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The Lord speaks and acts

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Genesis 21 was my bible reading this morning. And the very first verse I read spoke volumes to me.

"And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken."
There wasn't a lot of fanfare or embellishment....simply the Lord did as He had said. The writer felt no need to explain anything more than that. It was not a surprise for the Lord to do as He said!

Yesterday, the Lord did as He said for me. And you know what? I wanted to shout it from the rooftops! I wanted everyone to know how marvelous my God is and how faithful. Because these days it seems people have forgotten that the Lord does as He says.

And that makes me sad. God hasn't changed. He's still faithful to do what He says. It's His people that have changed. We've lost sight of our assurance in God. We attribute to Him the same characteristics of man and that's simply not the way it is. 

The Lord did as He had spoken. The Lord does as He has spoken. The Lord is doing as He has spoken. 

Praise you Lord and thank you Jesus that you do as you say. I am awed by your glory and your majesty!!

Matthew 16:26

Monday, September 16, 2013

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

It's so easy to get distracted by the ways of the world. Our culture is always striving to have the best, to develop or possess the latest and greatest gadgets, clothes, etc. And we get so caught up in work trying to get attain what we're led to believe is ideal. But in the long run what does that really get us? It's been my experience that what you end up is misery. Why? Because we are not made for this world. And what our soul longs for is Heavenly things.

For myself I have to remember to choose wisely, to walk in the ways of the Lord, to do all things as unto Him.

Lord, help me to keep your face in focus. Guide me through this world show me how to remain in the world yet set apart from it.

Matthew 9:13

Monday, September 9, 2013

Matthew 9:13 in the New King James reads: But go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice." For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

When I read that I think about all the times I've "hidden" from the Lord because of sin. It's times when I've felt that I really failed the Lord with my sinful ways that I try to avoid Him. Yet those are the times I need Him most and the times He longs for me to return to Him.

I know the Lord longs for me to walk rightly and follow where He leads, but He's not a God who says this is your last chance or one more mistake and you're out. He's the one true God who desires mercy and calls the sinner to Him and to repentance.

Lord, help me to run to you at all times....even those times I feel dirty with sin. I know my only hope and salvation is in YOU. Amen

Matthew 8:13

"Then Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go your way, and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.' And his servant was healed that very hour." (NKJV)

The centurion believed. That was all it took! How often do we feel like we need to jump through hoops or figure out a magic formula for healing or anything we ask of Him? All it really takes is to ask and to believe.

I often find it easy to believe on behalf of someone else but let doubt creep into believing for myself. And just a tiny bit of doubt spoils the whole lot of belief. God says to me, just like that centurion believed and received immediately, so can you.

Lord, help my unbelief. Help me to stop coming up with plan b, c, d if you don't come through. I just need more of you Jesus! Amen

Matthew 7:7

"Ask, and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock, and it will be opened to you." (NKJV)

God says to me, be active in your faith and in your walk. God is here all around with outstretched hands. I have to open my eyes to see Him...to seek Him out. I have to open my hand to receive all He has to offer.

Right now God is leading me through doors that He opened when I knocked! Not only is He opening those doors, but He led me to those doors because I sought Him out!

Lord, help me to be more active in my walk and in my faith. Help me as I seek You out and meet You in Your word. Give me the grace to follow after you with all my heart. Amen.

When God Speaks

Monday, August 12, 2013

Many years ago, God spoke into my heart the dream/calling of being a counselor. I majored in Psychology in college and even worked with juveniles for a while doing counseling. The issue that drove me away was the inability to detach from people and be clinical.

So I wrote that off as something of my own desire rather than the voice of God. But I still loved being an attentive ear to friends, family, colleagues, etc. And I would get insight into the heart of the matter....only possible with God.

Fast forward a few years and I'm doing an assessment to determine my spiritual gift as part of a bible study. Any guesses as to my gift? Encourager/counselor. Well I already kind of knew that God was using me to encourage people. It's one of the things I've always felt deep in my heart. So I began to just think the dream of counselor was really just part of being an encourager.

One of the most powerful things drawing me and my husband together was a desire for ministry. God has made it very clear to both of us that He has a powerful plan for us as a ministry team.

This morning my husband said God gave me a little glimpse of our ministry together. And I said oh yeah what was it? His answer.....christian counseling. God is good and faithful.

A time to heal

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

When you are weak He is strong. When you are hurting, He will heal your heart. When you can't see through the fog, He will lead you to safety...He is with you, He will never leave you, He has everything you need, and His love will make a way. Thank you Jesus.
The above words were authored by the site Groundwire. I look forward to their posts. They are always encouraging and timely. I know that God has His hand on their ministry and my subscription to it.
It can be so easy to become complacent in our prayer lives. And sometimes God uses a dream or a choice phrase to say, hey, don't get comfortable, don't forget that enemy is lurking waiting to strike. And like a good girl I receive that warning. But then I relax thinking all is well again. 
So when that attack happens it knocks the breath out of me. It shakes my foundation and I feel like I'm floating....all gravity is gone. 
Then I'm reminded by the Father that I am not alone. He is strong and capable and loving. He is with me, He loves me and He will make a way.

Hold on

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Life isn't always easy but it's good. I can't remember where I heard that line but it's a lot of truth. But we're not called to an easy life. In fact, Jesus himself said that in this life we would have trouble. The great thing is that He never leaves us or forsakes us so when we are having those times of trouble, He is right there in the midst with us. He brings the strength, the stamina....the grace we need to get to the other side.

As I do more and more prep work for the wedding, I see God's beautiful tapestry that is my life. I haven't had a trouble-free life. In fact this journey just to the wedding has been long and fraught with detours and set backs. But one thing remains....the plan God has for our life. He is the one who brought us together and He's the one that will join us for life.

When God places a dream in your heart...a plan in your life....don't lose sight of the end result. The enemy likes to distract and dismantle your dream, but God put it there for a reason. And when God does something like that, He means for that dream to come true...for that plan to come to fruition. He doesn't give up, or change His mind. So hold tight and fast to that dream.

Speak words of truth over me Lord

Thursday, April 18, 2013

For a little over a month now, this song "Here's My Heart" by David Crowder has been my meditation song. It's a plea and a declaration to the Lord from me. Here is my heart Lord, Here is my life Lord speak over me. 

Here's my heart Lord,
Here's my heart Lord
Here's my heart Lord,
Speak what is true

‘Cause I am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I'm made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am free

‘Cause You are strong, You are sure
You are life, You endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking through

(Chorus)
Here's my heart Lord,
Here's my heart Lord
Here's my heart Lord,
Speak what is true

Here's my life Lord,
Here's my life Lord
Here's my life Lord,
Speak what is true
Speak what is true
Speak what is true

I am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I'm made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am free

‘Cause You are strong, You are sure
You are life, You endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking through

You are more than enough
You are here, You are love
You are hope, You are grace
You're all I have, You're everything

(Chorus)
Here's my heart Lord,
Here's my heart Lord
Here's my heart Lord,
Speak what is true

Here's my life Lord,
Here's my life Lord
Here's my life Lord,
Speak what is true
Speak what is true
Speak what is true

Cry out to Jesus

Monday, April 15, 2013

Psalm 107:19-21

New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
20 He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!



These verses today are just more confirmation from God of the work He is doing in my life. For the past week or so He has been showing me how my struggles with trust are hindering my growth. 

It started out with Him reminding me that I am to seek His face, to seek first His kingdom. How often I have heard and read these scriptures yet never really meditated on their significance and the role they play in my trust and consequently my growth.

To illustrate this, God used the ocean at night. I see Him and He beckons me to Him. My first inclination is always to say yes, God I'm willing to go where You lead. So I swim out into the middle of the ocean and then I begin to notice my surroundings...how dark and deserted it is in the deep and I turn to look for the shore and can barely make it out in the distance. Then panic sets in and I know I have to turn back to where I can touch bottom...to feel the ground beneath me. So I struggle to swim back to shore...to that security. But that security isn't real or eternal so it doesn't make me safe or strong. And putting my trust in that false security makes each day a struggle.

God says to me "Jammie, seek My face. Look to me for your security, for your safety, for your life. Don't get distracted by what you see with your human eye. Rely on My vision on My strength on My plan. Leave the shore behind for good....for a greater good. You are My precious child and there is no place safer than My arms. Leave the struggle behind."

And today, putting myself in this verse...when I cried out to the Lord in my trouble, He saved me, He healed me, He delivered me out of destruction. How can I doubt His faithfulness or His presence? I praise Him for He is holy. And He is my security. When I seek His face, everything else fades away. I see through the eyes of faith.....through His eyes not by what circumstance looks like. I can operate without the stress of the world.

I am a child of the one true King! I am saved, I am change, I have been set free! Satan has no power, no authority, no dominion over me. I don't have to accept anything he brings to me or against me. My God is well able to deliver me.....He has delivered me through His son Jesus. Praise God. Thank you Jesus. I am blessed and highly favored!

Matthew West - Hello My Name Is

Friday, April 12, 2013

I love how God continually sends us confirmation in just the right way at the right time. I got into my car last night after a day of having to keep reminding myself that I belong to God and the enemy has no dominion over me no matter what he tries to bring against me. And just so I'd know God was reminding me to, I turned on the radio and this song was playing at the point of the chorus. I hope the words of this song minister to you today as well!

Hello, my name is regret
I’m pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I’m the whisper inside
That won’t let you forget
Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I’ll drag you right back down again
‘Til you’ve lost all belief
These are the voices, these are the lies
And I have believed them, for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, and I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King


I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new
Has proven it’s true
Just take a look at my life

What love the Father has lavished upon us
That we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King