Things I know For Sure

There are some things I know for certain and they are the following:

I know that the Bible is God's Word and it doesn't contradict itself and all of it is important, not just what we choose to believe and follow.

I know that Jesus was the Word made man, and that it is a living word.

I know that Jesus died for my sins and rose again and that He sits at the right hand of God.

I know that God answers our prayers in His time, not ours, and by His will not ours. 

I know that God never leaves our side.  So if you are a child of God and doing things you shouldn't do, God is there with you watching, and you should feel guilty and convicted of your sins. 

I also know that God forgives us, even when we are a Child of God and do things we shouldn't, but you need to get on your knees and ask for that forgiveness. 

I know that God puts people in our path at the right time and when we need them the most. 

I know that without a doubt, God brought my husband, Norman and I together, otherwise we would never have met. 

I know that God has a plan for us.

I know that God will take care of us, no matter what.

I know that God loves me more than I will ever be able to understand. 

I know that that my place in heaven is secure and that one day I will see everyone that I love, and that has died, again. 

I know that He sees what is in my heart, and He knows what I need and want. 

I know that if He comes back for me tomorrow, that I am ready.  Are you?

John 3:16 (King James Version)


16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Beneath The Cleansing Flood - August 29th, 2010

Spiritual hymns have such hidden wisdom sometimes or maybe it is that as new Christians or new church goers we just don't really understand.  One of my old favorites is Victory in Jesus.  As a new Christian or as a 12 year old, I just didn't really understand the song, but after today (8-29-10) it has a great meaning in my life.  I was plunged beneath the cleansing flood and the feeling of the water washing over me, and the Holy Spirit inside was just more than I will ever be able to put down on paper, so to speak... 

One of my new favorites is Heaven Came Down.  If you don't know the song, look it up or listen to the play list.  I added it and it is being sung by Brad Paisley.  It is wonderful!  Another that holds a special place in my heart is When we All Get to Heaven.  There is no doubt in my mind that I will be in Heaven when I leave this world and journey to the next.  If you have doubts or have never met Jesus, there is no time like the present.  There's a number 1 best seller that will show you all you need to know and about how to have Jesus in your life.  It is called the Holy Bible.  Pick it up and read it from cover to cover.  However, before you start, pray for guidance and wisdom and understanding. 

What?  You don't know how to pray..  It's quite simple.  It's just like talking to your best friend.  You say, "Jesus help me, guide me as I read your holy word.  Give me the wisdom and knowledge to understand your teachings.  In your precious name, Jesus, Amen."  It doesn't get any simpler than that..  May God Bless you in ways beyond your belief... Love, L

A step in my journey

As I travel down this road called  recovery a lot has been revealed to me.  I find that God is always with me and I can't soak up enough of His word.  I find myself searching scripture and reading everything I can get my hands on to learn as much as possible.  I love that God has so filled my soul and my life.  I feel the joy I had when I was twelve and first accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. 

In the last month, after writing my self inventory, I re-dedicated my life to the Lord.  I give control of my life every day to God and pray that He will use me in His service to do whatever He wants me to do, where ever He wants me to service, however He wants to use me and whenever He wants me to serve.  I received an answer to part of that this last week.  I will be teaching 3 year olds two days a week at the Church's Day school.  I love that I have a chance to impact these young lives.  I know that this is a step in preparing me to do more of the Lord's work.  I don't know what it will be, where it will be, or when it will be, but I know that I am His to use. 

With my re-dedication to Him, I feel so brand new, that I want all of me to be brand new.  Even on days when things my not be the best, the joy I feel deep inside is so fresh and wonderful, that I can't help but have a spring in my step, a song on my lips and my mind, and usually a smile or a grin on my face.   

So this week I told the Pastor that with my journey through recovery, and my re-dedication to my Lord, that I wanted to be baptized again.  He smiled at me and said, "You want to show Him you are serious huh?"  "Yes".  So Next Sunday, August the 29th, I will once again pushed beneath the cleansing flood or so the song says.  I will come up a new person on the outside to match the new person I am on the inside. 

Some of you may not understand this request, but the joy I feel knowing that the Lord is working with me and through me is indescribable!!!!!  I want everyone to see what God has done in my life, and what He is continuing to do on a daily basis.  If I can just help one person, see the mercy and grace of God and lead them to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, then I know that one lost soul has been saved from the depths of hell, and will only know physical death and not eternal death. 

I hope others that read this blog will see that there is help and most of all there is hope out there.  God is there always and He can work miracles, even when you think there is no way.  Trust in Him.  Have Faith and Seek the Face of the Lord.

May you all have a God Filled Life.  I do now and my journey is just beginning.  Love, L

The Awesomeness of God (I know that is probably now a Word)

Okay, All I can say is WOW!!!!  Sometimes it takes a while for things to sink in and for you to have one of those Ah Ha moments in your life, but I recently had one of those.... Like Saturday night... and it was all because I tried to do something before God was ready for me to do it.  The end of the week was really horrendous, but I tried really hard not to dwell on a couple of things that happened and I did okay.  I've been praying for weeks now, giving God control of my life every morning, asking for strength and energy to face each day, one day at a time, and I've also prayed giving Him my life to use as He sees fit, in whatever His will might be.  I've had really really good days, and weeks.  My relationship and walk with God has grown immensely.  It seems I learn something new each and every day.  I can't soak up enough of God's word, and I find myself reading more and more... I'm actually reading a book on Basic Theology now as well and for those of you who don't know, I've been attending recovery and working through some participant's guide. 

Today I finished the second guide, but yesterday afternoon, I was finally able to sit down and finish my self-inventory of my past, my hurts, hangups, habits and addictive compulsive behavior.  It is very exhausting when you take an inventory of your life... although mine may not be as bad as some or as good as others, it was bad for me.  Every one's life is different, and as discussed in the last meeting there is a wide road or the straight and narrow path that you can choose.  A lot of us at some point in our life, travel that wide road and it takes a lot for us to get back on the straight and narrow.  My husband has been wonderful through this journey with me.  He attends meetings when he can, but he is always there to answer a bible question or help me find scripture or just to listen and hold me when I cry.  There have been days when I couldn't have made it without him and I definitely could make it without GOD!. 

So here's my revelation that I want to share.  After completing my inventory, I realized that there are going to be people who don't know that they have hurt me or know that they have hurt me but don't care, even though they proclaim to be Christian and then there are going to be those that even though I approach them to ask for forgiveness or to forgive them, they are going to turn their backs or laugh in my face  and I'm okay with that, because at that point I have done all I can do.  I've forgiven myself and Jesus has forgiven me.  From that point forward it is between them and God. 

I still have to complete my journey down my road to recovery and I know that I am well on my way to the end as well as on my way to a deeper relationship with my Jesus.  I'm hope to complete my guides soon, but even then, I will probably not stop going to meetings.  I love being around people who accept you for who you are, don't expect anything, and are always happy to see you no matter what.  I've made several friends, and lots of acquaintances and will probably have more before it is all said and done.  I'm starting to trust people again, but it is still fragile, but I know God is there and I can trust Him to take care of me and help me to triumph. 

Here is some more testimony that I know I'm on the right track. Last night we were not having regular church service.  We had a concert by Harmony Quartet.  I didn't really want to go.  My leg had been hurting since Saturday and after the morning service it kept kind of going out so to speak.  I would be able to stand for two or three minutes but then it would be okay.  Anyway, I told Norman that I really didn't want to go.  All he said was that you will miss a blessing.  So being a dutiful wife, I got up and dressed to come back to church, and I'm glad I did.  It was an Ah ha moment for sure.  The group was awesome!  Wonderful voices, singing some old hymns, song they had written and then the bass player sang a song.  It was at that moment, that God said, "This is for you.  Listen closely my child."  I get goosebumps or Godbumps as my sister calls them, thinking about it now.  The name of the song is, "Grace one more time."  It talks about walking down the road one day and sin was in the way and instead of going around, it couldn't be avoided.  It says as I cried and tears streamed down, I felt the warm hand of my savior and as he held my face and wiped my tears away, he said I am with you my child, now go and please me, and He gave me grace one more time. 

GOD is always there to pick us up when we needed to be held.  There to carry us when can no longer go on.  I know that without a doubt He has big plans for me.  My husband says that right now, we are being called to service at Emory Baptist.  He is right.  I know that we are suppose to be there, not exactly what for yet, but God will reveal in His time.  I hope this blog gives others hope and shows that no matter what God's grace is sufficient and it doesn't matter what you have done; He will forgive you.  If you are not one of God's children, I pray that you will ask Him into your heart, and that you will see the light of His grace and the love of serving Him.  May you have a God Filled Day.  Love, L

I Try

In recent weeks I have handed my life to God.  Although He never left me, I turned away from Him and thought He had turned His back on me.  I'm trying to live one day at a time, and let Jesus take care of my hurts, hangups, habits and addictive compulsive behaviors, because I know that without Him, there is no cure, and my life is meaningless.  I want everything I do to shine so bright with Him, that everyone will want to know who He is and how they can have Him in their life.  My brother in law has a bible verse that he frequently mentions.  I think I'm going to adopt it for my motto.  It is  "Abstain from the appearance of all evil."  1 Thessalonians 5:22.  Think about that scripture.  Think about what is evil.  Think about what you do, say, wear, think, consume, and portray to others around you.  Is there anything you do that would not appear to be good?  Would not appear to be Christian?  

This is a conversation my husband and I often have.  It doesn't say in the bible that you can drink.  But it does say that your body is a temple and to treat it right.  Here is another thought.  How can you drink yourself drunk and proclaim to be a Christian?  I mean it is a little hard to testify to the person behind the cash register what Jesus has done in your life, and how He has helped you when you are in there every week buying a case or two of beer.  What kind of testimony is that!  It is the same with the way you speak, act, and what you wear and how you portray yourself to others.  Don't be a hypocrite!  Don't attend church on a regular basis and then spend Friday and Saturday night drinking, drugging or whatever.

Be honest with yourself.  Get your heart right with Jesus and then get your life right and live like you are a Christian.  That you love Jesus Christ with all your heart.  Don't blame everyone else for what is happening in your life because of the way you live.  Take responsibility and get on your knees and ask for God's forgiveness and get back on the right track. 

Now for those of you who are going to read this and read more into than is there, I have one word... DON'T.  This is aim at no one, but I just lost my temper, yelled at someone on the phone and cursed really loudly.  I was immediately convicted for my sins and I hit my knees and cried and asked Jesus to forgive me.  So before you think I'm pointing fingers at you!  I'm not!. 

However, I hope you will all read this and think hard about it.  May your day be completely Filled with God.  The one and only true Living God!.  I have eternal life because He died for me and rose again.  I want to do all I can to bring Him glory.  How about you other Christians?  What is your goal for bring glory to God?

The Benefits of Wisdom

This was my devotional reading today. My bible just kind of fell open to this one and so this is my prayer for the day. May God Bless you with this reading..

Proverbs 3
1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Matthew Chapter 5

I know this is long, but this has been one of my favorite chapters out of Matthew. I'm not sure why it means so much to me, but it does. I hope you enjoy this post. May God Bless You!, L

Matthew 5 (King James Version)

1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15Neither 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.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Part 2 - Marks of The New Testament Church

Hi everyone, I know I'm a day late posting these, but here are the last 5 marks of the New Testament Church:

7. It's Officers: Pastors and Deacons

1 Timothy 3:1-16 (King James Version)

1 Timothy 3
1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

8. Its works are getting people saved, baptizing them (with a baptism that meets all the requirements of God's Word), and teaching them. Matt 28: 16 - 20

Matthew 28:16-20 (King James Version)
16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

9. Financial plan: Tithes and Offerings. I Cor 9:14

1 Corinthians 9:14 (King James Version)
14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

10. Its weapons of warfare - spiritual, not carnal. II Cor 10:4; Eph 6:10-20

2 Corinthians 10:4 (King James Version)
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Ephesians 6:10-20 (King James Version)
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put 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:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

11. Its Independence: separation of Church and State. Matt 22:21

Matthew 22:21 (King James Version)
21They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Here they are! I hope you enjoy studying and reading these. I've read the above verse many times and never thought about it being the separation of Church and State. It amazes me daily the thing you learn after years of reading a verse. May God Bless you all. L

Reprint of the Post - Your Faith - Can you Defend it?

I deleted this originally after I received a harsh email. Maybe I should not have used the word persecution, although that is what I felt, and that I was being forced to make choices, with no real back up. So after words of guidance and wisdom from family and friends, I'm re-posting this entry. May God Bless you always.

Over the last few weeks I feel that I have been persecuted for what I believe or was taught to believe as I was growing up in the Baptist Church. It is being done with love, but does that make it better? Does it make it okay that it comes from people you are close to? Today was the first time I have stepped inside a church in almost a year. I left the last church with a bitter feeling. The feeling is gone and it was probably all me and not where I originally placed the blame. The sermon today brought me to tears. I'm sure it was conviction for knowing that I fall short of the perfect will of God and even though I have been saved, I still sin from time to time. I used the word sinner in an email just as an explanation of that we all still sin in some form or fashion even after being saved. No one can do the perfect will of God. We all strive to do that, but we all fall short. Anyway, I digress.. when I used the word sinner, I received a paragraph stating that I was saved from being a sinner, washed clean and that by saying I'm a sinner, I'm calling Christ a liar. In no way, form or fashion was that what I meant. My life has not and is not sinless. I strive to have a relationship with Christ, to learn His Word, and to do my best to live the perfect will of God. Do I fall short? Everyday. Do I repent of my sins? Yes. Do I wish for more of a life with Christ? Absolutely. Do I question what I have been taught all my life? Never. Can I defend what I was taught? I'm not sure. This is where I have been studying. I've pulled the Trail of Blood from the Internet. It follows bible doctrine back to the first church in Jerusalem. It is a wonderful website, and I have only begun to study it. Revival starts at my mother in law's church tonight. The sermon by the pastor this morning was on what revival is. It is reviving the relationship you have or seek with Christ, as a Christian. John 1:38 Jesus asks the questions, "What do ye seek?" Do you know what you seek? May God Bless you all. L

Yesterday's Post - Help

I posted a blog yesterday and after much opposition, I deleted it today and now have regrets. Someone pointed out to me that, what God laid on my heart might help one person and that I should not stop just because I've hurt some people's feelings. SO anyone that received that blog by email, if you would forward it back to me, I would appreciate it. May God Bless you.. L