Saturday, December 31, 2016

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

Photo provided by Tara Cook Bruce

Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: 
for this is the will of God 
in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit.
Despise not prophesyings.
Prove all things; hold fast 
that which is good.  Abstain 
from all appearance of evil.
And the very God of peace 
sanctify you wholly; and I 
pray God your whole spirit 
and soul and body be preserved 
blameless unto the coming of 
our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful 
is he that calleth you, who also 
will do it.  Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with an 
holy kiss.  I charge you by the 
Lord that this epistle be read 
unto all the holy brethren.  The 
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 
be with you. Amen.

I Thessalonians 5:17-28

Friday, December 30, 2016

BLESS THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU



Be kindly affectioned one to another 
with brotherly love; in honour 
preferring one another. Not slothful 
in business; fervent in spirit; 
serving the Lord;  Rejoicing in 
hope; patient in tribulation; 
continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of 
saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute 
you: bless, and curse not.  
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, 
and weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward 
another. Mind not high things, 
but condescend to men of low estate. 
Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for 
evil. Provide things honest in the 
sight of all men.  If it be 
possible, as much as lieth in you, 
live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, 
but rather give place unto wrath: for 
it is written, Vengeance is 
mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Romans 12:10-19

Thursday, December 29, 2016

THE WATERS HAVE COME IN UNTO MY SOUL


Photo by Balinda Zimmerman

Save me, O God; for the waters
are come in unto my soul.
I sink in deep mire,
where there is no standing:
I am come into deep waters,
where the floods overflow
me.  I am weary of my crying:
my throat is dried: mine
eyes fail while I wait for
my God.  They that hate me 
without a cause are more than the 
hairs of mine head: they that would 
destroy me, being mine enemies 
wrongfully, are mighty: then
I restored that which I took 
not away.  O God, thou knowest 
my foolishness; and my sins are 
not hid from thee. Let not them that 
wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, 
be ashamed for my sake: let not 
those that seek thee be confounded 
for my sake, O God of Israel.
Because for thy sake I have 
borne reproach; shame hath covered 
my face.  I am become a stranger 
unto my brethren, and an alien 
unto my mother’s children.
For the zeal of thine house hath 
eaten me up; and the reproaches 
of them that reproached thee are 
fallen upon me.  When I wept, and 
chastened my soul with fasting, 
that was to my reproach.  I made 
sackcloth also my garment; 
and I became a proverb to them.
They that sit in the gate speak 
against me; and I was the song of 
the drunkards.  But as for me, 
my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, 
in an acceptable time: O God, 
in the multitude of thy mercy hear 
me, in the truth of thy salvation.
Psalm 69: 1-13

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

THE LORD WILL GO BEFORE YOU

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman


 I will go before thee, and make the
 crooked places straight: I will break
 in pieces the gates of brass, and
cut in sunder the bars of iron:
And I will give thee the treasures
of darkness, and hidden riches of
secret places, that thou mayest know
that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy
name, am the God of Israel.
Isaiah 45:2-3

The LORD your God which goeth
before you, he shall fight for you,
according to all that he did
for you in Egypt before your
eyes;  And in the wilderness, where
thou hast seen how that the LORD thy
God bare thee, as a man doth bear
his son, in all the way that ye went,
until ye came into this place.
Yet in this thing ye did not believe
the LORD your God,  Who went in
the way before you, to search you out
a place to pitch your tents in, in
fire by night, to shew you by what way
ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
Deuteronomy 1:30-33

To him which led his people through 
the wilderness: for his mercy endureth 
for ever. To him which smote great 
kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And slew famous kings: for his mercy 
endureth for ever:  Sihon king of the 
Amorites:for his mercy endureth for ever:
And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy 
endureth for ever: And gave their land 
for an heritage: for his mercy endureth 
for ever: Even an heritage unto Israel his 
servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Who remembered us in our low estate: 
for his mercy endureth for ever:
And hath redeemed us from our \
enemies: for his mercy endureth for 
ever.  Who giveth food to all flesh: 
for his mercy endureth for ever.  O
 give thanks unto the God of heaven: 
for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:16

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

BY THE BREATH OF GOD

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman


The Spirit of God hath made me, 
and the breath of the Almighty 
hath given me life.
Job 33:4

 All scripture is given by 
inspiration of God, and 
is profitable for doctrine, 
for reproof, for correction, 
for instruction in righteousness:
II Timothy 3:16


And he said unto me, Son of man, 
can these bones live? And I 
answered, O Lord GOD, thou 
knowest.  Again he said unto me, 
Prophesy upon these bones, 
and say unto them, O ye 
dry bones, hear the word of 
the LORD.  Thus saith the 
Lord GOD unto these bones; 
Behold, I will cause breath 
to enter into you, and ye shall 
live:   And I will lay sinews 
upon you, and will bring up 
flesh upon you, and cover 
you with skin, and put breath 
in you, and ye shall live; and 
ye shall know that I am the LORD.
So I prophesied as I was commanded: 
and as I prophesied, there was a noise, 
and behold a shaking, and the bones 
came together, bone to his bone.  And 
when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the 
flesh came up upon them, and the skin 
covered them above: but there was no 
breath in them.  Then said he unto me, 
Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, 
son of man, and say to the wind, 
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from 
the four winds, O breath, and breathe 
upon these slain, that they may live.  So 
I prophesied as he commanded me, 
and the breath came into them, and they 
lived, and stood up upon their feet, an 
exceeding great army.  Then he said unto 
me, Son of man, these bones are the whole 
house of Israel: behold, they say, Our 
bones are dried, and our hope is lost: 
we are cut off for our parts.  Therefore 
prophesy and say unto them, Thus 
saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my 
people, I will open your graves, and 
cause you to come up out of your graves, 
and bring you into the land of Israel.
And ye shall know that I am the LORD, 
when I have opened your graves, O my 
people, and brought you up out of your 
graves,  And shall put my spirit in you,
and ye shall live, and I shall place you 
in your own land: then shall ye know 
that I the LORD have spoken it, and 
performed it, saith the LORD.
Job 37:3-14


Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto 
thee.  Except a man be born of water and of 
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom 
of God.  That which is born of the flesh is 
flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit 
is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, 
Y must be born again.  The wind bloweth 
where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound 
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, 
and whither it goeth: so is every one that 
is born of the Spirit.
John 3:5-8

Monday, December 26, 2016

LIGHT HATH SHINED ON THE SHADOW OF DEATH


Photo provided by Tina Leigh

 The people that walked in darkness 
have seen a great light: they that 
dwell in the land of the shadow 
of death, upon them hath the light 
shined. Thou hast multiplied the 
nation, and not increased the joy: 
they joy before thee according to 
the joy in harvest, and as men 
rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For thou hast broken the yoke 
of his burden, and the staff of his 
shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, 
as in the day of Midian.  For every 
battle of the warrior is with confused 
noise, and garments rolled in blood; 
but this shall be with burning and fuel 
of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto 
us a son is given: and the government 
shall be upon his shoulder: and his name 
shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, 
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, 
The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of 
his government and peace there shall be 
no end, upon the throne of David, and 
upon his kingdom, to order it, and to 
establish it with judgment and with 
justice from henceforth even for ever. 
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will 
perform this.  The Lord sent a word 
into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon 
Israel. And all the people shall know...........

Isaiah 9:2-9

Sunday, December 25, 2016

A SAVIOUR IS BORN



Photo created by Steve Long 


And it came to pass in those days, 
that there went out a decree from 
Caesar Augustus, that all the world 
should be taxed. (And this taxing 
was first made when Cyrenius 
was governor of Syria.) And all 
went to be taxed, every one into 
his own city. And Joseph also 
went up from Galilee, out of the 
city of Nazareth, into Judaea, 
unto the city of David, which is 
called Bethlehem; (because 
he was of the house and lineage 
of  David:) To be taxed with 
Mary his espoused wife, being 
great with child. And so it was, 
that, while they were there, the 
days were accomplished that 
she should be delivered. And 
she brought forth her firstborn 
son, and wrapped him in swaddling 
clothes, and laid him in a manger; 
because there was no room for them 
in the inn. And there were in the 
same country shepherds abiding 
in the field, keeping watch over 
their flock by night. And, lo, the 
angel of the Lord came upon them, 
and the glory of the Lord shone 
round about them: and they were 
sore afraid. And the angel said 
unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 
I bring you good tidings of great 
joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in 
the city of David a Saviour, 
which is Christ the Lord. And 
this shall be a sign unto you; 
Ye shall find the babe wrapped 
in swaddling clothes, lying in a
manger/ And suddenly there 
was with the angel a multitude 
of the heavenly host praising 
God, and saying, Glory to God 
in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will toward men.


LUKE 2:1-14

HIS HEART - FOR YOUR HEART

May we not get so caught up in 
gift giving and food that we forget 
the fact that the greatest gift - A 
Saviour came into this world for us. 
Not only did the father send His 
only Son into the world as a gift 
to us but he sent Him into the 
world so he could in turn receive 
the most precious gift back; your 
heart and soul. 

God didn't send His Son to be 
born and die on the cross for 
us to celebrate the event of His 
birth and leave it at that. He 
sent Him that we would celebrate 
His birth and receive a new birth 
ourselves. The most precious 
gift is God being able to receive 
you into His kingdom and sending 
His Son as a gift was His way of 
accomplishing that very thing. 
His heart for your heart! What 
a precious gift you can give Him. 

Romans 5:10-11
For if, when we were enemies, 
we were reconciled to God by 
he death of his Son, much more, 
being reconciled, we shall be saved 
by his life.  And not only so, but we also
joy in God through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, by whom we have now 
received the atonement.


Saturday, December 24, 2016

WORTHY TO RECEIVE GLORY, HONOR & POWER


And Joseph also went up from Galilee, 
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, 
unto the city of David, which is called 
Bethlehem; (because he was of the house 
and lineage of David:)  To be taxed with 
Mary his espoused wife, being great with 
child. And so it was, that, while they were 
there, the days were accomplished that 
she should be delivered.  And she brought
forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him 
in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; 
because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds 
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their 
flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the 
Lord came upon them, and the glory of the 
Lord shone round about them: and they were 
sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good 
tidings of great joy, which shall be to 
all people.  For unto you is born this day 
in the city of David a Saviour, which 
is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a 
sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe 
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying 
in a manger.  And suddenly there was 
with the angel a multitude of the 
heavenly host praising God, and 
saying,  Glory to God in the highest, 
and on earth peace, good will toward 
men.  And it came to pass, as the angels 
were gone away from them into heaven, the 
shepherds said one to another, Let us now 
go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing 
which is come to pass, which the Lord hath 
made known unto us.  And they came with 
haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the 
babe lying in a manger  And when they had 
seen it, they made known abroad the saying 
which was told them concerning this child.
 Luke 2:11-17

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, 
looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw 
the glory of God, and Jesus standing on 
the right hand of God,  And said, Behold, 
I see the heavens opened, and the Son 
of man standing on the right hand of God.

Act 7:55-56


And they sung a new song, saying, 
Thou art worthy to take the book, 
and to open the seals thereof: for 
thou wast slain, and hast redeemed 
us to God by thy blood out of every 
kindred, and tongue, and people, and 
nation; And hast made us unto our 
God kings and priests: and we shall 
reign on the earth. And I beheld, 
and I heard the voice of many 
angels round about the throne 
and the beasts and the elders: and 
the number of them was ten thousand 
times ten thousand, and thousands of 
thousands;  Saying with a loud voice, 
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain 
to receive power, and riches, and 
wisdom, and strength, and honour, 
and glory, and blessing.  And every 
creature which is in heaven, and on 
the earth, and under the earth, and 
such as are in the sea, and all that 
are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, 
and honour, and glory, and power, 
be unto him that sitteth upon the 
throne, and unto the Lamb for ever 
and ever.  And the four beasts said, 
Amen. And the four and twenty 
elders fell down and worshipped 
him that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:9-14

Friday, December 23, 2016

WHO IS LIKE THE LORD?

Photo provided by Tina Meeker

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye
servants of the LORD, praise the name
of the LORD.  Blessed be the name of
the LORD from this time forth and for
evermore.  From the rising of the sun unto
the going down of the same the LORD’S
name is to be praised.  The LORD is
high above all nations, and his glory
above the heavens.  Who is like unto the
LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that
are in heaven, and in the earth!  He raiseth
up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth
the needy out of the dunghill;  That
he may set him with princes, even with the
princes of his people.  He maketh the barren
woman to keep house, and to be a joyful
mother of children. Praise ye 
the LORD.

Psalm 113

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

HIS SEED SHALL BE MIGHTY UPON THE EARTH

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman

Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man 
that feareth the LORD, that delighteth 
greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: 
the generation of the upright shall be 
blessed.  Wealth and riches shall be in 
his house: and his righteousness 
endureth for ever.  Unto the upright there 
ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, 
and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favour, and 
lendeth: he will guide his affairs 
with discretion. Surely he shall not be 
moved for ever: the righteous shall be 
in everlasting remembrance.  He shall not 
be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, 
trusting in the LORD.  His heart is established, 
he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire 
upon his enemies.  He hath dispersed, he 
hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth 
for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; 
he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: 
the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 112

Monday, December 19, 2016

THE BREATH OF GOD FROST IS GIVEN


Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: 
and cold out of the north.
By the breath of God frost is given: 
and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
Also by watering he wearieth the thick 
cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
And it is turned round about by his counsels: 
that they may do whatsoever he commandeth 
them upon the face of the world in the earth.

Job 37: 9-12

Sunday, December 18, 2016

REMEMBER THY YOUTH

Photo provided by Amy Jennifer Byrd 

 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, 
while the evil days come not, nor the years 
draw nigh, when thou shalt say, 
I have no pleasure in them . While the sun, 
or the light, or the moon, or the stars, 
be not darkened, nor the clouds return 
after the rain:  In the day when the keepers 
of the house shall tremble, and the strong 
men shall bow themselves, and the grinders 
cease because they are few, and those that 
look out of the windows be darkened,
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when 
the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise 
up at the voice of the bird, and all the 
daughters of musick shall be brought low;
 Also when they shall be afraid of that which 
\is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the 
almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper 
shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: 
because man goeth to his long home, and 
the mourners go about the streets:
Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or 
the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher 
be broken at the fountain, or the 
wheel broken at the cistern.  Then shall the 
dust return to the earth as it was: and the 
spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; 
all is vanity.  And moreover, because the 
preacher was wise, he still taught the people 
knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and 
sought out, and set in order many proverbs.  
The preacher sought to find out acceptable 
words: and that which was written was upright, 
even words of truth  The words of the wise 
are as goads, and as nails fastened by the 
masters of assemblies, which are given 
from one shepherd. And further, by these, 
my son, be admonished: of making many 
books there is no end; and much study 
is a weariness of the flesh.  Let us hear the 
conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, 
and keep his commandments: for this is 
the whole duty of man.  For God shall 
bring every work into judgment, with every 
secret thing, whether it be good, or 
whether it be evil.

Ecclesiastes 12

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Friday, December 16, 2016

CHARITY SHALL COVER A WHOLE MULTITUDE OF SIN

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman

But the end of all things is at hand: be 
ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
And above all things have fervent charity 
among yourselves: for charity shall cover 
the multitude of sins.  Use hospitality 
one to another without grudging.
As every man hath received the gift, 
even so minister the same one to another, 
as good stewards of the manifold grace 
of God.  If any man speak, let him speak 
as the oracles of God; if any man minister, 
let him do it as of the ability which God 
giveth: that God in all things may be 
glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom 
be praise and dominion for ever and 
ever. Amen.  Beloved, think it not 
strange concerning the fiery trial which is 
to try you, as though some strange thing 
happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch 
as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; 
that, when his glory shall be revealed, 
ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of 
Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory 
and of God resteth upon you: on their part 
he is evil spoken of, but on your part 
he is glorified.  But let none of you suffer 
as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an 
evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s 
matters.  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, 
let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God 
on this behalf.   For the time is come that 
judgment must begin at the house of God: 
and if it first begin at us, what shall the end 
be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, 
where shall the ungodly and the sinner 
appear?  Wherefore let them that suffer 
according to the will of God commit the 
keeping of their souls to him in well 
doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

I Peter 4:7-19

Thursday, December 15, 2016

LOOKING BEYOND THE VEIL













THE HUMBLE WARRIOR

Sometimes we are given opportunities in life that are as adventures as sailing the seas, flying to that wonderful remote place we've always dreamed of.  Not everyone is granted such an opportunity but when it arrives at your door, you should open the door and let it come in and enjoy that one time experience to the very nth degree.

As I ponder tonight about my new found friend Thanh, I can't help but believe the Lord has sent him into our lives for a wonderful reason.  As I began to think about him and how the Lord can use his life, the topic came to my mind. "The humble Warrior".  Thanh is such a picture of humility, never expecting anyone to do things for him but always going the extra mile to make sure he takes care of things that need done around him.  As soon as he visited our home the first time, he noticed us throwing trash into the trash can and instantly took the trash out to the dumpster.  Always picking up his plate and silverware and taking care of them instead of expecting others to do it for him.  Never sitting down until others have sit first, never rude or arrogant, filled with excitement and loves it when Steve, my husband says something funny, which is often.  Laughs when I tell him Steve is crazy because he loves to crack jokes all the time.  Thanh laughs and makes sure Steve knows he's doesn't think he's crazy and that he likes him a lot and likes the funny things he says and does.

A sponge, Thanh soaks up every bit of knowledge he can absorb.  Eager to learn how to cook, learn how to live the American dream, how to become better at everything he does.  Always waiting for the next chapter to open in his life and eager to walk through the door when it does open.

Filled with a love for music, especially piano music, he will listen to it for hours and he is beginning to read the book of Psalm each night while listening to piano music.  Growing daily as he takes one step of faith learning about walking with the Lord.  What a splendid thing to get to be a part of.  From his birth in Christ and then to his walk with the Lord and watching as the Lord provides for him.

Watching as he meets his new friend Oveta who is from San Salvador.  It's amazing watching these two young people who neither one knows much English, and they don't know each others language yet you see a special beauty portrayed when you see them together.  Such a softness and kindness for each other and a kindness in communicating to each other the things that are important to them.  But mostly just being with each other as words are not the most important thing in their lives right now; acceptance is and this is where they have found a common thread.

Jeremiah 29:11 speaks of something I feel most people misinterpret. There are far more riches in life than money and the nicest car or house.  There is great riches found in watching someones life change and them learning and growing in truth and telling other people about what the Lord has done for them.

Everyone thought Jesus would become the King of Kings meaning the great King of this world and one could get quite excited about that thought, but instead God had plans for him to become a far greater King than of one that ruled the earth.  His plan was a difficult plan but it was a plan for Jesus Christ to rule the entire universe but not without suffering greatly first.

The Lord also has a plan for us, we may feel he isn't fulfilling that plan because everything doesn't seem to be coming together in our favor.  Maybe, just maybe you are seeing the first step of the portrait the Lord is painting of your life.  When he unveils the final portrait you will then realize that his plans were the right ones all along, even when we didn't trust he knew what was best for us.

Thanh shared with me how he felt devastated that his father asked him to leave his home but great doors opened in Thanh's life after that.  Doors that may have never opened had this not taken place.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 
saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not 
of evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye 
shall go and pray unto me, and I will 
hearken unto you.  And ye shall 
seek me, and find me, when ye 
shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13


Tuesday, December 13, 2016

THOU ART MY LAMP

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman
https://www.facebook.com/MilanMemoriesByMinna/?hc_location=ufi


Therefore the LORD hath recompensed
me according to my righteousness;
according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
With the merciful thou wilt shew
thyself merciful, and with the
upright man thou wilt shew thyself
upright. With the pure thou wilt shew
thyself pure; and with the froward thou
wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
And the afflicted people thou wilt save:
but thine eyes are upon the haughty,
that thou mayest bring them down.
For thou art my lamp, O LORD:
and the LORD will lighten my
darkness. For by thee I have run
through a troop: by my God have
I leaped over a wall.  As for God, his
way is perfect; the word of the LORD is
tried: he is a buckler to all them that
trust in him.

II Samuel 22:25-31

Monday, December 12, 2016

...AND UNDER HIS WINGS SHALT THOU TRUST

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman

Surely he shall deliver thee from the 
snare of the fowler, and from the 
noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee 
with his feathers, and under his wings shalt 
thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield 
and buckler.  Thou shalt not be afraid 
for the terror by night; nor for the 
arrow that flieth by day;
Psalm 91: 3-5

Sunday, December 11, 2016

GIFT GIVING

Photo provided by June Roberson Ormesher


Every man also to whom God hath given
riches and wealth, and hath given him
power to eat thereof, and to take his
portion, and to rejoice in his labour;
this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:19


 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance
that thou stir up the gift of God, which is
in thee by the putting on of my hands.

II Timothy 1:6


If ye then, being evil, know how to give 
good gifts unto your children: how 
much more shall your heavenly Father 
give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke 11:13

Jesus answered and said unto her,
If thou knewest the gift of God,
and who it is that saith to thee,
Give me to drink; thou wouldest
have asked of him, and he would
have given thee living water.
The woman saith unto him, Sir,
thou hast nothing to draw with, and
the well is deep: from whence then hast
thou that living water?  Art thou greater
than our father Jacob, which gave us
the well, and drank thereof himself, and
his children, and his cattle?  Jesus answered
and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh
of this water shall thirst again:

John 4:10-13

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Friday, December 9, 2016

HE MAKETH THE CLOUDS HIS CHARIOT

Photo provided by Crickett White Green

Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD 
my God, thou art very great; thou art 
clothed with honour and majesty. Who
coverest thyself with light a with a garment:
who stretchest  out the heavens like
a curtain:  Who layeth the beams of
his chambers in the waters: who maketh
the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon
the wings of the wind: Who maketh his
angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
Who laid the boundations of the earth,
that it should not be removed for ever.
Thou coveredst it with the deep as
with a garment: the waters stood above
the mountains.  At thy rebuke they fled;
at the voice of thy thunder they hasted 
away.  They go up by the mountains; they 
go down by the valleys unto the place 
which thou hast founded for them.  
Thou hast set a bound that they may not 
pass over; that they turn not again to 
cover the earth.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

COME INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES

Photo by Kassidy Mitchell

Come into the holy of holies!  This is a
statement that will either woo you in or 
will cause you to run in fear.  When we 
enter into the presence of the Holy One it
makes us lay aside all of our selfishness, 
our desires and ambitions in order to 
make way for His desires and ambitions 
for our lives. 

For several years now I have had people 
talk to me about writing another book 
but the passion was not there,  The passion 
I had was set in a different direction.  
My passion at the time was to give hope 
to the hurting people I met daily as I was 
taking the train to work, and to carry 
the light of Christ to the world 
closet to me. 

For those of you who have never written 
a book, this is something that becomes 
nearly impossible to do while working a 
full time job and being deeply involved 
in the ministry of our church.

So when the question was asked, each 
time I would let them know that the 
Lord had led me to write the two books 
I had written; but he was not leading me 
to write anything besides those two books.  
I was thoroughly convinced that the Lord 
was not going to lay it on my heart to write 
another book.  After all, I still haven’t been able 
to wrap my mind around the fact that I have 
written two books already much less the fact 
that the Lord would desire me to write 
anything more for him.

Then driving to work one day I felt the 
Lord start weaving the idea into my heart.  
I pushed it aside due to the fact, there is no 
possible way I can write another book while 
holding down a full time job, especially one 
that I am on the road for close to an hour 
going to work and then returning. 

Months later the desire began to be 
weaved deeper into my heart and with me 
being the person that I am, I pushed it 
aside wondering how in the world I 
could be having this desire to write again.  
Writing a book is one of the most time 
consuming, difficult things for myself since 
I am not a natural writer and although I can 
spell much better than I could years ago, I 
still struggle with grammar and the overall 
concept of writing. 

The one thing I didn’t struggle with too 
long, is the fact; if the Lord continues 
to lay something on my heart that I come 
to the understanding that all else will be put 
on hold until I follow the will of the Father.  
If he chooses for me to write a book, then 
he will do all the fine tuning of my life 
in order to bring it to fruition.  That 
doesn’t’ mean I will enjoy every 
moment of the changes taking place. 
It does mean, as He makes the changes 
in my life, He is going to fill the empty 
spots with the right things in order to bring 
about His plan, and it will be a beautiful thing 
that takes place when he brings it to past.

What I must be willing to do is set
aside my personal desires and come
boldyly into the holy of holies, by the 
blood of the lamb and ask the Lord to 
use this book for His glory.   

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to 
enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he
 hath consecrated for us, through
 the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
And having an high priest over the
house of God;  Let us draw near with a 
true heart in full assurance of faith, 
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil 
conscience, and our bodies washed 
with pure water. Let us hold fast the 
profession of our faith without wavering; 
(for he is faithful that promised;)
And let us consider one another 
to provoke unto love and to good 
works: Not forsaking the assembling of 
ourselves together, as the manner of some is; 
but exhorting one another: and so much 
the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:19-25