Not Forgotten

As I go through life, I find myself being tossed about in the ebb and flow of it and lose sight of my purpose.

Maybe I'm not the only one.

As I read God's Word I'm reminded of three important truths that help me know that God is not finished with me and has plans for me, either doing what I'm doing now, or doing something completely different in the future. Either way, He's got a plan to use me and He has plans for you too.

•  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation," (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV).

• "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope," (Jer. 29:11).  

• "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ," (Phil. 1:6).

Yes, God did make me a new creature when He cleansed me from all of my sin when I accepted His Son Jesus. Yes, He does have plans to give me a future and a hope. And, yes, He did begin a good work in me and will bring it to completion.

Have you lost sight of these truths? Do you feel as if you are always waiting for God to use you?

God, in His timing, will give you the opportunity to use every gift He has given you as well as the power to accomplish His will in your life.

Don't give up . . . 

you are not forgotten.

All scripture from the English Standard Version (ESV).

All photos courtesy of www.pixabay.com.

Staying in Sync . . . How are you rowing?

That's me.

Light blue shirt, fifth from the back . . . Or fifth from the front. Either way, I'm smack dab in the middle.

For months I had rowed on an erg at Greenville Indoor Rowing, but I had never been on the water.

It's one thing to sit on your own rowing machine going at your own pace, but it's another thing entirely to sit with 7 others trying to row and stay in sync. All I had to do was hold on to my one oar and row with it--that is without it dragging in the water, turning it upside down, going in the water when it should be out of the water, or splashing everyone around me.

I knew all about the technique of rowing including the catch, the drive and the finish. I understood the 11:00 and 1:00 positions, stroke rates, and breathing. I just wasn't used to the one long oar that I was responsible for getting in and out of the water instead of the handle on my rowing machine.

It took us awhile, but we four rowing newbies caught on to what the four Clemson University Rowing club members were doing and we finally got that 8-man scull going in the right direction.

And it was amazing.

What speed we were able to reach when we all worked together.

I think of this experience when I'm working with others, be it my family, co-workers, friends, or church family. When we are in sync, we can not only move in right direction, but we can move with speed and efficiency -- but I have to do my part and do it correctly. I can't do their part and be efficient any more than I could take another rower's oar and row with it at the same time.

It just doesn't work.

So when working with others or with my family, I concentrations on my part, rowing my "oar."  And when we all do the same, staying in sync . . . wow, it's amazing!

Next time you are trying to accomplish a goal with your family or a group, remember, just concentrate on your own oar.


It's no fun getting splashed in the face with a gallon of water!



Pictures, not including rowers, are courtesy of www.pixaby.com

Are You Waiting?

Are you waiting on something?

Someone?

An opportunity? An answer?

A way out? A way in?

Hang in there, God is in the wait. 

And besides, He may be positioning you for something great!

In a book in the Bible that bears her name, Esther was orphaned and being raised by her uncle. She was not married, nor living in the country in which she was born. At that time, the King had dismissed the Queen for not submitting to him and had called for all the beautiful young women to be brought to the women's quarters of his home. There they prepared for a year before being brought before the King. The woman that would please him would become Queen.

Oh how Esther must have waited. But God was preparing her, for she received favor from the King and not only became Queen, but later was able to save the entire Jewish nation from being killed.

So, are you tried of waiting?

God may not be planning to use you to save an entire nation, but He may be positioning you to do something mighty in His name.

Don't despise the wait, but place in your heart the truth that God loves you and is wanting to use you in His time and His way.

For who knows . . . "Whether you have come to (this place) for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:12).

Has this been an encouargment to you? 

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 Let's walk this road of life together!

~ Beth

photo courtesy of pixabay.com

Basket of Contentment

I didn't see either coming, the bike with a wicker basket filled with fresh flowers and two loaves of bread or the feeling of discontentment.

I didn't wake up discontented.

I wasn't trying to find something to bring on the feeling of "this isn't what I want to be doing."


No, it rode across my heart as steady as the bike being pedaled by the young woman on the sidewalk before me.

How could I not notice her carefree posture with the wind blowing through her hair as she made her way home from shopping as I wrestled with my purse, lunch bag, and brief case getting into my car to go to my office. Nothing carefree about what I was doing.

Oh, to be her.

Oh, to have a cute white vintage bike and wicker basket.

Oh, to be riding on a bike outside instead of getting in my car to go to work.

Oh, to have those flowers in a pretty vase on my kitchen table as I slice the fresh bread and cover it with butter and jam.

Oh, to have a cute kitchen table.

Oh, oh, oh . . . my thoughts were spinning out of control like my tires were spinning out of my neighborhood.

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your  adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (I Peter 5:8 NASB).

Reality check.

I couldn't let the enemy take a beautiful morning in which I was going to my appointed place for the day devour me and suck me into discontentment. I may have been slow to catch on, but before I got to work I had realized what he was doing.

We must be sober, be alert, always walking close to the Lord so we can see the enemy and his schemes.

I may not have a bike with a basket full of fresh flowers and bread, but I have THE bread of life to give me peace, no matter what comes my way.

Discontentment . . . you can have no place in my heart today!!!


photos courtesy of pixabay.com

Granddaddy's Bible

It was passed on to me, my Granddaddy's Bible, but with it so much more.


For you see, I found a page in which my grandmother had taken the time to write something that has become as much a treasure to me as the worn burgundy KJV Bible itself.


On page 1734 where the book "Philippians 4" was printed on the left side of the page and the heading "Stand Fast" was printed on the right side, I found two verses where she had drawn a block with a blue ink pen. Above the block she scribbled with her 90 year old hand the words,

"Words that pastor felt Bro. Ralph would have said to the family."

If that wasn't enough to start my heart pumping I read the words that Paul wrote thousands of years ago, the words my granddaddy felt were so important.

"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity," (Phil. 4:9, 10 KJV).

My granddaddy was a man of few words but he lived a godly life in front of us all. The things that I learned, received, heard and saw in him, I should do also. Yes, God's peace was with with Ralph Ligon King Sr., and he is right. If I will do as he did, God's peace will be with me too.

I have taken these words to heart, not just because they were highlighted, but because I know they worked in his life.

Though a man of few words, his testimony lives on in an old burgundy Bible and in his granddaughter's heart.

What are you facing today that seems bigger than you can handle?

Remember, you are not along. God wants you to be still and know that He is God. For with Him, "nothing is impossible" and He wants to do a miracle in your life.

Take a moment to be still before the creator of the universe, your "Abba" Father, and let Him comfort you and give you His peace.

When we are still before Him, not only can we hear His voice, but we can feel His heartbeat as we sit in His lap.

Should I or Should I Not?

"Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. 

With Your counsel You will guide me,. . ." 

(Psa. 73:23-24 NASB).

Should I go, or should I not . . .

Should I read it, or should I not . . .

Should I see it, or should I not . . .

Should I say it, or should I not . . .

Should I believe it, or should I not . . .

Should I do it, or should I not . . .

We are living in a time in which the enemy is seducing and enticing not only unbelievers, but believers. If you will take time to notice, we are being bombarded with information, products, and ideas and many are not good for us or our families. The problem is, we have a deceiver, Satan, who makes these dangers seem harmless, fun, and insignificant.

Are you being pressured? Do you have trouble discerning what is truth and what is not? 

Do you want what's best for you and your family — God's best?

When in doubt, we as believers have our source—It's God's Word.



R. A. Torrey writes, "Whatever promptings may come to us from any other source, whether it be by human counsel or by the prompting of some invisible spirit, or in whatever way it may come, we must test the promptings, or the guidance or the counsel, by the sure Word of God."

Where are you looking for guidance today?

photos courtesy of morguefile.com

Do You Hear It?

Do you hear it?


Or maybe I should ask, do you not hear it? The noise, the hustle, the bustle from a busy Christmas week.




I wonder how quite it was the night of Jesus' birth after the shepherds left and the animals settled down. Talk about noise, hustle and bustle . . . there was a lot going on for awhile in the stable that was tucked away in the small town of Bethlehem.


In Luke 2:19 we read from the Amplified Bible that "Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart." What sayings? The account the shepherds gave about their visit from an angel and then the multitude of the heavenly host that praised God concerning the birth of His only Son.


She was nestled away in a stable, holding the Son of God in her arms as she felt His heart beat next to hers. While rocking Him, the words of the shepherds must have moved across her mind and she spent time weighing and pondering what they said. It was true, the baby she held was the Son of God, born to be the Savior of the world.


In the quietness of these days following Christmas may we too spend time weighing and pondering the things we have heard about the birth of Jesus. We may not be nestled away in a stable holding the Son of God in our arms, but if He lives inside of us, we too can feel the beat of His heart next to ours. For it is true, Jesus is the Son of God and He is the Savior of the World.

Who Do You Trust?

Who do you trust when

the storms of life 

come your way?

Visit me at Dr. Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries . . .

Unannounced Storms -- In Touch Ministries



Blessings,
~Beth



picture courtesy of www.morguefile.com

God Surprised? Never.

There are times when we can see the storm clouds forming on the horizon. We may not be able to prevent them from coming our way, but at least we can prepare for their arrival.

Then there are other times when we don't see the storm coming, we only feel the impact when it is upon us.

Have you been blindsided by a storm? Large or small, we still get wet.

Let me assure you today that the storm you are experiencing, or the one you are trying to recover from, did not catch God by surprise. He says in His Word that He's always with us, no matter what we go through.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,

Nor will the flame burn you."

(Isa. 43:2 NSAB).

photo coutesy of www.morguefile.com

Expert Fluff and Fold

Expert Fluff and Fold . . . These words are posted on a sign in front of a dry cleaning business I drive by a couple of times a week. I know I've read it many times but today as I read it a conversation formed in my mind.

"Are you this kind of person?"

"What?"

"Are you an 'Expert Fluff and Fold' kind of person?"

"What kind of person is that?"

Then it hit me, so many times we use our words and actions to only fluff those around us. We pour out shallow compliments or pleasantries that splash on the surface of another's soul. After the fluff comes the fold -- when we take the things they are going through, fold them, and place them neatly on a shelf out of our way.

We seem to be so absorbed in our own lives we sometimes don't want to take time to listen, help, or encourage others. So, when someone in need crosses our path, we do the easy thing -- fluff and fold.

Take time to notice . . .

has God placed someone in your life that you need to listen, help, or encourage? 

Better yet . . .

take a look into the closet of your heart and see what (or who) you may have folded and

placed neatly on a shelf out of the way. 

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up" (Eccl. 4:9,10 NKJV).

pictures courtesy of morguefile.com

God Notes

We all love to receive mail, but in the day of email, text and facebook messages, a letter or a note rarely shows up in our mailboxes.

Today I sent a card to a dear friend to encourage her. 

In my note I shared Scripture verses I thought would help her, God's Words -- not my own even though the words were displayed in my handwriting.

God sends us notes of encouragement, we need only look in His Book to find them.

Here are a few God Notes for today:

• "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you" (Deut. 31:6 NASB).

• "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (I Peter 5:7 NASB).

• "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psa. 46:1 NASB).

Hide these God notes in your heart  . . . 

better yet, share them in a letter. 

We could all use a note from God!

photos courtesy of www.morguefile.com

A Cry From My Heart

To everyone else it's a pretty church on a hill overlooking the quaint main street of Highlands, NC, but not to me. To me it's where my Heavenly Father answered the cry from my heart and said "Yes. Yes, you can come back home."

First Presbyterian Church, Highlands, NC

I was a prodigal daughter and was tired of wallowing in the muck of the world and running from bad choices that I didn't want to define me or my future.

Have you walked away from the Lord?

Do you want to come home?

Do you want to see your Heavenly Father waiting with out-stretched arms to welcome you back?

It's NEVER too late and He is faithful to forgive.

As I poured out my words of confession and sorrow to Him it was as if he took His finger, placed it under my tear-stained chin, and lifted my head towards His extravagant love. He washed me clean, infused me with joy, and enveloped me with peace. From that moment on I've never been the same.

He will do the same for you.

Don't stay away if your heart yearns to be back home. Open the eyes of your heart and look . . . He's right there with you, waiting to be the lifter of your head. He met me at the top of a mountain in an old Presbyterian Church, but He will meet you where ever you are at the moment.

Call out to Him today then join me in declaring,

". . . He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God" (Psa. 40:1-3).

Yes. You can always go home . . .

A Bird's Life

Some days don't go according to my plans. It's like walking into a beautiful summer day, but then by afternoon a thunderstorm comes through and I end up soaked and miserable. (And yes, my umbrella is always in the car, not with me.)




Sometimes my day is so difficult I just have to tuck my head down and push through.



Then there are the days when I feel like I'm watching everyone else enjoy their lives while I deal with all my hardships. Carrying what I feel is the weight of the world on my shoulders keeps me from soaring and enjoying life.



But as I stand on my feeble legs my heart reminds me of the words I hid there long ago . . .

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they" (Matt. 6:26 NASB).


God cares for the birds of the air, but He cares more for me. I need to remember I was made in His likeness and He delights in me.

He delights in you too!

We must not worry about tomorrow, for if He cares for the birds of the field and we are worth more, He will take care of us.







photos courtesy of www.morguefile.com

Not a Leisurely Bath

Perfume sales in the US reach well into the billions. Matter of fact only 17% of American women don't wear perfume. But perfume isn't something new. In Song of Solomon 3:6 we read “Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense . . .” The bride in this verse smells like frankincense and myrrh. Myrrh was the same ointment that Esther was bathed in, but it was not a leisurely bath. For you see, the oils were SCRUBBED into her skin so intense that it became a part of her skin. In this way, the fragrance would not last for only a few hours, like our perfumes, but Esther WAS the fragrance.

Myrrh had many uses in Bible times and has many spiritual uses for us today:

• Myrrh was an ointment to prepare a body for burial. We should be willing to die to self. 
• It was used as anointing oil for the priestly robes.  It's time we realize we're kings and priest and need to step into our robes of authority to help bring change in our homes, schools, jobs, and churches. 
• It was also an alluring fragrance that attracted the bridegroom. In Scripture we can find where the Bridegroom actually sought out the fragrance of myrrh before he entered the bedchamber. Our bridegroom, Christ, is seeking the scent of myrrh within us.

I am one of the 83% who enjoys wearing perfume, but my fragrance fades. I need to ask myself if I would be willing to take a bath and scrub my skin with an ointment until I BECOME the fragrance. We all need to be willing to take a not so leisurely bath and be scrubbed with myrrh so we will in turn die to self, fulfill our destiny, and welcome the Bridegroom.

Now, where's my towel? . . .

Photos courtesy of www.morguefile.com

Road to Encouragement

"After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee" (John 7:1 NASB).

While Jesus was on this earth He walked along dirt streets, garden paths, and cobblestone roads. As He walked from town to town He ministered, taught, and encouraged others.

Cobblestone Road . . . 

Building a road to encouragement one stone at a time.

Join me for short words of encouragement as we walk down the road of life together.

~ Beth