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

Need Washing

I don't know who wrote this but it has such a good message that I had to repost it. If you know the author, please feel free to give them credit in the comments. God bless A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said. 'What?' Mom asked. 'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated 'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain,' 'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said. 'No, we won't, Mom.. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet? 'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!' The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.. 'Honey, you are absolutely right.. Let's run through the rain. If GOD lets us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case.. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Feel free to send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to also send it to the person who sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them. If you don't send it to anyone, nothing bad is going to happen, it just means you're in a hurry. Take the time to live!!! Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other -- and don't forget to run in the rain! author unknown Father God, I do need washing. Forgive and wash away my sins. Help me to live not the way the flesh wants to live Father but the way You want me to live. Help me to be a light to a lost and dying world. Give us a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit. I thank You for all those You have placed in my life, family and friends, and ask that today You touch them in a mighty way and answer each prayer request for their needs Lord. Give them integrity in their decisions and peace in their circumstances. Give us this day our daily bread. Help us to draw close to You so that You may draw close to us. Let us abide in You and Your word abide in us. Thank you for friends who will forward these messages to me to give me just a minute to reflect on You. To some it may be a simple little story but to me Father it was a reminder that I do need washing, I need daily cleansing to be forgiven of my sins and be acceptable to stand before You. I give You all praise, honor and glory. In Jesus mighty name. Amen his servant, tawanab Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

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!"

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

A Thankful Heart

Do you ever stop and ask, "who am I, that God should love me and bestow His grace on me"? I don't do that often enough. But, I do wonder, with the way I act at times or some things that I do, how does God put up with me? Sometimes we go through our days and whether we voice it or not, we just expect certain things from God. Just like any parent He gives us those things we don't even ask for. How many times do we stop and say thank you? How many things do we recognize what He gives us? How many times at the end of the day do we look back and realize what God has accomplished for us instead of lamenting what we didn't get or what didn't happen? I know I'm not talking to anyone else, I'm the only one that does that, right?
Something I used to hear my husband say all the time: "I just thank God for the precious breath of life, He didn't have to give me today."
Tonight, I am thankful. With all that I feel is going wrong, for tonight I want to recognize what is going right. God did give me the precious breath of life this morning. He gave me a beautiful day. He's given me an awesome family and precious friends. He's provided a roof over my and my family's head and food to eat. He has been faithful and it's my turn to acknowledge Him, in all things. It doesn't matter to God that I acknowledge Him publicly, only that I do realize and appreciate what He has done for me, and I do.
Sometimes I let the worries of the world get me down and I don't fully appreciate what a loving, forgiving, graceful God we serve. I'm the only one that does that too, right?
I've heard it said many times, "when you are down to nothing, God is up to something". How true that is. Also the old cliche, "don't sweat the small stuff". It's all small stuff to God so that means we aren't meant to "sweat" anything. Nothing is to big for our God.
With a meek and thankful heart I thank you God for all You are, all You have done and all You will do in our future, with or without our asking. I remain your humble servant and child. Even at my age, I know You aren't finished with me yet.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Judge not

I actually began this post on Feb. 17 but left it in draft because I wasn't sure where God was taking me with this. Today I read a friend's blog (for the 2nd time), about being judged unfairly by others, and decided to finish this. We can do so much harm to others by our words, I pray this is a timely message.

The Bible says in Luke 6:37-38 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

The dictionary defines judge (informal) as: To form an opinion or estimation of after careful consideration; To act as one appointed to decide; To act or decide as a judge.

The Bible says in Romans 14:12-13 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Does this put judging others in another category for you? It did for me. This means to me that my "opinion" is equivalent to passing judgment!! And if my "opinion" (judgment) should be a stumbling block for others, "I" have sinned!

Going back to the dictionary description, it says to form an opinion or estimation of "after careful consideration", ever thought about "first impressions", ever make a first impression of someone only to find out later how wrong you were? That's judgment and its not even "after" careful consideration, its immediate!

Again, Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. As Christians sometimes we feel it is our right or our duty to point out flaws in others. Now the Bible does tell us if we know someone is committing sin to rebuke that person, (Luke 17:3), however, that isn't what I'm talking about. I'm talking about passing judgment and to go a step farther, even gossip because we are all guilty of it even in the smallest form. How many times have you heard someone say, "just look at him, or just look at her, blah blah blah"? Or, did you see/hear about so and so yesterday?

My main point is that we all judge in some way or another but God is the final judge, He is the one that "all" will answer too. Sometimes it only takes a second to step back, take a deep breath and keep our opinions (judgments) to ourselves. If we slip, which we sometimes do, God is willing to forgive us if we ask. Sometimes it's the smallest of things that hinder our walk with God. "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

If you happen to be sitting in the "judgment seat" of others, remember that although words can hurt, Jesus CAN heal. The only one we can change is ourselves. If you can't get that person to quit judging you or trying to change your mind, then ask God to give you strength and help you during those times to remember what a precious soul you are to Him. Then ask yourself, does it really matter? Just because they say it, doesn't make it true.
Remember that "earthly" judging is just another tool of satan to try and weaken your will and your walk. Remember Matthew 5:10-12, 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. but it also tells us in Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

May God give you strength for these battles, remember we are engaged in a battle everyday for our walk with the Lord, but we WILL be triumphant :)

I'll leave you with this: Matthew 5: 14-16, 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Until next time God bless

Living Life by Example

I was blog walking and came across a friends blog titled, "Living the life....by example!!! I had to link to it. I also had to go vote for the gentleman in the video. He inspired me. I hope you read her blog and watch his video and then go vote for him. It will be worth your time, watch how Kili helps him, that's true love. This blog inspired me to write my own Living Life by example, a little different than his video but the same line of thinking.

Just as this gentleman is an inspiration to us as we grow older and gives us hope, as Christians, we must by our actions and the way we live our life inspire and give hope to others. We must always remember that we are an example to a lost and dying world. There is always someone "watching" needing the Lord that can easily be swayed by the things you say or do if you claim to be a Christian. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.) I can't tell you in my lifetime how many times I've heard, "the reason I don't go to church is because there are so many hypocrites there!" Sad to say, that is true. However, they don't know all the true Christians that are there because the actions of one have dissuaded them. I hear some Christians say, "I don't live my life for others, I don't care what other people think". If you are a true Christian then no, you don't live your life for others, HOWEVER, you live your life for Jesus Christ and thereby you set an example for others.
The bible says in Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Take heed Christians, the Bible also says in Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. As Christians we are all subject to human failings but we need to remember there are people in our lives that need Jesus and the very words that come out of our mouths could be the turning point for them, good or bad. We are known as Christians by our actions. (Matthew 12:36-37, 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.) Come judgement day do you want Jesus to remind you of an occassion where you had the chance to minister and you blew it? Or do you want to truthfully look Him in the eye and say, "Lord I did my best and let Your light shine through me, I was careful in all things so as not to turn another from You". We will all be accountable to God come judgement day and I for one do not want anyone's blood on my hands, nor do I want to miss Heaven because of causing another to proselyte (see definition below). Matthew 23:13,15: 13) But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 15) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
(Proselyte means: a person who has changed from one opinion, religious belief, sect, or the like, to another; convert.) Simply translated means because you have caused another to proselyte, (turn away) and not enter Heaven, neither will you!
To someone who might be searching for the true meaning of life, I encourage you to get to know the Lord. Don't be dissuaded by hypocrites, (Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.) there are many, but there are also many good Christians who try daily to live their life by God's word and show His true love. A personal relationship is one of the most wonderful experiences you will ever have. We are all human and we are all subject to human failings, no one is perfect. Romans 3:23-24 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Being a Christian doesn't make us perfect but we have been forgiven our past sins. The Bible also tells us that not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, (Matthew 7:21-23, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity), this is his warning to hypocrites. Don't dismiss God because of hypocrites. He gave us all a promise in John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
He wants that for you. He wants a personal relationship with you, whether you have ever accepted Him in your life or "claim" to be a christian but realize you are not walking the way you should be, or been a Christian at one time and fallen away. He loves you whether you acknowledge Him or not. All you need to do is simply ask Him to forgive your sins, ask Jesus into your life today, you won't regret it. Develop a one on one relationship with Him and don't worry about what others do or say. Talk to Him as you would a friend or loved one, He's there waiting to hear from you. We have to take responsibility for ourselves and our actions because we are all accountable to God.

I want to leave you with a few more words from the Bible. I feel as Paul did in Phillipians 1:3-4 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, and Phillipians 1:9-11, 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
and finally: Ephesians 6:24 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

God bless you and yours

Early Morning Talk With God

Early in the morning before the sun comes up
I sit out on my front porch, hot coffee in my cup,
I visit with the Lord and ask Him to make me strong,
I ask Him to help me so that I will do no wrong.

I ask for His forgiveness, for things I might have done,
I thank Him for His love for me and the giving of His Son,
I thank Him for forgiveness and for His love once again,
For giving me a second chance and wiping out my sin.

I thank Him for my family and blessings on each one,
to protect them and to draw them so they too can be won,
and share a home in Heaven as family up there,
to let them know each day all their burdens He will bare.

I thank Him for the many friends He's brought into my life,
and ask Him to give them each a day with no worry and no strife.
And then before our talk is done there's one more thing I ask,
That He will grant me one more day in His light and love to bask.
One more day that He can let His light shine through me,
So when I leave this world below I join Him in Eternity.