Photobucket

February 22, 2012

Posts Comments

Consecrated!

January 30, 2012 By 3 Comments

Print this entry

Oh Dear Jesus – we have had a wonderful weekend with our friend, and now family (the girls voted him in as family), Ryan Warren.  His 25 year old self has infused some awesome energy into what You have called us to.  Brainstorming a vision of something new was like watching a miracle unfold!  God is up to something really cool and I cant believe He has asked us to be part of it.

One year ago this month the Lord gave me this verse to memorize and dwell on.  Is. 42:9 “The former things have taken place and new things I declare; before they spring into being I will announce them to you!”  A year ago I thought it had solely to do with Speaking Thru Me Ministries, but now I see clearly it has so much more potential than that!

Here is what it says in the Biblical interpretation of the Message:

5-9God’s Message, 
   the God who created the cosmos, stretched out the skies, 
   laid out the earth and all that grows from it,
Who breathes life into earth’s people, 
   makes them alive with his own life:
“I am God. I have called you to live right and well. 
   I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe.
I have set you among my people to bind them to me, 
   and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations,
To make a start at bringing people into the open, into light: 
   opening blind eyes, 
   releasing prisoners from dungeons, 
   emptying the dark prisons.
I am God. That’s my name. 
   I don’t franchise my glory, 
   don’t endorse the no-god idols.
Take note: The earlier predictions of judgment have been fulfilled. 
   I’m announcing the new salvation work.
Before it bursts on the scene, 
   I’m telling you all about it.”

Im so excited to talk freely of what God has laid on our hearts, but for now I hope and dream and write down like mad thoughts and inspirations!  I beg all those that happen upon this blog to pray for us.  Pray for boldness, for strength, stronger faith, for clearer vision, for humlity, for time, for ideas, for the favor of the Lord…….total dependence on Him!

God, we are ready to be used by You.  We are ready to go where You lead.  We are ready to be consecrated!!  We dont want to just be committed, but completely sold out and consecrated to this adventure!

Ryan reminded us last night in Acts that to see signs, wonders, and the miracles of God – which are not just possible, they will happen, it will take a complete sold out devotion, consecration of not just our hearts, but of everything!!!  ACTS 2:42-43

Lord Jesus, make us ready!!!  Father, I love you, i live for you, and I long to serve you……………consecrated!!

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: believing God, devotion, family, husband, Illinois, Isaiah, ministry, Personal Faith, STMM
Photobucket

3 Titles of Christ and 3 Works of Christ in Revelation

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Print this entry

Hey yall – this is so exciting, but there is not a lot that I am able to make pretty and apply just to everyday life like you can with most of the scripture.  By that I mean, this book is one of revealing, like we talked about on Thursday, but also one of warning.  I am studying ahead and today I learned in Chapter 7 I learned about the mark of the beast and the seal that every child of God now has or will have on their forehead.  We receive this seal, unseen by the eyes of humans, at the very moment we receive Jesus as our Savior – and you better have one!!!

Rev. 1:4-6 To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

   Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

   To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

 

This above speaks of the 7 literal churches of this time, during John’s exile, that God wanted letters sent to.  Each letter has different information.  Most of the letters tell what they did right, and also including much of what they were doing wrong.  In the scripture above it says “from the seven spirits”.  That is not 7 actual spirits, but THE Holy Spirit and 7 represents the perfect completion.

Above you will see Jesus Christ given 3 titles… who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. These are very significant – not only the titles themselves, but also that it is established very early in the book that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, His purpose and fulfillment made known.  He also states the works that Christ did for us in each of these titles…

Again – I am receiving all this information from my study guide through Beth Moore on dvd!

Faithful witness – Jesus Christ was a martyr – He loves us and this is written in the present active.

Firstborn from the Dead –  symbolizes the Ressurecction of Christ – he freed us!!  And get this – we are holding our chains, our chains are not holding us because of the pentalty Christ paid on the cross – praise you Lord – let me drop my chains!!

Ruler of the kings of the earth – HE reigns.  Even when you dont see, and of good gravy you will see it in days to come – but He is in control and He does reign!  AND He made us kingdom priests!!  see Is. 6, Ex. 19:6, 2 Pet. 2:9

OK – now is the time you start shouting!!!  This is good yall.  I know I will never be able to convey the way Mrs. Beth does and maybe I should be doing all of this on video so that you can hear the expressions and excitement in my voice.  But for today this is all I can get out.  You have to know that because of this made known to John – he falls over in a trance or something as if dead because it was almost too much to handle.  My prayer for myself and for you all is that we would regain the awe of Jesus Christ and This Word – it would hit us afresh and cause us to fall over and be like dead from the awesomeness of it!!  It is getting more and more exciting!!  Im trying!!

 

I am going to start intermingling posts from my friends starting tomorrow!  I pray you will be blessed and will go visit my friends at the virtual address as well.  I love supporting the body of Christ in this way!!!

I love yall – leigh

 

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: church, end times, God, Holy Spirit, revelation, Tenants of Faith
Photobucket

End Times vs Book of Revelation

October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Print this entry

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.  Rev. 1:3

Hey yall – I have been studying the book of Revelation through a dvd series by Beth Moore.  I have always been so intrigued by this book but have often been very frustrated when I have gone to sermons, lessons, or even classes about this book.  God has revealed to me – Revelation – that the study of this book, while it does have many references to what the end of times is going to be like, this book is about God revealing Himself to the world – the final time.  Now how it is all going to play out and take place, that is the study of end times – big difference really.  Because this is such a big difference and I didn’t realize it was the reason I would get frustrated at classes or sermons on the book of Revelation.

God showed me very quickly as I began to study this book that even though it was very natural to desire to know how all this will unfold, it just is not possible.  There are so many scholars throughout the ages that have so many differing opinions.  One thing I love that Beth Moore says over and over is that God is so awesome, big, powerful, and creative He could choose any way to have the End Times come about or He could choose all the ways to do it.  But my initial, personal reason for doing this study – so I could be more kowledgable and aware and ready and not shocked – is just plainly selfish.  I would go as far to say that almost all of mankind approaches this book in this manner and God just very plainly laid on my heart that this perspective was quite selfish.  SO I have had to revamp – repent – and start afresh.  God wants to reveal Himself to me and you, and this book will do that!

So I come to the verse that I have pasted above…Please go back and read it now.  There is blessing in reading this Word, and specifically THIS Word, Revelation.  Did you know that many unsaved people read the Word?  Those in Law school read the Word a lot!  But it is just reading.  That passage above tells us that there is blessing in just reading the Word because it never returns void, but there is, I believe, even greater blessing in hearing it and studying and internalizing and heeding the Word!!  I believe, know, and have experienced great blessing from studying the Word – not just reading.  Over the years He has increased my desire to know Him more and to know myself even more so that I can identify where He is not in my life and actions!  (It usually is very obvious.)

Folks the time is near – it says right in that verse above.  We do not have another aloted amount of time to get our lives right in a few days – those few days never come.  The time is NOW!  It matters how you live now and what you will experience in the End Times!  This I know to be true!

Sometimes I am not very good at following through.  So I will try to go as long as I can posting what I am learning even though many of you probably already know all this.  It is good for me to write after I have studying for more reinforcement!  In the mean time I will begin to post blogs from guests that I am wanting to support in ministry.  I hope that you are too blessed from reading something much better than my own stuff!!  It is an honor to have these guests!!

Yall have a great day!!!  Praise Him and live right!!!  It matters!!  Love much, Leigh

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: antichrist, church, end times, revelation, Tenants of Faith, tribulation, wrath Tagged With: , , ,
Photobucket

I saw the unseen!! Incredible day!

September 20, 2011 By 1 Comment

Print this entry

Lord Jesus, going to a Children’s hospital is not always my favorite thing to do.  #1, I’m there for a reason – there is something going on with one of my children and so therefore that is always reason for concern.  #2, the other families are there for a reason as well.  Many that you run into look very sick or their parents have the face that tells all.

At the same time it is a very tough trip, I am always brought to a very grateful place.  It is as if I am saying thank you in my mind the whole time I am walking from one room to the next knowing that the particular stages of sickness that are so visible in so many of the kids we have not entered into.  Thank you!!

Much like always, we didn’t park in the most convenient location and had to do quite a bit of walking to get to our building.  Passing the patients outside still hooked up to all kinds of medicines AND smoking was something that Sarahjane could not understand.  ”But mom, if a doctor is making them stay in the hospital, cant he make them not smoke too?”  I thought she had a very good point.

The further we got into our journey I began to think about each family represented.  This was the last place anyone would have ever chosen to spend even a small amount of time.  No one asks to be sick or even given something that is curable.  Sickness, in any form, is not something we as humans raise our hands to be chosen for.  BUT, i saw the unseen.  I really did – it was not visible, but I saw it!

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18


As i passed each family I allowed my mind to go to a place where there would be no sickness.  A place where no doctors would be needed.  A place where there would be no pain – no need to even draw blood.  A place where the sick would never cry again and those giving care would never cry as well.  


The Lord allowed me to envision Heaven and these precious lives walking, running, playing, singing, jumping, and even sitting………at peace.  I quickly took my mind to a scene in Heaven when some day when both my dad and I will meet up on the corner of Gold Street and run to worship the Lord Jesus.  He will hold my hand with his left hand that will be fully functioning and we will together RUN to the Father as fast as we can – no cane, no delays, PERFECT.  


For now I saw the unseen.  But someday I will see AND experience the unseen all at the same time. I pray for those families that are living in the seen, that have no hope of the unseen.  I pray they come to find the hope that will help them make it until they see the unseen!  Lord, may they come to know the one that freely gave His blood once and for all.  May they all come to know and trust The Doctor!  May we fix our eyes on You!  I love you Savior!  


PS – Update on Sarahjane – the doctors are running more tests on her thyroid.  They also are doing a test to find out what stage of growth her bones are in.  All in all – the doctor had no serious concerns.  Praise You Lord!!  

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: 2 Cor., dad, heaven, Sarahjane
Photobucket

Doing my work release hours!

August 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Print this entry

 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!  

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: church, conviction, Haggai, neglect, yardwork
Photobucket

No Devotion, No Wonders…

May 24, 2011 By 4 Comments

Print this entry

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!  

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: Acts, devotion, miracles
Photobucket

949 – Prostitute’s Promise

March 17, 2011 By 2 Comments

Print this entry

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!!

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: hesed, mercy, psalms, rahab
Photobucket

918 – Life is good??? Really???

November 30, 2010 By 6 Comments

Print this entry

Why is it that as we sit around a table and discuss how life it tough, things are not a piece of cake, hardships will come, etc…, but when it actually happens we then tell each other that this is not the way it is suppose to be?  I have done it and actually I will probably do it again, sadly.

The fact is that I have no guts.  When I sit across the table from someone that is going through some really tough stuff I don’t have the guts to tell them that yes God might have planned this for their life.  If He didn’t plan it then He allowed it to happen.  Nothing goes through His hands that He doesn’t filter.  I don’t know for sure, but if I believe in His sovereignty, then that should be what I ultimately believe.  He allows.

And why no guts – for some reason or really 2 reasons I can think of right this very second – 5:44am – I find myself too often by the words coming out of my mouth or by my actions obviously not believing God for who He is or Believe Him for what He says He can do.  The other reason is that I feel a responsibility to make the Lord look good or as if He needs help so that the person will not be mad at Him or blame Him.  UGH – therefore I have seen myself or heard others too making excuses for why they are going through something.  Trying to help the situation or trying to not allow the Lord to look bad!

THE LORD CAN NOT LOOK BAD!  HE NEEDS NO HELP! 
HE CAN HANDLE OUR ACCUSATIONS! HE IS SECURE! 

God’s will for our lives comes in so many forms.  By that I mean, we have according to the scripture His plan for our lives – “plans for hope, not to harm” Jer. 29:11 and various other scriptures.  But that doesn’t mean easy and great!  It doesn’t mean it won’t be hard.  ”We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”  Acts 14:22 We just have to more aware of the what we tell people.  I do!!  I have to have the guts to allow the Lord to work in and through someone or their situation.  He will always come out beautiful and doesn’t need my help!

And then there is the whole situation of consequences of sin.  It can get ugly, the sin and the consequences.  Hardships certainly can have a direct correlation to sin in our lives.  Now that is really, really hard to sit across the table and be honest about.  Or worse, look yourself in the mirror and say that there is a huge indication that I made this bed and now I have to lie in it.  yikes!!!

The bottom line for me when I am going through a hardship or trial or whatever you want to call it – I must be on my face before the Lord and seek Him.  I must be in the Word to receive a word of correction.  I know my Lord to be a God of redemption and reconciliation.  He wants me to be in right standing with Him, but there are times that after the forgive is sought and received I still have to go through a hardship so that possibly I will remember and never act that way again.  (I am a hard learner though.)  Even  the smallest of my sins deserve death – consequences as hard as it may be is still grace because I still deserve death.  ”For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23

Life is so tough, but He really is so good. Isn’t it interesting that we buy all the Life is good stuff, myself included, but none of us really believe it…..  He is good.  He is really, really good!  Praise You Lord!

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: Acts, Romans, tribulation
Photobucket

912 – Baby Grace Pics and Update.

October 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Print this entry

Here is an article my home newspaper did on Baby Grace.  http://www.dailyregister.com/features/x549835468/American-miracle-for-a-child-family-urged-throw-away?photo=0

I have not heard this morning how the night went, but I am believing well.  So many of you have asked what do they need now.  They need phone card minutes to fill their phones.  We need a few people to sponsor the hotel rooms that the mom’s sister and husband have been staying at – it was roughly $45 a night.  They are students at Wheaton College in Chicago that are extremely poor themselves.  5 kids and will not ask for anything – culture!  Many nights of no food, etc.  right in our own country.  All they want is an education so they can go back to preach to their people!!!  WOW!

Thanks friends.  Our website is up and running again.  If you so felt led you can donate from that page.  Sorry to always talk about that, but this adventure is very expensive and we are getting close on funds and have until Dec. 11.  I am 100% confident that HE will provide through His people!!  Thank you in advance!

Much love yall!  Leigh

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: Africa, grace, liberia
Photobucket

907 – Gargamel, from the Smurfs, doesn’t want you to be energized by his unbelieving belief!

September 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Print this entry

Oh Lord, what an exciting yesterday.  Both the boys and girls teams of Carmi Middle School are going to state!!  Our girls, which actually have a chance at winning state, won their final game yesterday pretty easily.  There are so many awesome rockstars on that team it is incredible!  I love to watch them play!  Great group of girls too!

Our boys were not favored to win.  We really were not predicted to even get this far.  They are real young – all the infield are 7th graders except our catcher/pitcher – just depends on where he is playing!  But that one 8th grader, Tyson, pitched an incredibly awesome game.  Even though they were hitting us, we took our turn and hit them as well.  It was so tensely exciting!  Had one good inning and jumped ahead with a 7 run lead, but then they came back.  Finally we jumped ahead again!  For the final inning they about made me throw up by putting my son in as pitcher.  He doesn’t throw near as hard as Tyson, is a lefty, and his ball has lots of movement.  I guess the change up that was needed.

Really good batters up and the pressure was on……..on me it felt like!!!  Tucker pitched his heart out and the team backed him up with some great plays!  We WON – 14-11.  The team that was suppose to just going to have a “learning year” is going to state!!!  I am so pumped for all these young boys and girls!!

Anyway we are excited! Who knows what the Lord might continue to do through these boys!  and girls!

As directed in my devotion I read Acts5:27-42.  This is a time that Peter and some other apostles were being at the very least jailed for not shutting up about the Lord even after being warned time after time.  Finally it came to a court like decision and the room wanted to have them killed.

A man by the name of Gamaliel, reminds me of Gargamel from the Smurfs, asked that the prisoners be removed from the room for other discussion.  After the guys were taken out he reminded the room of others they had killed and the problem disappeared.  But the others they had killed had nothing to do with the Lord.  This wise man of the Word even though not a believer in our Jesus remembered the days of long ago.  He knew of how God had worked in the past.  He also reminded the room that you may shut them p, but you cannot silence God……and you certainly don’t want to found fighting God – He always wins!

There is so many things about this passage that I love and could do into greater detail.
1) I love how the apostles do not back down.  They are willing to die, but still will not quiet down even when in front of those that will and can kill them!!
2) I love the fact that even the unbeliever had heard of the Lord’s power and didn’t want to mess with that!
3) I love the fact that Gargamel had the apostles removed from the room.  It was like he didn’t want the apostles to be energized by the unbelievers belief in God’s power.

Lord, this could be a great message brewing for a youth group or a group of youth!  Show me if/where  am to spur on another by Your great Words to live by!!!  Oh Father – may I have the faith that would be willing to die for you!!  I love you Lord!!!

Today I have so much laundry to do.  Elleigh has a dentist appointment and then I will be taking off for the alter sanctuary for prayer!  I love that time!!  I will be ready to hear from you again!

StumbleUponTumblrLinkedInFacebookDiggTwitterShare
Filed Under: Acts, believing, power
Photobucket
« Older Posts