Inspirations -Praise, Endurance, and God with Me.

Good Evening to All!

Praise
My heart is steadfast, O God;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 108:1-5

Remember, God inhabits our praises. Do not hold it back. Do not quench the Spirit. When you let go and just start praising Him, it is though He comes down to visit you and just envelops you in His arms. I love the feeling when I just let go and and start singing praise songs while I'm driving down the road, or washing dishes. A feeling of peace and excitement hit me at the same time. It feels so wonderful.

Endurance

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:4-6

I enjoy reading the Bible, because every time I read it, it has a deeper meaning for me. I get so tired of people saying, "the Bible contradicts itself", "it's too hard to read", "it's open to different interpretations" and so on. Not meaning to offend anyone, but that just isn't true. The Bible itself says it's not open to private interpretations. The Bible doesn't not contradict itself. Christ said that He did not come to change the law, but to fulfill prophesy, meaning there is not a contradiction. My reply to people when they tell me that they do not understand the Bible, is that if they will pray and as God to show them what He wants to tell them, it will be done. God wants us to understand His Word. At least most of it. Granted there are things that we are Not meant to understand, but He does want us to understand His teachings. Therefore, He will show us if we ask Him. One more thing I would like to say on Endurance. God did not promise us that our life would be a bed of roses, He didn't even say He would fix all of our problems. What He did promise us is that He would be with us as we went through our troubled times and problems. So when you go to bed at night, don't forget to thank Him for being with you throughout the day.

God is With Me

Jesus said, "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:26-27

The Holy Spirit will guide us into All Truths. Listen to the Holy Spirit and we can't go wrong, as long as we obey it. Have you ever started to do something, just to feel a little nudge in your spirit or "conscious" like something felt wrong? That was God trying to lead you, or if you have received the Holy Ghost, it was Him trying to lead you in the right direction.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!

A Night of Inspiration

Image by Famouti ™ via Flickr

Good Evening to All!

Before I get on with my post, I would like to give a little information about my tomorrow's post. As you know I usually do a Bible Challenge on Sundays and give the answers on Monday evening. I will also be hosting a Give-Away to go along with the Bible Challenge, so please check it out. It's fun, and the prize is really neat.

I was on Facebook earlier and read about the earthquake that reached 8.8 on the rector scale in Chile. I placed the people of Chile on my Prayer Line and my personal prayer list. I ask you to do the same. Thank you.

The Vision of Future Greatness

When Luciano Pavarotti was a boy, his grandmother put him on her lap and said, "You're going to be great, you'll see." And this she often repeated into his life....blessing him with a great vision of the future.

His mother hoped and dreamed of him becoming a banker. "Instead," Pavarotti explains, "I ended up teaching elementary school and sang only infrequently. But my father constantly prodded me and said I was singing below my potential."

Finally, at the age of twenty-two, Pavarotti dumped teaching for selling life insurance to give him enough time and earnings in order to develop his vocal talent. He went to school, he took private lessons and practiced and practiced.

"Studying voice was the turning point of my life," says the world famous opera star. "It's a mistake to take the safe path in life. If I hadn't listened to my father and dropped teaching, I would never be here. And yes, my teacher groomed me. But no teacher ever told me I would become famous. Just my grandmother!"

The power of the spoken word into the life of a child can be life changing. When you think of it...the tongue hold the power of blessing or cursing , building up or tearing down, encouraging or discouraging. Mother, grandmother, stop and think with me... what kind of words have you been speaking into the ears of the children you love? When you bless with your words....you are giving approval, you are giving permission to succeed, you are raising the sights, you are creating a future vision, you are releasing that child to do and become all that they can be!

Excellence

"None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when she listens to this whisper which is heard by her alone." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do not withhold good form those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. (Proverbs 3:27)

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Daily Inspirations from the NIV

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15

The reference according to the New King James Reference states: (15) Speaking the truth in love suggests that all that believers say or do should be honest and true, and said or done in a loving manner.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him by the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I believe criticism is a natural human trait. We are all critical of one another to a certain extent, be it a lot or a little. I don't see anything wrong with being critical under certain conditions. For example if someone ASKS me for my opinion, or if I am in charge of something that someone else is taking part in, for a couple of examples. The Key is how to be critical. As God's Word said above say it with compassion and a good attitude. Be tactful and do not sound like you are better than the person who you are giving criticism. I have had both kinds, and I will take the constructive criticism ( good attitude, helpful and tactful) a lot better than the criticism that someone just blurts out and says in a "cutting down" type of attitude. All that does is succeed in getting me angry or hurting my feelings. So if you must give criticism, always remember how you would like to be talked to and use that as your gauge. I have to catch myself at times and rephrase what I want to say before I say it, because it's much easier to speak without thinking.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!

Daily Inspirations from the NIV

Image by Windsors Child via Flickr

Good Evening to All!


I chose this picture to go along with this first verse because when is there a better time to be in solitude with God but in the quietness and the beauty of sunrise. To be able to hear God's "still small voice" whispering words of wisdom"?

Verses for Long Life
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver,
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.

Proverbs 3:13-17

King James Version

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
and the man that getteth understanding.
for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,
and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies:
and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand,
and in her left hand , riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.

To me, this verse on the surface means that it is more important to have Wisdom than precious jewels or money. Do not mistake knowledge for wisdom. Anyone can have knowledge. All they have to do is open a book and/or go to school. Wisdom on the other hand to me is acquired through different means. You get wisdom first and foremost by reading God's Word and praying that He will give you wisdom. Also, through experience, be it good experiences or bad. I have known people with an over-abundance of "book-smarts, but when it came to common sense or "life's wisdom" as I like to call it, they had none.

WISDOM is the Most Important thing a person could ever ask for. Look at King Solomon. He asked God to give him the wisdom to rule his people and look how he prospered. Of course, after a while he forgot and got greedy, then went crazy.

I know the Bible says that God wants us to prosper. I also believe that even though everyone likes to think He means money-wise, I think He wants us to prosper spiritually first, then the other will come. I'm not saying that He wants us all to stay poor, just that He wants our priorities to be in line with His first, and He doesn't need money. Not only that, but His Word says, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He Doesn't Lie.

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Do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
'in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:1-6

King James Version
My son, forget not my law;
but let thine heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and long life, and peace,
shall they add to thee.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee:
bind them about thy neck;
write them on the table of thine heart:
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him
and he shall direct thy paths.

What this verse puts on my heart is that God wants us to love Him, live for Him, keep his commandments ). God has many more commands as well as the "Ten Commandments". I can't help but believe that people are misguided if they succumb to the idea "I follow the Ten Commandments, I don't kill, or steal, or commit adultery, so I'm gonna go to heaven. Please search out your Bible. There is so much more to it than that. He gives us a lot of "commands" which He wants us to follow that don't necessarily sound like they would be a "heaven or hades" issue, but the idea of knowing that God wants us to do something and not doing it is the same as disobeying and disobedience is a sin. I will leave that thought. Also, when you love someone, such as your parents or your spouse, don't you try and make them happy in any way possible? You wouldn't deliberately hurt them by not doing as they ask, I'm sure. That's what I think God feels. He gave His life for us and if we can't do a little thing like love Him
and do what He asks, why should we be allowed to enter into His kingdom and live with Him for eternity? Can you imagine living with some one who was indifferent to you, or did the opposite that would make you happy for eternity? I wouldn't want to be in that household.

God wants us to lean on Him, depend on Him, ask Him for His advice. If we would do that everything would turn out so much better. He knows our past, present, and future. Therefore He knows what is best for us at any given time better than we do ourselves. Give Him ALL the Glory and Honor, for we are NOTHING without Him. We should ALWAYS remember that.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!

Love & Prayers,

Love, for the Day is Near

Image via Wikipedia

Good evening to all!


Daily Inspirations from the NIV

(8) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

(9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou love thy neighbour as thyself.

(10) Love worketh no ill towards his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
King James Version Romans 13: 8-10

(8) Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

(9) The commandments, "Do not commit adultery"Do not murder," "Do not steal, " "Do not covet," and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

(10) Love does no harm to it's neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
New International Version Romans 13:8-10

(8) Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor, [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one's fellowmen, meeting all its requirements].

(9) The commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet ( have an evil desire), and any other commandment, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

(10) Love does no wrong to one's neighbor [it never hurts anybody. Therefore, love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law.
Amplified Version Romans 13:8-10

Reference: Vs. 8 In the present context, owe no one anything primarily means respect and honor (see v. 7). No doubt money is included, but this passage does not prohibit borrowing, (Ps.37:12, Matt. 5:42) except to love: Love is a debt that is never paid in full.
Vs. 9 as yourself: This verse is not a command to love ourselves. It is a recognition that we do love ourselves, and commands us to love others just as genuinely and sincerely as we love ourselves.

Vs. 10 Love excludes murder, adultery, stealing, and lying (see v.9) . Therefore when we love, we automatically fulfill the prohibitions of the law. If we attempt to live by the law, we quickly discover that we are breaking the law (ch.7:5) but when we act in accordance to God's love, without being under the law, we fulfill it.

I was doing ok understanding these verses and the reference until this last reference of verse 10. If anyone can help me with it I would gladly appreciate it. I understand about the love excluding the above 4 sins, but it gets more confusing as it goes on. Thank you for your help.

In case you wondered where my post was last night, I had typed it, but somehow saved it as a draft rather than posting it. Like I said in the chat room on BlogNTweet Thursday just wasn't my day. Besure and check out the BlogNTweet link and say hi to Redhead Riter for me. It's really a neat place.

Good Night and May God Bless!

Love & Prayers,

Heart-Felt Psalms from the NIV

Good Evening to All!

Daily Inspirations

I know the last few posts have either been long or a heavy subject, so I'm going light tonight to see if someone might take the time to comment.

Last night's post I admit was a little on the heavy side, but true. It was from an Inspirational Book, so I would think that it was meant to uplift or let God speak to those who may have autistic children.

The night before was a Hooray for Grandparents.

Tonight, I am just going to post some Daily Inspirations from the NIV.

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I like this Psalm because it reminds me that I must remain faithful to God and praise Him no matter what, with all of my being. He is my Creator and His love for me is deeper than any Human's love is possible.

My heart is steadfast, O God:
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will praise you, O LORD, among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 108:2-5

In this Psalm, I am reminded that He is where my strength comes from, and I can look to Him for everything. He is my salvation and my protector. This Psalm also talks about Jesus being the cornerstone. It reminds me how important it is that I do my best to model myself after Jesus.

The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has becomes my salvation.
Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD'S right hand has done mighty things!
The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"...

Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD....
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;
the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:14-16, 19, 21-23

This Psalm helps me to reflect on God's beauty and the beauty which He created. Also, how important we are to God. I mean, look what He gave us. Look what He bestowed upon us that we take for granted. This should be an honor, but we take it all for granted. O LORD, help me not to take the things and the "appointments" which you have given to me as a member of the human race for granted.


O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made hm ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8:1-9


Good Night to All and May God Bless!


Love & Prayers,

Jesus and the Woman at the Well

Inspiration from the NIV

Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour., When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (for Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

John 4:6-10


How many times have we missed opportunities? We hear that little voice or feel a little nudge to do something, and we dismiss it? It's gone. Never to be had again. Thank God that He gives us more than one chance. Albeit, the opportunity for that specific thing to say, or person to meet, or job to do may be gone, God gives us chance after chance to hear Him and do His bidding.


I can't count the times where I have felt the urge to go up and speak to someone, offer someone help, or a ride home, Only to talk myself out of it. "Someone else will offer, I don't have time." I really don't know this person, what if I let them in my car and they attack me? I would give this clothes to that lady since they don't fit me, but I might lose weight, so I better keep them. This picture was originally titled "Jesus is Back", but to me, he looks like he's standing there crying out to God, "I'm sorry, I want to help, please give me another chance!"

When I think about these lost opportunities, I don't like me very much. It kind of reminds me of the verse in the Bible (the location slips my mind at this moment), about entertaining angels unaware. How many angels have I missed because of my own fears, or selfishness? Too many I'm afraid.

I pray that when I get to heaven and stand in front of God on judgment day, that He will forgive all of those missed opportunities, but I personally don't think that will happen unless I repent and turn these fears and this selfishness of time and material things over to Him. Thus starting a new lease on life by giving of my time, material things, or whatever God asks me to do not the second nudging or third, but the First.

If you would look at ignoring His nudges or voices, or wishes , whatever you need to call them to get your full undivided attention, and act on it the first time. Any delay is just like disobeying. Take a child for instance. When a child is told to do something, but chooses to ignore and keep on playing, it is considered disobeying correct? The same principle applies. When God is asking us to do something and we dismiss or ignore and keep on doing what we're doing we are like a disobedient child.

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THIS AND THAT--Disappointments Happen

Remember a few posts ago, I told you that I was actually going to start teaching ESL again? I was so excited! I went out to the old tin shed or lean to ( our landlord called it a garage.) LOL. Anyway, its full of wasp nest, cob webs and dirt! Yes, it has a dirt floor and no door, so dirt is all over everything. Anyway, I fought my way all the way to the back where boxes upon boxes are stacked on top of one another and under shelves . I dug and dug through the mounds of boxes until I found my precious 2 yes, I said TWO little ESL books. I was so proud that I had found them. They are like gold to me. Not only because they cost me $60.00 6 years ago, but the knowledge is priceless. I haven't found any easier books to teach "conversational English from anywhere. Back to the reason for the search. My new (they have only been here about 3 or 4 weeks) could not speak ANY English. They were relatives of the people who own the house. The owners decided to let the wife's sister and brother-in-law from Mexico live there and them move into town. Long story short, the couple came over and with sign language wanted to pick up pecans out of our yard. We said yes, and so the "acquaintanceship" got started. The husband got a night job at a dairy. A few days later, I saw him and in broken Spanish and sign language, offered to teach him and his wife English. He seemed very happy about the idea. I told him it would have to be after the first of the year.


A few days ago, I called the "owner" of the house and ask if she had seen her sister, because I hadn't seen them out lately, or their car. She informed me that they had moved to Fort Worth to live. WHAT A LET DOWN! I think I was looking forward to teaching them more than they were to learning. Another opportunity missed. I can't help but wonder if I had started teaching them when I first brought it up if things would have turned out differently. I will never know.

Remember this little post the next time you get an urge to help a person, or say a word of encouragement to someone, you might be "entertaining angels if you carry through.

Good Night All and May God Bless!

Love and Prayers,

Things To Remember

Daily Inspiration from the NIV

[An expert in the law] asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. The Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.... "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:29-34, 36-37

My Thoughts about It All

I do love to read the Bible. The problem is, if you do not have a servant's heart (which we are not born with) we tend to wrestle with just about everything God tells us to do, especially if it takes us out of our comfort zone. Believe me, I know this first hand about myself. I'm good about praying for people, but when it comes to "going out of my way the majority of the time I fight myself over it. I'm truly getting better, but believe it or not, it is hard, but you know what? I think it's hard for me to overcome because I don't allow God to do His job which is to help me or to put what I need in my spirit to do what He wants me to do. I'm trying to do it by myself, and that never turns out right. I'm so busy praying for other people and asking God to intervene in this situation or that one, I forget to ask Him to work on me, so that when I help others I will be in His perfect will and result will come. I won't see change until I change. I won't change unless I ask God to help me change, It is then, I will receive the "Servant's spirit and attitude, which in turn will change my whole world.

My Pastor prays a scripture that I wish I would get into the habit of praying Every Morning before I rise out of bed; Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. I sincerely believe if I would start praying this scripture each day, I would see a change in me, my attitude and the world around me.

I know in today's world it is so scary to put ourselves out there, to be vulnerable to others. There are so many scam artists, thieves, and worse just waiting to get the chance do hurt unsuspecting people. I used to be a very trusting person, but now I can't say that. Years ago, I would have offered rides to anyone I saw walking down the road whether my husband was with me or not. Now, I stop for women and that's all . If a man is broke down, I'll ask him if I can call someone for him, but won't let him in my car. The person who did that is long gone. I loan money, but I don't expect it to be repaid, therefore I don't loan large amounts. I have turned into the person I said I never wanted to be. I saw people like this when I was growing up and remember thinking how selfish, that's cold not to pick them up, and so on. Now I understand, but I don't think God wants us to be skeptics. I keep thinking maybe if I pray about it first The problem with that is by the time I pray, I'm either past them or haven't gotten my answer, so I keep going. I did that the other day. I saw a man stranded on the side of the road, while I was headed to town. I live about 5 miles out. I kept on going. Then I started feeling guilty so I turned around and went back. He said he was waiting on a friend to pick him up so I left. What if I had kept going, and that was actually my chance to do what God wanted me to do? That would be disobeying God, especially if that little voice inside was telling me to stop. (which it was) and I kept going until the guilt hit. If I had not turned around, and something would have happened to that man, it would have been on my conscience for the rest of my life.

I chose these pictures for a reason. To me, the Lion stands for Jesus helping me to overcome obstacles which hinder me in doing His work. The Lamb is meek, which means having a "servant's attitude, and the cross of course is the price "the Lion or Lamb paid for me, thereby making me realize that if He can die for me I should be able to do His will for Him.

Now, remember, this is not a lecture. I guess you could call this a reflection of me looking back at me and mulling over what I need to do for my life to be better and make a difference in this world.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!

PJ

Inspirations and Thoughts

Daily Inspirations from the NIV

Jesus said, "This , then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'" I am still very partial to the King James Version which states its like this: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I don't know what it is, I can't put my finger on it. It just seems to ring better in my ears and my heart with the KJV. I do like the NIV for study, but that's all. There are a lot of things missing from the NIV
compared to the KJV such as all of the "begottens and begats as in Chronicles.
the words begat or begotten are important because they mean "born of woman". These words has nothing to do with the word "only". Also, there are misquotes such as Matthew 18:21-22 when Peter asked the Lord how many time to forgive people and He said 70 times 7. To reaffirm this KJV verse it says; Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" (22) According to the KJV, it states: Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
The NIV states it like this; (21) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" (22) Jesus answered, "I tell you ,not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Last time I checked 70 x 7 = 490, not 77. Anyway, those are just a couple of discrepancies I have found. I'm not saying not to use the NIV, because as I said I do for study. Just be careful and reaffirm it by the
KJV.

Now that I got totally off track, let's try this again. As far as the Lord's Prayer goes, I can't count the times which I've heard people say they didn't know how to pray. I tell them two things. The first being; "just remember He's your friend, so you can talk to Him just like you would anyone else in a conversation. If that doesn't feel comfortable, the quote the Lord's Prayer (and I recite it to them). I say this is the way Jesus told the disciples to pray and it covers everything. This usually answers their questions and gives them the confidence they need to be able to talk to God.

Matthew 18:21-22, Matthew 6:9-10

You ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

James 4:15

A little saying I have always heard is; if you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.

It never fails. I've had my plans changed (for me) so many times I can't count them. That wouldn't be so bad, except most of the time, I know it's the wrong decision when I make it. If I would just learn to listen to that "small still voice" inside when I'm trying to make up my mind about something, things would probably run a lot smoother. I am slowly but surely learning to do this, and it is becoming more of a habit (still not consistent, but more often) that I say for example , Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow, or Lord willing I'll be there. None of us truly knows what is going to happen when we walk out the door, so I like the last words I say to someone to be in "God's will".


Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

KJV-He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Matthew 26:42


This verse really makes me take stock in my fortitude. I mean, Jesus was facing sure death, and was so strong. He didn't like it, but He knew it had to be done. This was the "flesh" talking to the Devine. More or less saying I really don't want to do this, but "You're the boss, so your will be

done. I would probably be trying every way in the world to get out of it. making excuses, or whatever I had to do to stay alive. That's why I say it made me check my inner soul strength.

I know I said I wasn't going to post tonight, but I came in here and changed my mind. I hope this has helped someone tonight, whether it was just as an uplifting, or gave you some food for thought. I sincerely want to reach people and touch their hearts with my blog.

Y'all, please excuse the underlining in my text. It was unintentional. I don't know what happened. I've got a question into Blogger, but if anyone knows how this happened, please let me know. There's no underline function on the editor, so I don't know how it happened and I don't know how to remove it.
It doesn't even show up while I'm editing or typing, just when I "view the blog" or post.

Merry Christmas, a Blessed New Year, and May God Bless!

PJ