Blog

MeMaw Thoughts
Number 434
July 16, 2019//

I have a necklace that my sweet daughter gave me that is a beautiful key on a great chain. It has a stone in it, and I love it.

However as lovely as that key is, it opens nothing. It is good to look at but will not reveal what is in a locked area. It does not really function as a key but only looks like one.

In our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ in this world we are temporarily in, we like to proudly show the beautiful keys of talent, abilities, admirations, and successes but our lives with God are not real and will not open the doors of the Kingdom to the World around us, who desperately need Jesus Christ in our lives.

Jesus declared in teaching us to pray that we pray: Matthew 6:10 (KJV)
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

That settles the fact that Jesus wants us to have good things and see awesome things happen in our lives and ministries just as good and awesome things are in heaven.

In Matthew 16, Jesus had asked the disciples who people were saying He was. They gave several answers and then read what happens next:

Matthew 16:15-19 (KJV)
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said,

Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and

upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Jesus is saying that He will build His Church on the truth that “HE IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!”, AND NOTHING WILL PREVAIL AGAINST IT.

Then in verse 19 Jesus tells us that when we truly grasp the fact that He is The Christ, the Son of the Living God, He will give us the “KEYS TO THE KINGDOM!”.

May I tell you that when we know who Jesus is, we have the authority and power to loose and to bind the Spirits that are at work in this world.

We can loose those around us from mind-bending spirits and bind them to the mind of Christ Jesus. We can loose from the bondages of destructive habits and bind to the freedom of life in Jesus. We can loose from sickness and bind to divine healing. You get the picture.

Now, let’s think about the keys. At our church we have specific keys for specific doors, but we also have a Master Key. This key opens all the doors except the door where the financial records are kept.

In our walk with Jesus, when we understand who He is, He wants to give us the Master Key to open everything we need and to give Him Glory. However, like our financial records office, we may be holding back one area that we will not allow the Master key to open.

We may grasp the greatness of our God and we may have the Master Key to open all doors, but there is one area of our life we will not release to the Lord Jesus. He wants to change that lock to the fit the Master Key also.

Hold nothing back. Release all things and people to Him and use the Keys of the Kingdom to bring His Kingdom to Earth!!!

How do we use the Master Key: Praise, Adoration, declaring what God has already done, speaking the Word and Truth! Bringing our minds into captivity of the Lord Jesus. Binding evil and loosing the Glory and Power of Almighty God!!!

God is Greater than any other!!! Do we believe that!!!

There is an old song that says: “Nothing between my soul and my Savior!”

That is my desire!!
__________________________________________________________________________
Father God, in Jesus name I come to you with an open heart. Cleanse me and make me pure within and I declare, nothing between you and me. Thank you for you Love and desire to Bless those who will open all they are, have, and desire to you. Mold us into the Army of Mighty Warriors that you want to give “THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM”! May the truth of who you are so invade us that we understand the Power and Authority that is ours. Bless all who read this with all Spiritual Blessings. YOU ARE LORD!!! Amen

Give it all to Jesus!!
Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 433
July 9, 2019///

Break off those dead leaves!!

We have two good sized plants in our kitchen window. Yesterday as I noticed the green and healthy look of the plants, I also notice that there were one or two dead and brown leaves.

These brown leaves were taking away the beauty of the green plants. I broke off and threw away the dead leaves and the plants looked vibrant and were a blessing to look at.

May I tell you that in our spiritual walk with the Lord God Almighty we are like the plants. We may look green and healthy in most of our walk in this thing we call life, but each of us from time to time have dead leaves that are taking away from others seeing Jesus and His goodness through us.

These dead leaves can take the form of pride, jealousy, bad attitudes and grouchy spirits. They can take the form of neglect of time with the Creator God by being to busy to pray and study the Bible and sit in the presences of the giver of life.

These dead leaves can take the form of wrong motives and finding fault and snapping at our family, friends, or cashiers, etc.

Think with me of the dead leaves you would get rid of if Jesus, in the form of a human were right by your side.

How would you act instead of reacting? How much of your conversation would be different than you find it is now?

May I tell you that Jesus tells us in His Word:

John 14:18-20 (KJV)
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

As our Savior and Lord, Jesus is with us always and all around us. He is with us!!

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
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.

So I implore you to understand that when we walk around with dead leaves type things in our lives that are ugly, rebellious and not projecting a loving Father God, we are for sure not showing to the World the “Lamb of God”, who paid it all!!

Sometimes without even realizing it we let our desire to be right override our desire to be right with God.

I love the statement: “God don’t like ugly!”

God created us and knows us and Loves us with all our faults and failures, but He Loves us too much to leave us that way. We are a work in progress and if we allow Him, He will pull all the dead leaves from our lives!

Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

I encourage you today to look with me at our actions, attitudes and motivations. If our actions are not born from the Love of God and our motives are not to lift Him up, we need to repent, pull off those dead leaves and let the Holy Spirit do the changes in us that are needed!
________________________________________
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I come. I ask you to examine each of our motives and actions and pull off the dead leaves, the things that do not Glorify you, and let us live as a vessel of Honor to you our Savior and Lord! Amen!

Pull off the dead leaves!
Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 432
July 2, 2019///

What kind of race are we running?

Here are some of the different kinds of races and a short explanation of each:

Sprints are Races over short distances. Examples are 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters.

Marathon is a long-distance race, completed by running, walking, or a run/walk strategy

Road running is the sport of running on a measured course over an established road (as opposed to track and field and cross country running).

Tower running is a sport which involves running up tall man-made structures. Usually the races take place on the internal staircases of skyscrapers, but the term can cover any foot race which involves a course that ascends a man-made structure.

Trail running is a sport-activity which combines running, and, where there are steep gradients, hiking, that is run “on any unpaved surface”. Trail running normally takes place on good paths, or tracks which are relatively easy to follow

Fell running, also sometimes known as hill running, is the sport of running and racing, off-road, over upland country where the gradient climbed is a significant component of the difficulty.

Cross country running is a sport in which teams and individuals run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain such as dirt or grass.

Adventure running is the sport of running over a variety of surfaces (dirt, road, mountain, sand, snow), generally over long distances, where the racer has to overcome nature. Challenges include river crossing, scrambling, snow, extreme high or low temperatures, and high altitudes.

Let us now compare these different kinds of races to our spiritual life. Each of us will find we have our own race or races to run. How are we running and are we running the race or races that Father God has for us?

Sprint: This race would only be run in a situation that we faced that would be over soon. A death, an illness, a job loss, financial crisis, etc. We can stand the pace for a little, but we could not hold out for the long haul. Many people just give up after the sprint and say I’ve had enough.

We must understand that God gives us the strength to keep going and to have victory over the other races we must face.

Marathon: This is the way we need to face life every day. Steady and sure in the love of the Lord Jesus and we just keep a slower than sprint pace but we know that we can go all the way with the Lord Jesus as our companion and we just never give up, never give up, never give up!

Road running: We are traveling an established road toward a measured goal. We know what we are headed for and with God as our helper we will reach our goal.

Tower running: This is absolutely the race you should not be running. This is running in a man-made climb to the world success and acclaim. We must avoid this and understand that our race is for things of eternal value.

Trail running: This would be the times we leave the road and go higher up in our relationship with Jesus Christ. When it is steep, we may slow to hiking but it is a good path and the end is a better understanding of who we are and who Father God is.

Fell running: This is another uphill climb. Off the road and the easy path, it takes us even higher up in our walk with God. It may be a hard climb, but the rewards are unmeasurable.

Cross country running: We should be cross country running to tell all of those around us about the awesome relationship we can have with Jesus Christ.

Adventure running: This is following the Holy Spirits lead to get out of our comfort zone and traverse various kinds of roads, mountains, etc. in all kings of weather and circumstances. In this race we are facing our fears and are breaking down barriers and understanding that “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”.

In our time here on earth we will find ourselves in a lot of different type races. May we consistently examine where we are and make sure that we are in the right race at the right time.

The Apostle Paul gives us some instruction about our race in Hebrews!
Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

I encourage each of us to lay aside the things which hinder and run our race with patience!!
__________________________________
Father may each of us run our race and stay in our lane and go from victory to victory as we grow in you and the knowledge of your word. In Jesus name I pray! Amen!

God Bless you in whatever race you find yourself in!
Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 431
June 25, 2019///

I will praise Him with my whole heart! His praise shall continually be in my mouth!

The scripture above is found in Psalm 34:1 and describes a lifestyle that will keep you in peace and in tune with the Creator God.

I ask you today to join me and say out loud (if you are in a place you can or in your heart if you are in a place you cannot says these things out loud) these awesome truths. Repeat them many times. I have found that when we realize by our praise who we are and who God is our entire outlook on life is changed.

“Lord Jesus I thank you that I am fearfully made. Thank you that you knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb and you Love me and sing over me with that Love.”

“I Bless your name, Jesus, that name that is above all names. I thank you that you are my rock and my shield, and you are my protector and my provider.”

“Father God, you spoke the world and everything good into existences and if what I need does not exist you will speak it into being.”

“I decree and declare that my body in a temple of the Holy Spirit and health and healing are flowing through me. Strength is invading every part of my being!”

“Thank you, Jesus, that because you live, I can really LIVE also and my life is a light shining to dispel the darkness around me!”

“God, I thank you that with you all things are possible, and I can do all things though Christ Jesus who strengthens me!”

“Thank you, Lord God Almighty, that my entire family is serving and honoring you and you are surrounding each of us with Myriads of Warrior, Ministering, and Guardian Angles to minister, fight for and guard each of us!”

“I praise you, Lord God Almighty, that if you are for me who can be against me!”

“I praise you that you are on my side and I will not fear!”

“Lord Jesus, I declare and know that you will fulfill every promise in your word and every promise to me specifically!”

“Thank you that you are stirring up within me the knowledge that Faith can move mountains, and Faith comes by hearing your words!”

“Thank you, Father God, that you work wonders, and you even know the Stars by name, and you know my thoughts and desires and you know the very depths of my heart!”

“Lord, you know me, and you Love me. I praise you from my innermost being for that!”

“Thank you, Jesus, that you are helping me be kind and gracious and show others the mercy you have shown me!”

“The Heavens declare your Glory and the trees clap their hands in Praise and I worship you, Creator of the Universe, for who you are……Lord God Almighty!”

“Thank you, Lord God, that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart is acceptable in your sight. I thank you that this mind is in me which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”

“Thank you, Jesus, that because you Love me, I can love others. Thank you that all I do; I do in love and I do everything with all my heart!”

“Lord Jesus, you are my peace and I walk in the peace that passes understanding!”

“Lord you are trustworthy and faithful, and I can rest and be secure in you!”

“Thank you that your Glory is covering the whole earth and truth is invading not only my life but every life in my family, church, county, state and country!”

“Oh, Lord God Almighty, I thank you that when I am weak, you are strong, and I thank you that I am never alone, you will never leave me!”

“Thank you, Father God, that you are for me so who can be against me. I am the head and not the tail, I am above and not beneath, and I am Blessed coming in and going out, in the city and in the field. I extol you, Lord God Almighty!”

“I wait for you Lord; I am strong and take heart and wait for you Lord. In the fullness of time you will bring all you promise to pass!”

“Lord God, I decree and declare that I love in action and in compassion, in gentleness, and patience!”

“I praise you, Lord God Almighty, that I am anointed and full of power and your love and peace flows forth from me to all around me!”

“This is the day you have made, Father God, and I rejoice and am glad in it. You are my shepherd and I shall not want for anything!”

“I am your beloved, Father God, and you are awesome incredible and do exceedingly wonderful things. Thank you for this beautiful earth you created, and I praise and worship you with my whole heart!”

I PRAY YOU ALL WERE BLESSED BY SPEAKING THESE TRUTHS!
Love, Memaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 430
June 18, 2019///

Psalm 1:1-3 (KJV)
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Trees: On one of the cool mornings last week I was sitting on our deck enjoying Gods amazing creation when the trees at the back and side of our yard caught my attention.

I am not a tree person, but I think most of them are pines with a few others growing in among them.

As I sat there and took in the shapes of the trees, I noticed that some of them stood straight and some were very tall and some not so tall.

But I also noticed that one was bent way over but still standing strong. Others had a bent here and there in the trunks.

As I pondered this, I realized that storms had bent and shaped some of them so that they were not perfect but still standing and still pointing up to their creator and still giving cool and shade.

I thought about comments people make such as: “That is the way they are bent, or that is just their bend”. Have you ever heard something like that?

May I ask you this morning, do you feel like you are in the middle of a storm, are you being tossed about and bent low. Maybe you have come through the storm but feel like the effect has left you bent and scarred and less than perfect.

I have good news; God uses imperfect and bent people. Just stand strong in and through your storm, knowing that the Lord God Almighty is your strength and In Him you live, and breath and continue despite all that is happening or has happened in your life.

Look at the scripture at the beginning of this blog. We are Blessed when we do not follow ungodly counsel but delight and mediate in the truth of the word of Almighty God!!

Notice it does not say that then we will be a perfect tree or a tree with no scars or bends, but we will be standing strong because our roots go down and drink from the water we are planted by.

The water is the word and it causes us to bring forth fruit (a life lived portraying Love, Joy Peace, etc.), and prosper.

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Be encouraged today to stand strong in all you are facing and know that all that you have gone through has not made you unusable but you are a valued child of the creator of the universe and He Loves and Cares for you and will use everything in your life to Bless and encourage others.

Do not listen to satans lies that you cannot be used because you are bent or scared from storms in the past or present. Know that when you just stand, the Lord God Almighty will fight your battles and you will emerge still standing!

We are Victorious in all situations!!

Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

We may bend or be bent, and we may be scarred but we will stand strong and know that with God all things are Possible!!
_______________________________________________
Father, thank you that you give us strength during storms and turmoil. You Bless and watch out for us even when we cannot see the way. May we know your Word and stand firm and strong even when we are bent and scarred by all that comes against us. You use the imperfect. Help us to stand tall and point others to you. I decree and declare this in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

Stand strong in the Lord.
Love, MeMaw

MeMaw Thoughts
Number 429
June 11, 2019///

Definition of joy
1: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : DELIGHT
2 : a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS
3: a source or cause of delight
Synonyms:
blessedness, bliss, blissfulness, felicity, gladness, happiness, warm fuzzies

JOY is an inward emotion. Some of the definitions above like success or good fortune or possessing what we desire comes from what happens in our lives. These may produce temporary joy, but according to the Word of Almighty God True Permanent Joy only comes from Him.

May we look at the ways to walk in Joy and the benefits of walking in Joy. As sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty we should be filled with Joy at all times and in all situations.

Nehemiah 8:10 B (KJV)
the joy of the LORD is your strength.

>STRENGTH
Joy will give you strength in spirit, soul and body!!

Psalm 5:11 (KJV)
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

>TRUST
When you Trust and Love His name, you realize that with God on your side you are the victor!!

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.

>DIRECTION
He will show you the way to take & pleasure through Joy in His presences!!

Isaiah 55:12 (KJV)
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

>PEACE
When we go out with Joy, He leads us with such Peace that nature all around us seems to be rejoicing with us!!

John 15:11 (KJV)
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
1 John 1:4 (KJV)
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

>WORD
Gods Word is written that our Joy may be CONSTANT and TOTAL!! Knowing the Word fills us with Joy!!

John 16:24 (KJV)
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

>RECEIVE
God wants to fill us with Joy by giving us the things we ask for.

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

>FRUIT
When we walk in the Spirit of the Living God, we will be producing the fruit of the spirit and that includes Joy!!

Romans 15:13 (KJV)
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

>HOPE
Joy and Peace allow us to abound in Hope!!

Father God, thank you for Joy that is so powerful as we walk in it. Thank you for your word that provides us with Joy and direction. Fill us with your Joy and may it flow forth to affect all those around us. In Jesus Name!! Amen

I desire true Joy for you!! Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 428
June 4, 2019///

May I tell you this morning that God Loves you!! I know I may talk about the Love of God a lot, but I believe we do not understand fully His Love for us, His creations!!

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.

Do you get that!! We are created in the image of the Lord God Almighty!!

What an awesome thought. Just as we love things we create such as paintings, writings, etc. God Loves us! Just as we love our children who are part of us and are at least partially in our image, God Love us!

1 John 4:10 (KJV)
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

We are constantly discussing how we should Love and serve the Lord God Almighty, and we should, but today I want us to concentrate on how much God Loves us!

We are made in His image and He breathed into us the breath of life. That is more amazing than I can comprehend. Each of us have the breath of the creator God flowing through our body.

1 John 3:1 (KJV)
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:

We are sons and daughters of the most high God. He Loves us and wants to Bless us and give us all good things.

James 1:17 (KJV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

God desires to give us good things. The evil in this world as a result of sin and satan, is not from God! God longs for us to bring to Him every part of our lives and hearts and let Him touch us!

He draws us to Himself, but it is our choice of how much of ourselves to relinquish to Him.

Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV)
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Do you feel His Love in your life!! My heart cries out for those who do not understand how much they are Love by their creator!!

His Love is amazing, His Love is warmth to our innermost being, His Love brings Peace in the midst of turmoil and His Love never fails!

The kind of Love the Father has for His sons and daughters, we cannot ever comprehend! He Loves you; you are His creation and He longs to walk with you and talk with you!

I encourage you today to just reach out to Him by using your voice and tell Him you are open to His guidance and to all He wants to do in your life.

We were not meant to do life in our own ability and power, but we are to partner with the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Creator and the Holy Spirit and walk in the freedom that He who can do all things is on our side.

In storms or sunshine, goodness or pain, the Love of the Father will sustain you and keep you in perfect Peace!!

He Loves you without reservations or requirements. He made you and understands you and knows every thought and desire.
Rest in His Love knowing He holds the future!
______________________________________
Father, I come to you in Jesus name and I thank you for your Love. You Love us when we mess up. You Love us when we say wrong things and think wrong thoughts. You Love us and desire to partner with us in this life and guide us and intervene in every circumstance and situation. Forgive us when we think we can do it without you. Fill us full of you and guide us with your Love. Your Love is amazing, everlasting and free. Amen

Let God Love You!
Love, MeMaw

MeMaw Thoughts
Number 427
May 28, 2019///

Perfection and Winning.

The dictionary defines these two words as follows.

perfection
1 : the quality or state of being perfect: such as
freedom from fault or defect : FLAWLESSNESS
2: an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence
winning
1: a captured territory : CONQUEST
2: successful especially in competition

Into each of us is a desire for everything in our lives and the lives of our children and family to be perfect (flawless). If it were within our power every mountain would be low and every valley high and every moment without worry, fear, problems or difficulties.

When we do face any problems of life or even play a sport or a game, built into us is the deep desire to win (conquest). To conquer all and to be the best.

Do not try to convince yourself that this is not true. People everywhere in everyway are seeking perfection and a winning life.

What does perfection look like???

Is it not different for different people?

For those who love the beach it could be a house on the beach with caretakers and awesome landscape and never a storm in the sky.

For you who love the mountains it could be a beautiful retreat in the mountains surrounded by the beauty of nature and all God created.

For those who love city life, it could be a home in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the city with not one problem or bump in the road.

For those facing illness or disease it could be a body without flaws or pain and energy and strength to do all that is in their heart.

I could continue but you get the picture!!

We play every game to win. To be the best. To succeed and to accomplish greatness.

BUT: Life is not perfect, and we do not win every time. We all know troubles and turmoil and things that are far from perfect enter our lives.

We lose sometimes and we struggle sometimes, and we cry sometimes.

But the good news is that in the midst of all of that we can have Joy and Peace if we know the Love of our Creator through believing in Jesus Christ.

JESUS SAID IN JOHN 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We can have the peace of perfection and the joy of winning despite all that is going on in our lives. Jesus already took care of it!! We are on the winning side and He gives us perfect peace which is the ultimate perfection.

Jesus will speak peace to your storm and perfection to your heart!!

May we live life on the winning team:::: Team Jesus!!!!!!
__________________________________

Father God, I come in the name of Jesus Christ. I thank you for the peace you give even in the midst of our problems and situations. Help each of us to understand that with you all things are possible, and you have overcome all the imperfections in our world. We lean on you and declare that because you are victorious, we are victorious. We can overcome all things as you live through us. Amen

LOVE JESUS: SERVE HIM!!
Love, MeMaw

MeMaw Thoughts
Number 426
May 21, 2019///

What is the most important thing in the world to you?

What do you spend the most time on?

What would you grieve most if it were gone?

Is it your job, your family, your relationships, your possessions?

We strive for things or possessions, sometimes to the neglect of the more important things.

Jesus said in Matthew:

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

We all know what first means. Before anything else, before anyone else. First is the position in our life that the Lord God Almighty should have.

Right next to that is our relationship with our family.

And following that our relationships with others.

Making money and acquiring things should be way down the list of our priorities.

What do you Love?

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.

And yet we may run out the door in the morning without giving God a thought and without praying and lifting our family and friends up to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Whether you have much or little money and possessions, many or few friends or acquaintances, they can take first place above the Lord God Almighty.

Luke 12:15 B (KJV)
for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

If you think honestly you will agree that we spend our time, money and effort on those things we love!

May I say that the way the enemy gets us tripped up is in the necessity to have a place to live, food to eat and to take care of our families. How many times has someone excused their busy schedule with the statement “I want good things for my family”, or “I have to take care of things”?

May I ask you if we really believe Jesus meant what He said. Did He really mean if we seek Him FIRST, He will ADD all other THINGS???

As I convey what is in my heart this morning, I am convinced if we really believed what the WORD, THE LIVING WORD OF GOD says, our lives would look different.

Nothing would keep us from nurturing the relationship with the Lord Jesus and then the relationships with each other.

How many children have all the things money can buy but have no relationship with their parents? May I tell you, things will fade away but the time you pour into relationships, including the one with the Lord God Almighty, will last forever.

Yes, we must work and provide but what place does that take in our life? Where is our relationship to God and our family on our priority scale?

If we really walk in the confidence that God is who He says He is and His promises are true, we will seek His kingdom first knowing He will handle everything else.

LORD HELP OUR UNBELIEF!!!!!
______________________________________________
Father, thank you for you word. I ask you to stir up within each of us the truth that the key to life is in “Seeking your kingdom First”. Your word is truth and I decree and declare that truth is made real deep in each of our spirits. You created us, you Love us, you will fight our battles and you will provide not only our needs but our desires when our heart is toward you and we make you the number one priority in our life. Thank you for the close relationship with you that Jesus provided. You are real and you are Loving and Kind. I am yours. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Examine your priorities,
Love, MeMaw

MeMaw Thoughts
Number 425
May 14, 2019///

Among several things our son and his wife gave me for Mother’s Day was a cute covered mug. When I was opening gifts in front of the family, I was maybe like you are when people are all looking at you open gifts for various occasions.

I always feel like I must continue and not examine the gift as closely as I do later with no one looking at me. I promise myself each occasion that I will not do that next time but take the time to look carefully.

So, what I discovered when I examined the covered cup more closely is that it is a triple insulated cup that will keep things cold for 9 hours and hot for 3 hours. This cup is dishwasher safe and has a non-slip base and a shatterproof, spill resistant lid.

There is much, much more to this cup than a quick look revealed. I was looking but not seeing!

Why am I telling you about a covered cup? Because I received a couple of good life lessons from this that I want to share with you, so read on!!

FIRST: We are so prone to read the Word of Almighty God without really seeing the truth and instruction contained in the portion of scripture we read.

We say “that is a good scripture and it Blessed me”, but if we examine it more closely we will find it will set us free and pour strength into our Spirits and our Bodies and will instruct us in the way to live our life.

We will have light shined on things in our hearts and lives that we need to confess, quit doing, or let go of. We will find a deeper trust in the Lord God Almighty as we look closely at all His Word is saying.

Psalm 18:30 (KJV)
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Proverbs 30:5 (KJV)
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Romans 10:17 (KJV)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We must take the time to slow down and let the Word of God sink deep into our Spirits, so we see the deep truths!!

SECOND: We are so quick to look at others without really seeing them. We look, we speak, but we rarely take the time to see the unique individual that God created.

We don’t see really see. Every person we meet has disappointments, dreams, hurts, desires and confusion. We just see on the surface and go on by. Maybe this person needs someone to look deep into what they are going through and just listen.

We all have our agenda and we think we must stay on track. But may I tell you that there is much ministry and good in the interruptions of our life.

How much can we show the Love of the Lord Jesus if we just take the time to really see those whom we are blessed to cross paths with.

May I tell you that Jesus is so concerned about the one that we read in
Acts 8: 26 – 38 that Philip was instructed to leave a great revival that was going on and go to a divine encounter with one man who was seeking the answer to what he was reading in the scripture. This resulted in the man being saved and baptized.

God has divine encounters for us with people who need encouragement, prayer, love, a smile, a listening ear and the Word of God.

But we must be willing to really see people. We must be willing to allow the Love of God to flow through us to them.

Proverbs 16:24 (KJV)
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Colossians 3:12 (MSG)
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.

1 John 3:18 (MSG)
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.

Will you join me in my determination to really see people and really hear what God’s Word is saying to me? Just like the cup, there is much more there than a quick look will reveal.

_____________________________________________

Father forgive me for all the times I read your Word but do not see! Forgive me for the people I see but do not really see! I ask you to touch my heart with the determination to see past the outward person and really see. Allow each of us to encourage and uplift each other by really seeing the great qualities each of us have. Allow each of us to be strong in your Love and Power by really seeing the Word of the Living God and letting it rise from the pages of the Bible and imbed deep in our Spirit. I ask this in the name of Jesus, the name above all names. Amen

Love, MeMaw