The Good News!

Waking up on this BEAUTIFUL day in coastal Carolina! Praising God for this abundant sunshine and another day to worship HIM!

I spent 10 hours at my computer yesterday finishing up some paperwork so I could enjoy some of this spring break with my kiddos (we rarely get the same spring break) and quite honestly, I didn't feel the greatest last night. But when my son came home from work at 11:30 and told me he had a great night because he got to share Jesus with some coworkers, my day immediately got better!

O, how I love hearing testimonies of people sharing CHRIST with others but when it's your children....WOW!

There is no better time than now to share the greatest message...the message of hope, of life, of eternity...the message of CHRIST with all the world! This very week, Holy Week, as we prepare our hearts and minds for Easter, let's commit to share the message of the cross with others. Let's immerse ourselves in the beautiful pages of scripture and read again of what Jesus did for us and honor him for His sacrifice. But let's also look expectantly for his glorious return! Praise God! HE is coming again! This is the GOOD NEWS!

He came to earth and put on flesh. He showed us how to live. He took our sin and suffered the cross and death. He arose three days later just as He said....AND he's coming again! He paved the way for YOU and ME!

Are you ready?

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:1-4

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."

Matthew 24:36

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:10-11

Spring Has Sprung!

Well, spring has officially sprung! Of course today feels like winter but according to the calendar, it is spring and warmer days are ahead! Spring is gorgeous here in our coastal town and I look forward to many amazing days! I love springtime because of all the beautiful flowers blooming and green grass appearing. The brown and dead of winter gives way to the bright and colorful of spring!

As I sat during my quiet time thinking of all the beautiful weather we will be having and all the colors of spring we are about to enjoy, there were some deeper questions mulling around in my soul. Questions I need to answer in a heavenly perspective instead of my earthly mindset. Heart questions that go to the throne of my Savior!

As flowers begin to bloom and new growth appears around creation, my soul longs for God to bring about new growth in me. I desire for God to take away the old, brown, dry, and dead of winter and do a new work in my life. I want to bloom right where He has planted me. Only He can truly bring about new growth in me but I need to prepare my soil for this new growth. I need to till this soil by repenting daily of sins and turning from them. I need to water this soil by drinking from the Living Water and feasting on God's Word as seeds are planted. Then, as the soil is carefully nourished and the Son shines down, buds of new growth will take place. Buds that will bloom and grow into a beautiful array of colors with a fragrance that is a pleasing aroma to my Savior and declares His glory all around! That is my desire! Spring in my soul!

Oh, precious Father, that is my desire! Grow me into the woman you want me to be. May my life bloom and grow into a beautiful array of colorful flowers whose fragrance is pleasing to YOU! Lord, may others not see me, but see YOU in me and let the aroma draw them into YOUR loving arms as they seek new growth from YOU. Hallelujah!

"Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

Psalms 51:7 (NLT)

"Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land."

Hosea 6:3 (HCSB)

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

"Come", He said...

There are times in our Christian walk of great searching and patience in our desire to be obedient in whatever God calls us to do. You continually pray, trust, and believe that all things are in His time and for His glory.

Then that day you hear God whisper, “Come”, and in great faith and trust you get out of the boat and go…..

"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Matthew 14:19 (NIV)

I Am Thankful!

Today I am thankful for a God that is faithful! I am thankful for his big fatherly arms that wrap me tight and bring comfort. I am thankful for his Word that provides guidance. I am thankful for his open line of communication so I can talk to him all day long. I am thankful for the sunrise this morning to remind me that another day is before me to praise him. I am thankful for the people he has brought into my life that share sound biblical advice and pray over me when I need it. I am thankful for trials as they remind me of my utter dependence on him and him alone. I am thankful for his love that never ceases to amaze me. I am thankful that HE is enough for me. I am thankful that HE is my portion!

Today, I humbly say.....I am thankful!

"My flesh and my heart fail; BUT GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalms 73:26 (NKJV)

What are YOU thankful for this day?

Be the Blessing!

Today, look for ways to encourage someone in Christ. So many burdens, so much hurt and so many people that need encouragement today.

Offer a smile to weary faces, send a text of sweet encouragement, take your friend by the hand and pray scripture over them today, laugh and sing as you're getting the kids ready for school this morning instead of telling them to hurry up, hug your spouse tightly and tell them, "I love you", before they head out the door for work. Something so simple can be a huge blessing to someone in need today!

Take example of the Master Encourager! Read His Word to nourish your soul this morning and tell him how much you love him! Praise him for who He is because no matter what.....God is always faithful and God is always good!

Be the blessing to someone else. Remember the greatest Blessing that we could ever receive is right among us today. Take hold, go forward and be the hands and feet of Christ today! Shine His light for all to see!

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."

Philemon 1:7

Jesus Never Changes!

In a world that's always changing (and not for the better) we have this truth from the beautiful pages of scripture:

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

No matter what you're going through today or whatever change you may be facing; remember that Jesus is steadfast and sure. He was and is and always will be! Find direction and comfort in him and his Word! He is our sure foundation and will never change! He is our salvation! That is TRUTH!

"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."

Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)

Overwhelming Victory is Ours Through Jesus!

Wow! Don't you just love the power in the Word of God?

All throughout the pages of scripture are treasures so immense that no wealth on this earth could ever compare! The most exciting thing about it all is that it is ours for the taking! Every promise, every treasure, every word is ours as children of God! Praise the Lord!

Let me start your Tuesday off with this spectacular treasure from God's Word.....

"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:37-39 (NLT)

Now if that doesn't make you want to shout "Hallelujah" then you may need to check your pulse!

Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ Jesus! NOTHING can ever separate us from the love of God! Alright, dear children of God, victory is yours today!

How does that put things in perspective?

For those of us that are alive in Christ, we have so much to praise our Lord for! Let's celebrate that precious truth today! For those that don't know Christ, don't waste another second...surrender your life to HIM and live victoriously!

More of HIM, Less of Me!

Good Monday morning! Let's get this week started off right!

Don't let today be a day of dread or regret. Let today be the avenue by which every utterance of your mouth or every thought in your mind gives praise to the One who is worthy. Empty yourself of all the negative that spews ugliness and allow the Holy Spirit to fill you to overflowing so that glory and honor shines on HIM and him alone! It's ALL about HIM! To GOD be the glory!

My prayer today,

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

John 3:30 (NKJV)