MaggieBelle

Beloved–

And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”   And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.  (from the book of Samuel)

It took over 20 years of hit or miss exposure to the gospel message and life’s calamities, for me to turn my life over to God.  Knowing that I was saved by turning my life over to Jesus I learned that the Lord, God  Almighty is my heavenly father who willingly sacrificed his only beloved son on the cross of Calvary to pay my debt of sin I didn’t even know that I owed. I pray for you to be AWARE when the Lord is speaking to you by name.  Sometimes he only whispers.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. (from Peter)

“He lives, He lives salvation to impart; you ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.”  That’s what I sang and shouted the day I was baptized!  I had to study and pray for my heavenly father’s grace and mercy to understand how I knew; so I could give an answer to those who asked.  I pray for you to desire to get acquainted with the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more . . . But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!  . . . You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. (from the book of John)

I experienced such joy knowing that I would never again be alone when I confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as my savior.  I also learned that my Lord hadn’t abandoned me when calamity showed up at my door; the Lord simply knew I needed to focus on him and not on my circumstances. Today,  Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season gives me a purposeful opportunity to dedicate the next 40 days to keeping the eyes of my heart off myself, but instead on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary and praising the triune God!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.  (from the book of first John)

When I said “the Lord is my shepherd” I was acknowledging that Jesus Christ is my saviour.  During my infant/toddler/adolescent Christian years I held tight to the foot of the cross as I faced calamity (usually from my own foolishness) and blessing.  During my teens/adulthood Christian years I learned from my daily Bible reading/study, about how  the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit wants me to conduct my life and behavior now that I’m covered by his blood.  I pray for you to desire to seek the covering of his blood.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.  (from the book of first John)

I don’t want you to be misled; crying and praying is not a magical formula. Only, with the heavenly father’s mercy and grace, with many a calamity and blessings throughout the years, did I learn to recognize his presence. I pray for you to “run toward the Light and hold on tight” praising the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

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.  (from Proverbs)

 Despite the blessings of 18 months of sound Bible teaching, I failed to incorporate daily reading and praying.  I continued my arrogant attitude throughout my Christian teens and young adulthood. Then, all in one day my whole life became a dark hole that seemed to be overwhelming me once again.  I cried and I prayed until I was overcome with a calm.  Then, I understood that I had to buckle down and study my heritage in Christ. I began to read my bible everyday, not just studying individual passages but really absorbing every word.  I pray for you to choose his way so that you will recognize his voice, even when he speaks to you in a whisper. Praise our triune God.

Luv Ya! 

Beloved–

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,   you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  (from the book of John)

A babe in Christ Jesus.  A babe for sure, I hadn’t a clue what had happened. I just knew I was saved, not sure from what.  And so began my infant/toddler learning years on how and why to use my heritage as a child of God.  Let me tell you, it was a huge learning curve for me with a mindset of a –non-sinner–  I came kicking and screaming, all the way.  My effort at obedience was a disaster caused by my arrogant pride of  “yes sir, no sir, whatever you say sir” attitude.  I pray for you to desire to conform your life to his way, recognizing pride in all its forms while praising the God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. (from the book of John)

I was alone, falling into the deepest darkest hole, me the problem solver, with no solution to stop me from failure.  I was distraught and in tears, when I was reminded of the words I had morized as an 8-year-old.  As I repeated those words  … The Lord is my shepherd … I knew I would never be alone again.  I became a babe in Christ Jesus!  I pray for you to be drawn to the Son whose Father, God loves you with an unending, everlasting love.

Luv Ya!

H A P P Y    N E W    Y E A R    M Y    B E L O V E D

The History of “It’s Wednesday”

The power of praise and prayer has been a passion of mine since I was a very young Christian.  As a church secretary, I took on the prayer ministry, especially for students and teachers at the preschool located on the church campus.

The prayer ministry came to include actual hands-on prayer, Wednesday was the designated day.  One particular teacher would often say to me “It’s Wednesday, isn’t it?”  When she resigned to return to school, she said she would miss our weekly prayer time.  I told her, “don’t worry I’ll email you your prayer.”

In her first emailed prayer I wrote on the subject line “It’s Wednesday” and the title just stuck.  I would like to introduce you to that weekly email known as It’s Wednesday, that began in 2003.

I’m praying daily for YOU and that you will fall in love with Jesus more and more everyday; He has taken out your heart of stone and given you a heart of flesh and blood … His blood!  

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.  Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.  Wash me clean from my guilt.  Purify me from my sin.  For I recognize my rebellion;  it haunts me day and night.  Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.  You will be proved right in what you say,  and your judgment against me is just.   For I was born a sinner—    yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.  But you desire honesty from the  womb, teaching me wisdom even there.  Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice.  Don’t keep looking at my sins.  Remove the stain of my guilt.  Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me.  Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.  (words I cry as 2020 comes to an end)

Down at the cross where my Savior died, down where for cleansing from sin I cried, there to my heart the blood was applied; Glory to His name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin, Jesus so sweetly abides within, there at the cross where He took me in; Glory to His name!

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin!  I am so glad I have entered in; there Jesus saves me and keeps me clean; Glory to His name!

Come, to this fountain so rich and sweet; cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet; plunge in today and be made complete; Glory to His name!    (so wrote E. A. Hoffman and composed J. H. Stockton in the 1800’s; words that I can use to praise my Savior as I begin the New Year)

Luv Ya!