YET HE LOVES ME

Song- Indescribable by: Kierra Sheard


It absolutely blows my mind, that God, in all his awesomeness, majesty....loves....ME!
The God that spoke and things formed from nothingness.  The God that created every creature, every plant, every flower.  The God that designed the Grand Canyon.  The  God that breathed into Adam and Eve....and life came forth.

The God that heals, restores, renews....knows me by my name.  He whispers my name in the wee hours.  He beckons me to meet with him.  How overwhelmed my heart feels.  That a God so powerful, so amazing, so loving and kind, yet just.....wants me in his presence.

I'll never understand, fully, the love that he feels for me.  I have failed him many times and yet he picks me up, speaks over me and says try again.

Why would I want to sin against him?  Why would I want to go against his word?  When you begin to know him, in intimacy, you long deeply to please him.  Not hurt him.  His vision for your life becomes your vision.  His word manifests in you.

I am reminded of David when he was on the run, and asked the Priest for a sword.  He had nothing to fight with.  The Priest unfolded a cloth which contained the very sword that he used to kill Goliath.  It had been Goliath's sword.  David had laid it down after the fight.

How often after a victory, or a new level, or getting caught up in our own agenda's, do we lay our swords down?  The very thing that God had anointed to conquer his enemy....he now needed.

My question  to you is this....
What have you laid down?  What have you given up that was called of God to help you conquer your enemies and fulfill your purpose?

I know for me, it has been his word.  I believe strongly in God's word, but I have not been praying his word like I know I need to.  God's word will accomplish what it says it will. So when you pray God's word, you are speaking God's words over the situation.

In so many situations God's word has helped walk through things.  Helped me know who I am in God.  Know what God's purpose is for my life. Knowledge empowers! Know God's word.

My prayer is that we all examine what we have laid down that never should have been laid down.
Help us Lord to hold fast to your word and to your promises. Give your people a deep desire to KNOW your word and obey.

YOU ARE A CONQUEROR

Song - Conqueror by: Vashawn Mitchell

The devil will always take his biggest blows at his biggest threats.  If a person is not causing threat to satan's purpose then he sees no need to waste his energy on them.  

That is why, you hear people who have great anointing, and blessing on their life, tell of all the hell, and trials they walked through.  There is a process of pushing, pressing and building your spiritual muscles up.  

It is really easy to preach, teach and tell someone about God's word, but when you wake up one day and you are faced with living it, and having the faith to walk it, that is when you grow the most.  Everything I walked through I know God has used to help me know HIS word deeper and learn a deeper trust in him.  That he was not out to crush me, but better me. 

The things that we feel will get the best of us, or take us down, is usually the thing that God is going to use to take us deeper in him, and raise us up higher in life.  

I'm sure that as Joseph sat in the pit, he had to feel totally forsaken.  It wasn't just people, but his family, his own brothers that through him there.  Then when he got sold to as a slave I imagine he wondered where God was.  But God had a plan through all Joseph walked through to set him up to be a blessing to a Nation.  He strategically placed him where he had the right access.  Placed the right people around him and declared favor over him.  When God declares favor....things start to happen.

Whatever you are facing today.  I pray God to let you know that he is setting you up for greatness.  That the Holy Spirit will surround you, walk with you through the journey and cause you to be an Conqueror.  Today's battle will be tomorrow's victory. 

I'd Rather have Jesus (Story behind the song)

Mrs. Rhea F. Miller-wrote poem




Mr. George Beverly Shea made it into a song    



Miller wrote a poem. In 1932, a copy of that poem was placed on the top of an organ in a family home in New York. Seated at the organ was a 23-year-old musician named George Beverly Shea.

Miller's poem caught young George's attention. The words on the paper rang true to the cry of his heart. And so, he set them to music. Upon hearing her son singing this testimony of commitment, George's mother came in from the kitchen, with tears in her eyes, and encouraged him to sing the new song in church the following Sunday.

As the congregants listened to George's deep voice sing out I'd Rather Have Jesus, than silver and gold, little did they know that the song was destined to become one of the most well-known of all contemporary Christian songs.
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A few years later, George joined forces with another young man - Evangelist Billy Graham. Together they traveled the world. Billy would preach and George would sing. His two favorite songs were How Great Thou Art, and his signature song, I'd Rather Have Jesus.

I'd Rather Have Jesus

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather have His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I'd rather be led by His nailpierced hand

Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway;
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name

Refrain

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs,
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead

Refrain

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philippians 3:8).

*  The power that this song has had in influencing and changing lives for God will be fully evaluated only in eternity. There are countless testimonies by individuals whose lives have been changed by the singing of this one hymn:

A thousand grim marines sat on a South Pacific Island, during the days of World War II, listening to a 
gospel message punctuated with gunfire in the distance. When the chaplain sat down, a marine stood 
this feet to sing the closing hymn. As the shell-scarred palms swayed nearby, more than half of that 
company came forward to profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. The marine soloist, a former 
opera singer, had just concluded singing “I’d Rather Have Jesus...”

Tis So Sweet to trust in Jesus

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4. Song "Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus" By:Louisa M. R. Stead, 1882
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6. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just to take Him at His Word;
   Just to rest upon His promise,
   And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
   • Refrain:
     Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
     How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
     Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
     Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
7. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just to trust His cleansing blood;
   And in simple faith to plunge me
   ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
8. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just from sin and self to cease;
   Just from Jesus simply taking
   Life and rest, and joy and peace.
9. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
   Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
   And I know that Thou art with me,
   Wilt be with me to the end.

TENACIOUS

Song - "Never Grow Up" by: Taylor Swift

If anyone thinks it's easy taking care of your parents, I have breaking news......it's not.  I love my parents deeply.  They are not only my parents but my friends, and grandparents to my children.  They have walked with my whole life through really tough times.  They taught me how to stick things out. How to be tenacious.  How to commit and think long and hard before committing.  

I did before I took this responsibility on but I knew it was what God wanted and I have no regrets.  I know there are ppl that think I should pay someone else to watch them and go get a job or stick them in an convalescent home and go live my life.  That's fine for them but that's not what God has for this season of my life. He placed me here for this time in their lives.  I seen, after Momma's hospitalization, when she went to the rehab for a few weeks, how she would do in a convalescent home.  She laid there and was always down looking.  She wanted to come home.  And really? Why would I work to pay someone else to take care of them?  That don't make sense to me. 

So even though things are tight with money, even though things are stressful at times.....I made up in my mind to be here for the long haul.  I am taking care of them to the best of my ability.  I will have my life and time in due season.  God has an order to things and as he wants them to be, it will fall into place.  

Momma is doing really good under the circumstances she was under.  She gets up and makes Daddy breakfast now.  I let her do some things to feel needed and not be so bored.  

Daddy has become alot like a child.  He just can't reason but only in a child mentality.  He has put on a lil' weight and his pants are too tight to button.  He has went up a size.  It's hard to get him to understand that they no longer fit. lolol  He says I've had these pants for years and I am fine. lolol  Help me Lawd.  I am buying new ones and making the old ones disappear little by little. lolol

Daddy gets so stressed if the electricity goes out and comes back leaving things blinking.  He can't stand the blinking.  It's little things like that, that would never bother him before and now drives him crazy and in return he drives me crazy trying to fix it all quickly.  lol

Daddy would rather snack, and have sweets than eat a good meal.  So I have't to put my foot down and make sure he eats right.  He's honestly like a little boy now. He make me so irritated over things but when I look at him curled up in his recliner, with his foot pulled up, and him snoring.....how can I stay upset.  I am blessed to have this treasure I call Daddy, still in my care.  

I am finding out that I need to take care of myself, much better than what I am doing.  I need my "ME TIME" and quiet time.  If I am not in good health and refreshed then I won't be able to give Momma and Daddy my best.  

So I am going to start doing some me, stuff.  I want to start my Counseling Course, once I find it.  I think it may be in storage.  Once I find it, I will begin it.  

Then I want to take a course of some sort online.  Not sure what yet.  But I need this for me.  I also want to join a cheap Gym and start working out to regain my strength and stamina.  I want to regain strength and health that I have lost in the last 4 years.  I praying that the fibromyalgia leaves.

I guess if I could sum up todays thoughts....it would be the seeds my parents sowed in me yesterday are coming forth today.  Their tenacious love, has brought forth my tenacious love and for them I am sooooo thankful.  

If I had alot of money, I would start up a no-kill rescue center for animals, an orphanage, and an retirement home for elderly people that need assistance but still want some freedom, and need respect.  I think if there is any that move my heart it is animals, kids, elderly.  They are vulnerable and need tender loving care.

Comfort Life - For aging Parents articles

God's Heart

Song - Run to You by: Smokie Norful

When I awake daily my heart is to hear the heart of God and what he is saying.  With all the new technology there is always chatter and noise.  TV's. radios, cellphones, ipads, computers, ipods, etc.....
It is in the silence of the morning that I ask what God longs for my day to be.  What he desires to take place.   What life does he desire for me touch, encourage and reach out to.  

There is so much stress in people's lives.  Jobs, or lack of.  Losing homes, cars, families, divorce, no food.  People's needs are God's concern.   His passion is people, and their souls.  He longs to save them, change, bring peace, love and provision to their lives.

When we learn to reach out to our co-workers, the lady at the checkout, next door neighbor, family, friends....we are fulfilling God's heart to reach all.  When we focus only on ourselves, and our lives, we tie God's hands to move through us.  My prayer is that we learn how to allow God work through us.  

Teach this hurting world to run to God. Allow God to heal them.  They know not because we haven't taught them.  Teach them, show them through your life.  Your life is the only bible, many will ever read.  Live God's word.  Let God's word activate in you. Make it come alive through your life.

Just a little encouragement ....

Song - "Miracle of the Moment" by: Steven Curtis Chapman

I just want to take a moment and encourage some of you.  I know that everyone has their battles that they are facing today.  Some are facing foreclosures, some have lost jobs, cars, some have lost family and friends.   Others are going through divorce, breakups, and hurt.  Some are facing sickness, disease, and illnesses that only God can make better.

I want you to understand today that no matter what you are facing.....it is NOT impossible with God.  Whatever you are in need of God will help you.  He is faithful to hear your prayers and faithful to answer.

I spent alot of my time counseling people, trying to encourage them and lead toward God, but it is one thing to teach it...and then wake up and have't to really live what you have taught.  When I lost my job in 2008, then my car.   I spent 2 and half years declaring that God would provide me with a car again.  I didn't know how, when or who...was going to make this happen but I knew my God was able.  On those days I sat with no way to go anywhere, I found it easy to cry, feel sorry for myself, and want to give up.  BUT....the Holy Spirit always whispered...it's not over....keep pressing...keep pushing...it's coming.  I wanted to scream  "When"?????  I need it now.  My walk was not a perfect walk of faith but I kept hanging on and refused to believe that my God had forgotten me.

When God did align things and I got my 96 Lexus for $200.00.....the devil had to sit down and be silent!!!  My God came through and I am still driving this car today.

I have seen miracle after miracle come forth. 

Momma had breast cancer 23 years ago.  They had to do a mastectomy on her left breast and lymph nodes.  She went through harsh chemo and conquered it.  Today still cancer free.

When my Momma went in with pains under her right breast....they found out her lungs where filled with clots.  So much so that she shouldn't be able to breath......BUT GOD!!!!

Then a couple months later she had a horrible headache and we rushed her to the hospital upon her dr's suggestion.  To find that her brain was bleeding.   In one hour she went from talking to starring into space.  We were losing her fast.  The doctor had to do brain surgery and drain her brain.  He gave me no guarantees.  He said that even if she made it she may not be the Momma I knew.  BUT GOD!!!!!  God brought her through.  It was a rough long road but she is now back to her self more and more.  She can't go alot but she is alive and we have our long talks late at night and pray together.  God is a miracle worker.  

So whatever you are facing today....understand God is bigger than it!  Don't tell God about your mountain....tell your mountain about your mighty miracle working GOD!  Remind God how awesome was, is, and always will be...and watch him flex his spiritual muscles for you.
Keep believing!
Keep trusting!
Keep declaring!
Keep praising & worshiping!

Love ya'll and praying for ya'll.

Song - "Send Your Rain" By: Clint Brown & Marvin Winans


Before

After God's divine miracle!