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Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 663

December 26, 2023///

Yesterday was a day of celebration with my family. What a joy to be together to celebrate our Lord’s Birth!

But as we celebrated, my mind went to those who had no family to celebrate with, who maybe had no home or were sick and not able to celebrate.

I also thought about those in Ukraine and Israel, who were in the middle of war!

How many times do we forget about those who are not as blessed as we are? Who do not live in the peace that God gives and who are struggling every day to make it through!

I have never really liked the expression “I am surviving” when I think it should be “I am thriving.”

But I know many who are reading this feel like they are just surviving, and some are ready to give up.

If you have asked Jesus into Your heart, may I remind you that you are never alone and this life on earth is not all there is.

We have an eternity to live with Jesus in perfection and glory. May we not get hung up on the now and now and understand we are promised eternity with the one who died for us!

As we walk with Jesus we can rejoice in every day and everyway. The hills and the valleys, the situations that may try our Faith, come, and go, but the knowledge that a baby was born, and that baby changed everything, will give us courage, boldness, and perseverance.

So, for each of us, the savior of the world, loving and caring for us should make every day one to rejoice!

Let’s look at a few verses from the scripture!

1 Timothy 2:8 (KJV 1900)

 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Romans 12:12 (KJV 1900)

 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Ephesians 6:18 (KJV 1900)

 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Philippians 4:6 (KJV 1900)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

These verses show us the importance of lifting our needs and others needs in prayer.

When we pray in the name of Jesus we have an audience with the Creator God, who made all things but loves each of us completely.

So, as we continue for the next few days to celebrate that Silent night that Jesus came to earth because of His love for us, may we never forget to pray for each other.

May we pray for our needs, our family, our church, our nation, Ukraine, Israel, and the entire world.

When we pray, God listens, the angles stand at attention and hell trembles.

Do not be robbed of the privilege we have of prayer. The line is never busy, and we can be sure our prayers are heard!

If your season has not been merry and bright, be encouraged that God sees where you are what you are going through and will guide and help you!

I pray 2024 will be amazing for each of you!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come. I lift up to you those who are reading this that are discouraged, disappointed in life, and ready to just quit trying. May you fill them with the joy only you can give. May you also do that for each one who reads this, and may the reality of the Christ of Christmas, fill them to overflowing and may we use the privilege of prayer, bringing every care and situation and releasing them to you. Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 662

December 19, 2023//

I had a thought I want to share with you this morning with a prayer that it will touch your heart.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, only the shepherds and Mary and Joseph were aware of it, but all heaven rejoiced that a Savior was born, and the Father smiled at the obedience of Mary and Joseph.

He was not born in a Kings Palace but was the King of Kings. His birth was not accompanied by great applause or fanfare on earth, but there was an amazing celebration in heaven!

The Savior of the world was born and those all around had no idea!

Let me switch thoughts to each of you who are reading this! I do not think that any of you were born in a palace or had the media all around announcing to the world that a baby was born.

Maybe you were born at home, in a hospital, or on the way to the hospital, or even in a back alley somewhere!

May I tell you that those on earth may not have noticed, but heaven rejoiced at your birth! Heaven stood at attention as you entered this world, and they celebrated the life that was on earth.

Every life is precious in God’s eyes and a plan had already been laid out for each precious one. A sad note here is that each life that is destroyed because of a women’s choice, also had a plan that was cut off from being fulfilled.

If you made that choice, God loves and forgives you!

Now, back to the point. The rejoicing in heaven is for the life in Jesus you can live. The abilities and talents you will give to the world. And the special one-of-a-kind human you are!

What a shame when we think we were a mistake, or have no reason to live, or feel like we cannot do anything to make the world a better place!

Those are thoughts from the devil, and we need to understand what God says about us and cast down those thoughts!

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.

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.

There are multitudes of scriptures that tell us how much God loves us! You were planned by God to be on this earth at this specific time!

You were created on purpose and for a purpose and as you do all you do as unto the Lord and with a worshipful heart, He will lead you into the fulfillment of the story written for your life!

We just need to live that story!

Just as Jesus was born in obscurity, laid in a manger of hay, with the eyes of our Heavenly Father on Him, you were born with the eyes of the Heavenly Father watching and all of heaven rejoicing!

What a thought! His eyes have never stopped watching us and He desires to guide us into His perfect will.

As we celebrate the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lord, may we also celebrate the life given to us from the Father. Every breath we take is from Him!

May we also determine to live with the understanding that we are planned by God, and our birth caused a celebration in heaven!

You are special, rejoice and walk in God’s presence and His plan for you!

I pray this Christmas the Christ Child will become more real to each of us and His Peace fills us with Joy!

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Father, what a wonderful thought, that heaven knew and rejoice at my birth. May each one who reads this understand how loved and special they are! May this be the season we all break out of our preconceived idea of how and/or why we are on earth and rejoice that the Creator God, knows us, love us, and has a purpose for us! I decree and declare that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! Amen!

Love and Hugs, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 661

December 12, 2023///

I Want to resend to you something from last December.

The song still brings tears to my eyes!

ME-MAW THOUGHTS///NUMBER 608///DECEMBER 6, 2022

Have you ever really listened to the words to the Christmas song “The Little Drummer Boy”? I have heard it hundreds of times but this week I was listening to music as I was driving, and the words made their impact.

I want to call attention to a few of the phrases in that song that we hear and maybe do not let sink into our Spirits.

The little drummer boy was invited to come and see the Newborn King (Jesus) and was told by those who invited Him that they were bringing their finest gifts to lay before the King, to Honor Him!

The little drummer said this to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph:

I am a poor boy too, I have no gift to bring,
That’s fit to give a King,
Shall I play for you, On my drum?

I am not sure why, but those words bring tears to my eyes. All he had was a little drum, but he wanted to honor the king with his worship with what he had!

How many times are we caught up in the things we cannot do to honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and forget that we all have something we can worship with! What do you have? What can you bring to worship?

In Exodus 4:2 God asked Moses, “What is in thy hand”? And in 2 Kings 4:2 Elijah asked the widow, “What is in thine house”?

I believe the Lord God Almighty is asking us today, “What is in your hands, or what is in the house of your being” (we are the temple of God in the flesh)?

Mary nodded,
The ox and lamb kept time, 
I played my drum for Him,
I played my best for Him,
Then He smiled at me,

Me and my drum

Maybe it is just me but there I see so much truth in those lyrics. Mary and the animals enjoyed the music, and he played his drum in Honor of Jesus. But notice the line “I played my best for Him”. Do we do all we do as unto the Lord and the very best we can?

Do we honor Him as we take care of our families and thank God for His Blessings? Do we use the baking skills, the knowledge of His word, the ability to teach, sing, or preach to Honor Him? Do we use the ability to play music for Him, and most important do we go through our day with a heart filled with praise for our redeemer?

Do we do our best for Him? That is all He asks. He knows what we have and do not have! He knows the responsibilities we have to our jobs, our families, our churches, and He will help us as we lean on Him to use all he has given us to Honor Him!

Our creator God will help us to do our very best in all we do!

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.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

When the little drummer boy played his best to Honor Jesus, the song says He (Jesus) smiled at him.

May I tell you when we do our very best at whatever we do Jesus smiles at and ON us and when the smile of Jesus touches us, we are walking in Faith and Victory!

What is in us or in our hand? We can all pray which is a powerful privilege and makes our Savior smile. We can all be kind one to another and encourage one another and the redeemer of all smiles!

We can search our motives as we use the abilities to sing or play an instrument or share the word in teaching and preaching and make sure we are doing it all as unto the Lord and Jesus Christ smiles!

We can teach our children to the best of our ability, that walking with Jesus is the most important thing in this world, and the Son of God, the Savior of the World, smiles!

I played my best for Him,
Then He smiled at me,

Me and my drum

Father, I come in Jesus’ name with a desire to always do my best for you. I realize sometimes my best will not be the best of others, but it will please you because I use what you give me. Help each of us examine our lives and all we do and adjust what we need to in our spirits so that we are doing all things to your Glory! Amen

Do your Best!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 660

December 5, 2023//

Galatians 4:4 (KJV)

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Habakkuk 2:3 (KJV)

For the vision is yet for an appointed time,

But at the end it shall speak, and not lie:

Though it tarry, wait for it;

Because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

God has given you a dream and a vison. It will be fulfilled if you believe in it and wait for it and do all you can do toward it!

We have been hearing a lot about the things God has placed us on earth to do! Pastor has been preaching about the dreams in our heart and I wrote last week about dreams and vision we felt had died but were very much alive.

I want to encourage those of you today who are weary of waiting and have given up and decided it will never happen.

Galatians 4 tells us Jesus came in the fulness of time. The Jews had waited 400 years for the messiah that the Old Testament prophets said would come as the deliverer.

In the fulness of time it happened but those who knew the scriptures best, did not recognize the Messiah in their midst because Jesus did not fit their preconceived picture of the Messiah.

I want to encourage each of you to be spiritually aware of the things and people God places in your life. Be aware of the opportunities in front of you. The things, people, and opportunities that are around us may not fit our preconceived idea of how the dreams and visons in our heart will happen but may truly be part of the dreams and visons!

But, what if? What if we are so geared toward our preconceived idea that we miss the fulness of time in our lives?

Do we miss the opportunity to share Jesus with a friend or coworker because we are so set on sharing Jesus to a large congregation?

Do we miss the Blessing of visiting and praying for a sick friend because we are looking for the big healing ministry?

Most of the Jewish nation rejected Jesus because they thought the Messiah was going to come and overthrow Rome and sit on the throne and rule!

Jesus is going to come and reign over all the earth, but the first time He came was to reign in people’s hearts and to pay the price to reign in our hearts.

Are you discouraged, maybe think that vison or dream is not from the Lord?

Look at the Habakkuk 2:3 scripture. The vison is for a certain time. Even if it tarries, wait for it.

We are like little children when it comes to waiting. Most of us are not very good at waiting for anything.

Have you ever stood by the microwave, fidgeting while two minutes pass? Have you ever sat at a red light and patted the steering wheel impatiently!

A child wants it “right now” and we do also!

But notice in the scripture from Habakkuk it tells us it will surely come and not tarry.

Habakkuk says though it tarries wait for it and then he says it will come and not tarry. He is saying that when it tarries, when it is slow wait, but in the fulness of time it will not tarry. It will happen in God’s timing if we trust Him and do what we can for Him each day!

But may we not get hung up on our preconceived ideas of how things will happen. Trust His nature and His timing! The visons and dreams may be slow coming but wait for them!

In the fulness of time, God worked! He will do it for you!

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Father, thank you for being on time, every time, and you know the plans you have for each of us. Touch us each deep inside and show us the things you have put us on earth to do and then help us to understand as we trust you, in the fulness of time, you will bring it to pass. In Jesus name I pray this! Amen!

Though it tarries wait for it!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 659

November 28, 2023///

I want to share with you a thought about what I read in Acts chapter 14.

Paul and Barnabus were sharing the gospel and a man crippled from birth that was listening was healed.

The people begin to shout that Paula and Barnabus were gods that had come to earth. They called them the names of the gods that they worshipped and proceeded to prepare to sacrifice to them and were stopped by Paul telling them that it was the creator God who had healed this man.

Then those Jews who did not agree with their message, stoned Paul and left him outside the gates of the city as dead. The disciples in that city surrounded him and he stood up.

Acts 14:19 (KJV)

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, SUPPOSING HE HAD BEEN DEAD.

The Bible tells us that the people who stoned him just thought he was dead.

May I share with you that the Lord God Almighty has given you gifts and callings on your life that are there forever.

The enemy of all that is good may have thought they had killed those gifts and callings, but they are still there, and you need to stand up and take hold of the life of those dreams and visions and go forth toward what God has placed in your heart!

Romans 11:29 (KJV)

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

What are the dreams and visions and callings that you have just let go of and believed dead.

The devil is a liar, and he wants to keep you from fulfilling the destiny God has created you for. Let the truth dispel the lies and walk in the victory of God’s word that tells us we can as we lean on the one who is well able!

Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

You were created on purpose and for a purpose!

What were you created for?

All of us are created to live, love, and be the representatives of Jesus here on earth. To start with we must believe that His sacrifice on the cross was for our past, present, and future sins and failures. We must receive the truth of that, and we are then able to begin to see the specific reason we are here.

No matter what your background or your birth situation, you have a divine purpose and reason for living!

May I encourage you to look deep into your heart and think about the natural talents and abilities you have. Then allow the Lord God Almighty to stir up within you the way to use those to show others who Jesus really is!

Just then take the next step.

Paul stood up! They thought he was dead, and basically threw him away. But there was still much life and ministry in him.

Whatever lies the enemy has told you about the gifts and callings in your life, may I tell you they are very much alive in you.

Meditate on the word that says:

Mark 10:27 (KJV)

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Stand up! The dreams, visions, gifts, and callings are still there. Stir them up, let them live!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come! Every life comes from you and each of us is living for a purpose. May each of us look at our lives and examine them in light of eternal values. Thank you, Father, for being real and you will lead us and give us direction as we lean on you! I praise you because through you our purpose will never die!! Amen!

Love! MeMaw!

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 658

November 21, 2023///

Some of you may be like me and are not gifted in the growing of plants and flowers. However, each of us knows that sometimes in our potted plants one or more of the leaves will turn brown. Even the outside plants and flowers need some of the old stuff cut away. Or in the outside flowers or plants, weeds must be pulled up.

They also must be kept watered and if you are really into it, fed some kind of growth product.

Today may we look at Hebrews 4:12 with the plant and flower analogy in our minds!

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We are like plants and flowers, and need some stuff cut away or removed from our heart and lives!  The writer of Hebrews tells us that God’s Word will do exactly that!

It has been said when we read the Word to also let the Word read us. Here is how that verse reads in the Passion Translation.

Hebrews 4:12 (TPT)

For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, and it pierces more sharply than a two-edged sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.

What do each of us need to cut away from our lives? For each of us it is different, but the Word of God will shine the light on what needs to be uproot and taken from our lives. The Word will reveal to us the true thoughts and motives of our hearts when we open our minds and spirits to the revelation it gives.

As we are open to let the Word and Spirit show us areas that are not making us stronger in Jesus but are making us weaker, we can allow the direction to flow to us to deal with each of those.

Is it a habit, pride, guilt, shame, past, other people, or pleasing other people. Wrong decisions, relationships, and the list could go on and on. We can grow in the Lord and in the Power of His Might, by responding to what the Word makes real to us!

The Word not only shows us what to cut away and get rid of, but the Word will water the soil of our heart so the Truths that we read and meditate on will grow and flourish.

Ephesians 5:26–27 (KJV)

²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

We are the Church of Jesus Christ here on earth. The church is not a building, but we are the temples of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look at the Passion Translation!

Ephesians 5:26–27 (TPT)

²⁶ to make us holy and pure, cleansing us through the showering of the pure water of the Word of God.

²⁷ All that he does in us is designed to make us a mature church for his pleasure, until we become a source of praise to him—glorious and radiant, beautiful, and holy, without fault or flaw.

As I close, let me encourage you to read, meditate, and listen to the still small voice letting you know what to change, etc.! Then I encourage you to allow the presence and power of the Lord God Almighty to give you victory in every part of your life!

Our lives without the Word on a consistent basis is like the neglect of a plant or flowers, our spiritual life will soon wither away, and we will not be fulfilling our destiny in Jesus.

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Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you that you give us the way to life through the Living Word that we can read and meditate on and let it read us. And, the Living Word, which was Jesus whose examples in the Word show us how to live. How foolish it is when we think we can just do it our way and still walk in the power and authority you give us. May we hide your Word in our heart that we will not sin against you! Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 657

November 14, 2023//

Our weather in Georgia seems to go from hot to cold in a moments time.

Let me admit to you that I have a temperature span of about 5 degrees. I can go from cold to hot in a matter of minutes depending on the feel of the area around me.

In the last few days, as we have gone from the eighties to the forties, I was thinking about how cold I was. And I was also thinking about how just a few months ago I was complaining about how hot it was. (except in church where the air was always making it seem like winter, ha-ha)!

I am not the only one who complains about the heat and cold in various degrees and ways!

This reminds me of the religious leaders in Jesus’ day who complained because of what John the Baptiest did not eat and drink and complained because Jesus did eat and drink those same things, and neither of them lined up with all their rules!

They were never satisfied!  We are like that not just in the weather but in all areas of life.

We can always look at someone who has more possessions, more talent, more breaks, is more beautiful, has less problems, has almost no physical ailments, more success, and a better job or at least has a job!

And yet we are all Blessed in so many ways. Even though I may complain about the cold and hot, I never fail every morning to Thank God that I have a roof over my head, food to eat, and awesome friends and family. I Thank God that I am not homeless, hungry, nor all alone!

I believe the Apostle Paul summed up how our life should be lived in the following verses!

PHILIPPIANS: 4: 11-13

¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 I can tell you no one I have ever known suffered as much as Paul did. And yet he declared he was content in whatever situation he found himself in!

May I share with you that I am not at that place at this point in my life. I cannot say I am content with everything and in every way!

No doubt like us Paul understood that God has good things for His Sons and Daughters and He will move mountains to give us good. He has blessings and healings and miracles, but for various reasons, even though we pray and believe as best we can, sometimes we must stand firm in the knowledge of His nature and His Love for us!

Paul was in prison many times and always used it is an avenue for sharing the truth of Jesus sacrifice for all humans!

He was stoned and left for dead, he was beaten, and in the Roman prison where we last saw him, he was teaching those who would come to see and hear him, write letters to the churches, and continue to fulfill his calling to spread good news.

Yet, he was content! Wow, I truly would love to be able to tell you that you will never have a problem in this life!

But the world we live in is not perfect and neither will all things in our life be perfect!

I believe the key that brought Paul contentment, and that we can also find, is in understanding who Jesus is and who we are in Him. It is in understanding that this world is not our home. We are citizens of heaven.

As Paul and Silas, sang and praised God in stocks in a Philippian Jail, we need to sing and praise God in every circumstance of our life.  

We are never alone. God will give us strength for the journey and peace that the world cannot give. That dear friend is contentment!

1 TIMOTHY 6:6-7

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

HEBREWS: 13:5

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

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Father, forgive each of us when we whine! Forgive us when we look at our lack instead of our blessings! Forgive us when we seem to have our eyes on the things of this world instead of the eternal and on you! Thank you, Father, that you Love us as we are, but you Love us too much to leave us that way!  Mold us into a vessel of honor! I ask this in Jesus’ name! A-men!

BE CONTENT! LOVE, MEMAW!

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 655

October 31, 2023///

As I was praying this morning my heart overflowed, with grateful praise and thanksgiving for my family and friends and neighbors that are friends.

God has blessed me with so many amazing and wonderful people in my life and I know it is not because I earned it or deserve it but because He Loves me.

I know He loves us all the same and unconditionally! But I don’t know your Blessings and your strength from Him in every situation and problem, but I know mine, and my heart is full of that knowledge.

I have lived 79 years on this earth. I am blessed with each day and the ability to live and even though I cannot do all I could do when I was younger, I am able to do many things and I Praise the Creator God for that.

You may wonder what has happened to result in such a feeling of blessing. Nothing out of the ordinary has occurred.

As I was reading the Bible this morning, praying, and letting the Word read me, I was so filled with Praise that I have a friend, Jesus, who is always with me and loves me. But in addition to that He has given me sweet and precious people in my life that I know will be with me in the hardest and most wonderful times.

I am so grateful that I know that Jesus is real. His peace, and His Love flow through me!

I decree and declare with King David:

PSALM 103:1-5

¹      Bless the Lord, O my soul:

And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

²     Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits:

³     Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

Who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴     Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

⁵     Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

I love to quote that scripture in the first person, putting I and my in the benefits. “My youth is renewed like the eagle’s”, not thy youth, etc. Then it is a personal praise and lifts me up as the truth of the Word flows from my mouth!

I Bless the Lord that I do not have to walk this road called life alone.

I realize I am probably repeating things from the past, but I am so grateful that I can take all my burdens to the Lord in prayer, and He hears, and He helps!

I cannot fail to praise Him for His Blessings on me!

PSALM 111:1

¹     Praise ye the Lord.

I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,

In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

PSALM 106:1

¹     Praise ye the Lord.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

May we never forget each breath we take is given by God Almighty. Each step we take is because He gives us strength, and each prayer we pray is because He give us a voice.

Let us continual us the weapon of praise God gives us. The enemy of all that is good flees when we praise the one who created us and knows us better than we know ourselves!

I BLESS THE LORD, OH MY SOUL AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME BLESS HIS HOLY NAME! I GIVE THANKS UNTO YOU LORD; YOU ARE GOOD ALL THE TIME!

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Father God, I come in Jesus’ name! I do not have adequate words to express the praise, adoration, and thankfulness that is filling me up. To know you created everything and yet you know my name, love me, and know my deepest desires and dreams. You have an amazing plan and fight my battles. I release all I am and all I am not to your Lordship! Amen!

Praise is a weapon!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 654

October 24, 2023///

Next week we will begin November and right on November’s heels will be December, and then we will be saying goodbye to 2023 and entering 2024.

With all that is going on in the Middle East, here in the United States of American and in the world, we may even wonder if we will make it to 2024.

We know Jesus is returning and the signs are everywhere that what we know as the rapture, or catching away of those who trust Jesus is very close!

We are told in Luke 19:13

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

In this passage in the Bible a Nobleman, who represents the Creator God, gave provision to those who served Him, and told them to Occupy or be His representatives, using what they have until He came back.

God Created each of us with abilities and talents that He can use to make this world a better place and to show others that letting Jesus guide your life results in a better life and a better way.

When we look at the suffering going on in the Middle East, in Ukraine, in Hati, in countries all around the world and right here at home in the USA, we can get overwhelmed with the magnitude of it.

But if we understand that we are not called to solve every problem, but we are called to turn every problem in the world over the one who made it all, pray for good and right to abound and then use what we have, do what we can, and then God is Glorified in what we do.

We may have been given the ability to make money. We are to use that to help the needy and further the Kingdom of God on earth.

We may have the ability to Love others, to provide food for the hungry, clothes and housing for the destitute or support for those bound in destructive habits.

What abilities and talents have you been given. What are you doing with them.

In the story of the good Samaritan, he used what he had and did what he could.

I ask you today to think with me about the situation in our world. Are we doing what we can, and using what we have, to help others and make this world a better place?

I ask myself daily, am I occupying in the way I should or am I distracted and distressed because of all the evil and suffering around us!

I am reminded that our prayers have no limits, they can affect things happening worldwide.

I am reminded that we can change the world one person at a time. Our confidence in the Lord Jesus and the Joy He gives will draw others to know they do not have to live defeated or depressed or hurting.

Prayer changes us and we change things.

Occupy does not mean to sit down and not move, it means to be about all we can do to help others and improve the suffering in the world.

May we use what we have, especially PRAYER, to be found doing good all the time!

I know this was a little heavy, but this world is in a place of great distress and the Christians must not just give up and sit down. We must be about doing good and using the powerful gift of prayer.

Then may the Father God say to each of us:

Matthew 25:21

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.

OCCUPY!!

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Father, I come in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! Help each of us to use the abilities, talents, and opportunities to Glorify you and relieve the suffering in the World. Your word says, where evil abounds, grace does much more abound. May we walk daily and moment by moment in that grace. Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 653

October 17, 2023///

ROMANS 8: 37-38

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.

Conqueror! When I think of a conqueror, I think of one who has defeated an enemy or situation or habit or something else that has come against them such as fear, anxiety, worry or even a physical battle.

Some synonyms are:

• master
• vanquisher
• victor

The scripture that I started with tells us that through Jesus Christ we are not just conquerors, but more than conquerors.

Maybe to understand MORE is to look at a football game where the score is 56 to 7. The winning team just did not conqueror the other team but did more than that. They ran over them or mastered them.  They did more than win the game!

From this scripture we can see when we allow Jesus to control our lives and follow the leadings deep in our innermost being, we can do more than win a battle, we can conqueror the enemy of all that is good and live a life that shows others the power that is in us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In the first verse listed “Him that loved us” is Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave His life so we can be reconciled to God the Father.

When we receive what He did for us, we can walk victorious everyday as we relinquish all we are to the one who can do all things and Loves us and will fight our battles as we give them to Him!

Look at the second and third verse listed. Wow! Do you see that when we know who we serve, nothing can come between us and the one that enables us to conqueror the problems in our lives.

Sometimes we approach a day just wanting to survive. But may I tell you that when we realize we are not just conquerors, but more than conquerors, we can face each day with confidence that nothing can separate us from the one who has the power over all situations and circumstances.

We do not survive each day, we thrive, and we defeat the fear that tries to render us powerless, or the worry that consumes us, or the habit that keeps tempting us, or the body that keeps limiting us.

We defeat the thoughts that take us to low lows and the wrong desires that won’t go away.

Oh, what joy is ours as we realize: Yes, I can! Yes, I will! I will walk this day in power, victory and the Joy of the Lord that is our strength!

I have a scripture in a frame on my desk at home that says:

WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US.

I look at it each morning and remind myself that on this day I am more than a conqueror, whatever happens.

What an awesome feeling to know that I am loved by the Creator God, who spoke, and the world came into existence and who knew me before I was born and with who nothing is impossible.

What security that brings as I navigate an insecure world!

I invite you to join me as we go forth as more than conquerors!

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Father, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I come with a grateful heart. Thank you that as we trust you, we can conqueror all that we face each day. And not just conqueror it but come out the better as more than a conqueror! I lift to you each person who reads this and ask you to plant this truth deep within each of our spirits or the real us! We serve a God who can and will and who is able to lead us and guide us into all truth and victory! Amen!

Love, MeMaw