MaggieBelle

Beloved–

When I felt my life was empty and useless, I called out to God.  I learned through the Word that I sinned because I was a sinner and needed a savior. (Psalm 23).  With my life centered on Christ and confronted with trials of too much to do and not enough day (Isaiah 26:3) or a crisis of family betrayal (Acts 2:25-26); even in my infirmity the Word comforts me and I am able to say yes sir, no sir, whatever you say,sir!  (Proverbs 10:22)

My daily prayer for you is that the Lord will bless you as you study the Word; and that I will be a blessing or a thorn in your side each week.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

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–

How often over the last 40 New Years eve nights have I asked the Lord, “how can I give you glory in the coming year?”

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. Psm 115

I have failed so often this past year to give you glory, Lord; yet that’s why I am here to give you glory!  My heart spent more time consumed with my own issues rather than than being broken for the lost.  I’ve spent more time on my comfort than time in the Word, more time worrying about things that didn’t really matter than time in prayer for those who don’t know they are lost.

Beloved, my prayer for you, as we end another year together, is that you will spend time feeding on the Word to know him better and more time in prayer praising him for who he is in the new year.  

Luv Ya!

H A P P Y  N E W  Y E A R

Beloved–

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!*

How can I rejoice when my world is crumbling all around me?  Yet, I must!! I feel like giving up and falling into utter despair. My depression threatens to engulf me; I don’t have anymore tears. I desperately cry out, “rejoice, rejoice,” telling my heavenly Father I cannot go on.                

The darkness has receded, my world didn’t end; I marvel at the patience and abundant love that the heavenly Father lavishes on me a sinner.  And so I shout to the Lord, “I rejoice in you my Savior!”  There is just no other way!

I pray for you each day and urge you not to worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.*

Luv Ya!

M  E  R  R  Y    C  H  R  I  S  T  M  A  S

*from Philippians chp. 4

Beloved–

At what I would describe as my first real life crisis as a young Christian, scripture prevented me from sinking into despair.  From my point of view there was no possible solution to the crisis.  I had been praying and doing my daily reading but one problem after another kept occurring; I didn’t think I could physically survive.  

It was the one and only time the Lord spoke to me directly when I randomly opened my Bible.  It opened in Isaiah, chapter 26.  Verse 3 starts with “God will keep in perfect peace all those whose thoughts are fixed on him…”  

Ever since that day no matter what the situation from the driver who cut me off, to the loss of employment, to a child with cancer, to my present infirmity that memorized scripture always gives me peace of mind and heart.

I pray for you daily that God”s word will speak to your heart and that you too, will be comforted in your times of crisis.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Approaching each day with the attitude of “YOU LORD not me” is the only way to have peace of mind and heart no matter how trying the day.  Inside you feel like you are in a whirlwind but outwardly you appear totally calm and in control to the world; people notice and comment.

Daily reading of the Word, daily praise and prayer, and memorizing scripture is what helped me get through the chaos that regularly occurred while raising my children.  The scripture that covered a multitude of broken dishes/windows, negative report card warnings, and protecting me from me is Psalm 34.  It begins, “I will praise God no matter what happens; I will constantly speak of his glories and grace.  I will boast of all his kindness to me; let all who are discouraged take heart…”.

I pray everyday for you to be overwhelmed with the desire to feed on the Word.  No matter what happens, take heart!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

…our only power and success come from God.  He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant.   A covenant, not of written laws but of the Holy Spirit.   2 Cor 3:6   …as the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.  2 Cor 3:18

As I began to feel the effects of the progression of my infirmity I prayed this prayer (I even wrote it down that I might remember to pray it daily).  “I praise and thank you for wisdom on how to be the person you want me to be; how you want me to represent you.”

Frequently, (usually every morning as I awake) I forget what I asked for; and I strive for the person I want to be instead of the person the Lord wants to represent him.

I pray for you daily that you know that the Lord loves you; that you want his plan for your life and actively seek it.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Rm 12:12nlt

What bothers you doesn’t bother me; and what bothers me doesn’t bother you.  So look around and rejoice that your problems are those that won’t overwhelm you.

Isn’t God great!!!  He knows just how far we can go without falling into despair.

I pray everyday for you to see your glass, not half empty nor half full, but full and overflowing.

Luv Ya!

                                                        HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Beloved–

As a new Christian I wanted to know what God had to say about everyday situations.  His Word (Psalm 23) had caused me to turn to him, so I reasoned that reading “the whole book” would be the best way to get answers.  Unaware that there were reading guides available to follow,  I made one of my own.  Then I discovered that God had written a book of Proverbs with 31 chapters (one for each day of the month) right in the middle of the 66 books.  From that day to this day I have read a chapter based on the day’s date.

I made the decision to read through the Bible in a year; it took me 18 months because I got bogged down in Isaiah.   The next time I  tried it, I made it through in a year.  I continue to study the word using many different guides; but never have I stopped reading my daily Proverbs chapter; I learn something new each time.

I pray daily that you will fall in love with the Lord’s word.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

As I have said many times the power of praise and prayer is undeniable.  So too, is the power of praying that prayer using the very words of the Godly inspired Word.

“For I know what plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. Jer 29:11  Heavenly Father, I praise and thank you for your plan for my life.

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world” 1Jn 2:15   I praise and thank you, Father God that you are helping me love you more than the things in this world.

O God you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.” Ps 69:5  Lord Jesus, I praise and thank you that you willingly shed your blood on the cross to wash away my sins.

I pray for you every day that you read the Word and that it will saturate your heart as you learn how great God is!

Luv Ya!