Growing, growing, and growing...

I serve a truly amazing God...one that brings me peace in turmoil, strength in weakness, happiness in sadness, and joy through it all. I was thanking God late last week after being terrorized by the enemy for days and I just knew that, even though I kept these trials, tribulations, and temptations a private thing between my lowly self and God, that He was and is above all things...the one true strength and refuge for all who seek His face. Saturday came around and I was speaking to a brother who told me that earlier last week, God had put me on his heart and that he had lifted me up in prayer all week. Is God truly awesome? Through prayer and study I survived, and as if God felt I needed more, He brought in reinforcements. Thank you, Jesus. Throughout last week, one of the Scriptures I concentrated on was one that is so overwhelmingly simple and yet so pointed and poignant that without God's perfect direction I would have missed it. The Scripture was Psalm 23...

1 The LORD is my shepherd ; I shall not want .

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever .

Two things have always hit me hard about this amazing and astounding part of God's word...one old and one new. The old thing that has always hit home is that we only walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death...not death, but a figment of what it is and that with Him in our lives we truly are protected. The second and new thing is that He doesn't ask, suggest, allude to, persuade, coerce, or point...He MAKETH us lie down in green pastures.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8.31

Thank You, Jesus...

Keep Smilin' Because When Ya Least Expect It...

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. (Luke 21:8)

So many things have happened as of late...so much turmoil, trial, and tribulation. It has sought to overwhelm. Not, mind you, the physical which is just that...a physical weakness. What truly overwhelms is the enemy and the things and people it will use to take advantage. I have been pondering this verse now for the last couple of moments. What absolute truth it is...things and people who will be used as tools by the darkness. But Christ IS the light...Jesus IS the salvation and the path. Turning to He who is all will defeat that which wishes to be all and will destroy anything to be that all. We must recognize Jesus...recognize that to stray from Him is to stray from the one true and living God. Gratitude overwhelms me now at this early morning hour. My sufferings are nothing in whatever form that they present themselves. He gave everything to me and for me.

Let's Hear Some Testimonies!!!

I would like to welcome all. This is a place to talk about the things that our belief in God through our Savior, Jesus Christ, has done for us. It is a place to shout out your testimony. I'll start with one...

Recently, I celebrated my one year anniversary of totally accepting Jesus Christ. In that time, I fell ill to the machinations of the adversary in that I would succumb to the prodding and nonsense that would come my way. I would fall into bouts of my old self...allowing myself to become angry and judgmental. Through prayer, faith, and love I was able to overcome these diabolical manipulations. I have been able, through trust in God, to achieve an overwhelming joy and peace in my life. I was reading the Bible, yet not fully committing myself to the Savior. Then, as I was studying the Word one night, it became crystal clear...

John 16.33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Thank you, Jesus...