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Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 310

December 27, 2016

NEW!

having recently come into existence

being other than the former or old

made or become fresh

different from one of the same category that has existed previously

Above are a few definitions of NEW.  Today is a new day. This week a new week and in a few days we will begin a new year.

Each day we encounter new things and fresh things and things that just came into existence.  Think about that for a moment.

No matter what happened in 2016 or last week or just yesterday, today is new and unspoiled and ready for you to allow God to write a new page in the story of your life.

THE WORD OF GOD SAYS:

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.

Psalm 89:8 (KJV)
⁸ O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

God is a loving, faithful Father and His mercies are new every morning.  Let’s look at that for a moment.  His mercies are NEW……..something that has not been before……something fresh…something that has just come into existence.

Wow…..God is always creating and He is creating new and fresh mercies and ways to propel us into the destiny we were created for.

Look at the first part of Lamentations 3:22 …without the Lord’s mercies we would be consumed. The enemy of all that is good is doing everything he can to consume you with worry, fear, anxiety, stress and destruction but because of God’s mercies that are New every morning, we have a new page. A new day, week, month and year to serve and honor the one who is faithful above all others.

So why do we get stuck in the old? Why do we say: “well that has never happened and so I’m sure it will not happen”?  Nothing will change in my life. 2017 will be the same old struggles and the same old days and weeks and months.

May I tell you that is a lie of the enemy! God is in the creating business and He will create new things for you.  It makes no difference how long it has been the same old, same old, if you will begin to confess that His Mercies are NEW every morning you can begin to see things that we have not imagined because they have never been.

Great is Gods faithfulness………He will never let you down.  But we keep ourselves from walking in His new and fresh mercies because we are stuck in “how it has always been”.

I challenge you this morning to break out of the box and into His new and fresh mercies and faithfulness.  Let your imagination go and let the past go, and walk into a BRAND NEW DAY, WEEK, MONTH AND YEAR.

2017 can be all God planned for each of us if we will let go of the past and embrace the new mercies He has for us and remember His faithfulness.

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Father, creator God of the Universe, thank you that you are still creating. Thank you that you are pouring out mercies to us that you are creating daily. Thank you for your faithfulness.  I decree and declare that each person who reads this will realize that today is a new day, a new blank page, and it is filled with the mercies of you Father God. I declare this all in the name of Jesus Christ and because of Calvary. Amen

 

We have a new day. May we live it well!

Love, Me-Maw

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 309

December 20, 2016

We are nearing the celebration of the greatest event in the history of mankind.  Yes at the resurrection Jesus overcame death, hell and the grave but He had to first be born in order to show us how to live, take our sin to the cross and complete the plan by defeating the final enemy death.

In that obscure stable: wrapped in swaddling clothes was more than just a baby.  There lay redemption, freedom, deliverance, provision, health, healing, Peace, Joy and the greatest expression of PURE LOVE ever seen.

On that wonderful night, God came down.  God came down and Jesus was His name.  The plan of redemption was in motion and Jesus followed that plan all the way.

The angels proclaimed, the Shepherds worshiped and the Wise Men followed the star. And yet the world, even around Bethlehem, went on as usual not realizing that the KING of KINGS was wrapped in swaddling clothes and had come to change everything.

Do you realize what Love sent Jesus to this earth to be our example of a life lived with purpose and destiny and then to take all of our past, present and future sins to the cross.  Jesus stayed with the plan and because of that we have Peace that transcends understanding filling us and the Spirit of the living God leading us.

Matthew 2:1 says in part:
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea

Your birth certificate may say that you were born in Chamblee of DeKalb County or Marietta of Cobb county or Norcross of Georgia.  But this morning may I tell you that regardless of what your birth certificate says or who your parents or grandparents are, you are a special creation of the Lord God Almighty.

And although you are not the savior of the world, God has a divine plan for your life and no one else can fulfill that plan.  Your destiny is wrapped up in saying yes to the one who said yes to His destiny to live and die so that each of us can be victorious and be all we were created to be.

GOD CAME DOWN: he came to set us free that we might live and that we allow Him to live in us and through us.

What is your destiny?  This Christmas week I encourage you to let the truth of the Baby in a manger get from your head to your heart.  Just as Jesus came with a purpose, you have a purpose.

Whatever your week holds remember what we are celebrating and say yes to your destiny.

As you gather with family, friends and church family remember the baby who changed everything.

As you work and try to make your celebrations perfect, realize the First Christmas was not perfect but It brought us a perfect Savior!

Jesus! The name above all names!!

The reason for the season!

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Father thank you for the redemption plan and for the fulfillment of that plan.  Thank you that Love came down: was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Thank you that the world celebrates the coming of the babe and in doing so celebrates the redemption of mankind. Fill each of us full of your Love and your plan to use us to spread the great Gospel of Jesus Christ.  May we be Jesus with skin on. May we be love in action! I pray this in Jesus Name. Amen

Have an amazing Christmas as you spread Love!

Love, Me-Maw

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 308

December 13, 2016

 

Well…I love computers when they do what they are supposed to do.  I remember using a typewriter where mistakes could not just be corrected easily, so I really appreciate that.  But I am having issues with my printer.  Some days it prints and some days it gives me an error.

I go through a process of a fix program that sometimes works and sometimes does not.  I’ve reinstalled, etc and it is still hit and miss. The printer prints from my lap top so the problem is in my computer.

So you may say call HP and let them fix the problem.  Well I may have to resort to that but I hesitate because they will charge me.  My computer is old and is no longer under warranty. Since it is old, that may well be the problem.  My sweet husband thinks I need a new computer.

This morning I want to share that our journey in this life can sometimes be like what I have described above.  Sometimes what we do works and we really appreciate that but sometimes nothing we do helps.

We make our plans and work them but we hold our breath to see if things will work out.   We reinstall our programs and we run fixes of hard work and decisions.  But in the end we can never be sure of what will happen.

When we operate without being a new creature in Christ Jesus we can never be sure. We can never relax and know that our life is in the hands of a creator God and the communication with the Creator of Everything is always open.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

When we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Savior we become alive on the inside and it is like having a new computer.  Then we let the Holy Spirit control just as we allow the computer programs to work.  Things will be working great…communication open.

However life gets in the way, just as our computers tend to develop problems over time.  We must continually maintain and allow the creator God to cleanse us from the junk that would hinder the flow of communication.

We must say with the Psalmist:

Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV)
²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Yes we are new creature and we need to consistently allow God to cleanse us but unlike my computer, we will never need to replace the life of God flowing through us to guide us and use us as His vessel.

We are containers of truth and love and freedom that the world around us needs. As we examine who we are in Christ: just like a computer we will find there are capabilities within us and that we just need to use.

We must always understand that the creator of the universe is working for us and if we will just consistently stay in communication with Him, we will understand and make right decisions and Love the unlovely and help and encourage those around us.

Otherwise we are frustrated and never being able to relax and know with confidence that with God ‘ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE” and yes He can use even us faulty humans to change the world.

You may have to give me a little slack with my analogies but I think you get the picture.

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Father, thank you that you are faithful and true. Thank you that you are my God and you will fight my battles and work all things for my good.  Thank you that I can commune with you and you listen.  Touch all who read this with a deep desire for constant communication with the one who knows them best and loves them most. I pray this in the wonderful name of Jesus.  Amen

 

Have an awesome week!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 307

December 6, 2016

Do you like to be hugged?  People tell me I am a hugger and it is true. I’m told I give good hugs and I pray that is true.  I think a good solid hug is good for your soul, mind and body.  I believe it says: I am here for you and you matter to me.

Many times in a tragic situation or a death, a hug says more than a million words.  When you do not know what to say to that person who has just lost the dearest on earth to them, a hug says I care.

Now, I’m talking about a good solid hug! There are actually many types of hugs. The sideways, pat on the shoulder hug: the almost hug that barely touches: the hug of someone you are romantically involved with: the Hollywood hug to just keep up appearances (you know..hold the shoulders and peck each cheek).   

But when you receive or give a genuine I care hug you are Blessed whether you are the giver or the receiver.

The hurt of a child can be hugged away and the fussy baby can be calmed as they are held in loving arms and soothed.

Well may I tell you this morning that God the Father wants to give you a great big hug right now.

Just as a child reaches hands out to their mother or father we need to just lift our hands and say: “Abba Father, my Daddy God, I need a hug!”

God will enfold you with peace and calmness and the knowledge that we are in His Arms.

Jesus tells us in Mark’s account of the Gospel:

Mark 10:15-16 (KJV)
¹⁵ Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
¹⁶ And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

We are God’s little children and we need to come to Him with the knowledge that He just wants to hug us and make it all better.  Come as a child: with childlike faith and trust.  Just lift up your arms for a hug and time with the Father.  He will take you in His arms and bless you.

Deuteronomy 33:27 (KJV)
²⁷ The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

This scripture tells me that His arms are my refuge and they are everlasting and He will destroy our enemies.

If your enemy is worry, fear, loneliness, sickness, discouragement, financial, family, or season stress, just let God the Father hug you and give you that sense of all is right with the world. Let Him destroy the enemies that are stealing your peace.

As a parent can sooth a child with a hug, God the Father can sooth our spirit, soul and body with a hug……….not little hug, but a genuine all out hug!

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Father God, Abba Father, I come to you in Jesus Name.  I stretch my arms up to you and receive a good solid hug from you right now. Let us understand the arms and hugs of you the creator will right our world.  Thank you for your Peace this day and thank you that I can spread some joy and cheer with some solid hugs to the people in my life. Amen

 

Hug someone today…a real hug!!!

Love, Me-maw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 306

November 29, 2016

Have you ever had a sinus infection, ear ache, etc just hit you so fast you are not sure where it came from.  That happened to me last night.  I had some chest and sinus stuff a couple of weeks ago and had taken some over the counter medicine and felt better except for a little nagging cough.

But last night I was blowing out gross stuff, having pains in my ear and throat feeling achy and hurting.   It kept that up all night.

What happened?  How can this stuff mass produce in such a hurry? Who knows! Maybe it is left over or maybe it is new but either way I must get rid of it.

OK, so I’m done with the over counter medicine and am seeing a Doctor today!

This reminded me of some scriptures that I want to share with you.

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

Hebrews 12:15 (KJV)
¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Colossians 3:8 (KJV)
⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

May I tell you that the enemy of all that is good (satan) is looking for ways to trip you up.  If he can get you thinking you are free from some of the things listed above he has the opportunity to bring it back in force when we least expect it.

Your enemy the devil is looking for a place to devour you.  Any opening you give him, he will surely take.  If you have bitterness, anger, malice, unforgiveness, etc. he will jump on that attitude and knock you down.

We must as Hebrews 12:25 and Colossians 3:8 says: be diligent in putting off all of these things.  How?  By releasing them to the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we come to the creator God in the name of Jesus and begin to release all the junk that is within us we begin to be well and whole in the spirit.

Speak it out.  God knows all about the ugly you are carrying but He wants you to recognize it and call it by name.  Tell God the Father how angry you are and about what: how bitter you are and about what: and how much you hold unforgiveness toward someone in your life.  This anger, bitterness and unforgiveness may even be toward yourself but you need to tell God about it.

As you speak it out and release it to the Lordship of Jesus you are one step closer to spiritual healing.

We maybe can hold our anger for a little while or bury our bitterness most times.  We maybe fill like we have forgiven sometimes.  But the devil is looking for just a small opening to make that flare up all over again.

We must get rid of the root.  Just as I must get rid of the infection in my body or it will keep coming back we must get rid of the attitudes that are not of God and we cannot do that by our self.

Jesus is waiting for us to roll our ugly attitudes on Him.  Let us do it!!

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Father, in Jesus name I come to you just as I am. I ask you to take every attitude and attribute in my life that is not of you out by the root. I give you permission to invade my heart with great love and compassion.  I cannot do this on my own but when I partner with you and let you lead I can avoid the enemies attacks. Bless each person who reads this and may we understand that you want to fight our battles for us. Amen

 

Let Jesus fix it!

Love, Me-Maw

 

 

 

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 305

November 22, 2016

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 and 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 effects 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 304

November 15, 2016

Last night on the news I was watching a news reporter interviewing prisoners who were admittedly gang members.  What tugged at my heart was that every one of them answered the question of why they joined a gang with the same type of answer,

>They were part of something

>Had someone who cared

>Felt welcome

>Felt part of something that mattered

Does this remind you of what we know?  It should remind us of how our churches are: welcoming and caring……extending brotherhood and sisterhood to all who come in.

We know that Jesus Christ came to restore our fellowship with the creator God and give us something worth living for and make us part of something bigger than our self.

As a church body we are the representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. But I’m afraid many of the churches in our world are so far from accepting and showing people acceptance and receiving them as a part of something bigger than their self that Jesus must weep.

The news reporter then talked with an FBI agent who confirmed that gangs were growing at astronomical rates.

That tells me that the church is not getting its message to the hungry hearts that need a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Someway we must get the truth of God’s Love to a generation of youth who are looking, who are lost, and who are finding the wrong thing.

Look at the following verses that John wrote.

1 John 4: 9-11 (KJV)

⁹  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

¹⁰  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

¹¹  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
So how do we reach those who are hungry for something but they do not know what?

I know there are inner city ministries who are reaching out but what can we who are not in the inner city do.  There are gangs all over and youth who are not in gangs that are looking.  There are stressed Moms that are looking.  There are dads and singles and younger children that are looking.

We can make sure that every person we meet and every person that steps into the church we are part of, feels welcome and knows that Jesus Loves them and we do to. We must love people in spite of their status in life.

We do not love people’s sin but we must reach out and love and understand that each of us was born with an emptiness that can only be filled with a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Love overcomes differences in culture and attitudes and age.

Let’s begin to love like Jesus!

That’s the only answer I know!

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Father, my heart cries out for all those who are searching for love and acceptance and who do not know that you can give them the peace, joy and self worth they are seeking. May I allow you to fill me so full of you that they will see your love through me and my attitudes and actions.  May my church be a place of goodness and mercy.  Touch me and use me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Let’s just love one another!

Love, MeMaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 303

November 8, 2016

In my heart this morning is Gods promise to us:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ 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.

On this: one of the most important election days in the history of my lifetime I admonish you to read that scripture carefully.  Are you one of God’s People?  Are you willing to humble yourself? Are you willing to pray and seek God for this nation? Are you willing to examine your lifestyle and change what needs to be changed?

How much do God’s People really want to Get America back to God? Are you praying today for the will of God to be done in this election?  Not just the President but Senators, Congressman, local offices and issues need to be filled with the right people and voted on correctly.

So what if there are none that are really right? Then we vote our conscience and we pray for God to change the leaders that are elected.

Why is American Politics so corrupt? Why do good people refrain from running knowing they will be lied about degraded and beat down?

Because the church has ignored 2 Chronicles 7:14!!

God is asking His People…not those who do not call themselves Christians….to follow this scripture and He will hear us!!!

We have ignored standing up and being counted and praying for our country and our prison are overflowing with the results.  Our schools are battlegrounds as a result.  Our airports are lines of security as a result.  Our nation is in corruption as a result.

BUT GOD SAYS!!!!!!! PRAY!!!!SEEK ME!!!!!!LINE YOUR LIFE UP!!!!!!!

AND I WILL HEAL!!

It is not the government, the supreme courts or the lower courts that are the cause of our nation’s condition. I truly believe it is because the church for so long buried their head in the sand and just watched for the return of Christ.

Yes, Jesus is coming back but we have a mandate to take dominion over the works of the enemy.  Not only do we have a mandate to take dominion over this nation we also have dominion over the entire world.

How long has it been since you lifted up the United States of America to the almighty God. How long has it been since you cried out for His intervention.

How long has it been since you cried out for the entire world.  How long since you decree and declare God’s Glory covers the Earth.

Psalm 72:19 (KJV)
¹⁹ And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

May we as Children of Almighty God put satan in his place…under our feet.

Pray, seek His face, line up your life……….

Let us use the authority and dominion that the Lord God Almighty has given us!

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Father, in Jesus name, I bring the United States of America to you. I decree and declare that your people are praying until revival comes and our land is healed. I decree and declare it will spread out from our Nation to other nations.  I desire to walk in the authority and dominion that I have been given as your child. I take my place as one who will stand in the gap for America.  Forgive us our laziness and our attitudes that we can do nothing.  Stir up within each of your children the desire to pray and seek your face for revival and change.  Amen

 

VOTE AND PRAY!

Love, MeMaw

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 302

November 1, 2016

 

Ok!! did you notice the date above…….November 1^st?????

Twenty-Three days until Thanksgiving, Eight weeks until Christmas and Nine weeks until this year is gone!

Think about how fast a week goes by and you might be like me and have to fight back a small amount of panic or maybe a large amount of panic. Or maybe it is not panic but a Lord Jesus Help me cry.

As the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas approached we need to take a deep breath and remember the reasons for the upcoming holidays.

Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating friends and family and the desire to live in peace.  It is time to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in the United States. However you celebrate, be Thankful and share smiles and love.

Psalm 69:30 (KJV)
³⁰ I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Christmas is a time to Celebrate the giver of life and the Freedom his coming purchased for mankind.  We can never be truly free until we know the one who came to set us free from the bondage the enemy of our soul desires to keep us in. Whatever you do, keep the childhood wonder and joy in your celebrations.

John 3:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ 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.

As the year ends do not think of it as the end but think of the beginning.  Another year of opportunities and miracles.

Philippians 3:13 (KJV)
¹³ 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,

Maybe your life at this moment is in such turmoil that you think the above way to celebrate is absurd.  I challenge you to reach out to someone who is hurting and someone who is going through a more difficult time than you.  God gave that we might live.  Give of yourself and you will find these next few weeks can actually change your life forever.

1 John 3:18 (KJV)
¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

In the next eight or nine weeks the worlds systems will try to rob you of your Peace, Joy and Love.  I challenge you to do as I tell my Granddaughters: “Remember who you are and whose you are.”

As sons and daughters of the most high God we can journey through this season with an attitude of calm, peace and caring for each other.

What a difference we can make to all those we come in contact with as we replace rushing with calmness: frowns with smiles: pushing with waiting: frustration with peace: and grouchiness with joy.

Whatever pushes your button to lose your peace, ask God to keep you aware of it and to replace it with a complete dependence on Him.

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

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Father, thank you for the Blessing of this year. Thank you for the next few weeks of celebrations and awareness of all you have placed in our hands. We praise you for your love and plan of redemption. We praise you for the beauty of the earth you created and we praise you for family and friends.  I decree and declare that this will be the best holiday ever as we celebrate you, Father God, the giver of life. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen

 

Great release comes through Praise!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 301

October 25, 2016

PREPARATION………

This past weekend we had a birthday celebration for my husband Ronald.  I prepared food for my family and decorated with birthday items. I begin preparing before the actual day with shopping, getting cloths and decorations out in preparation for our children and grandchildren, etc.

We all prepare for certain things or events in our lives.  We know they are not just going to come together on their own. Christmas is a great time of preparation. At church we prepare for the things that are to come, and we make sure that what needs to be done is done.

This reminds me of John the Baptist who was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. It was said over him by his father:

Luke 1:76 (KJV)
⁷⁶ And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

So John ultimately pointed people to Jesus and baptized Jesus.  He was sent to prepare the way.

My thought this morning is who are we preparing the way for?  Who am I preparing the way for?

The Bible, the Word of the living God tells us to:

 Joel 1:3 (KJV)
³ Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

Just as we pass down recipes and methods and directions we must also pass down the Truth …the Real Truth of the Gospel to our families and those we encounter. We do this by words and our life…more by our life as Paul tells us in his writing to Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:10 (KJV)
¹⁰ But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

 They will then want to follow their Father and/or Mothers God.

Exodus 15:2 (KJV)
² The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

But as we are preparing others by our teaching and our example we also need to be following God’s purpose for our life.

 Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

I heard a message a couple of years back about our purpose being to pave the way for the next generation.  Think with me……what if your purpose is to prepare and set doors to open not just for yourself but for the next generation, as you walk in obedience.

What if the people you meet and the opportunities you have, and preparations you are making are going to play a major part in the next generation’s destiny?

What if your obedience thrust the next generation into their purpose?

 

2 Timothy 1:9 (KJV)
⁹ Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

So that also means that our disobedience may hinder someone else’s destiny!!

It does matter that you prepare and be obedient!

It is not all about our self…..but future generations.

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Father God thank you that I have a purpose. Thank you that my purpose is greater than me or my generation. Thank you that my obedience will affect future generations.   Lead me in the right way to prepare for those coming after me.  May we all understand that we are not an Island and that what we do effects others, not just right now but for years to come.  I ask in Jesus Name that you fill us with the purposes of our life and let us prepare the way.

Have an incredible week fulfilling your purpose!

Love, MeMaw