MaggieBelle

Beloved–

You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own.  And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.  (from Leviticus and 2 Peter)

As impossible as that sounds or even know how to begin such a task, I learned that it takes lots of prayer and a mirror.  I cried out in prayer, “I can’t do it!  Father,help me.”  Not once, but hundreds of times, over many years; until I came face-to-face with the fact that I really wanted my own way more than I wanted God’s way.

I pray for you daily, not to waste time like I’ve done but to choose the way of the God who is rather than your own way.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Hear, O Israel!  The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!  (from Deuteronomy)

Now, that I know that I didn’t find God but that he chose my heart before he made the first handfuls of soil, I want know more about my savior and why he did what he did.  I’ve learned that he is the God who is and that he exists in perfect harmony with God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Most of all I have learned that I need him more and more every minute of every day.

I pray for you everyday to chose to be happy by learning more and more about the God who is.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”  The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it … (from Genesis)

Every January I decide to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  Some years I got so far behind that I just gave up; other years I just got through by  the skin-of-my-teeth.  This year I decided to read at my own pace; this has caused me to notice my own resemblance to grandma Eve.  I too, (much to my own irritation) get distracted by something shiny and attractive rather doing what I’m suppose to be doing; worshiping the God who is.

I pray for you everyday to want to focus on the God who is rather than on the here and now.
Luv Ya!

Beloved–

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.   (from 2 Timothy)

Once, I realized that I hadn’t found Jesus but that he had called me; I can see the people who caused my heart to yearn after the God who is.  From scripture, I have learned that I am to reflect his glory in my life.  I also, learned that it is an impossible task for me alone; only by praising him in all my circumstances can I be reflective.  I can only do that by studying the scriptures to get to know him better and better.

I pray for you daily, that you recognize the hearts whom God has chosen to be seen through you.
Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding… then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. (from Proverbs)

In the beginning of my relationship with the God who is, I thought of him as someone who could solve the problems that I couldn’t fix, if he wanted to.  I had no real interest in getting to know him; he was just another tool in my bag of tricks for fixing things myself.  Since the Bible (in the book of Psalms) had given me help, I thought maybe I should read the rest of it.  That is how I learned I hadn’t found him but that He had chosen me.

I pray for you everyday that you want to find out (know for sure) how much the God who is loves you and wants you to know him intimately.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act… Don’t be impatient for the LORD to act; travel steadily along his path.  (from Psalms)

Trusting the God who is, that’s the easy part for me; waiting to see action not so much. Living with my 16-year-old for granddaughter for the past six months has made me wonder how often I must nag, cajole, beg, promise, and say, “this is not fair” to my heavenly father.  I remind myself, just as I can see the dangers from my granddaughter’s requested activity, so how much more can the maker of the universe know what’s best for me.

I pray everyday for you to trust the God who is and to have 20-20 hindsight to see where his hand has already influenced your life.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline… For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,  examining every path he takes.    (From Proverbs)

When I acknowledge that the God who is has a right to call me out as a sinner and has a right to have control over my life, then I can know the joy that no one else can understand.

I pray for you everyday to want a relationship with the God who is and will work hard at it.

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.   (from Psalms)

When I find that I have joyfully jumped into the pit of self righteousness, I get overwhelmed by my sin.  But, the Lord God who is and by his grace provided solace through his word in the book of Psalms.

I pray for you daily that you seek the wisdom that comes from God’s word.

Luv Ya!

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… But you desire honesty from the womb,    teaching me wisdom even there.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.   

                                HAPPY NEW YEAR