MaggieBelle

Beloved–

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.      And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ….. the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).   (from the Old Testament)

What can I say?  The Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has always had a plan for each one of us from the very beginning of time.  I pray for you to trust him with your life/soul; praising the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S

Beloved–

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.  …. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord {to speak}.  (from the Old Testament)

I was taught not to use swear words, not to lie but to be kind in speech — not so much.  During my teenage years — sarcasm was the “smart” thing to say.  I never recognized my arrogance nor that I was being hurtful. I usually spoke first and never thought about it again. Since I was convicted of my gross sin and confessed it, the Lord has been very gracious in helping me to guard my tongue. Praising God in the midst of pain is very soothing.  I pray for you to desire to praise the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.  (from Romans)

The Scriptures (that is to say the “whole book”) tell me what, when and how to live.  When I see a beloved choosing the wide road instead of the narrow path, I know that the Almighty has already formed a plan for the life of my beloved, and in due time I will see my prayers fulfilled.  Yes, no or trust in me. I pray for you to know that your prayers and mine will be answered because we are trusting the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. (from Thessalonians)

As a baby Christian I took all of God’s blessings on me for granted.  Then I learned that even though I was arrogant and foolhardy the Lord God loved me. I learned (by studying the “whole book”) that I could choose to do things his way so that I could be safe in the shadow of the Almighty.  I pray for you to desire to do things his way; praising the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me,  for my depression deepens.  Don’t turn away from me,  or I will die.  Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.  Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;  I run to you to hide me.  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.  May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.  For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.  Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.  In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant. (a Psalm)

Daily (sometimes hourly) I pray that I choose to hide in the shelter of the Most High and that I choose to do his will over my own.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!  Worship the Lord with gladness.  Come before him, singing with joy.  Acknowledge that the Lord is God!  He made us, and we are his.  We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.  Give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. (a Psalm)

I see my heavenly father working in my life when I least expect it. Then I shout for joy knowing that he loves me no matter what!  Praise the triune God for his loving kindness endures forever.

H A P P Y    T H AN K S G I V I N G

Beloved–

The only way I can avoid arrogant comments is to want to with all my heart !!  (from Exodus) The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.  

When I fall short, I confess it, KNOW I’m forgiven, and pray, thanking my heavenly Father for his promise that the Holy Spirit will close my lips before I can speak the next time. (from Psalms)  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 

I pray for you to know the joy of trusting in his promises and abiding in the shadow of the Almighty.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow !!!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. (from Galatians)

Whenever I work up the courage to root out the real source of my sin, I cringe (frequently crying my eyes out) when I recall how often I have arrogantly told my Lord and Savior that, “I got this. My plan is better than yours. I don’t need you.”  How can Jesus love me when I’m so mean and hateful, yet his grace and mercy is beyond measure. Praise be to the triune God who loves and forgives. I pray for you to want to get to the real source of sin.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  (from Peter)

I’m learning to use the GPS on my husband’s new cellphone. Usually, locally I know a  better way than the GPS.  And that’s exactly the arrogant way I came to Jesus, I was so full of myself I couldn’t see the light because I knew the best solution to the problem that I had created. Most always missing the escape route from temptation to sin more. I pray for you to trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior so that you see the Light!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  (from 1 John)

How can it be that the Almighty and savior could want a selfish, self centered soul like mine?  My heavenly Father, the Almighty, gave all that he had (his beloved son) to purchase my soul.  My savior could have avoided the cross—-BUT DID NOT—-so that I could be covered by his blood.  I, even knowing at what price that was paid for me, continue to be blinded to my selfish, self centered ways. Oh, what a merciful gracious Father God he is to me.  I pray for you to take notice of your blinders and look beyond, and praise God for who he is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

“You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit?  (from Acts)

Throughout my young Christian years I most always missed the off ramp to escape sinning. I only saw the way out during my times of reflection on, “ how did I get in this mess.”  God just isn’t in charge but he also wants a relationship with me. He always knows what I’m thinking and he wants me to get to know his thoughts. It takes time, effort and purposeful prioritizing.  Hence, the reading of the “whole book.”  I pray for you to desire to prioritize for the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!