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May 18, 2012

Pain Does Have an Answer

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Oh Lord – I cannot say enough about the incredible-ness of this past weekend in Washington.  WOW!!  As i showed you on facebook, they thought of everything!  It was again a church of much vision and passion and followers of Christ with guts to try!  I don’t see this kind of church everyday, but when I do it is like a taste of heaven.  It is almost one of those things that you have to be there to understand!  So next time, I will take you!!  

After serving at a church for a weekend I am always reminded of the hurting people.  I get the opportunity to speak and pray with all kinds of ladies that are going through things I cannot relate to, but can relay my Jesus to for hope and healing!  It is like I always carry the answer – we DO!!!  Jesus!  
In my devotion I came across a verse that offers so much encouragement and hope for anyone and everyone.  No matter if you are in the midst of a trial or just got out of one – another will be coming – this scripture will speak comfort in your heart!  
13-14 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
      in the exuberant earth.
   Stay with God!
      Take heart. Don’t quit.
   I’ll say it again:
      Stay with God.   Psalm 27:13-14 (Message)

Another translation

13 [a]I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the (A)goodness of the LORD
In the (B)land of the living.
14 (C)Wait for the LORD;
Be (D)strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.  (same scripture but NASB)

There is an answer for your pain – Stay with God!!!  The writer here must have just gone through a pain or trial and this is their final word on it – Stay with God!  Wait on the Lord.  

“Land of the living” or “exuberant earth” simply mean the day we live in today. The earth as we know it.  Here and Now.  

This you must hold on to not matter what the trial is – You may have to look hard especially if your mind’s eyes are clouded by depression or even frustration, but you will see the goodness of the Lord.  You may have to wait a bit longer if you are clouded for whatever reason, but take heart you will see His goodness!!  In the wait be strong and may your hope be encouraged knowing the visible goodness is coming!!!  Take heart!  

I don’t know about yall – but I needed to hear that!!  Pain does have an answer – or there is an answer for the pain – wait on the Lord – you will see!  

Today after I lift weights with my trainer girl – killer woman that I love – my daughter Sarahjane and I will take off for St. Louis for her appointment with the pediatric endocrinologist!  I am excited for this meeting to find out more!  Yall please pray for clarity and definite answers.  Either way – I know we will see the goodness of the Lord on this earth – even today.  I will wait on the Lord and be strong and have a courage heart.  Even if it takes longer than I want – I will wait on the Lord!!!  Amen Jesus – I love you!  
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Learn to Acclaim? Huh?

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Oh Lord, Your Word has not left me empty this morning!  Thank You!

So many times my kids will ask, “Mom, when will I be able to pray like you and daddy?  When will I be able to shout out praises to the Lord and not feel weird about it?  When will this relationship of talking to the Lord not feel so weird?”

I understand their asking and actually appreciate their honesty.  I love their desire to grow and pray often this passion never leaves them – even though it looks very different in my older kids – appears invisible at times.  (I have had to really learn to be patient with that.  A wise friend told me you can not force a rose open before its time.)


15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
   who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.  Ps. 89:15



I was directed to this Word from my Jesus Calling devotion this morning and really sat on it until the Lord spoke this over me; 


A relationship with ME is a learned thing.  It does not come naturally.  We have to work on it.  We see in Ephesians that Paul encourages us to “workout” our salvation.  That does not mean work for our salvation.  That means give it a workout like I gave my shoulders a workout yesterday.  UGH!  


We see the same thing here in this particular Psalm.  Do you see it – “Blessed are those that HAVE LEARNED to acclaim you”.  There seems to be a learning process and possibly a learning curve.  


Notice at the end of the this verse it explains how learning to acclaim – applause, proclaim with enthusiastic approval (dictionary.com) – we have to walk in the light – consistently and habitually some translations said.  


Learning our relationship with Christ, learning to talk with Him, and learning for it to be more natural, will not come natural.  We have to work on this daily and that requires us praying, praising, and yes, reading.  It will come, you will learn, but you have to do IT – and it will look different for many of us. 


Lord, thank you!!!  Thank you for your patience as I learn to acclaim you!  Thank you for your teaching Word and the passion You have placed inside of me to push through the weirdness I had so long ago.  May all those who read this push through as well.  You are so worth it My Lord!!  I love You!   


Emmajoy sings in the talent show at 6 tonight.  and also for the whole student body today as well.  She is excited!  I am scared!  ha  Tucker’s team has won all their games this week.  Won the conference last night!!!  Yeah!  SJ and EL are cheering their little hearts out!!!  Things are good.  

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It’s Not Just the Bad that is Wrong

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Dear Lord, So often I am just a half a day to giving up all social media because of different stuff I see.  I don’t know how to explain it, but so much of it is all about ourselves.  I’m including myself in this observation.  But then you bring something to me and help me to know my time is not done there yet and to keep on.  In fact, I felt Your conviction so as to discern that not taking place, not participating in this avenue of ministry, not even using this for Your good and Glory……….. it would be sin!

Lord, as these thoughts come to me it almost causes me to go to my knees because I don’t understand it at all.  I have even thought I have to be making this up in my mind.  But after much prayer, conviction, and confirmation – I will obey and in that obedience there will be action………again!


If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”  James 4:17


I really appreciate this verse so much!  I appreciate the specificity of it!  It doesn’t just say that anyone that knows good and doesn’t do it randomly is sinning, but it is specific to me!  When I know something He has called me to do no matter what it is – no matter how silly it may seem – no matter how many other times I have done it – no matter if it has never worked before – no matter what – IF i don’t or chose not to follow through on this “good” – that is not just general sin, but this is sin for me!!!!  


What is it in your life?  What is it that you keep passing by for some reason?  What is it that you hear Him saying – I need you to do this “goodness” and you don’t make time, you done feel like it will be effective, you don’t want to get involved, you think it is stupid, you are embarrassed, you are don’t see any good that could come from that………………..


It is not just the obvious bad that is sin in our lives, it is not doing the obvious good that is sin as well.  Oh Lord, may we hear you!  Oh Lord, may we respond to you.  Oh Lord, may we have joy in our hearts.  And Oh Lord, may You be pleased!!  I love you Savior!!  

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Doing my work release hours!

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 3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”  Haggai 1:3-4

Dear Lord, It has been a long time since I posted just simply because I have so many things going thru my head and I am trying to hear correctly.  Sometimes being quiet and having less distractions helps to hear You better.

This past Sunday I taught a wonderfully written lesson by our youth minister from the book of Haggai.  Basically the whole 2 chapter book is talking about a people that have beautifully decorated homes, but the temple of the Lord was in ruins.  Chris made lots of great examples in the lesson that I was to expound upon and did so with much conviction.  (I’m not sure the students got much out of the lesson, but I was forever changed after that hour.)

You see, the Lord of course knew before time began that on my way into church I need to be appalled by the amount of grass and weeds that had been allowed to grow up on our sidewalks.  When I saw it I immediately began to place blame and get angry at what a terrible representation this was of our church.  I was ready to make heads roll – ha ha!  I remember even peering down the sidewalks to see if our street neighbors’ sidewalks looked like ours – nope!!!  UGH!!

So as I began to teach, very loudly to much of the other classes dismay, I could feel the conviction of the Lord sitting heavily on my heart.  It was if I could be preaching to the kids and a conversation going on at the same time in my head with the Lord – quite surreal.

At the very end of my class I was so burdened by the lesson that I told the kids – “I’m not just up here preaching to yall in hopes that you change your life, etc… This lesson has impacted me in a huge way.”  I went on to explain the sidewalks and if it were my house that would never occur.  I don’t even want a weed in my flower beds or near my shrubs.  So why would I sit by and let my church, the Lord’s house look this way?  Why would I let the more important place be falling apart while my own house is shining.  - Haggai 1:3-4

So I had to take action.  I marched myself up to the church and bent down and begin to pull weeds on Monday.  I tried to do it after school was in so that less people would see.  But my lands it is on Main Street and there is no way to cover up this deed.  Oh my stars – my hams are so sore, my fingers want to fall off, and my arms can hardly be brought over my head!!  It has been so interesting the looks I have received, suggestions made, and also the help.

One wonderful lady – Debbie – sent a text thanking me and then met me there the next day to help.  Many cars would give me a little toot as they drove by.  One man in his work truck, Donnie, stopped by to give me a shovel and stayed for a few minutes to help as well – in his work clothes!!!  Another stopped by, Bryan, to tell me he would just spray it and then weed-eat it.  And still others would look quickly at me and then kind of shake their heads as if to say, “wonder what she did to get put on work release or community service hours?”  ha ha

You know – it was great to have help, I could easily make a roar about why this is not done, I could just spray and let time and the wind take the ugly away, but that is not what any of this is about.  This is about me responding to the Word and conviction the Lord Jesus placed in my heart.  This is about obedience.  This is about living out what I know to be truth – the Word of the Lord!!  This is about doing what I was called to do…this week!  This is about not taking the easy way out!!!

I wrestled Monday and Tuesday because I knew the Lord wanted me to write about this.  I was not embarrassed to write about it, I was scared people would judge me and say I was looking for applause.    That is why the Lord and I have argued much of the time out there.  But I relented after Him playing over and over in my heart – Leigh, this is about me and You.  This is about obedience.  This is about making sure My house is taken care of.  This is about people learning from conviction.  You tell this story and encourage others to take a look at their place of Worship.  You tell this story so others can see that My Word is alive and living and still convicts.  You tell this story in hopes that others will turn to my Word to receive a Word.  You tell this story as an example.  You tell this story – because I say so.

So I want to end by asking for forgiveness.  Lord, forgive me neglecting Your house.  Forgive me for by-passing certain parts of Your Word subconsciously thinking it may not apply.  Forgive me!  And I want my own church to forgive me for not doing my part in taking care of my church!  I have not done my part and please forgive me for not acting sooner.  Forgive me!  

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954 – Reliabilty Comes Before Teacher-ability….

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2 Timothy 2:2 (New International Version)

2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Father, the verse above stuck out to me like a soar thumb today.  Constantly I hear the words mentor, mentee, pour into others, give back, soak up, etc. running through my head.  This verse reminds me of that.

All of our Bible studies, sermon listening, dvd watching, cd consuming – it has purpose other than just for us.  We are to pass it on.  But according to this scripture – pass on with a purpose and pass on purposefully!

We pour into others whom will learn and grow from our own learnings, but also pour into others that will teach others.  It is almost like…it may not be completely beneficial to invest in ones that just sit and soak.  We want to invest in those that are reliable with what they are taught and those that also will take and pour into another!!

Too often we see people, myself included at one time, dieing to be teachers, but not willing to be sold out to the learning and training of another!  We must find ourselves reliable to what has been taught and then move on to the teaching.  Do the homework first before spreading the “learned”.

I hear you Lord – I hear you!!!  May my reliability increase before my borders of teaching expand!!  Do Your work, Lord – please!!

Oh Glory – what a night and morning.  I had a huge jewelry party and man was it ever a big hit.  It wasn’t one of those kind where you listen to a talk and then order from a book – this was one where you make it and take it – FUN FUN!!!  My friend, Malea, and I EACH got $250ish in free product because the show was so good.  We had a ton of fun and it was just the perfect evening!  You can find this jewelry and my new friend/owner on Facebook, Kristie Brinkley at Silver Chics.  FUN!
My sweet and ever so patient friend Andrea and I went running this morning.  She is way better shape than me (you cant get in much worse shape than my 20 extra pound body though) and is being patient as I try to work my way up to her status.  I wont get to her “shapeness” cuz she is a fast runner, but if i can get to not having to walk that will be good.  Thanks girl!
Today we are preparing for a long weekend of baseball.  We leave early tomorrow for O’Fallen.  Tucker has a cagillion games with the Bullets team.  I pray he plays better than last week.  It takes him a good long time to get through first gameS jitters.  Like 5 games or so!  But Coach Winter got his swing back to proficiency and so hopefully we will see results!  
I am excited for warm sunshine and good friends!!!  Need that self-control!!  See you Monday!  
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953 – Self-control. I confess, I struggle…big time!

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 Good Morning Lord – We, my family and all those hunkered down last night in our basement, made it through the terrible storms.  It actually was not near as bad as the one on April 19 – at least here in Carmi.  I know it was a totally different story for those in Joplin, Mo. just a few days ago.  Oh Lord, continue to help them find their loved ones…alive!!  God, show them where to go and the perfect time to get there!!  Oh Jesus, have mercy on them and restore that place like only You can!

This morning I found myself in Titus 2:4-5  4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”  This is the passage that is talking to the women of the church and pleading with the older women to train the younger and some specific things the younger women should aim to do and be.

5 to be self-controlled and pure – This part of the verse really pierced my heart as i read it – that is the working of the Holy Spirit within me.  My commentary said that this word for self-controlled is ‘sophron’ which means “to voluntarily place limitations on one’s own freedom”.  It reminds me of the other scripture that says, “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.”  


To subject myself to certain limitations within my own freedom is difficult!  Not an easy task for someone that many times lacks self-control.  I struggle with when enough is enough.  I find it hard to say no to anyone.  I find it hard to stop when the food is so good.  I find it hard to put down Facebook.  I find it hard to demand my body to exercise because it hurts.  Hello, my name is Angela Leigh Hargis Gray and I struggle with self-control. PERIOD!  


So while I may want to dismiss this verse and keep pressing on in a comfortable life, the Lord today is reminding me of my responsibility if not to anyone else – to myself and to the little girlies He has placed under my roof.  


We said a long time ago, well really is was me, that we were going to have a media free summer.  That means a whole lot of different things for us.  Not a total good-bye, but if it is pretty weather the TV will not turn on until after dark.  There will be no computer gaming or PS2 or stuff like that.  Continued absence of Facebook – except I can not figure out why my pictures still get on there when I take one with my phone!!  grrrr.  oh well.  


Self-control, a voluntary placement of limitations on my freedom and the household, will begin today.  Oh Lord Jesus – help us!!  Help me!!!  I love you!   

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No Devotion, No Wonders…

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Good morning – Just a short hello and check in.  This past weekend in my very own town we had a youth event on Saturday called Break Free at the Children’s Home and then had youth Sunday at our church.  IT WAS FABO!!  We had the incredibly awesome Ryan Warren speaking and what a mark he has left on my church!  He touched us all through the Word that we have not moved in a long time!!!  even to tears!!  

I have been off all media, except for a few emergencies, since the middle of March.  It has been wonderfully freeing.  But after some prompting from some friends and loved ones AND the granted permission from the Lord, I am coming back to the blog.  I am so glad to be coming back to this.  After I have my time with the Lord in the morning, I need a place to let it out or allow it to become real for me and that is done most effectively through writing it out or speaking it through………..on this blog!  (I still am not sure when FB or Twitter will come back, but thanks for asking.)  So here we go!

Heavenly Father – thank you again for the wonderful message we received on Sunday through Ryan.  He preached from Acts 2, verses 42ff.  


42And(A) they devoted themselves to the apostles’(B) teaching and the(C) fellowship, to(D) the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe[a] came upon every soul, and(E) many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.


God, I am no different than the average bear.  I long to see amazing things in this world that You are part of.  I want to see signs and wonders.  I don’t want to miss it.  I want to be there where the action is.  I want to stand in awe when I see your wonders preformed.  I can honestly say that I don’t desire every time to be part of the wonders and signs, but I just want to be there.  


But before I go any further I recognize I must have on eyes that work like Yours.  These miraculous things that are done through Your hands may not be what the world is looking for.  These wonders may be a friend coming to church for the first time.  A stranger opening up themselves to a sweet conversation about YOU!  A wonder can be the very power within me allowing me to walk away from cookies – that is a wonder folks – huge!!  I recognize that I must see things through Your perspective.  


But the bottom line here is that there must be devotion.  Yes, there may be a few times that You allow me to see things during a spiritual drought.  The purpose may be to bring me out of that drought.  But most of time according to this scripture I will see signs and wonders – like 3000 getting saved in one day- because I am devoted to the cause – knowing my Lord Jesus Christ.  


Being devoted, committed, sold out, on fire, lit up, freakish for Him – will give me the perspective to see sign and wonders.  It will give me the opportunity to discern the Heavenly things here on earth.  It will close my earthly eyes and allow me to see through His.  But only after there is devotion!!!  


Too many times I do not want to work hard.  Too many times I just want to sit back and coast.  Too many times I want to take the “spiritual” excuse of “I’m just waiting on God”.  That is hogwash!!!  Devotion happens everyday when we meet with Him personally – that private devotion!!!  


Oh Jesus – it is so good to hear from You in this incredible and wonderful way.  I thank you for the powerful way you spoke through my new friend Ryan!  He really rocked so many of us!!!  I ask that you bless he and Katie in incredible ways.  I have never met Katie, but after the way Ryan spoke so highly of her so often, I pray for that gift.  Jesus, I want devotion – I want YOU!!!  Jesus, help me to be faithfully on fire!!!  I want to see and be part of your movement, signs, and wonders!!!  I love you – amen!  

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949 – Prostitute’s Promise

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Heavenly Father – Thank you for another wonderful day. Jesus I pray right now for my friends that are hurting and going through a terrible time. Lord please be their shield, guard their hearts and mind, and show them the way to joy once again. Lord, some have found themselves in a pit that was not dug by their own hands, but by another! Lord, be their redeemer and counselor. Please do something in their life to redeem them from the pit. Oh Lord I hurt for my friends and want things to be different as well. Jesus, most Precious One, be large in their lives right now. They are having trouble seeing you in any of it. Help me to pray for them throughout the day and days! Thank you in advance!

I found myself again in Joshua, but mingled through Ps. 138 after “talking” Holly from Crown Laid Down. She said, “Did you know that when I was looking up God making us strong and stout-hearted (from Psalm 138) that Rahab was the Hebrew word for stout-hearted? Rahab means strengthen, overcome, proud, make sure and behave proudly. Isn’t that neat? Love your heart for His Word!” So that comment alone made me really do some digging and investigating a bit more. I want to be strong and stout-hearted!! I will come back to that!

On into chapter 2 of Joshua we get to the part where the deal is made there is an interesting word used. Rahab asks for her family along with her own house to be saved during the invasion and killings. There was going to be some bloodshed. Side note: Many times in the Bible God sends out His people to shed blood, kill, destroy, leave not one single human alive……..as much as i hate it too that means everyone! God has ordained war many, many times in our history. The war we are in right now with Iraq is very, very serious – I know everyone knows that. But God wants us to stand up for those that can not stand for themselves – Micah 6:8 – (Iraqi people) and I think God wants us to do any and everything to make sure His Word and Mission is pursued throughout the world – that every man has the chance to hear the gospel! I know it seems more like a economic war and it is, but I know that our Lord and Savior has a greater good in store – there will be good come out of it. I need to have more of a spiritual perspective, see things through my Lord and Savior’s eyes. I promise there is going to be good and there already has. It takes war at times, I do believe.

Whoa – that was a tangent! So anyway there is going to blood shed. In verse 12 Rahab says, “please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family because I have shown kindness to you.” That kindness is the “hesed” love in the Old Testament. That is a reciprocating love – meaning that if i show you kindness or love you will show that back to me and I can expect it! It is usually seen in those that have a close relationship, but as in this case and many others that is not always the case. Hesed love is incredible. It is like when you are waiting in a huge line at the fair and someone even a stranger allows you to cut line. I would never do that…….. ha ha. Anyway, you cut line and have a merry ride. The only thing is that as you are waiting in a long line and that person walks by wanting to go on that ride too. They have every right according to this kind of love, hesed, to ask you if they can get in front of you, cut line – reciprocating love! This is exactly what Rahab had done! She has kind to them and she wanted and made them swear by oath that they would do the same back for her. After all as we discovered yesterday she KNEW the Lord and wanted to be on that team now!! Plus emanate death had to play a part as well!

Now let’s think about this with our Lord! My commentary – this is really getting exciting, praise you Lord – says that Hesed is central to God’s character. That means that He can not help but have a reciprocating love. Even though we are unfaithful at times and forget to allow that person in the line at the park with us, God’s hesed love can never forget. His hesed can never not be perfect. It also says, “God’s hesed, however, is not bound by the covenant itself (Old Testament covenant)” simply because men may prove to be unfaithful – there is no “may” about it. We are unfaithful. God’s hesed is everlasting. Oh my – i am jumping!!!

OK – hang in there Leigh – this is coming full circle. Holly lead me to Ps. 138 about Rahab meaning strong and stout-hearted. At the end of that Psalm is verse 8. “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your LOVE (hesed), oh Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.” (Did you see how the psalmist, David, used a hyphen there in that verse. He must have been a speaker too. I write like I am speaking and have lots of interjections and hyphen thoughts i like to call them. David did it, so can i!!! yeah baby!!!) OK – here it comes. I need to settle down………….. I am so pumped!!

Rahab was strong and stout-hearted for many reasons. But i can see here one reason she went on to have her name written in the Hall of Faith – a prostitute in the Hall of Faith!! God made her this way simply and then He used her strong and stout-heart personality to continue on His good work. I am assuming, but this encounter with these Israelite guys and her up close and personal encounter with the Lord may have been the first for her. Maybe not, but maybe too! So God not only showed her how His love – hesed – works, but He was able to do it through these men. From that experience she was changed. Her whole family I bet! She had to have been strong because I am sure much ridicule was left to be had. “Oh there is Rahab – wasn’t she that prostitute in Jericho?” Can’t you just hear it now from other women on the street or shopping mart? Turning up their noses and strutting themselves in pride like they have no sin! But she was strong and stout-hearted. She experienced first hand the hesed love of our Lord, her God that she KNEW (yada) and never turned back. As we just saw in the verse in Ps. 138:8 – God did fulfill his purpose in here and it happened to be with a hesed kind of experience! He is just that way – He can’t help it!!

Even in this war with Iraq, God will fulifll His purpose. For those that have lost loved ones He can not forget you nor can He NOT love you back!! Your time is coming, all our time is coming if we know His as Savior. He will have the last word, rest assured! Vengance is His, not ours!

Father, Savior, Redeemer, Lover of my soul, Forgiving One……………thank you thank you thank you! You have bestowed so much hesed love on me i can hardly stand it. And to think you are not even finished. You will fulfill your purpose in me just because that is who you are. You are a reciprocating Hesed God. Even when i fail to love back, be faithful to your promises and commands, when I worship other gods, when i bow to things that have no purpose in my life – you can not help but love back!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! Jesus – I love you!!

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919 – headed to the "store" to get a new foot!

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Hey yall – i am headed to the hospital to get a new ankle!!!  I appreciate sooooooooo much your prayers!!  I am nervous about this one!!  I guess the older you get the more privy you are to information about other things happening in simple surgeries!  God reminded me of this - 


“God protects those who look to Him.” 
Ps. 18:30

I praise you Lord – U r my life!  
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911 – Baby Grace is in surgery – PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hey everyone – thanks for stopping by.  Today is the day we have prayed and prayed about as a ministry and one that the parents of Baby Grace Dorbor have prayed about as well………..for months!  Today, right now as you read this, Baby Grace is having her intestine placed back into her abdomen the way it is suppose to be – like in you and me.  I know why she was born this way……….For HIS glory and to bring others closer to Him – that is for His glory as well.  As a believer and lover of the Lord, a minister of the gospel and one that seeks Him in many situations, have been changed and challenged!!  I will not be the same, ever!

I didn’t do this  on purpose, but my devotion today led me to the scripture below – Pastor David, Baby Grace’s dad, favorite book of the Bible.  This is beautiful as it pertains to them!!  My thoughts are in red.  


Isaiah 51:4-8 (The Message)

 4-6“Pay attention, my people. I have not been paying attention – He has been right before me and I could not see.  My eyes are open and I can see clearer now having been with my Liberian friends!  
   Listen to me, nations.
Revelation flows from me. Oh Lord, why do I seek others more often than you for revelation and instruction?  Jesus, keep my mind on you!  
   My decisions light up the world.
My deliverance arrives on the run,
   my salvation right on time. Surgery for Baby Grace was not a minute off – this miracle after miracle is right on time! 
   I’ll bring justice to the peoples.  Even in the remote places of Liberia!  
Even faraway islands will look to me
   and take hope in my saving power.
Look up at the skies,
   ponder the earth under your feet. He is so much greater than we know or can even fathom.  
The skies will fade out like smoke,
   the earth will wear out like work pants,
   and the people will die off like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
   my setting-things-right will never be obsolete. Praising the Lord – big time!!  He will make all things right.  He will make all wrongs right!  He will make sure all is taken care of at just the perfect time.  His salvation is forever and to everyone!!  
 7-8“Listen now, you who know right from wrong,
   you who hold my teaching inside you: Father, help me to live by what you have placed inside of me.  Help me to walk according to your Word.  Help me to hold fast the convictions you have placed in my heart!  
Pay no attention to insults, and when mocked
   don’t let it get you down.
Those insults and mockeries are moth-eaten,
   from brains that are termite-ridden, I need to remind my kids of this….often!!  You will be ridiculed and even have your feelings hurt, but once again, HE will make it all right!  
But my setting-things-right lasts,
   my salvation goes on and on and on.”  Oh Lord, make it all right for Baby Grace.  Make it all right for her parents that are so concerned for her.  Give them peace and understanding of what she is going thru.  Lord, all that are involved please bless with your peace and mercy.  May the right decisions be made concerning all.  Oh Lord, guide us!  


Jesus, thank you again for this word and thank you again for this opportunity!!  I love you Savior.  Please lead your church to continue to support this endeavor.  It is costing way more than we predicted and funds are getting low.  We have until Dec. 11 to make it!!  Oh Lord, please rise up your generous givers like you have so faithfully done in the past.  Thank you Lord for the way you work in the lives of so many!!!  I love you Father! 
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