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Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 522

April 13, 2021///

Years ago, I traveled some for the company I worked for training people in accounting.  I was busy on these trips but if a place had a known sight, I tried to squeeze in time to see it.

On one such trip I went to an office in Saint Louis Missouri, home of the “Gateway Arch”.  This is a 630-foot stainless steel monument to the westward expansion of the United States.

After a day of training, I found my way to the Gateway Arch, excited to see this amazing structure.  However, I clearly remember the disappointment when I parked and took a good look at the arch that was supposed to be so amazing. The anticipation took a dive into the thought “What is the big deal?”.

Ever had an experience or experiences like that. I have had many but that one stands out in my memory.

But then my mind goes to trips to the beach over my lifetime and I realize that I have never been disappointed or let down by that vast amazing never-ending Ocean and the Sky that seems so much larger there.

It may be raining, storming, cold, way too hot, or exactly right, but always the consistent waves and the vastness of the water and the unending sandy beach never lets me down, never disappoints. 

I may be viewing it from shelter so as to not get wet.  I may be wrapped up sitting in a chair on the sand, or I may be enjoying perfect temperature, a light breeze and digging my toes in the warm sand, but the ocean is sending its waves back and forth, back and forth in a never-ending motion.

May I tell you that the enemy of your soul draws you toward things that seem so good but when you reach them, they are disappointing, they are a letdown! It may be a job, a person, a place, a financial goal, success in a certain field or any number of other things.  But there is no lasting satisfaction in those.

John 14:27 (KJV)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: NOT AS THE WORLD GIVETH, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

But a real relationship with our Creator God through Jesus Christ is likened to the beach.  His Love is vast and never ends. It is steadfast and sure.  It is consistent and His Love is there whether our life is in a storm, cold, hot, or exactly right.

Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

What are you going through right now that seems to have no end nor answer? Are you in a storm that blinds you to the light of all that God is and His vast Love that knows no bounds? I encourage you to remember the Ocean and the greatness of the Lord God we serve!

Isaiah 40:12 (KJV)
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

If we understand the Power and the Goodness of our Father God, we will know that He will guide us in every way and satisfy the deepest longings of our soul.  He will refresh us, and we will be like a watered garden.

Isaiah 58:11 (KJV)
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

The vastness of our God is amazing.  But even more amazing is that He fellowships with us, His creations.  He fills us with Peace, Joy, and true Satisfaction!

Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

His presence is so very real.  To know Him and to feel His Spirit deep inside and all around and to comprehend that He knows me and understands me and has an incredible plan for me is better than anything imaginable.

I so desire that ever person in the entire world feel the presence of the Lord God Almighty and understand His Love is unconditional and more consistent than the ocean waves.

Habakkuk 2:14 (KJV)
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Don’t you long for the earth to be filled with the knowledge and glory of the Lord?

Let it start with you!  Understand the vastness of His Love and Care!

_____________________________________

Father, thank you for the Ocean that reminds me of the vastness of your Love and Power! Thank you for your presence in my life that cannot be explained only experienced!  Thank you for touching each person that reads this with your indescribable Love, Joy, Peace and Glory!  May we be vessels of your Grace and draw others to your life-giving water.  In Jesus name I pray! Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 521

April 6, 2021///

This morning there is one part of one verse of scripture that I want to bring to your attention.  This is found in the first part of John 21:15.

The truths in the 21^st chapter of John are many and I am not going to address all that was going on or the entire conversation but want to zero in on this question Jesus ask Simon Peter!

John 21:15a (KJV)
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

This scripture has been taught with different views as to what Jesus meant by these.  Some say Jesus is asking if Peter Loves Him more than the other disciples. Others if Peter Loves Him more than his fishing business which he knows and is good at. And still others if Peter Loves Him more that the fish or the results and blessings of his talent as a fisherman.

I believe Jesus was probably addressing all of that and more!  His basic but deep question was:  Peter do you Love me more than anything else in your life?

Jesus saw great leadership and anointing in Peter but knew that to accomplish the plan God had for him, Peter must Love Jesus with all his mind, will and emotions and above everything else in his life!

I believe that Jesus is asking that same question to each of us today!  

(your name), do you Love me more than (_______)?

What thing, things, person, persons, situations, jobs, talents, abilities, relationships, hobbies, etc. do we put ahead of Jesus our Savior and Lord?

Consider your life.  What would be the most difficult to give up if you had to?  What is the thing or person (other than Jesus) that we depend on more than any other?

If this thing or person were taken away, would we waver in our Faith? Would we lash out at God and be angry and bitter, or would we understand that our most vital relationship in life, which is Jesus, can never be taken away?

Is there something or someone in your life that is more important and in our human thinking more vital to life than Jesus?  I tell you a million times over, when we put God first in our lives and Love Jesus above all, nothing that happens can destroy us!

In the story of the rich young ruler who came asking Jesus about eternal life, we find he went away sorrowful because Jesus was basically asking him if he wanted to find real life more than he wanted to hold on to his riches!

Think about what would make you sorrowful if Jesus asked you to give it up?

Do not misunderstand.  Father God, our Daddy God, wants to Bless us exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask and imagine in every way! But the key to that kind of Blessed life is to truly be willing to lay it all at His feet, to release all to His Lordship!

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

He desires us to be willing to release to His Mighty Hands every person, talent, situation and need that are important to us!

When we realize that Jesus Loves us with a deep love we cannot understand, we can safely place our Trust and all we hold dear into His Hands.

One of the things I do in my prayer time is to release each of my family, naming them by name, to Jesus Lordship because I know that He Loves each of them so much more than I do!

The security and Peace that comes from being able to release people and situations and things into His capable Hands is a mighty awesome thing.

We have a Loving Heavenly Father who sees us and Loves us and desires the best for us, even so much that Jesus came and dwelt among us and showed us how to walk in complete submission and Trust and then paid the price for the sin of all!

Just as we desire good things for our children, God desires the best and better things for us.  Just as we ask of our children, He desires obedience and respect and Love!  His Heart wants to give us all things!

What is our part?

Mark 12:30 (KJV)
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

“LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE?”

Father, thank you for your Love! Thank you that you desire to Bless us beyond measure! I ask that you give each of us, through the Power of your Spirit, the courage to understand that we can release all things and people to your Lordship and Trust that you do all things well.  I ask this in the matchless name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!  Amen!

Love! MeMaw!

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 520

March 30, 2021///

In my Bible study I am reading about David.

Yes, the one who Samuel had anointed as the next King of Israel.  The one who slew Goliath with Goliath’s own sword and became King Saul’s son-in-law and was a mighty military leader.

David knew his God, knew God had chosen him as the next King of Israel and I am sure felt as if he was in a position now in the kingdom to be ready to take the Leadership of this Nation when it was time.

But then there was a cog in the wheel!  Are you familiar with this old saying? It means the wheel stopped turning!

The people praising David’s warrior ability stirred up jealousy in Saul who had already been told by the prophet Samuel that because of disobedience the kingdom was being taken from him.

In his desire to keep the Kingship he set out to kill David.

So here was the next King of Israel, instead of dwelling with the King and getting in place to rule, running for his life!

1 Samuel 22:1 (KJV)
David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.

Even David’s family was having to get away from Saul for fear of what he might do to them.

May I ask you to take a moment and consider how David must have felt.  We tend to think of David as victorious and mighty, and he was that, but he was also human.

I think he must have gotten discourage and even considered that maybe the prophet Samuel had gotten it wrong.

Maybe it crossed his mind that if God had really anointed him as the next King of Israel, he would not be running for his life.  I wonder if he ever just got so tired of running and fighting that he was ready to give up and let Saul find him and kill him.

Have you ever been there? Have you ever felt like you missed what God was telling you to do? Have you ever decided that you need to give up that dream and settle for the status quo and the familiar?

I think David must have had those times.  And then I think of him hiding and considering his relationship with God Almighty. I can picture him remembering back when he cared for his family’s sheep, how his heart praise the God of Israel with his words and playing on his harp.

Maybe he started softly singing in the cave where he was hiding:

Psalm 8:1 (KJV)  

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Psalm 18:1-3 (KJV)
¹ I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
² The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
³ I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Perhaps he sang; “Lord you are my Shepherd, and I shall not want!”   And continued, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me”!

David remembered the God who was his strength and his deliverer.  This gave him the strength to press on to the victory the Lord God had for him. 

We know that David became King just as God said and led Israel with a strong and mighty confidence in the God who had called him.

What about you.  When it looks like things are going opposite of what you have felt God has called you to, do you know intimately the one who gave you the assignment.

Can you look back and say, God did it then and He will help me now.  Can you remember the times God showed up in your life and gave you victory? 

Can you begin to sing of His goodness when thing look anything but right in your life?

May I encourage you to relive the promise in you heart and mind and understand that in spite of obstacles from others, the enemy, or our self, God will take us to the throne He has called us to if we will bow at His throne with Praise and understanding of who He is!

As I close, let me remind you that David, knew who he was and who His God was.  Yes, as the Psalms clearly show us, he got discouraged and in despair, but he consistently knew that Praise was his weapon and used it to overcome!

Do you know who you are and who your God is!

__________________________

Father, in Jesus’ name I come.  Thank you that you are my deliverer, my very present help in trouble.  You are my strength and my guide. And your plan for me will prevail! Help each person who read this to understand that with you nothing is impossible, and you will fight for them as they use the weapon of Praise.

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 519

March 23, 2021///

We can have various plastic surgeries on different parts of our bodies.  We can exercise and lose weight to get fit. We can change hair color and clothes styles.

We can change locations, jobs, cars and friends and multitudes of other things in our lives. 

BUT what do you do when something hits you or your family that is totally out of your control? An illness or disease, a disaster or tragedy of small or gigantic proportions?

It is out of your control. You cannot change it! You do not even know how you can handle it! It knocks the breath out of you and buckles your knees!

“You go to the Rock!”

There is an old hymn that says:  Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee!

Psalm 61:2 (KJV)   From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 94:22 (KJV)
But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

When no words anyone can speak can help. When your heart feels as if it is torn into. When the sorrow is to deep for tears or the tears flow like a cascading waterfall, you can go to the only one who can help. The only one who has the power to pour the oil of healing into the depths of your spirit. 

You run to the Rock Christ Jesus and you cling to His Love and Comfort.  When you cannot see ahead, He will carry you and never leave you!

Psalm 62:6-8 (KJV)
⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
⁷ In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
⁸ Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

If you are walking close to the Father when the situation or tragedy hits, it will be easier to run to the Rock because you know in whom you believe and trust!

 Psalm 18:2 (KJV)
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

But may I tell you that even if you have strayed away from the Father or have never received His Love poured out through Jesus Christ, His deep desire is that you run swiftly to Him and let Him comfort and be your Rock, the solid foundation beneath your feet! He wants you to remember and return and let Him help, just as the Israelites did!

Psalm 78:35 (KJV)
 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

When you look at the sky and wonder why! When you just want to crumble to the floor and never move!  When the earth shakes and you cannot even form words, RUN TO THE ROCK.

Matthew 7:24-25 (KJV)
²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
²⁵ And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

The enemy of you soul wants you to run from the Fathers Love and Comfort rather than to it.  But the enemy of your soul is bent on destruction. 

The Father waits with open arms to wrap you in His Love and Care and give you strength and wisdom.

Psalm 40:2 (KJV)
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

If you are going through unspeakable sorrows, Run to the Rock.  If you are in a good place right now, establish your foundation on the Rock Christ Jesus so that your foundation will be sure when storms assail you!

1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV)
 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Trust in and run to the Rock Christ Jesus!

___________________________

Father, in Jesus’ name I come to you thanking you for the foundation of Love that we can build our life on.  Thank you that you will hold us close and keep us in you care in good and bad times.  You are our Rock, our Foundation that will never crumble or fail.  I worship you Lord of the universe because you can hold us together when our world shakes and trembles.  Bless today those who are facing the most difficult days imaginable.  Bless those who are in a good place today as they walk in the sunshine. Fill each of us with the knowledge that, sunshine or rain and storms, you are always the same.  May we all RUN TO THE ROCK!  Amen

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 518

March 16, 2021///

The World that we are living in has changed over the last year and has changed drastically over the past few years and when I think of how much it has changed since my children were small and I was small, it makes me pause!

I was born three years after Pearl Harbor was bombed! World War Two ended when I was 4 days from reaching one year. I have lived through the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Robert Kennedy, among others. 

I have lived to see the bombings in Oklahoma City, of the Twin Towers and Columbine School shooting to name a few.

I have seen Polio and Measles and Mumps get defeated and technology race far ahead of anything my parents could have conceived.

But God has always had a people! A people who prays, and advocates against sin and a people who are willing to go the extra mile to help others.  God has always had a people who will not bow to the wrong but stand up for the right!

1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Evil is abounding all around us, but God has a people!  A people who Loves each other, intercede for our Nation, Families, and Churches!

God has a people who fight the battle not only in the Spirit but in a tangible way as they advocate for Christian values.

God always has an Army of souled out, fired up, dedicated people!

On one hand the enemy wraps himself in lies and deception and comes as an angel of light but is really a devil in darkness!

2 Corinthians 11:14 (KJV)
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

On the other hand, the enemy comes as a roaring lion making us think he has power and is going to destroy us!

1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The deception of satan is the reason so much of our world is blinded to the truth!

“BUT GOD HAS A PEOPLE!”

God has the elderly person who is fighting the battle in the Spirit world as she sends up her petitions and praise to Almighty God.  He has the housewife who is lifting up needs as she does her housework and lovingly cares for her family while reaching out to the lost in her part of the world, maybe with food, clothes, and the Gospel.

God has the parent who is objecting to the new curriculum as she checks out the things her kids are learning in school. God has the professional in the workplace who stands our because he or she stand for right and do not gossip or cheat or short cut their work!

God has Teachers, Doctors, Lawyers, Business Owners, etc. who are still standing for the right and understand that we are the victorious ones!

“GOD HAS A PEOPLE!”

Titus 2:14 (KJV)
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Though it may look bleak when you look at all that is going on around you, look up, look to the one who made Heaven and Earth and look at those you know trust in the God of the Universe!

Psalm 62:8 (KJV)
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

We must speak up and act, but the most powerful and evil defeating thing we can do is wage war in the Spirit world through prayer and that is something we can do anywhere at any time!

We are not alone: God has a people who love Him and are doing battle one way or the other!

I encourage you if you have been reduced to despair by all the evil around, know that God has a People, a Mighty Army all over the world!

_____________________________

Father, in JESUS name I come! I thank you that you have people all over the world who are standing for right no matter the consequence!  I ask you to encourage each one who reads this not to despair, to trust, pray and show love to all they encounter! Fill each of us with your agape love! Amen

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 517

March 9, 2021///

“In the grip of Grace!”

This is a title of a book by Max Lucado.  As I ask God what I should share this morning, that thought touched my Spirit!

Grace: “Unmerited Favor”

The dictionary says:
1-a: UNMERITED DIVINE ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO HUMANS FOR THEIR REGENERATION OR SANCTIFICATION

1-b: A VIRTUE COMING FROM GOD

1-c: A STATE OF SANCTIFICATION ENJOYED THROUGH DIVINE ASSISTANCE

2-a: APPROVAL, FAVOR

2-b: MERCY, PARDON

2-c: PRIVILEGE

Do you see what I see?  The grace God gives is not earned, not deserved and not dependent upon our status in any part of our lives!

It is given freely: we have divine assistance, approval, favor, mercy, pardon!

Do any of those attributes speak to you?  Do you battle with condemnation, or the feeling that you are not enough, never can do enough, and are not accepted?

Those are lies from the one who seeks to destroy you, the devil!  When we come to Jesus, in all of our frailty, needs, or even pride, He gives us grace! 

I wrote a song a while back with the main line as “When I give Him Praise, He gives me Grace!”

Ephesians 2:8 (KJV)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Titus 3:7 (KJV)
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Do you see this?  It is a gift! We are saved and justified by Grace. 

Justified is just as if I had not come short of perfection!

Throughout the new testament writings Grace was pronounced upon people. Here are a couple of them!

Philemon 1:3 (KJV)
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:2 (KJV)
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

As we submit more of our lives to the Lordship of Jesus, Grace will grow just because we are able to receive more of the Love and Freedom it gives!

James 4:6 (KJV)
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Did you notice the word PRIVILEGE in the definitions of Grace?   When we walk in Grace, we find Favor all around and Peace deep in our hearts!

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.

We are Privileged to walk into God’s throne room and tell Him all our concerns, worries, and needs!   It is a privilege to walk into the office of the Governor, President, Royalty, etc.  But we are privileged through Grace to commune with and talk to the Lord God, Creator of the Universe!

Think about that!  You are Blessed, Privileged, Pardoned, Loved, Guided, Touched, because of the Grace of God!!

I encourage you today: drop the fear, the doubt, the striving, and the inferiority and just settle into the Truth of The Grace of Father God!

Unmerited Favor: Can you receive it??

________________________________

Father, thank you for Grace.  Grace that is abundant and free! Grace that gives us Joy, Peace and Privilege! Grace that covers all our mistakes and mess-ups! Grace, Grace, your Grace that is greater than all sin!  Fill all who read this with the truth of this Grace that is theirs for the asking.  In Jesus name I pray! Amen

Great Grace be with you all! Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 516

March 2, 2021///

“IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US!”

This is what I want you to allow to get deep in your Spirit:  God is for you!

Romans 8:31 (KJV)
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Most of us have looked around us and thought or said: “What is happening to our nation!” The nation that was founded as one under God is torn apart with hate and hurt!  The nation that gave us freedom of religion is now trying to give freedom from religion.  Lord, help us and send us revival!

Maybe in your personal life you are facing situations of a lost job or broken relationship or ridicule for your beliefs.

Take heart, Rejoice in the Lord and in the Power of His Might!  Because God, the creator of the Universe is on your side!

If God is for you, then the scripture is telling us that whoever is against us holds no power over us.  It does not mean that no one will oppose you or be against you, but it assures us that they will not decide what happens to us.

Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Let the nay sayers and the mockers and those who want to cause or demand our rights be gone do as their evil spirits desire, God is for You and will fight your battles as you trust totally in Him!

Our duty is to Pray for those who are against us and release them to Gods Great Hands.

When we belong to and desire and serve the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, nothing the enemy can bring against us, whether through people, circumstances or situations will prosper!

Is that not a comforting thought, in this world where it seems evil abounds and people have lost their minds and are calling good evil and evil good.

God speaks in the word about such people!

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!

Yes, we are living in such a time, but God is for us and we can be a light of Peace and Joy to those around us.  We can show our Trust in the Creator God by our walking in Faith and the Victory the Jesus Gives!

Do not be discouraged friend, the greatest revival the world has ever seen is on the way as those who know the real Jesus are seeking His face and praying for this great Nation!

God promises one more great outpouring of His Spirit through revival before He comes to catch every true Christian to Him and began severe judgements on the evil that abounds.

But at this moment as we walk in the Grace and Favor and Protection of the Lord God Almighty, we can make a difference!

Pray, be a light in every way and let your actions show that you truly Trust in the Lord God Almighty and know that He is for YOU!!

Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Do not fear, do not be afraid, GOD IS WITH YOU!!!

 I ask you to let this thought take root deep inside and consider it constantly throughout your, day, week, and life!!

It makes me want to laugh at the devil with great abandon: “GOD IS FOR ME SO NOTHING ANYONE ELSE CAN DO WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE”!

____________________________________________________

Father, I come in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!  What an amazing truth and a joyous Blessing that you are for me!  I ask that you stir up within each person who reads this, the fortitude to release all problems, fears and situations to your Lordship and walk in the Victory that you give those who honor and Love you! Let your Love through your children stomp out evil and usher in good!  Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 515

February 23, 2021///

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words!”

“Children learn what they see!”

“Your actions speak so loud I cannot hear your words!”

“Actions speak louder than words!”

You have probably heard these statements many times, but have you ever thought about what they really mean?

We are told in writing that describing or showing is better than just telling.

Jesus taught with examples and stories as well as His Life!

Please take a moment with me and think of what you are showing your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, cashiers, customer service people, fellow Christians?

Four of the fruit of the Spirit are Kindness, Patients, Gentleness, and self-control!

The more of ourselves we release to the Lordship of Jesus Christ the more of these attributes we will see.

Do our actions portray: 

Patience and peace or turmoil, irritation, and impatience?

Love or hate or dislike?

Caring or ignoring?

Self-control or self-serving?

May I tell you that your descendants are those born to you or your children on down the line!  An inheritance is what possessions etc. you leave them! But a Legacy is the life you lived, how you responded to challenges, storms, good times and bad!

If you are a parent of small children, how do you respond when they are getting on every nerve you have?  When you receive bad news do you respond by falling apart or by trust in the one who died for you?  When you are passed over for the promotion because someone else is better looking or will go out for drinks with the crowd, what is your reaction?

When you are in a traffic jam or a long line or at a no-customer service counter or on a call with them, what reaction do those around you see!

Do those around you see a helpful caring individual who considers others and not just their self?   You see all of these are preaching something!

Do you want to win the world but do not read the word and teach it to your children, grandchildren and beyond?

Are you faithful to God’s house and serve in anyway you can, showing the importance of dedication and perseverance?

Watching my Daddy spend hours in the world of God, taught me the importance of the Bible and knowing what it says.  I am sure he did, but I really do not remember him telling me that the Bible would guide and lead me in the right way, but I saw that in His life.

My parent’s faithfulness to help others and consistent church attendance and participations, instilled in me a love for church and the work of the lord.  Their being faithful in taking all of us to church exposed me to missionaries and evangelist and singers and many who influenced my life for good.

As pastors, I also saw their actions to those who opposed what God wanted to do in the church and I learned that there is never a need to be ugly to people, by watching the way they handle the people who could have caused chaos!

Imitate:

: to follow as a pattern, model, or example.

: to be or appear like: RESEMBLE

: to produce a copy of: REPRODUCE

1 Peter 2:21 (KJV)
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Can we with honesty desire people to follow our ways?  May we strive to be able to truly have people follow us, as Paul requested of the people around him in I Corinthians!

1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

What legacy are you leaving?

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Father God may each of our lives be so full of your spirit and the attributes of Jesus, that we can honestly say follow me!  In Jesus name I pray! Amen!

Let your actions and words line up!   Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 514

February 16, 2021///

My mind goes back this morning to a time many years ago when our son, who is now fifty-four, was around 3 or 4 years old.

We had a large back yard that was surrounded with a chain link fence except at one part around the gate.  That section was redwood and because the ground went down a little, at one small place at the bottom of the redwood there was a small opening between it and the ground. 

Even though it did not look big enough for even a thin child such as our son to get through, he would get down and some way wiggle through it and get outside the fenced in area that was a safe place for him to roam and play.

He had that entire safe place but the pull of outside the fence enticed him and he would find himself where he could get hurt or even killed if he got into the road.  But this was not what he was thinking.  He just wanted outside the confines of the fence.

He was reprimanded, spanked (yes, I said it), but the appeal was still too strong until we put something in that open spot to stop the roaming.

May I tell you this morning that if Jesus Christ is not just your Savior but also your Lord, you are surrounded by safety and security.  The creator God dispatched ministering, guardian, and warrior angels all around us to minister, guard, and protect us.

We can live our lives in a place of safety and security.

Psalm 91:1-2 (KJV)
¹ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

We were created, however, with a free will.  Sometimes what is outside the safety of God’s love and provision draws us strongly to get down flat and squirm and push until we are free from the constrains of the secret and safe place and in danger not only of harm but of separation from fellowship of the one who loves us most.

The word tells us there is pleasure in sin for a season.  We may rejoice when we exit the security and constrains of the safety God has all around and all over us, but danger awaits.

Knowing this the Father draws us and even disciplines us to keep us safe in Him. He, much more that each of us, understands that the enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy us. He gives us life abundantly.

Like the appeal to our small son, maybe the temptation is just too much.  As you grow in your relationship with the Lord Jesus, just as my son would finally get too big for that opening, you may grow up so that small opening would not be a temptation.

But meanwhile, just as we had to stop the way of escape for our son, you must allow the Lord Jesus to fill in the openings that pull you to the world, with His Presence, His Word, and His direction. 

Spending time meditating on the word, praying, or just sitting in His presence will allow you to avoid temptation.

When my husband would pitch a baseball, or play in the fenced area with our son, our son was so focused on spending time with his father, that the opening was no temptation at all.

May I say when we spend time in the presence of our Heavenly Father by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, the pull of the world fades from our minds and attention.

His word makes us strong and able to be an example to others of the safety the almighty has prepared for us.  Outside of that is danger.

Living from our safe place will draw others to come to the creator God and let Him be their strength and security!

Just as a loving parent, the boundaries of living in His presence is for our good and to keep us safe from the destruction and harm of the enemy.  He Loves you!

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Father, thank you that we can depend on your love and care as we walk this road of life in the safety and security of your presence.  Invade each of us with the desire to just serve and love you and allow you to protect us as we avoid the temptation to go the worlds way.  May our love for you draw others to your way which is the best way to live.  Invade each person who reads this with the reality of your love and care! In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I pray!  Amen

Stay with Jesus! Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 513

February 9, 2021///

CREATE:

: to bring into existence.

: to produce or bring about by a course of action or behavior.

: to produce through imaginative skill.

: to make or bring into existence something new.

Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

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

Genesis 5:1 (KJV)
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

We are to create!  We should be creators!

In the beginning God created! But it was only man and woman who were created in His Image and Likeness!

Which means if we are made in God’s likeness and He was a creator then we should be creators.  I have heard it said that “We are most like God when we are creating”!

Some are Blessed to create music or art or books or plays or movies!  Some are Blessed to create businesses or items that will make our lives easier such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, automobiles, or electricity, etc.

Some are Blessed to created health in others through ministering as Doctors, or Nurses or medical researchers.  Some are Blessed to create future creators in our schools as teachers and administrators.

We can and should create a loving caring atmosphere in our homes and churches and neighborhoods.  We can create encouragement to others by a smile, word, phone call or card!

We can create a safe place for those who know us to feel free to pour out their cares and worries.

I have heard people speak about themselves declaring that they are not at all creative!

But you were created in the image of the Master Creator, and therefore you have a creative nature!

Maybe you do not think about cooking, sewing as creating but you are bringing something into existence! That is creating!

When your smile lifts someone’s day you are creating a good feeling in them. When you plant flowers that spread the beauty of the earth, you are creating!  When you prepare a celebration for someone you are creating!

When you have a bad attitude and snap at people you are creating an atmosphere of ugly.  When you are selfish and determined to have you own way you are creating animosity and walls.

We may not all have our name in lights, but we are all creators.  We must ask the creator God to show us the specific things we can create, but we must all create the goodness and mercy all around us! 

We must create an atmosphere of worship and praise to God Almighty wherever we are, in our homes, churches, business places, neighborhoods!

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.

Colossians 3:10 (KJV)
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

May we create good and walk in all the creation God has placed within!

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Father, thank you that we are created in you image!  Thank you for the creativity you have placed within each of your creations.  Stir up the special abilities and talents you have deep in each of us and as we pursue those, let us remember that there are so many ways we are creating in each day. Give us the Peace that creates a peaceful surrounding, give us Joy the spreads to create hope in the discouraged, and give us words, to create an atmosphere of acceptance!  In Jesus name I pray! Amen!

You are a creator!   Love, MeMaw