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Me-maw Thoughts

Number 614

January 17, 2023//

What can I say about the last few days?

“THE LORD IS MY ROCK AND MY STRENGTH, MY PROTECTOR AND MY JOY AND PEACE!”

God is good all the time, even in the chaos of the last week!

First thing, we spent from Tuesday to Saturday trying to get relief for my husband Ronald’s pain. A trip to the Doctor, a trip to the ER, trying for 2 days to days to see a doctor again to no avail, and then seeing an amazing new Doctor on Saturday who found the problem. After several shots, and medicine he is on the mend.

In the middle of this, on Thursday when all the storms came through this area our neighborhood got hit hard. We were in the hall praying and calling on Jesus! We were and are fine!

Our house sustained some damage. We had a tree go through the garage window and there is some wind damage to the roof. We were without power for three days and we have a yard full of uprooted trees.

We are so grateful those big trees did not hit our house. We would probably have been hurt. The boxes the tree knock over in the garage hit the side of the car but did not damage it and the Christmas stuff in the boxes that got knocked around were not broken.

Our next-door neighbor had a tree come through the roof above his bedroom

for all those we know who were affected, but God will turn it to good.

Paul tells us in every situation to give thanks, not for every situation but in every situation because God is still God and works for us!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

God’s will for us to give thanks! The bad that happened is not His will!

There is a song that says that’s no mountain for a climber when the maker of the mountain is with you!

May I encourage you today that whatever mountain you are facing, God will remove it or be right with you as you climb it.

Do not be discouraged or afraid of what you face are may face because as a child of God, He is in you and with you and fighting for you!

If you are in the most difficult time of your life or you are on the mountain top of joy, just know that the one who created you loves you with a love that will never end!

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I leave with you 2 John 1:3

2 John 1:3 (KJV)
Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Let the God of peace fill you with peace no matter the situation you find yourself in! The truth of His love for you overrides the facts of your situation!

Stay secure in Him!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I thank you that you are the one who give peace in the midst of the storm and there is nothing happening to us that you are not aware of. Let each of us rest in you and cast all our cares and uncertainty on you! You made the mountains and the valleys, and you are with us in all places and all times. I worship and adore you and thank you for peace that the world cannot give! Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 613

January 10, 2023///

Psalm 118:24 (KJV)
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

As we start a new year with all its possibilities, I want to reprint a story I first printed in 2021. It is not an original story, but I want to encourage you to think about the truth in it and make each day special as we embark on the journey of 2023.

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My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. “This” he said, ^“is not a slip. This is lingerie.” He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. “Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion”.

“Well, I guess this is the occasion”. He took theslip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.

“Don^’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him, and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death.

I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister’s family lives. I thought about all the things she hadn’t seen or heard or done.

I thought about all the things she had done without realizing that they were special

I’m still thinking about his words, and they have changed my life.                     

I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I^’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I am not “saving” anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market if I like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one smelt bag of groceries without wincing. Iam not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as those of my friends.

“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip on my vocabulary.

If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

l*m not sure what my sister would’ve done had she known that she wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food.

I’m guessing – I’ll never know!

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with – someday. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that intended to write – one of these days.

Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them!  I^tm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special!

EVERY DAY, EVERY MINUTE, EVERY BREATH TRULY IS A GIFT OF GOD.

Ephesians 5:16 (KJV)
Redeeming the time,

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Father, thank you for every moment you give us to enjoy each other and this beautiful world you have given us! May we realize what is really important and may we understand the life is short and help us live every day to its fullest with the Love of God ruling our lives! In Jesus name I pray! Amen

Love Me-maw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 612

January 3, 2023///

There is a portion of scripture in Zephaniah that I want to zero in on today!

Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV)
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; HE WILL REST IN HIS LOVE, he will joy over thee with singing.

I stopped short at the phrase I have capitalized. “He will rest in his love”! I pondered that because it sounded strange that The Lord would rest in His love! I looked at another couple of versions of that phrase!

Zephaniah 3:17 (AMP)
The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; HE WILL REST [IN SILENT SATISFACTION] AND IN HIS LOVE HE WILL BE SILENT AND MAKE NO MENTION [OF PAST SINS, OR EVEN RECALL THEM]; He will exult over you with singing.

Take a look at that part of the verse in the Amplified. Our God’s Love is so vast and so amazing that He can rest in the fact that His Love is enough. He does not even recall our sins!

The New King James version has that portion as: “HE WILL QUIET YOU WITH HIS LOVE”!

Let me back up on the event this is taken from. The children of Israel in Jerusalem had forsaken the God who delivered them and fought for them and mixed other idol worship and participated in evil. But a remnant had repented and turned back to the true and living God and He had restored them.

Now the Mighty one was rejoicing over them with Joy and with a Love that truly forgives and forgets!

That same Lord God in in the midst of us. He can rest in the abundance of His Love to restore and wipe out all the mistakes, wrongs, and mess ups in our lives.

Another part of that scripture says, He sings over us with Joy! Can you comprehend that? The creator God, who created everything Loves us so much he eradicates our sins and sings over us!

I do not know what that does to you, but the thought of the Lord God Almighty singing over me with Joy and Love thrills me from head to toe. We are cherished. We are the apple of His eye.

This scripture is found in the Old Testament when they were looking forward to the Messiah, who was Jesus Christ. We have Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit to guide us and in addition to that we have a Heavenly Father who rest in His love and sings over us! As He rests in His love so should we.

When life makes us fretful and anxious, we can rest in His unconditional love and cast all that care on Him and hear that powerful voice deep inside, singing over us!

I think of Mary, Jesus’ mother, who had been told by Gabriel Jesus was the Son of God, but as she held him and felt a mother’s love flow from her to this baby in her arms could she really comprehend that it was His Love that would free her from all guilt, worries, and condemnations.

As she looked into the face of the child in her arms, perhaps she sang the Psalms over Him, such as “I will Bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth”, or “Bless the Lord, oh my soul and all that is within me Bless His name”! Maybe she did this not even considering she held the essence of the music of heaven and the pure expression of God’s love in her arms.

I wonder if we realize who we are created to be as the Lord God Almighty rest in His love for us, knowing through Him we are enough!

What do you hear being sung over you! Perhaps this is the song: “I love you with an everlasting love that knows all, hears all, and can do all”!

“Oh, love of God, how rich, how pure, how marvelous and strong.”! Oh, we cannot fantom the height, breadth, and dept of His Love!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come! What an amazing thought that you are resting and confident in your love for us, not in our love for you. We can truly love only as we allow you to love through us, and we can follow your example and rest in your love for us! Your love never fails, never quits, and never gives up on me! May each person who reads this comprehend the enormity of your love for your creation, those into whom you breathed the breath of life! I praise you, Lord! Amen!

Rest in His Love!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 611

December 27, 2022///

The end is the beginning!

In a few days we will come to the end of 2022 but the next second 2023 begins.

As we approach the last few days of 2022, I want to share some thoughts of the end being the beginning.

When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and the came to the Red Sea and the Sea was in front of them and Pharaoh’s army behind them, they thought it was the end, but it was the beginning of miracle after miracle in their journey!

Jairus friends and family knew His little girl was dead, but Jairus had brought Jesus into the house, and it became the beginning because she lived.

Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus was dead, but Jesus turned impossible into possible.

But most powerfully, the disciples had left all and followed the one they called Jesus. He taught them, Love, Truth, Compassion and demonstrated how to Live and Love the way God intended. But now He had been beaten, hung on an old rugged cross and lay in a tomb.

The one they thought was their deliverer was dead…. they thought…. but the end was the beginning.

 The beginning of our redemption, the beginning of the freedom to be all we were created to be. The beginning of putting the past under His blood and placing the future in the capable hands of the one who knows us best and loves us most.

The beginning of being all we can be in the present!

The end was the beginning. The end of Jesus walking in Human form on this earth was the beginning of the Holy Spirit being alive in each believer.

The end was the beginning of believers being His hands, feet, and voice to others, and the beginning of being reborn inside us where the real us is!

Because Jesus human body died, we can live. We can not only have life in the physical body but life in the Spirit that is the real person we are! The end was the beginning.

What thing, ministry, relationship, job, or situation do you feel is dead or dying in your life. The end of the way we think things should be may just be the beginning of a miracle or many miracles that will allow us to be the light in this dark world that we are called to be!

The end is the beginning

Acts 15:18 (KJV)
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Hebrews 1:10 (KJV)
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

The creator God is working on those who believe, to mold us into the vessels He created us to be. This may mean some things end but others begin.

As long as we have breath, we are to make a difference in our world! We must understand that Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father and give us life without end!

John 11:25-26 (KJV)
²⁵ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

We are each born and unless Jesus raptures believers first, we will die. However, what appears to be the end of our life will only be the beginning of eternity!

The end of anything may be the beginning of something more wonderful than we can imagine.

As we get ready to say goodbye to 2022, may we ponder what 2023 can bring and let Jesus fill us with great anticipation for the Blessings and Victories that the new year will bring.

May we release the mistakes and the regrets of 2022 and before and walk forward into the beginning of new roads and new experiences and abundant life in Him!

Ephesians 3:21 (KJV)
²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

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Father, in Jesus’s name I come! I release my past, present and future to you and thank you that my life is in your hands. I commit past hurts, failures, and confusions to your Lordship and walk into the beginning of the new year with the knowledge that you will lead, guide, and direct me to your best as I listen with ears attuned to you! Bless all who read this to know the end may just be the beginning!

THE END IS THE BEGINNING!

Love, MeMaw

ME-MAW THOUGHTS

NUMBER 610

December 20, 2022///

Today I want to reprint something from last year. I pray it blesses you. Have an awesome Christmas.

 Me-Maw Thoughts//December 7, 2021

Luke 2:11 (KJV)
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

This time of year, we hear a lot about the Birth of Jesus. Today I want to ask you a question that I have pondered. I have never heard a preacher preach about this or a teacher teach about it, but I ask you to flow with me and let me probe into a question for consideration.

When did Jesus know who He was? When did He know He was God in the flesh and destined to give His life for our redemption?

When He looked up at Mary and Joseph, did He understand they had said yes to God’s plan?

When the Shepherds came to see what the angels had announced, did He realize they were looking at the Savior whom the prophets of old told them?

We know that He knew who He was when He was twelve, and in the Temple, declaring to His parents that He must be about the Father’s business!

All we know of His first twelve years is what is written in this scripture:

Luke 2:40 (KJV)
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

He grew strong in spirit and was filled with wisdom and grace but when did He realize He was the very Creator God in the flesh?

I wonder, did He understand that as Mary and Joseph shared with Him the truth of His miraculous birth? Or maybe as He learned carpentry from Joseph and formed useful pieces from wood, He remembered when Adam was formed from dust?

What if He saw an injured bird, picked it up and it was instantly healed and able to fly and He suddenly knew who He was and that He had come to heal and set free a broken humanity?

Was it during a Jewish boy’s prayer time that the Father revealed to His mind and spirit who He really was?

I wonder if at the age of two when the wise men came bearing gifts and fell down and worshiped, did He know? He must have!! Most Bible scholars agree that He was probably about two then. Can you imagine any little two-year-old boy who would not have been gazing out the door at the camels and pointing with glee at the way the wisemen were dressed and the things in their hands rather than receiving their worship?

Think about that! They fell down and worshiped the savior, who was in a young child’s body, and He received their worship! He must have known!

Mary and Joseph knew who He was! The Shepherds knew who He was! The prophetess Anna knew who He was! Simeon, a just and upright man, knew who He was, and the wise men knew who He was! At some point Jesus knew who He was!

DO YOU KNOW WHO HE IS?

Is He your Savior? Is He Lord of your life? Do you know with Him all things are possible?

Is He your absolute best friend? Do you tell Him your problems? Do you give Him Praise and Glory and Worship Him?

Jesus knew who He was and what His destiny was! The disciples knew, Mary Magdalene knew, the blind, the lame, all whom He touched knew! The centurion at the cross said: “Truly this was the Son of God”!

When did Jesus know? It is an interesting question with no specific answer! But the question that does have a wonderful answer is why?

LOVE! God’s Love for humankind demanded a way we could be free from the enemy of all that is good! That we can live victorious and one day be in a world filled with no evil! Because of man’s fall there had to be a sacrifice for sin! Jesus fulfilled that for each of us who believe it and receive His cleansing into our lives!

DO YOU KNOW?

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Father, what a wonderful plan you set forth to redeem us back to relationship with you! How precious is that relationship! May all who read this understand that you are good and desire good for them. Let us all submit our will, our way, and our days to you! In Jesus name I pray! Amen                               

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 609

December 13, 2022///

Have you ever felt the touch of God so strong you felt like it was flowing powerfully over you? Or have you ever desired such a touch?

David describes it in Chronicles when He was describing a victory over the enemies of God’s people. He even gave the place a new name!

1 Chronicles 14:11 (KJV)
So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, GOD HATH BROKEN IN UPON MINE ENEMIES BY MINE HAND LIKE THE BREAKING FORTH OF WATERS: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.

Look at the capitalized section of that verse. Zero in on the part of that saying, “Like the Breaking Forth of Waters”!

When heavy rains come it can result in flooding roads, homes, businesses, and cover everything in an area. When a dam breaks it gushes water so fast and so quickly it is like a mighty rushing river!

David was declaring that God had swiftly and completely caused victory over the enemies of God’s children!

May I remind you in this season of celebrating Jesus’ birth, that Jesus came to earth for the purpose of breaking forth like water over the enemies of good and the enemies of each of His beloved creations.

Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Sins are the rejection of Jesus Love and anything that does not come from a heart released to Him, through receiving Salvation through His blood.

David said God had broken in on His enemies by his (David’s) hand. David had to do something. In the New Testament, when Jesus took the sin of the world on Himself, He made it possible for those who come to Him to experience His Love and Power and victory in every situation as we yield our lives to His guidance!

What we must do is come to Him. When we come, we are in a position for His breakthrough!

As you see many times in the Scriptures, Jesus said “FOLLOW ME”, and people just obeyed and followed.

In the Old Testament God called and anointed people for specific tasks or to proclaim specific messages. In the New Testament Jesus says:  follow me!

That is the desire of Jesus for each of us. That is why He chose to come as a tiny baby and fight in human form every battle we face and come out victorious.

As we allow the Holy Spirit to control more and more of our thoughts and lives, we experience breakthroughs over the battles we fight.

What battle do you need a mighty breakthrough in? Is it a family situation, a financial or job situation, a physical illness, an abuse of drugs or alcohol, low self-esteem, bad temper, ugly attitudes? I could continue. There are many battles we fight. Some are daily and some are heavy once in a lifetime battles.  

But may I tell you, our Savior breaks through each of those. As we listen to the voice deep in our Spirit, obeying His instruction, we will see His mighty hand working through us and for us. His angels are sent in multitudes to assist in every way.

But we must come to Him, knowing He is for us and not against us! We must realize His way is the best way. He will make the crooked paths straight and the rough places smooth. He will give us Joy, Peace, Love, and Power and you will feel the overwhelming goodness of His Love!

That kind of Love and Care cannot be explained just experienced. When we just come to Him, follow him, just as we are, He will break through, and we will experience the overflowing of His presence.

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.

Father, thank you for your provision of a way for us to fellowship and come straight into your throne room, after sin broke the bond. Thank you, Jesus, that you chose to come and be our substitute and restore that relationship. Thank you for knowing the things we face and the battles we fight, and you have given us power. We can come to you, follow, and experience great breakthroughs. You are the God of the breakthrough! I worship and adore you and stand in awe of your presence! I come in Jesus’ name! Amen!

Come to Him!

Love, Me-Maw

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 607

November 29, 2022//

Christmas is a season when the world celebrates, most take some holidays, and many celebrate with family and friends.

Much of the world just sees this season as another time to celebrate. But whether they realize it or not they are helping the world pause for a day or two in honor of the Lord of Lords, our Savior being born.

He came to take all our sins, past, present, and future to the cross and defeat hell and the grave by being resurrected on the third day. Without being born He could not have suffered and died for us.

But as the world system ignores the real meaning of Christmas, what about those who claim Jesus as our Savior?

We know we give gifts because Jesus was God’s gift to the world! We know we put up lights because Jesus is the light of the world! Our trees point upward to the one who Loves us best! We know we help others more this time of year because the Father sent the ultimate help in the form of a Lord of Compassion and Love shown as He healed, helped, and restored hurt and hurting people. We Love because He Loves.

May I ask you today to look at your own heart and your own celebrations of the wonderful season of our Saviors birth.

Some dread the season because of loneliness. Some hate the season because they feel stressed to do, to give, to be all things to all the people around them. Some want to celebrate but are hung up on the fact that it has become so commercialized they cannot see past that! Some want it all to just be over!

In the gospel of Luke, we see shepherds who were guarding their sheep getting the amazing announcement.

Luke 2:10-14 (KJV)
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

I want you to notice a few of the words or phrases in that scripture. “Fear Not”, “tidings of great joy”, “Christ the Lord’’, “Glory to God”, On earth Peace”!

Does that sound like you or the people you know or the people around you as you shop or work? Or even your home?

We are NOT TO FEAR, because God has everything under control. Ask and listen to His guidance! We are to HAVE GREAT JOY as we make this season all about Him!

It is the joy of a heart that knows it is not about presents but about His PRESENCE in us and our family. It is the sharing of the truths of how we can be joyful in a season of stress and pressure. What a great opportunity to share the real meaning of the season with those who may be looking at your joy with questions!

We serve CHRIST THE LORD and show others the way as we not only sing or speak GLORY TO GOD but live it out through our life!

We can spread PEACE everywhere we are this season if we will walk in the peace Jesus gives. Our home is the most valuable place to show the peace of God and the Joy this season brings. We should intentionally turn our home into a place of theunderstanding and celebration of the Love of the Creator God who made a way that we can come to Him as His beloved children.

It is not about gifts, food, lights, decorations, gatherings or who has the best stuff!

It is about a heart of adoration and praise to the one who was born in a stable, laid in a manger, and showed us the way to live and then died and rose again to make it possible to have abundant and eternal life, not just in the future but right now, in the most wonderful time of the year!

May we, as the wisemen did in Matthew, FOLLOW HIS STAR, FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP, and GIVE HIM THE BEST WE HAVE!

Our worship, adoration, and obedience are what He desires. If we give our family members and friends gifts of great value, they are just things. But if we show and celebrate with Jesus as the center, this truth will never get old, never wear out and will carry us and them into eternity with Jesus!

May Jesus be the center of your life, your family, your home, your preparations, and your celebrations! Keep Christ in Christmas!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come with a heart full of Praise and Adoration. I thank you that we can celebrate the Savior of the World this Wonderful season of the year! Help each of us to keep our eyes and our hearts centered on you and your wonderful plan for our lives. In the midst of hustle and bustle may we snuggle up to you, Lord God Almighty, and not struggle with the things the world thinks are important! I give you Glory, I give you Praise, and I thank you that in the middle of a chaotic world around us we can walk in Peace because the giver of Peace lives in us! Amen!

Celebrate Jesus!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 606

November 22, 2022///

We are in a Holy War!

As Soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are in a battle. As we can all attest, the enemy is raging!

But the good news is Jesus is fighting for us and with us and the end result is we win!

On this Thanksgiving or Thanks Living week may I share with you some vital areas that will help us walk in victory at every turn.

Every one of us understands that we are victorious in the sweet by and by when Jesus returns or we go by way of death, but may I tell you that through Him you are victorious every minute of every day!

How do we build up our defenses, and fight this Holy War each day?

First of all, we must understand that this battle between good and evil is real! The enemy would like to lull us into apathy and thinking we can coast along, and all will be over when we get to heaven with Jesus.

Oh, I believe in the sweet by and by with Jesus and the beauty and perfection of Heaven, but we are in a battle right now for the souls of our loved ones and friends and the defeat of evil.

“CHRIST THE CONQUEROR IS ON OUR SIDE, AND WITH HIS HELP, WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!”

But we must stay alert and in tune with what the Spirit is saying. We must know the Word which is powerful and will defeat the lies of satan in our lives!

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

We must learn not only the power of the word but the power of praise.

In the Old Testament we find that Jehoshaphat, king of Judah followed the instructions of the Lord God Almighty and when a great number of warriors were poised to attack Judah, he used a strategy we can use today.

Praise in words and in song is a weapon the enemy hates. We must understand that the enemy believes he can be higher and greater than the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (KJV)
²¹ And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
²² And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

You can read the entire story in 2 Chronicles 20. But may I tell you that the enemies that were bound together to come against Judah, were turned against each other and the armies of Judah did not have to fight!

May I tell you that when we praise, the enemy flees, and when we as an army of the Lord God Almighty will continually praise the only one who is worthy the enemy will not only be defeated but will destroy each other.

I do not need to remind you that the devil hates you and desires to destroy you or if that is not possible, make you miserable, fretful, and worried, and fearful!

That lying, deceiver knows that if you realize the authority and power that is in the Word of God, Prayer, and Praise, he will hold no ability to cause you misery!

On this thanksgiving week may we spend much time praising God for family, friends, food, shelter, clothes, church, breath, and life!

May we praise as the singers of Judah did and declare over and over,

“PRAISE THE LORD; FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH  FOR EVER.”

Our praise shines a light in darkness!

Yes, we are in a HOLY WAR, and we win!!!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come with a heart filled with praise for your Blessings on myself and my family. I understand that you are on my side and all the enemy is, is just noise. I praise you for who you are and who you are in me. I praise you for salvation and the Holy Spirit which is real in me and will guide me into all truths. I praise you for family and friends and I praise you that all good and perfect gifts come from you. I praise you, for your mercy endures forever. Bless the discouraged and despondent with encouragement and hope that is only found in you. May all who read this let our light shine and lift you up! Amen!

Have an incredible THANKSGIVING week!

Love, MeMaw!

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 605

November 15, 2022///

Back in August I had an operation on a giant hiatal hernia. This problem was causing pain and would almost be debilitating.

Like some of you, before I encountered this, I had no idea what a hiatal hernia was. The simple explanation is, when we swallow, food or drink goes through our esophagus into our stomach. A hiatal hernia is when some of the stomach comes into the esophagus. The more of the stomach that enters the esophagus the worse the hiatal hernia is.

When surgery was done to correct this, nothing was removed but the stomach was put back in place so that the food could be processed into the body correctly.

I came out of the surgery with nothing taken out of my body, I just had something rearranged.

My thought today goes to how we sometimes need a spiritual rearrangement in our lives. We do not need to remove anything, but we need our priorities back where they belong so our lives will flow the way they were meant to!

The truth of that is given to us in Matthew Six.

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

What things are the scriptures referring to? Everything we need or will ever need.

When we get things in the order they should be with Jesus, we have the courage, character, and wisdom to live each day the way that honors our Savior Jesus Christ.

There are some who choose to do wrong and go the way of evil. But for many it is a not a choice to do evil, but wrong priorities in a life that desires to do right and live for the Lord Jesus.

Our busy lives take over and crowd out the things that make for our Peace and Joy which is a vital living relationship with the Lord God Almighty!

When we make our relationship with Jesus the most important thing on our agenda, we are going to not only walk in peace, but spread the peace that passes understanding.

In my life when I get frustrated or feel stressed, I know I need to find a quiet place and have a talk with the one who loves me most.

We must teach our children and those around us that safety, security, and peace is only found in time spent learning from and leaning on the one who speaks peace and joy to troubled hearts.

He sets all things in order and our lives are a testimony to all we meet!

Galatians 5:22 (KJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  

These are the benefits of seeking first the kingdom of God!

Because our priorities are straight today does not mean the enemy will not try to distract and get us going in all direction and rob us of the fruit of having first things first.

We need to check ourselves daily and make sure we are keeping the main thing the main thing in our lives.

Another area of this is our nation. We need to pray fervently as warriors of Almighty God that our nation gets its priorities straight. We as the United States have strayed so far from God’s Word that prayer, sharing and faithful living is the only thing that will get our country in order. Jesus is the answer. We are walking in the way that Isaiah spoke about.

Isaiah 5:20 (KJV)
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

That woe sounds ominous, but God tells us the answer!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

We, his people, are called to pray and seek His face for our country, our world, our church, and our homes, as we seek first God’s kingdom.

All else will be given!

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Lord, In Jesus Name I come and ask you to help each of us to seek you above all else. We are your workmanship, created unto good works that glorify you. May our lives be in order and our testimony be powerful examples of putting you first! Amen!

Love, MeMaw