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Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 407
December 18, 2018///

Laugh, it will relieve the stress!!

Praise the Lord! Christmas is one week away!!

What reaction does that produce in you?

Dread, regret that you did not do some things sooner, Joy at being with family, weariness at the thought of all you must do, Gratefulness that Jesus came!!!!

May I remind you of some promises in the Bible, the Word of the Living God!

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

Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (MSG)
A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

WEBMD.COM SAYS:
Feeling rundown? Try laughing more. Some researchers think laughter just might be the best medicine, helping you feel better and putting that spring back in your step.

HELPGUIDE.ORG SAYS:
Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you to release anger and be more forgiving.

HEALTHGUIDANCE.ORG SAYS:
These positive effects of laughter can be explained by the fact that it triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin which are the feel-good hormones that create feelings of euphoria, love and happiness. Laughter also works through a psychological phenomenon known as ‘facial feedback’ whereby pulling a certain expression can actually cause you to experience the corresponding emotion. Thereby the simple act of smiling from laughing can raise your mood. Finally, the fact that laughter is contagious means that you can almost ‘contaminate’ yourself, causing an endless cycle of laughter that eventually leaves you doubled over and struggling to catch your breath… As well as triggering endorphins however, laughter also suppresses stress hormones to further increase your good mood.

Just think about this: all the researchers and scientist think they have discovered something about laughter when our Father God inspired the prophets of old to write this fact in the Bible.

God knew from the beginning what a good thing Joy and Laughter bring to our Soul, Spirit, and Body!

He made us to be Joyful like children and understand that our heavenly Father desires that we walk in Joy and Peace.

I believe that Jesus laughed a lot when He was walking in human form on this earth. He was at a wedding and performed His first miracle there. He blessed the children and fellowshipped with His disciples. I truly think that even though Jesus knew the pain and suffering that were to come, He laughed a lot to demonstrate how we are to live life.

When we truly understand that the God of the Universe is watching over us and caring for us, we will drop our worried expressions and sadness of heart and we will rejoice in the God of our Salvation and all that means to us.

Christmas day is coming in one week no matter what. SO…. may we spend that week sharing Joy and Laughter as we make our list and check it twice!!

Don’t take yourself so seriously!!

Laugh!!! It is good for whatever ails you!!
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Father, I come in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I thank you for life, strength, joy, peace and eternal life. I praise you that we can celebrate the Birth of Your Son into this world as our Savior and our example. Fill us we Joy as we choose to laugh! Fill us with Peace as we understand what amazing care you, our Father, have for us! May each of us release all our worries concerns and frustrations as we rejoice in the God who knows all, understands all, and Loves all. Amen

Laugh!!!
Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 406
December 11, 2018///

Two weeks from today is Christmas Day!! The day set aside to honor the birth of the Savior of the world.

Jesus had to be born so that He could show us how to live and to take the punishment for mankind’s sin on the Cross and overcome it all as He came out of the tomb, victorious over death, hell and the grave.

May I ask you this morning, what will be your focus these next two weeks?

Christmas is a time of giving because God gave His only begotten son. Christmas is a time to spread the love of God to others and spend time with those closest to us.

But to often we get caught up in the planning, the gatherings, the pressure of choosing the right gift or the pressure of not being able to buy the gifts we want to give or to celebrate the way we would like.

Luke 2:4-7 (KJV)
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And we fail to remember the reason for the season. Oh! What a joy to remember the one we are supposed to celebrate. The miraculous conception, the timing of Jesus birth. To have Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem at the right time.

Notice the end of the seventh verse in the scripture above. It says there was no room. Do we crowd Jesus out of our lives with all the other things we are concerned about and all the other things that take our time and effort?

What will you be focused on the next two weeks, and let us enlarge that question to what is your focus the entire year?

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

God sent His Angels and visons and dreams to cause it all to come together to fulfill His plan.

May I tell you that God is sending Angels, visions and dreams to bring each of us to the fulfillment of the plan He has for our lives. Trust that He knows where you are and who He must guide and what has to happen that your destiny comes to fruition.

Where is your focus? Think about your plans for the next two weeks. Do they included worshipping the Savior of the world in church services, special Christmas services and helping others through Salvation army. Angel tree, Senior Citizen homes or just someone you know who may be struggling.

Do you plan to read and ponder with thanksgiving the miracle of the true Christmas Story? Will you take time each day to thank God the creator that He did not give up on His creation but made a way that we are reconciled to Him?

Do we have room in our lives this busy season for the Love of God to be shed abroad in our hearts and therefore be spread to all of those around us?

May I encourage you not to be so focused on all the things you have to do that you forget to smile at all those you meet in the aisles of stores or the harried person checking you out.

May I encourage you to commit all you have to do to the Lord Jesus Christ and pray for all those around you as you shop and sit in traffic and stand in long lines.

What a concept. A Savior to reconcile the world to the creator God. What a privilege to have the example and teaching of Jesus to follow and to be able to receive all He bought for us at Calvary.

Will you join me in centering our focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and what Christmas really means.

As you celebrate with family and friends will you do it with a heart of gratefulness to the giver of Life!!

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I come to you and thank you for the redemption plan. Thank you that you Love us enough to send the very best. Help each of us to have a truly grateful heart this season and understand the incredible Love and plan that caused the angels to exclaim to the shepherds on the hillside: “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH, PEACH AND GOODWILL TO MEN!”. May we glorify you in all we do this Christmas season and all year long. Amen

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 405
December 4, 2018///

Are you Living? Just because you are breathing does not mean you are living.

John 3:16 (KJV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 10:10 (KJV)
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The thief is the devil, the enemy of all that is good, but Jesus gives life. Real life flowing from deep within.

Revelation 22:17 (KJV)
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Are you the WHOSOEVER?

Whosoever can come to Jesus and drink of the life-giving water that they need so desperately.

In His presences you can be refreshed, cleansed, healed and set free from worry and stress.

Jesus promises when we come to Him, he will give us the life that He paid the price for. So many of us are existing and surviving rather than living and thriving.

The answer is simple. Come to the one who gives the water of life freely.

The human body is 50% to 75% water in adults and 75% to 78% water in infants. Therefore, if our body does not get enough water through what we eat or drink our bodies will not operate correctly and at some point, will be dehydrated and then we will eventually die.

May I tell you that if you do not drink of the living water that Jesus gives, then your spiritual man, the real deep inside you will die. Your spirit man needs the water of life that time in the Word of God and time spent in His presences gives.

Whosoever, no restrictions, whosoever will let him come and drink freely of the life that Jesus gives. It will change your attitude, your actions and your words. It will give you a new perspective and let you flow with joy deep within.

Are you tired, are you thirsty, are you weary of the daily grind, are you ready to give up the trying? Come to the water and drink!!!

Think about the thirstiest you have ever been. Coke would not satisfy, tea would not satisfy, coffee would not satisfy, milk nor juice would satisfy. But when you drank of the water, drank deeply, that thirst was satisfied.

Jesus gives you that thirst quenching water when you come.

Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

December is for most people a stressful month. May I tell you today, it does not have to be. May I tell you it can be the most wonderful time of the year as we celebrate the Birth of our Lord Jesus!

When we come to the life-giving water and allow the refreshing of our souls daily, each day can be an amazing celebration of His Love and care.

Jesus died on the cross to pay the sin debt. He rose again victorious and He is ready to pour out His life-giving water into WHOSOEVER will. But none of that was possible until He was born of a virgin maiden who was willing to give herself fully to God’s perfect will.

WHOSOEVER WILL COME………
Sit at His feet
Rest in His love
Release every care to Him
Drink. Take in all He is

I guarantee that when you avail yourself of the WHOSOEVER WILL promise, you will walk through life with a different outlook, different priorities, and different goals.

I am whosoever and I will come to the water and I will drink freely.
Will You???
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Father, how wonderful to know that whosoever includes me and everyone who is ever born on this earth. Thank you for your love. Thank you that we do not have to do life alone. Thank you that we can come to you and find rest for our weary souls. Thank you, Jesus, that you came. Bless all who read this with the most wonderful joy in this season of celebration. Amen

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 404
November 27, 2018///

Our good friend and brother in the Lord, Johnny Woody from our church, shared something God had dropped into his spirit that I want to expand on today.

He said: “Prayer is like a stamp on a letter!”

That set my mind in motion about all the ways that is true. May we look at that closely. It does not matter if your letter is a request, a compliment, a problem, or just sharing things that happen, you can fold it, seal it, put the address on it and have it all ready, but if there is no stamp on it, it will not reach its destination.

The letter may contain request for things you surely need, but unless there is a stamp on the envelope, the person who can meet that need will never see it.

May I tell you today that we may know what we need, we may want to praise the Lord God Almighty or we may be stewing in our minds and spirits about a problem, but until we come to the giver of life with our request, it is like a letter with no stamp.

Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6 (MSG)
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Does the Father know what we need? Yes, but His word teaches us that He wants us to ask. Maybe so we will pinpoint in our minds and spirits what we really need or want. Many times, when Jesus walked this earth, He asked people what they wanted before He healed or set them free. He asked a blind man, what do you want me to do. He asked the crippled man; do you want to be made whole?

Well the answer was obvious, but Jesus asked them to express it.

My question to you today is; “Are you bringing your needs to the one who can answer, solve, provide, set free and anything else that needs to happen or are you to busy trying to run your own life and solve your own problems.

Prayer, like a letter, is communication with the creator of the universe through the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.

Luke 18:1 (KJV)  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

1 Timothy 2:8 (KJV)
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Your heavenly Father is waiting for you to come to Him and ask for what you need and what you want. If you ask and it does not happen immediately, you keep on asking, letting the Father know that you understand He sees all things and your life is in His hands. Let go of the outcome and leave the answer in the hands of the one who knows and sees everything.

Matthew 7:7 (KJV)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

The original for this verse indicates to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking.

I encourage you today to put a stamp on your needs, visions and desires and pray about everything. Even in this next month of the Holiday hustle and bustle, Jesus wants you to bring every need to Him.

Commit your shopping, decorating, baking and planning to Him and you will find a new Joy in celebrating the giver of life entering the world as a baby.

Commit your lack and your abundance to Him and understand that God can provide in ways we cannot imagine.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (MSG)
pray all the time;

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Father, I come in Jesus name and I lift to you all who read this. I ask you to be real to each of them today. Let them feel your Love surround them and understand that you Love them with an everlasting, unconditional Love and desire that they communicate with you in Prayer. May each of us understand how precious we are to you, Lord God. Let us walk through this life in Faith and Victory, committing everything to you in Prayer. Amen

Have a wonderful, Joy filled life!!
Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 403
November 20, 2018///

Before I share today, I want to give a little thanks.

Thanksgiving is two days from now and I want to express my gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ for all the ways He has Blessed me.

I thank Him first for Salvation, the Holy Spirit who leads and guides, and the Bible that is our road map.

I thank Him for an amazing and incredible family and for their care for me. I thank Him that I have lived a long full life with many more years to go.

I thank Him for a wonderful church family that are full of grace and encouragement.

I thank Him for Love and the Peace that passes understanding. And I thank Him for so much else.
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So, how many of you, whether you buy lottery tickets or not have ever spent time imagining what you would do if you won millions of dollars?

Your mind can go down all kinds of roads and as a side point, the things you think of doing with the money may be the things that are most important in your life!

But let us look at what people do when they buy lottery tickets, register for the publishers clearing house, go to a casino, or other forms of taking chances. A few weeks ago, the lottery had reached an enormous amount and people who do not normally buy tickets were buying tickets.

Why? The odds of winning were so huge why spent hard earned money to take that chance? Because there was a chance.

I imagine there were thousands who were saying, but what if. What if I do win!!!

No matter what form it takes when you are willing to take a chance, no matter how slim, because of what if, you can let your imagination go and think of what you would do if it happened.

My question to you this morning is why are humans so shallow minded that they will take chances that are millions to one but will not Trust God who causes us to win every time?

One out of one die. Jesus came to give us life filled with perfection after death and a life on earth with peace in every situation.

Life lived with our Trust in a Heavenly Father who cares and Loves us, is a life that can walk through the ups and downs with great confidence that we are never alone, and He will fight our battles for us.

As long as we are in this earthly body, we will have times we just walk with our hand in His and Trust He will lead us through and there will also be the grand times when we will stroll through the flower gardens of life but again with our hand in His.

Psalm 118:1 (MSG)
Thank GOD because he’s good, because his love never quits.

Isaiah 43:2 (MSG)
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—

Hebrews 13:5-6 (MSG)
Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,”
6 we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?

My hearts prayer and desire for each of us is that we would understand when we take a chance with the Lord Jesus Christ, we never loose.

Just as we might say I will take my one in a million chance of winning big, may we take the sure chance that the Lord God Almighty has the winning hand and the winning plan.

What are you betting on today? More importantly what are you betting your life on? Or more specifically, whose care are you placing your life in? Yours or the Lord God Almighty!

What if…..all the promises God makes in the Bible are true. What if…. we Trust in the one who can.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV)
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Father, thank you for the security in you and the knowledge that with you we win every time. Let us walk with you and let you guide us into the amazing plans you have for us. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the name above all names. Amen

Love and hugs
Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 402
November 13, 2018///

Before I get into my thoughts this morning, I want to make four statements that I have made many times before!

1) Let us walk in Thanks Living, not just Thanks Giving!
2) He is God and I am not!!
3) God the Father is crazy about me, His Daughter!!!
4) I am so grateful that I do not have to do life alone, He is always with me!!!!

Next week is Thanksgiving. How in the world we got to this time of year I do not know but the holidays are upon us and before we know it, we will be ringing in 2019.

With Thanksgiving only a week away many of you are planning your dinner or your gathering, the day, and all the things that requires. Some of you have kids coming home from college or out of school for the holiday.

Some are gathering at others houses but are bringing things to add to the feast! Some are bringing friends, co-workers, or others to the gathering, and some are spending the day at shelters and helping others.

Some will be spending this day alone or maybe in a hospital as a patient or sitting with a family member or friend.

Notice I said planning. The dinner, gathering, shelter meal, or whatever form your day takes, unless there is some planning, things will be in disarray.

We plan the menu and ask each person to bring different things. If everyone showed up with paper goods, we would have plenty of plates but nothing to put on them. However, if the person that was asked to bring paper goods did not, we would have a problem.

If everyone came bearing green beans, we would have to have a bean feast.

You get the picture. So, let us look for a moment at God as the host and we are His family. He has a plan and He ask each of us to do our part. He gives each of us talents and abilities in a combination no one else possess.

But if we try to do another person’s part or just what we want to do, or if we do not do our part, then there is a problem. We are to pray and ask God for direction and then follow that direction.

May we now look at the next step. Once we know what we are to bring to the gathering, we must plan.

We start making list of what we will need to do to fulfill the plan. We make grocery list, shop, then lay out a plan on paper or in our mind of how we are to make this happen.

If we need our oven for two things, we must coordinate that. We must be aware of the time things take and all the other factors in our part of the plan.

Once again think of the plan of the Creator God. Once we know our part of His magnificent plan, we must plan our path to fulfilling that. We must get the training, do the praying, take the step of Faith, or whatever will bring the plan of God alive in our life.

We do not have to plan or carry out that plan alone because He will guide us each step of the way.

I have found that in my plans for a gathering, when I go shopping for the items I need, at that time I usually have not figured the timing for cooking it. But as the day draws near, I begin to think about the next phase: cooking.

It is the same in our journey to follow God’s plan. We don’t have to get it all before us at once, but just take the next step.

If this is a crazy me maws thought, just know that my heart is in the right place and ask God what He wants to show you through this.

May we take as much time to plan our journey with God as we do to plan our Thanksgiving gatherings.

And may we spend our lives in Thanks living!!

Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

John 10:27 (MSG)
My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
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Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I come to you and ask you to translate the truth of your word from these remarks to the hearts of all who read this. May we understand that you are a good, good, Father and your plans are good. May we understand you will walk with us and guide us in the way we should go. May each of us release every decision to your Lordship and as we go into this busy holiday season may we understand that you will keep us in perfect Peace when our minds are centered on you. Amen

Love and hugs, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 401
November 6, 2018///

Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

I think it is time we Bless the Lord and recognize all the good things He has provided for His creations, the work of His hands. We stress and become distressed over all that is wrong in this world instead of thanking God for all His benefits.

Something that makes a company a good place to work is it’s benefit package. I have known people who will accept a job with better benefits over one with a little more pay. Work Hours, Vacation Time, Sick Leave, Retirement plans, even Stock options, all make for an attractive benefit package.

May I tell you this morning that no company can ever compare to the benefit package the Creator of the Universe gives to those who choose to take it and get into His work force, or if you will, His Army.

The package starts with our decision to receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. Then we can rest in the following benefit package.

 Forgiveness – a continual forgiveness for our faults and failures.
 Healing – the one who made our bodies knows exactly how to heal us.
 Redemption – we are redeemed from destruction of the enemy of our soul.
 Crowned – we have love and mercies and we are Kings and Priest.
 Satisfaction – we have good things and renewed strength like eagles who fly above the storms.

My thought pattern this morning is who would not want that benefit package? Who would choose the fleeting pleasures of sin and the habits that lead them down a road of destruction?

The answer is those whose eyes have been blinded by the enemy of all that is good. The devil and evil draw people in with lie’s and deception. They see with the world’s eyes instead of spiritual eyes.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The god (little g) of this world has blinded people’s eyes so they cannot see the real God (big G) who can set them free.

Some do not know the way of Jesus and some have believed the lie that it is not real or that it is for the weak who need something to lean on. Lie’s and deception are the tools of satan because the truth is not in him.

When Jesus saw the deception of the people He said:
John 8:44-45 (KJV)
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

The answer then to the dilemma of blinded eyes is for the born-again children of Almighty God to pray that the blinders are remove from the eyes of those who believe not!

Start with those of your own household and family. Then move on to your neighbors and those you work with. Next would be the leaders of our churches, cities, counties, state, and country. We must pray that the blinders come down from their spiritual eyes and the stoppers from their spiritual ears, that they will hear with the spirit of the Lord Jesus.

Then they will be able to see the truth and the truth will set them free.

If you are reading this, please examine your own spiritual eyes and ears. Are you allowing the enemy of your soul to blind you to the truth of Jesus Christ and His word that will change us from the inside out? Ask God the Father to let you see the truth and I guarantee you on the authority of God’s word that the truth will set you free!

Please join me in destroying the works of the enemy by pulling down the strongholds of deception and lies so that we can see with the eyes of the Father God.

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Father, thank you for your benefit package. Thank you for spiritual eyes and ears so that we will see and walk in the truth. I decree and declare that every person reading this is loosed from deception and lies and is bound to the truth. I decree and declare that each of us are walking in Faith and Victory because you are alive and your spirit lives in us. Guide us each day as we encounter those who are deceived, and may we be examples of the truth. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen.

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 400
October 30, 2018//

First may I say thank you to all of you who take the time to read this each week. I pray that it is an encouragement and help along this journey called life. It is amazing to me that this is number 400!!!!!! I have shared 400 Me-Maw Thoughts. Wow, you probably know how I think by now. My hearts desire is that each of you walk in close fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

I know all of you are aware of all the hate that is spreading into every part of our country and our world. In our society we have embraced the idea that we cannot disagree without getting hateful, hurtful and even carry out vengeful acts.

Where does this evil come from? It comes from the devil, satan, the enemy of all that is good. (just as a side note: every time I type satan in a word document, the spell check alerts me that it should be capitalized. NO, WAY!! But we are doing that in our society. We are capitalizing evil.)

We know satan and all his forces are evil and bent on destruction. But the problem is that as a society we have forsaken the God this great country was founded on and we have embraced the lies that are destroying good.

But there are people, an army of believers, a group of God Loving, and devil hating Christians who are rising and wielding their weapons of the Power of the Living God, against evil.

This army is praying, sharing, spreading the Good News that Jesus has a better way. This army is dressed in the Armor of God and are more determined than ever to defeat the enemy of our souls and of all that is good.

The word gives us some powerful scriptures along this line. May I share some of these with you?

2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Ephesians 6:13-18 (KJV)
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We are to fight evil with the weapons of the Spirit of the Living God. We are to go out each day, clothed with God’s armor, knowing, people are not our enemy, it is the forces of hell that use people as weapons of destruction.

When we are clothed with the armor of God, not only can we fight and defeat our enemies, but also the enemies of others.

Then Jesus gave the most powerful commandment to add to our armor!

John 15:17 (KJV)
These things I command you, that ye love one another.

I have shared this statement before: “Don’t curse the darkness, light a candle!”

Understand that Love is stronger than hate and Good is stronger than evil!

A little love cannot go along way to peace in the world we live in. With that in mind let’s look at an acrostic of the word LOVE!

L – Laugh/ with not at others. (we are all created by almighty God)
O – Overlook/ let go of hurtful or ugly things people say and do. (pray for them)
V – Visit/ reach out to others wherever you meet them. (just talk to others, be nice)
E – Encourage/ be one who roots people on to be their best, speak good things)

Just think with me of all the people you encounter in a week. What would happen if each born again Christian would take to heart this acrostic. We would see people relax and not take themselves so seriously. We would be communicating and encouraging and in doing so will see a change begin to take place all around us.

The other major thing we as Christians can do to change the atmosphere around us is to PRAY!

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.
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Father forgive us for making idols out of so many things in our lives. Forgive us for not praying, loving and caring. Forgive us as a nation for rejecting the Lord God of our Fathers and all this nation was founded on. Hear our prayer and heal our land! Let our walk be one of Love and Compassion! In the name of Jesus, I pray! Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 399
October 23, 2018///

To be a Christian means to be Christ like, or Christ representative here on earth. The attributes of Jesus, of Love and Compassion, are supposed to be guiding our lives in a very real and tangible way.

What that means is that when people look at a Christian, they should see the same countenance and action that the people saw when Jesus was here in an earthly body.

Jesus tells us in the gospel of John that He always did the things that pleased the Father.

John 8:29 (KJV)
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Looking at that raises the question I want us to think about this morning. As a Christian, do I always do the things that please the Father?

That, my readers, is a loaded question. We understand that Jesus came to ultimately die for the entire human race, but on the way to the Cross, Resurrection, and Assentation, He taught us how to live.

May we look at other scriptures:

John 5:30 (KJV)
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

John 5:19 (KJV)
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

John 8:28 (KJV)
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Jesus taught His disciples that he was going but another part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, would be sent to dwell in them, and therefore in each of us who are born again. This Spirit of God dwells in us to guide us into all truth and in the way of righteousness.

This tells me if we will let the Spirit of the Living God have control of our entire mind, will, emotions, spirit and body, we will do only the things that please the Father.

John 12:50 (MSG)
And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”

Yes, I understand that we will not be perfect, thus may not always please the Father until we are taken to be with Jesus forever. But may I tell you that far too many times that is used as an excuse for letting the flesh rule our lives

How many of us have used the phrase: “well I am only human”? God has transformed you into a new creation and our goal should be to portray His will and His desires on the earth and in our lives.

We should not only be praying but be living this phrase:” Your Kingdom come, your will be done, ON EARTH as it is in heaven”!

What part of that do we not understand. The Father’s will is for us to bring Heaven to earth. When our flesh rules, this cannot happen. It is when we are directed by the Spirit of the Living Lord God Almighty in every area of our life that we will see some of Heaven begin to be manifest on this earth.

John 14:10 (KJV)
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Jesus sends us to be a light in darkness just as the Father sent Him.

John 20:21 (KJV)
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

He will live in you and speak through you! God looks at the heart. When our heart is toward Him and our desire is to please Him in everything we say and do, he will help us in our weakness and even though we may stumble He will honor our faithfulness.

Matthew 10:20 (MSG)
the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.

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Father, when I am weak you are strong. When I am discouraged you are my encouragement. When I need direction, you are my guide. When I speak, you fill my mouth. Whatever I do you help me do all to your Glory. I decree and declare all who read this will begin to let your Spirit fill them and guide them and be all they need. I decree and declare it in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. Amen

May the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be acceptable in His sight. Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 398
October 16, 2018///

Many of you have heard the statement “Faith prepares for what it believes”.

Pastor Rick has been known to say, “If you are praying for a car, clean out your garage”.

The outside of our house is getting a badly needed paint job, and the precious guys working on it have had to pressure wash it. They have pulled off some old boards that needed to be replaced and replaced them. They have caulked and done all kinds of preparation for actual painting.

Years ago, I sewed a lot and there was measuring, cutting and marking before I ever put the material under the sewing machine needle.

The preparation makes the final product right. If there is no preparation, there is a sloppy job and in the case of sewing an unusable item.

We all know that farmers prepare the ground and soil before planting. The better the preparation, the more harvest they can expect.

This brings me to a scripture I want to share today.

Hosea 10:12 (KJV)
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hosea 10:12 (AMP)
Sow for yourselves according to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God); reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, to inquire for and of Him, and to require His favor, till He comes and teaches you righteousness and rains His righteous gift of salvation upon you.

Hosea 10:12 (MSG)
Sow righteousness, reap love. It’s time to till the ready earth, it’s time to dig in with GOD, Until he arrives with righteousness ripe for harvest.

Webster describes fallow as:
To plow, harrow, and break up, as land, without seeding, for the purpose of destroying weeds and insects.

Some commentaries tell us that Fallow Ground is slightly ploughed ground. Breaking up the Fallow Ground is to deeply furrow the land until it can be of use.

May we each look deep in our hearts today at the ground of our Spirit and ask God to show us clearly the weeds and insects of life that have invaded our ground.

May we each check how deep within us we have let the righteousness of Almighty God dig. Is our spirit slightly plowed and we are not ready for the seed of God’s word to penetrate every part of us?

Do we need to let the Power of Almighty God plow deep within us to root up all the weeds and insects and fit us with righteousness that is good ground for being God’s hand extended and bringing Heaven to Earth?

I submit to you today that if the people of God will allow the plow of the Holy Spirit to break up our slightly plowed ground and release all our junk and baggage to Him, we can see revival in our land.

What are the weeds and insects in our lives that the plow needs to go deep to rid us of? It is different for each of us but some of the major things may be:

Unforgiveness, bitterness, abuse, negative words that have taken root, fear, despair, gossip, religious spirit vs relationship, past wrong actions or choices. The list could go on and on, but the truth is that if we give the Holy Spirit the plow, and open our hearts to Him, He will be digging up the things we know and the things we may not even realize are keeping us from His Best!!

I challenge you today! Join me in a quest to let God have control of the plow, and release all that needs to go, and let the plowing begin.

Our lives and our world will be better for it!
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Father, I release to you the plow that I may have been trying to control. Take hold of it and dig deep down in my Spirit and dig up and destroy everything that is not of you. May each person reading this allow your Lordship of all that may be buried deep within. Set us free, Lord God Almighty, from every stronghold of the enemy and everything that keep us from you best and being your hand extended. I ask this in the name of Jesus, the name above all names. Amen

Go with God and change your world!!
Love, MeMaw