Monday, September 30, 2019

SEVEN TIMES A DAY DO I PRAISE THEE

Photo provided by Irma Pi 

 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth 
great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but 
thy law do I love.  Seven times a day do I 
praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and 
nothing shall offend them.  LORD, I have hoped 
for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.  
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love 
them exceedingly.  I have kept thy precepts and 
thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

Psalm 119:162-168

Sunday, September 29, 2019

FAITH AND FEAR

Photo by Irma Pi 

I have watched so many lives over the years. The
one thing I have seen far too many times is; when
a person walks to the crossroad of faith and fear
and the choices they make. 

On the other side of the bridge of faith, is the 
unknown.  

The bridge of faith could be a casual life living 
in the town of their choice, hanging with their 
childhood friends, and working the same job.  

Although, faith may mean the very thing that
could take them to living their dream, 
whether traveling the world singing, speaking, 
teaching, preaching or being a comedian, doctor
lawyer or president.

At this bridge, I have stood on the sideline 
and watched a many a soul hesitate and then decide 
to walk over with fear, hand in hand, to the other 
side, instead of allowing faith to take their hand 
and to cross over with this companion.  

Faith demands trust and commitment, it might mean
more work, less pleasure.  Faith might mean 
something far greater for their life than fear could 
provide, but not what they had their onw dreams 
set on, so they take their chance by taking the hand
of fear and crossing over locked up instead of free.   

They hang with fear and all the people they feel
 most comfortable with.

After all, they are the same age and enjoy the 
same sort of things and they snuggle into the comforts 
of sleeping with fear instead of walking by faith.  

Due to living with fear; they begin to
change their lifestyles and let things enter into 
their lives that they would have never considered, 
had they allowed faith to cross over. 

Many times their finances fail, their relationships 
fail, because crossing the bridge with fear, is not all 
they are afraid of, but they are afraid 
of all unknown situations and when confronted 
about things they spew out accusations.  Not 
truths, but accusations.   

Accusing people they love of not supporting them, 
not standing with them, not funding them, and 
the list goes on.  

When in fact many times; had they allowed faith to
cross over the bridge, all those things would have 
come their way. Instead they walked hand in 
hand with fear. 

As their jobs crumble and most of the other areas 
of their lives, they remember the bridge is still there,
although it is very hard to make their way back to change
partners and to allow faith to cross over and 
enter into a new way of life.  A life of trusting and 
not always knowing what will be the next step.

  Just letting go and letting the Lord have his
will for their life. 

Instead, they continue to 
dwell with fear their entire life.

This doesn't have to be you!
  
Stop being afraid of all the things that weigh
you down.

Take the chance and walk in faith and find 
what great plans God has in store
for your life. 


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.  And I will 
be found of you, saith the LORD:

Jeremiah 29:11-14a 




Saturday, September 28, 2019

THE SEED SHALL BE PROSPEROUS

Photo provided by Irma Pi 

For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall 
give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, 
and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause 
the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

Zechariah 8:12




Friday, September 27, 2019

HE IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING




Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, 
and to present you faultless before the presence 
of his glory with exceeding joy,  To the only wise 
God ou Saviour, be glory and majesty, 
dominion and power, both now and
ever. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25

Thursday, September 26, 2019

MY HELP COMETH FROM THE LORD

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from 
whence cometh my help.  My help cometh 
from the LORD, which made heaven 
and earth.  He will not suffer thy foot to be 
moved: he that keepeth thee will not  
slumber.  Behold, he that keepeth Israel 
shall neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD 
is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade 
upon thy right hand. The sun shall not 
smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all 
evil: he shall preserve thy soul.  The LORD 
shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in 
from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 121:1-2

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

THAT YOUR GOOD DEEDS POINT THEM TO CHRIST

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

One of my older sisters posted this photo and made a 
comment about our father who many times had
a ladder hanging on the side of his truck, had a trailer
loaded down to the brim with watermelons or pumpkins. 


My father has been ribbed a few times about how he
loads things up or leaves things out.  Although he 
isn't a man to focus on perfection, he is a man 
who focuses on the needs of others.above his own. 
He spends much of his time taking food to others, 
going and assisting them with projects, preaching, 
and meeting with pastors and leaders planning how 
to assist ministries the best way possible. 

He is a man of faith.  

Some would say he believe so 
much in the power of God and faith that 
he, at times, has been unrealistic.  

Many times we ourselves try so hard to paint the 
outside so well that folks see us as perfect and yet
never get around to meeting the needs of those 
around us, sharing the gospel or giving funds to
ministry so that they may thrive and grow.  

For us, it would be far better to look like the 
old piled up truck and have hundreds enter 
into heaven for eternity than to live a 
perfect life on this earth and enter the kingdom
without anyone else being there because we
shared the truth with them or even be able 
to see the many who were cast into eternal 
darkness because they followed our path 
which lead them to selfish, ungodly living. 

For my father, I am thankful he is who he is. 
He didn't live a perfect life but he has 
served a perfect God and lives daily 
to point others to Him although his 
house isn't perfect, his yard not 
plush and perfectly trimmed or 
his vehicle the newest off the car lot, 
he has chosen to put others first and 
their need to know the savior. 
 

What are you known for?

Let's have our eyes focused on Christ 
and realize we are just traveling through
this land headed toward the perfect 
kingdom where all these things here will
vanish away and all that will matter is 
what we have done with Christ. 

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY


Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my 
words shall not pass away. But of that day 
and hour knoweth no man, no, not the 
angels of heaven, but my Father only. But 
as the days of Noe were, so shall also the 
coming of the Son of man be. For as in the 
days that were before the flood they were 
eating and drinking, marrying and giving 
in marriage, until the day that Noe entered 
into the ark, And knew not until the flood 
came, and took them all away; so shall 
also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:35-39

Monday, September 23, 2019

WHAT IS WISDOM AND WHAT IS UNDERSTANDING?

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

 Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; 
and to depart from evil is understanding.

Job 28:28


Sunday, September 22, 2019

WITH ANCIENT IS WISDOM

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

With the ancient is wisdom; and in length 
of days understanding.  With him is wisdom 
and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

Job 12:12-13




Saturday, September 21, 2019

AND HE SHALL HEAR MY VOICE

Photo provided by Renie Brandow

As for me, I will call upon God; and the 
LORD shall save me.  Evening, and 
morning, and at noon, will I pray, and 
cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
He hath delivered my soul in peace from
the battle that was against me: for there
were many with me. God shall hear, and
afflict them, even he that abideth of old. 
Selah. Because they have no changes, 
therefore they fear not God.  He hath put
forth his hands against such as be at peace '
with him: he hath broken his covenant.
The words of his mouth were smoother 
than butter, but war was in his heart: his 
words were softer than oil, yet were they 
drawn swords.  Cast thy burden upon the 
LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall 
never suffer the righteous to be moved  But 
thou, O God, shalt bring them down into 
the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful 
men shall not live out half their days; but 
I will trust in thee.

Psalm 55:16-23

Thursday, September 19, 2019

GREAT IS MY BOLDNESS OF SPEECH TOWARD YOU

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, 
let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the 
flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of 
God.  Receive us; we have wronged no man, 
we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no 
man.  I speak not this to condemn you: for I have 
said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live 
with you.  Great is my boldness of speech toward 
you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with 
comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

II Corinthians 7:1-4

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

THE ROOT OF THE RIGHTEOUS WILL YIELD FRUIT

Photo provided by Bonny Kobialko

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied 
with bread: but he that followeth vain 
persons is void of understanding. The 
wicked desireth the net of evil men: 
but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit

Proverbs 12:11-12

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS

Photo provided by Bonny Kobialko

 For we know that if our earthly house of this 
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building 
of God, an house not made with hands, eternal 
in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly 
desiring to be clothed upon with our house 
which is from heaven:  If so be that being 
clothed we shall not be found naked.  For we 
that are in this tabernacle do groan, being 
burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, 
but clothed upon, that mortality might 
be swallowed up of life.  Now he that hath 
wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, 
who also hath given unto us the earnest of 
the Spirit.  Therefore we are always confident, 
knowing that, whilst we are at home in the 
body, we are absent from the Lord:  For we 
walk by faith, not by sight:)

II Corinthians 5:1-7

Monday, September 16, 2019

FULFILL YE MY JOY

Photo provided by Bonny Kobialko

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the 
same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; 
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other 
better than themselves.

Phil 2:2-3


Sunday, September 15, 2019

STAND FAST WITH ONE SPIRIT, WITH ONE MIND

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

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;

Philippians 1:27

Saturday, September 14, 2019

THE COVENANT OF MY PEACE WILL NOT BE REMOVED

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchel 

 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; 
but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy 
on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: 
for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah 
should no more go over the earth; so have I 
sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, 
nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, 
and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall 
not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant 
of my peace be removed, saith the LORD 
that hath mercy on thee.
Isaiah 54:8-10

Friday, September 13, 2019

I THANK MY GOD FOR EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU!

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you

Philemon 1:3

Thursday, September 12, 2019

HOW HAS THE STORMS CHANGED YOUR LIFE?


Photo provided by Cricket Green

Today one of my blog followers posted this photo.  Instantly 
when I viewed the photo I could see where a great storm
had gone through the terrain and great devastation took 
place, yet the land is just beautiful and here we are 
thousands of years later viewing its awesome beauty.

We all understand that the storm came due to sin upon
the earth.  So many animals and people died under 
the destruction, yet the land didn't stay exactly the 
way it was after the great storm. 

It reminded me of some of our lives.  

We all sin and there are many ways destruction comes 
upon our lives but does that give us the right to keep 
the destruction as it appeared the moment it occurred.  

Absolutely not!

Yesterday I was speaking with a gentleman who told
me about his brother that had gone to prison and 
accepted Christ.  You could see forgiveness wasn't 
in his heart when he talked about the man.  

You see, the young man had changed his terrain, yet 
the way others viewed him hadn't changed.  

You may fit into one of these categories.  

If you are the first; forgive yourself and let the 
Lord make your life beautiful for others to behold 
instead of keeping the guilt built up inside causing 
your life to be broken and distorted.  

If you fit into the second category, be willing to 
forgive other and give others the chance to recover 
and be a different person.  

Does this mean there will be no boundaries?  

No, but it does mean you don't talk badly about 
them or accuse them constantly.  

It means you offer grace to them to prove
themselves to be changed and let the 
beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ to shine
through their lives so that others can 
see what a loving great God we serve. 

 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the 
second month, the seventeenth day of the month, 
the same day were all the fountains of the great 
deep broken up, and the windows of heaven 
were opened.  And the rain was upon the earth 
forty days and forty nights.  In the selfsame day 
entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, 
the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three 
wives of his sons with them, into the ark;  They, 
and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle 
after their kind, and every creeping thing that 
creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every 
fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And 
they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two 
of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they 
that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, 
as God had commanded him: and the LORD 
shut him in.

Genesis 7:11-16

 And God said, This is the token of the covenant 
which I make between me and you and every 
living creature that is with you, for perpetual 
generations:  I do set my bow in the cloud, and 
it shall be for a token of a covenant between me 
and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I 
bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall 
be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my 
covenant, which is between me and you and 
every living creature of all flesh; and the waters 
shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look 
upon it, that I may remember the everlasting 
covenant between God and every living creature 
of all flesh that is upon the earth.  And God said 
unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, 
which I have established between me and all 
flesh that is upon the earth.

Genesis 9:12-17



Wednesday, September 11, 2019

THE LORD, HE IS GOD


Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people 
may know that thou art the LORD God, 
and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed 
the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the 
stones, and the dust, and licked up the water 
that was in the trench.  And when all the people 
saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, 
The LORD, he is the God; 
the LORD, he is the God.


Tuesday, September 10, 2019

PURGE ME WITH HYSSOP, WASH ME AND I WILL BE WHITER THAN SNOW

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and 
in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward 
parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt 
make me to know wisdom. Purge me with 
hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, 
and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me 
to hear joy and gladness; that the bones 
which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and 
blot out all mine iniquities. Create in 
me a clean heart, O God; and renew 
a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away 
from thy presence; and take not thy 
holy spirit from me.  Restore unto me the 
joy of thy salvation; and uphold me 
with thy free spirit.

 Psalm 51:7

Monday, September 9, 2019

LET NOTHING BE DONE THROUGH STRIFE AND VAINGLORY

Photo provided by Janie Purser

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; 
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other 
better than themselves. Look not every man 
on his own things, but every man also 
on the things of others. Let this mind be in 
you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:3-5



Sunday, September 8, 2019

WHEN THE WAY SEEMS RIGHT BUT IT'S SO WRONG

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

Last week as I was driving up to my home I noticed something
very odd.  I normally park behind the house in the carport
area, but today I just needed to run into the house for a 
few minutes.  

Since I rarely park upfront I looked at the direction of
 the other cars parked and wondered if I should 
park the same direction as everyone else, since 
all the cars surely were parked correct.  

Suddenly I realized this was not correct.  Nearly 
every car was parked backwards leaving me 
feeling like if I parked correctly I would be 
wrong.  

I did continue to park and stood back and looked
and thought, "This looks so odd that I am parked
the correct way, but looks so wrong and I realized
that much of life is the same."  

I watch people daily giving up their standards, 
faith and family because most of the folks 
around them are headed down the wrong path.  
It looks so right to join in and so wrong  not to.  
This leaves them with the conclusion, it is best
to choose wrong and look right than to chose right
and look so wrong. 

Yet the truth is, choosing wrong brings destruction.
The destruction may not be at that moment but it is sure
to come.  

There is a way which seemeth right 
unto a man, but the end thereof are the 
ways of death.  Even in laughter the heart 
is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is 
heaviness.  The backslider in heart shall 
be filled with his own ways: and a 
good man shall be satisfied from himself.
The simple believeth every word: but the 
prudent man looketh well to his going.
A wise man feareth, and departeth from 
evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: 
and a man of wicked devices is hated.
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent 
are crowned with knowledge.  The evil bow 
before the good; and the wicked at the 
gates of the righteous.  The poor is hated even 
of his own neighbour: but the rich hath 
many friends.  He that despiseth his neighbour 
sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, 
happy is he. Do they not err that devise evil? 
but mercy and truth shall be to them 
that devise good.  In all labour there is profit: 
but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
The crown of the wise is their riches: but 
the foolishness of fools is folly. A true witness 
delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness 
speaketh lies.  In the fear of the LORD is 
strong confidence: and his children shall 
have a place of refuge.  The fear of the LORD 
is a fountain of life, to depart from the 
snares of death.

Proverbs 14:12-27




Saturday, September 7, 2019

WE DO NOT CEASE TO PRAY FOR YOU

Photo provided by Karen Eledge Walker 

For this cause we also, since the day we 
heard it, do not cease to pray for you, 
and to desire that ye might be filled 
with the knowledge of his will in all 
wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord 
unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every 
good work, and increasing in the knowledge 
of God; Strengthened with all might, 
according to his glorious power, unto all 
patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made 
us meet to be partakers of the inheritance 
of the saints in light: Who hath delivered 
us from the power of darkness, and hath 
translated us into the kingdom of his 
dear Son:

Colossians 1:9-12




Friday, September 6, 2019

STOP RUNNING



Today I ran across a man I had met six months ago. I had given him a book and he had opened up and started sharing with me some things about his life.

He told me he attended church every Sunday but drank beer, smoked, and cussed. He was very open and asked me to pray for him, as he knew his drinking was affecting his job performance.

He told me today, "After talking with you a few months ago my family went out to eat at a nice restaurant. I was sitting there and it was like a brick hit me. I jumped up and ran out of the restaurant and my family came after me as they knew something was wrong. I took off running and I heard a voice tell me to stop and sit down or I would run my body into the sand and turn to dust and that would be the end of my life on this earth. I knew when I jumped up and ran I was running from God and I just had to get away from him."

I did listen and stopped running and sat down and I heard the Lord speaking to me.

He said, "Sit here and listen to me and do as I say".

He agreed and obeyed the Lord.

His family called the ambulance and they took him to the ER.

He had just had a heart attack.

He told me, "Thank you for praying for me and giving me that book. God knew I had never followed him even though going to church every Sunday."

He said, "I learned to listen to God that day and ever since I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and it is such an awesome thing. I am one of the strongest will persons ever and yet God came through to me that day in a way I will never forget. Since that day there has been no more alcohol and cigarettes and I even stop when I cuss and correct it and apologize to anyone I am with so that I can learn not to be so vulgar."

He said, "Now I am going to learn to walk daily by faith trusting God will take me into a deeper walk with him."

LET'S KEEP DIGGING A WELL





Thursday, September 5, 2019

FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL

Photo provided by Allyson Jennings

That ye may approve things that are excellent; 
that ye may be sincere and without offence 
till the day of Christ; Being filled with the 
fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus 
Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
But I would ye should understand, brethren, 
that the things which happened unto me 
have fallen out rather unto the furtherance 
of the gospel;

Philippians 1:10-12


Wednesday, September 4, 2019

BEING CONFIDENT

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

Being confident of this very thing, that he 
which hath begun a good work in you will 
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippines 1:6



Tuesday, September 3, 2019

STANDING IN THE EVIL DAY

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour 
of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the 
evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:13




Monday, September 2, 2019

FOR YOUR SAKE HE BECAME POOR

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes 
he became poor, that ye through his poverty 
might be rich.

II Corinthians 8:9


Sunday, September 1, 2019

WE LOOK NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE SEEN

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

For our light affliction, which is but for a 
moment, worketh for us a far more 
exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which 
are seen, but at the things which are not 
seen: for the things which are seen are 
temporal; but the things which are not 
seen are eternal.

II Timothy 4:17-18