MaggieBelle

Beloved–

It’s Wednesday on Thursday!  I’ve spent the last 3 days preparing my house for the fumigators…we have termites!  It just part of living in Southern California but who would want to live anywhere else?  

When I thought about being homeless for the next 4 days it made me think about the Israelites.  What would it be like to be homeless like they were and yet unafraid.  Me, I get anxious when the newspapers and magazines are stacked together.  My moto is a place for everything and everything in its place.  I’m totally spoiled!  

Then I remember it is not about me and I need to keep my eyes on him and not on me.  I am blessed beyond measure because the Lord made me for his purposes.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,  but to your name

goes all the glory for your unfailing love and

faithfulness.  All you who fear the Lord, trust

the Lord!  He is your helper and your shield.

He will bless those who fear the Lord,

both great and lowly. From Psalm 115

I pray daily for you and for me not to lose sight of the reason for our lives.    

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

I was overwhelmed with shame and gratitude as I heard the song sung by the worship team; the words struck my heart so deeply that it wiped away all my frustrations and petty complaints.  I keep hearing the words in my head frequently throughout the day reminding me that God is right beside me and he is always in control.

I have a maker

He formed my heart

Before even time began

My life was in His hands.

He knows my name

He knows my every thought

He sees each tear that falls

And he hears me when I call     

I have a Father he calls me his own

He’ll never leave me no matter where I go

I pray that you will recognize the truth of these words in your own life.  As I pray for you each day, I pray that your relationship with the Lord will grow stronger and heart encompassing.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

COME, LET US SING TO THE LORD!

LET US SHOUT JOYFULLY TO THE

ROCK OF OUR SALVATION.

THE LORD HAS REALLY RISEN!  *

*from Psalms & Luke

I pray for you daily that you KNOW that Jesus is alive!  He cares about what you care about, every detail.

Happy Easter!!!

Beloved–

How do I know what would have happened if I had been obedient?

Believer or not every human being was born with an innate sense of right and wrong.  As new believer I learned that I was to be in the world but not of the world.  Some relationships should not be entered into.  But like the non-compliant child who ignores the warnings and touches the hot stove; I chose to be disobedient.  I didn’t think I was sinning I was just having a bit of innocent fun that made me feel good.  I entrusted God with my soul but not with my heart’s desire.

As I continued to study the Word the warnings became deafening and 4 months into the “non” relationship, I ended it.  Much to my surprise my obedience caused me pain, for three days I kept asking God,”why me?”  I was actually blaming God for allowing me to make bad choices (the Adam blaming God, “its that woman you gave me” syndrome).  Again, temptation confronted my desire to be obedient and this time I failed to even hear the “shouted” warning and sinned.

Do you think you know what’s best for you to be happy…but there is no door nor window not even a pinhole of a possibility of light.  It took me three years to recognize my sin and confess it to God begging for his mercy.  It took another 20 years for me to learn, that I could bloom (find joy) no matter how difficult the situation.  I learned that God had my back, he knew my heart’s desire and that his timing was perfect.  I learned that when I am obedient and joyfully choose God’s heart’s desire for my own that’s where I will find my happiness.

I pray for you daily that you will hear and heed the warnings when they come; that you will feel his presence by reading his word and not despair because His timing is perfect!

Luv Ya!

Beloved—

O LORD, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God!  Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.  No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,  but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.  Show me the right path, O LORD;  point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by  your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not  remember the rebellious sins of my youth.  Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.  The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.  He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.  The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.  For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins.  Who are those who fear the LORD?  He will show them the path they should choose.  They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land.  The LORD is a friend to those who fear him.  He teaches them his covenant.  My eyes are always on the LORD, for he rescues me.  Psalm 25:1-15 nlt

I pray for you daily that you will chose to put your life in God’s hands, no matter how scary that can sound, much less practice.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Most parents have a set of values that they want their children to emulate; some parents are into sports for their children, others are into the arts or good grades.  And so it is with our heavenly father who is into PERFECTION for his children.  Our heavenly father created us in his image, so that we would think, look and act like him.  We were created one-by-one with a specific plan for each one of us; God is the one who “wired” us the way we are for his purposes and that we will give him the glory!  Psm 139:1;16 O LORD… you know everything about me;…Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Many of us cringe at the idea that we are not our own person with our own original ideas; but our father, like any good parent gently but firmly (mostly; some of us need a 2×4) encourages us to follow his plan.  Most children resemble one parent more than the other if not in looks frequently in actions or deeds.  Despite appearances, no two human beings are exactly the same in all aspects; but every child of God can work at emulating the heavenly father.  We don’t even have to do it all by-our-self or in our own strength; we are never alone (Acts 2:25-26) and the better we get to know our heavenly parent (2Pet 1:2-8) the easier it becomes to joyfully follow his plan for us.

My daily prayer for you is that you pray to your loving heavenly father to help you to get to know him better and better every day.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Joy because

–even when all the “doors” to my heart’s desire appear to be closed, I choose to be joyful.  

–despite the fact that all those who love me think my ideas lack merit (where’d you get that crack pot idea) and I feel totally alone still I choose to be joyful..

–I know I’m never alone, the Lord is always just outside my consciousness…I choose to be joyful.

–LORD, you know everything about me.  You know my thoughts, you know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.  You go before me and follow me.  I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence! (psm 139)   So I choose to be joyful.

I pray for you daily to KNOW that the Lord loves you in a measure beyond your wildest dreams.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Back to what to do about of closed doors of opportunity… you wait!

If you keep trying to open “closed doors” expecting a different result and if you are not willing to wait you won’t be able to move forward nor recognize the real “door of opportunity.

People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.  No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.  The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. (from Prov. 21nlt)

I’m praying for you daily.

Luv Ya!

Beloved—

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days (40 days not counting Sundays) before Easter.  It falls on a different date each year because it is dependent on the date of Easter.  It can occur as early as February 4 or as late as March 10.

The purpose of Lent (recalling Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness) is to be a season of fasting, self-denial, prayer, scripture reading, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent, which comes from the Teutonic (Germanic) word for springtime, can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him.

Prayer: Lent is a good time to develop or strengthen a discipline of daily prayer. A good goal for Lent would be to praise God in prayer morning and evening daily.  Praise and thanksgiving first and requests second.

Scripture Reading:  When facing temptation in the desert, Jesus relied on Scripture to counter the wiles of the devil. It is a formidable weapon for us as well.

A good scripture to start is:

1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.  2 I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy: 3 Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out.   4 God met me more than halfway; he freed me from my anxious fears.   5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.   Never hide your feelings from him.   6 When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.   7 God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.  8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is.  Blessed are you who run to him.   9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.   10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.   11 Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.   12 Who out there has a lust for life?   Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?   13 Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.   14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.   Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!   15 God keeps an eye on his friends; his ears pick up every moan and groan.   16 God won’t put up with rebels; he’ll cull them from the pack.  17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.   18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.   19 Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.   20 He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken.   21 The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good.   22 God pays for each slave’s freedom; no one who runs to him loses out.  Psm 34 the Message

Pray that we can be diligent in our “spring cleaning process.”  I’m praying for you morning, noon and night for the next 46 days.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

I pray for wisdom on how to choose the right plan; and then I do everything within my power to carry out that plan.  There are many different doors of opportunity that appear to start me on the road to my goal; but some doors are locked and others go no where.

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.*

How can I wait? Just how does waiting work in everyday situations?  How can I actually function?

Trust in the LORD and do good.*

I grumble and complain (a lot) but in the end I submit to his authority over my life.  There is no other way to be happy then to trust and obey!  I do what needs to be done and when I think about my desired goal and impatient thoughts enter my mind, I forcibly reject the thought, sometimes out loud.  I tell myself God is working, his timing is perfect, and I thank him for what he is going to do; I praise him for who he is and his graciousness to me.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.*

*from Psalm 37

I pray daily for you to submit to his authority over you and take delight in the LORD.

Luv Ya!