Thanksgiving Friday!

Whoo! It's Homecoming, and things are on full tilt over here! I hope you've enjoyed a blessed week.

Today, I am thankful for my relationship with the Lord. Entering into this new year of life, I've reflected, and I can honestly say 'it's good to know Jesus' and 'where would I be without the Lord?'.

God has kept me, guided me, filled me with His love, girded me with His strength, given me wisdom when I didn't know what to do, comforted me when I was in sorrow, lifted me up when I was weak...

He's surprised me with blessings I didn't deserve, given me family and friends to surround me with love, taught me about His awesome power, given me purpose and a destiny for my life...

Knowing the Lord is the best thing anyone could have! It's so amazing that God is allowing me to get as close as I want to Him! I am so thankful for His love.

Lord, I thank you for our relationship. I thank you that as I move forward in life we will get closer and closer. I give you praise that I am growing in your grace and love.

Make sure you offer up some thanksgiving today!

Verse of the Day: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

Yeah, It's My Birthday!

Happy Birthday to ME! Today, I am celebrating another year of life!

I'm so grateful at how the Lord has kept me this year. It has been a year of some great highs and some heartache. Yet, I am amazed at how the Lord has kept my heart and mind. I can say without a doubt that you can have peace that passes all understanding in Christ!

Usually I share my favorite scripture of Jeremiah 29:11, but this year we'll do my runner up scripture:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

I love this scripture because at one time I struggled with fear. I was afraid to talk to strangers, afraid to go outside of my comfort zone... I was even afraid to utilize my own talents and gifts because of how I thought other people would react.

Yet this scripture reminded me that I have no need to fear. I have the perfect love of Christ on the inside of me. Greater is He that is in me than anything the world could throw my direction!

So when fear would come my way, I'd remind myself that fear could not coexist with God's perfect love. I decided to allow the love of God to take me to my perfect place in Him. Fear is no longer holding me back from moving forward.

Don't let fear hold you back from your destiny! Allow the Lord's perfect love to move you to the place where He wants you to be.

Verse of the Day:  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Let the Holy Spirit Minister To You Today

The Bible says that the Lord will be our comforter when we need it. After Jesus left the earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to us who is our Comforter.

So, why do we allow ourselves to become worried or distressed?

Perhaps you need to take some time today to allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you. In your prayer time, just sit in God's presence and allow Him to minister His Comfort to you. Rest in the Lord and allow Him to take your troubles and cares on His capable shoulders. Let your Heavenly Father minister healing to your heart and solace to your soul.

The Holy Spirit also helps us to remember the promises of the Lord to encourage us to keep going. When we allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us, He will remind us of God's Word and the victory that we have in Him. He will speak directly to our situations and show us how to move forward.

You have the Holy Spirit inside of you. Don't allow the cares of this world to distract you from the fact that
you have immediate comfort for your every trial. Don't be so consumed with your problem that you don't pay attention to the Holy Spirit. He is there to remind you of your victory in Christ.

Let today be a day that you cherish the gift of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life. Allow Him to minister and talk with you as you go about your day.

Verse of the Day: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

Afternoon Ti: Giving Back

In honor of #GivingTuesday, I would like to encourage everyone, again, to take a moment today and give to someone else in need. It can be large, it can be small, but do something! It's a privilege to be a blessing.

Jesus took a moment to observe some givers one day as He visited the temple. One rich man made a great show of the offering that he was able to drop into the bucket. But, it was a woman who caught our Savior's eye. She only dropped in two small coins, but Jesus knew she had given everything she had to the Lord.

Would you be able to give your all to God? If He asked right now, would you be willing to empty your bank account, savings, cash in your stocks and bonds, throw in your hidden stash and give it to God?

Our commitment to Jesus is a trust that He will take care of us no matter what. And we should have that trust because we know He is the sovereign God. He holds the entire world in His hand. He has brought us to this point, and He is keeping us whole by His mighty hand.

We should gladly be able to give whatever the Lord asks for to Him. Nothing should be too dear, too precious, or too great. All of our riches could never compare to the matchless majesty of our Lord.

That woman gave all she had because she esteemed who God was. She gave her last to the One who could supply her every need.

Today, search your heart and find a way that you can esteem the God you serve. No, you may not empty your bank accounts, but there is something that you can give to the Lord to signify your trusting Him with your life.

Verse of the Day: And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:41-44

Afternoon Ti: #GivingTuesday

I've already been posting about the importance of us giving back during this holiday season on last week. This morning I ran across a really cool idea: Giving Tuesday. The creators felt that after the Black Friday and Cyber Monday activities, it's only right that people take time to give back to someone else who is in need.

Giving Tuesday is set for tomorrow, and there are lots of ways to get involved. You can give of your time or money, and there are plenty of places nationwide that have programs set up. You can find out more about the official business here. Or, you can just plan to go out and give back to someone on tomorrow on you own.

Either way, I think it's an awesome idea. Let's be a blessing this year!

You Have the Power

One of Jesus' most awesome miracles was during a raging storm. The sky was black, winds were howling, waves were crashing, and the boat Jesus was on was filling up with water. Jesus' disciples just knew they were going to die.

Yet, Jesus stood up and calmly spoke to the storm. "Peace be still." Three words were spoken, and immediately everything calmed down. (Mark 4:39) The disciples couldn't believe it. They were shocked that even the winds and waves obeyed the words of Jesus.

Our Savior has assured us that the same power that was given to Him was given to us. We have the same authority to speak words of life that causes our situations to change. All we need is faith in Christ.

So, don't be consumed with the winds that are billowing. Even if it looks like you are about to sink, stay strong. Remember that Jesus Christ - the same man who brought peace to violent storms - lives on the inside of you. You don't have to be afraid. You don't have to fear that you will perish.

Just pull up you faith and use your authority. Command your situation to come in line with the word of God. Anchor your faith in Jesus trusting that He will cause the peace of God to come into your life. As you obey Him, the Lord will keep His word. He will cause all things to work together for your good.

Take hold of the power that Christ has given to you. Don't allow yourself to be beaten down by your circumstances or situations. You have the authority to call change to come. All you have to do is use it.

Verse of the Day: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you are enjoying family, friends, food, and fellowship today. But even if you are enjoying a quiet day to yourself, or even if you had to work - today is a day of thanks regardless!

Today, I am thankful for so many things. But I want to take this time to share my thanks for you. So many times I log on and see how many people have been reading what I've been posting. It is so humbling to see how many people value what I'm writing enough to come back again and again. Thank you so much for encouraging me with your readership!

Have a blessed day everyone. If you think you have absolutely nothing to be thankful for - take a deep breath in... now breathe out... I think you just got one.

God loves you! (That makes two!)

Verse of the Day: I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. Psalm 116:17