God Finishes His Work

 

God Finishes His Work
"The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me"   (Psalm 138:8). 

"He who has begun will carry on the work which is being wrought within my soul. The LORD is concerned about everything that concerns me. All that is now good, but not perfect, the LORD will watch over, preserve, and carry out to completion. This is a great comfort. I could not perfect the work of grace myself. Of that I am quite sure, for I fail every day and have only held on so long as I have because the LORD has helped me. If the LORD were to leave me, all my past experience would go for nothing, and I should perish from the way. But the LORD will continue to bless me. He will perfect my faith, my love, my character, my lifework. He will do this because He has begun a work in me. He gave me the concern I feel, and, in a measure, He has fulfilled my gracious aspirations, He never leaves a work unfinished; this would not be for His glory, nor would it be like Him. He knows how to accomplish His gracious design, and though my own evil nature and the world and the devil all conspire to hinder Him, I do not doubt His promise. He will perfect that which concerneth me, and I will praise Him forever. LORD, let Thy gracious work make some advance this day!"

When You're Smiling....

Today is a good day for me!  The sun is trying to peek thru the clouds.  I have a job I love.  I have friends who I am blessed with and on top of all that.....I have an amazing family!!!  As I have said before, the past couple of months have been hard ones.  There are days when I realize I really cant complain.  My mom used to sing a song, "When your smiling.....When your smiling.....the whole world smiles with you!"  

 

It is great having days that make you smile, however when I read the verses of Psalm 56 it reminded me that other people may not be feeling the same way as I am.  While it is great to share my smiles and happiness with everyone around me, it is important for me to remember that others are going thru different circumstances than me.  It is not difficult for me to to think back and remember that I have days when I did not feel that the world was smiling with me and I can quickly recall the feelings and expressions that came with that time.  Today is a great day for me.....so what a great chance for me to take the time to help someone else who may be struggling. I have been struggling lately and my family has come to my rescue on more than one occasion.  I have never been more grateful for my family than I have been the past couple of days. Thank you to all my family (and you know who you are) for reaching out to me and my family!  I am humbled by it and grateful for it. 

Dear Lord, Help me to remember to never assume someone is feeling the same way I am.  Help me to have YOUR heart and care for those who are struggling.  AMEN!

 

Smiling is Infectious........

Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin,
When he smiled I realized, I’d passed it on to him .
I thought about that smile, then I realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine, could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected, Let’s start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected!
Everyone needs a smile!!!
God gave us the ability … Let’s share it!

Just a quick reminder.......

The past several months have been hard ones at our house.  I have been searching and praying to God for instruction and wisdom for what has been done, and what lies ahead of us.  Last night, I picked up my Bible to read my devotions, and I was sooo tired that I did not think to ask God to give me instruction or encouragement from His words.  I basically wanted to read it and put it down so that I could go to sleep.  But, I got a big surprise!  God did talk to me and I went to bed thinking about what I had read. 

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."  Jeremiah 1:5

What was I reminded of?  That God sees the end from the beginning.  He already has a plan for me.......and for you.  He has already got the whole thing worked out.  Before Jeremiah was ever born, GOd had a plan for his life already worked out.  That same truth applies to me and you.  It is great to know I do not have to figure this whole thing out.  Sometimes we see thru a glass darkly.  But you know what?  God sees everything perfectly. 

Did you know you were chosen before God laid the foundation for this world?  That was a long time ago.  God knew you and me before we ever existed.He knew you before the world was here.  You were chosen.  You were not an accident.  GOD KNEW YOU!

Soo, once again I am reminded that I am not an accident and God has the best plans for my life mapped out for me and my family..............and for you and your family.  God desires to help me.  God is in the business of helping people, and He wants me and you to rely on HIm to help and carry us through each day and each decision we make. 

God has my life mapped out.  So, even tho I feel as tho I am struggling some days to keep my head above water, God is standing there holding my hand and guiding me.  I am soo glad God knows whats going on.  Now, I need to learn the patience I need to wait on the Lord for answers.  Until then, THANK YOU LORD for knowing me and for already having everything worked out.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!  :)

Peek A BOOO!!!

Dont you just love playing peek a boo with a baby??  I went to the store earlier today and got in line behind a young mom whose baby was sitting in her carrier.  The little one was grumpy and you could tell she had had enough of shopping.  I made eye contact at her and smiled real big!  She just stared at me.  (which I cant blame her.....others stare at me too.  LOL!!)  I then put my hands over my face and uncovered them real slowly and said "PEEK A BOO!!"  I looked at the baby girl and she cracked a smile.  I did it again.......this time she smiled bigger.  I kept repeating it until she started laughing. And by that point, I couldnt stop my self because I loved to hear her laughing!   I am sooo very, very sure that people were staring at me and wondering what in the world I was doing.  As the momma finished her transaction, she went to push her buggy away and said "Thank you, Mam!!  You actually really helped me out just now by entertaining her."  I told her it was my priviledge. 

I walked away from the store proud of myself for making someone else's day just a little bit brighter.  But, then I could hear God say......"Why arent you this way with everyone of my sheep?"  I have to admit that I am bad about picking and choosing who I am going to smile at and who I am going to speak to.  God convicted my heart.  If I can smile at a baby and help keep her occupied for her very, very young mother for just a few minutes.......then, I certainly can smile at everyone else around me.  Smiling is not hard and uses less muscles to smile than to frown.  I'm afraid I am bad about being a "Thinker" and the thinking shows on my face as if I might be upset when I am not at all!!! 

So once again, God used something small to get my attention and remind me to smile more often.  Smile at those around me and always lend a helping hand if and when I can.  Thank God for bringing that precious young baby in my way today.......bless her, protect her and thank you for reminding me how you are full of LOVE and smiles for me everyday!

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring is sprunging!!!  Okay.....so, I know that is not correct grammar.  I apologize.  But, I do have to say that I love this time of year when the trees start budding and the flowers start blooming.  The weather is warm during the day and cool at night.  Its perfect for long walks and barbques. 

During this time of spring, it has always been said to me that with all the new growth going on around us, it is a wonderful and perfect time to regroup and get back on the right track with my priorities and with my life.  How true that is..........although I think anytime is a good time to do this.  Sooo.....I got thinking about where I have strayed and where I definetly need to improve................and sad enough, my list was long.  LOL!!!  I sat and stared at my list and just couldnt hardly believe how bad I really am.  I thought about sharing with you some of my "badness".......but, I just cant bring myself to tell you.  LOL!!!  So, let me just say that along with the spring and the newness of all that is blossoming around me, I am going to take some time to get back on track.  Reading my Bible, praying, trying hard to leave all my problems and issues at the feet of Jesus.  No worrying, no fretting and asking God for guidance in every day and every step I take.  This should be an easy task for me......but, I often make it hard.  So, wont you join me?  Lets start over this spring and be refreshed in Christ as we grow in our Christian walk!!  Enjoy the weather and the freshness that spring has to offer! 

THE FORK

This story is not mine. I have heard it over and over again thruout the years.  Well, I heard it again on the radio today and wanted to share it.  I want to be like the lady in this story......Ready and willing for what ever is coming up next!!! 


The Fork
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things"in order", she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, "Keep your fork". It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?". Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork....the best is yet to come."
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing, another favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means sending back to the person who sent it to you.
And keep your fork!