Pure Worshsip

On the way home from church, Caleb was telling me all about his night in Rt. 56 and how he just felt like he needed to raise his hands in worship to God. I told him that was the power of the Holy Spirit and he was praising his God! Then I get home and one of those amazing leaders sent me this picture of Caleb tonight. My heart is full and I thank God for his work in each of my kids' lives! I pray they follow their God always!

~ God-Comfort After a Turbulent Week ~

I love those special moments with my Jesus! Time to get away from the craziness of life and just bask in his presence. O, how He is welcomed to this weary soul after an exhausting week!

It was one of those weeks where challenge was at every corner, fires were popping up everywhere and Satan's fiery darts took great aim at the large target on my back. Thankfully God has given us direction to be armed and ready for battle!

God's Word tells us how to prepare for battle:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

I praise God for His Word that brings comfort and guidance. When trials and difficulties arise, He is quick to remind me of scripture to cling to. My heart sings His praises because I know that no matter how turbulent the storm is, He comforts this child in the midst of the storm.

There is no doubt that we live in a fallen world and the evidence of that grows more apparent with each day. But, today, I choose to cling to the hope I have in Christ that "greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4) and look expectantly for the glorious return of my Savior!

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Revelation 22:12-13 (NIV)

No matter what lies ahead, I will serve Him faithfully and trust His ways. In him I have hope! In Him I have peace! In Him I truly LIVE!

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT)

Month of Church Homecomings!

This seems to be the month of church homecomings! I love looking at everyone’s pictures as they celebrate the amazing work of God that takes place at each church. We celebrated ours at SHBC last week and this week we get the privilege to celebrate with my family at their church, Coastal Community Baptist Church. For four years God has faithfully carried them through a church plant right here in Wilmington and the ministry is growing by leaps and bounds! Souls are coming to know the Lord and they are seeing lives transformed by the gospel as they reach out in the Wilmington area. Hallelujah!

This morning, I get to join my family in celebration and praise to God for who HE is and listen as my brother preaches a sermon that God has laid on his heart. What an honor it is to encourage them in the work of God and worship alongside them!  I am so thankful for each and every church in our area that carries out the work of God in a nation that so desperately needs to see and hear the message of salvation and hope that can only come from Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed day in the Lord as you worship and praise HIM!

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

"Daddy"

O, how I love this time of year! At this moment, I'm sitting on my front porch, Bible on my lap, dog at my feet, cup of coffee nearby and cuddled up with two blankets! Lol! It was only 46 degrees this morning when I headed for my porch but it is absolutely perfect! Summers here are pretty dreadful with scorching heat and high humidity but the fall is beautiful. I'm not a beach girl. Though I love waking up to see a beautiful sunrise over the ocean or seeing the magnitude of God's creation at the sight of an ocean sunset, I don't enjoy days at the beach baking in the scorching sun, with buckets full of sand in every nook and cranny, surrounded by more skin than should be visible. It doesn't appeal to me. I know I'm in the minority on this living in a coastal town and most of you think I'm absolutely crazy...but, it's just not my thing! I have no problem with those who love it; it's just not for me. Lol!

I'm more at home in the mountains. It has always been that way for me. Every time we visit, my soul sighs sweet relief when that first view of the mountains comes in sight. I, along with my daughter, feel at home every time we visit the Virginia mountains. But God has me and my family here in this coastal town of NC and I will continue to bloom right where he plants me! There is work to be done for the kingdom here in this coastal town and I want to stay focused on God to guide me where he wants me to serve. It's all about HIM!

The other morning, I was sitting at the breakfast table with Caleb as he was reading his morning devotion. He stopped and looked at me and said, "Mom, did you know that another name for God is Abba? It means 'father' or 'daddy'. I shared with him that, yes, I knew that and how we have the comfort of our Father, our Abba, every day.

Entering this fall season, I have so many things on my heart. But I'm thankful that I can take them to my Father...my Abba...my Daddy. There are days when I just want to crawl up in his lap as I share my heart because I know he listens and always has the right answers. It's only when I'm honest and still before him that I can hear his voice so clearly though. When I share the deepest aches of my soul or the longings of my heart with my Daddy, I KNOW that he listens. He doesn't always lead me to what I want to happen but he leads me to what he desires for my life. When I immerse myself in his Word and come to him in utter abandon, I can discern his sweet voice so much clearer and trust his ways are better. Being in the center of his will is where I long to be. Trusting in myself can be dangerous because my wants can be put before my needs. But trusting in my Father, my Abba, is where my soul finds rest and full contentment. He is amazing God!

I don't know where you are today. You may have burdens on your heart or are seeking direction in this time of your life. My friend, crawl up in the lap of your Father, and trust him completely to guide you to where he wants you to be. There is no safer place than in the arms of Daddy!

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Galatians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)