Up or Down

Psalm 13:2 how long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.

Dear Friend:

I want to tell you a story about a young man who lived at home and worked hard for his dad. He helped a lot around the house. He had 7 older brothers, who really did not like him and gave him a hard time. His mother was very busy with her life; she loved him, but had many things to do for this big family. The dad was hard on him expecting him to work hard for him. One day the brothers went into their community center to have a meeting. The community was looking for a solution to a problem they were having that was affecting everyone. The young man’s dad sent him to bring lunch and check on the brothers at this community meeting. When he arrived in town he overheard the problem and got to thinking that he has a solution. In fact he thought to himself that his whole life he had this training to solve the problem for the people. He had this confidence and courage that no one knew about. He always had this secret in him that he was born with and never told anyone. Not one of his family members considered him for the solution. In fact when his brother saw him in town he said in front of everybody “you are conceited and evil. “ Here was a young man that minded his own business and did what his dad told him and now his brother is picking on him. He didn’t deserve this treatment at all. But at the same time the problem at hand needed to be resolved quickly and so with all of his own determination that he was born with he went to the leader and said he wants to help.

Stop!

This is as far as I am going to go with this story. It is a bible story and I want you to guess who the young man is.
It is the story of David. David goes on to be a King and is in the direct bloodline of Christ. When David was about 25 years old God was looking for a man after His own heart. He selected David. Why David? Because he created him before he was even thought up by his own parents. God wanted David to be born. His family did not know this. When Samuel was sent by God to anoint someone from the house of Jesse to be King of Israel, Jesse sent all of his 7 sons except David. David was overlooked in the family often. But that overlooking caused him to fill his loneliness with God. God became his focus and it was God who trained David to be a warrior and shepherd. He killed lions, tiger, bears with the strength and confidence of God. God began a work in David and David gave God his full attention. David never felt alone. This training was David’s secret and David bubbled over with enthusiasm when it was time to release the truth of what was inside him. David killed Goliath, the giant. He goes on to be a great warrior to win many battles for God.
Is your life like David’s filled with loneliness, rejection, false accusations, being misunderstood, having talents in you that no one understands, being picked on, overlooked and others may be jealous of you? Maybe you have one or two of the above that you can connect with? Do you take the frustrations named above and become angry and bitter? David decided to let go and let God be his all and all. Where others failed to love, God had unfailing love. You can go down or up! David went up! He wrote the most beautiful Psalms. Words expressed that are amazing. It is so cool! He frequently starts writing going down and he ends his writings going up.
Which way will you go?

Let’s pray: Father in heaven I confess that I do not go to you enough with my thoughts. Lord I give you permission to reveal the healing that needs to be done in me. I declare and receive the rest I need in your unfailing love. I choose to go up. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Up,
Elaine

Mission Statement

Acts 26:18 (New International Version)(Jesus speaking to Paul) 18 open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

Dear Friend:

Do you have a mission statement for your life? This passage of scripture was Paul speaking to King Agrippa and a whole courtroom of people. Jesus blinded Paul on the road to Damascus and he tells Paul, “I am sending you to open the eyes of the Jews and Gentiles.” He blinds Paul, then he tells Paul his mission will be to help others see. We know by the story that Paul does get his sight back, but I find it interesting that many great ministries are born out of people’s own trails in life. That follows scripture that we will comfort others with the comfort we received. We don’t want others to suffer as we did. Jesus spoke the above mission statement. With Paul’s great authority he boldly claims this mission to the court. I have never seen in any other religion where the follower of God proclaims forgiveness of sin. You see there is no other God that addresses the real matter that is right at the heart. All people have a condition of sin and are in need of a Savior. Paul got that message loud and clear and was set free and he goes on to suffer to make sure he lives out his mission statement.
What is the greatest epic decision you or anyone you know has in life? Paul learned the answer that day on the road to Damascus. You can pray for others using the above scripture that they too will come to this understanding and need of a Savior.

Pray like this: I pray that ____________open her/his eyes and turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that he/she may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Praying,
Elaine

Quiet Life

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Dear Friend:
It is so hard to live a “Quiet Life”, isn’t it? This verse is a great reminder of how to live a quiet life. We choose daily whether we will complicate it or make it simple. God wants you to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, mind our own business and work so others will respect you and see the Jesus in you.
If you keep living in the past and remembering how others have hurt you, that keeps your mind in a place to remain a victim. You are expecting others to make you happy. That means you are people dependent rather than God dependent.
Today, try and make it your ambition to move forward and lead a quiet life independent of others. I think that is a really healthy way to live.
Let’s pray: Father in heaven, help me to make it my ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind my own business and to work with my hands, just as you have told me. I want my daily life to win the respect of outsiders. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME!
Keeping it simple,
Elaine

Pause for 4.2 seconds

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (Amplified Bible)13And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe (exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].
Dear Friend:
Can you pause for 4.2 seconds to receive this effective word? These few seconds God wants to remind you that he is working in your life right now! WOW!
Let’s pray: Father in heaven thank you for continually giving me a message and helping me to welcome it into my life. Truly Lord I am a follower of you and I am aware that you are exercising the words in me and giving me superhuman power. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Pausing,
Elaine

Skeptical

John 20:27-29 (New Living Translation)27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless (skeptical) any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
Dear Friend:
After Jesus died there were a lot of skeptical people wandering around just wondering “was Jesus real?” I have a strong word from the Lord now that Easter is completed and we go back to life until the next Holiday. Everyone is a skeptic until they stop wondering and “Believe!”
If you live your life and believe you will receive. But if you doubt you will go without.
If you want a happier marriage, relationships, a job, healing or just a more peaceful life, there is only one thing to do exclaim by faith “My Lord and my God, help me!” Don’t always blame everyone else for your discord with life. Ask Jesus to give you open heart surgery and make changes in you. By praying, going to church and reading your bible you will gain the strength to trust God with your “Issues.” You may even be convicted you owe someone an apology.
Let’s pray: Father in heaven I am putting my hand in your hand and trusting you today. Bless me for believing you without seeing you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Loving God,
Elaine

Eyewitness

1 Corinthians 16:13 be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.

Dear Friend:

This is a good time to remember that Jesus died for you and me to free us of our sin condition. I like to reread the account of it in scripture and imagine the characters in the story. Reflecting on Jesus suffering and death is ginormous. But after his death the eyewitnesses go back home and continue their lives. I can only guess that first they rested and tried to comprehend what happened. We know Jesus rises from the dead and spends days with those close to him, but then he leaves again.

God appeared to some before he left earth and gave them words to remember Him and live by. They after all were going to be have to keep Jesus alive and pass His words on to the next generation. There was fear I am sure. If they kept the story going they would be killed next.

The verse above is strong words for you and me to keep going on and do things in love. The world wants to distract us and keep us from making sure our true meaning for life is kept alive. The struggle herein lies to fight against the evil that wants us all to be politically correct. The eyewitnesses of Jesus time probably had the same pressure on them. I appreciate the verse of the day and it encourages me. Don’t let the Easter message die. We must recount the past, as hard as it maybe, to continue for our next generation.
Let the Lord speak to you today:
Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men and women of courage, be strong. Do everything in love. –GOD-

Let’s pray: Thank you Lord for the cross. It was a powerful act of love for me. Help me to carry on in the faith, with courage, strength and love. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Looking at the cross,
Elaine

Comfy Chair

Proverbs 2 1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Dear Friend:
My Pastor talked about taking time out to hear the whisper of God. He shared how a whisper from God brought our church into existence. Of course the message included being in tune with that whisper. Taking time with God builds trust and the more you do it the more it gives you the confidence that you are hearing from Him.
He used an example of a man in our church who decided to get a comfy chair and each day sit in it and read the bible for 20 minutes. As time went on the man heard a whisper prompting him to quit his job and ask our Pastor to work in the church. The man does listen to the whisper and did great things in our church with the help of God.
It reminded me of the time back when I was in my twenties and was depressed. My therapist suggested to me to sit daily in a chair and get comfortable and journal my thoughts. I remember telling my husband “we need to get a comfy chair that will be a safe place for me to rest and journal.” My dear husband surprised me with a gift one day and it was a chair that sits in my bedroom still today. Above the chair is a piece of artwork of Jesus’ hands only and they are extended out with the bible verse Matthew 11:28 on it. I taught my boys when they were little that when Mom is sitting in the chair she is not to be disturbed. One day when I was sitting in that chair and reading the verse above a light bulb went on in my head and I got the whisper from God and understood what Jesus did for me on the cross. I understood on Oct. 2, 1992 that I am a sinner separated from God and that Jesus was the only one who could give me forgiveness of sin and give the gift of eternal life. I never knew when I began sitting in that chair that such great things would come from being quiet and journaling.
I am suggesting that each of us have a place to make sure we listen to God and read His word. Great things can happen in that place and your life could be changed forever.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Let’s pray: Father in heaven thank you for your son Jesus who died and rose again for my sins. Help me to continue to seek you and hear from you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Joy,
Elaine

Love 2 Love

John 4:31-34 31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."
32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."
33Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" 34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 3
Dear Friend:
We live in a world today urging our youth to go to college for 4 years to get a degree and learn as much as they can to go out into the world and get a job.
Jesus began to reveal that He was the Messiah at the age of 30, and right away picked his 12 students. Jesus recruited them based on their hearts, just like Mary was picked to be the Mother of Him. He knew everything about each of His students. He even took time to let some of them know He knew where they were before they met face to face and they were amazed that He could know things about them. Part of the attraction for some of them to Jesus was seeing His knowledge. The apostles didn’t know how long they would be in school with Jesus and they certainly didn’t know that their professor would die within 3 years.
As the disciples struggled to understand Jesus they walked by faith and love. The verse above occurred in the Chapter where Jesus meets the women at the well. He offers himself to her as the “Living Water.” After she accepts Jesus and runs off to tell others about Him. The disciples come on the scene and they don’t understand what just happened but they offer Jesus food. They offer love by way of taking care of His physical and Jesus offers love by teaching the spiritual. Jesus replies to their request by saying “my food, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish the work.” The school of Christianity according to Jesus is written with love in this simple statement:
Do the will of God and finish the work. –God-
Where does that leave you and me? Love your Jesus (the teacher) with all your heart, seek His will and finish the work. Be in the moment! The disciples were in the moment trying to guess what Jesus needed and Jesus was in the moment teaching what is truly important. The disciples had a way to go in school but the “Love 2 Love” connection was there.
Do you have a love connection with Jesus? How often do you concern yourself with this connection? Do you consider yourself to be…
1. Just enrolled
2. Never enrolled?
3. Have been enrolled and learning?
4. Dropped out and lost?

Something to pray about:
Dear Lord: I am (1, 2, 3 or 4 you fill it out). Help me to know and desire more of you. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Student,
Elaine

Vantage Point

Exodus 2:4 The baby's older sister found herself a vantage point a little way off and watched to see what would happen to him. Pharaoh's daughter came down to the Nile to bathe; her maidens strolled on the bank. She saw the basket-boat floating in the reeds and sent her maid to get it. She opened it and saw the child—a baby crying! Her heart went out to him. She said, "This must be one of the Hebrew babies."

Psalm 139:5-6 I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful—
I can't take it all in!

Dear Friend:

Moses ‘s sister found herself a vantage point and looked out for her little brother to see that he was going to be safe. A sister looking out for a brother for his safety is a mighty powerful statement of love.

If we could pause for a moment and see that God has found himself a vantage point. He knows everything going on, so he is right there with us. That should be so reassuring and too wonderful to take in for you and me.

Have you ever taken one of your children to get stitches in the hospital? You know that sometimes the nurse has to ask the parents to help strap the child down for stitches. Your child is screaming “no, stop!” But you know, for their own good, they need to be strapped, so you help do it.

Do you ever look at God and ask, why aren’t you giving me the money, job, husband, wife, friend, house? God having the best vantage point on our lives and being all knowing of what is ahead knows what is best. We don’t like waiting or being strapped down, but reflecting on God’s all knowing power is truly reassuring. It should bring us peace in the storm.

Let’s pray: Lord thank you for looking behind me and ahead of me and being everywhere. That is so reassuring for me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Peace,
Elaine