LOVE THE LORD

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman

Blessed be the LORD: for he hath 

shewed me his marvellous kindness 

in a strong city.  For I said in my haste, 

I am cut off from before thine eyes: 

nevertheless thou heardest the voice 

of my supplications when I cried unto 

thee.  O love the LORD, all ye his saints: 

for the LORD preserveth the faithful, 

and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Be of good courage, and he shall 

strengthen your heart, all ye that hope 

in the LORD.  Blessed is he whose 

transgression is forgiven, whose sin 

is covered.  Blessed is the man unto 

whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, 

and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Psalm 31: 21 - 32: 2

ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS

Photo provided by Darry Poss 

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, 

and see, and ask for the old paths, where is 

the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall 

find rest for your souls. But they said, We 

will not walk therein

Jeremiah 6:16

A MERRY HEART

Photo provided by AmAsie Willison 

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth 

him: neither will he go unto the wise.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful 

countenance: but by sorrow of the 

heart the spirit is broken.  The heart of 

him that hath understanding seeketh 

knowledge: but the mouth of fools 

feedeth on foolishness.  All the days of 

the afflicted are evil: but he that is 

of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Better is little with the fear of the 

LORD than great treasure and 

trouble therewith.

Proverbs 15:13- 16

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!

Photo and article written by my niece Emily Laird Carruth.

I am a step stool. I'm not much to look at. Well, not anymore. You see, I started out as a tree. I had long branches and beautiful leaves. I was so tall I could see everything. I loved who I was. But, I've been cut down to size. I'm no longer tall and beautiful. My branches were all cut off. My bark has been stripped away. I was put through a cutter to shrink down to the perfect size. My purpose no longer seems to be what I thought. It is now to be stepped on. I make people taller. When they need to reach something higher than them, I am there. I see feet. Some dirty. I see shoes. I get things spilled on me. When I'm not being used I am folded and put away in a dark room. All alone I wonder how things changed for me. I wish I were a tree again. I want to see the world. I want my beautiful branches and leaves back. I want to be back where I belong. Among other trees. Instead I am stuck- in a life that I didn't choose. I no longer know who I am. It's all been stripped away. I will never be the tree I once was, for I am a step stool.

Don't let others strip away who you are. No matter what anyone does or says, remember who you are. GOD made you into a tree. People will strip you down and make you feel worthless. They will make you feel unworthy. They will make you feel alone. They will shape you into something they need, and when they are done with you they will throw you away. Remember where you came from, and pray for those who step on you. Find people who are there for you. The ones who will lift you up and encourage you to grow your branches.

Romans 5:2-6
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Deut 7:9

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

II Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

II Corinthians 1:30-31
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

CULTIVATE A MISSIONS MIND

Are you having trouble cultivating a mission 

mind set?  You want to have one but it 

just seems you are content to stay right here 

in your comfort zone of the US and watch 

others go abroad.  

Several months ago I raised this question to my

husband, "You used to go on mission trips and 

even went to Poland, do you not desire to do

that any more?"  

His answer was no.  Weeks went by and 

I didn't mention it to him any more. 

He started posting a photo on twitter and 

every day under the photo he would write, 

For God so loved (        ) that he gave 

his only begotten Son that whosoever

believeth in him should no perish but

have everlasting life.  

After a couple weeks of filling the blank

in with a new country every day, we were

having devotions one morning and he said, 

"The craziest thing has happened; suddenly

after putting all these countries names into 

the blanks every day for weeks now, I am

beginning to have a desire to go to all

those countries and share with them 

the Love of Jesus." 

What a simple thing to post on twitter each

day.  What a powerful thing can grow from

that one simple thing.  

TAKE TIME EACH DAY TO 

PRAY FOR THESE COUNTRIES.  

GOD IS MOVING THEM 

TOWARDS HIMSELF AND 

YOU CAN BE A PART OF THAT

GREATER PICTURE.

RUN WITH PATIENCE

.... and let us run with patience the race

that is set before us, looking unto Jesus 

the author and finisher of our faith....

Hebrews 12:1

THE SON OF THE HIGHEST

He shall be great, and shall be 

called the Son of the Highest: 

and the Lord God shall give 

unto him the throne of his 

father David:  And he shall 

reign over the house of Jacob 

for ever; and of his kingdom 

there shall be no end.

Luke 1:32