Blog

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 287

July 19, 2016

I have a Keurig coffee maker and that is usually my first stop when I get up in the mornings.

This morning as I opened the drawer that holds the little Keurig Pods, the front part of the drawer was almost empty. The back part had several other type choices but the first cup of coffee in the morning needs to be Folgers. OOPS!

However I walked across the kitchen opening a deeper drawer and there were several boxes of my favorite Folgers. So I opened a box and put them in the first drawer and immediately there was plenty of my favorite first cup of coffee pods.

Why am I sharing about coffee? Because sometimes it looks like we have reached the end of our strength, our provisions, and our wisdom.  But if we will just go to the Father God the Creator of the Universe He will supply not only just what we need but He has a store house of what we desire.

Now I could have used a hot tea or hot chocolate or even a French Vanilla pod, but that was not my desire.  Just like that, sometimes we settle for something less than the desires that Father God has placed deep within us because we do not remember that He has promised to meet every need and ever desire when we just Love Him with our whole heart.

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
⁴ Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Wait, let’s think about this. God will supply our needs and give us the desires of our heart as we delight in Him.

What are we delighting in?  Are we delighting in our achievements and successes or do we acknowledge that even our very breath comes from the Lord God Almighty?

But think again….not only will God supply our needs and give us the desires of our heart but He will do more than we can comprehend or imagine.

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
²⁰ 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,

Wow, what a promise.  When you allow the power of God to work and dwell in you, the best and greatest you can think off will not begin to match the plan He has for you.

The riches of His great Love, Power and Blessings are ours but we refuse to go to the source and receive.  Just as I could have ignored the boxes of coffee in the second drawer, we can ignore God’s provision and Blessing.

Open your heart to receive. Put yourself in a position of receiving by Loving and Serving the Lord God Almighty.

When Jesus multiplied the Loaves and Fishes in the Bible, the people had to receive.  I wonder if there might have been those in the crowd who refused to take the food from the disciples because they did not feel worthy, or they had not worked or even asked for it.  If there were, they went away hungry.

How about you?  Are you a receiver or a doubter? Is your heart filled with God’s Love or with your own plans?  Go to the source. Open your heart and hands and position yourself for His mighty acts of Love.

_____________________________________

Father, what an amazing thing to know that all we need, desire or even dream of is complete in you.  I decree and declare that you are removing every doubt and fear from our minds and our spirit.  You are God: nothing is too hard for you. We open our hands and receive your Blessings and we give you honor and praise. And it is all because of Jesus and we pray in that wonderful, powerful name. Amen

Have an awesome week!

Love, MeMaw

 

 

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 286

July 12, 2016

This past Saturday we had a cleaning day at our new church building that is almost completed.  As I arrived and noticed all the cars my heart was touched with God’s goodness.

There was a lot of work to be done.  Construction makes a mess.

As I entered the building there was much activity.  Many vacuum cleaners were going.  Windows were being scraped and cleaned. Bathrooms and kitchen were being made spotless and floors were being swept in preparation for additional work on Monday, and mops were being used.

Working together, each person doing something, before long it was all clean and in order.

The saying “Many hands make light work’, truly applied in this case.

As we look at our world, let’s compare it to the messy building that got cleaned on Saturday.  The world we live in is messy. We are living in a day of guns and protest and fear of terrorist.  But if you are a Christian then you know Jesus is the answer to all the mess going on around us.

Our Women’s Fearless Conference Motto this year was;

“Better Together”

1 Corinthians 3:9 (KJV)
⁹ For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

Just as many hands cleaned our building, when many Christians begin to do the task at hand and use the abilities God has blessed them with; we will see our Nation begin to change.

Philippians 1:27 (KJV)
²⁷ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

We need to be working together to make a difference in the world we live in.  As the scripture above says we must strive together for the faith of the gospel.

How do we change our world? We allow God to use us to change people. We clean up the area around us and we understand many hands make light work.

Ephesians 4:16 (MSG)
¹⁶ He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

I love Ephesians 4:16 in the Message Bible. We will grow healthy and robust in God’s Love when we do what we can.  When we smile or hug or speak or write.  When we teach our kids that Love is Greater than Hate!  When we demonstrate by our actions that we truly believe that Jesus is the answer. We cannot do everything and maybe we cannot do much, but we can do something.

Many Christians make the spreading of the Gospel much easier and effective.  What can you do today to affect the people around you? Who can you encourage? What can you change in your life so you make a difference?

In Love vs. Hate, Love always wins.

Spread some Love and the Gospel today!  We cannot do everything; but we can do something.

Be the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus today!

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_______________________________________________________

Father God, my Abba Father, my Daddy God, thank you for your Love. When the world all around us seems marred down with hate, distrust, and rejection of your Love, help each of us to realize that we can be light in darkness.  The problems seem overwhelming but may we remember that all of us together can make a difference. That we can see change when we all do what we can. Lead us this day to be like you and let Love overcome Hate. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

 

Remember; we are Better Together

Love, MeMaw

 

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 285

July 5, 2016

Progress………

On a keyboard there are chord progressions that take you from one key to the other.

In the world around us progress looks like different things to different people.  To some, progress is a promotion, to some a larger house, or a political election or a certain law passed.

To an injured person it may be a word spoken and a step taken or a limb moved.

In a war it may be a city or village secured from the enemy or a battle won.

But to the Christian progress should be becoming more like Jesus!

This Christian walk is a process, but a process toward what?

It is a process of being changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ!

Why are we called Christians? Because we believe and accept the price Jesus paid on the cross to reconcile us to our Creator God.

To be a Christian means we should be striving to be Christ-like. We should be like Jesus; Jesus with skin on.

Now this is a process but we should be seeing progress.

Are you more like Jesus this month than you were last month?  Are you maturing in your Christian walk so that you think more like Jesus, act more like Jesus and LOVE more like Jesus each day?

Progress in a Christian is growth and maturity in our innermost being. That then, flows to our outer being and the world can see Jesus living through us.

Acts 11:26 B(KJV)
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Why were the disciples called Christians? Because they did what they had seen Jesus Christ do.  They had witnessed His nature and His works and they were imitating Him.

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

If we imitate Jesus we will always please the Father.

John 14:12 (KJV)
¹² Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

I understand that if an actor or actress is to portray a real person in a movie, they watch news reports and study the actions and movements of the person they are to portray.  They will read all they can find written about or maybe by that person. They then can take on the attitude, actions and expressions of the person they are to portray. If the person is alive they spend hours in their presences, talking, studying, and learning from that person.

If we are to progress in our Christian walk, we must read and study the Bible, the word of the living God.  We must spend time in His presence and get to know Him intimately.  If we are to imitate Jesus Christ, we must know not just about Him but know Him in fellowship and sharing.

We will then progress and become more and more like Jesus and do the works He has called us to.

Philippians 3:12 (MSG)
¹² I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.

 

Are you PROGRESSING, standing still, or going backward???

Philippians 3:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

____________________________________

Father, In Jesus name, I come to you. I desire to be more like Jesus each day. I desire that my priorities are such that fellowship with you and study of your word are number one on my schedule. Bless each person who reads this and stir up within them a desire for a progressive walk with you.  May we each grow in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

 

Let God Arise in each of you!!

Love, MeMaw

 

 

 

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 284

June 28, 2016

 

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

 

As my eyes were scanning my bookshelf this morning I saw a title of a book I read a long time ago.  It is by Max Lucado and is called “The Applause of Heaven”.

Since it has been so long since I read it I don’t really remember what it says but it started me thinking about the writer of Hebrews words on this race of life we are in.

In chapter 11 of Hebrews the writer gives a list of people who ran a good race and left an impact on the world that is continuing on today as we read their stories of victories and struggles and even failures.  But they kept running the race.

Then in chapter 12 verse 1, we are encouraged to run the race well.  Lay aside every weight and sin and run with patience.  We are told there are those who have gone before us cheering us on.

This paints a picture in my mind of a group of runners headed toward the finish line of a road race.  On the side lines are those who are cheering and yelling you can do it. This paints a picture in my mind of Olympic skiers or swimmers with the stands full and the people yelling encouragement to them.

This paints a picture in my mind of the prophets and patriarchs of old that are looking at our daily struggles and cheering us on to victory.

But more than anything this paints a picture in my mind of the Lord Jesus Christ who says deep in our innermost being, you can do it, I paid the price and won the victory. Let me live through you, let go of the struggles and just rest in me and you will always be victorious.

Now picture with me if you will a runner starting out at a good pace and feeling freedom as he or she runs.  Then picture as this runner continues they begin to pick up things along the way.  They pick up some worry, then go a little further and pick up some offense.  After a little while more they pick up some unforgiveness.  Before long they are so weighted down they are walking not running.

Then imagine at the side is a strong amazing Jesus and as you slowly walk he begins to say “Come to me”.

 

As you stop and bow at His feet and worship the weights begin to fall off at His touch.  The hurts, confusions, worry and concerns begin to lift as He takes them. The unforgiveness is released as He sets you free.

Our weighted down life does not come all at once but comes a little at a time.

Have you ever heard the expression “Slow Fade”?  The enemy of all that is good knows that the best way to defeat us in our walk with the Lord God Almighty is to slowly add the temptations and cares and worries to our life.  Life 101 will begin to weigh you down if you don’t understand that you have a Heavenly Father that will take all of that and set you free to run with patience the race set before you.

But not only do we have stands of heavenly encouragers and the Lord Jesus himself our encourager we have the spirit of the living God that will guide and direct us as we give Him control.

I implore you today to release every care, hurt, confusion, worry, unforgiveness, etc, to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Let it go……let the Pease of God fill you up and you will run the race of life without all the junk weighing you down.

Don’t slow fade into the mindset of the world around you.  Be an encourager.  As you allow the Father God to set you free, you can encourage others so that they can run the race of life with the creator of life as their guide.

_______________________________________________

Father God, thank you that we have examples of Godly people who have left an imprint on the world around us.  I decree and declare in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that every person who reads this will be filled with the desire to run a good race.  I decree and declare that each person who reads this will let you take all the weights and cares from them so they can run the race with freedom and patience. Fill us with you spirit and guide us to make an eternal difference.  Amen

Let Go of all the weights and run the race with patience!

Love, Me-Maw

 

 

 

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 283

June 21, 2016

 

Have you ever felt like a piece of the puzzle of your life was missing?

Think about a child working on a puzzle with large pieces. There is one piece left and the child is trying to make it fit but has it turned the wrong way.  No matter how hard that child presses or how long he or she tries or cries that puzzle piece will never fit until it is turned the correct way.

This child is trying so hard to do it their self but finally ask their parent for help and as the parent takes the puzzle piece and turns it the right direction it goes easily into place.

God has a plan and purpose for each of us.  When we try to put the pieces of our life together on our own we become like the child with the puzzle. We become frustrated and may even cry and pray God…WHY.

But when we release the pieces of our lives to the Creator God..the Father who created it all.. He makes something beautiful of it.  He makes the parts fit together and makes the whole purpose of our life come together.

Our Father God, creator of all that is, wants to be in control of every action, decision, and area of our life.  WHY? Because He knows which way each piece fits. He can easily turn the parts of our life in the right direction and we will be whole and prosperous and successful.

Psalm 32:8 (KJV)
⁸ I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Psalm 143:8 (KJV)
⁸ Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV)
³ Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Psalm 23:1 (KJV)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 

It breaks my heart when I see people struggling, worrying, fretting and planning with no thought that the one who knows everything and created everything is just waiting for us to release all we are and all we need to Him.  The enemy so invades our minds to make us believe that we can do it ourselves without the help of our Heavenly Father.

To quote a familiar phrase: “How is that working for you?”

 

What a privilege to bring all our cares, concerns and pieces of our lives and just place them in the hands of a loving and powerful God. What a privilege to release all the worries and fears and frustrations to our Lord God Almighty.

 

Because Jesus Loves, came and rose again, we can live life abundant and free from all the junk that the enemy of all that is good throws at us.

 

Are you trying to figure it out? Turn it over to Jesus and let Him turn the things of your life in the right direction.

 

I know that I talk a lot about letting God take control, but that is such a tremendous Blessing. When your heart is troubled and your mind is in turmoil just take a few minutes and say to your Heavenly Father “I release this to your Lordship!”  Name the situation and problem or worry.

 

Our God is able.  What are you trying to make fit in your life that you need to just release to the Almighty God of the Universe?

 

He is waiting with outstretched arms!!

 

___________________________________________

 

Father thank you that you are my guide, my problem solver, and my peace speaker. Thank you that I can just release all of my cares into your loving hands. May I always remember that you not only care but you are able to take care of all that I will release to you. Forgive me when I try to handle it without you.  What Joy to be able to walk in Faith and Victory knowing you have it all handled. Bless all who read this and may they walk in your incredible love.  Amen

 

Have a week of Joy and Peace!

Love, Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 282

June 14, 2016

If my people………..

We just saw once again senseless taking of lives. Lives Jesus died for.

If my people………..

We are seeing hurts and cries and pain.

If my people………..

We are seeing hopelessness and helplessness.

If my people………..

America needs the healing power and grace of almighty God to intervene in our Cities, our States, our Churches and our Homes.

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.

God gives us the answer in the scripture shown above. Are you Gods people? Will you pray and seek His face?

We all agree we need healing in our land. Healing of hate and of selfishness. Healing of stubbornness and pride. Healing of seeking our way not Gods way.

But are we willing to do our part. Are we willing to come with humble hearts to our Father God and follow His formula for healing our land?  This country was founded on the Word of Almighty God to be a place where all men and women can be free to live in peace.

We have strayed so far from the plan of God for our Nation that our forefathers would not recognize it. But are we willing to use the Power of Prayer to turn our Nation back to God?

Let’s look closely at that verse:

1) If my people, which are called by my name::: not the entire nation but the people who call themselves believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2) Shall Humble themselves::: recognize that we are hopeless without the Lord God of the universe.

3) and Pray and seek my face::: Just take a moment and compare your prayer and praise and seeking the Lord time to the hours you have in a day or week.  Are we willing to pray the price for God to heal our land.

4) and Turn from their wicked ways::: maybe you feel you have no wicked ways. Maybe you are a good, good person.  Start looking inwardly at fear, confusion, unforgiveness, and irritation. Start looking outwardly at prejudice, impatience, and neglect of loving others.  Those things are not of Faith and the Bible tells us that whatever is not of Faith is sin. Are you willing to lay down some of the things that are not of Faith?

THEN GOD WILL::::

1) Hear

2) Forgive

3) Heal our Land

We are called Children of the Almighty God. As such we have a privilege to bring to Him all the broken pieces of a Nation out of control.  Will you join with me to be the people of God who will rise up and say “We are the people”?

May we rise as a mighty army who know our God and do great exploits!! May our prayers rise in intercession for a Nation that has forgotten and forsaken God!!! May we stand and replace hate with love, and judgment with compassion!!!

We serve the much Greater one and yet we act like darkness rules.  We are the people and if will rise up and pray, the light of Jesus Christ will shatter the darkness.

No matter how little or how much time you have to seek God for our Nation, please do that.  As you are driving to work, pray and seek God’s face, as you are cooking or folding clothes pray asking God to heal our land.  Will you just begin with the prayer below? I am calling you to join with me in a prayer drive. Pray for our Nation. If my people::::  are you one???

__________________________________________________________________________

Father, in Jesus name I come to you.  I ask you to invade the Cities, States, Churches, and Homes of the United States of America with your light.  I confess that as a Nation we have neglected you and traveled our own path. Heal our hurts and warped thinking from the inside out. Give us Fathers who will stand and declare as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Give us Mothers who will guide their household with Love and Adoration for the creator of the universe. Give us hearts that are filled with your love and compassion.  Work your work in us oh God and it will spread. We desire the light of Jesus Christ to cover the whole earth. Let it start in me Father God, please be real in me. Amen

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 281

June 7, 2016

I want a do over.  While thinking of all the physical issues I have had this year I decided I want a do over of the year. We are almost halfway through the year and I just think I need a do over.

For those of you who are not familiar with a do over it is a chance to go back and redo something. As I thought about my life I have places through the years that I would like to do over.

Ever been there?? Ever said: why did I do that or if I just had not or if I could just go back?

Now we all know that we cannot go backwards in time and erase what happened or what we did. But I have good news! Every day in Jesus is a new beginning.  When we come to Jesus and release our frustrations and situations to Him, He gives us a fresh start, a fresh page on which to write our life.

The night, as a nine year old, that I gave my heart to Jesus is something I have never wanted a do over for.  The giver of life has been with me and guided me and shown me the way when I messed up.

I have been blessed far beyond anything I ever deserve and I know Jesus Loves me. That is the foundation that my life is built on. At almost 72 years old, I look back through the years and can truly say He has been with me all the way.

When I look at the changing world around us and I am filled with the knowledge that many people are building on a foundation that will crumble, I think of an old song my dad used to lead us in. Part of the song “Hold to God’s unchanging hand” goes something like this.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,

Build your hopes on things eternal,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

 

Trust in Him who will not leave you,

Whatsoever years may bring.

If by earthly friends forsaken,

Still more closely to Him cling.

 

Covet not this world’s vain riches,

That so rapidly decay.

Seek to gain the heavenly treasures,

They will never pass away.

 

Proverbs 18:24 B (KJV)
and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

 

Psalm 20:7 (KJV)
⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

 

Picture a child with their little hand in the hand of their father. The child is not worried about anything because they are with their father and holding his hand.

 

If we could just be that trusting and put our hand into the hand of the Creator God and then just relax and follow Him.

 

But so many times we are like the stubborn child who wants to pull away and do our own thing and that leads to heartache and sorrow.

 

So in a world out of control I challenge you to hold onto the hand of the one who

knows you best and loves you most.  Hold onto the hand of your greatest encourager and your greatest fan. Hold onto the eternal one and you won’t worry about having do over’s because each day will be a new beginning.

 

Put your Hand into the Hand of your creator.

 

______________________________________

 

Father thank you that I can walk and talk with you. Thank you that Jesus paid the price for our renewed relationship with you, our creator.  We can be renewed and refreshed in you.  Thank you that I am never alone and I am never forsaken. Thank you that I have God the Holy Spirit, living deep within me.  I am loved, accepted and set free to fulfill my destiny.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

 

 

Hold to His hand!!

Love, Me-Maw

 

 

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 280

May 31, 2016

I have been fighting a chest cold/sinus bunch of junk since Saturday. I am taking an over the counter medicine that puts me in, as my daughter calls it, a medicine fog.

When you are in a medicine fog it is sometimes hard to tell if you are getting better or not.  I believe I am but because of the medicine fog I am not sure.

A medicine fog also keeps me from focusing on the things I need to focus on and even though I am skipping this morning’s dose so I can get something done I know I am rambling in my thoughts and my writing. It stays in your system for a while.

So since I am not thinking clearly bear with me, but Suppose we get in a Spiritual Fog when we start medicating with the things of the world.

Pastor Rick said in a sermon a while back that we Mask, Medicate and Manipulate our problems and situations when we do not deal with the root but only with the fruit of a situation or problem.

The symptoms I am dealing with are only the symptoms. The root of the problem is infection and along with prayer I am taking some medicine to hopefully clear this up.

In our lives we need to ask God to show us the root of the problems we are dealing with.  Is hurt, bitterness or unforgivness the root of our discontent or criticism or anger?  Is past rejection the root of always having to be right?

When there is pain in our body it indicates a physical problem.  When there is pain in our spirit man it indicates a spiritual problem.

Let’s look this morning at things that, to use a familiar phrase, push your button.  I challenge you today to take a closer look and ask God to help you see the deeper issue. Why does that particular thing or things always affect you with anger, irritation, depression or any other emotion?

Is there something that always causes an adverse reaction in you?  Dig deeper and find the root and you will be free from that thing forever.

I believe Jesus bore stripes for my healing and desires me to be well and whole, but what will I do if prayer and the medicine I am taking do not clear up my cold/sinus stuff? I will go to the Doctor to get something that will be more effective.

What can we do when the prayer and confessions we are making do not heal the symptoms of an out of whack spirit?  Go to the Father God and ask Him to reveal the deeper problems and wounds and hurts that need to be dealt with.

We must get to the root.  If we can pull up all the roots of hurts, confusion and bitterness that we have allowed down in our innermost being, we can be a productive child of almighty God and change the world around us.

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.

Psalm 19:12 (KJV)
¹² Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Psalm 51:2 (KJV)
² Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

My desire for each of us is that we be free from roots of rejection, bitterness, hurts and confusion that we have deep inside us, so we can walk in the freedom God intended.

What is deep inside you? Let our loving Heavenly Father set you free.

___________________________________________________________________________

Father, in Jesus precious name I come to you. I lay my deepest self before you and ask you to cleanse me from everything that is not of you.  I am your child and I desire to be a vessel of honor to you. Let all I do glorify you and may each person who reads this understand how much you love them and desire to set them free from the roots of junk that is keeping them from your best. Thank you Father God that you are doing exceeding and abundant things in our lives.  You are for us and if you are for us who can be against us.  Amen

 

Let God set you free!!

Love, MeMaw