot be measured.

Luke 11:13 (KJV)

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

Luke 12:28 (KJV)

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

God Loves us and will fight our battles as we walk with Him, let Him lead, and show Him our Love.

Like the child I observed Sunday, don’t worry about anything.

Gods got this!

I have used this Corrie Ten Boom quote before, but it says it all!

“SNUGGLE, DON’T STRUGGLE!”

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come. Forgive each of us for struggling when we should be snuggling. Help us to just lean on you, show our love for you, and let you provide, protect, and lead us through life. I praise you for your Love and ask you to make your perfect and complete Love real to each one who reads this. Make it real: deep in the innermost parts of their body. Help each of us to rest in you and cast all our cares on you!

Love, MeMaw

“ESSENTIAL!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 667

January 23, 2024///

ESSENTIAL: OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE INDISPENSABLENECESSARY

 NONESSENTIAL:   NOT ESSENTIAL: DISPENSABLE

I have been thinking about these two words last night and this morning.

We can have many issues with our bodies: some essential parts and some we really appreciate but can live without.

Our Heart, lungs, and kidneys are essential to keeping us alive. If our heart is not working, we no longer have breath! We are not alive.

We can live if we lose a hand, arm, or leg. Many are living with impaired or no hearing or sight, and we can live with pain in our backs and other organs.

We can live on with various parts of our body not fully functional.

No matter that we desire perfect health and body we can live with the non-essential to life parts of our body.

As we look at this in the Spiritual, we understand that our Heart being right with God by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, is ESSENTIAL to the life we were created to live!

To breathe in His presence and walk with a grateful attitude is Essential to showing others a better or best way to live.

Water and food are Essential to our bodies. We can live three weeks without food, but only three days without water.

In the Spiritual, we cannot live without the water of the Word and the food of communication in prayer, (speaking and listening)!

Without consistent Bible reading and prayer, we become stale and our life that should be showing others God’s Love, is not functioning.

Let us look at what the Bible says about what is Essential!

John 4:14 (KJV)

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 7:38 (KJV)

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Ephesians 5:26 (KJV)

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Colossians 3:16 (KJV)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:17 (KJV)

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

John 4:34 (KJV)

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

To be what we are created to be and live the best life, it is Essential we are washed with the water (truth) of the Bible(word), and understand our food is to do the will of God for our lives!

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.

We have many various things in our life that we are grateful for but are not essential to living the life for which we were created. We must concentrate on the essentials to our growth in the Spirit and Power of the Lord Jesus.

The WORD, PRAYER, AND DOING HIS WILL FOR US!

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Father, thank you for your word that is powerful as we consistently read and study it. Thank you for the refreshing water it gives us deep inside. I praise you that the water of the word, refreshing and filling us, helps us to live with eternal values, and helps our lives to show others the way to Jesus! In Jesus’ name! Amen!

Love, MeMaw!

“THE BEST ME!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 666

January 16, 2024///

I wrote a kid’s song a while back called “The Best Me I can be.”

One of the lines says, “I am specially created to be totally me”!

I am created to be me. Not to be like you. Not to be like anyone we know.

We are each unique in how and for what purpose God made us!

Each of us are created in His image and each of us have talents and abilities we can us to spread God’s Kingdom: The Kingdom of Peace, Love, and Forgiveness to all those around us.

However, some of us never become the “best me” we can be because we are too busy thinking about our past mistakes or about how someone else is better at something than we are and how we want to be like someone else we know.

But God made you in a special way for a special purpose in the day you are living in.

Psalm 139:14 (KJV)

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

Marvellous are thy works;

And that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 139:13 (KJV)

For thou hast possessed my reins:

Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

You are not a mistake; you are not an accident! You matter and God sees you, loves you and desires to help you be the best you can be.

I encourage you to look at who you are. You have qualities that can encourage, help, and draw others to the one who can give them real life: Jesus Christ!

Maybe you have no music ability, but you can cook. Perhaps you cannot stand before people and teach, but you can organize and therefore can help get teaching materials together.

What if you are not a good housekeeper but have great business ability?

I could go on, but you get the picture. There is no one else who has the mixture of talents and abilities you have and everyone of them is a gift from the Lord God Almighty!

We may think of people who are used by God, teach, sing, preach, go on mission trips, etc.

But may I tell you that you can be used every day. In your home, schools, businesses, relationships, stores and any other place or thing you are doing.

The key is to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and then everyday receive His leading to be the best you can be at whatever you do.

What is your task today, where are you, or where are you going?

Will you join me in committing everything you do to the Lord Jesus and doing it to the best of your ability?

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV)

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;

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.

BE THE BEST YOU, YOU CAN BE!!!

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Father, thank you for creating us to be a light of good to those who have no hope and are wondering if they even matter. Touch each of us today with the knowledge that we do matter, we have unique abilities and talents, and we dedicate those to you.

Stir up in each of our hearts that we are specially created to be total us. Let us do all we do as unto you. I ask you to reveal to each person reading this their gifts from you. Bless all who read this with joy! In Jesus name, Amen!

Love, MeMaw!

“IN HIS PRESENCE”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 665

January 9, 2024///

I want to share something with you that touch me when I read the first line of the following verse. We understand that God’s presence is with us all the time and we can dwell in the secret place of the Most High as we surrender to Him but let’s looks at this line!

Psalm 31:20 (KJV)

Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man:

Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Look at the words “secret of thy presence”!

If someone were trying to harm you, most of us would run and hide if we could. Some would fight. But we would all try to keep harm from coming our way.

We take shelter from storms and tornados, etc. We do all we can to keep our children safe.

We all understand that evil is intent on tripping us up and leading us into wrong or bringing devastating situations into our lives.

But the Lord God Almighty hides us in His presence and fights our battles!

The message Bible says:

Psalm 31:20 (TPT)

         So hide all your beloved ones

in the sheltered, secret place before your face.

Overshadow them by your glory-presence.

Keep them from these accusations, the brutal insults of evil men.

Tuck them safely away in the tabernacle where you dwell.

Look at that last line! When we abide in His presence, He Tucks us away with Him!

Psalm 16:11 (KJV)

Thou wilt shew me the path of life:

       In thy presence is fulness of joy;

       At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

So, what that is saying is to sit, abide, and dwell in His presence and we are hidden from evil.

How do we increase His presence in us and around us and protecting us?

David, who wrote most of the Psalms, knew the presence of God was powerful!

Before he was ever in the position to fight Goliath, he kept his father’s sheep.

Out on the hillside, just him and the sheep, he played his little harp and sang songs of praise to God.

He found the strength of his life and body in the presence of the creator God.

He learned who he was as the Lord God was with Him, and who was actually fighting his battles.

He protected the sheep with the power of God flowing through Him.

He gives us the secret:

Psalm 100:4 (KJV)

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

       And into his courts with praise:

        Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

We start by giving thanks whether we feel like it or not. Then as we voice our thanks in words or song it begins to stir our hearts and we enter into worship and the mighty presence (courts) of our Heavenly Father.

If we make a lifestyle of this as Devid did His presence fills our life, and we are hidden from the enemy!

Passion translates that verse this way!

Psalm 100:4 (TPT)

You can pass through his open gates with the password of praise.

Come right into his presence with thanksgiving.

Come bring your thank offering to him

and affectionately bless his beautiful name!

If we desire to be hidden in His presence, we begin with Thanksgiving!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come with a heart full of Praise and Thanks. Thank you for my family and friends. I praise you for salvation and the Holy Spirit who leads and guides me. I give you praise for breath to worship and a country where I can freely worship you. Let each one who reads this understand the importance of Thanksgiving and praise. May we start each day with this truth and then present our needs, and in your presence are the answers. Amen

Love, MeMaw