MaggieBelle

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)

During the beginning years of my Christian life I had developed the habit of daily Bible reading but continued to wait until I was halfway through a calamity before seeking the shelter of the Most High. Then, I was challenged to not only to read the words but to realize how understanding the Biblical message would affect my goal to purposefully choose a Christlike life. I pray for you to desire to know the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (from Romans)

I remember traveling to visit family and seeing the words “JESUS SAVES” painted on a rock on the mountain side. From the time I was age 5 until I was 26-years-old I had been exposed to the gospel message; so that when I prayed, “the Lord is my shepherd” it was a confession of faith. The Lord Almighty had been calling me all those years until I understood–that I WAS a sinner–I had committed the ultimate sin of unbelief.  I pray for you to hear when you are being called so that you can praise the God who is … Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Luv Ya!

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!