IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

 MY MOTHER WOKE ME UP THIS MORNING BEFORE SHE LEFT FOR WORK AND TOLD ME THAT SHE LOVED ME.  ONCE I GOT UP, I CHECKED MY PHONE FOR MESSAGES AND TEXTS.  THREE OTHER PEOPLE WHO MEAN ALOT TO ME HAD ALSO BRIGHTENED UP MY DAY WITH WORDS OF LOVE.  I WENT OUTSIDE ONTO THE FRONT PORCH AND WAS GREETED BY A BEAUTIFUL MORNING.  IF I HAD TO CHOOSE A WAY TO WAKE UP, THIS MORNING WOULD HAVE BEEN A PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW TO DO JUST THAT.  I WOKE UP TO A PURE EXAMPLE OF LOVE!

OH, BUT, IT WASNT ALWAYS THIS WAY.......

I USED TO WAKE UP ANGRY.  I SLEPT TIL ALMOST NOON AND ONCE I DID GET UP, I WAS LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE.  I WAS SEARCHING FOR MY LOVE OF FALSE HAPPINESS.  I HAD TO FEED MY LOVE OF ADDICTION.  I WOKE UP TO ENDLESS LIES WHICH MY LOVE OF DECEIT HAD CREATED.  I WOKE UP TO A LOVE OF CHAOS, MISERY AND CONFUSION.  I WAS CAUGHT UP IN AN ENDLESS CYCLE OF WHAT I HAD CREATED.  I WAS LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES. 

I WISH WORDS COULD EXPRESS THE CHANGES WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN MY LIFE.  THE MICHELLE MILLER WHO SITS HERE AND WRITES THESE DAILY "NOTES" IS NOT THE SAME MICHELLE MILLER WHO ONCE RIPPED AND RAN.  THE GOOD LORD SAW FIT TO BRING ME TO MY KNEES AND TURN ME AWAY FROM MY PATH OF DESTRUCTION.  HE TRULY PERFORMED A MIRACLE IN MY LIFE.  ALL I HAD TO DO WAS LET HIM.  GOD DOESNT FORCE HIMSELF UPON ANYONE, YET, HE PATIENTLY WAITS FOR US ALL.  OUR LIVES ARE ALL A POTENTIAL TESTIMONY.  HE HAS TURNED MY ENTIRE EXISTANCE INTO A MIGHTY TESTIMONY INDEED!  ALL I HAD TO DO WAS TURN IT ALL OVER TO HIM.  I AM AMAZED EACH DAY BY THE POWER OF THE LORD!  HE HAS SHOWN ME THE TRUE MEANING OF LOVE!  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL DO IT FOR YOU!
  
HEBREWS 12:2  ...LOOKING UNTO JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH
  
MATTHEW 6:33  "BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU"
  
1 CORINTHIANS 13:13  AND NOW ABIDE FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, THESE THREE; BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE

EVEN THE WORDS

I AM A PERSON WHO LOVES "WORDS."  I OFTEN THINK OF AND COME UP WITH SOME PRETTY OFF THE WALL STUFF.  MY DAUGHTER OFTEN WONDERS HOW I COME UP WITH THE THINGS I SAY.  ITS FUN TO PLAY WITH WORDS AND I MAKE FULL USE OF A WIDE VOCABULARY.  I WOKE UP THIS MORNING WITH "WORDS" ON MY MIND.  I COULDNT WAIT TO SIT DOWN HERE AND WRITE MY "NOTE" ABOUT THE WORDS THAT THE LORD PLACED UPON MY HEART AND IN MY MIND THIS DAY. 

REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE, I FEEL QUITE SURE THAT YOU HAVE HEARD A DESCRIPTION OF HELL.  THE BIBLE HAS MANY SCRIPTURES WHICH TELL US OF ITS HORRORS.  NONE OF THE WORDS USED TO DESCRIBE HELL ARE PLEASANT.  IT IS MOST DEFINITELY A PLACE I NEVER WISH TO GO AND AN EXPERIENCE I NEVER WANNA ENCOUNTER.  EVEN THE WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT ARE AWFUL.  HELL IS A PLACE OF WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.  IT IS PROMISED TO  BE A PLACE OF TORMENT, SORROW AND EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION.  HELL IS AN ACTUAL GEOGRAPHIC PLACE, A PLACE OF CONTINOUS FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, NEVER TO BE QUENCHED.  PEOPLE IN HELL RECEIVE NO REST AND ARE FORCED TO DWELL IN A BOTTOMLESS PIT WHILE HEARING CRIES OF ENDLESS TERROR.  EVEN READING THE WORDS OF ITS DESCRIPTION CAUSES FEAR.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WORDS DESCRIBING HEAVEN ARE THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE.  FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, EVEN THE MOST DESCRIPTIVE WORDS DO NOT EVEN COME CLOSE TO DESCRIBING ITS GLORY AND SPLENDOR.  ITS BEAUTY IS BEYOND OUR IMAGINATION.  WE HAVE ALL HEARD OF ENDLESS JASPER, GOLD, GLASS, PEARLS AND EMERALDS.  BUT, IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT A PLACE WHERE THE CRIPPLED AND THE LAME RUN HAPPY AND HEALED.  THE CONCEPT OF HEAVEN BRINGS TO MY MIND RIVERS OF SPARKLING WATER AND BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES.  I CAN ALSO IMAGINE A GLORIOUS REUNION WITH OUR SAVED LOVED ONES WHO WILL SMILE AND WAVE AS WE ENTER THE MAGNIFICANT GATES.  WE WILL ALL SHINE WITH PURE RADIANCE AND WILL WALK IN PEACE AND TRANQUILITY.  EVEN THE WORDS TO DESCRIBE HEAVEN BRINGS JOY TO MY HEART. 
  
WHEN GIVEN THE CHOICE OF HEAVEN OR HELL, WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO GO TO HELL.  FOR SO LONG, I PAVED MY WAY TO ENDLESS SORROW.  I LIVED LIKE THERE WAS NO TOMORROW AND DIDNT CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF MY LIFESTLYE.  I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL THAT THE LORD SAW FIT TO REMOVE ME FROM HELL'S HIGHWAY.  NONE OF US ARE PROMISED TOMORROW.  I FEEL QUITE SURE THAT ANYONE SUFFERING THROUGH THE MISERY OF HELL WOULD WARN US OF ITS HORROR.  GOD WANTS US ALL TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF HEAVEN.  I THANK HIM TODAY FOR HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE.  THROUGH ALL THESE THINGS, THE LORD DIRECTS ME TOWARD MY HEAVENLY HOME, WHICH HE HAS SO LOVINGLY PREPARED.  GOD LOVES US ALL SO MUCH.  HE WANTS US ALL TO GO TO HEAVEN.  HE WANTS US TO LIVE BY HIS WORD AND TO BECOME MORE LIKE HIM. 
  
REV 21:4  "AND GOD WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES; THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, NOR SORROW, NOR CRYING.  THERE SHALL BE NO MORE PAIN, FOR THE FORMER THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY"

CLOSED DOORS BECOME OPEN

HERE LATELY, MY LIFE HAS BEEN IN A CONSTANT STATE OF CHANGE.  JUST ABOUT EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY AFFECTED.  I CAN REMEMBER A DAY, NOT ALL THAT LONG AGO, IN WHICH I WAS LOST, CONFUSED, DEFEATED AND BROKEN-DOWN.  I HAD BURNED MY BRIDGES AND LIVED IN MISERY AND DEFEAT.  THROUGH THE LOVE AND MERCY OF THE LORD, I AM NO LONGER THAT PERSON WHO LIVED SUCH AN UNHAPPY LIFE.  THE LORD HAS SHOWN ME A NEW WAY OF LIVING AND HAS GIVEN ME A GLIMPSE OF THE HAPPINESS HE HAS IN STORE FOR ME.  MY PAST EXPERIENCES OF HEARTACHE, SORROW, SIN, ANGER AND PAIN LED TO NOTHING BUT CLOSED DOORS.  TODAY IS A DIFFERENT STORY. 

WE HAVE ALL HEARD OR SAID, "GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS."  YES, HE TRULY DOES!  QUITE OFTEN, WE COME UP ON CLOSED DOORS WITHIN OUR LIVES.  NO MATTER HOW HARD WE TRY, WE CANNOT, BY OUR OWN POWER DO ANYTHING TO OPEN THESE DOORS.  WE SOMETIMES ASK GOD REPEATEDLY TO FOR HELP AND EXPECT HIM TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS.  NO MATTER HOW HARD WE TRY, AS LONG AS WE ATTEMPT TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS ON OUR OWN, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.  A CLOSED DOOR WILL SIMPLY REMAIN A CLOSED DOOR.  THE CLOSED DOORS IN OUR LIVES ARE OFTEN GOD'S WAY OF TELLING US "NO!"  HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR US.  HE KNOWS WHAT WE NEED.  HE KNOWS THE FINAL OUTCOME OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR PRAYERS.  SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO ACCEPT GOD'S "NO" IN ORDER TO FIND HIS "YES!"

I AM SO THANKFUL THAT THE LORD HAS SEEN FIT TO START TELLING ME "YES."  DOORS WHICH WERE ONCE SLAMMED SHUT HAVE BEEN RE-OPENED.  THE LORD KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING.  EVERY CLOSED DOOR WAS CLOSED FOR A REASON.  THROUGH FAITH IN HIS PROMISES AND BY KEEPING HIS WORD, GOD HAS REWARDED ME OPENLY.  HE HAS CREATED NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND HAS GIVEN NEW DIRECTION TO MY LIFE.  GOD DOES INDEED OPEN DOORS THAT NO ONE CAN LOSE AND WHEN HE OPENS A DOOR, NO ONE CAN CLOSE IT.  IT IS A FACT THAT WHEN WE LIVE FOR GOD, HE SHOWERS US WITH SUPERNATURAL BLESSINGS.  I WANT TO THANK MY GOD FOR ALL OF THE DOORS HE IS PRESENTLY OPENING IN MY LIFE.  I ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO ALLOW HIM TO DO THE SAME FOR THEM AS WELL.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU. 

REV 3:8  "I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU AN OPEN DOOR, AND NO ONE CAN SHUT IT"

QUITE A WEEK

THIS HAS BEEN QUITE A WEEK.  IF THIS WEEK HAD BEEN A RACE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LONG ONE.  IF IT HAD BEEN A ROLLER COASTER, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A THRILLER.  IF IT HAD BEEN A COLOR, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A RAINBOW.  WHAT STARTED OUT AS BAD QUICKLY CHANGED FOR THE GOOD.  DIFFICULT CHALLENGES TURNED INTO SMALL ISSUES AND BARRIERS TURNED INTO UNSEEN BLESSINGS.  IT HAS REALLY BEEN QUITE A WEEK IN, MORE WAYS THAN ONE!

AT THE START OF THIS WEEK, I HAD WORRIES AND FEARS COMING AT ME FROM EVERY DIRECTION.  SOME OF MY WORRIES WERENT DIRECTLY RELATED TO ME, BUT INVOLVED MY LOVED ONES.  THESE WORRIES AND FEARS INCLUDED HEALTH PROBLEMS, FINANCIAL MATTERS, BILLS, RELATIONSHIPS, LEGAL ISSUES AND EVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF A CATASTROPHIC FLOOD!  I FEEL SURE THAT IF YOU ARE READING THIS "NOTE", YOU HAVE YOUR OWN WORRIES, CONCERNS AND FEARS WHICH COULD REPLACE MINE ON THIS LIST.  WE ALL HAVE STRUGGLES.  WE ALL HAVE PROBLEMS.  WE ALL FACE LIFE CHANGING ISSUES. 
  
LAST FRIDAY, AROUND THIS SAME TIME, THE DEVIL DECIDED TO PLAY A FEW TRICKS ON ME.  HE SET OUT TO RUIN MY DAY AND TO BRING FEAR INTO MY EXISTANCE.  AT FIRST, HE SUCCEDED, BUT IT DIDNT TAKE LONG FOR THAT STILL, SMALL VOICE TO SPEAK QUIETLY TO ME.  OUT OF THE BLUE, THE WORDS TO A CATHOLIC HYMN THAT I HEARD SO OFTEN AS A CHILD CAME TO MY MIND.  SIMPLE WORDS, BIG MEANING!!!  THE WORDS TO THIS HYMN REMAINED ON MY HEART AND IN MY HEAD NOT JUST LAST FRIDAY, BUT THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK.  SUCH SIMPLE WORDS, SUCH BIG MEANING!!!

                    "BE NOT AFRAID,
                     I GO BEFORE YOU ALWAYS;
                     COME FOLLOW ME,
                     AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST."
  
I AM ONCE AGAIN SO VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT STILL, SMALL, POWERFUL, VOICE.  THE LORD TRULY DOES LEAD US AND GUIDE US.  HE REALLY DOES CALM OUR STORMS.  HE BRINGS PEACE WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE NONE AND HE SOOTHES OUR WORRIES AND FEARS.  OUR BIBLE DEMANDS US TO BE BUILDERS OF FAITH.  IT IS THROUGH OUR TRIALS THAT HIS GLORY IS REVEALED.  LEAN ON THE LORD, NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.  HE WILL TURN A CURSE INTO A BLESSING.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU!
  
1 PETER 5:7  CASTING ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM, FOR HE CARES FOR YOU

ALL THESE THINGS

AS WE GO THROUGH LIFE, WE EXPERIENCE CONSTANT CHANGE.  WE HAVE OUR UPS AND DOWNS, WE EXPERIENCE BOTH GOOD AND BAD AND WE NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.  EVEN THE MOST STABLE, ESTABLISHED AND SECURE PERSON WE KNOW HAS NO IDEA OF WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.   WE ARE NOT EVEN PROMISED OUR VERY NEXT BREATH.  TODAY IS UNCERTAIN AND TOMORROW IS UNPROMISED.  WE SOMETIMES LOOK TO OTHERS FOR HELP, STRENGTH AND DIRECTION, BUT THEY OFTEN LET US DOWN.  EVEN WELL MEANING FAMILY MEMBERS SOMETIMES LEAD US IN THE WRONG DIRECTION OR HURT OUR FEELINGS.  WE ARE OFTEN LEFT FEELING MISERABLE AND ALONE.
  
GOD, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILL NEVER LET US DOWN.  THERE ARE COUNTLESS WORDS IN OUR VOCABULARY TO DESCRIBE OUR LOVING FATHER, YET MERE WORDS SEEM UNFIT TO TELL OF HIS GLORY.   HE IS BIGGER THAN ANY PROBLEM WE MAY EVER FACE.  HE BELIEVES IN US AND KNOWS OUR FUTURE.  GOD ALONE IS ABLE TO HEAL OUR HURTS AND SOOTHE OUR EMOTIONS.  HE IS THE ONE AND ONLY CREATOR OF ALL THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.  OUR GOD IS THE FIRST AND THE LAST, THE BEGINNING AND THE END.  HE IS OUR STABILITY, STRENGTH, WISDOM AND PROTECTION.  IN MODERN TERMS, HE IS OUR DOCTOR, JUDGE, COUNSELOR, TEACHER AND MASTER.  OUR GOD IS ALL THESE THINGS!!!!
  
GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON AS A BEACON OF HOPE TO US ALL.  THROUGH JESUS, GOD DELIVERS KINDNESS, PEACE, FORGIVENESS, REFUGE AND GENTLENESS.  HIS HOLY SPIRIT LIVES WITHIN US AS A COMFORTER AND A MENDER OF ALL HURTS AND HARM AND TOUCHES OUR LIVES WITH ALL THAT IS PURE.  OUR GOD IS THE RULER OVER ALL EARTHLY KINGS.  HE IS ALMIGHTY, FAITHFUL AND TRUE.  GOD IS ALL THESE THINGS.  HE IS TRULY OUR BREAD OF LIFE!  HE IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE, THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS!
  
I HOPE YOU REMEMBER THESE WORDS THE NEXT TIME LIFE HAS KNOCKED YOU FOR A LOOP.  REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE NEVER ALONE.  HIS LOYALTY IS WITHOUT MEASURE.  HIS STRENGTH IS BEYOND COMPARISON.  HE IS TRULY OUR FORTRESS IN TIME OF NEED.  HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US!

BUSTED WINDOWS

I HARDLY EVER TALK ON THE PHONE.  IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO TEXT.  HOWEVER, IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, I HAVE TALKED MORE ON THE PHONE THAN I USUALLY DO IN A MONTH.  IT SEEMS LIKE THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY HARD FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW AND LOVE.  I CAN SURELY INDETIFY WITH THEIR STRUGGLES BECAUSE I HAVENT HAD THE BEST WEEK EITHER.  IN A PERFECT WORLD, NONE OF OUR PROBLEMS WOULD EXIST.  OUR WORLD IS FAR FROM PERFECT AND NEITHER ARE WE.
  
WHEN I SAT DOWN AT MY COMPUTER THIS MORNING, I HAD AN IDEA OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO WRITE ABOUT TODAY.  ONCE AGAIN, I SAW WHERE A FACEBOOK FRINED HAD POSTED A STATUS WHICH I COULD NOT IGNORE.  HE HAD POSTED PROVERBS 25:28, WHICH SAYS, "A PERSON WITHOUT SELF-CONTROL IS LIKE A HOUSE WITH ITS DOORS AND WINDOWS KNOCKED OUT."  STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT.  I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN A PICTURE OF MY LIFE WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED AN ABANDONED BUILDING IN A WAR TORN FOREIGN COUNTRY SOMEWHERE OUT IN THE DESERT.  AT OTHER TIMES, A PHOTO OF MY LIFE MAY HAVE LOOKED LIKE AN OLD ABANDONED HOUSE WITH GRASS AND WEEDS BLOCKING THE ENTRANCE.  I FEEL PRETTY SURE THAT ANYONE READING THIS CAN VISUALIZE AND APPLY THIS PROVERB TO THEIR LIVES IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. 
  
IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO SELF-CONTROL.  WHEN MY HOUSE APPEARED TO BE IN SHAMBLES, I WAS TOO.  WHEN MY WINDOWS GOT BUSTED, IT WAS BECAUSE I BUSTED THEM.  I TORE DOWN MY DOORS, I SHATTERED THE GLASS AND I NEGLECTED ALL UPKEEP.  I DID ALL THIS DUE TO MY LACK OF SELF CONTROL.  I REFUSED GODLY DIRECTION.  I THRIVED ON SELF WILL.  AND NO ONE COULD TELL ME ANYTHING DIFFERENT.  I DIDNT CARE.  IT WAS MY LACK OF SELF CONTROL THAT FORCED ME TO TURN TO JESUS!

OUR GOD IS A GENTLEMAN.  HE FORCES HIMSELF ON NO ONE.  HE ALLOWED ME TO WALLOW IN MY LACK OF SELF CONTROL UNTIL I REACHED THE POINT OF NO RETURN.  HE SHOWED ME THE ERROR OF MY WAYS.  I LOVE TO SAY THAT WITHOUT HIM, I AM NOTHING....THAT IS SO VERY TRUE.  GOD SPECIALIZES IN RE-STRUCTURING.  HE IS THE ULTIMATE ARCHITECT.  HE IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH.  OUR GOD GETS HIS GLORY BY RESTORING WHAT WE SO CARELESSLY TEAR APART.  THANKS TO MY GOD, THE PHOTO OF MY LIFE NO LONGER RESEMBLES AN ABANDONED BUILDING.  INSTEAD, HE HAS GIVEN ME A GLIMPSE OF MY FUTURE HEAVENLY HOME!  THANKS BE TO GOD!

DONT LET IT DO YOU IN

DID YOU EVER NOTICE THAT ITS WHEN YOU ARE DOING YOUR BEST THAT TEMPTATION COMES KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR?  HAVE YOU EVER MADE UP YOUR MIND TO DO SOMETHING OR NOT DO SOMETHING, ONLY TO HAVE YOUR THOUGHTS CHANGE IN AN INSTANT?  DO YOU FIND YOURSELF SAYING, "I DIDNT MEAN TO DO THAT"  OR "HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?  THAT WASNT MY PLAN."  NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, I FEEL SURE YOU CAN IDENTIFY WITH AT LEAST A FEW OF THE WORDS I HAVE WRITTEN THUS FAR.  MY VERY BEST FRIEND POSTED THE WORDS TO A SONG AS HER FACEBOOK STATUS YESTERDAY.  IT SIMPLY SAID, "IT IS YOUR FAVORITE SINS THAT DO YOU IN."  I KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT I WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT TODAY.  THANKS ROBIN!  I LOVE YOU.

WHEN I SAY "FAVORITE" SINS, I AM IN NO WAY GLORIFYING THE THINGS I ONCE FOUND SO EASY TO DO.  I AM SIMPLY DESCRIBING THE VERY "THINGS" THAT ONCE HAD ME TOTALLY ENSLAVED.  IT WAS THESE FAVORITE SINS, WHICH I HATED TO DO, THAT HAD ME TIED UP, CHAINED AND CAPTIVE.  NO MATTER HOW OFTEN I PROMISED TO CHANGE, NOR HOW OFTEN I SAID,"I QUIT", A SIMPLE THOUGHT OR COMPULSION SET ME OFF ON MY VERY OWN PATH OF DESTRUCTION.  I WAS CAUGHT UP IN AN ENDLESS CYCLE OF DEFEAT.  I WAS INTENT ON SELF DESTRUCTION.  IT WAS ALWAYS MY FAVORITE SINS THAT DID ME IN.

IN NO WAY AM I GLORIFYING SATAN, BUT HE IS A MASTER OF DECEIT.  HE IS THE FATHER OF ALL LIES.  HE KNOWS OUR WEAKNESSES AND KNOWS WHEN WE HAVE REACHED OUR WEAKEST POINT.  IT IS THROUGH OUR MISERY THAT HE FINDS AMUSEMENT.  HE WALKS AROUND AS A ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.  THE DEVIL SEES OUR FAVORITE SINS FOR EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE... DIRTY LITTLE TRICKS PULLED OUT OF HIS NASTY LITTLE BAG.  OUR FAVORITE SINS ARE ONLY ILLUSIONS WHICH BRING ABOUT FALSE HAPPINESS.  EACH ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SINS EVENTUALLY CAUSE UNHAPPINESS, AGGRAVATION AND DIMINISHED SELF WORTH.  THROUGH THESE THINGS, SATAN GETS HIS GLORY.

GOD, ON THE OTHER HAND HATES OUR FAVORITE SINS.  HE TELLS US THIS THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE.  HIS WORD DIRECTS US TO A LIFE OF PEACE, HAPPINESS AND LOVE.  I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT HE SAW FIT TO REMOVE THE SCALES WHICH COVERED BOTH OF MY EYES.  I WAS BLINDED BY MY FAVORITE SINS.  THROUGH HIS GENTLE DIRECTION, I HAVE LEARNED THAT WITHOUT HIM, I AM NOTHING.  OF COURSE, AT TIMES I FEEL TEMPTATION, BUT THATS WHEN I NOW CALL UPON HIS NAME.  HIS STILL, SMALL VOICE HAS NEVER FAILED ME.  THAT QUIET LITTLE VOICE WILL NEVER LEAD ME WRONG.  I HAVE FINALLY LEARNED TO LEAN NOT ON MY OWN UNDERSTANDING.  HIS WAY WORKS SO MUCH BETTER THAN MINE.  I ALWAYS HEARD PEOPLE SAY, "TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD."  HE MOST DEFINITELY IS.  GOD LOVES US!

JAMES 4:7  THEREFORE, SUBMIT TO GOD.  RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU

I CREATED MY MESS

I AM NOT GONNA BEAT AROUND THE BUSH TODAY.  I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY AND I AM SOMEWHAT AT A LOSS FOR WORDS IN WHICH TO START.  I HAVE BEEN UP FRONT ABOUT MY PAST, THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.  I HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN SO EASY GOING, QUIET AND TO MYSELF.  I DIDNT ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO RIGHT.  ACTUALLY, I WAS A PRETTY BAD INFLUENCE ON THOSE WHO CROSSED MY PATH.  I HAD NUMEROUS RUN-INS WITH THE LAW AND WOVE A VERY TANGLED WEB.  IT IS MY TANGLED WEB WHICH CAUSED ME TREMENDOUS ANXIETY THIS MORNING. 

I RAN THE ROADS, CAUSED TROUBLE AND CREATED LEGAL PROBLEMS FOR MYSELF.  I CANNOT BLAME ANYONE ELSE FOR MY TROUBLES, I, AND I ALONE, CREATED MY MESS.  JUST THIS MORNING, I ONCE AGAIN FACED THE MUSIC FOR THE SINS OF MY PAST.  AT ONE POINT IN TIME, THIS WOULD HAVE AGGRAVATED ME, BUT TODAY WAS A DIFFERENT STORY.  I WASNT AGGRAVATED, I WAS FEARFUL.  I WAS ASHAMED.  I PRAYED FOR A FAVORABLE OUTCOME AND I ASKED OTHERS TO PRAY FOR ME AS WELL.  I WAS SO RELIEVED TO DISCOVER THAT THINGS WERENT AS BAD AS I EXPECTED.  I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE PRAYERS AND THE CONCERN OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

I HAVE BEEN GREATLY REMINDED OF ALL THE TRUTHS AND PROMISES CONTAINED IN MY LEATHER BOUND BIBLE.  THE WORDS OF GALATIANS 6:7, WE ARE TOLD THAT WE REAP WHAT WE SOW, AND I CAN SURELY TESTIFY TO THAT.  IN HEBREWS 10:30, WE ARE REMINDED THAT VENGEANCE BELONGS TO THE LORD AND THAT HE WILL REPAY.  THESE TWO SCRIPTURES ARE NOTHING TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.  WE DO SERVE A LOVING AND FORGIVING GOD, BUT WE ARE ALSO HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS, BOTH GOOD AND BAD.  I HAVE OFTEN HEARD PEOPLE SAY, "THE GOOD LORD DOESNT WHIP WITH A STICK," I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT TOO. 

I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT I CAN SEE THE END OF THE TUNNEL WHICH I RAN THROUGH FOR SO VERY LONG.  I AM EVEN MORE GRATEFUL THAT THE LORD HAS CHOSEN TO RECOGNIZE ME AS ONE OF HIS CHILDREN AND HAS SHOWN ME A NEW DIRECTION FOR THE FUTURE.  WE ALL MESS UP, WE ALL EXPERIENCE FAILURE.  THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE, HE HAS SHOWN ME THE ERROR OF MY WAYS.  AND FOR THAT, I CANNOT THANK HIM ENOUGH. 

IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH TROUBLES, IF YOU ARE DEALING WITH TEMPTATION, IF YOUR PAST IS NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF, CAST YOUR CARES UPON THE LORD.  HIS MERCY TRULY DOES ENDURE FOREVER.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU. 

LISTS

DONT YOU HATE IT WHEN YOU MAKE A GROCERY LIST, GET TO THE STORE, AND THEN REALIZE YOU FORGOT THE LIST AT HOME?  DO YOU CONSIDER IT A PAIN TO LIST YOUR ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS WHEN FILING INCOME TAXES?  AS A CHILD, DID IT SCARE YOU WHEN YOUR TEACHED STARTED WRITING NAMES ON A LIST?  AND WHAT ABOUT SANTA'S LIST?  WE ALL KNOW THAT HE MADE A LIST AND HE CHECKED IT TWICE.  DID YOU EVER WONDER IF YOU HAD BEEN CONSIDERED NAUGHTY OR NICE?  I KNOW I SURE DID!  AS I THINK ABOUT IT, WE REALLY HAVE A LIST FOR EVERYTHING.  

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, WE ARE TOLD OF MANY, MANY LISTS.  CENSUS LISTS SEEMED TO BE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.  LISTINGS OF WIDOWS, OF THE FIRSTBORN  AND OF ANCESTRY WERE KEPT AND UPDATED.  THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISREAL WERE LISTED IN DETAIL AND SO WAS THE LIST OF DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN.  THE OLD TESTAMENT REALLY SEEMS TO HAVE A LIST FOR EVERYTHING, PSALMS 56:8 EVEN TELLS US OF A LIST OF TEARS.  IT IS NO WONDER THAT TODAY, PEOPLE IN GENERAL ARE OBSESSED WITH KEEPING A LIST.  THE ACT OF DOING SO GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO EARLY BIBLICAL TIMES.
  
FOR A MOMENT, LETS FORGET ABOUT THE GROCERY LIST, THE TAX LIST AND THE TEACHERS LIST ON THE CHALKBOARD.  LETS THINK ABOUT THE LIST OF THE MOST ULTIMATE IMPORTANCE.  LETS THINK ABOUT THE LIST IN THE LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE.  IN MY OPINION, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LIST OF ALL.  CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THAT LIST MUST LOOK LIKE?  I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, BUT I FEEL SURE THAT IT IS NOT SLOPPILY WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF A WALMART RECEIPT.  IN MY MIND, IT IS ENORMOUS AND HELD UP BY COUNTLESS ANGELS.  I CANNOT EVEN FIND WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW MAJESTIC AND BEAUTIFUL THAT LIST MUST BE.  IN THE PAST, I TRIED NOT TO THINK OF THE LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE.  I PUSHED THE REALITY OF ITS EXISTANCE FAR BACK INTO MY MIND.
  
BUT, THINGS HAVE DRASTICALLY CHANGED.  THROUGH THE FORGIVENESS, THE GRACE, THE MERCY AND THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST, THOUGHTS OF THAT LIST HAVE PUSHED THEMSELVES TO THE CENTER OF MY MIND AND MY HEART TODAY.  SEEING MY NAME ON THAT LIST HAS BECOME MY GOAL.  WHEN I FACE THE GOOD LORD AND HE OPENS THAT BOOK, I WANT TO SEE HIM SMILE AS HE FINDS MY NAME ON THAT LIST.  I WANT TO ENTER THE GATES OF HEAVEN AND WALK ON THE STREETS OF GOLD.  THATS WHY I HAVE TO MAKE SURE MY NAME IS ON THAT LIST! 

QUESTIONS

 JUST THE OTHER DAY, I WAS TALKING TO A FRIEND OF MINE.  THROUGH A TEXT, SHE HAD SENT ME AN PHOTO OF SOMETHING SO EXTRAVAGANT, THAT I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING.  THE FIRST THOUGHT THAT POPPED INTO MY MIND WAS, "I WONDER WHO THAT BELONGS TO?"   SHE LAUGHED AND SAID, "ONLY YOU WOULD ASK THAT QUESTION."  LAST NIGHT, GINA WAS TELLING ME ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAD HAPPENED AT SCHOOL.  I FIRST ASKED HER IF SHE WAS NICE ABOUT IT AND SHE SAID THAT, YES, SHE HAD BEEN.  MY NEXT QUESTION TO HER WAS, "IF JESUS HAD PHYSICALLY SPENT THE DAY WITH YOU AT SCHOOL, WOULD HE HAVE THOUGHT THE SAME?"  SHE LOOKED AT ME KINDA FUNNY.
  
THAT QUESTION HAS BEEN ON MY MIND EVER SINCE.  IT IS A QUESTION THAT WE CAN ALL ASK OURSELVES.  I KNOW THAT JESUS SEES OUR EVERY MOVEMENT AND KNOWS OUR EVERY THOUGHT, BUT WOULD THINGS BE DIFFERENT IF HE APPEARED IN HIS HUMAN FORM BEFORE OUR VERY EYES?  IF JESUS PHYSICALLY WOKE ME UP THIS MORNING AND SPENT THE DAY WITH ME, WOULD HE BE PLEASED?  WOULD HE BE SMILING AS THE MORNING TURNED INTO AFTERNOON?  WOULD HE LIKE THE WAY I TREAT MY DAUGHTER, MY PARENTS OR THE PEOPLE I TALK TO THROUGHOUT THE DAY?  WOULD HE VIEW MY ACTIONS WITH PRIDE?  WOULD HE THINK THAT I AM DESERVING TO BE CALLED A CHRISTIAN?
  
MY BIBLE PROVIDES ME WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CONDUCT MYSELF IN A TRUE CHRISTIAN MANNER.  IT IS UP TO ME TO DECIDE TO USE THE INSTRUCTIONS WHICH I HAVE BEEN GIVEN.  IN GOD'S EYES, A SIN IS A SIN IS A SIN.  IN HIS EYES, PETTY ANGER IS JUST AS DESTRUCTIVE AS MURDER.  GOD SEES A LIE OR THE SIMPLE ACT OF BEING RUDE ON THE SAME LEVEL AS ADULTRY.  I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT IT IS THE SMALL, DAILY AGGRAVATINGS OF LIFE THAT PLACE ME IN SERIOUS NEED OF DAILY, HEARTFELT REPENTANCE.  MY SNAPPY ATTITUDE, MY QUICK TONGUE AND MY TENDENCY TO BE UNFORGIVING ARE NOT WORTH A LOSS OF FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD. 
  
I TRY DAILY TO BECOME MORE LIKE JESUS IN MY THOUGHTS, MY ACTIONS AND MY WORDS.  I WANT OTHERS TO SEE THE GOD IN ME.  FOR WAY TOO LONG, I CAUSED HIM TO FROWN.  I NO DOUBTEDLY CAUSED HIM MANY TEARS.  THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE, I AM STRIVING TO BE A BETTER PERSON TODAY.  I WANT TO CAUSE THE LORD TO SMILE.  IF JESUS PHYSICALLY KNOCKED ON MY DOOR AT ANY GIVEN TIME, I WOULD TO BE A CAUSE OF HAPPINESS TO HIM. 

2 JOHN 1:6  THIS IS LOVE, THAT WE WALK ACCORDING TO HIS COMMANDMENTS.  THIS IS THE COMMANDMENT, THAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING, YOU SHOULD WALK IN IT. 

THEY DIDN'T GIVE UP

AS A CHILD, A TEENAGER, AND AS AN ADULT, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY NATURE TO BE VERY DETERMINED AND DRIVEN.  THIS WAS NOT ALWAYS A GOOD THING.  WHEN I GOT IT IN MY MIND TO DO SOMETHING, I DID IT ALL THE WAY.  WHEN I DID IT, I DID IT TO THE FULLEST.  I REALIZE TODAY HOW BLESSED I HAVE BEEN TO HAVE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO LOVED ME AND NEVER GAVE UP ON ME, THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND BAD.  WHEN I DID THE RIGHT THING, I WAS ENCOURAGED.  WHEN I MESSED UP,  THESE SAME PEOPLE DIDNT LIKE MY ACTIONS.  THEY WERE FEARFUL FOR MY SAFETY AND PRAYED FOR ME FOR YEARS.  I WAS SO BLESSED.  THEY DIDNT GIVE UP.
  
NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, I FEEL SURE YOU CAN RELATE TO WHAT I JUST SAID, WHETHER YOU BE THE ONE DOING THE PRAYING OR THE ONE RECEIVING THE PRAYER.  I CAN FINALLY SAY THAT I HAVE BEEN BOTH.  I AM STILL FAR FROM PERFECT, I HAVE PROBLEMS OF MY OWN, BUT TODAY, I CAN SEE THE BURDEN I PLACED ON THOSE WHO LOVED ME, WORRIED ABOUT ME AND PRAYED SO RELENTLESSLY IN MY BEHALF.  I CAN SAY THIS TODAY BECAUSE THEY DIDNT GIVE UP. 

SOMEONE VERY CLOSE TO ME IS GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME AT THIS VERY MOMENT.  HE HAS BEEN PRAYING AND HOPING FOR GODLY INTERVENTION IN THE LIFE OF A LOVED ONE.  I WANT TO ENCOURAGE HIM THIS MORNING.  I WANT TO LIFT HIM UP IN PRAYER.  I WANT HIM TO KNOW THAT HIS PRAYERS ARE BEING HEARD.   THE LORD SEES HIS STRUGGLE AND HEARS HIS CRIES.  OUR GOD IS AN ON TIME GOD.  HE ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS IN HIS TIME NOT OURS.  ASK ME LOVED ONES, THEY DIDNT GIVE UP.

IN REGARDS TO SCRIPTURE, THE LORD PLACED JOHN 10:10 ON MY HEART THIS MORNING.  IN IT, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF SAID, "THE THEIF DOES NOT COME EXCEPT TO STEAL, AND TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY.  I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY."  IT IS ALSO ON MY HEART TO REMIND MY DEAR FRIEND OF 1 PETER 5:7, WHERE WE ARE TOLD TO CAST YOUR CARE UPON HIM, FOR HE CARES FOR YOU.  GOD HEARS OUR CRIES.  HE LOVES US ALL, EVEN WHEN WE CANNOT EVEN LOVE OURSELVES.  KEEP PRAYING.  TURST IN THE LORD.  HE IS PERSISTENT, HIS GLORY NEVER FAILS.  HE DOESNT EVER GIVE UP.
  
PLEASE KEEP MY FRIEND IN YOUR PRAYERS.  HE IS TRULY IN NEED OF A TOUCH FROM GOD.
  

GOTTA HAVE FAITH

 EVEN BEFORE I KNEW MUCH ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF FAITH, I ACTED ON IT AND LIVED BY IT.  I AM PRETTY SURE MOST PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME SOMETIMES GOT TIRED OF HEARING ME SAY, "ITS GONNA BE ALRIGHT."  I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS, BUT A LACK OF FAITH WAS NEVER ONE OF THEM.  PEOPLE CLOSE TO ME HAVE OFTEN SAID, "SHE DOESNT HAVE ENOUGH SENSE TO WORRY, EVEN WHEN SHE NEEDS TO."  THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN TRUE, BUT I SEE TODAY WHERE GOD REALLY LOOKED OUT FOR ME.  THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP IF NOT FOR MY UNSEEN FAITH.

WHEN I FIRST STARTED READING MY BIBLE, I WAS AMAZED BY HEBREWS 11, "THE HEBREWS HALL OF FAITH."  IN VERY SIMPLE WORDING, THIS CHAPTER OF THE NEW TESTAMENT LISTS MANY OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE AND TELLS US WHAT EACH PERSON DID BY AND THROUGH FAITH!  I READ IT OVER AND OVER.  IN FACT, I READ IT QUITE OFTEN.  I JUST STOPPED AND READ IT AGAIN.  HEBREWS 11 QUITE SIMPLY TAKES US THROUGH THE BIBLE AND REVEALS THE COMMON ONGOING ELEMENT OF EXTRAORDINARY FAITH.  IT IS REALLY MY FAVORITE CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE AND EACH TIME I READ IT, I FEEL MY FAITH STRENGTHEN.  GOD WORKED WONDERS THROUGH THEIR FAITH, JUST AS HE DOES THROUGH OURS TODAY! 
  
IN MATTHEW 17:20, WE ARE ALSO TOLD THAT FAITH WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS.  WE ALL HAVE FIGURATIVE MOUNTAINS IN OUR LIVES.  SOME OF US HAVE BIGGER MOUNTAINS THAN OTHERS.  WE HAVE A GOD WHO IS LARGER AND MORE MAJESTIC THAN ANY MOUNTAIN EVER SEEN.  THROUGH BELIEF IN HIS WORD AND FAITH IN HIS PROMISES, EVEN OUR LARGEST MOUNTAIN WILL BE TURNED TO DUST!  THATS RIGHT, TO DUST! 

I MADE IT MY BUSINESS TO LOOK AT A MUSTARD SEED AWHILE BACK.  I WAS AMAZED AT HOW TINY AND SMALL THIS PARTICULAR SEED HAPPENED TO BE.  IT IS NO WONDER THAT OUR BIBLE USES IT AS A DESCRIPTION FOR SOMETHING VERY SMALL.  IN MATTHEW 13:31-32, JESUS REMINDS US THAT THE MUSTARD IS THE LEAST OF ALL SEEDS, BUT ONCE IT GROWS, IT BECOMES GREATER THAN ANY OTHER AND THAT BIRDS OF THE AIR MAY REST AMONG ITS BRANCHES.  WOW...THATS POWERFUL!
  
WE HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.  I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FAITH NEEDS TO BE EXERCISED MUCH LIKE A MUSCLE.  IN THIS DAY AND AGE, WE HAVE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO EXERCISE AND BUILD OUR MUSCLE CALLED FAITH.  OUR BIBLE IS OUR GPS.  IT WILL LEAD AND GUIDE US TO THE DESTINATION OF FAITH.  WE MUST SIMPLY BELIEVE.  IT IS GOD'S ROADMAP TO LIFE.  IT WILL NEVER LET IS DOWN. 

TODAY, MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO EXERCISE OUR FAITH.  IF THE LORD BROUGHT US TO IT, HE WILL BRING US THROUGH IT.  EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON AND IT IS ALL A PART OF HIS MASTER PLAN.  HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US.  GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES!

WE WERE TAUGHT TO SHARE

AS A CHILD, I ONLY HAD ONE BROTHER.  WE WERE ONLY FIFTEEN MONTHS APART, SO WE WERE TAUGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARING AT A REAL EARLY AGE.  FOR THE MOST PART, SHARING WITH ONE ANOTHER CAME SOMEWHAT EASY TO BOTH OF US.  WE WERE REALLY CLOSE TO OUR NEIGHBORS, JAMIE AND COBY.  WE SHARED EVERYTHING WE HAD WITH THEM AND THEY DID THE SAME WITH US.  IT WAS A COMMON OCCURANCE FOR US TO SHARE OUR TOYS, OUR FOOD, OUR PROBLEMS AND OUR SECRETS. 
THIS MORNING AT CHURCH, WE HEARD A SERMON FROM A VISITING PASTOR.  HIS SERMON WAS HEARTFELT AND WAS SOMETHING WE ALL NEEDED TO HEAR.  HE URGED US, AS CHRISTIANS, TO SHARE WHAT WE HAVE WITH OTHERS.  HE SPOKE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ABSORBING THE WORD OF GOD IN CHURCH AND OF CARRYING IT OUT WITH US ONCE WE LEFT THE BUILDING.  WE WERE URGED TO SHARE THE GOODNESS OF GOD AND TO LET OTHERS BE MADE AWARE THAT SALVATION IS AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE.   I TOOK HIS SERMON TO HEART.  IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME. 

FOR A VERY LONG TIME, CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO MEANT ALOT TO ME, URGED ME TO CHANGE THE WAY I WAS LIVING.  NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I PUT OFF CHANGE, THESE PEOPLE DIDNT GIVE UP ON ME.  THEY PRAYED FOR ME, SPOKE TO ME OF THE LOVE OF GOD AND OF MY NEED FOR SALVATION.  IT WASNT UNTIL I WAS BACKED INTO A CORNER THAT I SURRENDERED TO THE LORD AND BEGAN TO TRY THINGS ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, NOT MINE.  I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE LOST.  I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE IN TROUBLE.  I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE ALONE. 

IT IS FOR THE REASONS I JUST MENTIONED THAT I WRITE A "NOTE" ON A DAILY BASIS.  THE LORD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME AND HAS ERASED THE CONFUSION OF MY LIFE.  I FEEL COMPELLED TO SHARE HIS SAVING POWER.  I FEEL OBLIGATED TO TELL OTHERS OF A BETTER WAY.  I LOVE TO SHARE HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE.  WE ARE NEVER ALONE, NO MATTER HOW BAD THINGS MAY SEEM.  GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.  HE WANTS US TO BE HAPPY, NOT SAD.  JOYFUL, NOT MISERABLE.  FREE, NOT ENSLAVED.  I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THIS OPPURTUNITY TO SHARE WHAT HE HAS SO FREELY GIVEN TO ME.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU. 

HEBREWS 13:16  BUT DO NOT FORGET TO DO GOOD AND TO SHARE, FOR SUCH SACRIFICES GOD IS WELL PLEASED.

MODERN DAY SLAVERY

REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU LIVE AND HOW OLD YOU MAY HAPPEN TO BE, I FEEL QUITE SURE YOU HAVE HEARD OF SLAVERY.  THE WORD SLAVERY BRINGS TO MIND HEBREW SLAVES, EGYPTIAN SLAVES OR MORE RECENTLY IN HISTORY, AFRICAN SLAVES.  WE LEARNED ABOUT SLAVES IN SCHOOL.  WE HAVE READ ABOUT SLAVES IN THE BIBLE.  WE ARE QUICK TO BE THANKFUL THAT SLAVERY NO LONGER EXISTS.  BUT DOES IT?  IT IS MY BELIEF THAT MODERN DAY SLAVERY IS THRIVING IN THIS WORLD TODAY.

I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR MANY YEARS, I WAS A SLAVE.  MY SLAVERY WAS SELF IMPOSED, BUT IT WAS TRULY BINDING.  I WAS ENSLAVED BY ADDICTION, DOUBT, FEAR, REGRET, ANGER, DISTRUST AND DISBELIEF.  I WAS ENSLAVED BY MY REPUTATION, SELF IMAGE AND LACK OF SELF WORTH.  I KNOW OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN AND STILL ARE ENSLAVED TO SOME OF THE THINGS I JUST LISTED.  I KNOW OTHERS WHO ARE ENSLAVED AS WELL.  SOME ARE ENSLAVED BY MONEY, POWER, SOCIAL STATUS AND MATERIAL POSSESSIONS.  IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO BEING ENSLAVED BY SIN. 

JUST AS THE HEBREWS, THE EGYPTIANS AND THE AFRICANS WERE LOCKED INTO SLAVERY, I WAS TOO.  I KNOW HOW THEY MUST HAVE FELT.  I WOKE UP INTO MY SLAVERY, I SPENT THE DAY IN BONDAGE AND I WENT TO SLEEP AT NIGHT KNOWING THAT MY SLAVERY WOULD GREET ME IF AND WHEN I WOKE UP THE NEXT DAY.  IT WAS A MISERABLE EXISTENCE.  EXISTENCE BEING THE KEY WORD, I WAS ONLY EXISTING!!!

I AM SO THANKFUL THAT THE LORD SAW FIT TO REMOVE THE BONDAGE OF SLAVERY FROM MY LIFE.  HE PICKED ME UP AND DESTROYED THE CHAINS WHICH HAD HELD ME CAPTIVE FOR SO MANY YEARS.  HE TURNED MY SORROWS INTO HAPPINESS AND REPLACED MY TEARS WITH SMILES.  MY SLAVERY TRIED TO DESTROY MY LIFE, BUT THE LORD STEPPED IN AND GAVE ME A FUTURE.  I SEE MY PAST FOR WHAT IT WAS, A TESTIMONY OF GOD'S SAVING GRACE AND POWER. 

NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OF WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, THE LORD SEES ALL.  HE HEARS YOUR CRIES, HE KNOWS YOUR STRUGGLES.  HE IS WAITING PATIENTLY TO SET YOU FREE FROM ANY SLAVERY IN YOUR LIFE.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU! 

1 CORINTHIANS 7:21  WERE YOU CALLED WHILE A SLAVE?  DO NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT IT; BUT IF YOU CAN BE MADE FREE, RATHER USE IT.

GALATIANS 4:3  EVEN SO WE, WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, WERE IN BONDAGE UNDER THE ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD.

ALL OR NOTHING

I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I AM A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE PERSON.  BE IT GOOD OR BAD, WHEN I GET INTO SOMETHING, ITS ALL OR NOTHING.  I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY, AS LONG AS I CAN RECALL.  THERE WERE TIMES IN MY LIFE WHEN MY PASTIMES, ACTIVITIES OR ADDICTIONS GOT THE BEST OF ME.  MORE THAN ONCE, I REMEMBER MY DAD TELLING ME, "WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING, YOU SURE KNOW HOW TO DO IT."  TRUST ME, HE DIDNT ALWAYS SAY THIS IN A HAPPY TONE OF VOICE!  WHEN HE SAID THESE WORDS, HE WAS USUALLY QUITE DISGUSTED WITH MY ACTIONS. 
  
WHEN I CHOSE TO LIE, I LIED TO THE FULLEST.  SOMETIMES, I LIED EVEN WHEN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER TO TELL THE TRUTH.  WHEN I WENT OUT PARTYING AND DRINKING, I DIDNT STOP UNTIL I EITHER GOT SICK OR PASSED OUT.  I ALWAYS REMEMBERED GETTING THERE, BUT I OFTEN WOKE UP THE NEXT DAY WITH PARTIAL AMNESIA.  IF I CHOSE TO DO DRUGS, THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO LIMIT TO WHAT OR HOW MUCH I COMSUMED BEFORE I FINISHED.  IF I WAS INVOLVED IN SHADY ACTIVITIES, IT BECAME MY MISSION.  NO MATTER WHAT I DID, I DID IT WITH AN ALL OR NOTHING ATTITUDE.

I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT THE LORD SAW FIT TO BRING ME OUT OF MY MISERY.  I DIDNT SEE IT AS MISERY AT THE TIME, BUT TODAY, I WOULDNT WISH THAT LIFESTYLE ON ANYONE!  I HAVE BEEN CONSUMED BY A NEW OUTLOOK THESE DAYS.  I TRY MY BEST TO TELL THE TRUTH, EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT SO COMFORTABLE TO DO SO.  INSTEAD OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, I CONSUME GOD'S WORD AS MUCH AS I POSSIBLY CAN.  I SURROUND MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME AND WHO ALSO LOVE THE LORD.  I MAKE IT MY BUSINESS TO NOT STRADDLE THE FENCE.  I HAVE LEARNED THAT TO LIVE FOR GOD IS TO LIVE FOR GOD AND THAT THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.  BACK THEN, MY LIFESTYLE WAS ALL OR NOTHING, THAT PART HASNT CHANGED!  BUT, I CAN SAY, MY LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER TODAY. 

I LOVE THE LORD FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE FOR ME.  I THANK HIM FOR ALL THAT HE HAS GIVEN ME, BUT I THANK HIM MORE FOR ALL THAT HE HAS TAKEN AWAY.  MY ONCE DREARY DAYS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH BEAUTY AND LOVE.  REGRET AND CONFUSION ARE GONE.  MY GOD HAS REPLACED EVERY DEPRESSION, DOUBT, WORRY AND FEAR THAT I CARRIED WITH ME EVERY WHERE I WENT.  HE HAS REPLACED THEM ALL.  HE HAS SHOWN MY A DIFFERENT SORT OF ALL OR NOTHING.  HE DOES NOTHING HALFWAY. 

I THANK THE LORD FOR HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE.  THESE ARE HIS GIFTS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.  HE IS THE MASTER OF ALL OR NOTHING.  HE HAS SHOWN ME DAILY WHAT HE CAN AND HE WILL DO IF ONLY WE ALLOW IT TO BE DONE.  I AM SO GLAD I HAVE LEARNED TO DO THIS.  HE HAS SHOWN ME THE WAY.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU!

IT HAPPENS SO FAST

WHEN YOU LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN LIKE I DO, WORD TRAVELS FAST.  GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, HAPPY NEWS, SAD NEWS.  IT DOESNT TAKE LONG FOR THE WHOLE TOWN TO BE MADE AWARE OF EVEN THE SLIGHTEST EVENT.  OUR TOWN WAS STRUCK WITH SAD, UNEXPECTED NEWS YESTERDAY.  DEATH KNOCKED ON SOMEONES DOOR.  FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD, HE HADNT BEEN SICK AND IN NO WAY EXPECTED HIS LIFE TO END.  HE WAS A MUCH LOVED FAMILY MAN, A RESPECTED MAN, A FAITHFUL CHURCH MEMBER.  LAST NIGHT AT PRAYER MEETING, WE WERE ASKED TO KEEP HIS FAMILY MEMBERS IN OUR PRAYERS. 

THIS SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED EVENT CAUSED ME TO STOP AND THINK ABOUT HOW THE QUICKNESS AND CERTAINTY OF DEATH.  I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN I NORMALLY THINK OF DEATH, AN ELDERLY PERSON, RAVAGED BY ILLNESS COMES TO MIND.  WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY MOST DEFINITELY PROVED ME WRONG.  IT REMINDED ME THAT DEATH DOESNT DISCRIMINATE.  IT CLAIMS BOTH THE YOUNG, THE MIDDLE AGED AND THE OLD.  ANY CEMETARY YOU SEE ADDS PROOF TO THIS FACT.  THE ANGEL OF DEATH CAN STRIKE AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
LAST NIGHT AT PRAYER MEETING, OUR PASTOR REMINDED US ALL OF THE NEED FOR DAILY, HEARTFELT REPENTANCE.  NO MATTER WHO WE ARE OR HOW OFTEN WE GO TO CHURCH, THE FACT REMAINS THAT WE ARE ALL, STILL HUMAN.  IT IS IN OUR NATURE TO SIN.  GOD DOES NOT HAVE A GUAGE BY WHICH TO MEASURE OUR WRONGS.  IN HIS EYES, A SIN IS A SIN IS A SIN.  IT IS OUR RESPONSIBLILTY AS HIS CHILDREN TO SINCERELY REPENT AND ASK FORGIVENESS IN ORDER TO ENTER THE PEARLY GATES OF HEAVEN.  IT IS ALSO OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LIVE EACH DAY AS IF IT IS OUR LAST, FOR ALL WE KNOW IT COULD VERY WELL BE.  NO ONE IS PROMISED TOMORROW. 

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND FOR HIS PLAN OF SALVATION.  HE HAS MADE A WAY FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TO EXPERIENCE ETERNAL JOY.  DEATH IS TO BE EXPECTED.  WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE DIE IS DETERMINED BY THE LIFE WE LIVE TODAY.  THE LORD LOVES US AND HAS GIVEN US SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW WE ARE TO LIVE.  OUR GOD DOESNT WANT ANYONE TO BE CAUGHT UNAWARE.  WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION.  TOMORROW MIGHT BE TOO LATE. 

MY SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY THAT LOST A LOVED ONE YESTERDAY.  FROM WHAT I KNEW OF THE MAN, HE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED BY MANY.  OUR BIBLE PROMISES US HEAVEN AND I FEEL QUITE SURE HE WILL GREET YOU ALL ON THE OTHER SIDE.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

WE NEVER KNOW WHO WE ARE GOING TO ENCOUNTER.  EVEN AMONG PEOPLE WE KNOW, WE ARE NEVER SURE OF THEIR MOTIVES.  WE CANNOT CONTROL THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS, BUT OUR RESPONSES IN ANY SITUATION ARE BASED ON OUR DECISIONS.  NO ONE CAN MAKE A DECISION FOR US.  WE ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO. 

I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I TENDED TO HANG OUT WITH AND BE FRIENDLY ONLY TO THOSE WHO WERE IN MY OWN LITTLE "CLIQUE."  I HAD MY OWN CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND WAS PRETTY RUDE AND UNRESPONSIVE TO OTHERS WHO WERENT INCLUDED.  THESE DAYS, AS AN ADULT, I CAN SEE AND IDENTIFY THE SAME BEHAVIOR AMONG THE TEEN AGERS OF TODAY.  IT IS ALSO EASILY SEEN AMONG ADULTS.  WE LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN, BUT A SINGLE TRIP TO WALMART OR TO THE GROCERY STORE WILL CLEARLY POINT OUT THE "CLIQUES" WHICH EXIST AMONG GROWNUPS AS WELL, EVEN AMONG CHURCH GOING PEOPLE.  ESPECIALLY AMONG CHURCH GOING PEOPLE. 

OUR BIBLE COMMANDS US TO EXHIBIT BROTHERLY LOVE.  IT TELLS US THAT WE WILL ALL ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF HEAVEN AND THAT WE WILL COMMUNE WITH THE ANGELS.  MY BIBLE ALSO TELLS ME THAT I SHOULD ENCOURAGE MY BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST AND THAT IN HEAVEN WE WILL ALL BE CONSIDERED EQUAL TO ONE ANOTHER.  IN HEBREWS 13:2, WE ARE TOLD....DO NOT FORGET TO ENTERTAIN STRANGERS, FOR BY SO DOING SOME HAVE UNWITTINGLY ENTERTAINED ANGELS.

IF GOD TELLS US WE MIGHT ENTERTAIN ANGELS UNAWARE, HOW MUST IT MAKE HIM FEEL WHEN WE WALK RIGHT PAST SOMEONE WE KNOW AND DONT EVEN SPEAK?  HOW DOES JESUS VIEW US BEING FRIENDLY AND OFFERING ENCOURAGEMENT ONLY TO THE PEOPLE WE WORK OR ATTEND CHURCH WITH?  WOULD JESUS HAVE SPOKEN ONLY TO HIS DISCIPLES?  DID HE GO TO THE CROSS ONLY FOR A SELECT FEW?  DID JESUS PICK AND CHOOSE WHO HE BLESSED WITH THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION?  DID OUR LORD HAVE HIS OWN LITTLE "CLIQUE?"

I AM SO GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL THAT THE LORD LOVED US ALL.  HE WASNT SELECTIVE AND HE DIDNT PICK AND CHOOSE.  THE LOVE OF GOD IS UNIVERSAL.  HIS PLAN OF SALVATION EXISTS FOR ALL MANKIND.  WE HAVE A GOD WHO LOVES US, WHO ONLY WANTS THE BEST FOR US AND WHO WILL NEVER LET US DOWN.  IT IS MY PRAYER TODAY TO BECOME MORE LIKE HIM.

A SMILE WORTH SEEING

I AM NOT BEING UGLY THIS MORNING, BUT WE ALL KNOW WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SAY IS SO VERY TRUE.  THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD, IN OUR TOWN, IN OUR LIVES, WHO SMILE TO OUR FACE THEN CURSE US AS SOON AS WE TURN OUR BACKS.  IT IS A FACT OF LIFE.  NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU HAVE OR HAVENT DONE, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEONE WHOSE SMILE IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS. 

WE ALSO HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES WHO BRING TRUE SMILES TO OUR FACE. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I LOOK AT ROSS OR GINA AND I SIMPLY CANNOT HELP BUT SMILE.  MY CHILDREN ARE NOT PERFECT, BUT THEY HAVE BOTH CAUSED ME WAY MORE SMILES THAN FROWNS.  I HAVENT ALWAYS BEEN THE BEST MOTHER TO THESE CHILDREN, BUT I THANK MY PARENTS AND THE GOOD LORD FOR LEADING THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WHEN I WAS SO VERY LOST.  MY CHILDREN MAKE ME HAPPY.  THEY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF SO MUCH HAPPINESS IN MY LIFE.  MY HEART GOES OUT TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST CHILDREN AND ARE MISSING THE JOY THAT ONLY THEIR CHILD CAN BRING. 
  
I CANNOT IMAGINE ANYONE LOVING SOMEONE MORE THAN I LOVE ROSS AND GINA.  IT BLOWS MY MIND TO THINK THAT GOD'S LOVE SURPASSES EVEN THAT.  EVEN WHEN I WAS AT MY WORST AND DIDNT EVEN LOVE MYSELF VERY MUCH, THE LORD LOVED ME UNCONDITIONALLY.  FOR SO MANY YEARS, I CAST GOD TO THE SIDE AND LET HIM DOWN.  LIKE THE LOVING FATHER THAT HE IS, HE WAITED PATIENTLY FOR ME TO GIVE HIM A REASON TO SMILE.  I FEEL SURE THAT ANYONE WHO IS A PARENT CAN RELATE TO WHAT I JUST SAID.
  
TODAY, I AM TRULY SORRY THAT MY ACTIONS EVER ERASED THE SMILE OF JESUS AS HE LOOKED DOWN ON ME.  I WANT HIM TO BE PLEASED BY MY DAILY LIFE AND ACTIONS.  MY BIBLE TELLS ME EXACTLY HOW THIS SHOULD BE DONE.  IT REALLY IS A SET OF INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW WE ARE TO LIVE.  OUR BIBLE WILL NEVER LEAD US IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.  BY READING AND STUDYING HIS WORD WE WILL SURELY PLEASE THE LORD.  WHEN WE LIVE BY HIS PRINCIPLES, WE SHOW THAT WE ARE OBEDIENT.  WHEN WE SPREAD HIS WORD, WE ARE REWARDED.  WHEN WE LIVE FOR GOD, IT BRINGS HIM PLEASURE TO CALL US HIS CHILDREN.

WHEN JUDGEMENT DAY COMES AROUND, I WANT MY GOD TO LOOK AT ME AS I DO AT ROSS AND GINA.  I WANT TO BE PLEASING TO HIS SIGHT.  I WANT HIM TO BE PROUD OF THE LIFE I HAVE LIVED.  THERE IS A CERTAIN MAN AT OUR CHURCH WHO LOVES TO TESTIFY ABOUT LIVING HIS LIFE IN A WAY THAT BRINGS PLEASURE TO GOD.  WHEN THIS MAN ENDS HIS TESTIMONY, HE ALWAYS ENDS WHAT HE IS SAYING BY QUOTING MATTHEW 25:23, A SCRIPTURE MOST PEOPLE KNOW AND LOVE.  IT STATES, "HIS LORD SAID TO HIM, 'WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT; YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I WILL MAKE YOU RULER OVER MANY THINGS.  ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR LORD."  WHAT AN AWESOME SCRIPTURE!!!  JUST LIKE BRO JOE, I WANT TO HEAR THE LORD SAY THOSE SAME WORDS TO ME.  "WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!!"  I WANNA CAUSE MY GOD TO SMILE!

A HORRIBLE STENCH

WE ALL GET OFFENDED BY AND TRY TO AVOID A TERRIBLE SMELL.  THE SMELL OF A DEAD SKUNK LYING ON THE ROAD, TRASH CANS BEFORE SCHEDULED GARBAGE PICK UP, PAPER MILLS AND CHEMICAL PLANTS ALL CARRY AN OFFENSIVE ODOR.  LAST NIGHT AT CHURCH, BRO DAVID DELIVERED THE WORD.  HIS SERMON WAS BASED ON JOHN 11, THE DEATH OF LAZARUS.  IT WAS A TRULY AWESOME MESSAGE.  BY THE TIME HE GOT TO JOHN 11:39, I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WOULD WRITE ABOUT TODAY, THE WORDS OF THIS "NOTE" WERE ALREADY FORMING THEMSELVES IN MY MIND. 
  
JOHN 11:39 SAYS JESUS SAID,"TAKE AWAY THE STONE."  MARTHA, THE SISTER OF HIM WHO WAS DEAD, SAID TO HIM, "LORD, BY THIS TIME THERE IS A STENCH, FOR HE HAS BEEN DEAD FOUR DAYS."  THIS SCRIPTURE REALLY DEALT WITH MY MIND AND SPOKE TO MY HEART LAST NIGHT.  IN FACT, AS SOON AS I GOT HOME FROM CHURCH, I BEGAN TO LOOK UP THE WORD "STENCH."  I FOUND THAT THIS WORD IS ACTUALLY USED IN 20 SCRIPTURES THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE.  AS I LOOKED AT THE VARIOUS SCRIPTURES, THE LORD SHOWED MY HOW EACH ONE, EVEN THOUGH USED IN A DIRRERENT CONTEXT, BASICALLY MEANT ONE THING. 
  
A STENCH IS DEFINED AS A BAD SMELL, AN OFFENSIVE ODOR, A STINK.  BEFORE I REPENTED OF MY SINS AND RECEIVED THE ULTIMATE GIFT OF SALVATION, I WALKED AROUND CARRYING A HORRIBLE STENCH.  I MIGHT HAVE LOOKED PRESENTABLE AND CARRIED THE SCENT OF AN AWESOME PERFUME, BUT ON THE INSIDE....I STUNK!  NO PERFUME COUNTER AT DILLARD'S OR ANYWHERE ELSE COULD TAKE AWAY THE DECAYED ODOR OF MY SOUL.  JOHN 11:39 TELLS US THAT LAZARUS LAY DEAD IN THE TOMB FOR FOUR DAYS.  MY SOUL HAD BEEN IN A SERIOUS STATE OF DECAY FOR YEARS!  I CONTRIBUTED DAILY TO THE STENCH.  EVERY LIE I TOLD, EVERY DRUG I CONSUMED, EVERY MOMENT OF ANGER AND EVERY DENIAL OF WHAT IS GOOD FED MY ODOR OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION. 
  
NOTHING HERE ON EARTH COULD HAVE RESTORED MY INNER BEING.  THERE WAS NOT A HUMAN BEING AROUND WHO COULD HAVE CLEANSED MY SOUL.  I MIGHT HAVE BEEN PLEASING TO THE EYE, BUT LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING.  AT THE COMMAND OF JESUS, LAZARUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE, STILL BOUND WITH GRAVE CLOTHES.   HAND, FOOT AND FACE.  ONCE AGAIN, AT THE COMMAND OF JESUS, LAZARUS STEPPED OUT OF HIS BINDINGS AND RETURNED FROM THE DEAD!  JESUS RESTORED MY SOUL IN THE SAME MANNER.  IT WAS ONLY BY HIS COMMAND THAT I SHED MY GRAVE CLOTHES AND LOST THE STENCH OF DEATH.  THROUGH THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD, MY SINS WERE WASHED AWAY.  AT THE COMMAND OF JESUS, I WAS SET FREE!  BY HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE, I WAS BORN AGAIN AS A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST!  IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE THE WAY I FEEL TODAY. 
  
WE SERVE SUCH A MIGHTY GOD!  HE LOVES TO CLEAN UP OUR MESSES.  MY MESS WAS HORRIBLE, WITH A HORRIBLE STENCH!  HAVE YOU ALLOWED HIM TO REMOVE THE STENCH OF SIN FROM YOUR SOUL?  JESUS CHRIST RAISED LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD.  HE CLEANSED MY SOUL AND RESTORED MY MIND.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU!

ONE OF A KIND

MY MOTHER IS TRULY ONE OF A KIND.  IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND YOU KNOW HER, YOU KNOW I AM SPEAKING THE TRUTH.  SHE REALLY IS AN AWESOME WOMAN, PERSON, MOTHER, AND DAUGHTER.  TODAY IS MY MAMAS BIRTHDAY AND I FEEL THE NEED TO EXPRESS MY LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR HER THIS MORNING. 

GROWING UP, I COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER MOTHER OR ROLE MODEL.  MAMA TRULY LOVED HER LITTLE FAMILY.  MY DAD KNOWS HE RECEIVED A BLESSING WHEN HE MARRIED HER AT 17 YEARS OLD.  HER FAMILY HAS ALWAYS MEANT EVERYTHING TO MY MAMA.  MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF BIRTHDAYS AND HOLIDAYS WERE ALL MADE EXTRA SPECIAL BY THIS VERY DEDICATED WOMAN.  AS A CHILD, BEDTIME WAS SPECIAL.  SHE WOULD COME INTO MY ROOM FAITHFULLY EVERY NIGHT TO LISTEN TO MY PRAYERS AND TO KISS ME BEFORE SHE TURNED OUT MY LIGHT.  EVERY MORNING WAS SPECIAL TOO.  SHE WAS MY ALARM CLOCK AND WOULD WAKE ME UP WITH A CUP OF COFFEE MILK.  JUST THINKING ABOUT THOSE DAYS MAKES ME SMILE.  I HAD AN AWESOME CHILDHOOD.

ONCE I GREW UP AND DECIDED TO ACT LIKE AN IDIOT, MY MAMA LOVED ME JUST AS MUCH AS EVER.  SHE NEVER TURNED HER BACK ON ME, EVEN WHEN SHE SHOULD HAVE.  MY MOTHER DIDNT LIKE THE THINGS I CHOSE TO DO, AND SHE DIDNT AGREE WITH MY ACTIONS, BUT SHE LOVED ME UNCONDITIONALLY.  NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I HURT HER OR LET HER DOWN, MY MOM HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE TO PICK UP THE PIECES.  SHE HAS DEFENDED ME AND TOOK UP FOR ME COUNTLESS TIMES.  I AM SO THANKFUL THAT THE LORD SAW FIT TO BLESS ME WITH A MOTHER LIKE MINE.  SHE IS TRULY ONE OF A KIND. 

IT IS HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT ANYONE COULD EVER LOVE ME MORE THAN MY MOTHER DOES.  A LOVE LIKE THAT IS SO VERY RARE.  WHEN I THINK OF THE LOVE OF MY MOTHER, I CANNOT HELP BUT BE REMINDED OF THE LOVE THAT JESUS HAS FOR US.  JUST AS MY WONDERFUL MOTHER LOVES ME, JESUS TRULY LOVES US ALL IN AN EVEN GREATER WAY.  NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE DONE, WHERE WE HAVE ENDED UP OR WHAT WE HAVE CAUSED, JESUS LOVES US ALL UNCONDITIONALLY.  NO SIN IS TOO GREAT TO BE UNFORGIVEN.  HIS LOVE FOR US KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES.  HE ONLY ASKS FOR US TO REALIZE THIS.  TO COME TO HIM WITH AN OPEN MIND, A REPENTITIVE HEART AND A WELCOME VESSEL IN WHICH HIS SPIRIT MAY LIVE. 

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO WRITE THIS "NOTE" THIS MORNING.  MY MOTHER IS AWESOME AND I HOPE SHE HAS A WONDERFULLY BLESSED DAY.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!

PROVERBS 23:25  MAY SHE WHO GAVE YOU BIRTH BE HAPPY
PROVERBS 31:28  HER CHILDREN STAND AND BLESS HER.  HER HUSBAND PRAISES HER

STOP AND THINK

HOW MANY TIME HAVE YOU HEARD:
"I HAVE BEEN THROUGH HELL AND BACK"
"SHE HAS GIVEN ME HELL"
"HE IS HELL ON WHEELS"
"OH, GO TO HELL"
I AM PRETTY SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL HEARD ONE, IF NOT ALL, OF THESE STATEMENTS.  WE HAVE PROBABLY ALL SAID THESE SAME WORDS AT LEAST ONCE OF TWICE.  I KNOW I HAVE.  I WOKE UP THIS MORNING THINKING ABOUT HOW EASILY WE ALL PROCLAIM THE CONCEPT OF HELL.  I HAVE EVEN HEARD PEOPLE LAUGH AND SAY "GO TO HELL" IN A JOKING MANNER.  AT ONE TIME IN MY LIFE, THESE STATEMENTS WOULDNT HAVE BOTHERED ME.  I WOULDNT HAVE GIVEN IT A SECOND THOUGHT.  BUT TODAY IS A DIFFERENT STORY.  WE NEED TO STOP AND THINK ABOUT WHAT WE ACTUALLY ARE SAYING AND CALLING INTO OUR EXISTANCE WHEN WE USED THESE SEEMINGLY HARMLESS WORDS.
THE BIBLE IS FULL OF SCRIPTURES WHICH WARN US OF THE REALITY OF HELL.  HELL IS NOT A FICTIONAL PLACE.  IT IS NOT A LAND OF ENDLESS PARTYING AND HANGING OUT WITH REBELLIOUS FRIENDS.  IT IS A PLACE CREATED FOR SATAN AND HIS DEMONS.  HELL WAS NEVER INTENDED FOR US.  BUT, MY BIBLE TELLS ME THAT JUST AS GOD CLEANSED THE EARTH IN THE DAYS OF NOAH BY FLOOD, HE WILL INDEED CLEANSE THE EARTH AGAIN AND THAT HELL IS CONTINUOUSLY ENLARGING ITS BOUNDARIES. 
EVEN THE WORDS USED TO DESCRIBE HELL MAKE ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.  MY MENTAL IMAGES OF HELL INCLUDE ENDLESS FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, ENORMOUS FLAMES AND A HOT, CONSTANT, BURNING WIND.  WE HAVE A HARD TIME STANDING NEXT TO A BONFIRE, ETERNAL FIRE IS UNIMAGINABLE.  IMAGINE A HORRIBLE PIT OF DARKNESS AND ETERNAL PUNISHMENT ALONG WITH UNQUENCHABLE THIRST.  I CAN ALSO IMAGINE ENDLESS SCREAMING, BEGGING AND TEARS.  FOREVER. WITHOUT END.  PEOPLE IN HELL HAVE NO REST, DAY OR NIGHT.   NO HUMAN BEING ALIVE CAN RELATE TO SUCH TORMENT. 

HELL WAS DESIGNED TO SEPERATE THOSE WHO HATE OUR GOD FROM THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.  HELL IS NO JOKING MATTER.  JUST THE OTHER DAY, A FRIEND OF MINE SAID HE WISHES HE COULD TALK TO SOMEONE IN HELL AND ASK HIM IF HIS SINFUL LIFE WAS WORTH IT.  I BET THE MENTAL ANGUISH OF A PERSON IN HELL IS UNSPEAKABLE.  I BET HELL SNUCK UP ON MANY PEOPLE WHO HAD NO INTENTION OF BEING CALLED BY THE ANGEL OF DEATH.  SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CAUGHT UNAWARE.  HELL IS ETERNAL.  NONE OF US HAVE BEEN THERE, NOR DO WE WANT TO GO THERE. 

WE NEED TO STOP SPEAKING OF HELL IN SUCH A CASUAL MANNER.  IT IS NOT AN ADJECTIVE.  IT IS NOTHING TO JOKE ABOUT.  STOP AND THINK. THE FIRES OF HELL ARE ENLARGING DAILY.  OUR LORD DOES NOT INTEND THAT ANY OF US SUFFER.  DEATH COMES WHEN WE LEAST EXPECT IT.  LETS PROCLAIM ETERNAL LIFE AND THE BEAUTY OF HEAVEN INSTEAD.  EVEN THE WORDS SOUND SO MUCH BETTER.  WE HAVE A GOD THAT LOVES US AND WANTS TO SEE US HAPPY, JOYOUS AND FREE!  HIS YOKE IS EASY AND HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT.  TURN AWAY FROM HELL TODAY.  SHARE INSTEAD IN LIFE EVERLASTING! 

IT CANT BE EASY

I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN THINGS GET ROUGH, I AM QUICK TO CALL MY PASTOR AND ASK HIM TO KEEP ME IN HIS PRAYERS.  I AM ALSO QUICK TO TALK TO MY PASTOR WHEN I AM FEELING DOWN, AGGRAVATED OR UPSET.  HE IS ALWAYS THERE TO LISTEN TO MY PROBLEMS AND I KNOW HE HAS SPENT ALOT OF TIME PRAYING FOR ME.  I AM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE THE PASTOR THAT GOD HAS CHOSEN TO LEAD ME HERE ON THIS EARTH.  HE IS READY, WILLING AND AVAILABLE TO LEAD AND GUIDE ME IN THE BEST WAY HE KNOWS HOW.  I FEEL SURE THAT I CAN SPEAK FOR MY ENTIRE CHURCH FAMILY WHEN I SAY THAT OUR PASTOR IS TRULY A GODSEND!
JUST AS WE HAVE DAILY PROBLEMS, ANXIETIES AND FEARS, SO DOES OUR PASTOR.  WE SOMETIMES SEEM TO FORGET THAT OUR BELOVED PASTOR HAS MANY OF THE SAME TROUBLES IN HIS DAILY LIFE.  OUR PASTORS ARE HUMAN BEINGS, WITH WEAKNESSES, SORROWS AND TEMPTATIONS, JUST LIKE US.  WORRY, FEAR AND ILLNESS ALSO KNOCK AT HIS DOOR.  IT IS QUITE EASY TO SAY THAT WE STAND BEHIND OUR PREACHER.  I THINK WE SHOULD ALSO STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH HIM AT TIMES AS WELL, SOMETIMES EVEN STANDING IN FRONT OF HIM TO BLOCK ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY, TO HOLD HIM UP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.  OUR PASTOR NEEDS US, JUST AS WE NEED HIM. 

MY PASTOR OFTEN USES ROMANS CHAPTER 12 IN HIS SERMONS IN ORDER TO TEACH US TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS.  HE URGES US TO BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD AND TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF OUR MINDS IN THAT WE MAY BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE WILL OF GOD.  HE EMPHASIZES HUMILITY AND SOBER THINKING.  THIS CHAPTER ALSO TELLS US WE SHOULD BE MERCIFUL, CHEERFUL AND GIVING.  WE ARE TOLD TO CLING TO WHAT IS GOOD, SHARE IN BROTHERLY LOVE AND TO REJOICE IN HOPE.  ABOVE ALL MY PASTOR TEACHES US THAT WE MUST REMAIN STEADFAST IN PRAYER, BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE US AND REPAY NO ONE EVIL FOR EVIL.  WE ARE OFTEN REMINDED THE IMPORTANCE OF REMAINING IN ONE ACCORD, LIVING PEACEFULLY AMONG EACH OTHER AND TO LEAVE VENGEANCE TO THE LORD.  THIS CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE TELLS US HOW TO BECOME A LIVING SACRIFICE UNTO THE LORD.  IT ALSO TELLS ME SO VERY MUCH MORE.  THIS CHAPTER DESCRIBES MY PASTOR.  HE IS A VERY HUMBLE MAN.  HE TRULY LOVES THE LORD AND THE CHURCH FAMILY UNDER HIS DIRECTION.  I LOVE MY PASTOR!

THIS MORNING, I AM THANKING THE LORD FOR MY PASTOR, BRO JERRY ODOM.  HE TRULY IS AN AWESOME MAN OF GOD.  BRO JERRY IS IN MY PRAYERS TODAY, NOT FOR ANY PARTICULAR REASON, I JUST APPRECIATE HIM AND HIS GUIDANCE.  HE NEVER GAVE UP ON ME, EVEN WHEN I SEEMED HOPELESS.  HE TRULY MUST SEE US ALL AS GOD SEES US, AND I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THAT. 

HE REALLY DOES SAY NO

I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I LOVE IT WHEN GOD QUICKLY ANSWERS MY PRAYERS.  WE TRULY SERVE A PRAYER ANSWERING GOD AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR EVERY PRAYER THAT HE HAS ANSWERED.  I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONE TO LIKE OR EVEN TO UNDERSTAND THE WORD "NO" WHEN I ASK FOR SOMETHING.  I THINK WE CAN ALL IDENTIFY WITH THIS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.  A FRIEND OF MINE RECENTLY BECAME VERY DISCOURAGED BECAUSE OF UNANSWERED PRAYERS.  THIS PERSON ACTUALLY FELT UNLOVED AND ABANDONED BY GOD AND COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE LORD REFUSED TO ANSWER. 

WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF INSTANT GRATIFICATION.  WE HAVE BECOME SPOILED AND DEMANDING.  WE WANT WHAT WE WANT WHEN WE WANT IT AND REFUSE TO WAIT.  WE HAVE BECOME IMPATIENT AND SELFISH.  OUR LIVES ARE FAST PACED AND WE HAVE ALL BEEN BRAINWASHED BY THE AMERICAN DREAM.  AS CHILDREN, WE ARE TAUGHT TO BE INDEPENDANT AND SELF SUFFICIENT.  AS PARENTS, WE HAVE SPOILED OUR CHILDREN BY GIVING THEM ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THEY MIGHT DESIRE.  IT IS NO WONDER THAT WE COME TO GOD WITH OUR EARTHLY DEMANDS AND EXPECT HIM TO IMMEDIATELY ANSWER OUR PRAYERS AND REQUESTS. 

GOD HEARS ALL OF OUR PRAYERS. HE LISTENS TO EACH AND EVERY REQUEST.  I LOVE A QUICKLY ANSWERED PRAYER, BUT I ALSO KNOW TODAY THAT SOME PRAYERS TAKE LONGER THAN OTHERS TO BE ANSWERED.  I HAVE LEARNED TO ACCEPT THAT.  I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT GOD CAN AND WILL TELL ME "NO", JUST AS ANY PARENT MUST DO FROM TIME TO TIME.  THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, I HAVE PRAYED FOR CERTAIN THINGS AND STILL TO THIS DAY, I HAVENT RECEIVED WHAT I PRAYED FOR.  THIS DOESNT MEAN THAT GOD DOESNT LOVE ME.  HE LOVES ME ENOUGH TO SAY NO.  OUR GOD HAS INFINITE WISDOM AND KNOWS THE END FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.  AN UNANSWERED PRAYER MIGHT JUST BE AN ANSWER IN DISQUISE.  OUR LORD LOVES US BEYOND MEASURE AND HOLDS THE ANSWERS TO EVERY SITUATION WE MIGHT ENCOUNTER. 

THE BIBLE TELLS US TO REMAIN PRAYERFUL AND VIGILANT.  IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE LORD TO IGNORE US.  THE LORD LOVES US ALL AND WOULD NEVER LET US DOWN.  WE ARE HIS MASTERPIECE.  WE ARE THE APPLE OF HIS EYE.  OUR PRAYERS WILL NEVER BE REJECTED OR NEGLECTED.  GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS IN HIS TIME, NOT OURS.  OUR LORD IS ALL POWERFUL AND ALL KNOWING.  HE ONLY WANTS WHATS BEST FOR US, EVEN WHEN HE TELLS US "NO." 

THE WORLD WAS WATCHING

 BEFORE THIS DAY IS OVER, I FEEL SURE THAT EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY ARE, WILL HAVE SEEN OR HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE ROYAL WEDDING WHICH TOOK PLACE TODAY.  THE WHOLE WORLD SEEMS TO HAVE WATCHED THIS EVENT.  IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT, EVERYTHING THAT WE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED SUCH A ROYAL EVENT TO BE.   I FEEL SURE THAT COUNTLESS MOTHERS TOLD THEIR LITTLE GIRLS THAT THEY WERE SEEING AN ACTUAL FAIRY TALE PRINCESS GET MARRIED TO A REAL PRINCE.  GINA IS FIFTEEN YEARS OLD AND WE HAD THE SAME CONVERSATION THIS MORNING.

THE PRINCE WAS CHARMING, HIS PRINCESS WAS BEAUTIFUL.  SHE APPEARED TO BE CONFIDENT AND WELL PREPARED FOR THIS HISTORIC EVENT.  IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY LAST CITIZEN OF EUROPE FILLED THE STREETS OF LONDON TODAY AND THE REST OF THE WORLD WAS WATCHING IT TAKE PLACE ON TELEVISIONS OR COMPUTER SCREENS.  THIS UPCOMING WEDDING HAD BEEN DISCUSSED FOR MONTHS.  THE WORLD BUSILY PREPARED FOR THE EVENT.  NO ONE WAS UNAWARE OF ITS APPROACH AND IT WAS ANXIOUSLY ANTICIPATED BY MILLIONS.

THERE IS ANOTHER UPCOMING EVENT WHICH WILL PUT THIS ROYAL WEDDING TO SHAME.  THE GLORY OF THIS EVENT WILL MAKE THE WEDDING OF PRINCE WILLIAM LOOK LIKE A LAS VEGAS WEDDING PERFORMED BY AN ELVIS IMPERSONATOR.  THIS UPCOMING EVENT HAS NOT BEEN IN PREPARATION FOR ONLY A FEW MONTHS, IT HAS BEEN BEING PLANNED FOR OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS.  THE EVENT IS STILL BEING ORCHESTRATED AS OF THIS VERY MOMENT.  OF COURSE I AM TALKING ABOUT THE UPCOMING WEDDING OF JESUS AND HIS BRIDE. HE WILL OUTDO THE PRINCE, HE WILL ARRIVE AS KING!  EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US HAVE BEEN INVITED TO THIS UPCOMING WEDDING, BUT, NOT ONLY AS A GUEST OR AS A SPECTATOR.  WE WILL ALL HAVE THE PRIVLEGE OF BEING CALLED HIS BRIDE! 

IMAGINE THE BEAUTY OF THIS MONUMENTAL EVENT.  THE ROYAL PLANNERS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE CANNOT POSSIBLY HOLD A CANDLE TO THE OPPULANCE WHICH WAITS FOR US ALL.  THE WORLD WILL TRULY BE DAZZLED BY THE RETURN OF KING JESUS.  OUR BIBLE HAS TOLD US OF THE WEDDING WHICH WILL SURELY TAKE PLACE.  WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED.  MATTHEW 22:2-14 TELLS THE PARABLE OF THE WEDDING FEAST.  IT CLEARLY STATES THAT ALL ARE INVITED.  ALL OF US.  NO MATTER WHAT OUR POSITION IN LIFE OR REGARDLESS OF OUR SOCIAL STATUS.  JESUS IS COMING BACK FOR HIS BRIDE JUST AS PRINCE WILLIAM MARRIED HIS TODAY. 

IT IS MY PRAYER THIS MORNING THAT WE ALL BE PREPARED FOR THE RETURN OF KING JESUS.  WHEN HE PARTS THE EASTERN SKIES, I WANT TO BE IN THE MULTITUDE TO RECEIVE HIM.  HIS WORD IS REAL.  HIS SPIRIT LIVES AMONG US.  HEAVEN IS PREPARING OUR WEDDING FEAST.  WE MUST ALL GET READY FOR HIS RETURN.  I DO NOT WANT TO BE ONLY A SPECTATOR.  LETS ALL GET READY!

REVELATION 19:7  LET US BE GLAD AND REJOICE AND GIVE HIM GLORY, FOR THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB HAS COME, AND HIS WIFE HAS MADE HERSELF READY

MISSING SOMEONE

NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, I CAN PRETTY MUCH GUARANTEE THAT YOU HAVE MISSED SOMEONE AT ONE TIME OF YOUR LIFE OR ANOTHER.   WE HAVE ALL BEEN CLOSE TO PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES WHO HAVE SOMEHOW DRIFTED AWAY FROM US.  PEOPLE WE ONCE TALKED TO EVERY DAY SOMETIMES JUST GET ADDED TO OUR EMAIL LIST.  A FRIEND WE ONCE THOUGHT WE COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT MIGHT ONLY EXIST TODAY IN OUR MEMORIES.   FAMILY MEMBERS WE ONCE LAUGHED AND JOKED WITH DAILY MIGHT ONLY BE SEEN OCCASIONALLY ON HOLIDAYS OR AT FAMILY REUNIONS. 

A VERY CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE EMAILED ME YESTERDAY.  SHE AND I ONCE SAW EACH OTHER ON A DAILY BASIS.  WE WERE AT ONE TIME CLOSER THAN SISTERS AND HAVE BEEN THROUGH BOTH HAPPINESS AND SORROW TOGETHER.  LIFE HAS CARRIED US OFF IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS AND SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES INCLUDE THIS FRIEND.  EARLIER THIS WEEK, I ALSO HEARD FROM ONE OF MY COUSINS.  SHE AND I LITERALLY GREW UP TOGETHER.  OUR PARENTS WERE INSEPERABLE AND SO WERE SHE AND I.  WE NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO ONE DAY INTERACT ONLY THROUGH FACEBOOK.  IT IS TIMES LIKE THESE THAT I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I MISS SOMEONE.
 THIS BRINGS ME TO THE POINT OF MY "NOTE" TODAY.  JUST AS WE BECOME LONESOME AND MISS THOSE THAT WE TRULY LOVE, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST SURELY FEELS THE SAME WAY.  WHEN WE SLACK OFF IN OUR PRAYER TIME, SKIP A FEW CHURCH SERVICES OR FORGET TO STUDY HIS WORD, WE GROW DISTANT FROM HIS LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP.  JUST LIKE WE DO, JESUS HAS MEMORIES OF ALL OUR HAPPINESS AND SORROW.  HE KNOWS OF EVERY HEARTACHE, EVERY SUCCESS AND EVERY MOMENT OF JOY THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED.  HE HAS BEEN THERE WITH US THROUGH IT ALL.  I HATE TO EVEN THINK OF THE SADNESS OUR BLESSED JESUS MUST FEEL WHEN WE SHUT HIM OUT OF OUR LIVES. 

UNLIKE FRIENDS OR EVEN FAMILY MEMBERS, LIFE WILL NEVER CARRY JESUS AWAY FROM OUR PRESENCE.  HE IS THERE FOR US NO MATTER WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW OR WHY.  EVEN ON OUR LONELIEST NIGHT OR OUR DARKEST HOUR, JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVE OUR SIDE.  HE PATIENTLY WAITS FOR US TO REALIZE HIS PRESENCE AND TO ACCEPT HIS EVERLASTING LOVE.  NOTHING WE DO CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE HIM TO TURN HIS BACK ON US OR PUSH US TO THE SIDE.  ONLY JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US.  HIS ARMS OF PROTECTION AND HIS ENDLESS MERCY ARE ETERNALLY AVAILABLE.  HE TRULY MISSES US WHEN WE LEAVE HIS SIDE. 

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE LORD IN MY LIFE TODAY.  HIS PRESENCE IN MY LIFE HAS CHANGED EVERYTHING.  I SAW YESTERDAY THAT SOMEONE HAD WRITTEN, "IF YOU KNEW WHERE I HAVE BEEN AND WHAT I HAVE COME THROUGH, YOU WOULD CONSTANTLY BE PRAISING HIS NAME TOO."  AGAIN, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!  WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW I FEEL INSIDE.  PLEASE MAKE SOME TIME FOR JESUS IN YOUR LIFE TODAY.  I PROMISE YOU WONT REGRET IT.