Sweet Lord,
The Bible is replete with times that Israel was told to remember Your goodness throughout their history: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Esther, Ruth, Moses, Joshua and Caleb, David, and Solomon, many many miracles, battles won, and lost because of disobedience.
Last December a sweet sister gave me some strips of scapbook paper and the first one had a verse on it. the instruction were to write down things to be thankful for all through the year and then put them into a "Thankfulness Chain" to decorate the home for Christmas.
Today, all the pieces have been filled, the chain completed, and it hangs over the "Solid Rock" Thomas Kincade print Dick gave me for our anniversary. I could have used many many more pieces. The milestones with Lance through this last year are amazing, Dick's two successful surgeries, Melody's visit, seeing the out of state sons and families 3x this year and having all of the Plyter cousins met each other some for the first time was such a blessing too, Lord. We had lots of LU students become part of our adopted family and they provided us with the lawn work we could not do on our own, and You provided a riding lawn mower that works and made my life so much easier this summer and lawn raking much easier this fall. I was given a better position in the SAO Office to use my gifts to the max, and I successfully "retired" as far as the US government is concerned. You have provided through Quibids for all of our needs, some wants, and also the ability to help others with gift cards and gifts.
Lord, You are a great and gracious God an I love You.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Our Marching Orders
Romans 12:10-18 NLT "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone."
- Love each other with genuine affection
- Take delight in honoring each other.
- Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
- Rejoice in our confident hope.
- Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
- When God's people are in need, be ready to help them.
- Always be eager to practice hospitality.
- Bless those who persecute you.
- Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.
- Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
- Live in harmony with each other.
- Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
- And don't think you know it all!
- Never pay back evil with more evil.
- Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
- Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone."
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Give Thanks!
[1Ch 16:41 NLT] 41 David also appointed Heman, Jeduthun, and the others chosen by name to give thanks to the LORD, for "his faithful love endures forever."
[2Ch 5:13 NLT] 13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: "He is good! His faithful love endures forever!"At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD.
[Psa 100:4 NLT] 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.
[Psa 105:1 NLT] 1 Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.
[Psa 106:1 NLT] 1 Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
[Psa 107:1 NLT] 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
[Psa 118:1 NLT] 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
[Psa 136:3-4, 6-7, 10, 13 NLT] 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. 4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever. ... 6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters. His faithful love endures forever. 7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights--His faithful love endures forever. ... 10 Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever. ... 13 Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.
[Jer 33:11 NLT] 11 the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing, 'Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven's Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever!'For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the LORD.
[2Co 1:11 NLT] 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
[Eph 5:20 NLT] 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Col 1:3 NLT] 3 We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[1Ti 2:1 NLT] 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
[Rev 11:17 NLT] 17 And they said, "We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.
[Psa 30:12 NLT] 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Enough said! Thanks be to our God and Lord Jesus Christ for his wonderful salvation and all His gifts of grace everyday!
[2Ch 5:13 NLT] 13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: "He is good! His faithful love endures forever!"At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD.
[Psa 100:4 NLT] 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.
[Psa 105:1 NLT] 1 Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.
[Psa 106:1 NLT] 1 Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
[Psa 107:1 NLT] 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
[Psa 118:1 NLT] 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
[Psa 136:3-4, 6-7, 10, 13 NLT] 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. 4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever. ... 6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters. His faithful love endures forever. 7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights--His faithful love endures forever. ... 10 Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever. ... 13 Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.
[Jer 33:11 NLT] 11 the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing, 'Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven's Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever!'For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the LORD.
[2Co 1:11 NLT] 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
[Eph 5:20 NLT] 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Col 1:3 NLT] 3 We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[1Ti 2:1 NLT] 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
[Rev 11:17 NLT] 17 And they said, "We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.
[Psa 30:12 NLT] 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Enough said! Thanks be to our God and Lord Jesus Christ for his wonderful salvation and all His gifts of grace everyday!
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Encouragement From My Lord
Romans 12:2-3 NLT "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."
Timi, my beloved blood bought sister,
Do not conform to this world, Timi, but have your mind renewed and transformed each moment of every day with My Word. Don't think too highly of yourself than you ought because that is the sin of pride. You do not need to get into this performance, perfectionist, people pleasing based way of thinking the world presses upon you. That worldview is all wrong! The auditions for My love never did take place and never will. When you get caught up in people pleasing, you start self worship and focus which is idolatry. You are worshiping something and someone other than Me.
I created you to love people and gave you the gift of helps- even your love language is acts of service. However; when you get your focus on your works: whether they are perfect or not, if others appreciate them or not, whether you are rewarded for them or not; step back and look to search what is your real motive. Timi, are you doing the things you do "for the least of these" for Me and My glory, or are you doing them so people will applaud you?
When you try to create a perfect anything, whether food, gifts, or your work, and it does not turn out perfectly the way you expected; search your heart, Timi. Search it to find the real reason you are frustrated and crestfallen. Is it because you are realizing anew that you are not perfect? Is it because you will not get the OOs and AHs you were expecting or hoped for? Remember, I am in control and I may allow these things to keep you from pride. It is because I love you so much and you need to be a humble servant like Me, as I set the example for you.
My dear little sister, remember that nothing will be perfect in the world in which you live, but this is Not your home! Your home, citizenship, rightful inheritance is in Heaven where I live. Only there are ALL things perfection. Do what you can where you are, dear one. Seek to trust and please me with humility and obedience. Remember; only what is done for me will last. Turn your striving into worship instead. Make Me your focus, not who you see looking back at you in the mirror.
Always do your best, Timi, but don't expect perfection. Your best is all I ask of you. Don't cut corners in haste. Time is not your enemy. Anything worth doing is worth doing well for Me- but you live in a fallen broken world so even your best may not look like it to others. Do not let them be your judge! That is my job and I know your heart.
Timi, I love you more than your finite mind can comprehend right now. My ways are not your ways and my thoughts are higher than yours. (Isaiah 55:8-9) So, little sister, trust and believe, trust and obey, trust and let go. Live in the freedom the unconditional love and forgiveness My blood purchased for you. I died for you, remember?
With more love than you know,
Jesus
Timi, my beloved blood bought sister,
Do not conform to this world, Timi, but have your mind renewed and transformed each moment of every day with My Word. Don't think too highly of yourself than you ought because that is the sin of pride. You do not need to get into this performance, perfectionist, people pleasing based way of thinking the world presses upon you. That worldview is all wrong! The auditions for My love never did take place and never will. When you get caught up in people pleasing, you start self worship and focus which is idolatry. You are worshiping something and someone other than Me.
I created you to love people and gave you the gift of helps- even your love language is acts of service. However; when you get your focus on your works: whether they are perfect or not, if others appreciate them or not, whether you are rewarded for them or not; step back and look to search what is your real motive. Timi, are you doing the things you do "for the least of these" for Me and My glory, or are you doing them so people will applaud you?
When you try to create a perfect anything, whether food, gifts, or your work, and it does not turn out perfectly the way you expected; search your heart, Timi. Search it to find the real reason you are frustrated and crestfallen. Is it because you are realizing anew that you are not perfect? Is it because you will not get the OOs and AHs you were expecting or hoped for? Remember, I am in control and I may allow these things to keep you from pride. It is because I love you so much and you need to be a humble servant like Me, as I set the example for you.
My dear little sister, remember that nothing will be perfect in the world in which you live, but this is Not your home! Your home, citizenship, rightful inheritance is in Heaven where I live. Only there are ALL things perfection. Do what you can where you are, dear one. Seek to trust and please me with humility and obedience. Remember; only what is done for me will last. Turn your striving into worship instead. Make Me your focus, not who you see looking back at you in the mirror.
Always do your best, Timi, but don't expect perfection. Your best is all I ask of you. Don't cut corners in haste. Time is not your enemy. Anything worth doing is worth doing well for Me- but you live in a fallen broken world so even your best may not look like it to others. Do not let them be your judge! That is my job and I know your heart.
Timi, I love you more than your finite mind can comprehend right now. My ways are not your ways and my thoughts are higher than yours. (Isaiah 55:8-9) So, little sister, trust and believe, trust and obey, trust and let go. Live in the freedom the unconditional love and forgiveness My blood purchased for you. I died for you, remember?
With more love than you know,
Jesus
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
What's in a Day?
Ephesians 1:18-20 NLT "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called--his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.?"
Lord,
I never know what a day will bring. Yesterday we learned another student had been killed in the train trestle over the James River. One dead, another badly injured. Oh the grief! Please comfort the families and all those who knew them. Please instill in young ones what You said to Satan in the wilderness, "It is written: "You shall not tempt the Lord thy God." I know we are created with free will, but Lord, please send some big strong angels to that place to keep others out. You did it in the Garden, You can do it again.
Then we learned of a plane crash in which all passengers were killed. The plane held a pastor and his wife and the youth pastor, his wife, and their two year old baby from the Bahamas. they were flying to a Bible Conference.
Then I learned that You had done an amazing thing. You made it possible for Tom and Maggie to get a much needed minivan in an extraordinary way.
A sweet sister brought my pie plate back filled with scripture cards, not pie! What a sweet gift! It is the Bread of life with no calories!
You led several students to me that had big problems we were able to solve and untie their knots and they went away rejoicing thanks to You!
When I returned home, my wonderful hubby helped with dinner and took care of the dishes while I did laundry. What a special gift he is to me. Thank You, Lord!
And I found that a needy student had called my home looking for me. He was sick and was asking me to help him get to the doctor, but I was not home, and did not get his message until after work was done. I pray You helped him, Lord.
Precious Lord,
I praise You and thank You that I never walk through my day alone. You are ever present and give strength, grace, mercy, and wisdom as I need them. It is futility to look into my future and to wonder what will happen and if I will have the strength and resources I will need to do Your will for the day.
You have promised to never leave me or forsake me, You pray and intercede for me daily to the Father, and have promised to provide all my needs "according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus!"
Lord,
I never know what a day will bring. Yesterday we learned another student had been killed in the train trestle over the James River. One dead, another badly injured. Oh the grief! Please comfort the families and all those who knew them. Please instill in young ones what You said to Satan in the wilderness, "It is written: "You shall not tempt the Lord thy God." I know we are created with free will, but Lord, please send some big strong angels to that place to keep others out. You did it in the Garden, You can do it again.
Then we learned of a plane crash in which all passengers were killed. The plane held a pastor and his wife and the youth pastor, his wife, and their two year old baby from the Bahamas. they were flying to a Bible Conference.
Then I learned that You had done an amazing thing. You made it possible for Tom and Maggie to get a much needed minivan in an extraordinary way.
A sweet sister brought my pie plate back filled with scripture cards, not pie! What a sweet gift! It is the Bread of life with no calories!
You led several students to me that had big problems we were able to solve and untie their knots and they went away rejoicing thanks to You!
When I returned home, my wonderful hubby helped with dinner and took care of the dishes while I did laundry. What a special gift he is to me. Thank You, Lord!
And I found that a needy student had called my home looking for me. He was sick and was asking me to help him get to the doctor, but I was not home, and did not get his message until after work was done. I pray You helped him, Lord.
Precious Lord,
I praise You and thank You that I never walk through my day alone. You are ever present and give strength, grace, mercy, and wisdom as I need them. It is futility to look into my future and to wonder what will happen and if I will have the strength and resources I will need to do Your will for the day.
You have promised to never leave me or forsake me, You pray and intercede for me daily to the Father, and have promised to provide all my needs "according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus!"
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Love and Trust or Fear? Which Will Do First?
Romans 8:34-35 NLT "Who then will condemn us? No one--for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?"
Hebrews 5:8-9 NIV "Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him..."
Oh, Lord!
You have again been teaching me not to fear. I have to say that it has been not as easy as I thought it would be. You have given me tests and I must confess, I have not done as well as I had hoped.
Monday night was the first test. My husband always has lights on in the house and the front porch when I come home in the evening, especially if I am coming home late from choir. Sunday AM we turned the clocks back to EST from DST. Now when I leave work at 6, it is dark already. Monday night I came home to a totally dark house. Of course the Enemy tried to immediately imagine the worst. Dick's car was in the driveway. But, I pulled the car so I could find my way to the front porch and get into the house clicking lights on as I went.
Lord, I must say I was SO relieved to walk to the bedroom and find my precious hubby awaking from a nap!
Yesterday at work I got an email regarding a dear one that was in ICU again. Again, the Enemy wanted me to think the worst, and I did. I left the office crying to walk and pray- and You led me to a wonderful "Sister" in another office who took 10 minutes to pray for and with me such a powerful and believing prayer. I was able to walk out of the office refreshed ad encouraged to be able to finish my day and go to a wonderful worship time.
I know I am learning obedience just as You did. Suffering will not be withheld from me because I am one of yours.
Fear is all around me, in the media, in the economy, crime on the streets of our towns, horrible accidents, fires, floods, drought, fierce storms outside and within families. Lord, nothing can separate me from You and Your love. May I make this my first thought...not the final after everything else.
Hebrews 5:8-9 NIV "Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him..."
Oh, Lord!
You have again been teaching me not to fear. I have to say that it has been not as easy as I thought it would be. You have given me tests and I must confess, I have not done as well as I had hoped.
Monday night was the first test. My husband always has lights on in the house and the front porch when I come home in the evening, especially if I am coming home late from choir. Sunday AM we turned the clocks back to EST from DST. Now when I leave work at 6, it is dark already. Monday night I came home to a totally dark house. Of course the Enemy tried to immediately imagine the worst. Dick's car was in the driveway. But, I pulled the car so I could find my way to the front porch and get into the house clicking lights on as I went.
Lord, I must say I was SO relieved to walk to the bedroom and find my precious hubby awaking from a nap!
Yesterday at work I got an email regarding a dear one that was in ICU again. Again, the Enemy wanted me to think the worst, and I did. I left the office crying to walk and pray- and You led me to a wonderful "Sister" in another office who took 10 minutes to pray for and with me such a powerful and believing prayer. I was able to walk out of the office refreshed ad encouraged to be able to finish my day and go to a wonderful worship time.
I know I am learning obedience just as You did. Suffering will not be withheld from me because I am one of yours.
Fear is all around me, in the media, in the economy, crime on the streets of our towns, horrible accidents, fires, floods, drought, fierce storms outside and within families. Lord, nothing can separate me from You and Your love. May I make this my first thought...not the final after everything else.
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