Verse of Hope

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Waiting on the Lord...yay right!

Up until Wednesday I was in distress. I was concerned over the unknown events coming up in my life. In two weeks or so Rodney and I will be attending a church that is not a church he is attending nor I am attending. I attended a local church for four plus years and the Lord lead me out to go to a woman's bible study and from that move I became a leader in the class. In a short time, He has changed my life and I am leaving this class.
Stepping back. The church I attended I truly enjoyed and I felt comfortable there so why was the Lord leading me away to this ladies' class I wondered. In time it was revealed to me as it was to you now. Yet, I was comfortable in transitioning to a new class and new church with a new agenda; I was at peace.
I was comfortable in going because I knew the ladies in the class, some of the people in the church and it was good.
Fast forward to today. I am not so comfortable. I am heading out on a new road into the darkness. I don't know why I am being transplanted (again) other than Rodney and I attending one church together. I don't know what I am going to be doing in the church besides learning God's truth. Yes, perhaps that is all that I am suppose to do now. However, I am a doer of the word. I don't want to be on the sidelines, looking through the glass to see what others are doing but be involved.
There are other issues to moving away from my current church into a new church. I am comfortable and my world is being shaken up. I do not like it.
During this week of my trials I felt lead to encourage someone else. I mean after all if I can't encourage myself why not encourage someone else, right?  Here I am thinking that my friend is in distress over her situation so I wanted to encourage her with expressing my gratitude for her being in my life. Don't discount what I am saying, I truly do appreciate her and my intentions were to encourage her without receiving anything in turn.  Little known to me I was the one that was encouraged.
Her words confirmed that what I said encouraged her, but it was four small short words that she used to sign off with that encouraged me..."waiting on the Lord."
I pondered over these four words for a short time and then chuckled.

Sometimes we get so comfortable, as I did, that we don't want our worlds shaken up. Sometimes we get so involved in what we are doing that we don't want to be interrupted. Think about this one. You are engaged into a movie and the exciting part is just about to take place, the music gives it's ambiance, and your DVD or television goes into the ant races. That is what I am talking about, interrupted to the point of frustration. You want to see the next scene.

In my distress I didn't want to wait on the Lord. I didn't want to be patient to see what He is going to do. I want to know now what is going to happen and what I am going to be doing. To make a decision to wait on the Lord takes faith, trust, loyalty, and devoutness. I thought I had these until I read those four words.
I dropped to my knees and told the Lord "I choose to wait on you Lord. I choose to wait for you to tell me what to do next, I choose to take one moment at a time, I choose to wait for you to show me why things happen the way they do and I choose to let you be in control." I must say it wasn't easy, but I said it and I did it.
After I surrendered to God's will and not my own and made the choice to wait, I had a peace come over me; at least for a while.
My friend's husband came to the radio station and when I saw him, my tears fell. I was hurting for their family. Yet again, I was comforted by his words. He appeared to be at peace and I was the one torn up inside. WOW!
I tell you all this to make a point. We worry, stress, and concern ourselves over so many things when we don't have to. When we think the world is coming to an end it should be okay with us because God is in control people. We are our own worst enemy. We think we can change things by worrying or stressing over a situation.  We think we should know what is going to happen next when really we should only think about what is going to take place in the next few moments.
So, if you are like me and in a transition of your life, wait upon the Lord and allow Him to guide your steps. He's all ready journaled our days down, we just have to walk through it peacefully. Surrender your worries, concerns, and those uncomfortable feelings you have in the pit of your stomach to the one who already knows they are there. He is big enough to handle them, after all He's got the whole world in His hands.

Waiting on the Lord
~Marjorie

Monday, March 26, 2012

Mindful of God's Marvelous Work

Have you ever been so busy that you haven't taken time to notice the bright sunshine or the new buds on the azaleas this year? Are you so concerned with giving your prayer list to the Lord that you don't notice or you don't ask if He has answered any of them? I'm not always mindful of God's marvelous work.
I have a list of people I pray for to turn from their darkness and open their hearts to Christ. So in my prayer one day I asked God to show me where he is at work within my family, my friends, and more so in our county. It wasn't soon after my request that He showed me the marvelous works of his hands.
The first answered prayer is about a young woman who when I met her had a broken heart, couldn't hear from God and wondered what was wrong with her. As we became friends her heart has mended a little, she hears from God, and is an exciting relationship with him. Her self confidence is rising and I see the transformation God is doing in her life though it is difficult for her to see. When I sat back and saw this change, I was filled with great joy.
The next young woman when I met her was very displeased with her job, in pain quite often and though she knew God, she didn't appear to trust him. In the past few weeks I have seen this woman come against conflict at her job only to be at peace while Jehovah provided her with another. The trust she has placed in Jesus has been remarkable. The Lord pressed upon me to put this young woman into a position to lead and she could not refuse, at least I was hoping she wouldn't refuse. The woman stepped up to the challenge and her confidence in Christ grew even more. She has even seen the blessings from answering God's call.  I am so very pleased for her.
The other day Rodney and I were just driving in the neighborhood with our windows down. As we were riding between two streets I could hear gospel music playing and it sounded like some preaching going on. So we slowed down a little more and the sound got louder as we approached the oncoming street and house on the corner. It was true, a woman had her sound system inside her fenced yard and praising the Lord, worshiping him in song and prayer. I told Rodney I needed him to stop and I felt lead to go and speak to this woman.
I walked up to her fence while her back was to me and called for her "ma'am, ma'am" I said. I didn't want to startle her. She finally turned around and I introduced myself. I found out that her name was Judy. I explained to Judy how I heard her praising and it sounded like she was praying for a special friend. She said she didn't think so, but that she was letting the Holy Spirit use her, so He may have had her praying for someone specific. Well, I agreed with her and explained why I stopped. I asked her if I could pray over her and she accepted. So there in her yard, with praise music going on, I prayed blessings over her. The Holy Spirit was so strong there between us that I cried. I explained that the Lord was proud of her for speaking His words and truth in the air, that no matter what her neighbors thought or were staring at, it was pleasing the Lord that she was so bold like Paul. She agreed, she didn't care that they were sitting on their porch and watching her praise the Lord, He is her Lord and Savior and she wanted to share him with others and this was her way.  Before leaving Judy, she explained how my stopping to encourage her touched her heart and that if I stayed another moment, she was going to cry and it wouldn't be a pretty sight. With that we said our good byes.
I can't get Judy off of my mind. Here this one woman was holding a revival in her own yard.  I wonder what this world would be like if we all took time to open our windows and doors and allow the Holy Spirit to just use us in His great and mighty way.
Prior to our Saturday drive, we had the opportunity to share the gospel with our neighbors, to pray for them, and for some we were able to invite to a local church. It was inspiring to seeing the hunger in a woman's life that is struggling with her two daughter's choices as we spoke to her about how God loves her and has a plan for them all. I gave her my phone number and I am waiting to hear from her. It is only in  God's plan if she does and I am at a great peace if she does or does not.
So I pose this question to you, have you seen the Lord at work in some one's life? Are you sharing your faith in Jesus Christ with others? When was the last time you noticed God's work in your own life or in someone elses?
I encourage you to take time now and reflect on your prayer list and give God praise where you or someone else have had victory in this journey of life.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Grateful Heart Overflows

Hello My Friend,

This morning I woke up with a grateful heart. Rodney and I were in prayer this morning and my cup runneth over. I am very grateful for my friends that care for me, family; both blood and by adoption through Christ Jesus, my dog Sadie and Rodney. Most of all I am filled with an overwhelmingly gratitude towards God the Father.
All of us have days where we think it can't get any worse and something happens. We pray for our day to end on one small good note, but it ends with an argument instead. Life doesn't seem to get any better just bitter and there appears to be no hope in sight.
I thank the Lord that he didn't give up on me. He will not give up on you either. He carried me through some really tough times, sometimes to the point of death, sometimes it was just muddy waters that I had to tread through. All the times I cried on my pillow not wanting the sun to rise, yet knowing it was going to anyways. I am thankful that my friends walked with me through those tough times and through them God showed his love.
I don't know what you may be going through today, but I pray that you will be encouraged that Jesus is walking with you, maybe even carrying you through it. He cares about the littlest details of your life.
You may feel alone, but my friend you are not. I pray for you and I want to encourage you to press toward the prize of Jesus Christ. There is a better home than this one, Jesus went to prepare for you. 
If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God; I encourage you to invite him into your life today. He's waiting for you.
If you know of Jesus Christ, but have not spent time with him in a while; I encourage you to stop now and say hello then continue with ACTS and watch your world change. 
Oh, you may not know what ACTS is, huh?
Admiration ~ Give Jesus admiration for what He is doing and has done in your life. Call him by his different names through glorifying him. Son of God, Morning Star, Holy One,....etc.
Confess~Tell Jesus what has kept you separated from him. You know the sin in your life or the lack of giving him some of your time. We all get busy, but He is always sitting in the chair waiting to talk with you.
Thanksgiving~ Give Jesus your thanksgiving list. It changes your perspective when you look at the good things in your life. Just a new day to see your child, friend, or pet is worthy to be thankful for.
Supplications~Let Jesus know what you would like to do or have or better need from him. He is so willing to give you his fullness, richness, and grace. 

Go ahead and try it, it just might change your life. Prayer works.

~Be encouraged
Marjorie

Monday, March 12, 2012

Lighten Up and Laugh!

I have not laughed so much in my life as I have in the past six months. There was a time when laughter was demeaning humor and it was set out to hurt others; me or my children. I didn't realize that it hardened my heart so much that laughter became something that wasn't good. In fact, I could not remember what a good laugh was unless I was watching a comedy. I do not remember having a good laughter in my home for a long time. There is a photo I have where my kids were at the ages of 7 and 5, or there about, and we are laughing. I can't remember what or why were laughing, but we were. I starred at that photo for a long time trying to remember. .
I participated in a small group bible course one time, "A Life of Love and Laughter" by Dennis Swanberg. I sat in there trying to remember how to laugh and why it is important to laugh. I would hear stories from other attendees about how laughter was in their house and it was good. I would sit there and cry wondering what that felt like. Growing up there was a lot of laughter, but it wasn't until I was in my twenties to thirties that I lost the joy inside.
Moving forward, I have enjoyed smiling and laughing.  I don't enjoy laughing at crude things because it's not my character. When I began listening to 91.3 Hope FM, I began listening to
  Ken Davis "Lighten Up and Live". I laugh and I enjoy his humor.  Recently I was introduced to comedian Mike Williams through A Women's Resource Center banquet. He kept saying "lighten up" and I finally understood that is okay to laugh at the good stuff, some of it was just real life issues. If we can't laugh at the real stuff, what can we laugh at? I use to think that pulling ones finger was just crude and obnoxious. Mike made the action actually funny to laugh at. I hope he comes back and brings more jokes to make me laugh even harder. 
Since God said in Proverbs that "laughter does the body good," I think it is good to laugh.  A researcher at Vanderbilt University found that 10-15 minutes of laughter is equal to 10 minutes on a rowing machine. I don't know about you but I'd rather laugh than row.
Do you want  a spoonful of sugar or laughter? I suggest clicking on one of the three links above and have a good laugh. It will change your day and your outlook on life.  Go ahead lighten up and laugh.

It Is Well With My Soul...not always

I and others had a pretty busy week with raising funds for 91.3 Hope FM.  It was a time of great peace, joy, excitement, and much more. I am very grateful to be part of such a grand ministry of God's.
I recognized I had a control issue and a work-aholic mind set. God showed me a few things about myself during the week and to the end.  I hope that you will allow me to share with you my lesson.
I am always desiring to do God's will and work, I surrendered each day to His desire and did as he led me to do things or not do something.  I believe I changed in the last day. I remember praying God's will be done, but walking away from prayer ready to sit at the computer, punch numbers, make reports,and make changes as needed. I was in the driver's seat, or so I thought. 
At the end of Friday day four, I, and others, were exhausted; ready to pack up and rest.  I got home and found that I couldn't rest.  I was on an adrenalin high. I felt I needed to keep working, so I did a few things on the the computer and then my computer wouldn't let me back on the website. Coincidence? I don't think so.  I believe God wanted to show me that He sits on the throne and not me.
As I started to decompress, thoughts of what I could do to help us reach our final goal began to annoy me. I wanted to get on the the website so bad that I could taste it.  I finally turned my computer off and surrendered. 
Yet, because I was tired and my defenses were down, Satan used it to attack me. I heard how I was the one that was responsible for us not crossing the finish line with the set goal. I had the power to change the numbers by doing things differently.  I listened to the yucky pucky thoughts so much that I was in tears for most of the night and early the next day. I took on the oppression of the devil telling me that I was better off dead than to face the world with what I didn't do. Oh, yes, my friend I was at an all time low.
BUT GOD!
You see, God showed me differently one moment at a time. My spouse and best friend kept telling me that I did what God wanted me to do, I was obedient to him, I didn't have that much power and that God knows my heart. I counteracted with everything he said with "yay but."
I reached out to a friend who encouraged me the same, friends loved on me with a wedding shower where I felt very loved, and I went to a bible study ready to go to sleep, but the Lord showed me his compassion there. He also spoke the words of my beloved through two of my female friends, Chris and Ann Marie. By Sunday morning, I was listening to Pastor Kirby talk about the Holy Spirit and how he works through us. I sat in the teaching with tears streaming down my face because the Holy Spirit was using the Pastor's words like an antibiotic ointment on my heart. I went to the front to ask my daddy to forgive me for thinking I could control things, I handed the numbers over to him, and let him work in our community and on the hearts of others the way He chooses and not me.  The Lord told me himself that "no one is perfect except the Son of God, my Son."  Then I heard again from someone else that repeated the same exact words.
I walked away Sunday morning refreshed and renewed. "It is well with my soul" just as the song says.
Then later that morning, Psalm 86 was read and it was more ointment being spread over my wounded heart. "For great is your mercy toward me and You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol." 
Psalm 86:13
"Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up." James 4:10
Later on Sunday evening, God gave me the opportunity to teach nine youths between the age of 13-17 about Him.  When it was all over, I had the chance to ask the oldest one if there was anything I said that touched his heart, or changed his thought about God.  Chris replied "when you said that God cares about the small stuff in my life like the cereal I eat. This brought him closer to me than thinking he just cared about my week."  "I understood what you were saying too."
You see my friend, if I had not ran to Papa and told him what I did was wrong and surrendered, he couldn't use me to help someone else come closer to him.
I ask you, what are you holding onto that you think you have control off, but really you just need to surrender?  Make it well with your soul, it will do you good.

~Marjorie
91.3 Hope FM is an ongoing ministry on the air waves. If you have not had the opportunity to donate your gift or pledge click on the link provided and do it today. Every little bit adds up to a heap and God will do amazing things with it.  We humbly appreciate your help in keeping our doors open to help others, encourage others, pray for others, and glorify the Lord Almighty daily. Won't you share Jesus with someone today?