Tomorrow, my grandmother is going to be 96-years young. She is my Dad's mother. She is the last grandparent I have left. I hope I got her genes. Her mother, my great-grandmother lived to be 102.
This is a different type of devotion in that it will be from my heart, than from a specific bible verse. I asked the Lord earlier today about my devotion. I have missed several days without posting one though I knew I wouldn't be able to post one everyday due to my health.
My grandmother's birthday came in my mind this afternoon as I was on my way to Hallmark. I thought, there's your devotion. Relationships.
Our Heavenly Father should be our first family relationship. Other family follows, then our friends.
How are your relationships with your family? Thinking of all that is going on today as families grow and separate through the 50 states, it is easy to lose touch. A lot are now in the military and serving overseas. Some never make it home alive.
I have had a lot of friends that are going through rough times these past several weeks. One had some serious heart conditions, one is sitting vigil by his dad's bedside waiting for his last good-bye. Today would have been my brother-in-law's nephew's 38th birthday. He died at age of 11 with a brain tumor.
If truth be known, we all are going through hurtful relationships that some, we as humans, believe are beyond repair. God can repair any relationship if we do our part. I am just as guilty in letting some relationships go, that perhaps, I should try and restore. We are all human and hold grudges we shouldn't. I am the first to admit that.
I would like to challenge each one, including myself, to take a look at the relationships you have with family and friends and with God's help we should strive to model after His example and mend them. Life is really short and we are not promised tomorrow.
We need to pray for one another and if you don't have a relationship with God first, then that is where you need to start. I'll pray for each person that reads this to make sure God is #1 in your life, for without Him, life has no meaning.
Blessings,
Beth
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
What are Your Treasures?
Matt. 6:19-21,"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"
These last few days people have belly ached about how FB has gone too far with their changes. Let's all send them a message we do not like it. I admit I was right threre with everyone. Then I was reminded of the above verse. It is human to react as we did. But we really should be focusing on heaven bound treasures. There will not be FB in heaven, so let's make sure we are ready if the Lord were to come back tonight. Would you be ready? Do you know for sure you would go to heaven? If not, I would be focusing on how to become a born again Christian.
FB started out to be a social network where people could reconnect and share the joys of our lives and share pictures that mean a lot to us and thrilled to find old acquaintances or classmates and catch up. But here lately, it seems to have turned into airing everyone's dirty laundry including your own. Also reading things like the following: "Throwing words out to someone without saying their name, but you know who you are".
Let's step back and re-evaluate why we are on FB. Let's get back to sharing joy with each other. Counting on each other for love and support when we have health issues and deaths. You can still hide people and if you have such a problem with someone, unfriend them.
This was not intended to step on anyone's toes or say I'm better than anyone else. I am still a sinner and definitely not perfect and will never be. I hope I have challenged each one reading this to try and get back to enjoying this social network and support one another. We laugh together and share sorrow together. That is what I like about FB. I enjoying reading encouraging post and sharing encouragement with those on FB.
I thank Jesus for loving a sinner such as I and dying on the cross for my sins because I know I'll never be perfect but through the blood of Jesus, I am forgiven. If you are reading this, you are my friend and I care about you.
Blessings,
Beth
This was not intended to step on anyone's toes or say I'm better than anyone else. I am still a sinner and definitely not perfect and will never be. I hope I have challenged each one reading this to try and get back to enjoying this social network and support one another. We laugh together and share sorrow together. That is what I like about FB. I enjoying reading encouraging post and sharing encouragement with those on FB.
I thank Jesus for loving a sinner such as I and dying on the cross for my sins because I know I'll never be perfect but through the blood of Jesus, I am forgiven. If you are reading this, you are my friend and I care about you.
Blessings,
Beth
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Lost Sheep
I posted a passage on Facebook earlier in the month that some seem to like. It was John 10:27-29 (KJV). "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never parish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
We are His sheep and He our Shepherd and cares for each one of us. We, as Christians are to tend to His sheep in today's world. Who are His sheep we are to care for? They are our neighbors. If just one is lost, we are to go to that neighbor and bring them to the the flock that know Him by His name. He cares for each person on this earth and wants them to have eternal life through Jesus Christ.
We have to be Jesus to our neighbors and friends and even strangers. We may be the only Jesus they will ever see. If only one out of 100 are lost, we are to be Jesus to that one and bring them to the flock and rejoice.
There is a song I remember singing when I was a child and my Dad use to sing it to me. I believe it can be found in an old Hymn book. The title was "The Ninety and Nine". I remember it going something like this:
"There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold.
But one was out on the hills away, far off from the gates of gold.
Away on the mountains wild and bare.
Away from the tender Shepherd's care."
There were several other verses. But the message is: Will you be the one to go and get that lost sheep and bring it back to the fold. The Shepherd cares even if only one has wandered off.
Be Jesus to that lost sheep.
Blessings,
Beth
We are His sheep and He our Shepherd and cares for each one of us. We, as Christians are to tend to His sheep in today's world. Who are His sheep we are to care for? They are our neighbors. If just one is lost, we are to go to that neighbor and bring them to the the flock that know Him by His name. He cares for each person on this earth and wants them to have eternal life through Jesus Christ.
We have to be Jesus to our neighbors and friends and even strangers. We may be the only Jesus they will ever see. If only one out of 100 are lost, we are to be Jesus to that one and bring them to the flock and rejoice.
There is a song I remember singing when I was a child and my Dad use to sing it to me. I believe it can be found in an old Hymn book. The title was "The Ninety and Nine". I remember it going something like this:
"There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold.
But one was out on the hills away, far off from the gates of gold.
Away on the mountains wild and bare.
Away from the tender Shepherd's care."
There were several other verses. But the message is: Will you be the one to go and get that lost sheep and bring it back to the fold. The Shepherd cares even if only one has wandered off.
Be Jesus to that lost sheep.
Blessings,
Beth
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Trials of Life
I need to confess I should have written a devotion last night, but I just didn't get around to it as I should have. God blessed me with such a good day. I spent most of it gone to a baby gathering and then to visit a friend who had outpatient surgery on Friday. Philip and I actually ate out last night and didn't get home till 9pm. Praise God for days like that.
So I promised Him I would do one today. Not been a bad day. I have had crickets with me, but we all survived the day. As I thought of what my devotion should be, I must admit I hacked into Philip's facebook and came across something one of his friends had quoted from a book titled, "Love Comes Softly". I hear the book is wonderful and should read it one day. I believe it is part of a series written by Janette Oke.
That was earlier in the day. As the day has gone on, I have had learned of friends diagnosed with Breast Cancer, a surgeon who suffered a stroke last night, another friend battling melanoma. In fact, there seems to be a ration of people diagnosed with that lately and other cancers in general. I think I have heard the word cancer more now than when I worked on the ambulance and dealt with cancer patients.
I could tell you of others that I recently found out they had cancer and I bet you could too. We always wonder why so many people go through so many trials in life, not just sickness, but a loss of a job because of the economy, death of a loved one. I could go on and on.
What I read earlier on Philip's post by author Janette Oke was, "The truth of God's love IS NOT that He allows bad things to happen, it's His PROMISE that He will be there with us when they do.
I know I have said in some of my other blogs that very promise in a different way. But it always comes back to the reality that God will always be with us if we will call on him and always seek His ways and not ours.
It reminds me of the song by Daniel W. Whittle, "Moment by Moment".
"Never a trial that He is not there,
Never a burden that He does not bear,
Never a sorrow He does not share,
Moment by Moment, we're under His care".
We don't always know why God allows trials to enter our lives, but we do know He intends to use them to heighten our maturity and deepen our faith. Lay them at Jesus' feet. He will carry them from there.
Blessings,
Beth
So I promised Him I would do one today. Not been a bad day. I have had crickets with me, but we all survived the day. As I thought of what my devotion should be, I must admit I hacked into Philip's facebook and came across something one of his friends had quoted from a book titled, "Love Comes Softly". I hear the book is wonderful and should read it one day. I believe it is part of a series written by Janette Oke.
That was earlier in the day. As the day has gone on, I have had learned of friends diagnosed with Breast Cancer, a surgeon who suffered a stroke last night, another friend battling melanoma. In fact, there seems to be a ration of people diagnosed with that lately and other cancers in general. I think I have heard the word cancer more now than when I worked on the ambulance and dealt with cancer patients.
I could tell you of others that I recently found out they had cancer and I bet you could too. We always wonder why so many people go through so many trials in life, not just sickness, but a loss of a job because of the economy, death of a loved one. I could go on and on.
What I read earlier on Philip's post by author Janette Oke was, "The truth of God's love IS NOT that He allows bad things to happen, it's His PROMISE that He will be there with us when they do.
I know I have said in some of my other blogs that very promise in a different way. But it always comes back to the reality that God will always be with us if we will call on him and always seek His ways and not ours.
It reminds me of the song by Daniel W. Whittle, "Moment by Moment".
"Never a trial that He is not there,
Never a burden that He does not bear,
Never a sorrow He does not share,
Moment by Moment, we're under His care".
We don't always know why God allows trials to enter our lives, but we do know He intends to use them to heighten our maturity and deepen our faith. Lay them at Jesus' feet. He will carry them from there.
Blessings,
Beth
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Pennies from Heaven
Earlier today I told the Lord I need to blog today. I must say my ears were not as quiet today as yesterday, but the Lord and I were doing just fine. I went about doing some more daily chores and ended up in my office for some much needed attention. Then I remembered I still had some laundry that I didn't finish yesterday. I put a load on and went back to my office.
A short while later I went back to the laundry room and hung all the clothes up on hangers. I always let mine air dry. Better on your clothes and dryer bill. I always look in the washer one last time to make sure I have gathered all my clothes and there lay 2 pennies. Granted, I'm sure those probably fell out of the pocket of an item I had just washed, and then, maybe not. As like yesterday, I suddenly thought, there's my topic. Pennies from heaven. Now I know some of you may be skeptical about this subject, but I am a true believer God sends pennies from heaven just when you need or ask Him for a sign that you are making a right decision or just need a lift at that moment.
Call me crazy, but I have had this happen to me too many times. It all started when I was younger and my mother and I use to walk a lot and go to a lot of places together. She would find a penny and say, "Thank you Lord". You would just have to know my mother and me. We were always looking for money whenever we went anywhere. But we got to talking about finding pennies and she told me they came from heaven. She never failed to find one when she needed one the most.
I started thinking about what she said and and it soon spread to the rest of the family. My sister is a strong believer in the meaning of finding pennies. Heads up or tails down. Means the same. People who say if you pick up a penny heads down, it means bad luck. No such thing. God doesn't work that way.
I can't tell you how many times in the past when I was at my lowest point in life or needing a sign from God, I would look down and there would be a penny. Sometimes in the most odd place you would think there is no way someone could have dropped one there.
There have been times I didn't get a penny right away, but in God's time when He wanted me to have one, there it would be. I have passed right by a spot before and just a few minutes later go back that same way and there would be a penny right in the middle of the sidewalk that I couldn't have missed the first time. No one else could have been by because I was in that vicinity the whole time.
Believe me or not, your choice. Next time you need a sign or just a pick me up, talk to God about sending you a penny. Just remember, you have to believe and it has to come from your heart.
Blessings,
Beth
A short while later I went back to the laundry room and hung all the clothes up on hangers. I always let mine air dry. Better on your clothes and dryer bill. I always look in the washer one last time to make sure I have gathered all my clothes and there lay 2 pennies. Granted, I'm sure those probably fell out of the pocket of an item I had just washed, and then, maybe not. As like yesterday, I suddenly thought, there's my topic. Pennies from heaven. Now I know some of you may be skeptical about this subject, but I am a true believer God sends pennies from heaven just when you need or ask Him for a sign that you are making a right decision or just need a lift at that moment.
Call me crazy, but I have had this happen to me too many times. It all started when I was younger and my mother and I use to walk a lot and go to a lot of places together. She would find a penny and say, "Thank you Lord". You would just have to know my mother and me. We were always looking for money whenever we went anywhere. But we got to talking about finding pennies and she told me they came from heaven. She never failed to find one when she needed one the most.
I started thinking about what she said and and it soon spread to the rest of the family. My sister is a strong believer in the meaning of finding pennies. Heads up or tails down. Means the same. People who say if you pick up a penny heads down, it means bad luck. No such thing. God doesn't work that way.
I can't tell you how many times in the past when I was at my lowest point in life or needing a sign from God, I would look down and there would be a penny. Sometimes in the most odd place you would think there is no way someone could have dropped one there.
There have been times I didn't get a penny right away, but in God's time when He wanted me to have one, there it would be. I have passed right by a spot before and just a few minutes later go back that same way and there would be a penny right in the middle of the sidewalk that I couldn't have missed the first time. No one else could have been by because I was in that vicinity the whole time.
Believe me or not, your choice. Next time you need a sign or just a pick me up, talk to God about sending you a penny. Just remember, you have to believe and it has to come from your heart.
Blessings,
Beth
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Does your Faith ever waiver?
For those of you who are following my blog, you know of my medical issues. Yesterday was one of those days I had to say, OK Lord. Carry me in your arms. My ears were really up. He is such a faithful God and never leaves you. When I was talking to Him today about what should my devotion be today, I was doing laundry and thinking how nice to have both ears very quiet today after yesterday. I thought how glorious it would be if this were my healing. Then it was as if the Lord spoke out loud, "Where is your faith my child"?
See, He always knows my next thought is, I am very thankful for my quiet days for I know they probably will be up to some degree the next day.
Wait!!!!
What happen to your Faith? O ye of little faith. I always then remember that verse in Matthew that talks about having little faith and all it takes is the faith the size of a mustard seed and you can move mountains.
What is your mountain? We all have them. Don't let your mountain take your faith away, tell your mountain how big your God is and tell that mountain to move and it will when you have faith in God. It might take some time. God's timing is not our timing. God's timing is ALWAYS right on time. Just keep the faith.
Another virtue I have learned on this journey with my ears is patience. I have never been one to be patient. But God has taught me so much about patience and is still teaching me how to be more patient. God has not given up on me yet and never will. He will do the same for you.
Have that faith of a mustard seed and give your mountains to God and be patient. I am going to work harder on keeping my eyes fixed on my Heavenly Father as the child of His I am. Doubt is of the devil. Don't give in to him.
I want to end with a quotation from one of my favorite author's, Robert J. Morgan. "God allows our faith to be tried, and He permits troubles to crowd into our lives. Sometimes they seem more than we can bear, but Christ can bear them". He will carry you too. All you have to do is ask and have that child-like faith.
Blessings,
Beth
See, He always knows my next thought is, I am very thankful for my quiet days for I know they probably will be up to some degree the next day.
Wait!!!!
What happen to your Faith? O ye of little faith. I always then remember that verse in Matthew that talks about having little faith and all it takes is the faith the size of a mustard seed and you can move mountains.
What is your mountain? We all have them. Don't let your mountain take your faith away, tell your mountain how big your God is and tell that mountain to move and it will when you have faith in God. It might take some time. God's timing is not our timing. God's timing is ALWAYS right on time. Just keep the faith.
Another virtue I have learned on this journey with my ears is patience. I have never been one to be patient. But God has taught me so much about patience and is still teaching me how to be more patient. God has not given up on me yet and never will. He will do the same for you.
Have that faith of a mustard seed and give your mountains to God and be patient. I am going to work harder on keeping my eyes fixed on my Heavenly Father as the child of His I am. Doubt is of the devil. Don't give in to him.
I want to end with a quotation from one of my favorite author's, Robert J. Morgan. "God allows our faith to be tried, and He permits troubles to crowd into our lives. Sometimes they seem more than we can bear, but Christ can bear them". He will carry you too. All you have to do is ask and have that child-like faith.
Blessings,
Beth
Monday, September 12, 2011
God, our Rock
As I woke this morning, thanking God that the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 had brought no more sadness like that day 10 years ago. I thought of the families and workers that were affected that day.
We are living in the midst of a violent, sinful, unstable society. It is imperative that we build our lives on the Rock, who is God, and take refuge in him daily. If we do this, we can find ourselves able to handle whatever problems come our way. The devil is constantly working to destroy any stability we might have in God.
2 Samuel 22:2-4 says, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and my horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies".
As we go forward in this world full of uncertainties, let's remember God, is our Rock, our shield and protector in whom we all can turn to every day.
Blessings,
Beth
We are living in the midst of a violent, sinful, unstable society. It is imperative that we build our lives on the Rock, who is God, and take refuge in him daily. If we do this, we can find ourselves able to handle whatever problems come our way. The devil is constantly working to destroy any stability we might have in God.
2 Samuel 22:2-4 says, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and my horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies".
As we go forward in this world full of uncertainties, let's remember God, is our Rock, our shield and protector in whom we all can turn to every day.
Blessings,
Beth
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