I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

I was talking to my youngest daughter today about feelings, more specifically about being afraid of making people mad, getting in trouble, etc.  She had some very wise words for a young woman.  She said, "I used to be like that, I wanted to make everyone happy, and do everything right.  I could never even take up for myself.  I started thinking about end times and how Christians will be killed for being Christians and (I) DECIDED that I needed to get a backbone.  I didn't want to be 'afraid' to be who I am and have to go to the fiery pits because I was 'afraid' to stand up for myself and the God that loves me."
There was more to our conversation and who knows, the rest of it might end up being another blog lol.  What my mind has been on this evening is we need to DECIDE, we need to CHOOSE how we want to be.  She took action in her life to make sure she did not deny God.
We all need to take action in our lives.  We need to be prayed up and battle ready because we DO NOT know what we will have to face.  I see a lot of going back and forth Pre-trib, Mid-trib, Post-trib.  I'm not going to argue that in this blog post.  What I am going to say is no matter when Jesus comes back, NO ONE said we would not have trials.  NO ONE promised that bad things wouldn't happen to us just because we are Christian.  What God did promise is that HE would be with us.
Look at Daniel, look at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo, Jesus, Peter, Paul, etc. etc. etc.  They were following God, they were true believers and yet they suffered.  I hear a lot of people say, we are going to be raptured out and not feel the wrath of God.  What about the wrath of satan?  and who says we won't be in a battle?  We are in one everyday, that's why we have to put on our armor every single day.
The Bible says in Ephesians 6:10-13,  ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We are in the battle of our lives, for our souls.  We are fighting the powers already of this dark world.
There may come a day when you have to stand up for God, will you be able to?  Think of the shootings that have been going on.  We are precious children of God, however, look at Job in Job 1:1, 1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.  He was also a precious child of God and in the end God restored everything to Job, because He stood.  When the day of evil came upon him, he stood his ground and when he had done all he could, he just stood.  BUT, he went through a battle, one most of us would not be able to withstand.
We have to decide today for each daily battle that we are going through.  The Bible says, "choose this day who you will serve" in the book of Joshua.  Don't wait around until a fiery trial comes upon you.  Decide today.  So if you end up in the lion's den, or walking in the fiery furnace, looking down a gun barrel with someone saying deny Jesus or die you can stand knowing that He died for you and He will be there to bring you home. Things are wrapping up, I've never seen or heard of so many prophecies coming to pass as there are in our life time but it doesn't mean it's over.  It's the beginning of birth pains.  (I'll let you look that up :-)
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
God bless you and love to all. 

A Clean Heart

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

I love this Psalm!  Of course, I love all the Psalms, Proverbs, Acts etc.  I have more favorite verses in the Bible than favorite foods and that's saying A LOT as anyone who knows me well can tell you!  

Have you ever thought about what you are asking when you pray this Psalm?  I ask God daily sometimes more than once a day to create in me a clean heart, just being honest.  Little things cross my mind that I have no idea are coming - as the saying goes they just come out of left field.  This is the biggest reason I ask God to cleanse my heart because "out of the heart, the mouth speaks".  It can also be said, "out of the heart the brain thinks"!  Just because it doesn't come out your mouth does not mean it's okay!  The Bible says "as a man thinks in his heart, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7 if you want to read the entire verse).  To paraphrase, to think it is the same as to do it.  So back to what we are asking when we ask God to give us a clean heart... hopefully we are asking Him to make all our thoughts as well as our actions clean.  This is what I'm asking when I ask God to give me a clean heart.  I want a heart that is pure, I want a heart that is pleasing to God, not to me although that's a benefit, not to my family, boss, preacher, etc. but to God.  Because He knows me, He knows the inner most, deepest thoughts I have, while others do not.  God sees into that deepest, blackest part of me.  The part I wish even I couldn't see.  That part that brings up those bad thoughts, bad words, reactions that I have to immediately repent for.  Now, I know I'm only talking about me, cuz I know no one else does this, right?

Here's the thing about asking God for a clean heart though.  You have to be willing to let go and let God do the cleaning.  

You can't hang on to the past and have a clean future.  

You can't harbor resentment against one person while asking God to help you forgive another.

You can't hold on to the hurts of the past.

but here is what you CAN do:

You can ask God into ever little piece of your heart and mind.

You can trust Him to do exactly what you ask Him to do.

You can let go of resentment and forgive everyone, it's your choice.

You can have a clean heart and a clean future.

If you are truly willing to let it all go.

The only can'ts in your life are those things you refuse to do.  The Bible says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", Phil. 4:13.  ALL things, not just some, that means you CAN have a clean heart.  A heart that is pleasing to God and will be pleasing to you also.  That doesn't mean things won't pop up from time to time that you have to ask forgiveness for but it does lessen the likelihood.  Take a moment to ask God, God please create in me a clean heart.  Help me to be someone I would want to know and be friends with!  Help me to radiate your glory so that others want what I have, which is You.  By seeing me others can see You and want to draw close to You.  Thank You Lord in advance because I know "whatever I ask in Jesus name" you will grant and I ask right now, in Jesus name.

Happy Father's Day

This is the message the Lord gave me to share Sunday morning (Father's Day).  I pray it speaks to you.  God bless.

CALL NO MAN FATHER -

Today is Father's Day and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the dad's a Happy Father's Day.
You notice I didn't say all the "fathers".
I think this day should be changed to National Dad's day.
May sound crazy but my Bible tells me in...
Matthew 23:9
And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
There is an old saying, "anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a daddy".
I'm going to disprove that.
We have lots of great dads.
I thought my dad was one of the greatest, smartest men that ever walked the earth.  He has gone on to be with the Lord but no one to this day can convince me otherwise. He was and always will be daddy to me.
I found a poem for the dad's while surfing the internet:

What Makes a Dad?
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of all ages,
The power of the eagles' flight,
The joy of a morning in Spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity, and
The depth of a family need.
Then God combined these qualities.
And when there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it - DAD!
(author unknown)  If you know who wrote it, please leave in comments, thanks :)
---------------------------------------
It does take someone special to be a dad, here are just a few things a dad (and granddad) must know:
How to fix everything from a broken toy to a leaky faucet
How to go without lunches so his daughter can have a new dress
How to interview prospective dates without scaring them off
How to scare off prospective dates
How to encourage his child without "pushing" them
How to harden himself so he can discipline through a child's tears
How to hug
How to teach his child to drive
How to hand over the car keys
How to give horsey rides with a sore back
How to teach a child to reach for the stars
When to let go, and when to hold on tight
How to pay for a mortgage and college tuition at the same time

It takes a lot to be a dad and I'm not taking away from the dad's when I say I'm going to disprove that old saying.
Dad's are wonderful and God hand picks them to raise the children they raise.
But when they say anyone can be a Father, I have to disagree.
Let's look at what the Bible says about our Heavenly Father and just what "our" Father does for us.
Matthew 6:26
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Luke 11:13
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
and lets not forget 
John 3:16
For God (our Father) so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I know the Bible refers to Father's in many verses.
Father's don't provoke your children to wrath.
Honor your Father and your mother, etc.
But it also says call no man Father....
I don't know a "human" who can do the things our Heavenly Father has and is doing.
To me He deserves to be the only one called Father.
He deserves our praise, our worship.
He is Abba, Father.
So this Father's Day, lets celebrate our dads because they are so special to us but let's celebrate first the Father who hears our every prayer, the Father who is there no matter what we have done, who loves us and provides for us.  Let's celebrate the Lord.
Happy "dad's" day and God bless you dad's out there for all you do.

Forgiveness Is God's Business

I wrote this as a note in facebook because of some posts I had seen that were negative about other people but I decided to write it in my blog because the Lord nudged me :)  I hope it speaks to your heart as you read.  I also hope its one of those times you can say amen and not oh me!  God bless.

If you have something against someone or something to say to someone, say it to their face, not their facebook.

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:25

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Romans 3:23

In these last days satan knows he must step up his plan to destroy our lives, he is pulling out all the stops and using every means he can because he knows he is losing, he knows his days are numbered and prophecy is soon going to be fulfilled.  The Bible says son will turn against father and daughter against mother, division is coming.  Choose you this day whom you will serve.  Do you serve a master that feeds you lies and deceit or one that offers the promise of a life everlasting.  If you buy into satan's lies and deceptions no matter how small they might be you have made a choice.  

If you say to yourself or to anyone, I cannot forgive or I will not forgive that person for what they have done, you are putting yourself in the position of God and very close to blasphemy.  Forgiveness is God's right, forgiveness is God's business.  If we cannot forgive others, how is our Father in Heaven going to forgive us.  Remember the parable of the master and servant, the master forgave the debt his servant owed but then that servant went right out and had another jailed for money he owed him.   

I'm not perfect and don't claim to be but I know that someday I will have to stand before God and answer for every deed and every word, even idle ones.  Every night when I ask for forgiveness I also ask God to forgive those who have hurt or wronged me because I do not want anyone to suffer for things they have done and especially not to me.

So in this note to whoever reads it, if I have wronged you or even if you "think" I have wronged you, I am asking you to forgive me and I want it known that I do not hold anything against anyone.  For anyone in my life that has ever wronged me or that I "thought" did, I forgive them.  I would hate to go to my final resting place in the twinkling of an eye and think I had left any unfinished business.  Life is to short to hold grudges.  God intends for us to know joy and peace, it was never His intention for anyone to be lost.  We can't be perfect but we can strive daily to live as God instructs us in His word.  Jesus with His last few breaths said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do"...  (Luke 23:34)  If Jesus can forgive us for the sin we have committed that sent Him to that old rugged cross to die, who are we to withhold forgiveness from anyone.  Have we given our lives for their sins?  

Pray with me...

Father, I love you today, I want to do what is right in Your eyes.  Forgive me for my sins whether known or unknown, help me to start again to try and serve You and do what is pleasing to You.  If anyone holds anything against me today, whether real or a misunderstanding, Lord help them to find it in their heart to forgive me.  Father if there is anyone that I am holding animosity or unforgiveness towards, help me today to let it go, to cleanse my heart so that I may be healed.  Forgive those who have wronged me, sinned against me, and those I believe have wronged me.  I do not want anyone to stand before Your judgement seat for something they have done to me.  I want my mind and my heart to be clear when I myself stand before you.  I ask this in your Son's precious and Holy name.  Amen

He Truly Knows

I love the Lord God with all my heart. He is so faithful, the One true God, merciful, loving, just and faithful. No matter what I've done in my life, no matter where I've been. He has been there for me, even when I didn't serve Him. That is faithful. That is our God, He cannot lie, He says in His word He will never leave us or forsake us.
My heart was heavy this morning, my faith is strong but like a baby I was crying out to God to help me get my mind out of my situation and leave it with Him as it's supposed to be, to give me strength to overcome and remove my trials from my heart and mind, what I'm facing right now is not even one of the hardest things I have ever faced but it's consuming me and when I think I'm making progress satan is there to throw it right back in my face. I rebuked him in the name of Jesus to start with, then I asked God to give me a word for strength to meditate on today.
Being the mighty God He is and "knowing what I have need of even before I ask", this is the word God gave me today. Not what you might think or at least not what I thought it would be lol. I was sure He would lead me to one of His assurances, Lo, I am with you always, cast your cares on me, etc etc. Well, let me tell you, that isn't how God works. He does indeed know what we have need of before we ask!!!
This was my message (thump): Acts 6:4, But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of His word.!!! Double thump!
What an awesome God! In that one sentence this is what He told me:
My beloved child I AM answering your prayers as we speak, not just one but all. I AM Your Father who loves you more than I love the sparrows which are also my creation. I AM preparing a place for you. I AM making all things work for good because you serve Me. I AM supplying your every need according to My riches in glory. I AM.
All I ask you to do is this one thing, be faithful to Me continually in your prayers and spread My word. Leave the rest up to Me.
How can you not love a God like that, He is the great I AM, our provider, our comforter, our leader, our guide. He is worthy to be praised.
I share this with you today because He isn't only speaking to me, His word, His truths are meant to be shared...(the ministry of His word).
Beloved, God is not respecter of persons, what He does for one, He will do for all. (Acts 10:34, Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
That is what He wants us to know today. He is the great I AM. At this very moment, if we just hang onto our faith in Him, no matter our circumstances or what the devil is trying to throw at us, He is working ALL things out for our good. He keeps all His promises. He is not a God of chance but of second chances. God cannot lie, every promise He has given us He must keep. If you don't know Him, I challenge you today to pick up His word, meet Him in prayer and get to know Him. He is there waiting for you, He has all the answers to your prayers just waiting for you to ask. He is our Father who loves us more than the birds in the air and the beasts of the field which He also created. He doesn't want to see us struggling today, as He says in His word, "28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light". Matthew 11:28-30"
He is the conqueror, the great I AM.
Father, God I praise You and I adore You. I thank You for Your word, for Your mercy and grace and for loving me even when I am unlovable. You are ALL things to me. I love you Lord. Forgive me today for the sins I have committed both known and unknown. Help me to forgive others so I might walk in Your full blessings. Today Father for those who are struggling with mountains, I ask You in the name of Jesus to move those mountains for them, so they can focus on You and not their problems. I ask You to heal their bodies, deliver them from those addictions, heal their minds and their spirits, lift those financial burdens, those marital struggles, whatever their mountain is God. Heal their broken hearts and broken spirits, take away their doubts and help them to have a more meaningful relationship with You Father. Show them today that You are working in their lives just the same as You are working in mine. And if there is someone right now reading this that doesn't know You, Father God, draw them to You, speak to them right now Lord, in the name of Jesus that they might come to You, ask forgiveness and accept Jesus Christ as Your Son and Lord and Master. Bring them into Your fold, make them a part of Your inheritance. Help all who read this today to turn their mountains, their cares over to You and show them in a mighty way that You are God. They no longer have to fight their battles alone for Your word says clearly "the battle is Yours". Your mercy and grace are free to all who ask. I ask for them and for myself, Father, in Jesus mighty and powerful name, giving You all praise, honor and glory. Amen

May God richly bless you all,
His servant - tawana b
Pray for peace in Jerusalem
"I am wonderfully made, beautifully designed, magnificently engineered, created by God, strong and powerful! I am built Lord tough!"

Praying the Lord's Prayer

I have always been a prayer, one of my requests to God has always been "make me a prayer warrior". I love praying but don't always feel I "say" or "pray" with the best choice of words. Now having said that, I also know, God doesn't care the way you say things, He just wants you to come. This was just a desire I have. I picked up a book Lord Teach Me To Pray in 28 Days by Kay Arthur. Now when I got this book I kept telling myself, (and so did others), I was crazy that a book, (other than the Bible),can't teach you to pray and that is true, however, I will say it's a good study book and it did teach me some things I hadn't thought of. Did it teach me to pray? No, it did however help me to enhance my prayers, it broadened my horizons so to speak. Now having said all that, I would like to share my condensed version of some of what I learned while studying and I hope this helps you as much as it did me.
The main thing I learned is our prayers are more effective when we pray God's will. The only way to truly pray God's way is by studying His word. When you know God and know His word, you know what things you should pray for. Jesus says in John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
We know from studying God's word that sickness does not come from God, therefore, if we pray for healing, we are praying God's word.
Jesus gave us an outline for prayer in Matthew 6:6-13. We are not to pray this prayer repititously, it is an outline. He said, "pray in this manner". Now, let's break it down:
Our Father which art in Heaven - Acknowledge He is God, the Father, the One and Only true God.
Hallowed be Thy name - All praise, honor and glory go to God. Hallowing His name and giving Him reverence at the beginning of our prayer brings us immediately into His presence.
Thy Kingdom Come - this is not only His literal/physical kingdom, but we are also inviting Him to establish His Kingdom in our heart. This is where the very beginning of God's Kingdom is. We are also to pray that His literal Kingdom come.
Thy will be done - (this is sometimes the hard part). NOT our will but God's will. If we pray His will be done over our own, we can be assured that what He has for us is so much more and so much better than we could hope for-even if His will doesn't line up with something we are wanting. Remember He knows what you need even before you do. (Matthew 6:8)
in earth as it is in Heaven - whatever the Lord God establishes on earth is also established in Heaven with Him
give us this day our daily bread - many think this is asking for food and it is - spiritual food. John 6:33-34 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. Again God knows what we have need of, He has already promised us in His word that He would provide our needs, we need not worry about physical bread we do need spiritual feeding every day.
and forgive us our debts - Literally asking god to forgive our sins daily. We were born in sin, therefore, we must ask forgiveness daily for those things we know we did as well as anything we might have done that isn't known to us immediately.
as we forgive our debtors - It is every bit as important for us to forgive those who have wronged us as it is for God to forgive us. Holding back forgiveness puts us in a position of trying to play God! Holding back forgiveness allows bitterness to settle in our hearts. It hurts us. Remember what Jesus said in Luke 6:37-38 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: and Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. This must be very important for Jesus to mention it so often and what does He finally say about forgiving others, remember what He told Peter in Matthew 6:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Wow, I would say it is important.
Lead us not into temptation - This one is a bit tricky, God hates sin, He will NOT lead you into temptation but let's think of it this way: If the Lord abides in us, where we go, He goes. He goes before us in ALL things. He is not leading us there, and will not lead us there, but we may attempt to take Him with us! He gives us free will and God gives us clear instruction in His word. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
but deliver us from evil - God gives us a way out and protection before the problem ever arises. Praying in this manner helps us to make the right choice, God will deliver us, IF we ask. . God's word makes provision for this also. He gives us the whole armor listed in Ephesians 6:11-17 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Prayer my friends, that is our armor and faith in an unchanging God.
for thine art the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever - Ending our prayers the same way we began - praising and worshipping God. Acknowledging again that it is through His Kingdom, His power and His glory that we are His children. Through Him ALL things are possible.
Amen - true
Because Jesus said to pray in this manner, does that mean that is all we can pray? Of course not, the gospels, actually the entire Bible is full of prayers and Jesus words on what to pray for and how to pray.
Our prayers are our communication with God, they are a reflection of our personal relationship with Him, remember what He said in John 15:7 and again in 1 John 5:13-14 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
A word of caution - something my mom always taught me - be careful what you ask for, you just might get it. Pray for God's perfect will, not His permissible will. The difference is "God". In His perfect will, all the pieces fit together, in His permissible will it will be struggle, hardship, possibly heartbreak because He has lifted His hand and let you have what you want, even if it's not the best for you. Therefore you will suffer any consequences that occur. Ask Him His will on everything FIRST. Seek your answers in His word, ask Him to show you. Does it line up with His will? He will never let you down. His word says to cast ALL your cares upon Him. Nothing is to big or small for God, He wants you to come to Him.

To Sin or Not to Sin, Is that the question

If God loves to forgive, why not give Him more to forgive? If forgiveness is guaranteed, do we have the freedom to sin as much as we want? Paul's answer in Romans is a very forceful NO!

Romans 6:1-2, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.

Such an attitude, deciding ahead of time to take advantage of God shows that we do not truly understand the seriousness of sin. Jesus paid for our sins with His very life so we could be forgiven. The availability of God's mercy and forgiveness must not become an excuse for careless living and moral laxness. In other words, we cannot deliberately do something we know is wrong and justify our fleshly wants and desires by saying, "it will be all right, God will forgive us for doing this because we want it so badly"!! And woe be to us if we cause another to sin also!! This goes back to a previous blog about the choices we make. If we choose to sin, we may not even believe anyone else is going to get hurt, or worse yet, we think it is okay if only one or two people get hurt! The choices we make ultimately affect more than us whether we think they do or not. The devil would have us think we are not hurting anyone but ourselves but just by our very witness to others we could be causing hurt, confusion, anger, anxiety. What if someone turns completely away from God just because they observed our behavior. God forbid!

God is holy and He WILL NOT be associated with sin. If your desires are contrary to any of God's laws-He is not in it. Again, God will NOT arrange anything for us that is contrary to His word. Therefore, if it isn't God, we must conclude it is satan once again trying to make a wrong look right. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

We can try to rationalize sin any way we want to but sin is still sin. In these last days even many preachers and pastors will be led astray. Many of those will lead others astray. 1 John 2:3-4 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

1 Peter 5:8-10 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

We have assurance in God's word that He will deliver us from temptation, He will always provide a way of escape, it is, however, up to us to take that way and follow Him instead of our own fleshly desires. Do we want the world? Do we want God's permissable will? Or, do we want to walk in God's perfect will? Are we truly seeking His will or only our own? Those are the questions.

We are ALL called of God, teachers, preachers, singers, visiting the orphans and widows, cleaning the church, sharing the gospel in the grocery store, etc. all is a calling. We all have a responsibility to make sure we do not use our calling nor our gifts for personal gain. 1 Peter 5:2 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Our calling and our gifts from God are to edify Him and for the betterment of others, not to tear anyone down or justify our own desires. Ephesians 4:1-6 1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 1:4 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Clearly to sin or not to sin is NOT the question.

Until next time,

His servant, tawanab

Pray for peace in Jerusalem

As Father's day draws to a close...

I am reminded of Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

I am so thankful Lord for all You have done for me. Your mercy and grace abound in my life. You are truly worthy to be praised.

Your word says that before I was born You knew me. I thank you for the earthly "dad" you gave me. Without realizing why, (until I read the verse above), I was never taught to call him my Father and I'm so glad because that honor truly only goes to You. He was always my dad, - in my younger days he was daddy. Thank you for showing through him all my life, for instilling in me (he and my mom), a love for You. For raising me to walk in Your footsteps. I know I have been blessed because many did not have that. I know he wasn't perfect, but once upon a time there was a little blue-eyed blonde haired girl that thought he was. He did set a Godly example for me all of my life and I can never thank You or him enough for that. I pray that today there are many that can say that about their dad's but I know that those who can't do have the opportunity to call You Father the same as I do. Help them, take that step Father God, no matter what is going on in their lives right now, they can turn to you as Father, dad, comforter, You will never let them down. Help me to be the kind of example to my children and grandchildren and to the world, that my dad was for me. In Jesus precious and wonderful name. Amen

Look What the Lord Has Done

Look what the Lord has done.

Look what the Lord has done.

He healed my body, He touched my mind,

He saved me just in time.

I'm gonna praise His name,

His name is just the same.

I'm gonna praise Him,

look what the Lord has done.

That is one of my favorite praise and worship songs, of course just like Bible verses, I have many favorites.

What has the Lord done for you today? If you are reading this, you can say He has given you the precious breath of life another day! Praise God.

He gave you today but what you do with today is up to you. God gave you freewill and a choice. He gave you breath, He gave you life. The rest of the day's choices are up to you, beginning with choosing to get out of bed or just lay there. The Bible says to choose "this day" whom you will serve. Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

As for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord.

Look what the Lord has done. Have you asked God for healing, finances, maybe just some peace in your day? Did you pray believing? Did you praise Him immediately after for answering your prayers? Or, did you first check the symptoms to see if He had?

Let me stray a bit to say (again) as I've said before in my blogs. God is speaking to me and I've asked myself all the same questions that I write in my blogs. I am never attacking anyone with what I write.

Unfortunately, not to long ago my answer to those questions were yes, no and yes.

I prayed (yes), I did not praise God immediately after (no), and I immediately checked to "see" if God had answered my prayers (no).

But... I'm learning!!! I'm learning to put ALL my faith in God. That means that now I go to Him in prayer (yes), I praise Him for His grace and Mercy first, (which by the way are free), (yes), and His answer to my prayers, and I no longer look immediately at the circumstances to see if He has answered me, because I know He will, (yes). I know that God in His infinite wisdom is going to answer my prayers, not in my time but in His time. He tells me in His word "anything" I ask, 1 John 5:14-15, 14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

If I pray for healing, I believe He has healed me. If I don't see the results immediately I don't look to see, I continue to praise Him for what He is going to do.

We can choose to hang on to our sickness and problems and NOT claim healing or we can "pick up our bed and walk". Look what the Lord has done!

I recently read a wonderful book with all you need to know about healing and praying God's will. It's called the Bible. I have never enjoyed reading any other book as much as that one since I prayed for God to reveal His word to me! God gives us so much and every promise He has made He has to keep because He cannot lie.

I read another book on healing and something the author said in the book caught my attention. She said, "When god heals you, you can't keep your handicap sign". I love that. Who would want to??? So many times we pray for healing or ask others to pray for healing for us and then we don't accept it. We just go on complaining and showing our lack of faith. We choose to lay in bed instead of picking it up.

I was reading in Acts 3:19, about the lame man that laid outside the temple gates asking for alms.

Peter and John commanded him "in the name of Jesus", "to get up and walk and he did, praising God for his healing! Not only that, the Bible says he leaped up. He had a choice. Beggars can't be choosers but God gives us the right to choose. Laying outside the temple begging for alms, its an uncommon word to us. He didn't worry about what he would do next or how he would live. He just KNEW he was healed. He leaped up and praised God. Look what the Lord has done.

Father, God help me to walk in Your perfect will. Help me always when I pray to leap up accepting Your blessings and my healing from You. I give you praise, honor and glory right now Father for what You have done. Touch my life today, heal me from the inside out Lord. I have a special hurt in my life that only You can heal right now Lord God, You know what it is. Heal and cleanse my heart first, help me to live and love as You do. Keep me in Your perfect will and sustain me, lead and guide me today.

Father, I ask for those reading this today that You would heal them, whatever the problem God, You know what it is. Help them to see You instead of the mountain they are facing. You are bigger than any mountain. Heal them and help them to see that You are the Great Physician, nothing is to big or too small for You. Help them Lord to grow in faith so they can learn to depend on You. Touch them in a mighty way Father so they have no doubt their healing and answered prayers come from You. In Jesus name I ask and pray. Lord again I give You all the praise, honor and glory knowing that whatever we ask in Jesus name, believing and having faith in You, You are faithful and just to answer our prayers. I love you Lord and I praise You. In the name of Jesus. Amen

Now, "Look what the Lord has done." Take up your bed in the name of Jesus, you are healed!!

God bless

tawanab

Facing the storms and finishing the book.

Mark 4:37-40 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Jesus has been with His people for 20 centuries and yet, we, like the disciples, underestimate His power to handle our storms. The disciples did not yet know Jesus but we do NOT have that excuse. We need to be prepared for the storms, prayed up and ready. God did not promise us no storms, only that He would keep us through the storms. When a storm rages around us we can pray, trust and move ahead. Lean into the wind and trust God, not running from the storms.

With faith, nothing is impossible. Our own outlook to everyday problems is a testimony of our faith. How do we react when the car won't start or things don't go as we have planned? Do we praise God through the storms or curse the storms? As children of God, we need to realize that the enemy is constantly seeking ways to destroy our faith. He does just what is necessary to compromise our walk with God. Does it take a little or does it take a lot? A small rain shower or a full blown thunderstorm? You know the closer you are walking with God, the bigger and stronger the storms will be, that is just the enemies way. The harder he fights you, the bigger the storm, rejoice in the knowledge that you are doing something right in the Lord or satan would not have a reason to fight you. Let me turn that around and repeat that, if he's NOT fighting you, something is wrong in your walk! Sound harsh? If you think about it, it's true. When you look around and see unbelievers enjoying wealth and happiness, what will they have when the storms hit? They can turn to the same God we do, but many won't. When it seems nothing is going your way, that the enemy is attacking from every side, health, happiness, finances, work, any area, rejoice because you are a thorn in satan's side. He knows he is defeated and you are living, breathing proof thrown in his face by your very faith. Remember that God has our lives all planned out.

I think of my life as a book, every chapter carefully illustrated by God. I picture sometimes that He has a big eraser that He uses when I've scribbled in new lines and changed what He has written for me. He, (God), has to erase what I've done (forgive me my sins, transgressions) and rewrite the story encompassing what I've done of my own free will. I'm here only by the Grace of God. He has sustained me and even at my age I know God can still use me and He does. My storms can and have been turned into testimonies for Him. At my lowest points, when I thought I was down to nothing, God was up to something. He teaches me daily how to lean on Him, pray and have faith. I seek Him out in the mornings, I'm excited for what the next pages and chapters hold that God has in store for me in my book of life. I've read the end of the book and it goes like this -- ...and she lived happily ever after with her King in the Kingdom He prepared for her, where there is no sorrow, no death, no tears and no more storms. (Thank you Jesus)

Heavenly Father, I pray the peace of God for all who are reading this blog. I ask that you bless them in whatever way they most need You today and that You work in and through them, Lord Jesus. I pray for their health, their spiritual well-being, their mental health, their finances, that You will bless them in ALL things. Most of all, I pray they put on Your full armor and stand strong against the storms the enemy brings against them, having faith in You that You will sustain them and keep them safe. For those who might not know You or may be struggling with their faith Father, I ask that You bless them in a special way, that You touch them in a way that they will have no doubt they have been in the presence of the Lord. Father I ask You in Jesus name to heal those who are sick today in a way that leaves no doubt it was a touch of Your hand. Those that have special prayers, special needs, storms they can't face, that You would especially answer their prayers and give them the help, the answers, the word, the shelter that they seek today. All these things I ask in Jesus name and believing Your word that anything we ask in Your son's name, you will do. I thank you and praise you and give you all the glory. I love you Lord. Amen

In His will,

God bless you

tawanab

Just Five More Minutes

I received this email and it hit home with me so I thought I would share it with everyone. Sometimes life gets so busy our priorities get all screwed up. Work, housework, homework, many things become priorities while the real priorities, our loved ones, take a back seat.

I have a little granddaughter that this story makes me think of. She loves to jump on the bed while you hold her hands or take "giggy back" rides or run circles through the house (she just turned 4). When you tell her that's enough, the first thing she says is "just one more time". Thanks to her pre-school she now can count and her responses have started being "just 2 more times, or just 3 more times". When I think how little time I have with her and how soon she will be grown, what does it hurt for that 5 minutes to let her do something that brings a smile to her face, "just one more time or just two more times".

When you work and there just aren't enough hours in the day do you begrudge your loved ones that extra five minutes? What is five minutes out of a lifetime? Is there someone you would give almost anything to have just five more minutes with? That's where my thoughts go. I never ever again want to regret not stopping for anyone I love for just five more minutes or just one more time. What I want my grandchildren to remember is meemaw stopped what she was doing for us. We were her priority. What I want my husband and kids to remember is, "she, stopped what she was doing for us". "We were her priority".

A gentleman I know wrote a christian song called "In the dash" The song talked about living your life in the dash, the time between the time you were born and the time you die. What do you want to be remembered for in the dash? What do you want to look back on your life and see? A life to celebrate and be remembered or days and days of blurs from working to much, living to hard and not taking time to "stop and smell the roses", not taking time to put the people in your life first and the duties of your life second. Each breath we take is a blessing because we aren't promised the next one. Each person in your life is a blessing because there is no guarantee how long you will have them. You can't always be with those you love but you can let them know you think of them. Take five minutes, give them a call. Take five minutes drop them a note. Take five more minutes to play with your children or grandchildren. Take five more minutes to talk to your spouse.

Take five more minutes to say a prayer before you start your day. Spend an extra five minutes a day with your Heavenly Father. You are always on His mind. You will be richer and your life more blessed.

Five More Minutes

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide. "He's a fine looking boy" the man said. "That's my daughter on the bike in the white dress."

Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. "What do you say we go, Melissa?" Melissa pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes."

The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart's content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. "Time to go now?" Again Melissa pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes."

The man smiled and said, "OK."

"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded. The man smiled and then said, "Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa. She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch her play."

Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities?