Charlotte's Web

Dear Friend:
Do you remember the words Charlotte, the spider, wrote in her web in the movie Charlotte’s Web? I googled it for you, she wrote: some pig, terrific, radiant, humble. We usually don’t think of a pig as being “Radiant.” The story of Charlotte’s Web was and still is a classic story, where our human spirit can’t help but cheer on the underdog, which is the pig Wilbur. This story includes the heroine, Charlotte, the spider, who sacrifices her life to save Wilbur. Charlotte spun webs into words and that ended up making Wilbur famous. Charlotte’s plan worked, people from all over went to see the famous pig and he lived happily ever after.
This story is similar to what could be each of our stories. We like Wilbur were going to death, but Charlotte, just like Jesus saved us from death. We become radiant like Jesus when we accept Christ into our life. I selected verses for you to read that tells of how our God’s “radiance” exceeds anything.
Psalm 148:14 14 Let them praise the name of GOD—
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
he's built a monument—his very own people!
Praise from all who love GOD!
Israel's children, intimate friends of GOD.
Hallelujah!
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
God is light, what do we have to fear? Aren’t you glad we never refer to our God as darkness? When I think of being in the dark, I think how scary that is and how I fall and stumble. As long as our hero is with us we need not fear anything.
Revelation 21:22-27 22I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
The verses in Revelation talk of Jesus return on earth and heaven being set up. We will not need any artificial light source. Why? Read it and just wonder what He will look like. This is the hope we have to look for. I think as my mind wonders today to anything negative I will replace my thoughts with God’s “radiance” that exceeds anything. Nothing impure will ever enter the new earth.
Let’s pray: Father you are my light and my salvation, help me not to fear anything. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Shining in the light of His glory,
Elaine

Wrestle or Rest?

WE CRY “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD
GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT
HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHTEST!”

Dear Friend:
This is the sacred song playing in my head lately. As I am sleeping the words come to my mind and as I am awakened in the morning. This heart cry replaces all the daily thoughts that race through my mind.
Proverbs 4:25
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
The whole chapter of Proverbs 4 is a good reminder of how important it is to a child of God to walk by His word.
The heart cry above is very close to the verse in Revelation that is quoted by John. John’s vision of heaven and what He saw the elders and all living creatures crying out is:
Revelation 4:8 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.
Sometimes you hear Christians say “I hope He is returning soon.” I guess my mind is already preparing for the one and only Jesus to come back. If it helps me, I am praying it helps you.
Pray: HOLY, HOLY LORD GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY HOSANNA IN THE HIGHTEST! In Jesus name. Amen.
Why wrestle with your thoughts? When God can give you rest. Wrestle or Rest?
Resting,
Elaine

Verse to go

Mother's Day?

Dear Friend:
I was thinking today about the tradition of Mother’s Day.
So I did what everyone does with a question and googled “When did Mother’s Day begin?” I got this website http://www.chiff.com/a/mothers-day-history.htm
It was very interesting to read that in 1908 mothers were honored in church services. As you read through the article you will find that it was never intended to be a hallmark holiday. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared that Mother’s Day should be celebrated as a national holiday on the second Sunday in May.
God is speaking to each of us today to honor our Mother’s. Tell your mom you love her! Even if you are having a hard time with your mom, maybe you can think of a good time and write her a short note. Better late than never! If you recently have lost your mom, try and just reflect on some good moment and then continue the day with celebrating other love relationships in your life.
ENJOY LONG LIFE ON THE EARTH. –GOD-
Pray with me: Thank you Jesus for loving me. That love is so special. Help me to love others. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
A day of grace,
Elaine

Organic

John 15:8 (The Message)
5-8"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
Dear Friend:
I came across the verse from above and the word organic struck me. Organic food: Raised or conducted without the use of drugs, hormones, or synthetic chemicals. I really enjoy when we order a cow from a butcher and the meat is organic. Wow! What a difference in taste and how you feel after you eat it.
God is calling us to an “organic” relationship with Him. The definition of organic is: Simple, healthful, and close to nature: an organic lifestyle. Trying to live more organic takes time. But the fruit from it is much better for all of our relationships and our health.
So in these days trying to go “Green,” we must add go “Organic.” God wants to have this tender time with us daily. If we don’t, we produce the opposite of organic. We produce dead wood that gets burned up easily.
Let’s pray: Father in heaven when I am organic with you I know it gives me a harvest that is abundant. On my own I can’t produce a thing. Help me Lord daily to spend time with you. Thanks God for being patient with me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Organic,
Elaine

The Work-Out High

Dear Friend:

Hey going to the gym today! I’ll be sure to have my membership card , proper work –out clothes,
focused attitude and the reason why I even go, because sometimes it just is not fun or something I look forward to. Here is my list of reasons why I go to the health club:
1. My mind-gets those endorphins going. The work-out high. (some call it the “ Runner’S High)
2. My weight-keep my weight down.
3. Look good/feel good.
Can you relate?
On the flip side! This morning I don’t want to even go out of the house without taking one more thing with me. My personal trainer and for me that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Why would I want to accomplish anything in my day without Him being a part of it? He is why I even breathe at times. On some days I grab just a protein bar (need that boost), but most importantly if time is a constraint I grab a verse and go. Here is mine for today.
1 Corinthians 2:5
so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

I can’t rely on the work out and protein bar to be the source that will give me the mental power to endure life. This simple reminder helps me to remember to pray for faith so the power of God will rest on me to get through the day.
Pray with me: Father in heaven forgive me for leaving you home and not taking you with me at times. Thanks for your word that gives me a gentle boost for the day. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Keeping fit,
Elaine

Make Up Your Mind

ISIAAH 26:2-3 Throw wide the gates
so good and true people can enter.
People with their minds set on you,
you keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet,
because they keep at it and don't quit.

Dear Friend:

I have heard the struggle of God’s people. Struggle with all kinds of addictions (alcohol, drugs, shopping, busyness, lack of self-control, lack of self-discipline) I got two prayer requests today of young adults struggling with drug addictions.

When you think of God , what do you think? Does your heart beat faster? Do you picture an unapproachable God on a throne or do you picture God on the throne waving you toward him? In order to understand the verse above we must think that the door to the heavens is open and we will not offend our God with a visit, but we will bring joy to Him with visits. MAKE UP YOUR MIND! Are you going to visit Him daily or not? How can you read the words above and not be drawn to this promise.
PEOPLE WITH THEIR MINDS SET ON YOU, YOU KEEP COMPLETELY WHOLE, STEADY ON THEIR FEET.
I don’t think there is a person alive who does not want to be completely whole and steady on their feet.

Simply put, get to know the one who created you and cares about YOU! DON’T QUIT!
You are too busy?
You lack a plan or vision?
You lack self-discipline or self-control?
Ask for help.
It is the matter of the heart and mind. Will you pray with me?
Father in Heaven I thank you that your arms are wide open to me. Thank you for opening them all the time and never waiting for me to be perfect. Take this spirit of perfection away and replace it with your grace. Help me to overcome day by day. Forgive me for too much( busyness, lack of self-control, lack of self-discipline). In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Making up my mind,
Elaine