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Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 360
January 2, 2018//

NEW YEAR:
The dictionary defines new as:

1 : having recently come into existence
2 : unfamiliar
3 : being other than the former or old
4 : beginning the new edition
5 : made or become fresh
6 : different from one of the same category that has existed previously

We know that year is a measure of time. So, a New Year is a measure of time that has just come into existence, that we are unfamiliar with. It is not the former, and is fresh and allows us to begin a new edition to our life. Different from what has existed.

A fresh page to write our story. A do over, if you will.

As we venture into this new unfamiliar year, we can choose to embrace the new and with the help of our Loving Heavenly Father, we can change our thoughts, our attitudes and our actions.

Looking back, we can see Blessings and struggles in 2017. But we have a new year, what will we do with it.

Is our goal to just survive and arrive at the end of 2018 with the same situations and problems we have today. Or can we change our mindset, through the Holy Spirit, and go forward with new goals that encompass our dreams and desires placed there by our Father God.

Just as this is a new year, each day is a new day and we need to ask for our Father’s help and thank Him for a new day before we venture to do anything else.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)
22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (MSG)
22 GOD’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
23 They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

May we understand that God on the inside works on the outside and in every circumstances and situations we encounter.

Do we dare to dream big and take steps of faith in a God who loves us more than we can comprehend? Do we let the child within us run with imagination and plans that come from the Father? Or will we stay in a rut and survive but not thrive.

Back in May I had some heart problems that almost took me from this present world, so I am fervently looking back at 2017 and asking the Father if I affected anyone for good. Did I make anyone’s life a little better, a little easier or a little encouraged? I pray I did but I also am determined to take the dare and dream big and be an influence for good in a world gone crazy.

Will you take the challenge? Dream big, take steps, even small steps will get you to your goal. Commit each day to the Lord Jesus Christ and just live like He would, with love and compassion.

Let us take dominion in 2018 over the world around us and bring God’s Kingdom to earth!!

Luke 11:2 (KJV)
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Luke 11:2 (MSG)
So he said, “When you pray, say, Father, Reveal who you are. Set the world right.

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Father, thank you for a new year, a new day, and the dreams and visions you have placed within each person who reads this. May our lives be the influence those around us need, to understand that your way is a better way. Fill each of us with the understanding of your love and care and may we reach out to others with that same love and care. Bless our lives, our actions and our dreams. I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Have an incredible 2018
Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 359
December 26, 2017///

On this last Tuesday of the year I want to share something that may sound gross at first but has a good spiritual lesson: SNOT

Oh, my you say, what in the world.

Well, as I was blowing out of my nose earlier, snot that keeps multiplying and is such a nuisance, I realized that the enemy of our soul keeps bringing snot like things into our lives to cause us irritation and to keep us from God’s plan for our lives.

S – Satan’s
N – Nasty
O – Overwhelming
T – Things

First, let me establish the fact that satan is a liar and hates who you are and any thing good in your life. His goal is to take you to torment when you die and if he cannot do that because you have received Jesus as your Savior then his goal is to make you miserable and ineffective.

So, what is satan’s nasty overwhelming things in your life. Is it business, busyness, physical, financial, relational problems.

What are the nasty situations in your life that seem to multiply and keep coming. What is the snot in your life.

Reflect with me on the year 2017. What situations, temptations and problems seem to come at you on a regular basis? You think you have defeated this temptation, or forgiven that person that hurt you, or made a change to spend some time in prayer and the word and asking for God’s guidance in all you do, and then Bam, it all comes rushing back.

You get to busy to pray and read God’s word. You bow to the temptation you thought you had defeated. Suddenly all that someone did to hurt you comes rushing back with bitterness and hate or you hit another financial crisis. The list could go on and on.

The Word of God tells us that Satan goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. That means he is looking for a weak place in your life that he can interject some snot into. He will use any avenue we allow to defeat and discourage us and bring us down.

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 key is to stay so close to Jesus that the enemy is not close enough to find those weak places.

Proverbs 18:10 (KJV)
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Nahum 1:7 (KJV)
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

If we want the Lord God of the Universe to fight for us we must acknowledge Him not only as Savior but as Lord.

I admonish you to join with me this last week of 2017 and say with the Apostle Paul:

Philippians 3:13 (KJV)
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

May we take hold of the fact that if God is for us, that is all we need. Remember the good things and let’s forget the nasty things satan has dredged up and overwhelmed you with. Commit your way unto God. Ask Jesus for direction and help every step of the way, and as 2017 becomes 2018 you will walk in Faith and Victory.

Release all satan’s nasty overwhelming things in your life to the Lord Jesus Christ and then forget them and move on to the awesome God has planned for you.

Snot, you are gone in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!!

Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. What a wonderful Father you are. You Love us and fight our battles when we let you. I release all that the enemy keeps throwing at me to your Lordship and I decree and declare that I forget those things that are behind, and I pressed forward to your amazing plans. Amen

Have an awesome week!!
Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 358
December 19, 2017///

We are running here and there. We are decorating, we are shopping, we are gathering, we are making list, we are wrapping, we are stuffing things in bags, we are baking, we are cooking, we are sleeping less and worrying more!!!

And this in addition to our normal duties!!

Whee!!!!!!!!! Take a breath……take a deep breath and say:

“Jesus, I give you my day and I thank you for choosing to come as a baby to grow up and pay the price for my transgressions.”

May I remind you this morning that in a little town called Bethlehem THE MESSIAH was born and those all around were in such a hurry and there was such hustle and bustle going on that the entire area missed it.

But out on a hillside, some shepherds were just calmly watching their sheep and the beautiful night, and they were the first to hear the good news!! Maybe they were singing songs of praise just like their ancestor David or maybe they were thinking of when the promised messiah would come to change the world.

Then they were Blessed to be told where to find the Christ Child and they went and worshipped.

May I ask you today to take the time to think about all that the Promised Messiah accomplished in His thirty-three years on this earth as fully man and fully God!

Let us make sure this busy week before Christmas Day, we take some quiet time to just ponder who Jesus is, and the Holy Spirit will visit us with instructions of how to best worship not only in the next week but for the rest of our lives.

Unlike the Shepherds, we do not have to go to the stable, but can worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords wherever we find ourselves.

Yes, we can even worship in the middle of a long check out line or choosing food to buy. We can worship with a smile and kindness to others and we can worship as we serve our Lord and Master throughout the entire year!!

“OH COME, LET US ADORE HIM!!!”

I personally love Christmas. I love the lights and the celebrations and the knowledge that most of the world recognizes that Jesus was born.

However, I love more the relationship that I have with the Savior of the world through the Holy Spirit that guides and directs me deep in my innermost being.

Oh, how my heart aches for the entire population of this earth to understand what abundant peace and love the Father Desires to bestow upon us. That each person would understand that they were made on purpose and for a purpose

Can you imagine if we all understood the Love of God how different this world would be? Arguments and wars would cease. Homes would be filled with Love and Joy, and because the enemy of all that is good would be defeated, there would be no hunger or lack. Oh!! For His Kingdome to come and His will to be done on the earth!!!

We are the key. Take time to pause and listen and He will instruct and guide you.

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

Psalm 29:2 (KJV)
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psalm 95:6 (KJV)   O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

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Father, I adore you and I worship you for who you are. I desire that your Kingdom come, and your will be done in my life and the world. Show me my part in your kingdom and guide me in all I do. I release to your Lordship each person who reads this, and may they understand that you Love them and Created them for great and mighty things. Thank you for your Love and Care. Amen

Have an amazing Christmas and remember to PAUSE and BREATH DEEPLY OF HIS LOVE!!!

MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 357
December 12, 2017

Bless, Blessed, Blessing!!

We use the phrase ‘bless you’ when someone sneezes. We say, ‘bless your heart’ when someone is upset, and we desire blessings on our lives and to be blessed abundantly.

So, this morning I want to examine these words in light of what the dictionary and the Word of God Says.

The word of God is filled with scriptures about us blessing God with worship and God blessing us with good things. There is not room to deal with all of this, so I am going to zero in on how God Blesses us.

In the Bible: Blessed is mentioned 302 times//Blessing 67 times//And Bless 127 times

One each of the definitions of these words are;

BLESSED:
bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune
BLESSING:
a thing conducive to happiness or welfare
BLESS:
to confer prosperity or happiness upon

What we all so desperately desire in our lives is wrapped up in being blessed and having blessings bestowed upon us.

Most parents are trying hard to provide for their family and if you ask them they desire their children be blessed.

So, in just the few definitions above you can see that blessings are a good thing.

So, let us look at what God’s Word says.

Psalm 115:13 (KJV)
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
Psalm 29:11 (KJV)
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Psalm 119:2 (KJV)
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Jeremiah 17:7 (KJV)
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Romans 4:7 (KJV)
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Luke 11:28 (KJV)
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

If we just understood how much God wants to Bless us we would heed the scriptures above and love and serve him with our whole heart. We are blessed because we are forgiven but our Loving Heavenly Father wants to add to eternal life amazing blessings in our journey from birth to death.

If you consider the definitions at the beginning of these thoughts, you will agree that is a list of things we all want……contentment, prosperity, happiness…..and yet we sometimes miss the fact that all of that is tied up in our relationship with the Lord God Almighty. He gives those things and adds Peace, Joy and Strength and all Spiritual Blessings.

May we understand that we are Sons and Daughters of the most high God. Our Father Loves us and desires great things for us.

My desire is that I lay down my stubborn ways and allow the Lord God to Bless me in every way. What about you? In this season of sending and receiving cards that declare blessings, are we ready to come to Jesus just as we are and receive all He has for us?
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Father, in Jesus name I come to you. I bless you oh my soul and all that is within me and I receive your amazing blessings that you have prepared. Bless each one who reads this with a spirit of ease during this busy season and a love for you that will open the windows of heaven with inner and outer blessings. Amen

Have an amazing week.
Love, Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 356
December 5, 2017///

When my family gathers for Christmas at our house, most of the time before getting into the presents we read a story for the kids that is enjoyed by all ages.

One of the children’s books we read a lot is called “Small One”. This story is about a donkey who was to small and weak to carry his load and the father was going to sell him and at the young son’s begging, allowed his son to take the donkey to the market to sell. The young man determined to find small one a good home ended up encountering Joseph and small one became the donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem.

There is also a story about three trees that you may remember hearing. Three trees had great desires and dreams of what they would become when they grew up.

The first wanted to be made into a beautiful treasure chest and be covered with gold and hold precious stones.

The second wanted to be the strongest ship in the world and carry powerful kings.

The third just wanted to stay on the mountain and become so tall that when people looked at it they would look to heaven and think of God.

In time all three trees were cut down. The first became a feedbox of animals. The second was made into a simple fishing boat. The third tree was cut into strong beams and left her in the lumberyard. The third tree bemoaned what had happened, saying “all I wanted was to stay on the mountain and point people to God”.

It appeared none of the three trees dreams were to happen.

But one night: Golden starlight poured over the first tree as Mary placed her baby, the Savior of the world, into the manger and the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

Years later a tired traveler and his friends got into a small fishing boat. The tired traveler lay down to sleep and a storm arose and in the midst of the storm the tired traveler arose and said: “Peace” and the storm ceased. The second tree suddenly realized he was carrying the King of Heaven and Earth.

One Friday morning the third tree was snatched from the woodpile and a man’s hands were nailed fast to the strong wood. The third tree felt ugly and cruel. But on Sunday morning the third tree knew that God’s Love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong and every time people thought of the third tree they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

May I tell you this morning that the dreams you have or the plans you have made, may seem gone forever, but God has a better plan, a better door, a better way.

Maybe like small one you are to weak to carry the load you are trying to carry but God has an important task that fits just you. And like the trees: the treasures and kings to be carried and being able to point the way to God, may take a different form that you imagined but God can take what we think is the death of our dream and desire and turns it into amazing Blessings.

In a book called “The Dream Giver”, a man called ordinary was trying to follow his dream. The one day: Ordinary Was Asked To Give His Dream Back To God.

ORDINARY SAID:
I Am Surrendering My Dream To You, Dream Giver. I’ve Decided That It’s You That I Can’t Go On Without.

THEN LATER GOD SAID:
ORDINARY, I AM GIVING YOU BACK YOUR DREAM. NOW YOU CAN USE IT TO SERVE ME. NOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE TRULY GREAT THINGS. AND I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS.

When realize that God is the dream giver and it is Him that we need to seek, He will give us back our dream and cause it to come to pass. It may not be how we imagined it, but it will be better than we could ever imagine.

Be encouraged today and know that we do not see as God sees so we just trust our dream to Him and let Him lead.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 37:4-5 (KJV)
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Remember it’s not over till it’s over!!!
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Father, thank you so much that your plans for me are so much better that my plans for myself. I ask that you stir deep within each one who reads this the dream you have placed within them and as they release this dream to you, and pursue a closer relationship to you, things will be according to your plan. I trust in you Lord and do not depend on my own understanding. Bless each on who reads this exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ask or imagine. Amen

Love, Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 355
November 28, 2017///

Last week we entered the official holiday shopping and celebration season. December is a time for celebrating family, friends and most of all the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

However, December is also a time of great disappointments and missing those who have left this world or who are in a different location in this world. They may be in the military or missionaries or just living far away.

The amount of lonely and depressed people seems to multiply greatly during this holiday season. Changes in our lives cause traditions to be replaced with new traditions and things are just different.

Stress is rampant, and irritation is readily available, and we just want to get it all done. What should be joyous celebrations turn into stressful situations.

Why?? I believe it is because we are approaching the season without taking the time to consider what we are celebrating. We forget we give gifts because God gave the greatest gift when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

In Luke’s recording of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he gives us an incredible statement that we can use as our guide as we enter the frantic month of December.

A young maiden, named Mary had a visit from an angel who told her she was chosen to bear the Savior of the world. All of Israel knew that the Messiah would come and be born of a virgin. This angel even told her what to name the child.

Luke 1:30-33 (KJV)
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Mary’s reaction was one of surprise and astonishment, asking how this would be!

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

The angel then explained that this child would be conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:35 (KJV)
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

In verse 38 Mary makes a statement that we should take special note of:

Luke 1: 38 (KJV)
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

Notice that Mary did not try to figure out everything, she just simply trusted.

I believe if we will take Mary’s words as our guide for this season it can be one of Peace and Calmness. If we can trust the Lord with our plans and decisions for this December and commit everything into His hands, we can enjoy celebrating the Birth of the Savior of the World.

Can you say with me today: Lord, be it unto me according to you word in every situation in my life! Guide me in being a Blessing and encouragement to others as I fulfill my busy schedule.

When we understand that the reason Jesus came was for people, that each individual person mattered to Him, we can live our lives celebrating people and reaching out to them.

What is your focus as we enter this celebration month?

I challenge you to release every decision and every situation to the Lord Ship of Jesus Christ and say with Mary:
Lord, be it unto me as you say!

Rest in the knowledge that in an imperfect world and through imperfections in our plans, Jesus is real, and Jesus is the reason for the season.

Show Love and the Peace of God to those around you by committing all to Him!

Lord, be it unto me as you say!
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Father, how amazing your Love for your creation is. You sent the very best. I release to you this Holiday Season and embrace the knowledge that you will guide me to walk in you Peace. Let my Joy and Peace spread to those around me as I understand your Love and your desire for us to Love one Another. Touch each person who reads this and fill them with the Joy that a Savior was born. All other parts of this Celebration Month fade as we receive that truth. JESUS, MY SAVIOR, I CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTH. Amen.

I love you dearly, keep Joy in this season.
Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 354
November 21, 2017///

During this week of Thanksgiving I want to flash back to last Thanksgiving week. I feel that last years Me-Maw Thoughts are worth repeating and I pray that you are Blessed and Encouraged by them. I pray that this will be the best Thanksgiving ever.

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I want you to think this morning about your feelings regarding the holiday season that is just beginning.

Are you Scrooge and want nothing to do with the holidays or are you the Grinch and not only do not want anything to do with the holidays but want to take away the Joy and Peace others have?

Or….Maybe you are like Dorothy and have been chasing your own “Wizard of Oz”, that you believe is the answer to your problems, only to find out the Wizard has no power.

Or…Are you feeling like George Bailey in the Christmas Classic “It’s A Wonderful Life”? George felt that his life was a failure because he never left Bedford Falls and never did anything great. If you’re feeling that way may I tell you that George found out that his life (just like yours) had touched so many people that the entire direction of the town was changed because of him.

I recently read a story of three women washing clothes. A passerby asked each one what they were doing.

The first answered: “Washing Clothes.”

The second replied: “A bit of household drudgery.”

The third said with great confidence: “I’m mothering three young children who someday will fill important and useful spheres in life, and wash day is a part of my grand task in caring for these souls who shall live forever.”

Wow…the difference is all in the attitude and how you look at what the world terms normal and ordinary.

Scrooge and the Grinch had a heart change. Scrooge began to give and the Grinch brought back all the gifts he had stolen and began to celebrate.

Dorothy found that she longed for the ordinary of Kansas and George Bailey realized how very blessed he was.

May I tell you today that God is in everything and the difference in the ordinary and the extraordinary is our attitude!

Colossians 3:23 (KJV)
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Everyday should be filled with an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!

Hebrews 13:15 (KJV)
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV)
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 100:4 (KJV)
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalm 136:1 (KJV)
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

May I encourage you to begin to face each day of this season with an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. I guarantee that you cannot Praise the Lord God almighty and stay in a place of worry, concern or depression.

Praise and gratitude will lift you from the ordinary to the extraordinary without your situation changing. However in the midst of your Praise the Lord God Almighty may just step in and change the course of your life.

The ordinary is actually extraordinary when you add the extra of an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!

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Father thank you that you are in every ordinary day and task. Thank you that everything we do affects others and when we do it all for you it becomes extraordinary. May each person who reads this commit their day and their way to your Lordship. Thank you for your Blessings that are chasing us and running us down. Fill each of us with a Grateful heart, mind and attitude. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love, Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 353
November 14, 2017////

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.

When I was in elementary and high school my Mom had a job outside the home. Since my Dad’s job was at night I had some time at home alone until Mom got home. I can remember like it was yesterday the way the atmosphere of our house changed when Mom walked in.

It went from nothing feeling right to suddenly everything seemed right and the house was filled with warmth and love.

What made the difference? It was my Mother’s presence! May I tell you that in the presence of the Lord God Almighty is Joy and Peace.
The scripture above tells us that in His presence is fulness of Joy. Fulness means that there is no lack of Joy. Joy comes from within and is the feeling that all is right with your world.

When things are in turmoil all around you; when the doctor’s report is not good; when your dearest friend on earth has passed away; when you just lost your job; or in a million other situations………in His presences is fulness of Joy.

We used to sing a song that said: “It is Joy unspeakable and full of Glory and the half has never yet been told!”

How can you explain in human words the kind of Joy that continues in the face of adversity? This kind of Joy is completely opposite to societies handling of adversity!

The more important question is how can we have that kind of Joy?

STAY IN HIS PRESENCE!!!

If you feel the gloom and doom of the world and your situation, just snuggle up to the Lord God Almighty and everything will right itself. How??????

Psalm 100:4 (KJV)
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Just begin to thank Him for breath, for life, for salvation, for water, for food, for anything that comes to mind. Psalm 100:4 tells us when we give Him thanks and praise we enter His presence. And in His presence, is whatever we need.

We come into His presence and snuggle up to Him in our innermost being and then we understand that He is taking care of all situations.

We can just share our fears and concerns and know that He is taking care of us.

The more we allow the Spirit of Almighty God to dwell in us, the more we understand that IN HIS PRESENCE is fulness of Joy.

May I encourage you today to enter His gates with thanksgiving for what you have and then praise for who He is, and you will find that in HIS PRESENCE is pleasure forever and in all circumstances.

Nehemiah said: The Joy of the Lord is my Strength!

In His presence is Joy and Joy is your Strength: Pleasure and all we need is in His presence.

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.

Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I thank you for life, and breath and my family. I praise you that you are a loving Heavenly Father who wants to fill me with Joy. I snuggle up to you today and let you hug the hurt away. I praise you that you are filling me with wisdom for every decision and every situation I will encounter. Thank you for the fulness of Joy! Amen

Just walk is the presence of the Lord God Almighty!!
Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 352
November 7, 2017////

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

As I wept at the carnage evil left in a church in a little Texas town Sunday, the scripture above invaded my mind and spirit.

Evil is everywhere but the real battle is not with flesh and blood but with the forces of hell that promote evil and work to destroy through people who will allow the lies and deceit and unimaginable thinking take over.

The enemy of all that is good did not start this evil deed in Texas just this past Sunday. This unseen enemy starts small and when an individual buys his lies, increases the deception until it explodes in unspeakable horrors.

Forgive me if this freaks you out but there is a spirit world all around us and a battle going on in the atmosphere that we cannot see. Angels and Demonic Spirits are in a battle of proportions we can only imagine.

Those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior represent the enemy to those who have not received Jesus as their Savior.

When evil reacts with hate and murder and unspeakable horror against the people around them, they are rising up against the good in this world and its people.

So as children of the Almighty God should we run and hide in fear and trembling because we know there is an enemy of all that is good out there.

NO!! a thousand times NO!!

We need to rise as a mighty army of the Creator of the Universe and fight in the real battle ground: The Spirit. PRAY>>>>>>PRAY against the forces of the devil who are trying to ruin our lives, our children, our cities, towns and neighborhoods.

May I call your attention today to the book of Genesis. Where it all began.

Genesis 1:26-28 (KJV)
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Synonyms of dominion:
POWER, AUTHORITY, JURISDICTION, CONTROL, COMMAND, SWAY

Just look at these words. God has given mankind dominion over all the earth. When sin took place in the garden, evil entered the picture and there has been a spiritual battle going on since.

Who has the answer? The child of God does! The answer is Jesus! Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the authority over evil has been given back to Gods Creations.

I encourage you today to shake off complacency, and rise up as a son and daughter of the most high God and let your prayers shake the heavens with their power.

I truly believe at this time in history the most powerful thing we can do to derail evil is pray. Changing laws will not change people: only the Spirit of the Living God can do that.

We have authority and dominion and we cower in the face of the enemy like scared babies, wrought with fear and confusion.

Let us rise up as the might army of good that God intended us to be and take our place (as I shared last week, wearing the whole armor of God) as the representatives of the Lord God Almighty!!

Yes: Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world.

I say again……Pray…Pray for your family, your friends, your church, your State, your Country and its leaders. The battle must begin on our knees and then we can walk forth in the power and authority that we have been given and slay the giants in our world.
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Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and I decree and declare that each person reading this will cast off a spirit of complacency, and understand the authority they have as your representative on this earth. I decree and declare in the name of Jesus that we are loosed from fear and bound to the knowledge of who we are in you. Bless and empower your sons and daughters with the understanding of who we are in you. Amen

Pray: There is Power in Prayer!!
Love Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 351
October 31, 2017///

What Costume are you wearing?

Today is what we call Halloween. I ask again what costume are you wearing?

Some today will be dressed as princesses, pumpkins, M & M’s, ketchup, mustard, witches, goblins, bumblebees, honey pots, super heroes and the list goes on and on.

Do you ever wonder if the costume reflects the person wearing it? I would say that it mostly does not. Now the one wearing the princess costume may feel like a princess inside and the one in the super hero costume may feel like a super hero, but for the most part these are just outside adornments that are not a true reflection of who the person really is.

I ask you today what person are you reflecting in your daily life and does it really reveal the real inner you?

Are your actions and attitudes geared to what others expect? As a child of the Almighty God do you blend in with the world around you because you don’t want to be different?

At the office do you laugh at the ugly jokes just to fit in. Do you watch the same movies as those who do not claim to be Christians even though the language and the scenes may offend you?

What about the way you treat others. Are you letting the love of Jesus flow through you or are you acting the way your peers expect you to?

Or…let’s flip the coin: are you wearing a Christian fake outfit on the outside just to impress the people you go to church with or those you are pretending to be an example to?

Do you portray yourself as all holy and inside you are full of dead men’s bones? Have you allowed the Spirit of the Living God full access to your innermost being? Does that love of God truly flow from the inside out or are you trying to show something on the outside that you are not on the inside.

The world around us needs to see the Real Jesus reflected in the love we show and the care we show to those around us.

Do those who look at you see something different or do they see a carbon copy of all those around them.

Speaking Christian words is not nearly as effective as walking it out in truth and love.

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:

John 13:15 (KJV)
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Ephesians 3:17 (KJV)
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Those around us need to see our Faith in Jesus and Love that moves mountains.

May I now tell you the costume you should put on? It should reflect the truth that is in your heart: “The amour of God, the true Hero!”

Ephesians 6:14-17 (KJV)

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:

In this passage of scripture, we are given 6 pieces of armor to put on to reflect the Christ living in us, and to enable us to live victorious in this world.

If we will understand that SALVATION is ours and the TRUTH of the word enables us to walk in RIGHTEOUSNESS; if we will walk with the attitude of PEACE and increase our FAITH by using the SWORD WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD; we can truly be dressed in the costume of heaven.

I ask you one more time: “What Costume are you wearing?”

Let the outward man and woman be a true reflection of the inner man. Let the inner man or women be changed and healed and made whole by the power of almighty God.
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Father, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I ask you to touch each person who reads this. May each of us understand that when we are a true reflection of your Spirit Living in us, we will affect our area of influence for you. Thank you for loving and caring for each of us. Amen

Wear the Love of Jesus and the armor of God!
Love, MeMaw