HIS-appointments

I just "happened" to pick up an inspirational book at the library to read while waiting for my car at the repair shop. It was Angel Behind the Rocking Chair by Pam Vredevelt. I had no idea when I chose it that she has a son with Down syndrome and that she has so beautifully expressed many experiences and emotions that I share about my Caleb.

Here is a quote from her book:
"Finding meaning in our difficulties is necessary for survival. It's far more important than skills, talents, intelligence, or change of circumstances. In God's kingdom, meaning can always be found in suffering. It is meaning that sustains us through deep disappointments and allows us to perceive HIS-appointments."

Please visit Charlotte and Spiritual Sundays for more inspiration.

Knowledge of the Holy One

In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul prayed: "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
Ephesians 1:17-19 NASB

Read the End of the Story!

Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth-leaders push for position,
Demagogues and delegates
meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers:
"Let's get free of God!
Cast loose from Messiah!"
Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing.
At first he's amused at their presumption;
Then he gets good and angry.
Furiously, he shuts them up:
"Don't you know there's a King in Zion?
A coronation banquet
Is spread for him on the holy summit."

Let me tell you what God said next.
He said, "You're my son,
And today is your birthday.
What do you want? Name it:
Nations as a present? continents as a prize?
You can command them all to dance for you,
Or throw them out with tomorrow's trash."

So, rebel-kings, use your heads;
Upstart-judges, learn your lesson:
Worship God in adoring embrace,
Celebrate in trembling awe.
Kiss Messiah!
Your very lives are in danger, you know;
His anger is about to explode,
But if you make a run for God—
you won't regret it!

Psalm 2 Message

Imitators

Therefore be imitators of God
copy Him and follow His example
as well-beloved children imitate their father.
Ephesians 5:1 Amplified

DECREE GOD'S PROMISES

While helping the second graders with a crossword puzzle, I learned a new word: fiat. I'd always thought of FIAT as a make of a car, but it is a synonym for decree.

I love these verses from the book of Job. They make me think seriously about the words that come out of my mouth. In 2012, what will I decree in agreement with God's Word?

Acquaint now thyself with him [God], and be at peace: Thereby good shall come unto thee.
Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, And lay up his words in thy heart.
If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up,
If thou put away unrighteousness far from thy tents. And lay thou thy treasure in the dust,
And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks;
And the Almighty will be thy treasure, And precious silver unto thee.
For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty,
And shalt lift up thy face unto God.
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows.
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee;
And light shall shine upon thy ways.
When they cast thee down, thou shalt say, There is lifting up;
And the humble person he will save.
He will deliver even him that is not innocent:
Yea, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands.
Job 22:21-30 ASV

In his book Intercessory Prayer, Dutch Sheets talks about verse 28: DECREE A THING. He says that the word "thing" could be better translated promise. This made me think of the time when Jesus told His disciples Ask the Father in MY NAME. When I pray, I can ask for whatever is in line with the Name of Jesus, which represents all that God is....His Word, His covenants, His commands. So I started asking the Lord to show me passages of His Word to pray over my loved ones. I write these out, and 'decree' them out loud. Just like when I plant a seed in the ground and do not see results immediately, I know that God is working in the lives of those for whom I pray because the good seed is the Word of God. He honors His Word, guards it, waters it, and shines His light on it.

Looking Ahead to 2012

As for me,

I will look to the Lord
and confident in Him,
I will keep watch;
I will wait with hope and expectancy
for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 Amplified

Put on the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness!

JESUS MESSIAH - Light to the Nations

I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness,
I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You,
And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the nations,
To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the dungeon
And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
“I am the LORD, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images.

I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them.
I will make darkness into light before them
And rugged places into plains.
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone."

Isaiah 42:6-8, 16

click title to hear WHEN LOVE WAS BORN by Mark Schultz

The Power of God's Love

You think YOU have a hard job?

In this difficult economy, many companies are cutting back. At one zoo, the gorilla died and they couldn't afford to buy a new one. They were about to lay off an employee, when he suggested that he would don a gorilla costume, climb into the cage and play the part.

Wanting to do a good job, he jumped and climbed and really got into swinging on vines, when he accidentally vaulted over the top of the cage and landed in the lion's den. He was about to scream for help, when the lion cautioned, "Quiet! Do you want to get us both fired?"

Born in Bethlehem

AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.
Matthew 2:6

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.
Micah 5:2

It is astounding to read through the Old Testament and note the accurate words of prophecy that were revealed hundreds of years before the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. There are also many prophecies, as well as promises from His own mouth, that Jesus will return as our glorious King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

What a Friend!

Today, I am thankful that I have a friend in Jesus. In His arms, He takes me and shields me. I find my solace there.

Forgive Quickly

Today in the second grade classroom, there was a big mess to clean up and the custodian had to be called in with the carpet shampoo-er (the second time this week!) He didn't look thrilled. I asked him later if he could forgive us. He quipped, "Well, you're going to have to give me some time!"

Of course, he was teasing, but it made me think about the many times I have been forgiven.

Father, help me to have mercy, forgiveness, and grace toward others and also to repent as soon as You show me I am wrong.

Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 The Message

A Holy Day

“This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:9b-10

THIS DAY IS HOLY TO THE LORD MY GOD!

Something for me to ponder every morning!

New Every Morning

This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23

It is thought that the prophet Jeremiah wrote this soon after the fall of Jerusalem. Even in a time of judgment and shaking, he declared: The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease!

An Indestructible Life

"We cannot be witnesses of the Almighty God without power. When we think of power we often think of miracles, but they are only one example of God's power, not the very essence of it. The essence of God's power is the life of God. This is why the author of the Book of Hebrews explains that the Lord's priesthood is based on

"the power of an indestructible life".
(See Hebrews 7:14-17.)

Therefore, our goal is not just knowledge or power, but life." -Rick Joyner

I am posting this in memory of my Mother, whose birthday is Dec. 2.